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I am now represented by Mr. JON BROWN  You know, Jon Brown. Ezequiel's manager. This guy: http://www.lukeford.net/profiles/pro... Yup. He represents me now, as a writer. How did that happen? How did a 30 year old guy who has never set foot on a studio nor a set, who works in something completely unrelated to movies for a living, who's married with three kids and is paying a mortage in another state other than CA, in fact, very fucking FAR away from the City of Angels, how did this guy, and not any of the thousands of single young guns who yearly sell their earthly posessions to go camp somewhere in Santa Monica and devote their every living minute to getting their scripts read by an agent this size... how did -this- guy, and not -them- (at least not yet) get an agent who deals mostly with studio-sized millionarie hollywood productions? Two reasons: 1.- Because I'm working with a huge producer in a huge project, and this producer called Jon Brown and told him papers shall be signed. That counts for something. And: 2.- Because of Ezequiel, who has been represented by Jon Brown for many years, and put in a good word for me. But wait, what is the reason behind reason number 1? How did I get this huge producer to work with me in a huge project? Answer: Because Ezequiel introduced us, and Ezequiel works with us in this project; we're doing it together. And what is the reason behind reason number 2? Why would EZ put in a good word for me, to his manager? Because he thinks I'm good enough. And why is that? Partly because doing stories is my vocation, is my calling in this iteration called life. But greatly because I listened to what he taught me, I listened, and I learned, and I took that raw vocation, and shaped it, sharpened it, got my theory from McKee, and my practice from many EZ projects. Oh, and who introduced me to McKee? I think you get the point by now. That's what blows my mind a little; the price for all this, all I had to pay for this ticket, was just listen. I just listened to a man who many people dismissed, for their own loss. Sure, I believe some of the things I've done have helped him, but it was never a trade, it was never a quid pro quo agreement; the thing about EZ is, despite having been raised and tempered in one of the harshest, most unforgiving, high-offer-low-demand work markets there is in the world, the guy still teaches for free. 100% for free. All you have to do is listen. Now look, I'm not saying is easy. See, some of you by now, are probably thinking I'm bragging. And if you think so, then that's exactly how you know you're not listening. That's the filter that many people never got through, and thankfully I did. Lesson number one, that behind everything that sounds like bragging, there's something to be learned. That if you get past that, there's something even deeper just behind, and then something else and then something else; you just have to open your mind and be ready to learn, to put into practice the knowledge given to you, knowledge that was earned from years of experience, from walking the walk. One should never dismiss any content out of hand just because the packaging looks unusual in our world, one must remember Hollywood is an alien planet. Hollywood is like the planet Venus. Beautiful from afar, but it'll melt the flesh off your bones (and then your bones) if you're not prepared. Anyway, reality check: I'm still living very far away from Hollywood. I still haven't made a dime out of my creative outputs. I'm still capable of making a mistake and nuke it all to hell. So I'm far, far far far from the finish line still; there's much room for me to be humble, most of all there's much room for me to learn. But at the same time, I have to acknowledge now I truly -have- something I did not have before, and is this: if I write a script, someone powerful will read it, and try to sell it. This is a priviledge. For that I'm thankful. Lets see where it goes from here :)
Submitted by FableForge on July 2, 2008 - 9:53pm. |
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cool.
cool.
Good advice at the end.
Good advice at the end. There's always a method to the madness! Can't wait to hear what this huge project is all about.
Man, I cant wait either
There's a comic book being made, it should take about a month. When its done, we'll publish that for sure! :)
Thanks man!
Rock 'N' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution
Sincere and lound ass congratulations, sir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now,
the two of you go and turn the tide of these shity fucking big-budget
movies Hollywood keeps foisting off on all of us. You've
damn-sure already got one die-hard fan right fucking here, baby.
I can't fuckign wait to do the first BigSugar review of a Marco
Leon/Ezeqiel flick! Do us a solid, man, make us all
proud!!!!!!!!!!!!!
'Course this means the drinks are on you in L.A.
If it's just ridiculous, it's bad.
IF IT IS RRIIIDDDIICCUUULLOOUUSS, then it's okay.
For Those About To Rock
We Salute you, BigSugar. You're next, man.
And when you move to LA you're gonna have a huge advantage! What you need to do is write like hell in every sense of the word from here till then, and that'll be the easy part. We're here to help you!
