multi·plic·ity (mul′tə plis′ə tē)

noun

1. the quality or condition of being manifold or various
2. a great number

In other words, have plenty, and I mean plenty, of irons in the fire.

A few weeks ago I was sitting at bar, in Kansas City, having a drink on the eve of a dear friend’s wedding. I was joined by a mutual friend who I had not seen in sometime. After pleasantries, he asked me a very direct question. How did I, a kid from RI, with no known industry contacts end up producing a film with Tom Hanks?

“I follow momentum”, I responded.

Like so many PROFESSIONALS in this business I have a vast number of projects (I’m not solely referring to film projects) in various stages of development. And I channel my resources to the projects that are proceeding forward in that moment. You have to. It’s survival of the fittest in business and you truly never know what will catch on fire first. But, as you tap into all the possibilities of things that excite you, magic happens.

Truth is that studios have hundreds of varied projects in so-called “active“ development, representatives amass a robust client roster of multifaceted talent, and producers are shaping thirty to fifty projects at a time, if not more.

In October of 2008 when I conducted the “The 7 Habits Seminar”, I strongly considered and almost included this in my presentation as an absolutely recognizable attribute of successful six (and seven figure) screenwriters, but frankly seven habits had a nice ring to it, ha! However, this is a KEY attribute, a true habit.

To be clear, I’m not simply speaking about writing 100 screenplays at once. I’m strongly suggesting that you exercise all aspects of your creativity.

Take Jonathan Ames as an example, he’s a published author, he has performed a one man show, he’s a columnist, he has a television series for HBO shooting in NY, he writes essays, acts, and he boxes.

Another example, Casey Wilson, sketch comedy writer and performer of “Rode Hard and Put Away Wet”, currently performs on SNL and is the co-writer of the film BRIDE WARS starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway, in theaters now.

Here’s fun presentation by a master of multiplicity, JJ Abrams. http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/j_j_abrams_mystery_box.html

So many benefits are derived from multiplicity, one specifically, is momentum. Momentum creates magic.

Apply the 8th Habit. You will be glad you did.

About Producer Marvin V. Acuna: recently executive produced "The Great Buck Howard" (John Malkovich, Tom Hanks, and Colin Hanks), "Two Days" (Paul Rudd, Donal Logue), and produced "Touched" (Jenna Elfman) and "How Did It Feel" (Blair Underwood). To get free video access to Marvin's famous workshop, "The 7 Habits of Hollywood's Most Successful Six (and Seven) Figure Screenwriters," go to