What they rarely talk about here in the States is how big a lie most of Hollywood is. It looks on the surface as though anyone can sell a script, get a movie deal, make millions, but the system is largely a closed system, a wasteland even (despite the popular wisdom) for many nepobabies. And execs lie. . . . I had a script, was invited to Paramount for the pitch. Spent a day on the lot in the office of Bob Evans. "Oh, yes," the whole staff assured me. "We want this one!! We'll send the deal details by email tomorrow." I thanked them and, as I exited stage left, I heard someone say, "Yup, we'll all walk down the red carpet together. . . " That was 2005. I never heard from them again." Someday. I'll tell you what one of the most powerful women in the business had told me some years before that. Or maybe I'll just write it for my blog.
"As an actor, I realized, I was a really good writer."
Ha, Carla! Love it!
What an eye-opening post, and also such interesting advice from your cousin-in-law. My biggest takeaway is that you gotta write for the folks that love ya and want to read ya. (For instance, you have a new committed reader of your blog now!)
This post really opened my eyes to what the creatives face. Wish all artists could invest in themselves…Why should their amazing talent be cabined, cribbed and confined?
100% agree. Trying to invest in myself and as many others as I can along the way. Already a lot of people I’m a fan of and working with (including you, you ninja reader) ♥️
Woah a good piece Thanks
Thanks, bud!
What they rarely talk about here in the States is how big a lie most of Hollywood is. It looks on the surface as though anyone can sell a script, get a movie deal, make millions, but the system is largely a closed system, a wasteland even (despite the popular wisdom) for many nepobabies. And execs lie. . . . I had a script, was invited to Paramount for the pitch. Spent a day on the lot in the office of Bob Evans. "Oh, yes," the whole staff assured me. "We want this one!! We'll send the deal details by email tomorrow." I thanked them and, as I exited stage left, I heard someone say, "Yup, we'll all walk down the red carpet together. . . " That was 2005. I never heard from them again." Someday. I'll tell you what one of the most powerful women in the business had told me some years before that. Or maybe I'll just write it for my blog.
My friend, are we somehow leading the very same life in two different countries? That sounds so similar to my pitching experiences too.
Please write that blog soon! I can’t wait to hear what she told you.
And so I did. . . . https://carlastockton.me/2025/08/09/carlafornia-failure/
"As an actor, I realized, I was a really good writer."
Ha, Carla! Love it!
What an eye-opening post, and also such interesting advice from your cousin-in-law. My biggest takeaway is that you gotta write for the folks that love ya and want to read ya. (For instance, you have a new committed reader of your blog now!)
This post really opened my eyes to what the creatives face. Wish all artists could invest in themselves…Why should their amazing talent be cabined, cribbed and confined?
100% agree. Trying to invest in myself and as many others as I can along the way. Already a lot of people I’m a fan of and working with (including you, you ninja reader) ♥️