Lachlan Cartwright, a journalist with scoops from ABC News and MSNBC, joins Nicole LaPorte, a Hollywood feature spec market expert. They reveal how writers are now earning over $1 million for 'naked' scripts without attached IP. Nicole discusses the resurgence of the spec market, reminiscent of the 90s. Lachlan shares insights on ABC’s Trump settlement and MSNBC's shift toward conservative voices, highlighting the adaptive landscape of media amid challenges like declining ratings and new leadership.
The revival of the Hollywood spec script market shows a shift towards original storytelling, with scripts selling for over a million dollars without any attached talent.
The controversy surrounding Disney's settlement highlights the tensions within media organizations, particularly concerning legal implications and staff dissatisfaction over management decisions.
Deep dives
Holiday Industry Lull
December typically brings a slow period in the entertainment industry as many agencies and companies shut down for the holiday season. The podcast discusses the difficulty in reaching out to various professionals, with urgency surrounding agency responses as staff prepares for the year-end break. This situation illuminates the broader industry pattern where the end of the year leads to halted communications, affecting project timelines and discussions. The guests nod to such industry dynamics, highlighting the distinctions from other sectors where work continues more fluidly during this period.
Disney's Controversial Settlement
A significant controversy arises from Disney's settlement regarding comments made by George Stephanopoulos related to Donald Trump, where Disney has agreed to donate $15 million to Trump's future presidential library. This decision has led to unrest among ABC News staff, who feel discontent regarding the settlement, particularly as it came to light in a rushed manner. The podcast explores the tension surrounding this decision, as it raises concerns about the implications of litigation and the potential chilling effect it could have on media organizations. The deal showcases the ongoing challenges of navigating high-profile legal disputes in the media landscape.
Revival of the Spec Market
The podcast highlights a surprising revival in the Hollywood feature spec market in the latter half of 2023, with substantial sales of original screenplays gaining traction again. These recent sales indicate a shift in focus from reliance on established IPs and major talent attachments to fostering original storytelling, with films selling for upwards of a million dollars without known directors or stars attached. This trend is deemed refreshing as writers are encouraged once again to present original ideas, marking a potential return to creative filmmaking that had been sidelined in previous years. The conversation emphasizes the industry's evolving appetite for unique narratives, acknowledging past trends while remaining optimistic about future developments.
Cautious Optimism in Content Creation
With the changing landscape of media consumption and production, the podcast discusses the need for a more balanced approach to film project development. The conversation reflects on why a return to producing 'naked scripts' may not only be viable but necessary, allowing studios to invest in projects with lower upfront costs and manageable risks. Much of the discussion revolves around aligning screenplays with talent that suits specific studio needs, potentially revitalizing a creational ethos lost in the reliance on major star packages. This examination of content creation encourages a foundational shift that could pave the way for promising narratives while engaging a younger audience.
Writers are getting paid $1 million or more on so-called “naked” scripts — no IP, actor or director attached. It may sound like Shane Black’s 1990s, but it’s happening right now as Nicole LaPorte joins Sean McNulty and Elaine Low to reveal a fast change in the market (thanks, Dan Lin!), and the kinds of scripts selling (think Sherry Lansing). Plus: Lachlan Cartwright talks his massive scoops from TV news, including MSNBC’s plan for more conservative voices, pay cuts for big on-air faces, and fears over ABC News’ Trump settlement.
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