Podcast: Manager Michael Kuciak Signs Big Break™ Standouts

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Michael Kuciak

Michael Kuciak

Final Draft, Inc.’s Big Break™ judge Michael Kuciak is a literary manager with his own firm, Samurai MK. When he read scripts in 2011 for the prestigious contest, known for hooking writers up with industry folks, he found two screenplays that he just couldn’t put down. Cut to: Kuciak with two new clients.

Script sat with Kuciak to hear about how he discovered Paul Gavin and Matthew Gayne, what drew him to their scripts, and what he’s going to do next for their careers.

Podcast highlights:

  • “[Both writers] created their own luck by being extremely hard working and having talent.”
  • “[Both writers] have very sharp and distinct voices.”
  • When looking for clients, Kuciak wants talent, commerciality and hunger.

Click below to listen:

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Jenna Milly is a feature and television writer. She is the co-creator of the TBS microseries Gillian in Georgia. She earned her B.A. in Journalism from the University of Georgia and a M.F.A. in Screenwriting from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television.

3 Comments

  1. Jim Donovan says:
    November 23, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    I read about the Nazi script he liked. I wrote a much better, more positive look at it; without trying to make it a distorted Twilight Zone “worse than reality”.

    I put together a real story of a friend whose dad escaped Auschwitz, and a wealthy friend who owned Hitler original art; turning it into a very funny twist of a family story. Original – never told before.

    PEACE AT LAST – Modern Holocaust Survivor/Psychological Family Drama/Social Drama (92 pgs) Amidst anti-Semitic jokes, bar owner Mack hides Jewish identity and Auschwitz escapee past from all, including an estranged son who owns a Hitler original sketch.

    As a disabled Navy SEAL, I’ve worked harder on my writing then I ever didas an athlete, scholar, or Special Forces member. While I’m somewhat stuck in NYC, I’d be delighted to move back to LA. With current ways like Skype, I should be able to make meetings in NY, so a manager should be able to represent me here.
    My work (15 completed scripts) covers each genre, with many genre blends. It should not be impossible to sell your own work, but I’ve come to accept it.

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  2. Gino says:
    November 28, 2011 at 1:07 pm

    I believe this was a good interview, but I don’t know because the audio was so poor. This goes for all of your podcast that interview people over a phone. Just like writers should not submit their scripts until they are as perfect as possible, nor should scriptmag put out podcast with such bad audio.

    Thanks, I hope I was clear.

    Gino

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  3. Jenna Milly says:
    November 28, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    Hi Gino, Thank you for writing in about the audio. I will look into the problem. My apologies for the poor sound. – Jenna

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