Oh, guys. It's been such a while. But it's time for another patented installment of Aspiring Writer: Don't Ever Do That! (TM) Friend of a friend wants to be a screenwriter. Awesome. I was put in touch with said writer. Agreed to read their script as a favor. Mid-May? Back...

Every scene has its own story. 1. Know what that story is. 2. Know the emotion you're trying to evoke. If you ever struggle with a scene in your screenwriting, this is the way out.

Wow. So many people I know are packing up and leaving LA. It’s a sad time.

I rarely think about this but—it’s true. The best scripts feel “purposeful” in a sense.

Why is that? Mostly because younger reps have not discovered the Pareto Principle yet, more commonly known as the 80/20 rule. That is, 80% of results come from 20% of causes or effort. This realization is normal and part of their maturation.

It is easier and more lucrative to OVERBOOK their TOP client than to push their LEAST-established client and lose out to someone ELSE’S top client. This goes for staffing, too. Some clients are easier to staff than others. And showrunners? The agent will focus on them.

Always keep in mind that while it often feels like literary representation signifies legitimacy, it doesn't. Yes, it can be scary to be without it. I've been there. But the truth is that having an agent that’s not working for you is often worse than not having an agent at all.

Nearly every great movie line in history was on the nose. So "on the nose" really isn't an issue in screenwriting. It's a misnomer. The problem is we don't believe it. The line feels false. But earn the line? Give it emotional truth? You can be as on the nose as you want.

Never give away as exposition what could be put to better use as a reveal later on. Exposition is information. It's given circumstances, and it's sterile. But a reveal is emotional. The audience reacts to it. That's your currency in screenwriting and much more valuable.

All year I’ve heard: ‘Things are picking back up, should be back to normal ______ month’ — then I was told once IATSE gets the deal they deserve, things will pick back up. While yes, more rooms and productions are coming back slowly everything is still on a down tick. It has not

UHH wait I'm ONE OF THE LEADS OF A MOVIE!? Thank you so much to creative powerhouse Kate Siegel for choosing me to lead her directorial debut, I cannot overstate how much of an honour that is, nor how incredible she was to work with. That's my director 🫡.

Screenwriting structure is fractal. • The structure of moments forms a scene. • The structure of scenes forms a sequence. • The structure of sequences forms an act. • The structure of acts forms the story. Each one is its own. Never fill one just to get to the next.

A VERY successful TV/Film writer friend partnered w/ hot new writer. Big agent/manager. And still. Major companies expect LOTS of free work over & over. 2 features & one series. Every read at every level takes crazy long. VPs to directors to actors. Writers are being squeezed.

We're honoured that #MonkeyAndBoar project #PontianaksInTaiwan #巫妖登台 is selected for the 2024 #TCCF Pitching Conference in Nov! created by Goʜ Ming Siu Scott C. Hillyard Looking forward to working with our partners Karl Gan & Holly! #miniseries #horrorcomedy #pontianak #taiwan

Giving screenwriting notes is easy. Development is hard. Knowing what a story wants to be and helping it get there is a professional skill. Even if the person reading doesn't know the difference, the writer should.

🎥| Chappell Roan’s full performance of "Pink Pony Club" tonight!

I’ve sold 14 tv movies, a TV series to a streamer, 5 pitches, and optioned 4 specs without a manager or agent. I only just recently signed with an agent to help navigate the next chapter. Make no mistake, a good rep can do a lot of great things for you. But you know who else

#Pokemonsleep2nd got me a shiny farfetchd!

#PokemonSleep2nd time!