Film/TV Panel @ The Liberty Film Festival

I attended the panel yesterday, which was subtitled "Rebels With a Cause." The "rebels" in this case would be conservative writers and producers in Hollywood, who are often on the outside looking in on the industry today. It is a pretty established fact that sometime around the 1970's a sea change began. Studios, writers and actors that were predominantly conservative grew stagnant and a new wave of liberal filmmakers entered the fray with their visions of Vietnam disillusionment and Watergate malaise. The prevailing attitude since that time has been that liberal ideology reigns supreme in this town. If you are a conservative, you are either a square, a greedy corporate overlord, or Hitler. Maybe even all 3!

The Liberty Film Festival was established to provide a mechanism for conservative filmmakers to be heard and have their films seen. So far the majority of offerings have been documentaries, but there were some narrative short films in the mix this year, including a screenplay contest, so I expect this event to continue to grow and become the alterna-Sundance. Based on how the event has grown from last year (its first year) and this weekend, I'd say the future looks bright.

Anyway, back to the panel I attended. It was moderated by Michael Medved. Participants in the panel included Frank Price, a former studio head at Columbia and Universal; Joel Surnow, creator of 24; Cyrus Nowrasteh, writer of The Day Reagan Was Shot and the upcoming 9/11 TV miniseries for ABC; Warren Bell, executive producer of According to Jim; Scott Gardenhour, producer who works with Michael Bay; and Doug Urbanski, producer of films including The Contender.

Quick note: the questions/answers below are paraphrased as I took notes at the event. If I find a transcript, I will post it.

Michael's first question was "What can conservatives contribute to Hollywood?"

Cyrus Nowrasteh: Conservatives can start by "telling the truth." He thinks shows like 24 show how conservative (or traditional) values are relayed in a story. He also felt that the docudramas he has written have not had many problems and when he has wanted to include elements of the 9/11 story which are rarely told, ABC has supported him.

Joel Surnow pondered whether the truth can sell. He felt that the truth can be rather ambiguous and the key is to tell a good story and don't be afraid to tell the story the way you want to tell it.

Frank Price agreed, adding that you have to make a good picture that someone wants to see. If you are driven by a political agenda, it will be apparent in the writing. He cited The American President as a film which starts and ends with a political agenda and it alienates half the audience because of it.

Warren Bell gave voice to the capitalists stating that 'we are all in the business to make money'. He felt that a return to traditional entertainment means giving people entertainment they will enjoy. He cited Napoleon Dynamite as a family friendly film that seeks to entertain its audience. He can watch it with his kids because it has no sex, no profanity, no violence [well, unless you count being hit with a steak violent] and its funny.

Scott Gardenhour noted that the material needs to be resonant, that for it to be made it has to have a voice...[I may have missed something about his comments here, sorry]

Finally, Doug Urbanski laid it out; Conservatives are the butt of jokes and it isn't the executives that keep perpetuating this. It's the rank and file, the disconnect happens in the front office. 100% of the companies passed on The Passion of the Christ. Producers have to stop practicing moral relativism and cutting off half their audience in the process. If they do that, they will see a box office boost.

Someone (don't remember who) said that Hollywood is starting to wake up to the fact that not everyone voted for John Kerry. They actually need help reaching out to conservatives, since they don't really know how to do it.

The next question from Medved: "What is your favorite RECENT film or TV show which illustrates respect for traditional values...and you didn't create it?"

Cyrus: The Passion of the Christ and To End All Wars

Joel: I have young daughters and shows like That's So Raven and Gilmore Girls are great entertainment.

Frank: The Passion and Farenheit 9/11 (audience laughs) It isn't that Michael Moore's film illustrated traditional values, but both of these films had passion behind them from their makers and that is what makes them interesting (He also noted he probably would have passed on The Passion also).

Warren: The Incredibles which wasn't afraid to entertain adults as well as kids, but had strong messages and illustrated a healthy marriage and 24, his vote for the best show on TV.

Scott: The Incredibles

Doug: The Chorus, a great French film and Batman Begins which was filled with clearly good people and bad people.

Question to Scott Gardenhour about The Island -- was it a pro-life movie?

Scott: Definitely a pro-life, pro-human movie. He talked to Dreamworks (who distributed domestically) about tapping into the same groups who showed up for The Passion, but they didn't know how. Also, Dreamworks complained the movie was late and there was nothing the marketing department could do to publicize it properly (which Scott called B.S. on because Bay has done this with all of his movies and they have all made large sums of money). Scott also noted that it did well overseas, where Warner Bros. distributed it. He did note that Dreamworks was afraid to reveal the film for what it was and decided to keep the cover on it instead, which may be another reason no one saw it.

Question to Frank Price -- what happened to Cinderella Man, which has a very traditional values message?

Frank: It's a bad title, bad marketing. The movie was great, no one knew what it was.

Questions from the audience:

"Is the American actor completely screwed?" [Because of reality TV and more work abroad]

Joel: I don't think so. There are more channels than ever and a need to fill the pipeline with programming. The danger is shrinking budgets, but new technologies may be able to solve that problem.

"How do you get more conservative views on TV?"

Scott: It isn't all about money, it is about good material. Write a good script.

Doug: It starts with getting conservatives in the executive suite who recognize the audience wants this kind of viewpoint expressed on TV.

"Is Hollywood afraid of showing Islamofaschists as 'bad guys'?"

Cyrus: At least as far as the 9/11 movie goes, no. They are using their [the terrorists] own words. There will be no actor portraying Osama Bin Laden.

"On Into the West mini-series how did you [Cyrus] deal with showing the times America was wrong [in treatment of Native Americans]?"

Cyrus: I can't speak for the other writers, but on the episode I wrote, I focused on the wagon train and the hardships of moving out into the frontier.

"Does the power of the international box office [which presumably likes some of the leftist slant of films] work against conservatives?"

One of the panelists, I didn't note who, thought no, because box office is not the big picture anymore. The future is in alternative distribution, DVD and VOD.

"Do you have advice for film students/new filmmakers?"

Scott: Use the internet. That is where the future is in terms of getting your work seen [presumably talking about short films].

"What one project would you like to get made if given unlimited money/resources?"

Cyrus: I have a project about "The Battle of New Orleans" which I feel is a great allegory for the War on Terrorism.

Joel: I've been talking to Ann Coulter about doing something about the REAL Joe McCarthy.

Frank: Two projects, one about the a turning point in the French and Indian War, which cemented the 'Indians as savages' meme in America for the next century. And he has a project about the Mayflower Pilgrims, because he feels that story has never been properly told.

Warren: Project about John Brown and he pitches to Scott G. a Robin Hood project, where he feels the Sheriff of Nottingham is the good guy!

Scott: The 50 States Media project he is working on.

Doug: Working on a Joe McCarthy project [hey, maybe he should talk to Joel!]

Someone mentioned (may have been Medved) that any biographies of the founding fathers do big business and Doug Urbanski noted that HBO has a series on John Adams in development.

That was it, I hope you found the info interesting. Certainly was a fascinating look at the business by some pros.

A look ahead to midseason

So, I've already said that I don't think we've seen THE one new 1-hour drama to spec this year. If we haven't seen it yet, will we see it in midseason? Let's take a look at what the networks have already announced we'll see come January (or sooner/later depending on scheduling and events):

One Hour Dramas:

• What About Brian? (ABC) This show from J.J. Abrahms will air on Monday nights after football ends at 10 PM.
  
