As I conducted interviews for my new book, BREAKING IN: TALES FROM THE SCREENWRITING TRENCHES, there was one mistake that agents, managers and executives kept reminding me that writers, and especially new writers, are continuously making: Getting their work out into the professional space, be it to a potential agent… read more →
Misconceptions about what it takes to become a working screenwriter, e.g. what is required in order to attract the right sort of industry attention, and where your time and resources are best spent, are everywhere. Is it all about the writing? Or all about relationships? Do you have to have… read more →
With 2017 chugging along, and the first fellowship deadlines (Sundance, Humanitas and HBO to name a few) already behind us, many emerging television writers eager to push their television writing careers to that elusive next level are hard at work preparing their TV specs, original pilots and myriad essays for… read more →
Where in decades past hefty options were given to screenwriters whose screenplays producers had hoped would “get there,” today those same options and shopping agreements are not often granted before the producer or executive involved is convinced that they have a ready-for-market, winning screenplay on their hands.
My seven-year-old daughter is a fledgling gymnast. Ahead of her first meet, she asked me, “Mamma, what if I fall off the beam?” I told her the same thing I always tell my writers, “If you don’t fall, you don’t learn.” The truth is that nobody likes to make mistakes.… read more →
Right up front, let me tell you this: This blog post is going to piss some people off. There is no doubt about it in my mind. Even if I try to keep it as vanilla as possible (which, me being the well-expressed Israeli that I am, we all know… read more →
When people ask me what I’m looking for when working with writers, I answer them with two simple words: FORWARD MOTION. And indeed, 2016 brought with it a lot of forward motion for many of my writers, both emerging and professional. From selling pilots to staffing on shows and landing open… read more →
With holiday decorations going up at the local malls, radio stations dedicating themselves to Christmas carols 24/7 and winter weather visiting us everywhere, my screenwriters – working, emerging and otherwise – and I are working our way through our end-of-year screenwriting check lists. There is plenty to learn from the… read more →
(An exploration of writerly behaviors in two parts) Confession: I am sweating. I am squirming. I am shifting in my seat. Writing this blog post has been a pain in the you-know-what. I’ve tried cracking it every which way, and ultimately felt like I never really got my groove with… read more →
When approaching the industry strategically, many writers consider not only what they enjoy writing or what format speaks to them, but also where they might have greater odds for building a tangible, sustainable, screenwriting career. Judging by the numbers, there are more opportunities in television than there are in film.… read more →
Recent Comments