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Name: Michelle Sy
Hometown: Growing up: Pampa, TX; Currently: New York City
Occupation: My job title at Miramax is "Director of Development" and I am the Miramax creative executive overseeing the film.
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What attracted you to the Entertainment Industry, and what was your first job or big break in the business?
I always wanted a career in the business, and there was no other "product" out there that I was more interested in than movies. It's such a powerful, accessible medium - it enables people to experience worlds and situations they would otherwise never be exposed to. Plus, it brings people from all walks of life together in one space, the movie theater, and automatically gives them something to talk about, even though they may have absolutely nothing else in common.
What is the biggest challenge you faced trying to break into the industry, and how did you overcome it?
Getting my foot in the door without having any connections. I started out working for no pay in order to get experience (interning in Publicity at Columbia/Tristar, P.A.'ing on a film). I also did informational interviews with people in the industry in order to get advice on how to break in and to make contacts. One of the people I met with referred me to Miramax.
What advice can you give those trying to break into the "industry?"
Be tenacious, network with as many people as you can, stay up on what's going on in the business and who the players are by reading publications like Variety, Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly.
Please describe your job for those who might not know what a Director of Development is.
As a Director of Development, my job is to look for material (ideas, books, plays, screenplays) that can be made into films; develop the material - find writers to adapt the material and/or work with the writers by giving them feedback on each draft of their script; if necessary, find a director for the project.
In the case of "Stolen Summer", once it went into the production stage, I represented Miramax's interests in the film, from a creative as well as financial point of view.
Can you share any tricks of the trade that help you work faster/cheaper/better?
No tricks - just work on projects that you're truly passionate about. This is a tough business - only do it if you love it.
Please illustrate the way the performance of your position can help or hurt a movie. Name a movie that you've seen (or worked on) that we could view and understand the difference between a good job and a bad job.
Good movies come from good team effort. Good development - the right combination of script notes, finding a director with the best vision for the project, and bringing together a talented film crew - is what makes a good script into a great movie.
Are you a writer, and if so, how many screenplays have you written?
N/A
What's the best lesson you've learned in regards to working in Hollywood?
If you're passionate enough about something, you can make it happen.
What advice would you give to writers on how to craft a script that addresses practical production issues?
Only include what is essential to your story. Make sure each action, piece of dialogue and location propels the story/characters forward. Any part of your script that doesn't will probably end up on the cutting room floor. Making sure you have a tight, economically told script will help you maximize your production time and money.
What advice would you give a director on how to make production easier?
Don't start shooting until your script is in the best shape possible.
Plan ahead and stick to your plan.
Be prepared.
List your top 5 favorite films
- It Happened One Night
- Fargo
- Ordinary People
- Roman Holiday
- The Godfather
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