• In Justice (ABC) A drama about an ethically challenged lawyer and a cop out to get justice for those wrongly accused of crimes.
  
• The Evidence (ABC) Apparently the audience will see all of the evidence in a case presented at the top of the hour and then we'll see how that evidence works into the case. I'm still not clear on this one, but it sounds like at least they're trying something different with a procedural.
  
• The Unit (CBS) This is the one to keep an eye on. It is brought to us by David Mamet and The Shield creator Shawn Ryan. The show is about a special ops group and their families.
  
• Book of Daniel (NBC) Aidan Quinn plays a minister. NBC doesn't have anything on their website about it and I didn't feel like googling around for more info. ** Update wouldn't you know it, 10 minutes after I post this, I see an article that NBC has cut the midseason order from 13 episodes to the pilot plus 7. Not sure what that means (is NBC going to reup E-Ring?)
  
• Windfall (NBC) If done correctly, this is the show I think NBC will have some success with this year. It's about 20 people who win the lottery. Naturally, tons of spec ideas come to mind with it too...
  
• South Beach (UPN) I have no idea of this show will be any good. It sounds like an O.C. ripoff, but then, what do I know.
  
• The Bedford Diaries (WB) I think this is supposed to get the Felicity crowd. It's a drama set in college. That's all I know. Oh and something about the characters all being in a human sexuality class. Uh, ok, whatever.
  
• Pepper Dennis (WB) Rebecca Romijn plays the title character who is a Chicago based reporter. Reading the notes on it, sounds like someone has watched Broadcast News a few times.
  

24 will also return at midseason. I'll cover the midseason 1/2 hour comedies next time with the returning sitcoms and reality shows.

'Invasion' gets its pick-up from ABC

The Hollywood Reporter has the story. Watch List updated AGAIN.

So far, a lot of shows have been picked up for a full season. This by no means guarantees them another season, but for now, it's a positive development. Invasion will probably end up moving so Lost can be better utilized as a lead-in to some other show (Invasion has lost about 45% of its lead-in's viewers, never a good thing). However, I'd say things stay as they are past sweeps and maybe even until the new year.

Commander in Chief gets vote of confidence from ABC

This hit the trades late: ABC has given a full season pick-up to Commander-in-Chief

I'll update the Watch List and bump it in the morning.

Heh

From Fox News:

DES MOINES, Iowa — Ticket buyers played their kids' birthdays, their wedding anniversaries, even a set of numbers taken straight from the TV show "Lost," in hopes of winning $340 million Wednesday in the second-biggest lottery jackpot in U.S. history.

The Powerball jackpot has been snowballing since mid-August, with 20 straight drawings in which no one won the grand prize. Stores reported heavy sales in all 27 states selling Powerball tickets.

"We're swimming in it today," said Marianne Ward at the Cash & Dash in Little River, S.C. "We've sold more than $2,000 in tickets since 6 a.m."

Mary Neubauer, spokeswoman for the Iowa Lottery, said hundreds of ticket buyers were playing a set of numbers from the ABC drama "Lost," which featured a character who won $156 million by playing a string of digits obtained from a patient in a mental institution: 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42.

"I just think it speaks to people's fascination with numbers and the what-if factor," Neubauer said.

The odds of hitting all six numbers were 1 in 146 million.

Now, if the numbers actually win, that would not only be creepy but really wrong. Plus, the winners would get, far less than $156 million each. More like half a mil, max, if that many people are playing the numbers...and if a few more join in, they'll be down to ten bucks.

How much bad luck can you have winning ten bucks??

Another interesting success story

I don't know why I didn't blog about this in August, when the story came out, but Michael Feldman landed himself a pilot deal, even though he was only looking to get staffed.

He wrote a pilot spec and sent it out to producers, hoping to get staffed on a new show. One of the producers liked his script so much, he decided to try to get it picked up. And now Feldman, who's previous credits include "That's So Raven", "Yes, Dear", and "The Gregory Hines Show" has a show of his own.

Here's the best quote in the article, from producer Brad Johnson, of Watson Ponds Prods (based at 20th Century Fox), "the story behind 'Dr. Freed' -- as well as Cherry's experience getting 'Desperate Housewives' set up -- are signs that 'good writers are everywhere.'

'People shouldn't judge credits; they should judge writers,' he said."

Indeed.

Don't forget the scary stuff

Some good advice if you are thinking of writing a Supernatural spec.

Success does happen and LFF

Okay, I know most of you reading this are not of the same political persuasion as I am, but put that aside for a moment. I want to point you to a post on Libertas, the blog of the Liberty Film Festival (this weekend in L.A.) One of the site contributors has just gotten a deal with a veteran producer and is now getting his film made. He has a great story and a very important message that relates to my mantra here at SITW (It's all about networking). I highly recommend you check it out and if you have time to take in any of the events of this weekend's festival, it is a chance to see some independent films that happen to be of a conservative slant, unlike most of the documentaries and small films out there today.

I plan to attend the Film and TV Production Panel on Sunday October 23. It is part of 'Event 10', which includes the film "Entering Zion" and the Q&A following that film. The panel will be moderated by Michael Medved and include panelists such as Frank Price (former President of Universal Pictures, Chairman Columbia Pictures, Chariman MCA Motion Pictures Group), Joel Surnow (Exec. Producer of "24"), Cyrus Nowrasteh (Writer, "Into the West," Writer/Producer of ABC's new 9/11 miniseries), Warren Bell (Executive Producer, "According to Jim", "Ellen"), Scott Gardenhour (partner in Michael Bay's production company), Doug Urbanski (film producer and Hollywood manager).

I'll report back on this event next week.

Trendspotting

So, I'm not a very trendy person.

I tend to be a classic Banana Republic/Gap girl when it comes to fashion. Oh, occassionally I'll pick up a piece that screams out as trendy, but usually I'm on the tail end of trends.

That's why I go into picking trends VERY CAUTIOUSLY. Now, anything can happen between now and May. The TV season is far from over. I'd dare say we are probably playing this game a few months too early...

...but then again, networks are already buying pilots and prepping projects, so maybe not.

First off, let's remember that we still have mid-season shows to air. "Grey's Anatomy" was mid-season. So was "Joe Millionaire". We still have good and bad to wait out before the dust settles. That being said, I'm gonna go out on a limb and make a prediction or 2:

New show specs:

The sitcoms are easy. They've been dwelling in the cellar for so long, that ANY renewed sitcoms automatically provide spec material. Comedy writers everywhere breathe a sigh of relief that they no longer have to push their spec of "Two and a Half Men" or "Yes, Dear". Now they have (for sure) "Everbody Hates Chris", "My Name is Earl" and "How I Met Your Mother." If NBC is benevolent, you might even get to spec "The Office", but I personally consider that sacrilege.

Okay, so dramas. It's been a pretty weak season for drama, but there are some positives. Genre writers can now spec "Supernatural" (though I would urge you to use this as a second spec and not your primary). But you want to know the ONE new show you can spec this year?

So do I.

