So I had a literary manager email me today with possible interest in my screenplay. They read the synopsis on a query letter but said the unhappy ending would make it a hard sell. Would I be willing to change the ending to a happier one? My whole script built towards that unhappy ending dammit! But I'm desperate for anything positive right now so I said I would rewrite it quick and send her the happy draft. Really only the last page would need to be changed, and I know this happens in Hollywood all the time.

Two questions. Does this make that much a difference? I mean literally I would only have to change the last page where the main rides off with the girl instead of dropping her off in a convent. Anything to get a read I know, it just irks me that 99.5% of my work gets discounted because of the last .05%.

Two. What the heck does a literary manager do???? Lol.

A quick internet search will give you info, including this:

Q. What's the difference between a literary manager and a literary agent?
A. Agents focus on selling. Managers, although we also sell, focus on developing our clients’ projects and careers; and producing their films.

http://www.aeionline.com/faq.html

Agents/Managers etc will do different things. There is a plethora of info re legally what each can do etc. I'd do your research on whoever this mob are. In particular if they're asking you for money I'd be wary. If they want you sign a contract have an Ent. Lawyer check it out.

What are they saying they're prepared to do?

Main thing is you've got solid interest, so I don't quite get why you're irked.

You, yourself said: 'I know this happens in Hollywood all the time'
And it does. We all have to get used to this. We all should be so lucky.

Bottom line is it depends if you're willing to sacrifice a little of your creative integrity - if you can even call it that. Plenty of movies/scripts have been changed to incorporate a happy ending and satisfy the audience and gone on to become blockbusters. It's call 'test screening' - to gauge audience reaction before a general release.

So, do your homework re this 'literary manager' but apart from that, congrats. It appears someone is taking notice of you and your work.

The change doesn't mean it's for the best !!!! Many films end and don't have a happy feel to them so you really need to consider if it is his personal opinion or if the script will genuinely sell better with a different ending.

I watched 'The angriest man in Brooklyn" with Robin Williams last weekend (God rest his soul) and have to admit it had a depressing feel to it though I really enjoyed his character. A film like that cannot have a happy feel to it as it has a deeper meaning and storyline that wouldn't suit.

You really need to consider what effect it will have on your story and if this change is warranted !!!

Regards Alex

No, it doesn't make much of a difference. The whole thing's gonna change a bunch anyway.

If you wanna sell it, change it. If it's more important not to compromise, don't!

For what it's worth, Woody Allen to this day hates the "tacked-on" happy ending of Hannah and Her Sisters, and I (and many) think it's one of his best films.

Remember...you can only sell out once.

Once you've sold out your artistic integrity for cash, it' s gone forever.

It's true that films with downer endings rarely, if ever, do well, though.

Check them out. Who they are, who they work with, what they eat for breakfast... then base a decision off that.

That would be no problem for me whatsoever.

The creativity of a writer questioned once more.  Ah, how many times this has happened to me.  

My book was turned down by a respected literary agency in the UK because it ended with the main character's death and the bad guys winning.  So I rewrote the ending, the main character's a fugitive, alas, now the sequel changes from him getting OUT of Hell (Galier) in favor of him being CHASED across the map.

Yeah, in other words, don't change anything.  You're a writer.  You aim to tell/show a story in any context.  If the whole story BUILDS to your UNHAPPY ENDING then you don't change that EVER.  Happy endings are overrated.  

If this guy doesn't like what you have, then tell him to shove his paycheck up his backside and wait for someone else to come along.  Better to stand your ground than say "I do" to every proposal thrown your way, friend.

I learned the hard way years ago, that if you adhere to the specifications, you lose all creativity, therefore it's no longer your story, but theirs.

Follow your gut would be my best advice,  maybe a suggestion you get like making it a happy ending is a good idea and you can use it to improve your story or maybe its a horrible idea. The bottomline is this is your story and you poured your time and energy into it so if it doesnt feel right then dont do it.

The movie ends with the main riding off with the girl, comatose after a viscous fight, towards an old Spanish  mission. He drops her off at it and rides off into the sunrise, alone, abandoning her once again. After some thought I cut the last scene and ended it with them riding towards the mission together. FADE OUT. :)

If there is ever a sequel it will begin with him leaving her at the mission. First scene. hehe.