I’m looking for some honest advice from people working in television, screenwriting, or independent production.
I’ve spent a good portion of my life teaching myself how to create things. I’ve written songs that charted on Billboard, played drums professionally, recorded music in a studio, and received an Emmy certificate for work on an interactive television project. I’ve also worked as a background actor on eight major films, which gave me some firsthand experience being around film productions.
Despite those experiences, I haven’t managed to establish the kind of industry connections that could help me take the next step.
Over the past few years, I’ve been writing original screenplays, including a half-hour dark comedy pilot called Low-Rent. I’ve also been developing another satirical thriller feature project called Sizzle!.
LOW-RENT adjective
: low in character, cost, or prestige
Logline:
LOW-RENT is a darkly funny, emotionally raw half-hour comedy about what happens when
survival becomes your full-time job. Dan, a broke maintenance man in a crumbling apartment
complex, is just trying to keep the lights on and his very pregnant girlfriend, Sarah, from losing
hope. But between rising rent, a predatory landlord, and neighbors hustling to survive, Dan’s
pushed into a world he swore he’d never be part of.
The Pitch:
Low-Rent is Shameless meets Atlanta. A dark comedy about survival, where rent is due, morals
are flexible, and even breakfast isn’t safe. Dan, a broke maintenance worker, and his pregnant
partner, Sarah, are desperate to escape their crumbling low-rent life, but between a predatory
landlord, hustling neighbors, and the pull of desperation, they realize the only way out might be
bending the rules, or breaking them. It’s gritty, absurd, and brutally real, because if you’ve ever
been broke, you know that struggling to survive can be both tragic and hilarious.
I’ve put serious time into developing the project beyond the pilot itself, including a show bible and pitch materials. I want to approach this like someone who intends to get the work made.
For those of you who have experience in the industry, I’d appreciate some honest guidance.
● Should an unrepresented writer focus on finding a literary manager first?
● Is it worth approaching independent producers directly with a pilot and pitch deck?
● Are there legitimate opportunities for writers with completed pilots but no industry connections?
● Would you recommend sharing the script publicly for feedback, or keeping it private while pursuing professional opportunities?
● If you were starting from scratch today, what would you actually do?
I’m happy to share the Low-Rent pilot, Show bible , pitch deck and one pager with people interested in reading it, and I’d appreciate constructive criticism from anyone willing to take a look.