Sorry for the cop out, but I don't think we've seen it yet. I was being honest when I said there's still mid-season to wait out. As long as the show doesn't fall apart, "Commander in Chief" will be a good spec...but now we have to see what Bochco's writers do with the show and what direction it will take. That means putting specs on hold for that one? "Criminal Minds"? I don't doubt that it is a decent show and if you must write a procedural, at least it isn't "CSI" but I think it goes in the "NCIS" pile. "Bones"? Well, I don't know what the cred of the show is, but I don't really like or respect the show enough to recommend. "Prison Break"? Right now, until the break out of prison, pretty much unspecable. Any of the episodics are tough too (and currently not renewed, except "Surface" and I laugh at you if you spec that.)

But here's an interesting trend I note: Female viewership is really driving the top shows. If "Gilmore Girls" goes the way of the dodo (which isn't out of the question), "Charmed" hits the dirt nap, and "Alias" finally dies, we will have lost 3 female driven shows this year. We might pick up "Threshold" or "Close to Home" yet, and there's still hope for those chick sitcoms the WB has, but overall female lead shows lose (and that's if "Veronica Mars" and "Crossing Jordan" live...jury's out). Right now we are +1 for "Commander in Chief" and I'll grant a half to "Surface". I'm interested to see if more female-centric character shows get pushed for next season to fill the gap.

Like I said, I'm not the trendiest person, so I could be wrong. I just note what I see...

NBC picks up Surface

Inexplicably, NBC has given Surface a full season pick-up. (Watch List will be updated and bumped).

Reminder: Scriptapalooza TV deadline tomorrow

I may go ahead and enter my 'House' spec...even though I'm in the midst of rewrites. Why not, right?

Weekend homework assignment

Okay TV spec writers: for those of you in my boat wanting to write a kick-ass TV spec, here's your homework for the weekend:

Pick ONE of the new TV shows (which has not been cancelled) that you feel is going to be THE show to spec come January.

Feel free to post your show choice and justification below. On Monday, I'll tell you what I think, based on watching the fall season AND what I think the 'hot trend' next year will be (this year is supernatural/spooky/alien, the year before was reality...what will next year bring??)

Oh and write, by God, write!!

New CBS fall season pickups

CBS has picked up 'The Ghost Whisperer', 'Criminal Minds', and 'How I Met Your Mother' for full season orders.

The Watch List updated shortly.

The next wave

Steve Jobs announced the release of the Video iPod today. There will be 2 versions, one that holds 30 GB and one which holds 60 GB retailing for $299 and $399 respectively.

He also announced a deal with ABC which will put new episodes of shows like 'Lost' and 'Desperate Housewives' on the site, commercial free, the day after they air for $1.99 each.

This is huge. TV, films, straight to iPod video even? The options for content are getting larger, not smaller. And it's a real win for shows that don't get huge Nielsens, but have rabid fan support.

Will this cut in to DVD sales? Maybe some, but what they make on selling the episodes online should make up for some of it. To get the iPod video users to buy DVD sets it will be more important than ever to stuff the discs with special features, never seen video, etc to get people to buy.

The media world is changing right in front of our eyes...blogs, podcasting, VOD...it's all changing.

Current Projects

I haven't talked much about what I'm up to these days, so I'll just give you a quick update. I have not been slacking off...

I'm taking the 'Market Ready' class I mentioned last week and putting my 'House' spec through a full rewrite via the class. I expect to have my script shiny enough to send out to agencies in a few weeks time.

I'm also outlining a thriller script I am looking to write. I'm starting to think it would be great to pitch as a graphic novel, so I'm trying to figure out how'd I go about doing that.

Also working on a romcom I've had kicking around for awhile. The plot I had was only so so, but some input from a couple of other writers has really kicked it off in a new direction which excites me. I think I'll be working on this project more in the weeks to come.

Finally, I've been writing the treatment for a spec TV pilot. The treatment is finished and I'm now getting some needed feedback to do some tweaks...can't talk much about this right now, hopefully I'll be able to talk more about it soon.

Anyway, that's my news...what's yours?

From the horse's mouth

Paul Guyot's Inkslinger site always provides great insight into the TV writing world. His most recent dissertation is no exception (and if you found me through his link to me, welcome!)

Technical Difficulties

Sorry, I've had some technical difficulties here over the last 16 hours or so (it's earthlink/covad's fault). I have some new stuff to put up today, so please check back after noon Pacific today.

Hopefully it will be worth the wait... and no, it isn't more fall season news...unless some breaks.

More Fox pickups

'Bones' and 'The War at Home' get their back nine pickups. I'll add that to the watchlist.

The Writer's Arc Fellowship

is taking applications and pages starting today. One of the people in the writing group (the well run one) is in the program this year and he has had a lot of positive things to say about it.

Worth checking out, especially if you are out of state and lack L.A. contacts.

Look, I'm sorry...

...your favorite shows got cancelled. No one watched them, that's why.

A lot of people who apparently weren't ready for 'Just Legal', 'Inconceivable', or 'Sex, Lies and Secrets' to be cancelled yet have been vainly hoping it is all a big cosmic joke.

It's not.

Funny thing though, no one seems to care about poor 'Head Cases'...

Effective writing groups

I have been preparing a post for awhile now on how to run an effective writing group (I'm in 2, one runs well the other runs...well, it runs.) I've scrapped the whole post, because I found someone who said everything I wanted to say and does it better than I did.

Meet Lorelei Armstrong. She's won contests, has a UCLA MFA, and knows how good meetings work. Highly recommend reading her site.

Snake attack!

After this (Snake eats cat), I expect a headline of 'Snake eats Mini Cooper'.

One word for this snake: HAIRBALL!

New 'chief' at 'Commander-in-Chief'

Hollywood Reporter has the story on Steven Bochco taking over the showrunning job from Rod Lurie for 'Commander-in-Chief.' So, this raises an important question...

...will we see Donald Sutherland's butt?

Just Legal is just cancelled.

and 'Supernatural' is picked up for a whole season.

Starting my new class tonight

Probably my last UCLA Extension class for awhile. This is a rewrite class with Erica Byrne. Looking forward to rewriting my specs...

Fall season update for 10/5

So two weeks ago, I laid down my predictions on which new shows will make the cut and which will be sent back into the void from which they came.

As of today, 'My Name is Earl' and 'Everybody Hates Chris' have been given full season pickups, along with 'Prison Break' which had its 'back nine' pickup last week. (Back nine refers to the last 9 episodes of a season...many shows start with a 13 episode commitment and if it takes off, they get a full season order of 22 episodes).

I'm starting to think I may have been wrong about 2 shows: I think 'Bones' and 'The Ghost Whisperer' may pull through after all. The numbers are looking good for them. On the other hand, 'The Apprentice: Martha Stewart,' 'Three Wishes,' and 'Love, Inc' look destined for the scrapheap alongside already cancelled shows 'Head Cases,' 'Sex, Lies and Secrets' and (soon to be cancelled) 'Inconceivable' (sure, it's only off for one week...right.) NBC is not having a good year so far, they have to be looking for ways to spread out the 'My Name is Earl' wealth...

Expect 'Supernatural' and 'Commander-in-Chief' to get full season pickups soon...'Criminal Minds' is looking like it may pull through and 'Invasion' is still a question mark...

More series news as it happens...

Top stories for 10/5

Nick and Jessica split or not.
Lindsay's Paparazzi Sequel (now with airbags).
TomKat pregnant?
BritKev sex tape.
MAKE IT STOP.

