Buckle in, grab your coffee, and get excited because we have much to discuss.

Hot Off the Press

⭐MY FEATURE FILM IS FINANCED⭐

I’ll go if you go - As of a week ago, my directorial debut is officially 100% financed and will shoot in September in Shreveport, Louisiana. I could not be more excited.

If you want to follow along and learn updates about the film as we go, be sure to follow my production company Instagram as we shoot the film and go on our festival journey next year. We’re aiming for a small theatrical release– and premieres should be coming to cities near you!!

I just got back from a wonderfully successful location scout in Louisiana, finding all our 1960s period locations. Take a look through some of these amazing spots below.

Logline: 1967, Lubbock, Texas. After 500 days in recovery, two young women embark on a road trip to see the ocean for the first time.

Cast: Caylee Cowan, Larsen Thompson, Rolf Saxon

Hot Girls go to the Movies

🔪HORROR IS BACK🔪

For those who haven’t heard, there are TWO indie films dominating the box office right now— both directed by first time director under the age of 30. This is HUGE for the indie film world. Here’s a great BBC article on it.

Obsession by Curry Barker, 26 — is now at $286.5 million at the box office on a $750k budget. It is on track to be the highest grossing film in Focus Feature history.

Backrooms by Kane Parsons, 20 - is now at $212 million at the box office on a $10 million budget. He made the short film concept on Youtube when he was 15.

BOTH of these prove not only that indie is SO back, but that we trust younger filmmakers with new ideas. These are not based on IP, they are totally original ideas that have now BOTH been extended into longer theatrical runs. Go see them if you haven’t yet!!

Up Next

My Next Producing Project

I am producing a wonderful feature film by Marta Roncada, Deliberate, a ruthless romantic thriller told from the perspective of a sexual abuse survivor. Part love story and part revenge drama, the movie follows the evolution of a twisted student-teacher relationship from its inception through final reckoning. We are officially fiscally sponsored by Entertainment to Affect Change.

Check out our donation page here: https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/deliberate

The feature is based on an award-winning short film - watch it here

❤️THANKS FOR READING BESTIES❤️

I hope you’re feeling a little more inspired about the future of indie film and ready to kill it this summer!! Don’t forget to email or message me your questions.

You can reply right to this email, DM me on Instagram @no.good.movies or send a carrier pigeon to my home <3

Talk soon.

-A

On deck

The proof of concept pilot I directed back in December, “Unlikely Hero” is almost done— the trailer is done and linked below ☟☟☟

A huge thank you to everyone who donated, reposted and supported us.

Logline: A washed-up ‘chosen one’ gets dragged back into a fantasy world by his former puppet sidekick after an existential crisis.

Hot Off the Press

I attended the 10th annual El Dorado Film Festival in Arkansas. One of my absolute favorite film festivals. I screened two shorts- one which I produced and starred in Old Man at the Bar and another I first ADed and produced Val.

• Old Man at the Bar next plays at the Cleveland Film Festival in mid April

• Email me separately if you’d like a private link to view these beautiful projects <3

Up Next

• My feature film debut (which I wrote and will direct) I’ll go if you go is set to shoot in July in Shreveport, Louisiana and we are officially a 501-c-3 through Entertainment to Affect Change. What does that mean?

  • If you are interested in donating for tax write-off purposes, have a business that would be or want to do any of the following (craft services, sponsor our after party, just spread the word or click a button) CHECK THE DECK OUT

  • We are also looking for BRAND PARTNERS or donors for the following:

    • Snacks/chips

    • Cowboy boots/hats

    • Jeans

    • Vintage cars

    • Lipstick

    • Handbags

    • Soda

      • Email me at abby@nogoodmovies.com if you have any connects!

  • More on this project in press announcements to come

Chère Abby

This week’s question: “What do you think about all this opera/ballet Timothée Chalamet business?? Are you angry??”

For those not chronically online— our (usually) fave part French rat boy T-Chalamet made an upsetting comment about the opera and ballet worlds—essentially stating he doesn’t want the film world to fall into obscurity in a similar fashion as these two art forms have done (in his opinion).

