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 →
Even though the collective “they” always tell you never to start anything with a flashback (or use any flashbacks for any reason in any screenplay if you can at all avoid it), I’m going to commit my own cardinal sin, and start this particular blog post with a flashback of my… 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 →
(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 →
While most emerging writers who do their research and keep a level head come to screenwriting with a clear understanding of how the industry works, it does happen that a new writer will arrive on the scene, with his or her mistrust put broadly – if not proudly – on… read more →
Disclaimer: I am writing this openly and unabashedly pissed off. Which means… This may come off harsher than I would usually want but… Fuck it. It needs to be said. So my apologies in advance if I offend. A few days ago, I sat down for a creative development session… read more →
(Names and places have been changed to protect the innocent.) A few months ago, I was invited to speak at a highly regarded academic institution, to a group of newbie television writers who signed up for an introductory class in television writing, in which they were tasked with writing their… read more →
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