Things no one is paying attention to:

Sex offenders in California no longer get taxpayers to buy their Viagra.
Today, they sing 'Batman'. Tomorrow, 'So Long and Thanks for all the Fish.'
Geese attacking hunters!!
Gators in Snakes!

And great link of the day:

Winchester Mystery House Blog! (Thanks Boing Boing)

TV news today

At some point, the news on the fall season will die down (when most of the new shows have their fates decided) but for now, I bring you what I can find to help everyone looking for that perfect show to spec...provided it lives on to see another season.

Today it looks like "Inconceivable" will not be one of those shows. NBC is pulling it from its time slot this week and will show a repeat of "Law and Order: Criminal Intent". The show has aired twice. (News in Variety).

ABC, showing that the comedy department is not as smart as the drama department has actually given 'American Idol' loser Constantie Maroulis a sitcom deal. Only in America can a loser be a winner.

Apparently it was reported last week that "Kitchen Confidential" was cancelled. This is not true, REPEAT, NOT TRUE. It will go on hiatus during baseball, but my future boyfriend Michael Vartan will be on an upcoming episode. Yummy!

'Sex, Lies, and Secrets' just not enough anymore.

Lee Goldberg has the goods on the latest cancellation (reported in Variety today). It only aired once, but that was all it took to validate that there is not a huge audience for a show about Denise Richards living in Silver Lake (and non-L.A. residents, say, 'What the heck is Silver Lake??')

It looks like 'Inconceivable' and 'Killer Instinct' could be next to hit the dirt nap.

In other news, NBC has decided to swap 'E-Ring' and 'The Apprentice: Martha Stewart' in their time slots, forcing Martha to consider ways to draw people away from 'Lost'. Maybe she can offer every viewer a free doily.

Film Friday for September

It's the last day of the month and I'm actually getting the latest round up of film news up on time!! Those who are familiar with this recurring feature need no introduction, but for those of you who have just discovered my little abode in cyberspace, every month I like to recount the deals which have been made to produce films which are either sequels, remakes or TV show adaptations. I don't bother with the books and comics, because hey, who reads, right? This is about Hollywood's insistence on remaking things and producing sequels rather than trying to make new stories. So, let's get started!

• The Golden Age - Sequel to "Elizabeth"...in general, I'm in support of this one, but I have to admit curiousity since I don't think "Elizabeth" was a blockbuster.
  
• Nancy Drew: The Mystery in Hollywood Hills - this one makes the list because it has previously been a TV show. Does anyone know if Nancy has graced the big screen before?
  
• Madagascar 2 - Can't they just spin off the penguins into their own movie? Oh wait, they did a live action of that this year already...
  
• Mostly Martha - Because Americans can't be bothered to watch the original one in German. Reminds them of 'Das Boot'.
  
• The Star Chamber - Remake of the 1983 film. Because we've suddenly run out of new legal thrillers, we must start remaking them from 22 years ago!
  
• 36 - Remake of a French film "36 Quai des Orfevres." We really can't be bothered with French.
  
• State of Play - Remake of a British miniseries. Oh come now, it's in our own language! Now we're just lazy...or it must be the accents.
  

That's it for this month! Just keep plugging away at your spec. I think there were 2 sold this month (and don't forget that high-larious pitch from a New Line exec about the "Boob Job"!) Keep the dream alive!

(As usual, all info courtesy of Done Deals).

Book Bleg

I'm looking for recommendations of REALLY ESSENTIAL READING. It can be any genre, but give me 3-5 books you recommend I read.

To give examples of my usual reading habits, I have read the entire Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, I'm currently reading 'System of the World' by Neal Stephenson, I've read most Heinlein and in the mystery realm I grew up reading Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and Margery Allingham. I of course love Douglas Adams, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle. I've never read a Stephen King book. I've read 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' and love it. I've also read the collected works of Edgar Allen Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

I love Anne of Green Gables and the Tao of Pooh.

There, there's a big chunk of my bookshelves. Suggest away. Anything.

Tuesday has good news for everyone...except UPN

So, everybody gets a piece of the pie on Tuesday nights, and why not? The evening is chock-a-block with choices. Look at the 9PM time period:

ABC: Commander-in-Chief - got good premiere sampling. It will also benefit by House going on hiatus during baseball on Fox the next few weeks, enough time to establish an audience all its own. I already pegged this as a survivor, no matter how good or bad it is...well, if it was too horrible, it'd be a different story, but Rod Lurie's no dummy, even if I differ on his politics.
NBC: My Name is Earl / The Office - Earl lives, expect The Office to be replaced at midseason.
CBS: The Amazing Race (2 hr this week) - On an unrelated note, did you know NCIS is the #1 show at 8PM on Tuesdays?? Maybe I should actually watch this thing which is in its 3RD YEAR!
Fox: House - Had to settle for #2 this week.
WB: Supernatural - Marc and I agree. This is a solid pick up for the rest of the year.
UPN: Sex, Love & Secrets - I agree with Marc Berman, the results were so dismal, this sucker is CANCELLED within 2 weeks.

Poor Boston Legal -- it can't catch a break after Commander-in-Chief. Still, it's ratings aren't bad, so it will be fine. Do not weep for David E. Kelley.

Bones will live past baseball. Berman thinks it will take off after American Idol. If that's true, it might get picked up in spite of itself.

Berman does a great job running down the list of new series, and I have to say, he and I are of the same mind on most of the new shows. Read Marc Berman's Programming Insider here.

I'm guessing this happens more than we'd like to believe

This story details how a New Line exec tells a story about his friend and his friend's wife's 'boob job', suddenly it's the latest hot assignment in Hollywood.

And we wonder why we can't sell specs. With this kind of brilliance, how can we compete?

What to Spec: Part II

So, we got some good discussion going on what shows are good show to 'spec.' For those new to the lingo, a 'spec' script is one you write without assignment (if you write a screenplay at home with no deal attached, that's a spec too.) In TV Land, if you want to get a staff job on a TV show, you need to have a couple (or three or four..) spec scripts of current TV shows to peddle around. I personally have written spec scripts for 'Lost' and 'House'. I will spec another show in a few months once I decide what to put my energy toward. Even established writers have spec scripts they keep current.

So, after my last post, I was very pleased to receive some feedback from Paul Guyot regarding shows to spec. So, without further ado, I reprint his remarks here:

Lost - good spec.
The Shield - was the hot spec the last few years, its time may be up.
Deadwood - too specific.
Nip/Tuck - good.
The O.C. - good spec if you want to write for that particular genre. VERONICA MARS would be better because it shows you as a teen angst writer as well as crime and comedy.
Medium - not a good spec, except for a very specific genre/tone.
Everwood - not enough of Hollywood watches the show.
Rescue Me - hot spec.
Gray's Anatomy - hot spec.

Cold Case - has replaced CSI as that genre's go-to spec.
Without a Trace - only a single storyline, not a good spec.
Veronica Mars - good.
Boston Legal - becoming hotter. If you can nail that DEK voice, you've scored.
Battlestar Galactica - don't waste your time, unless you want to write ONLY for the Sci-Fi channel.
Law and Order: SVU or CI - not anymore.
The Sopranos - time has come and gone. Was THE spec to read/write prior to THE SHIELD, but I know of several agents and execs who won't read them anymore.

