A slew of emerging writers often arrive at the moment when they have simply lost their patience with the day job. When they are determined that the time to quit their job has come. They’ve yet to make that big sale, or get a writing assignment that pays them according… read more →
You’ve worked hard on your script. You’ve put it out there. You’ve done the legwork. You’ve gotten it into contests, but despite your expectations, it did not place. Anywhere. You listed the material on The Black List, got a few downloads, but there was no real interest expressed. You utilized… read more →
Many years ago, in Chicago, an older gentleman came up to me during one of my lecture breaks and asked me, candidly and directly, if his age was going to be a challenge for his screenwriting career. He was eighty four then, just survived a mean battle with cancer, and… read more →
While there is no question that one can break into screenwriting while not living in Los Angeles, it’s also irrefutable that living in Los Angeles does give you an advantage. Case in point: Most writers who break in do so while living in Los Angeles. Which goes to prove one… read more →
A few weeks ago, I met with one of my writers for a pre-scheduled meeting. Last I had seen him, he was riding high from a number of successful general meetings, and we had made plans for him to start outlining a new project. To my dismay, in our follow-up… read more →
It’s human nature to look at other people and instantly categorize them. To make assumptions. To set expectations. To – oh no! – judge! I do it myself: Whenever I meet a new writer, my impression of them begins to solidify before they’ve even sat down with me. From their… read more →
Silence can be infuriating. You wrote a great script. You made contact through a previous relationship, pitching opportunity, or other means. You waited for the invite. When it came, you sent your script in. Well crafted. Under 120 pages. Smart. Skilled. Clean. Or else, you developed an outline for somebody… read more →
A few years ago, a writing team I was working with got their screenplay out into the industry and within just a few days: Tah-dah! Interest. A prominent production company gushed over the script – how brilliant it was, how fresh, how relevant – and set up a call with… read more →
Writers talk – or should talk – about their scripts to everyone, and everywhere. You express excitement, dedication, enthusiasm for the story you’re aiming to tell, and the movie that it may become some day. However, in order for the material to get its fair shot in the industry marketplace,… read more →
A few weeks ago, when debating which movie to go see at the local art house movie theater, I did what I often do to help come to a decision: I turned to reviews. One worthwhile reviewer, who actually gave this festival-favorite indie flick a somewhat positive review, highlighted this… read more →
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