Bec Smith (United Talent Agency) discusses her work as both a literary agent and an independent film agent.
We talk about:
- Growing up in Australia with movie maddness
- A background in journalism, film criticism and development at Working Title
- Producing and selling Animal Kingdom at Sundance
- What it takes for a film to break through the noise, these days
- How independent films get valued and how projects get made
- American vs. foreign filmmaking and financing
- Signing clients ( David Michod, James Ponsoldt, Garth Davis ) from the start
Quotes from the show:
“I think it’s an exciting and interesting time for feature filmmakers, but I also think it’s more challenging than it’s ever been.”
“You’ve got to have a reason for being, either in subject or in terms of the filmmaking.”
“I’m a firm believer that cream rises to the top, and I find my way to the things I’m meant to find my way to.”