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Recent Posts
- [ETCETERA] Checking In February 29, 2024
- [IN THE TRENCHES] Invisible Credits January 31, 2024
- [THREE CENTS] The Best Christmas Songs December 31, 2023
- [ETCETERA] The Most Creative Day of the Year October 31, 2023
- [SPOTLIGHT] CanvasRebel Interview September 30, 2023
Category Archives: IN THE TRENCHES
[IN THE TRENCHES] Odd Jobs
When you’re starting out in the entertainment industry (or perhaps navigating a dry spell), you may just find yourself doing a few odd jobs here and there. Something to bridge the gaps and pay the bills. Nothing illegal, of course. … Continue reading
Posted in Biographical, IN THE TRENCHES, Industry, NYU
Tagged B.B. King, Black or White, Goodfellas, Lightspeed Rescue, Michael Jackson, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Night Flight, Stephen King, The Rock Bottom Remainders
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[IN THE TRENCHES] For Your Consideration
Every year, the entertainment industry goes through several prolonged Awards Seasons. With film, it’s usually the end of the year for the releases themselves, while the campaigns carry over into the next one. That covers a slew of ceremonies, including … Continue reading
Posted in IN THE TRENCHES
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[IN THE TRENCHES] Take Me to the Pilot
New Year. New work. Rhonda Smiley and I are starting off 2022 by writing a spec pilot for a spec series that we ex-spec-t someone to love in the near future. Well, hope anyway. Writing is rarely easy as it … Continue reading
Posted in IN THE TRENCHES
Tagged Advice, Classic Rock, Pilot, Rhonda Smiley, Screenwriting
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[IN THE TRENCHES] Enjoy the Moment
I think I’ve always had a problem with looking ahead. On the surface, “looking ahead” sounds like a good thing, an ambitious thing. But it can actually be quite problematic. The problem being that when you spend all your time … Continue reading
Posted in IN THE TRENCHES
Tagged Appreciation, Mindfulness, Screenwriting advice, Writing
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[IN THE TRENCHES] Size Doesn’t Matter
Entertainment comes in so many forms. Today, more than ever (though I think they might’ve finally phased out wax cylinders and 8 tracks). So, while I understand that it’s important for writers to create a brand for themselves, I think … Continue reading
[IN THE TRENCHES] When Art Requires Craft
There’s an aspect – the glamourous aspect – of writing that’s all about the magical alchemy of creation. Tapping into your muse and dreaming up rich characters, dynamic relationships, and deep dramatic conflict. Sure that’s part of it. But there’s … Continue reading
Posted in IN THE TRENCHES, Industry
Tagged Back to the Future, Born Free, Mowgli: The New Adventures of the Jungle Book, Rewriting, Screenwriter, Screenwriting, Screenwriting advice, The Movies That Made Us, Writing, Writing Community
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[IN THE TRENCHES] Get it Down
I have a million ideas. Most writers do. But unless you’re already a sought-after creator with a track record of success, an idea itself isn’t going to get you very far. In other words, you can’t sell a spec that … Continue reading
Posted in IN THE TRENCHES
Tagged First Draft, Rough Draft, Screenwriting advice, Words on Paper
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[IN THE TRENCHES] Shameless Self-Promotion
As a writer, self promotion didn’t used to be important. Most writers are more of the self-doubting introvert types as it is. Who would we promote ourselves to? The dog? Well, things have changed. A lot. Thanks in a large … Continue reading
Posted in Biographical, IN THE TRENCHES, Industry
Tagged Blowback, James Hereth, Self-Promotion
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[IN THE TRENCHES] Noted
If you hope to work professionally as a screenwriter, you’re going to become very familiar with notes. I was very familiar very early on and I was not a fan. As we went through the notes process for the first … Continue reading