CSI (every flavor) - can still get away with it, but they'll ask you for something else.
Law and Order - nope.

House - this is THE hot spec right now. If you can nail a HOUSE spec, you'll get meetings.
24 - nope.
Desperate Housewives - another hot spec.

As to your question re: DEAD ZONE, the only execs likely to read (and give a meeting off of) a USA network spec are USA and Lifetime execs. I know that WB, TNT, 20th and FX people won't read them, or if they do it will only be as a second or third reading - meaning after they've read something else of yours. My agency (CAA) as well as Gersh and Endeavor won't read any "query specs" from any cable network shows except FX and the premiums. Why is this? It's just one of the many, many unfair Hollywood attitudes - there is a stigma against smaller cable company shows - they're perceived as inferior in quality or else they'd be on another network. THE SHIELD should have broken that attitude but all it did was make the execs think FX is somehow "more special" when it comes to cable networks.

If THE CLOSER remains a hit for TNT, it might be a worthwhile spec, but that's at least a year away.

There ya have it. I plan on updating my list. I suggest you do the same. Thanks Paul. Immensely helpful, as always.

Nielsens, we've got Nielsens...

Marc Berman consistently provides the earliest and best roundup of the previous night's Nielsens and what they mean. Last night, 'Surface' saw 3 million people disappear from its viewership and it fell to 3rd place. It no longer looks as strong as its opening might have led people to believe (which, I will gloat, I totally called last week). 'Out of Practice' on CBS also showed 3rd place in its time period when the rest of the sitcoms are 2nd against football. I'd say that show is a goner.

'Kitchen Confidential' continues to pull low numbers after 'Arrested Development'. I still think Fox will stick with it awhile longer as it seems to have critical buzz, but no viewership, just like its lead in show. 'Prison Break' will be renewed for next year. This is the only thing I am certain of at this point in the (very young) season. I'd still wait to spec it until we know what the heck is happening, and even then I'm not sure it will be a good spec show.

'How I Met My Mother' pulled numbers consistent with its premiere last week, so the news there is good so far.

Tonight, we'll see how well 'My Name is Earl' holds up from its premiere.

Blogroll updated

I've added a few sites to the blogroll. I've been meaning to add Bill Cunningham's DISC/ontent for ages and have finally gotten around to it. You should all be reading his blog without me linking to it anyway, but now the link is there.

Also welcome to Red Right Hand who linked to me long ago and I just realized it. I also added Scott the Reader's informative blog, Alligators in a Helicopter.

If you want your blog on the next month of updates, please drop me a line. I'll review it and so long as you post at fairly regular interval and discuss entertainment/screenwriting in some form, I'll add you to my reading list. There are just so many of you anymore!

And I'm leaving Diana in the blogroll, since she swears she's coming back...I've just moved her to the bottom until her triumphant return.

Oh, and for those of you who moved to the bottom of the list, consider yourselves on probation. Remember the motto around here: 'Post or you're toast'!

What shows should I spec?

I get this question a lot, primarily because I stuck my neck out in the Artful Writer Forum and responded to someone's plea for help in determining which shows to spec. My knowledge is gleaned from screenwriting teachers, peers and others in a position to know (attached to agencies or prodcoms). I've updated my list, so I'm presenting it here.

Note: Where a show falls in whether it should be one to spec does not necessarily reflect on the quality of the show. This is about perception. NCIS maybe one of the best shows on TV (I have no idea), but if no one (re: agents) is watching it, it probably won't get noticed. Conversely, CSI has been 'done to death' in specs, so you should go to these shows as a 'last resort'.

Okay, here's the list, my commentary to follow:

Good shows to spec:

Lost
The Shield
Deadwood
Nip/Tuck
The O.C. (not sure about the cred, but it probably has enough viewership to allow for a spec)
Medium (Patricia Arquette's win and the continued ratings seal the deal on this one)
Everwood
Rescue Me
Gray's Anatomy

Borderline, possible 2nd spec:

Cold Case
Without a Trace
Veronica Mars
Boston Legal
Battlestar Galactica
Law and Order: SVU or CI
The Sopranos

Glut of specs for:

CSI (every flavor)
Law and Order

Very difficult, but boy would you stand out from the crowd:

House
24 (forget it!!)
Desperate Housewives (and this is considered a 'comedy' but it's an hour-long, so treat it as such for spec purposes)

Not respected enough to spec or getting on in years:

Crossing Jordan
The West Wing
Gilmore Girls
One Tree Hill
Smallville
Las Vegas
Charmed
Alias
NCIS
E.R.

Cable shows in general are not good for specs. Exceptions would be HBO and FX shows which are listed. I have heard 'The Dead Zone' is a good spec, and I know someone thinking of writing a 'The 4400' spec, so take that for what it's worth.

How will the new shows shake out? There are still many weeks to go before we can say with certainty which new shows will make the cut for another year and will therefore be wide-open for spec writing.

My pages are up

They aren't as flashy as everyone else's, but they are functional. Go check out my contribution to the Group Screenwriting Project.

Is CSI making us stupid?

I read this story this morning and I just had to shake my head. Juries as collectives of individuals seem to be stupid enough, since defense attorneys do everything in their power to remove anyone with a brain from a jury. Now, we see that people need to see hard evidence, fingerprints, someone saying they did it on an audiotape, rather than be able to piece together the more likely and common evidence in crimes, which tend to be circumstantial, connect the dots type evidence.

This jury actually told the prosecutor that they needed to see a fingerprint on a file or a confession on an audiotape in order to convict. We're in real trouble if people feel that CSI is the standard for judging evidence in real life criminal cases.

Paging 'A Writer, I Be' Scott

Where's your blog?? I can't get to it today! Please report in as your screenwriting brethren are concerned that you are MIA...

Serenity now!

I just got confirmed for a blogger press credential of a screening of Serenity on Monday. I'll be posting a review after I see the film, per my obligation as a member of the blogging press.

YAY!!

I'm next!!

Warren's Screenwriting Group Project has been intriguing, but I'm already up next! I expect to have my pages to him by tomorrow, but I am experiencing some anxiety about whether my stuff will live up to the already exciting and interesting pages I'm seeing. I'll direct you over there when they are posted.

We have a winner!

Head Cases is cancelled.

I dare say this was expected. So, any guesses as to who goes next? My money is on "Just Legal".

A question of notes and rests

Day 5 of the everlasting illness. The cough is the worst at this point, but I do think the antibiotics are starting to have an effect.

So, as I've been mostly lying in bed reading other people's drafts, I've been pondering...what's the best way to give notes?

I've received good notes and bad notes. Good notes are the ones you like, bad notes are the ones you hate. I joke.

Actually, good notes are ones which are specific, helpful and relevant. Bad notes are generally the opposite. How do I make sure I'm giving good notes?

Sometimes I don't always know what the note is. I'll be circling a couple of pages, knowing there's a problem, but I just can't put my finger on it. The bad note would be to tell the writer, 'There's something wrong on page 33, but I just can't figure out what it is' Yeah, that's helpful. No, as a reader, I have a duty to figure it out to the best of my ability. Chances are the problem isn't on page 33, it's earlier in the story and I'm just recognizing the faulty stoplight on that particular page.

