This week we sit down with John Zaozirny, a well-known lit manager and head of Bellevue productions. We discuss all things “prepping for a manager.” What samples do you need? What does John look for before signing a new writer? What does it mean to have a buzzy sample? If you’re preparing to take your material out seeking representation, this episode is for you. 

JOHN ZAOZIRNY

John runs Bellevue Productions, a leading literary management company with a focus on discovering and breaking new writers and writer-directors, in both the feature film and television spaces.

John's clients’ writing and directing credits include INFINITE, PARALLEL, ELI, BAD MATCH, BETTER WATCH OUT, HEAVY TRIP, OFFICE UPRISING, SPLINTER, amongst others. His clients have written feature scripts that are set up at Warner Bros, Paramount, 20th, Lionsgate, New Line, Sony, Universal, amongst others. As well, his clients have had 20 scripts on the last 6 Black Lists, the annual list of the best unproduced feature scripts. His client Elyse Hollander wrote BLONDE AMBITION, the number one script on the 2016 Black List, and his client Sophie Dawson wrote HEADHUNTER, the number one script on the 2020 Black List.

His clients have also written on TV shows such as FBI INTERNATIONAL, SHANTARAM, SECRET INVASION, BOSCH PI, MR ROBOT, TRAINING DAY, TINY PRETTY THINGS, HAWAII FIVE-O, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE and HAND OF GOD, amongst others.  He also reps the writer of the Eisner nominated comic book LITTLE BIRD.

John has produced feature films ALWAYS WATCHING, PARALLEL, ELI, and, most recently,  INFINITE, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Mark Wahlberg and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Raised in Vancouver, Canada, John is a graduate of the Tisch Film and Television program at New York University.  He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Elyse.

Find us on the socials:

• Podcast twitter: @ScriptedPod 
• Leah: @leah_lame  
• Bry: @Bry_larrea
• John Zaozirny: @johnzaozirny
• Email us at: [email protected]

What we’re watching: 

• INFINITE on Paramount+
    

Scripted From The Bottom is produced by James Bradshaw at Next Day Podcast

We would love to hear from you! If you have questions, corrections, or personal feedback, please shoot us an email. 

Every review and subscription matters - so make sure to subscribe! We really appreciate it!