David List on Screenwriting, Producing & Industry Truths
Posted on: Apr 10, 2025
Photo Credit: Andrew BrinsmeadDavid List’s journey in the entertainment industry is as compelling as many of the stories he helps bring to life. While perhaps best known as the executive producer for Miramax’s comedy Confess, Fletch, starring Jon Hamm, List has worn—and still wears—several hats in the storytelling business.
A New Yorker now residing in Los Angeles, List released his debut novel, What Are the Odds, in October 2024 (Blackstone Publishing) and is already working on his second, The Whale Hunter.
Key Takeaways:
1. David List emphasizes the importance of grit, honesty, and long-term perseverance in navigating the hidden layers of the film industry.
2. Building a personal brand and ownership—like founding RoadDog Industries—was driven more by personal vision than industry ambition.
3. To succeed across mediums, creatives must stay adaptable, trust their instincts, and be willing to take risks when backed into a corner.
Here we speak to List about the realities of show business, moving between mediums and much more.
You started as a TV packaging agent, segued into film production and have recently added “screenwriter” and “author” to your credits. How would you describe the connective tissue in your journey to date?
Battle-scarred and difficult to stretch. Like most industries, and people, the entertainment industry has its public face and its private realities—the ones often heard via anecdotal stories, jokes, cliches and sometimes, the news. Anyone who’s starting out or placing their toes in the show business waters: rest assured that your toes will, at times, have to navigate through a minefield of industry politics and various executive layers—many with hidden agendas.
These are aspects of the industry that are rarely, if ever, spoken about in film schools. The industry is an insular community that goes to great lengths to keep its dirty laundry in the bin or, at the very least, polished up a bit before being exposed. Those who air it, risk finding themselves on the receiving end of the sharp knives. I realize this is laced with cynicism and perhaps not the answer, or at least the type of answer you expected, but it’s true—at least from my point of view.
More importantly, those who bear down: hone your craft, be persistent and be willing to pay the price of yearly baby steps forward, ignoring the manufactured and often timed headlines of overnight successes. You’ll find, like me, that the connective tissue will prove to be a difficult, but wild ride.
What prompted you to start your own production company, RoadDog Industries, Inc., after working as a senior VP of development and production in several others?
It was a long-held desire to take a shot and be the first one in my family to be an owner, rather than [being] a salaried employee to someone else my whole life.
Well, mission accomplished! You’ve worked with some industry giants—Dodi Fayed and Albert S. Ruddy, to name a few. How did you approach building relationships in your early years?
Interesting question. I think the best way was to put in the extra time and effort to be good at what I was doing and deliver results that also benefit your bosses or collaborators. Be completely honest—many in the industry operate under a much looser definition—if you approach things this way, relationships will build around you. It’s always better when “they“ are coming after you than the other way around.
Given your vast skill set and network, how on earth do you now decide which projects to pursue and stories to tell?
At this point, the scope is much narrower. On the representation side, the only entity I still represent is the Fletch estate, so trying to generate activity based on the works of Gregory Mcdonald is always a priority. I’m happy to say that Fletch is now being developed at Miramax as a TV series. Beyond that, I’ve been primarily focused on writing thought-provoking stories that are fun rides, but underneath have universal themes and something larger to say about life and the world at large—often with characters who, whether by choice or not, operate in a morally grey area.
Relatedly, what would you identify as having allowed you to so deftly move between mediums or branch into something new?
In this industry—again, perhaps like most—it’s difficult to specifically identify what enables these sorts of moves. There’s often no rhyme or reason as to why anything happens or doesn’t. Often, it’s simply a need: your back is up against—or rapidly approaching—a wall, especially the grimy, graffiti-covered wall that awaits a dwindling bank account. In that position, go for it. Take your shot and hope the stars align. Above all, believe in yourself. Forget the naysayers.
Solid advice! You’ve witnessed a few shifts in the industry during your time. As you look ahead, what do you feel emerging filmmakers should be excited by, or mindful of in the coming years?
I think there’s been a bit more than a few—some more monumental than others. Emerging filmmakers should be excited by the fact that human nature hasn’t changed. Since the beginning of time, people have, and always will, love a good story well told. They should also be excited—albeit cautiously—about and mindful of the new opportunities provided by the latest technology.
Of course, be mindful of the various roles that every cog in the wheel has in order for any project or career to blossom—agents, managers, production, development, marketing executives, editors and so on. All play an important role, and developing an understanding and ability to navigate the minefield is critical. Some will have “people” in their lives who will do this for them. But it’s still critical, and a lack of it can often lead to an extended stay in the “What Ever Happened To” Inn.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Special thanks to David List and his team at Blackstone Publishing for their time. What Are the Odds is now available in physical, digital and audio formats wherever books are sold. You can also follow List on Instagram and Facebook to keep updated on his array of upcoming projects.
Tahlia Norrish is an Aussie-Brit actor, writer and current MPhil Candidate at the University of Queensland’s School of Sport Sciences. After graduating from both The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (Distinction, Acting & Musical Theatre) and Rose Bruford College (First Class Hons, Acting), Tahlia founded The Actor’s Dojo — a coaching program pioneering peak performance and holistic well-being for actors.
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