Plot and structure notes: I think the key here is to ask yourself if you understand all of the events in the story. Do they lead into each other as a progression or does there seem to be leaps of logic and time just to make the story work.

Character notes: If a character isn't behaving the way you expect, try to determine if it is because you lack a full understanding of the character or if the writer has just gone off the 'character map' that has been laid out for that person. If you establish that a character is afraid of his own shadow, unless there is a significant event or motive for him to go headfirst into a dark creepy cave, it would not be consistent with his character. Motive drives action for most characters. If you don't know the motive, then make it a result of circumstance. Anyone else have a thought on this?

So, when I'm listing notes, I tend to avoid dialogue notes unless there is something really wrong, like it doesn't 'sound' like the character. Also, if I know it is a first draft I'll avoid notes on typos, misspellings, grammar or punctuation knowing that person has more drafts ahead of them. I try to be as specific as possible. A note that the characters need more 'fleshing out' isn't really a great note to me. What's missing from the characters? What do I need? More background on them? Better definition of their motives? If their dialogue is flat or 'on the nose', I'll mention it could be richer, but I tend to think everyone does some of that 'on the nose' writing in first draft just to get the sucker written. It seems unfair for me to play 'spot the obvious'.

Anyone else have comments on how they give notes or feedback?

Blech

I just got home from the doctor's office. Yes, I'm on day 4 of this -- thing. Even she was surprised I wasn't better, prescribed me antibiotics and told me not to go to work until Monday (I even got a note!)

Good news, getting all of my TV watching in, here are my very very short reviews of new shows:

Bones: Writing isn't great, interesting characters but the holographics are a killer in my book. Could be cancelled by mid-season.

Head Cases: Horrible. Canceled. NEXT.

Kitchen Confidential: Some funny moments, love the cast, numbers were worrisome. I expect Fox to stick with it though because of the positive reviews.

How I Met Your Mother: Could have been better, but considering my lowered expectations for sitcoms, I expect this to live, unless the numbers take a nosedive, which I doubt they will.

Surface: Very disappointing (not that I had high hopes for it to begin with). Numbers were surprisingly high, I expect them to drop next week. Cancelled by mid-season.

Threshold: I loved it, so it will probably be cancelled. I can always hope not, but it's on Friday on CBS. Who is watching CBS (or any TV) on Friday??

Supernatural: Actually some spooky moments. Some bad dialogue, but the 2 episdoes so far have been intriguing and I do think it will keep its Gilmore Girls audience. It lives, at least until mid-season, if not longer.

Just Legal: I can't believe I tried to watch this. If it isn't cancelled in 6 weeks, put me out of my misery.

Prison Break: Week four and I'm still tuning in. Always a good sign, especially since I want to see them break out of the prison. After that, I expect the show is going to have to really step it up to keep people watching. After all, that's WHY we're watching this show.

Shows I haven't watched yet:

Invasion: I DVR'd it last night, so I'll check it out today.

Everybody Hates Chris: I've had the pilot DVD sitting on my coffee table for two weeks, but I haven't gotten around to watching it. The reviews are good, so I doubt it will matter what I think...the show has legs before even airing tonight.

My Name is Earl: This was in the worst time slot for me, as I was watching House and recording Supernatural. I'll have to check it out next week...somehow. Clearly the ratings for the premiere were good, so NBC has some hope.

The Apprentice/ Martha Stewart: I totally forgot this was on last night. I was too caught up in my desire to see Lost to pay it any mind. I'll be interested to see how the numbers are next week against normal ABC programming. If it improves, it lives. If not, Martha may not 'fit in' at NBC for more than one season.

Cursed!

Yes, I am up at an insane hour. I think I'm getting better, but I still have a slight fever (in case you are my mother and want to know) and I still have a nagging cough. Not sure if I should go to work in 3 hours, but I probably should.

That said, the reason I'm cursed is...well, did ya happen to watch House? That opening of Act I with House battling a cold, yeah, that's my teaser opening in my spec! I now have to do some hefty rewriting to exorcise all of the scenes/lines pertaining to House having a cold. The trouble is, I'm not sure what I'm going to put in its place!

So, where yesterday at 8:59 PM I was feeling pretty alright with the world (except for this blasted whatever-I-have), by 9:10 PM I was watching my hard work become irrelevant.

I got work to do, that's for sure.

Sick

Sore throat, congested...I feel yucky.

I'll probably take the opportunity (while feeling miserable and lying in bed) to get caught up on my script reading -- I have a lot of things people have asked me to read which I need to get notes back to them on. I'll also get caught up on my TV watching. I'd rather watch all of the premieres I have on the DVR than watch 'Oprah'. So, that's what I'll be doing today, coughing, wheezing and reading.

Yay.

Clearly

I have no clue who will win an Emmy. I have been completely, utterly wrong up to this point.

Although, yay, 'Lost' won.

John Rogers is a god

Read this. Read it now! (It's about TV series, the changing dynamics in TV and it's really really good. What other reasons do you need, click the link!)

Emmy predictions

Ellen Degeneres will be mostly funny and the show won't feel 8 hours long...

Oh, let's go with winner predictions, always more fun. (My predicted winner in bold)

• Drama Series
  
  24
  Lost
  Deadwood
  The West Wing
  Six Feet Under
• Comedy Series
  
  Arrested Development
  Desperate Housewives
  Everybody Loves Raymond
  Scrubs
  Will & Grace
• Lead Actor in a Drama Series
  
  James Spader (Boston Legal)
  Ian McShane (Deadwood)
  Hugh Laurie (House)
  Hank Azaria (Huff)
  Kiefer Sutherland (24)
• Lead Actress in a Drama Series
  
  Jennifer Garner (Alias)
  Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU)
  Patricia Arquette (Medium)
  Glenn Close (The Shield)
  Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under)
• Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
  
  Jason Bateman (Arrested Development)
  Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond)
  Tony Shalhoub (Monk)
  Zack Braff (Scrubs)
  Eric McCormack (Will & Grace)
• Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
  
  Marcia Cross (Desperate Housewives)
  Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives)
  Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives)
  Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond)
  Jane Kaczmarek (Malcom in the Middle)
• Supporting Actor in Drama Series
  
  William Shatner (Boston Legal)
  Oliver Platt (Huff)
  Naveen Andrews (Lost)
  Terry O'Quinn (Lost)
  Alan Alda (The West Wing)
• Supporting Actress in Drama Series
  
  Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy)
  Blythe Danner (Huff)
  Tyne Daly (Judging Amy)
  CCH Pounder (The Shield)
  Stockard Channing (The West Wing)
• Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
  
  Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development)
  Jeremy Piven (Entourage)
  Peter Boyle (Everybody Loves Raymond)
  Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond)
  Sean Hayes (Will & Grace)
• Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
  
  Jessica Walter (Arrested Development)
  Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond)
  Holland Taylor (Two and a Half Men)
  Conchata Ferrell (Two and a Half Men)
  Megan Mullally (Will & Grace)

All of these categories are important, but what about the ones that matter to us, the writers?? And for this list, I'm going to credit the writers -- all of them!

