Tag Archives: Screenwriter

[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] 2020 Vision

Posted on January 31, 2019 by [TEXTSMITH]

It’s still January. If barely. What are you gonna do about it? The New Year traditionally brings with it high hopes and bold resolutions (some that might border on the delusional). I’m not really the resolutions type, personally (just ask … Continue reading →

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[THREE CENTS] Responsibility to Your Audience

Posted on June 2, 2018 by [TEXTSMITH]

As writers, most of us work to create scripts with compelling stories, three-dimensional characters, and authentic-sounding dialogue.  But what else should be on our checklist? After all, screenplays – and the resulting movies, television, and web content – aren’t designed … Continue reading →

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[IN THE TRENCHES] The Ensemble: Divide and Conquer

Posted on April 30, 2018 by [TEXTSMITH]

Like the rest of the industrialized world, I caught a showing of Avengers: Infinity War over the weekend.  It was pretty great, actually.  More or less lived up to the impossible expectations. (No pressure, Solo). In addition to a sizable … Continue reading →

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[IN THE TRENCHES] A Recipe for Creativity

Posted on February 28, 2018 by [TEXTSMITH]

As writers, we’re all fueled by creativity.  We need it to fill in that foreboding blank page, to wow those executives in that pitch meeting, to finish the outline for that new idea, and so on and so on and … Continue reading →

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[IN THE TRENCHES] Rhonda Smiley: Novel Screenwriter

Posted on September 21, 2017 by [TEXTSMITH]

My frequent collaborator, Rhonda Smiley, has been a working screenwriter for years, both as a solo scribe and in partnerships. As one of the many little-known, but prolific, creatives in the business, she’s written dozen of hours of television, including shows like High … Continue reading →

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[IN THE TRENCHES] I.P. Or Do I?

Posted on July 31, 2017 by [TEXTSMITH]

What the hell is I.P., you may ask? Well, to start with, there’s no need for that kind of salty language.  There are kids all over the internet. Intellectual Property is the literal meaning behind it, but in essence, it’s … Continue reading →

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[IN THE TRENCHES] Merch

Posted on June 27, 2017 by [TEXTSMITH]

We all love merch.  Stuff.  It’s hard to leave a concert or game without picking up a t-shirt or cap, maybe a giant foam finger. How else will everyone know you were there? We’re even compelled to bring home water … Continue reading →

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[IN THE TRENCHES] Great Minds

Posted on April 19, 2017 by [TEXTSMITH]

I was at a pitching event a few years back, and at one of the tables the pitch for my script was met with enthusiasm…  and then quickly followed by a caveat that made that positive experience turn dark, gray, … Continue reading →

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