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 →
A couple of weekend ago at Screenwriters World, I had the pleasure of speaking on a Breaking Into Hollywood panel along with Chris Soth, Barri Evans, Michael Tabb and Adam Finer. As we discussed the ebbs and flows of a screenwriter’s career, Mr. Tabb, a screenwriting professional now for 15… read more →
Recently, a manager friend said to me: These days it takes twice as long as it did five years ago to break a writer or make a sale. And while this can have different implications, for the most part, it means this: Gone are the days of the one-and-done spec sales,… read more →
A million years ago I dated an actor. A working actor. I.e., the sort who paid rent by pretending to be someone else. Lots of someone elses. Some of whom I’m sure you’ve met along your cinematic journey. Anyway, this actor used to drag me to the movie theater seven… read more →
Here is a simple truth about building your screenwriting career: If you’ve never gotten your screenplay rejected, you’re not doing nearly enough to get your screenplay out there. As a screenwriter trying to go from aspirant to professional, your single most important job is getting your screenplay read by industry… read more →
What is the deal? If you’re over 35, are you as good as dead? Do you really absolutely have to pick a genre? And is the spec market really dead? There are some rumors that seem to have become truths out there, while other realities have been written about again… read more →
A prominent literary manager recently told me that he still reads queries. If they don’t come in late at night, in which case he rarely bothers. Or when he’s driving. Or early in the morning. Or when he’s at lunch. But when he’s at his desk, and not too busy…… read more →
Many years ago, shortly after I took over ScriptShark, I came across a script whose writers swore to me was going to be the next big Hollywood hit. The problem? The screenplay was written – as the scribes proudly told me – for what they called the Paul Newman generation.… read more →
There are writers out there who HATE career advice. Don’t ask me why, but they do. I don’t mean all writers, but more than one have come out and proclaimed before me and anyone else who would listen, that advice, input and guidance can only be destructive: I don’t see movies… read more →
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