Interview
with Marvin Acuna
Interview by Jenna Glatzer
Acuna
Entertainment ("AE") is a literary representation and film/television
production company established to provide Latino writers and writer/directors
with individual representation and access to motion picture studios and
television networks.
The founder and CEO, Marvin Acuna, was born in Guatemala and is thereby fluent
in English and Spanish. Mr. Acuna has more than nine years of motion
picture/television production, development and artist representation experience,
a vast network of established entertainment industry relationships and based on
his background the unique ability to identify with the Latino culture in the
United States.
Additionally, AE and Spanix.com have forged a partnership to make it easier for
artists to submit material for consideration and to keep artists informed on the
latest screenwriting news and developments. Look for an AE website link on the
Spanix network next month at www.spanix.com.
How
did you get your start in the film business?
Funny story, I guess. I made an offer this town couldn't refuse. On my cross
country trip from Providence, RI to LA I happened upon a TV special about Roger
Corman. They paraded folks like Ron Howard, Jonathan Demme, James Cameron, and
numerous others. All praising this man for the opportunities and the knowledge
they got from him. That night I decided that I would work for Roger Corman. Upon
my arrival, I located the company and told them that I was in town and wanted to
work for Roger and that I would not take no for an answer and... that I'd work
for free. They said, "when can you start?" Shortly thereafter I
was on payroll.
Why
did you decide to start your own company?
To provide Latino writers and writer/directors with representation and access to
motion picture studios and television networks.
Do
you have any genre preference?
Genre is irrelevant to me. A great story told in a distinctive voice is the gold
I seek.
What
do you look for in a logline and synopsis?
We're a sound-bite generation. When I read a logline and/or a synopsis I want to
be HOOKED! I want to see the poster and the trailer to the movie.
What
is the biggest mistake screenwriters make?
I think the biggest mistake I find screenwriters make is they write one or two
scripts and start shopping for an agent and/or manager and stop writing. A writer
WRITES! How effective would I be as a manger if I only new two buyers? A writer
WRITES! A writer WRITES! You may not sell every script, but you will hone your
craft. And I believe the harder you work the luckier you get!
How
closely do you work with your writing clients?
I see each of my clients as a business partner. I do not work for them and they
do not work for me. I am the sales and marketing arm and he/she is the craftsman
of our partnership. They generate product and I sell it. I share my thoughts on
what the market is buying, but that is traditionally the extent. I work
with craftsman who are strong storytellers and have worked hard to hone their
craft-- I know my role and my clients know theirs.
FYI: The trailer to my most recent project may be checked out at www.two2days.com.
It just premiered at the Rotterdam Film Festival.
You
can e-mail your loglines and synopses to Marvinacuna@aol.com.