And hey, tell me what did you think about the FURIA script sometime :)
you gonna...
hook me up to all da Holly after parties right? das all I want from a Hollywood agent... hAhA... :)
No parties for me man
I'm married!
EZ is the man to go to for that :)
take your wife with you too...
I've always pictured that after parties was where da real networking starts...
Put in a good word for me to Mr. Brown... and tell em RAMBO was da shit... hAhA... :)
HOLLYWOOD PARTIES!
I've had my fair share! I don't know if I can handle them anymore! Wait....I take it back. Bring on the hot chicks!
EZEQUIEL
Chido! :)
Congrats!
You're a bad ass writer man, I wish you all the best, bomb Hollywood! . You deserve it. This is an unnatural experience ;)
"Every deep being needs a mask to exist" - F. Nietzche
Man, couldn't have done it without you
You know what you did brother. And what you'll still do :)
We're gonna rock a lot of things together!
MARCO WILL ROCK IT LIKE A ROCKET!
working in movies, when you first start out is like becoming a Jedi. It's hard as FUCK to get there, and once you do become a Jedi, it get's even harder, meaner, more brutal. Know why? Cause now you're inside the war. It is very competative. Inside or out. This isn't the world of independent filmmaking that Marco just stepped into. He is now repped by a REAL HOLLYWOOD MANAGER/AGENT. And it's no joke. Now he's in the ball game and not watching the game on T.V.
And before I forget, I have to congratulate Espektro (Hector!) for his latest endeavor that I won't mention yet. But I know of it and fuck! CONGRATS BROTHER! Maybe you and will do business together in the near future. But for now, I wish you the best. Sincerely I do cause I know what you went through to get to where you are now. You deserve it. Now, do me a favor, and just FUCKING ROCK IT!
Back to Marco!
What I saw in Marco was this. Ambition. Talent. Sincerity. Determination. Here is a person who wanted it sooooooooo bad, that he hardly slept and probably still hardly does. This is what I did when I broke in. And this is what I still do. So, I always gauge people by this. If they aren't working as hard as I am, then they certainly will never reach the level I'm at. Or others who are at same level, cause everyone who has a manager/agent works just as hard.
And of course, all of those that never listened to me have left this community, but I will reiterate. I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. I've been around it long enough, have made many mistakes, and have had many successes. So to tell me that I'm wrong, makes me think that whoever is telling me that I'm wrong needs more experience. I can't call them stupid (actually I always do haha) because some people are not stupid, just ignorant.
Marco embraced my advices, he took them, listened carefully---and now look. He's repped by a high profile literary/directorial management company. And it's also because he's very talented. Let's not forget that important part of it.
_________________Here is a story.
When I started out. There was three of us. It was LEE ALFRED II, COREY HARELL and EZEQUIEL. We were about 21. But at 19, all three of us were already squeezing our ways into the studios. Granted, we were lucky cause our families were already sort of connected with people in Hollywood. But that doesn't make a difference. It didn't make it any easier.
We all got in. Studio deals at 22 yrs. old. But then it got even harder. We were in the Variety, Hollywood Reporter---it was heaven. Not many accomplish that at the age of 22.
We were going to big premiere partys, meeting Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Rob Zombie, Michael Keaton--Lee and Corey are hanging out with Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Tim Roth, Lawrence Bender--I'm out at the studios meeting with Debbie Liebling, Sean Robins, Robert Lawrence, Tova Laiter (who made all this possible for us by the way), Cam Jones and blah blah blah and most recently started a relationship with Louanne Brickhouse (VP of Disney).
So now. We're in. here is where the "it got even harder part" comes in. What do we next? We all went our seperate ways. They started to do their own things, I started to do mine. WE WERE WORKING IN HOLLYWOOD! FUCK YEAH! But we soon realized, that we had to work to meet hollywood standards over and over and over again. There is no room for fucking up, or laziness, or talking.
We soon discovered that all this fun has to be earned. At first it is surreal, we're partying with the stars and taking meetings with all the big wigs in the business. Then it hits you. WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
So we continued to work harder than ever. Lee focused on producing, corey focused on writing/directing. And I was unhappy with just being a writer, cause as you all know, my goal was, is and will always be to be a director of huge summer blockbuster films.
