Part 3: ‘That took some balls, kid’
In part three of his story, with a pilot TV show script under his arm, Alister McDermott just needed someone to hear him out. But who would listen? Enter Ricky Gervais, a packed Academy theatre, a sweaty brow and a ‘hideous’ yellow shirt. Oh, and Carl Weathers’ gigantic whiteboard… With the script for the pilot of my show The Grass is Always Greener in the bag, it was time to hit the mean streets of Los Angeles and start hustling. The thing about Hollywood is that it’s not what you know; it’s who you know. And unfortunately for me, I didn’t know anyone. I had, however, become acquainted with a leathery ex-agent while playing paddle tennis on Venice Beach. He had read my script and thought it showed some promise, so decided to come on board as my unofficial representation. I think everyone in LA knows somebody who ‘knows somebody,’ and this chance meeting somehow led to a game of kiss-chase with William Morris Endeavor – one of the biggest talent agencies in the world. I seemed to have stumbled, or maybe served and volleyed, my way into the big time at the first attempt. Could it really be this easy? Maybe it was written in the stars. Somebody at WME read my treatment and sent it to packaging. Packaging sent it over to the TV department. Somebody was definitely getting back to us. Phone calls were made; meetings were planned, meetings were rescheduled, meetings were cancelled. During this prolonged … Continue reading Part 3: ‘That took some balls, kid’
