New York Film Academy had the honor of hosting a live video Q&A with Script Consultant Michael Schulman. Tova Laiter, Director of the NYFA Q&A-List Series, moderated the event and discussed with Schulman how you should approach writing a script for Netflix.

Until recently, Michael Schulman has been working as a script consultant/acquisitions for Netflix in the Original Independent Film (OIF) division. Michael has presented several well-received webinars on the screenplay development and acquisition process at Netflix, and he has been interviewed and frequently quoted in the industry media about the future of screenwriting and filmmaking in the streamer age!

Michael began his career at the William Morris Agency as an agent trainee and assistant to the worldwide head-of-talent where he worked with top actors including Richard Gere, Mel Gibson, Nicolas Cage, Denzel Washington, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nicole Kidman. After a move to ICM and upon promotion to agent in the motion picture literary department, Michael began representing emerging screenwriters, directors, and producers, brokering the deal for Danny Rubin’s screenplay GROUNDHOG DAY to director Harold Ramis.

Michael ultimately switched from the agency world to the buyer side as VP of Development for Alec Baldwin’s company at Orion Pictures and subsequently for Dennis Quaid’s company at TriStar. Michael later served a stint at Barry Mendel Productions on the Disney lot where he was involved with the acquisition, development and production of RUSHMORE, THE SIXTH SENSE, and MUNICH. Michael spent two years as head of development for Michael Mann’s company where he worked on ALI, THE AVIATOR, and TEXAS KILLING FIELDS.