Two things:

1. First, my sister Mady has spent the greater part of her life training to become an opera singer and I’ve watched, learned and garnered a massive respect for these performers who are equally entertainers as athletes.

2. The film industry is a baby art form— only 100 years old compared to these ancient, massive, historic behemoths of ballet and opera. So while YES we need to stay on top of it, NO we don’t need to be in a hurry to throw those that have paved the way under the bus while film (ourselves) are already in our own struggle.

BUT- his comments have massively helped BOTH the ballet and opera industries and brought them into the conversation over the past two weeks. So, with the end all adage ‘all press is good press’ — I’m actually happy T-Chalamet and his cocky comments. And to anyone out there saying they still don’t ‘like’ ballet or the opera because it’s ‘boring’ I dare you to give it a try because I promise your doom scrolling on endless memes and cooking videos isn’t doing much for you either babes xx

Here’s a wonderful starter opera piece to check out

Don’t forget to email or message me your questions.

You can reply right to this email to abby@nogoodmovies.com, DM me on Instagram @no.good.movies or send a carrier pigeon to my home <3

Talk soon.

-A

On deck

GUESS WHAT— It’s pilot season and we have a finished kick-ass proof of concept pilot and we’re doing a fundraiser!!! Check out this amazing project, the trailer and all the stills. We’re only raising $8,000 to pay back the cast & crew, and we’re currently half way there! (wow so amazing)

“Unlikely Hero” A washed-up ‘chosen one’ gets dragged back into a fantasy world by his former puppet sidekick after an existential crisis.

DONATE HERE

Speaking of pilot season—

This year it might be back?? You may have seen that many studios, NBC, ABC, CBS and many others are ALL ordering original pilots. So dust off your favorite audition sweater hunnies— we are SO back.

Read more on the Hollywood Reporter

Hot Off the Press

• I just attended Dances with Films New York with “Old Man at the Bar” for our East Coast premiere. We had an absolute blast with a sold out theatre and a wonderful reception for our short. New York was full of snow and a magical time!

Photos linked

• I was recently interviewed by Adam Torres about the American Film Market, my new company No Good Movies and my thoughts on the changing landscape of Indie film. The pod is available on all platforms just click below!

LISTEN HERE

Chère Abby

And the anonymous question of the issue:

Context: Cold emails

“Hey Abby! I want reps! Can you show me an example of what a good cold email looks like?”

Of course queens. Here is an example of when I was reaching out managers:

Hope this helps! And remember to email me your questions <3

xx

Abby

• Acting: I am back from a magical 5 day trip to Paris and Normandie to see the Christmas markets and visit family friends and am officially wrapped on the Apple TV + series. Details are still under wraps, but won’t be for long. I can’t wait to share my role with you all…

• Directing: I just directed a short film proof of concept for a series entitled Unlikely Hero here in Los Angeles with a stellar cast and crew and we will be running a Kickstarter campaign to repay out of pocket fees for the shoot. Look out for that in early January and how to support! <3

Logline: The former 10 year old savior of a fantasy realm teams up, once again, with the creatures he previously rescued and the narcissistic, dark wizard he defeated to stop an apocalyptic threat to our world...except now, he has to do it as a disenchanted adult.

Hot Off the Press

• Reel: I have a BRAND new director reel edited by the wonderful Jeffrey O’Brien for you all to check out. This is the culmination of all my directing work so far the past 4 years in LA. Let me know what you think!

• Press: I was interviewed again for local magazine, Voyage Houston, about all things acting, directing and producing. Take a look at that article below…

New article: https://voyagehouston.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-abby-tozer-2

Chère Abby

Here’s a lovely anonymous question I got last week.

Context: End of year blues

“Hey Abby! The industry seemingly shuts down from the end of November until the middle of January. What can I be doing to help my career in the interim?”

Hollywood summer can seem daunting. All the un-responded emails, NO auditions, seemingly nothing happening– but this is time for a refresh across the board.

Actors: Go through all your platforms and update everything. This means update reels, photos, sizes, credits and addresses across all platforms. Think through your goals, your team and alignment. Are you on track? It’s always a great time to check in at the end of the year.

