Sam Tahhan

I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.

Like literally. All I have to do is write the script I pitched last week and I'll be repped by one of the Top 5 lit management companies in Hollywood. Pressure? Neh. I'm WAY too competitive not to be eating up ALL of this fate!

Meeting went great! Producer LOVED the script. Said the plot hit a sweet spot & the main character would appeal to an A-lister. Plus, he's willing to read new stuff! Feels amazing to write something so personal that hits home with an exec (especially after getting my ass handed to me by the last 2).

Back at one of @edsolomon.bsky.social's Writer Zooms, I heard Charlie Kaufman say he was genuinely scared of the state of the industry and that he had to crowdfund his last movie. And if I were to choose to be defeated by that, I'd have to first ignore the fact this job is for crazy people.

I’m at USC this morning & all I keep thinking about is that quote from GOOD WILL HUNTING. “You wasted $150,000 on an education you coulda got for $1.50 in late fees at the public library” Talented as they may be, these budding screenwriters still have to do the same work my State-y school ass did.

Meeting with one of the producers of NOSFERATU soon!
What the hell is happening?!? America catches fire and so does my career? The irony is not lost on me.

The producers who've invited me to direct their horror feature are taking the project to Universal very soon.
Please send all the positive vibes you can.

#Universal #Horror #Movie #Directing

YouTube video by Just The Bit The Word

Here's the sketch that started it all. Very proud to now be working with the fine folks who created this masterpiece. Here's "THE WORD"...just in time for Black History Month.

youtu.be/ZPQA-gmSS6g?...

Welp. I didn't lie. I just got my Christmas wish. Audrey is now my rep on all the projects we were setting up. Plus she's helping me land new representation. That's a big win and a huge burden lifted off my shoulders!

Back to work on a script that not only has one of the coolest plot devices I've ever come up with but also has my favorite opening page.

Love to hear what you think!

THE ORDER is perfect cinema.

Thanks, Dave! I think she's going to keep at it until I'm repped. She's really the best.

Remember that rep who said she's getting out of repping? Last night she DM'd me to say she's referring me for a director's gig she thinks I'm perfect for!

Was it Gandhi or Alanis Morissette who said "Isn't it ironic?"

Wish me luck, Friends! This'd be a REAL cool film (w/ a SOLID budget) to shoot!

Thanks, R.E.! Much appreciated. Talk soon!

Thanks, Dave. You too!

(8) the hell out of me!

Just because it's a calling doesn't mean you have to wait around to hear it.

Keep pushing, Friends! Against all odds!

(7) I'm not one to wait around. So I'm gonna keep doing what I'm doing. And while I hope someday I'll find someone I clicked with as much as I did Audrey, I'm satisfied for now knowing I'm getting stronger as a writer/director (and will continue to do so for the rest of my life). And that excites

(6) job and not a jerk). So here I am; without a rep (after having one for FOUR years). And, given the state of the industry, it may take time to land another one. But I'm confident I will because good reps want to sign people who are easy to work with and will generate their own steam. Given that,

(5) YOU who has to study the art of screenwriting (and read David Mamet's ON DIRECTING FILM). And YOU who has to sometimes put in your own money to shoot your film or at least beg your friends to work for peanuts...(which they'll do if they believe in you...and they will if you're both good at your

(4) And I did all this bc there's one thing a lot of writers misunderstand about having a rep. That is: your rep doesn't do the work. YOU DO. They may get you a meeting or an audition from time to time. But it's YOU who has to make the most out of your workday. YOU who has to write your ass off.

(3) A little. But then I did the thing you do in order to have a career in this industry. I got back to work. Finished the feature. Then helped set up the sketch comedy show (that I'm flying out today to shoot). And hopped on a call with the producers to ensure I'm still their director (I still am).

(2) on the town and also get a thriller feature from a Canadian playwright set up for me to direct and also get contracts signed for a feature I've been asked to direct that's going to BlumHouse and also shoot a sketch comedy TV pilot. So did the call feel like a kick to the gut? Yes. Did I mope?

RE: Hollywood Highs and Lows (A THREAD)

One week before Christmas, I got a call from my rep informing me she's getting out of management to pursue her own writing career. Suddenly, I was very unceremoniously, without a rep; this, mere weeks before we were going to take my action comedy script out

THE SUBSTANCE is hands down best movie of the year.

Yeah we’re the complete opposite in the power tool category.

One of my favorite moments as a dad so far happened last weekend when my youngest daughter got a karaoke machine that my oldest daughter and I used to sing "Islands In The Stream"; which was made even better by the fact we can both really sing; which was made even better by the fact my wife can't.

I don't know who gets to see this but I just want you to know you're now officially friends with an insane person....an insane person who may just create one of the funniest sketches ever this weekend! Tentacles crossed anyway! #SquidJohnson #PrivateDetective #SketchComedy

People who are successfully using BlueSky (and are seeing this). Please tell me how to expand my reach here. I've got multiple projects going & am always looking for talent/support of some sort. But I'm not going looking on Nazi Hell. Please advise! I've tried #'s. But nothing's working.

Do I know any female comedians/actors in Houston or Austin? We've got a paid gig this weekend. But gotta move fast. Please spread the word.

#SketchComedy #Actors #Comedians #Comedy #Sketch #Austin #Houston #TV

Headed to the studio to shoot our first round of sketches! Please send all the good juju you can as this first try will act as a litmus test; meaning if we do good, they'll keep going. Good news is they got funding from the City.

So we're off to a great start!

#Sketch #Comedy #Screenwriters

We are officially into pre-pro!!! #TV #SketchComedy