‘The Jinx’ Producer Marc Smerling Talks Writers Strike & Streamer Over-Spend; Says He Is Developing Apple Pod On World Trade Center Bombing Into Animated Doc Series

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“Pitching in Hollywood is like your head against a brick wall right now.” That was the warning to German delegates here at Cologne’s Seriencamp event from the The Jinx, Capturing the Friedmans and Catfish producer Marc Smerling this morning.

During a masterclass on the golden rules of storytelling, Smerling addressed how streamer over-spend and the writers strike had led to green lights grinding to a halt, even in unscripted — at least for now. “The lights have gone off in Hollywood for a few minutes,” he said, referring WGA and SAG-AFTRA’s negotiations with the AMPTP.

Later in the interview, Smerling offered an analysis of the current non-scripted market, providing some hope the market will correct after the talks in Hollywood are completed and streaming ecn True-crime specialist Smerling is currently working up several projects through deals with Sony Music and others such as Operation Tradebom, a series about the 1993 World Trade Center bombing that we first told you about in January.

He revealed Operation Tradebom was being developed as an animated doc series and had created a sizzle reel for buyers – when they’re ready to do business. “We’re continuing to do interviews.