Directors: Clean up the reels. Make lists of target brands to work with, target producers, fine tune project packages you’re looking to get made in 2026 and beyond. Think through your goals, your team and alignment. Are you on track?

Producers: Fine tune all the meetings you plan to schedule in Q1 and in what order of priority. Who, what, when, where and why? Think through your goals, your team and alignment. Are you on track?

Don’t forget to send me your questions. You can reply right to this email <3

Talk soon.

-A

This has been a WILD few weeks.

I shot my first ever TV role in a new Apple TV + series. Details are still under wraps, but I go back to shoot again in Texas - and am actually on set as we speak! I am SO excited and grateful to my team at Pastorini Bosby and my manager Brehan Fitzgerald for the opportunity. But y’all will get to see me on streaming next year <3

I acted in a commercial for Black Forest Gummy bears in Austin that is now in post-production. Look out for me as a - young mom - coming to a screen near you haha!

I attended AFM (American Film Market) November 11-16th with good friends Alexander Jeffery and Josh Munds to pitch a new horror comedy we’re developing entitled The Box. We got wonderful feedback and beared through the ten days of rain that shook LA.

Logline: A down on her luck yoga influencer and her less than reliable step brother attempt to launch a luxury wellness retreat only to be interrupted by an unexplained delivery that causes mass hysteria among the ‘anonymous’ influencer guests.

Wins and Press!

My short film “Muse” WON best experimental short at The Reel Champions Shorts fest on November 2nd here in Los Angeles. It was such an incredible festival filled with wonderful films, like-minded filmmakers and great programming. I even won some prizes! Thank you so much to all the ladies at TRC and Cinematography for Actors for the honor.

Read this great article and review of the short film HERE

Chère Abby

Here’s a lovely anonymous question I got last week.

Context: Holiday movies!

“Hey Abby! What are your favorite films for the fall holiday season?”

Here are my top 3 watches of the Thanksgiving fall season:

1. When Harry Met Sally

2. The Notebook

3. Sleepless in Seattle

Romantic comedies with incredible soundtracks are my go to’s in this pre-Christmas season. What are yours?? <3

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving all!

xoxo

-A

Drum roll please…..

I WON best actress at the Louisiana Film prize 2025 for “Old Man At the Bar.” Thank you to all the wonderful friends, family, filmmakers and judges who voted for me. This is such an incredible honor and I can’t wait to see where the film goes. To stay up to date with the project– follow me and the director on IG & Facebook.

Alexander Jeffery: Facebook, Instagram

Abby Tozer: Facebook, Instagram

Logline: Two French waiters closing up for the night have their routine upended by a mysterious, old man, who may have shown up for more than just a late-night glass of wine.

Up Next

Another short of mine, MUSE, was accepted into the The Reel Champions Shorts Fest in Glendale on November 2nd. For all my LA filmmakers, swing by for this incredible celebration of female filmmakers!

TRC Shorts Fest showcases films directed by women and non-binary folks to celebrate their unique voices and create more platforms for creatives of marginalized genders. It’s a great way to network with like minded entertainment professionals or support the industry’s up-and-coming creatives who are too often overlooked.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS. My film will be in BLOCK 2 on Sunday 11/2 from 6-8pm

Get tickets to one event, or get an all access badge to experience it all.

Hope to see you there!

Chère Abby

Here’s a lovely anonymous question I got last week.

Context: SAG and Acting

“Hey Abby! When do I join SAG?? I just got my first Background voucher and am eligible, but should I join? When is the right time?”

Fabulous question– and one I’ve had before.

Do NOT join SAG until you absolutely have to. I just found out I am actually joining SAG— from a recent booking (which I can’t yet announce but am SO excited about). But I have been professionally working since 2019— so that’s 6 years of being told no about 12 times a week before joining for context. Joining SAG is the necessity you hit once you’ve worked enough non-union jobs to get your fill, auditioned a TON of union jobs, worked a couple and finally get that “must join” email. Don’t join until you have to. There are plenty of years you’ll be in the union, and it’s expensive. Trust me, there’s still lots of reform SAG needs to go through to make it worth it for us working actors. <3

Don’t forget to email or message me your questions, any question <3

Talk soon.

