Marvin V. Acuna

“There is nothing makes a man suspect much, more than to know little; and, therefore, men should remedy suspicion by procuring to know more, and not keep their suspicions in smother.”
- Francis Bacon

With that said, allow me to focus your attention on the second pillar of a successful screenwriting business…

Pillar #2: Market Intelligence

Market Intelligence is the information relevant to a company’s market which is gathered and analyzed specifically for the purpose of accurate and confident decision-making in determining market opportunity, market penetration strategy, and market development metrics. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

LISTEN TO ME: You are your own Company. You are! When you begin to generate that huge revenue you aspire to attain, the first thing your reps will suggest is that you legitimatize your company and form a corporation.

The very same entertainment professionals that you are seeking to attract into and partner in your business are successful BECAUSE they gather market intelligence.

In fact, an agent’s primary responsibility at an agency is to “cover” their assigned studio. In essence, they must report back to their superiors every bit of information they can mine from the studio executives and the entertainment community so that it can be distributed to the entire company. The more effective they are at gathering market intelligence the more valuable of an agent they become to the agency and to the agencies clients.

Consider this: Industry market intelligence is so valuable to executives, producers, and representatives that in the late 1990’s a dozen or so very entrepreneurial studios executives formed the company Filmtracker.com, the epicenter of privileged information.
Immersing yourself in the business will afford you a competitive advantage over other aspiring screenwriters. And believe me in a business as competitive as screenwriting… You want every advantage.

Entertainment professionals fully embrace Sir Francis Bacon’s other eloquent quote, “… Knowledge itself is Power.” They recognize the value of understanding the market needs, demands, and opportunities.

Do you?

You know it’s hard out here for a pimp (you ain’t knowin)
When he tryin to get this money for the rent (you ain’t knowin)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain’t knowin)
Because a whole lot of bitches talkin shit (you ain’t knowin)

It’s the industry theme song playing in the background as Buster’s agent continues the marathon dialing and sales pitch.

The tastemakers on the target list have all been contacted. Buster has officially left the building.

And we’re moving.

Buster’s fate will now be met and determined by two remarkable forces. Here I’ll focus your attention on one.

As we shadow Buster on this guided tour please watch your step and as a reminder no photography or recording device of any kind is allowed.

Folks, please keep in mind that YOU are about to enter a world open only to the most elite power players in the industry, a world of mighty creatures.

Sound the Trumpets please: http://tinyurl.com/njxz4h

Ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to the Tracking Board.

A tracking board is a network of semisecret cyber-hallways, sophisticated chat rooms and BBSes.

While there are many homegrown tracking boards and rudimentary message boards with streaming text, the power players in Hollywood use www.filmtracker.com.

Formed back in the late 90’s by a dozen or so studios executives, film tracker is the industry leader. They are the epicenter of privileged information.

While film tracker manages several hundred boards and has an active membership in the several thousands, the high-end boards are by invitation-only and membership is strictly controlled.

I see you nodding your head. Go ahead we have a moment. Please ask your question.

“Why do these folks share information with each other – aren’t they in competition?”

Yes, yes they are in competition, but truth is that these folks need to stay in touch and network with each other. Keep in mind that these folks move from one company to the next at an alarming speed and they never know who they might be working alongside. They like you need to cultivate close relationships with their peers.

Tracking boards are simply a networking tool in Hollywood and it pays to know how to play the game and what you’re up against.

And we’re moving.

Buster’s first coverage reports will begin to surface on the boards within hours of his appearance in the marketplace.

Opinions and comments begin forming immediately.

On their own, the comments and opinions formed may seem inconsequential. But it’s the collective wisdom of the board members that begins to shape Buster’s destiny.

Hear me: Anonymous people began tracking Buster the minute his agent informed someone else.

Now if the coverage reports on Buster are negative, then word soon spreads over the tracking boards that this script isn’t very good.

But, if the coverage reports on Buster are good, then buzz begins to build and his agent could find himself with multiple offers and dare I say it… even a bidding war. Almost instantly Buster could become the hot property.

WTF?

I know it can be a scary thought to consider that Buster’s fate rests with an anonymous group of people exchanging messages over a tracking board. But, oh well… c’est la vie.

And we’re moving.

Next up… the other remarkable force.

Allow me to introduce…

To be continued.