In 1952, Ed Wood is struggling to join the film industry. Upon hearing of an announcement in Variety (magazine) that producer George Weiss (producer) is trying to purchase Christine Jorgensen's Film rights#Life rights, Wood wants to meet Weiss. Weiss explains that ''Variety''s announcement was a news leak, and it is impossible to purchase Jorgensen's rights. The producer decides to fictionalize the film, titled ''I Changed My Sex!''. Wood tries to convince Weiss that he is perfect to direct the film, owing to the fact that he himself is a closeted transvestite and knows what it's like to live with a secret and worry what people might think, but is unsuccessful since Weiss wants a director with experience. Wood meets his longtime idol Bela Lugosi and the two become friends. Wood persuades Weiss to let him direct the film by convincing him that having a star in the film would sell tickets, and they could sign Lugosi for a low price.