-A

I was nominated for BEST actress at the Louisiana Film prize 2025 for “Old Man At the Bar.” and YOU can vote for me. The winner is up to you— and I have discount codes for passes <3

• If you want to VOTE for me, you can register and watch the films at this link : https://filmprize2025.eventive.org/passes/buy/film_prize_virtual_pass

• And here is the discount codes: PRIZEROX

• **NOTE**- you will not be able to watch the films until the week of October 13th when the festival begins

Logline: Two French waiters closing up for the night have their routine upended by a mysterious, old man, who may have shown up for more than just a late-night glass of wine.

Honorable mention

• I am directing a short film in November with EchoBend productions entitled “Unlikely Hero"“ written by the incredible Alex Poncio

• We shoot in a month and will have a small fundraising campaign to repay crew members to follow. Your support will mean the world! <3

Logline: The former 10 year old savior of a fantasy realm teams up, once again, with the creatures he previously rescued and the narcissistic, dark wizard he defeated to stop an apocalyptic threat to our world...except now, he has to do it as a disenchanted adult.

On tap

Go see an indie film!

LEADS

A dear friend of mine, Taylor Wright, produced this incredible indie comedy/drama that premiered at Tribeca! Come support indie film and watch the LA premiere at the inaugural Hollywood Park Film Festival at Cinépolis

When: Thursday October 9th @7:45 PM

Where: Cinépolis Theatre 8 : 1233 District Dr suite 100, Inglewood, CA 90303

More info: $20 tickets

More info on their IG and website

Logline: An acting professor has her life upended when her charming but volatile baby brother joins her acting class, setting off a battle of wills between them for the hearts and minds of her eager students that could bring them all to the brink of success or debilitating ruin.

Chère Abby

Context: AI and acting….I’m scared! (me too)

“Dear Abby, how do I start as an actor right now? In a world where AI seems to be taking over everything and there are even AI actors now? Is there any point to it?”

Let’s start with WHY you want to become an actor. If it’s to make money and get famous (I love that) but perhaps let’s start smaller. Do you love performing, making others smile, or perhaps dressing up and just pretending to be someone else? You can still do all of that even if AI comes into the picture. AI is never going to take that away from you. I’m choosing to focus on the power of our individuality during this weird time— the Tilly Norwood of it all. Storytelling is a centuries old profession, a way to share the human experience and while the excitement of a new technological development may seem harrowing, I choose to believe we will find ways to grow with it. So yes, start your acting career. It’s just as good a time as ever.

Don’t forget to email or message me your questions, any question <3

Talk soon.

-A

• This week, I was nominated for BEST actress at the Louisiana Film prize 2025 for “Old Man At the Bar.” I am SO excited to attend this amazing festival and

  • If you want to VOTE for me, you can register and watch the film at : https://www.prizefest.com/film/the-old-man-at-the-bar/

  • OR to all my Southern friends– come out and attend in person!! If you are thinking about coming– let me know! I would love to see you.

Logline: Two French waiters closing up for the night have their routine upended by a mysterious, old man, who may have shown up for more than just a late-night glass of wine.

Hot topic

Short Film RoadMap

Calling all filmmakers–

I made a template to streamline short films from concept to completion. With all the questions I get across platforms about how to create shorts and best practices, I thought I’d make a complete guide.

Follow this complete guide through all 5 phases of making a short film from pre- production to the festival circuit. Includes down-loadable PDF templates of:

- Budgets (up to $10k short film example you can copy and fill in)

- Talent releases memos

- Deal memos for crew

- Pitch deck examples (for grant and festival applications)

- Links to SAG, insurance and film permit applications and so much more!

Check that out on my website HERE

And something a little different this week:

Featured Project

“Sous Les Lampes à Gaz” - an Opera recital

Where: USC Newman Hall

When: Saturday October 18th at 8pm PST

Free of charge

Have a project you want featured? Email or DM me.

Don’t forget to email or message me your questions, any question <3

Talk soon.

