Managed Series Spotlight

Today’s series spotlight focuses on Managed.

What is the title of your film and what inspired said title?

MANAGED. I have never seen a team so passionate on finding thee perfect title for a series— it was equal parts fantastic and maddening. No, it was great. Our title switched from “Little Brains”, “Influencer”, and many more… all too embarrassing to name and I came up with them! I may have placed more importance on this title out of all projects, and why not? Good titles market the story and tell the masses what they are in for. When I knew “Influencer” wasn’t in sync with the premise, I went to Savannah Ballot, who is one of our executive producers and stars as our lead, the talent manager Susanna Feinstein. We brainstormed what the essence of the pilot is and came up with… to manage expectations and ego.

We chose Managed (past tense) because Susanna Feinstein always wins in the end as a talent manager. Geez, she has all of Hollyweird managed, doesn’t she? My advice: Run.

Tell us a little bit about the story and origins of your film.

I have written feature screenplays for all of my professional screenwriting career. I was writing a script on spec and found there was a part of this ensemble that actually worked. One storyline focused on a talent manager and his star client. I chased the shiny new object with a newfound focus on the alluring aspect of satire… I changed the gender of the talent manager from male to female. Happily too because I wanted to focus on a female talent manager dealing with children in adult bodies that hold status and celebrity, not to mention, narcissistic traits. I mean, do we really only want to be able to reference Ari from Entourage ten years from now? Having a female as the star was vital. I went back and forth with Savannah on drafts. I inserted a ton of my experience into it. Growing up and working in the film industry has given me plenty of material. I relished in putting a fair share into the pilot through the lens of satire.

I will say the one thing that propelled me to wake up every morning, open my laptop, and push through the rewrite stage was one thing… My opinion on celebrity culture is something I feel and seen first-hand. It has formed this line of division. A line in the sand between the celebrity and the consumer. People who aspire to work in the industry one day can watch a movie and there’s this feeling I cannot shake for the life of me— How Hollywood sends out a message saying,“hey kid, sit back and digest but don’t think of trying to touch!” Hollywood needs to be more inclusive and with that comes more welcoming arms, Roll out the red carpet for unheard, distinct, talented voices… not awards ceremonies. I wanted to capture my frustration for this exclusion. Thankfully, it shows.

Any films or filmmakers that inspired this film?

Veep. I couldn’t stop rewatching it while writing. The biting satire is just too juicy, truthful, humorous and cruel! Julie Louis-Dreyfus is a force and I happily ate it all up. I wanted my voice in the pilot to be as loud as hers. As for movies, I remember purchasing ticket after ticket for Birdman and replaying The Player. These stuck due to how on point they were. I believe that is the true trick with satire— stay on point and ground yourself in your convictions. It is the genre that speaks to me the most but it needs to be done right. I mean… There were a few filmmakers that I met who strongly influenced the themes of ego but… next question? 

What is the goal of the film for you?

Managed’s goal is to become a full series. 6 episodes (11-15 minutes each) The team and I will push the boulder up the hill to have it picked up from a good home. It’s starting with our Kickstarter page that is about to launch! Donate whatever you can, if you can. Thanks.

What has the journey been like getting the film into production?

The journey really showed me how the team was strongly onboard from the moment they heard about it. I found this refreshing. I came straight out of producing features. An area of the industry where so many people are understandingly tired and just not passionate. The passion of the MANAGED team has truly rejuvenated me as an artist.

One thing you learned from this project?

I remember having plenty of chats with a producer on Managed (Elísabet Ronaldsdóttir, editor of John Wick, Shang-Chi) She told me… “No excuses.” Whew— that stayed with me. Making no excuses when it comes to telling a good story is vital and often overlooked. The overall experience thus far has reinforced how I must continue to follow my discernment for the sake of story, cast and crew. Keep the faith and keep the foot on the pedal, you know?

How can folks find you and your film online?

Head over to Instagram @managedseries or check out the website managedseries.com for updates on the upcoming Kickstarter and all developments.

Any last pieces of advice for fellow filmmakers?

If you cannot think of anything else to do, keep doing what you are doing. Don’t fear. Just do. Laugh during your lows. Jump during your highs. Focus on finding people who are on your same wavelength and can push back respectfully. At the end of the day, we are all dealing with people in this business. Find the right ones? You got your team. They will champion you and in turn make sure to champion them as well. In the words of Carrie Fisher, “Be afraid but do it anyway.” Also, if you are younger than I am then please do me a favor (you will probably be my boss one day if I refuse to retire) focus on making thoughtful storytelling. We need more!

But if you like short and sweet? Two words to hold fast to— Have faith.

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