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 →
When I first wrote SAY WHAT: THINGS SCREENWRITERS SHOULD NEVER SAY, I had no idea that the simple concept – exploring those things that screenwriters on occasion say to me that make me cringe – would open a floodgate of such examples. It was entirely unintentional. But little did I… read more →
Every writer starting a new project comes to the computer bursting with ideas, characters, worlds he is interested in and themes to explore. There is nothing but promise – only potential for the great script the writer can write. While a particular concept’s potential may vary (often wildly), there is… 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 →
Misconceptions about what it takes to become a working screenwriter, e.g. what is required in order to attract the right sort of industry attention, and where your time and resources are best spent, are everywhere. Is it all about the writing? Or all about relationships? Do you have to have… 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 →
With holiday decorations going up at the local malls, radio stations dedicating themselves to Christmas carols 24/7 and winter weather visiting us everywhere, my screenwriters – working, emerging and otherwise – and I are working our way through our end-of-year screenwriting check lists. There is plenty to learn from the… read more →
Over the years, many of my colleagues in representation, development and productions have been kind enough to humor me and ask me for my two cents on material they are developing, producing or considering taking out into the marketplace. And equally, over the years, many have gotten in the habit… read more →
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