In response to Diane ZB.
The best is when you see or hear something that just hits your soul...like when I watched WandaVision and heard him say, "what is grief but love persevering"...wow, that just floored me.
09:51 PM - May 04, 2023
In response to Diane ZB.
And yes...mostly while watching TV I often think how I would have done it differently...or the better moment, which still takes me out of the show for a beat, is wondering how something got pitched in the room...or why did someone pitch that at all.
09:49 PM - May 04, 2023
In response to Diane ZB.
Boy this one hits close to home. My family hates me. Just by the way I change my face, or make a small sound, they know it's in the response to the writing, or what's about to happen. I can usually set my writer's head aside for a film, but TV, I always know whats going to be the final scene.
09:47 PM - May 04, 2023
In response to Steve Kimura.
This is horrible to say, but my favorite time on set is when the actors blow their lines. Most of the time it's flubs, then the giggles set in. But, when it's because the actor (usually a guest actor) isn't hitting the line the way the Director (or the onset writer) likes...then it can be cringy.
09:43 PM - May 04, 2023
In response to Steve Kimura.
Thanks for asking. Doing the best I can right now. I had 3 things ready to go out and one development with a producer...all on hold now because of the strike. When you're not currently staffed, those things help you take care of your family. Rough time, but I got a cool understanding wife thank god.
09:40 PM - May 04, 2023
In response to Tanisha Mathis.
Here's something you don't find out about until you've experienced it...but I'm here to tell you...especially in TV...stay AWAY from night scenes. That brings up the budget considerably.
09:31 PM - May 04, 2023
In response to Diane ZB.
That being said, seeing the support last night at the Shrine Auditorium from the other Unions, SAG, DGA, IATSE, The Laborers, Teamsters...first time in history every one stood behind us. Teamster trucks aren't passing any picket lines. The turned around today in LA and NYC when they saw a picket.
09:29 PM - May 04, 2023
In response to Diane ZB.
I thought it was going to be short until I saw the sheets put out showing how the AMPTP wasn't even countering on important issues. I don't think it will be as long as the next one...but I wouldn't be surprised if it lasted at least 2 months.
09:27 PM - May 04, 2023
In response to Jane Austen's RomCom Mistress.
That's definitely next...followed by some good ice cream.
09:20 PM - May 04, 2023
In response to Rachel Esselle.
Every time now when I go on Crazy Birdland...I get so much crap in my feed that boils my blood. I just try to stick to "following: instead of looking at "for you"...but I still do...agagaghaghag
09:16 PM - May 04, 2023
In response to Rachel Esselle.
That's also why a diverse room is so important. Different backgrounds, ages, genders...all of that brings a lot to the pot of trying to cook a story out of thin air, with nothing but an idea and how to let the characters navigate that idea into the world that's been made.
09:13 PM - May 04, 2023
In response to Rachel Esselle.
In a Drama room, this happens a lot and usually lasts longer...most often when you're breaking the episode.
A lot of pitching, even if it's not the next step, leads the room in another direction no one thought of...and then everyone's off to the races again.
A lot of pitching, even if it's not the next step, leads the room in another direction no one thought of...and then everyone's off to the races again.
09:09 PM - May 04, 2023
In response to Rachel Esselle.
Those are without a doubt the best times had in a room. That being said, quite often if it's a comedy room, all that time was usually not just putting a scene together...but trying to beat a joke...9 times out of ten, the first joke is the one you usually go with. But that journey is fun!
09:07 PM - May 04, 2023
In response to Marc Price.
First of all...is this the Marc Price I already know?
If I'm not on the picket line, I'll be home creating new ideas for pilots/shows and driving my wife crazy around the house.
If I'm at page five and I'm looking forward to page 6...that's already a sign you know what're you're doing.
If I'm not on the picket line, I'll be home creating new ideas for pilots/shows and driving my wife crazy around the house.
If I'm at page five and I'm looking forward to page 6...that's already a sign you know what're you're doing.
10:04 PM - Apr 27, 2023
In response to Betsy Dudash.
Elton John and Billy Joel...it was like watching dueling pianos in a bar...absolutely incredible!
09:56 PM - Apr 27, 2023
In response to Tanisha Mathis.
The BREAKING BAD pilot and the LOST pilot are my two main re-reads. Usually before I start writing any pilot. Everything you need to know about structure, setting up arcs, smart dialogue AND exposition...you can learn from those two pilots.
09:44 PM - Apr 27, 2023
In response to Colin Matthews.
Examples of writer's room lingo:
Laying Pipe: Getting story information out in dialogue. Never lay too much pipe.
Blow: The final joke of a scene, needs to often be the strongest one.
Couplet: Two separate character(s) lines of dialogue (in comedy, usually a setup and a punch line)
Laying Pipe: Getting story information out in dialogue. Never lay too much pipe.
Blow: The final joke of a scene, needs to often be the strongest one.
Couplet: Two separate character(s) lines of dialogue (in comedy, usually a setup and a punch line)
09:41 PM - Apr 27, 2023
In response to Colin Matthews.
With out a doubt...the Lingo. It was like learning a new language. There are certain words and phrases only used while you're in the room or just while writing on a show...AND...after learning the lingo for Comedy, I had to learn a whole new language for Drama.
09:38 PM - Apr 27, 2023
In response to Hedy Lamarr.
First of all...love the name...not a lot of people are aware of who she was...An if I could live in Ireland and have a screenwriting career...I'd be there tomorrow.
09:35 PM - Apr 27, 2023
In response to Steve Kimura.
So in other words..."tonal comps"...is just another buzz word/phrase...just stick to how the comps you give, easily convey what you're trying to sell.
09:33 PM - Apr 27, 2023
In response to Steve Kimura.
Oh...sorry...comps. Yeah...by tone it only means that the comp you're using immediately illicit a mental response of your pitch in the mind of whom you're pitching. So I have a tendency to not really do "tone"... but more like in your face "these two things make the sandwich I'm selling you"
09:32 PM - Apr 27, 2023
In response to Tanisha Mathis.
Even if you've practiced your pitch a hundred times, people have a tendency to speed up giving a pitch...try to be cognizant of that so you can slow down to a more conversational speed. Start with a brief intro of who you are, showcasing why you should be the person behind the show you're pitching.
09:29 PM - Apr 27, 2023
In response to Ordinarily Me.
I'm an old school Kermit the Frog Fan...but Mr. Snuffleupagus is a very close second!
09:24 PM - Apr 27, 2023
In response to Steve Kimura.
But if it's an original pilot that you want to sell as a series, whatever tone you're using, as long as it's consistent throughout the script, you're good. But for staffing...try to have it match the tone of the show (especially if it's genre).
09:22 PM - Apr 27, 2023
In response to Steve Kimura.
Usually when you (or your reps) submits you for a staffing gig, the sample should not only reflect your voice, it should also be a tone that would be a good fit for that staffing gig. Not everyone does that, because they don't have a lot of specs to choose from, but it's a smart thing to do.
09:19 PM - Apr 27, 2023
