Sunday, December 14, 2008

Geoffrey Brandt - Literary Manager at Course Management

How long have you been agent and how did you get your start Geoffrey?
Agent for 25 years, manager/producer the last 5
Started in the mailroom of the William Morris office

What makes your agency different than any others?
 
We act as the plug and play management/production company for
many of our top end writers, producers and directors where we are
involved in all phases of development even when our clients are off working for hire.
Thus as an example, a director who is working for 6 months will return to an active inventory of material they want to work on next as opposed to having to start the machinery up from scratch
 
I believe the name COURSE MANAGEMENT best describes what we do
Yes it is borrowed from the same terminology in playing golf.  Sometimes we are
aggressive from the start, other times we are more patient in the planning and execution stage.
 
Possibly the biggest difference between my company and others is we don't need
any additional clients.  We enjoy working with those we are committed to.
So often larger companies need to sign, sign, sign but when they do they loose
focus on their core clientele. We only make a commitment to artists and individuals
whom we have vetted inside of the industry. We believe in their talent and whom they are as people, regardless of reputation.  

What are you looking for specifically that you wish you would see more of?
 
Truly original non-derivative material  
 
Geoffrey what are you tired of receiving?
 
Passion projects which will never see the light of day.
Someone's true story of how their family survived the Holocaust   
of the next version of Mad Men.
 
How can a new writer get your attention in a good way?
What's the best way for a writer to reach you?
Known industry third party referral -- entertainment lawyer, studio exec
producer, writer, director, network exec
 
How can a signed client (writer) stay in your radar without driving you insane?
 
We work with a select group of artists whom are hand picked by me.
They are all professionals regardless of their current financial level
They all know it is best to email me for immediate response or to phone
me in the afternoon when I would have more time to give them the attention they require.
 
What do you wish more client (writers) understood about you as an manager (agent) Geoffrey that they don't seem to?

Representatives are human too.  We live and die with the successes and failures of our
clientele.  If they have a good day or shoot then so do we. If they have a bad one, well
then we need to do damage control at point of problem ....none of us can wait for
tomorrow.