• Writing for a Comedy Series
  
  Arrested Development • Sad Sack •
  Barbie Adler, Writer
  
  Arrested Development • Sword Of Destiny •
  Brad Copeland, Writer
  
  Arrested Development • The Righteous Brothers •
  Mitchell Hurwitz, Written by
  Jim Valley, Written by
  
  Desperate Housewives • Pilot •
  Marc Cherry, Writer
  
  Everybody Loves Raymond • Finale •
  Philip Rosenthal, Writer
  Ray Romano, Writer
  Tucker Cawley, Writer
  Lew Schneider, Writer
  Steve Skrovan, Writer
  Jeremy Stevens, Writer
  Mike Royce, Writer
  Aaron Shure, Writer
  Tom Caltabiano, Writer
  Leslie Caveny, Writer
• Writing for a Drama Series
  
  House • Three Stories •
  David Shore, Writer
  
  Lost • Pilot •
  J.J. Abrams, Teleplay by/Story by
  Damon Lindelof, Teleplay by/Story by
  Jeffrey Lieber, Story by
  
  Lost • Walkabout •
  David Fury, Written by
  
  Rescue Me • Pilot •
  Peter Tolan, Writer
  Denis Leary, Writer
  
  The Wire • Middle Ground •
  George Pelecanos, Writer/Story by
  David Simon, Story by

There you have it, my predictions. Make yours before showtime.

My horses in the cancellation derby

Now, this is without seeing most of the new shows, but here is what I predict will not make the cut (and these are not in order...I fully expect UPN or WB to beat Fox to the punch in cancelling a show before 'Head Cases' gets the axe).

Head Cases
Just Legal (no way no how anyone will tune in for Don Johnson. Sorry Don).
Twins (no way no how anyone will tune in for Don Johnsons's ex. Sorry Melanie).
Fathom/Surface (whatever it's called this week)
Reunion (this was just horrible)
Freddie
The Night Stalker
Ghost Whisperer
Out of Practice (yeah, I hadn't heard of it either)
Killer Instinct (thankfully, people will tire of gross crime stories, and hey, they can get that on CBS all week long!)
The War at Home
Inconceivable

Wow, you're thinking. That's a lot of shows headed to the fall season graveyard. What does that leave standing at the end of the season (or at least until mid-season):

Threshold
Criminal Minds
E-Ring (although, I'm on the fence on this one)
Bones
Commander-in-Chief
Hot Properties
Invasion
Close to Home
How I Met Your Mother
My Name is Earl
Kitchen Confidential
Prison Break
The Apprentice: Martha Stewart
Three Wishes
Everybody Hates Chris
Love, Inc (yeah, but UPN has so little to work with)
Sex, Love and Secrets (again, I'm cutting UPN a break, just like they do with their shows...unless it places dead last)
Related
Supernatural

See? You thought I was being harsh, but I'm giving more than 60% of the new shows a shot at survival. I think that sitcoms will do particularly well this year (even though there are some duds) and remember, this isn't based on me seeing all the shows or even on the quality of the shows. I base my predictions on strength of schedule, concept of show, ability to grow, stars attached, network involved and pure gut instinct.

I'll track my accuracy as the season progresses. If I'm wrong, I'll call it, but you heard it here folks...

The Race is On

Which show will be the first to cancellation? What series will bow out in disgrace after viewers fail to connect?

So far it looks like Fox's Head Cases comes out of the gate ahead of the others in the cancellation pack.

Scratch that one off your 'potential spec' list folks. This one is DOA.

Robert Wise

has died.

Status Report

I started my 'new job' at work (long story) so I've been busy getting acclimated. Also had a cousin in town this week who we (my sis and I) entertained last night. Meanwhile, I'm working on the second draft of my treatment after lots of notes from producer/sister.

I've signed up for the TV spec rewrite/polish class for fall. This will probably be my last class for awhile, but I plan on putting my 'House' spec through this class and then sending it out to agents by November.

I just joined a writers group that meets down the block from me. Good group and I think I will learn a lot from them.

So, that's what I'm doing. Anyone see any good films lately?

Film Friday for August

Yup, it's that time again. End of the month. Let's see what remakes, sequels and TV adaptations Hollywood has in store for us.

• Matt Helm - Once a spoofy film series with Dean Martin, set to be remade as a more serious film this time around.
  
• Rififi - Remake of the French film with (Hoo-hah) Al Pacino.
  
• Old School 2 - Because we need more naked Will Ferrell.
  
• How to Tell He's Not the One in 10 Days - Apparently this is a sequel to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. They both have long titles, so it must be.
  
• Battle of the Network Stars - I think this is one of the signs of the Apocalypse.
  
• Casino Royale - I've reported on this one before, but they really truly are going to make it (honest!) Paul Haggis is going to rewrite it. So I'd expect it to be less campy. Just a hunch.
  

I'm impressed, Hollywood! This is a very short list. Of course, I'm sure that there's more creative bankruptcy waiting around the corner. That should help you sleep at night, I'm sure.

Spec Season

Great article from Clark Perry on the free Writer's Nite Out seminar held recently (hey, why didn't I know about that??)

Things to know for attending a premiere

• Don't wear open-toed shoes, unless you are sitting at a VIP table.
  
• Don't sit down at a table with someone else's name on it.
  
• Be prepared for photographers to look at you to see if you are famous and then quickly turn away when they realize you are not (and let's face it, not many writers make it to the 'famous' list).
  
• Don't dress down too much, but don't dress up too much. The former will make you look homeless and the latter will make you look "purchased".
  

I'll add more as I think of them. These were just the things I observed at a post-premiere party. I don't think they write books on premiere etiquette, do they?

Film Friday is coming

About a week late, but I'll recap the August remakes, sequels and TV adaptations to the big screen at the end of the week.

Gotta keep up the traditions around here...

Discussion topic - treatments

I have to write a treatment for my TV pilot (don't ask, no I haven't sold or pitched anything yet).

How would you write it -- narrative 2 page summary of the story? Or outline style, split between the Teaser and four acts?

Discuss.

Lost fanatics!

Yup today was the day -- they released Season 1 on DVD. Because I am the luckiest human alive, I happened to be at the Disney lot when the writers were autographing the DVDs, so I got to meet several of the gods of the show.

I'm still basking in the glow. Hopefully their genius has rubbed off on me.

Writing update

I finished my 'House' spec in time for my last class on Wednesday. So what now? Well, I have a TV pilot to write. I'm collaborating with my sister who will one day be a very powerful producer (hey, I'm ridin' her coattails, I have to keep the faith). I'm looking forward to creating my own characters and 'universe' for a TV show.

I'll rewrite my TV specs in about a month and once I'm happy with them -- I'll hold my breath and send them out into the world.

Somewhere in here I'm going to keep outlining my new feature spec. I have a lot to do before the end of the year.

I may finally adopt the progress bars. I added a place for them in the sidebar, now I just have to get the code in there.

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Labor Day weekend. Certainly it is overshadowed by the disaster in the Gulf States. Keep the victims in your thoughts and prayers.

Blogging for a Cause

I know, it's hard. Everywhere you turn there are pictures, stories and other reminders of what is happening along the Gulf Coast. I've already detailed the charities I am supporting financially today and urge you to give what you can, even if it is a small amount.

I'd love to show that screenbloggers can pull together and help out, really show up the political blogs that are raising most of the money. Can you imagine what it would be like if Los Angeles were hit with the 'Doomsday Quake'? I'd hope that the residents of the Gulf Coast would help us, just as they need us to help them now.