I was doing very well as a writer. But then took the bull by the horns and said "I'M GONNA DIRECT A FEATURE FILM AND FUCK ALL OF YOU!" I went for broke to achieve what I set out to do in the first place. Which brings us to "on the lot" and now my indie flick "On A Dark And Stormy Night"--and now, an Executive Producer, with my partner, Robert Lawrence (producer) and professional hollywood writer Marco Leon! on
THE UNNATURALS.
And so I guess the point is. Follow your heart. Listen to those that know better (like me! haha). One minute I was a Hollywood Young Gun, next I'm sort of floating around not making a six figure income because I'm persuing my career as a director, and now I'm back.
Marco was floating around Karmacritic. Now, he suddenly get's plunged into Hollywood.
Things change rapidly. Ask Espektro one of these days. All you have to do is work hard. But also, like I've always said time and time again, consider who you are and don't be in denial. Know what you're good at. If you're an actress in her mid thirties that ain't done shit, then consider a job at McDonalds. And making low budget films in India with a no name filmmaker doesn't count. We're talking Hollywood baby!
So, Marco, I wish you the best and I am very happy to be in business with you. You have proven yourself to be a true player in the real business of entertainment.
And for the rest of you, especially the young ones like Brendan, listen to me. If you follow my example, you will be successful.
And soon, I'm waiting for the most inspirational story by Espektro. If his story doesn't make you motherfuckers get off your lazy asses, I don't know what will.
EZEQUIEL
Very Cool News
Congratulations. I look forward to hearing more about the papers that shall be signed.
"Don't be told something is impossible. There's always a way."--Robert Rodriguez
I'M WONDERING...
What does Marco now owe me for this? A trip to Disneyland? A hot night with strippers? A brand new xbox? ***part ownership of this website**** haha
Just kidding. Marco you don't owe me anything. I'm happy to be working with you, and happy to know that you're happy and on the road to what you've always wanted. Strippers would be cool though!
Life is strange. A lot of people here thought I was a blah. But one listened to me. He took he talent and applied it to me what I had to say. And look at him now. Now and forever, I am proud to say that--I DISCOVERED MARCO LEON! ROCK IT BABY! HOWL!
EZEQUIEL
Pure Pirate Rum
Black Label
;-)
Congrats Marco!!!
Marco
What you have accomplished is very well deserved.
Congratulations.
Thanks so much everyone
Everyone, I really appreciate your messages, thank you, truly!!
I have to confess its a little scary to know I -have- to perform at a certain level from now on, but at the same time, its what I always wanted, so its all good. We'll see where it goes, I dont want to get my hopes too high, I just want to write as best as I can and see what that's worth. Thanks everybody... you guys are the perfect community to nurture things like this.. I really appreciate.
MARCO AND HOLLYWOOD
well my friend, I'm very excited for you. I'm about to go get ready, go out and act like an idiot with as many hot chicks possible.
But I just wanted to express once more, how proud I am of you, and that I'm very excited to be working with you, and now....that you're part of the Ensemble Ent. list of clients!
And let me express this really quick also, PLEASE, everyone else, PLEASE do not send me emails asking me to hook you up with whatever. You have to prove that you have something worth $$$$. Otherwise, I cannot do anything for you.
Maybe for the pirate captains only. And Big Sugar.
But for now, please, if you need my help, I will direct you in the right direction. And just like I have asked for direction for my indie film, and many have helped, thank you very much---if you have your eyes set on hollywood, I will share advice and experience.
First things first. move your ass out here. Marco....your brand new manager told you the same thing!
Next thing...if you're over 40, I can't do anything for you. You'll have to bite the bullet and rock it yourself.
Next. Never give up. Giving up is losing. And there is always opportunity for everyone, and you can't lose if you race the race no matter what place you place.
So, everyone, keep the goal alive, and just fucking go for it!
EZEQUIEL
I'd feel sorry for anyone
I'd feel sorry for anyone who would ask for such a thing. Would be funny though if you started receiving e-mails from that dude who started the wannabe website.
CAPTAIN BRENDAN!
I'll say it again. Your time will come soon! You have raw talent. You're at the PERFECT AGE! Take advantage of all these things! Here is something I've been thinking about re: you. I don't know if this is good advice or bad advice. I think you should skip film school. If anything, maybe go for a year or two to snap at writing chops, maybe work on some "real" sets. But otherwise, I think you should just go out and make your own film.