-A

On deck

• That beautiful French short I acted in ‘The Old Man at the Bar’ directed by the incomparable Alexander Jeffery – just made top 20 for the Louisiana Film Prize in September. We compete to win $50,000 in this Oscar qualifying film festival, attend a red carpet premiere, feel fancy and watch the short with other incredible filmmakers! Congrats to the whole cast & crew.

  • If you want to VOTE on the BEST short and BEST actor category, you can register for the online festival or attend in person and vote!! Tickets available at this link : https://www.prizefest.com/passes/

  • BONUS: if you buy a ticket, vote for the film and email me back– I will send you a signed poster of the film <3

Logline: Two French waiters closing up for the night have their routine upended by a mysterious, old man, who may have shown up for more than just a late-night glass of wine..

• I was the 1st AD (assistant director) for a short film in Nevada City directed by Jeffrey O’Brien and Evan Rashby – ‘Val.’ We shot in some incredible, ambitious and amazing locations namely: a grassy plain at golden hour, a cliff at Donner pass, a forest with a full moon and a literal hand made space ship!

Logline: A six year old boy imagines himself as a superhero to grapple with the grief of his mother’s death.

Hot topic

NEW PRODUCTION COMPANY

After much thought, debate and paperwork– I have officially launched my NEW production company entitled NO GOOD MOVIES. Check out the new logo below.

And the new website: www.nogoodmovies.com

new website

This will be the company I bring into my feature film shooting later this year and I can’t wait to see what’s to come <3

Chère Abby

And finally— the anonymous question.

“Dear Abby, how do you balance an acting career while running a company?”

Fabulous question. Well, there’s no easy answer to this. I could say time management, I’m ‘type A’ blah blah blah, but simply— I don’t make a distinction between my acting career and my company. In both cases— the product in the same: me. I prioritize rest, taking care of my mind and body, and choose efficiency over exhaust. This runs throughout my filmmaking, acting, directing and producing. So, I run my acting career the same as my company because they are in fact— one in the same.

Hope that’s helpful xx

Talk soon.

-A

On deck

• I write to you from a plane en route to a shoot in Dallas for a commercial I booked with my wonderful Texas reps. I can’t say which brand yet– but for all my Southern folks (TX, AR, LA), you will be seeing too much of me soon.

• I attended LA Shorts with a fabulous short film I directed last year entitled ‘Through’ with my wonderful friend Megan Gill. We screened in a fabulous block and got some great pics. Check that out HERE

Logline: A young woman navigates a break-up through the seven stages of grief.

Hot topic

The harsh realities of the hustle

This is in line with many questions I’ve gotten recently: how do you make money in the industry? How do you break in? Well, the current theme in my life is the MORE the merrier. You need to have all the projects, all the titles and all the talents and even then– there’s no guarantee you will make money. But hey it has to help, right?

BOOKED & BLESSED

I am currently represented as an actor in LA commercially and theatrically, and in Texas/South for both. But for non-LA gigs, this means I work as a local hire. What does that mean?

This means when I book something, I fly myself out and pay for my own accommodations. But, auditioning in smaller markets definitely helps me book more frequently. IF you have the ability to audition local hire or an address to stay at, I do recommend it. You just sacrifice sleep, time and the ability to keep plans with anyone. But hey, that showbiz baby.

WHICH PROJECT IS THIS AGAIN

Always be working on ten things. Right now, I have a feature film in prep, three in development with full scripts and various stages of crew/cast attached, two features I’m gap financing, a short I’m ADing on, a short I’m directing and of course the weekly auditions as an actor. There is no shortage of work if you make it happen. Indie film is all about playing the odds and it’s up to us to increase our odds of success. Fill up the slate.

REST?

This one is still elusive to me and I will follow up with discoveries as I make them.

Chère Abby

Here’s a lovely anonymous question I got last week.

“Dear Abby, what has been your favorite movie of 2025 so far? Do you have one?”

I actually do and it’s recently changed. And to qualify– these are any movies I’ve seen so far in 2025 not just that have come out this year, but my favorite so far is Ari Aster’s Eddington. As a long time Aster fan, I was looking forward to it, but was more than pleasantly surprised by this ambitious, A-list cast, darkly cynical political satire reflection about the eruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. This film has something for everyone, looking at the events through a surprisingly objective political lens, and puts you right back in the anxious early days of stacking up on toilet paper. Highly recommend.

