Category Archives: Industry

[IN THE TRENCHES] Adapt or Die

Posted on December 31, 2020 by [TEXTSMITH]

During an email discussion a few weeks ago, regarding some form of chaos or another, my mom remarked about her and my dad that, “We adapt.” In a year where nothing is the same as it was before, this ability … Continue reading →

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[IN THE TRENCHES] False Endings

Posted on November 30, 2020 by [TEXTSMITH]

False endings come in many shapes and sizes. They’re in songs, like Helter Skelter, All by Myself, and Sabotage. They’re in movies – mostly horror – often to elicit a last-minute jump scare. Although they can provide a bit of … Continue reading →

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[IN THE TRENCHES] What’s in a Name?

Posted on August 31, 2020 by [TEXTSMITH]

What’s in a name? A whole lot, it turns out. Maybe even too much. From the front cover of a spec script to a marquee on a movie theater, the title has been, and always will be, a critical task … Continue reading →

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[IN THE TRENCHES] The Day Job and DreamWorks “Wizards”

Posted on July 31, 2020 by [TEXTSMITH]

Like a lot of screenwriters, my freelance gigs have infrequently provided enough income to make a living. To be able to do fun things like eat and pay health insurance, requires one to have an additional source of income… aka … Continue reading →

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[THE NETWORK] Fame-Ish

Posted on May 31, 2020 by [TEXTSMITH]

Pandemic or not, it’s never a bad time to highlight a new project by a friend and fellow creative in the entertainment trenches. The network is life. This month, the person in the spotlight is Jeff Nimoy and his freshly-released … Continue reading →

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[IN THE TRENCHES] Chris Cluess – A Man for All Formats

Posted on April 30, 2020 by [TEXTSMITH]

Emmy-winning screenwriter, Chris Cluess, is not easily pigeonholed. Does he do sketches? Sitcoms? Hour-long? Features? How about animation? Novels? Yes. Yes, he does. If a format exists, Chris has more than likely written for it at one point or another. … Continue reading →

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[THREE CENTS] What Now?

Posted on March 31, 2020 by [TEXTSMITH]

If there ever was a point where a question felt most appropriate, it’s today. What now? Not where are you going to find toilet paper, or how best to hide from your children, or whether you’re more of a “summer” … Continue reading →

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[IN THE TRENCHES] Tech vs. Spec

Posted on February 29, 2020 by [TEXTSMITH]

In the never-ending war of tech vs. spec, tech wins almost every time. Not too long ago, a production company liked a script Rhonda Smiley and I wrote, but the scale was a little too small for them. They asked … Continue reading →

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[THREE CENTS] Thanks for “Nothing”

Posted on November 27, 2019 by [TEXTSMITH]

Pursuing a career as a working screenwriter is challenging at best. And maintaining an existing one is no walk in the park either. More like a walk through broken glass (while also eating it). There can be days – years … Continue reading →

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[ETCETERA] The Wilhelm Scream

Posted on October 29, 2019 by [TEXTSMITH]

Most audiences are onto the fact that much of the sound they hear in movies and television isn’t made on set while the cameras are rolling. The gunshot wasn’t actually recorded live. The song at the High School dance wasn’t … Continue reading →

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