Here is some inspiration for a lot of you. Brad Youngs just made me aware of this yesterday. There was this young girl that was there during the "on the lot" whack of a website before the show. She made a film titled MARKED.
At the age of 16--let me repeat this--AT THE AGE OF 16---she directed her first STUDIO PICTURE! and now is in post production. I'll repeat that again---SHE DIRECTED HER FIRST STUDIO PICTURE AND NOW IS IN POST PRODUCTION AT THE AGE OF 16.
her name is ANNE-SOPHIE DUTOIT
I knew she would. I would tell her that during "on the lot" that great things would happen for her before she could count to the age of 18.
I know talent when I see it. I recognize ambitious people right away. Cause most people that really want something, behave like me. This is how I gauge people. If I don't see the same fire in them that I have in me, they won't make it.
I see some fire in you Brendan. It's time for you to be a full blown captain. And Hollywood LOVES young blood.
So, last thought. Marco started this website. First to rebel. Next to form a community to help people achieve their goals. I'm happy that my influence has inspired some. And for those that thought I was a crap head and left the website, I'm happy for that also cause we don't need sour and bitter motherfuckers as part of our online filmmaking community.
And Brendan, the wannabes won't email me. They have too much pride in their failures.
EZEQUIEL
WOW! She directed a movie
WOW! She directed a movie at the age of 16!?
Man, I used to be inspired by and eventually jealous of Sam Raimi for making Evil Dead when he was only 19. But 16? Shit, that must be in the book of world records for youngest feature film movie director.
As for me, I do have both a Plan A and a Plan B. Right now I'm comfortable with where I'm at right now. I want to be making a series of short films right now till I feel I've made the best short film than all the ones before it. I want to do what Rodriguez, Raimi, Smith, and Nolan did when they were young directors which was make an indie feature on their own time and money. Everything I do, everything I plan on doing, is all to prove something to myself. No one else.
You've got balls, honey.
Congratulations, Marco.
This is the best kind of news for the members of this site. Even though EZ has helped you out, you’ve got the GUTS to follow through. On more than one occasion you've shown us that. Simply starting this web site took major cajones. And you’ve continued to follow your dream at the same time as supporting your family. That is monumental. For that I personally applaud you.
You have a big heart that shows through your work as well as the radio show and how you conduct yourself on this site. You deserve all that you want.
-Bikini Vampire #1 (AKA Donna May)
I DON'T KNOW IF
I don't know if I helped out really. Marco is a very talented person. He did it himself. All Marco did was this:
1) he trusted me with guidance.
2) never once doubted me or what my involvement in the movie business was and still is.
3) he worked his fucking ass off.
4) he realized that everything I say isn't me saying it, it's experience and the teachings I get from people that have been in the biz for 30 years.
5) he realized that I don't preach the dream, I preach the reality and what you have to do to achieve your goal as a writer in Hollywood. Cause as you all know, that is my occupation, I'm new to the whole directing thing!
In any case, Marco now has his chance to step up to the plate and show that he can hit. I believe in him.
So finally, I have to add this to end this rant. I wish everyone the best. Follow your hearts. Make the necessary sacrifices. Don't sleep. Fuck as much as possible. Be imaginative. Work until your eyes bleed. Fuck as much as possible. Be true to yourself and everyone else. Make all your mistakes now and learn from them. Then go fuck some more! haha
THE PIRATES OF KARMA ARE FIRING THEIR CANNONS BABY!
BOOM!
EZEQUIEL
Marco you fully deserve it.
Marco you fully deserve it. You have been working hard as hell, and all this hard work has, later or sonner to give you great positive results, and here you are... i have nothing more to say now, that, go there, go hollywood, and go CON DOS CXJONES!!! :)
The pirates are coming, hohooho...
Rock It Like A Rocket!
Make that money Cap'm Marco! Rob, Plunder n' Loot Yo Ho!
Congratulations...
Felicidades Marco, si estas en el lugar donde estas es porque te lo haz ganado a pulso y por aca creeme que compartimos tu felicidad y esperamos que no te atores ahi sino que sigas adelante adelante,no te rindas y "ke la fuerza te acompañe"; Marco you are the Man.
Congratulations!
That's excellent news! I can't wait to find out more about this project of yours.
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