Don’t forget to email or message me your anonymous questions, any question <3

Talk soon <3

-A

On deck

• I just wrapped as an actor in a French short film entitled “The Old Man at the Bar” directed by the wonderful Alexander Jeffery. We shot several days of back to back overnights at a lovely bar in the French Quarter in New Orleans. My parents even got to be extras and are in the opening shot of the film! Check out some stills and the one sheet below. More on where to watch that soon.

Logline: A pair of young Parisian waiters encounter an old man with a whimsical outlook on life.

• I am writing, directing and acting in a micro-budget horror-comedy feature entitled “The Box” to shoot in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. If you are a MUA or SFX artist located in the San Francisco Bay area (or elsewhere) – reach out to me!! Or if you are in the yoga/wellness/influencer space! More on that project and how to get involved soon.

Logline: An estranged step-brother/sister duo host a ramshackle yoga wellness retreat when an unlabeled box arrives, creating sudden hysteria among the high-maintenance attendees.

Hot topic

The triangle of indie sadness: TALENT, MONEY or DISTRIBUTION

Over the past month or so post Cannes, I’ve been in endless calls negotiating how to get different indies off the ground and it all comes back to the same question: do you have one of the above– talent, money or distribution?

But how do you get any of these things?

TALENT

• Start with what you have. Have you worked with any actors you admire and love? Write a role for them. Network at film festivals. Find ways to get scripts to actors without going the managers/agents route THEN loop in the team. Getting actors interested FIRST is the sure-fire way to get them on board (if there’s no money of course)

MONEY

• Create a strong network of beautiful, wonderful people (like yourselves) that believe in you. Indie film is power to the people. I’m hoping to fundraise for my low budget feature and I believe in my network to do so. Start with those who believe in you, and move from there. Also no harm in always puffing that number up by 10% – don’t tell them I said that

DISTRIBUTION

• This is the wild card since streaming. Where do the films go? How do I get the illustrious MG? Do they even exist anymore? Short answer– yes and no. Making relationships with Sales Agents and Distributors starts at the markets (AFM, Cannes, TIFF etc). You don’t need a finished production to talk to sales. You need the ability to pitch and get a letter of intent. Especially in the film fund world (where you apply for funding through a specific nation) – MG’s or letters of intent from Sales agents are still extremely valuable!

Have more questions about this? Me too. Email me with them! Let’s keep this topic going.

Feel free to check out more indie film finance info on my Tiktok

TIKTOK

Chère Abby

Here’s a lovely anonymous questions I got last week.

“Dear Abby, I was wondering what your thoughts are on spiders. I've had some unfortunate encounters with them recently and the only practical solution appears to be moving out entirely. Any tips are appreciated.”

Following up on my recent encounter with an enormous jumping spider in my bedroom, this was the response: Dear so and so– spiders should be dealt with and un-alived immediately at all costs. Current solutions are: shoes, boyfriends, insecticides and panicking.

If anyone has another to add– I would love to know.

Talk soon.

-A

The details

Many of you know me, Abby Tozer — writer, director, actor, producer, UC Berkeley Neuroscience grad and co-founder of the LA based production company, A2C Entertainment— but this is my new chapter. I’m about to direct my first feature film.

The updates

I spent the past year giving talks, amassing questions, and building ideas to create a resource for all the wonderful people I meet along the way. And voila, Chère Abby was born – an homage to the original 1950s publication with a slight French flavor– fitting.

This newsletter will be a bite-size resource divided into three parts:

On deck

• Updates of what I’m working on, events to attend & how to get involved

Hot topics

• Educational industry resources broken down into actionable steps

Chère Abby

• You write me anonymous questions and I answer them (industry related– or not)

So without further adieu, the first ever edition of Chère Abby…

On Deck

1. I went to the Cannes Film Festival in May with the producers of my upcoming feature film “Ellie & Brenna.” We are making headway into pre-production with a hopeful top of 2026 shoot date in either Louisiana or Texas.

Logline: 1967, Lubbock, Texas. After 500 days in recovery, two young women embark on a road trip to see the ocean for the first time.

