Most new writers come to the industry seeking an agent who will help introduce them and their work to film and television professionals. But today, are agents still on the forefront of talent discovery? And, if so, how do you get their attention?
There is a truth that every writer must contend with: Everyone loves an L.A.-based screenwriter. Hell, some agents and managers have gone on the record saying that they won’t sign a new writer unless he or she lives in Los Angeles. I, too, have come to know that nine times out of ten, my L.A. writers will be more consistent.
It takes a village (agents, managers, executives, and endless advocates) to help a screenwriter build a screenwriting career. Staying humble and appreciative is key to making those relationships lasting and productive, and inspiring others to work hard for you.
We hear it often: As a writer, you have to grab them in the first 5, 7, 10 pages. But how do you really stand out in the first 10 pages of your screenplay or teleplay? The industry’s top experts weigh in.
Often times, agents, managers, producers and executives pass on a screenplay or TV pilot script with one simple line: “I didn’t connect with the material.” But what do they mean when they say that?
For many screenwriters either trying to break into the industry or make their way up the ranks, rejection is just part of the game. In fact, I tell new writers that come to work with me who have yet to make serious inroads in the industry that it’s their job… read more →
For screenwriters working in the entertainment industry, outlining is key when it comes to delivering a great screenplay, television pilot, or episode of TV. Learn how to write a comprehensive screenplay outlines from some of the top screenwriting experts in the industry.
I don’t know what it is about the holidays, but every year, right around this time, I get an onslaught of emails, usually from writers I’ve never met, often ones living outside of Los Angeles, and all of which, in one way or another, say this: I wrote a spec… read more →
If there is one thing I’ve learned over my many years working with screenwriters, it is this: When it comes to making or breaking your screenwriting career, your body of work can make all the difference. Before we go into the “why,” let’s address the “what”: What should a screenwriter’s… read more →
Part 1: Contests & Representation Let’s agree on one thing: When it comes to the film and television industry, everything is possible. Over my many years working with screenwriters in the industry, I’ve seen it all. I’ve seen an older gentleman become a staff writer for the very first time,… read more →
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