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 →
A writer calls me the other day: “So I wanted to get notes on my script. How much do you charge for that?” Me: “I’m a career consultant. I’m not a reader or – for that matter – a script consultant. Did you find me through my website?” Writer: “Ahhhh…… read more →
If you’ve yet to hear the name JEFF PORTNOY… Seriously? Where have you been? Not only did Tracking Board’s 2016 Spec Book name him the top manager when it comes to setting up feature specs (getting 13 specs to market, and setting up an unparalleled 6 this past year), but… read more →
You often hear people say that the most important thing for a writer to do is put pen to paper. But just as important a directive is this: Put your passion on the page. Case and point: Years ago, one of my long-time clients embarking upon her next project approached… read more →
What are some things that screenwriters should never say about their screenwriting? Explore screenwriting best practices in my SAY WHAT? Blog posts.
Full confession: I am a sucker for information, autodidactic by nature, curious, and sometimes annoyingly so. You know that kid who never stops asking “But why? But why? But why?” Sometimes I imagine myself – in my worse days – to be just that kid. But – thank God –… read more →
Let’s face it: We all say things we shouldn’t. We don’t mean to – and most of us come to regret it later – but things don’t always come out of our mouths the way that we intended. I am just as vulnerable to this as anyone else: When I… read more →
I am a sucker for advice. Any advice. I collect it like kids used to collect stamps (or like today they collect Shopkins or Pokemon cards), catalogue it, organize it, put it away for safe keeping only to pull it out again at just the right time, should it ever… read more →
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