2. I am acting in a short film, “The Old Man at the Bar” in NOLA at the end of June directed by the wonderful Alexander Jeffery – my first time acting in French on camera. Stills to come next month.

Logline: A pair of young Parisian waiters encounter an old man with a whimsical outlook on life.

3. A short film I directed “Saint Christopher” took home it’s 5th festival win at the LA indie shorts award for Best Actor.

Logline: A jaded millennial is forced to examine his faith and relationship to grief after inexplicably being locked in a church.

Hot Topic

Is Cannes worth it for an indie filmmaker? Short answer, yes and no.

Here’s the breakdown– and keep in mind, I have been full time in the industry since 2019, have directed 9 shorts and am about to direct a feature (which is what brought me to the fest).

COST - Cannes is expensive

Airbnb: $2100 (split between 3 people)

Ubers: $160

Flights: $1100

Marché Badge: $500

AMPAV Badge (optional) : $150

Food/Drinks : $250

Total = $3560

I went for 5/10 days of the festival and spent a whopping $3560. It is the most cost prohibitive festival I’ve attended, but a worthwhile investment if you prepare ahead.

PREP - Do it ahead of time

Cannes is all about prep. I used the platform Cinando, which you get access to with your market badge, to plan all my meetings ahead of time. I emailed 98 people, got 21 responses and met with 17 people in person– 4 went into post fest follow ups. I only got 2 organic meetings. If you have questions about pitch strategy, shoot me an email.

This is NOT a festival of organic meetings and run-ins. Everyone is on their way somewhere, squeezing in a 15 minute conversation scheduled months ahead, soaking in beach views and struggling through jet lag with a complimentary glass of prosecco. It’s a marathon and be prepared for it. Schedule AHEAD of time.

I brought business cards, QR codes to decks and pitches memorized to the tee. Bring evening wear, comfortable shoes, changeable outfits, sun-hats and sunscreen– the weather changes. Don’t be afraid to ask where people are going later that night. It’s the only way to get invited to parties.

TIPS - Lots of ‘em!

I voice recorded after every meeting and had my manager summarize who everyone was at the end of each day. It pays to have someone in the chair helping you get through it– and keep on top of your meetings as you go through them. I promise you won’t remember every little interaction if you don’t.

The AMPAV (American Pavilion) access is worth it. It’s $150 for 2 weeks and they have free coffee with oat milk – so LA of me but so good. Their wifi is great, comfy couches, good food, and a great meeting point. 9/10 would recommend.

So, if you’re on the fence for next year, shoot me an email with questions. There are tons of badge types, ways to get accredited and nuances to this incredible festival. But, it is truly one of the best ways to pitch to all the most qualified and top notch people all in one place at one time. Oui oui ~

Chère Abby…

Here’s a great question from a fellow UC Berkeley Bear

“How did you break into the screenwriting field and find an agent for traditional publishing?”

So, I have a wonderful manager who represents me across the board for acting, writing and directing. I signed with her over a year ago, but she is the first rep I’ve had for writing in over 8 years of acting reps.

First, WRITE, write and keep writing. Without a strong portfolio, you will never find the right rep for you. Remember, a rep takes 10% because you do 90% of the work, and that 90% starts with writing, refining and pitching an entire portfolio of work that gets them excited to pitch on your behalf.

For reference, I had four feature length screenplays when I signed with my manager that I had worked on over 3 years.

Once you have your portfolio refined, do you research. I recommend IMDdPro and word of mouth. Ask everyone you know who has reps. Do they like them? DM people on socials. Find out who reps who and who likes who. A manager is a very close relationship so take your time finding someone who is the right fit.

For reference, I cold emailed 45 managers over 8 months, met with 9, and chose just one.

As for traditional publishing, I’ve heard it’s more about getting traction on your book then submitting to publishers. I’ve yet to take the dive into novelization, but when I do, I will most definitely give a more detailed breakdown. Hope that’s helpful!

Have a question? Send it over!

Thanks for reading lovely people. And let me know if you like this new format, hated it, got anything out of it. I love hearing from you! Until next time…

-A

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