Log your donation

If you make a donation based on reading this blog, you can log your donation here. You can also see how much the blogs involved in this effort have helped raise today.

I am thinking of ways to inspire folks to donate -- maybe I could write stories or something, blog on a particular topic for donations. If you have any suggestions, let me know.

Donation update

So far I've made donations to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army today.

I've also donated to another worthy charity, one I've supported in the past (I have also adopted a soldier through them) and is called Soldiers' Angels. They are collecting money for the families of soldiers who have been affected by the floods. These soldiers may have nothing to come home to. Consider donating to this or other military family charities. (I have also donated to Operation AC. Both of these charities are reputable and provide needed services.)

Blogging for Hurricane Katrina Victims

Truth Laid Bear has a registry of blogs participating in the blogger relief.

I've already donated to the American Red Cross, but my charity of choice today is the Salvation Army, to which I have already donated. I've given to this charity often and they seem to be really effective, moreso than the United Way and others that were deluged with cash post 9/11 but didn't know how to handle it.

Avoid unscrupulous charities by checking them out first via Charity Navigator.

Michelle Malkin, who has put aside politics for the most part today, has a great summary of various charities, if you prefer to donate to another charity.

The message today is to DONATE.

More on the Salvation Army's efforts (from their website):

The Salvation Army is currently providing services to storm victims and first responders in Hattiesburg, MS, Mobile, AL and New Orleans, LA

* 500 storm refugees sought safe shelter and food at The Salvation Army’s centers in New Orleans and Mobile.
* Canteens are serving hot meals to storm victims and first responders in Hattiesburg, MS and Mobile, AL.
* Additional canteens are staged in Baton Rouge, LA, Jackson, MS and Mobile, AL to be deployed to affected areas along the Gulf Coast once emergency response authorities determine that it is safe to enter these areas

The Salvation Army is prepared to serve up to 500,000 hot meals per day to residents and first responders in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

* More than 250 volunteers, employees and officers will serve the meals from approximately 100 mobile canteens that are able to provide up to 5,000 hot meals per day.
* In addition, the Army has staged two, 54-foot mobile Base Camp kitchens that can provide 20,000 hot meals per day; one is in Baton Rouge; the other in Mobile, and will be moved once emergency response authorities determine a safe location for them.

A $100 donation will feed a family of four for two days, provide 2 cases of drinking water and one household clean-up kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies.

Glenn Reynolds roundup post.

Also, Technorati tags flood aid and Hurricane Katrina.

More hurricane blogging here throughout the day. Screenblogging will resume in a couple of days.

Blogger Aid Day

There's a large effort underway in the blogosphere today at a 'bloggerthon' to donate to charities which will aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I plan to donate to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army today.

I know John Rogers is matching funds, so you might want to reference him if you do it (if you want to make him feel the pinch). Or, check with your employer to see if they do matching contributions.

I have family in Mississippi who escaped the flooding. Others aren't so lucky. They are in my thoughts and prayers.

UPDATE: Actually, the official 'Blogger Relief Day' is tomorrow. I'll be registering my website with the effort. Stay tuned for details tomorrow. Feel free to donate today of course. :-)

Quiet

If I'm not so talkative, you know what it means -- I'm writing. I have to finish my House spec to turn in on Wednesday, so I'm furiously writing this week. I have 14 pages to go and big chunks to rewrite before I turn in a semi-not-crappy draft to my instructor.

Then I get a day to rest. I'll talk to you Thursday.

You say it's your birthday...

So, now I'm 31. Yesterday was my birthday.

I didn't make a big deal of it because, frankly, it isn't a big deal. I also wanted to see how many of my friends remembered.

Everyone I count as a 'close friend' forgot or ignored. Close family remembered. Even a couple of acquaintances remembered. Friends of my sister remembered. It's the close friends forgetting that I'm bummed about, of course. I don't even know why it gnaws at me...it's just a effing birthday, right?

The problem is that when you're a kid (most people anyway, you weirdos who didn't celebrate birthdays need not apply) everyone makes a big deal of your "special day". You get used to people treating you special on your birthday. As you get older, you hit certain milestones that get celebrated wildly -- 18 and 21, for example tend to be great birthdays. 25 was even a good one. You might even get a good party out of some friends for a non-significant year.

I have an extra twist to my birthday: my sister was born on my 3rd birthday. That's right, it's 'her birthday too.' When we were kids, this was a nightmare for my parents. Imagine trying to hold birthday parties and try to make it special for each one. I sympathize with parents who have twins and have to deal with this issue. It was also sometimes torture for us. I can't tell you how many times we were cheated with a gift that was to *both* of us. What about my goddamn special day?? And she was thinking the same thing...

Now we're older and we handle the whole birthday thing much better. In fact, we embrace it. We buy ourselves cake, take a trip, whatever. It was really nice for a group of her friends who have adopted me too to share OUR birthday with us. Still, I was sad that MY friends were MIA.

I always feel bad mentioning it's my birthday too, like I'm soliciting for birthday wishes. The person you've told feels obligated to say 'happy birthday' and you feel crappy that you had to tell someone. Except when free food is involved. But then, I don't want a crowd of wait staff singing to me in another language while a large sombrero is placed on my head. Not my idea of fun, really.

So, don't feel obligated to wish me happy birthday. I'm only mentioning it because yesterday is on my mind and I needed to spew about it so I can get on with my day.

Today is someone else's birthday, somewhere. If you know anyone who has a birthday, even if you haven't talked to them in years, wish them happy birthday. They'll be glad you did and you'll feel better too.

You don't know if anyone else has taken the time to do it. And you could make that day special for them again.

Dog Days

I always have mixed feelings about August.

On the one hand, I love it, it means school is around the corner (though I haven't been in the backpack and pencil buying set for quite some time). It also means my birthday is near. But, despite all of that, it is still August. Hot, sticky August. There's a reason very little happens in this month. It's so hot no one wants to move. That Iraqi Constitution? I don't blame them for moving slow -- IT'S AUGUST! In fact, it's a great excuse. The Pope forgot to bless people? It's August! Another pretty girl is missing? It's August! Can't get your screenplay written? You guessed it, it's August!

I dreamt about a dog that had 5 heads last night. It's August.

Back from Vegas

No, I didn't win any money, so 'Plan B' (i.e. Keep the Day Job) is still in effect. 'Plan A', otherwise known as 'Win the Lotto and/or Sell Spec to quit said Day Job' is on hold for another day.

Otherwise, it was a good weekend and a good break. Sorry to miss the Screenblogger's Shindig, but hopefully no one had a swordfight. I'd hate to miss a good swordfight.

I've got some stuff to blog about this week, so stay tuned. More to come on Monday.

AB 777

One of my least favorite California politicians has drafted an interesting bill that has bipartisan support. The bill, AB 777 would provide tax breaks to keep film production in California. (See recent posts at The Artful Writer for more on runaway production).

Legislators are hoping to push the vote on this bill quickly, so it can land on the Governor's desk before the September recess.

I'll keep an eye on this...

A moment of silence...

For Joe Ranft. Not only was he a brilliant story guy at Pixar, but he actually breathed life into some of those digital creations by voicing them...like Heimlich the caterpillar here.

He died in a car crash yesterday. He was 45.

What, you were expecting a party?

I'm having a crappy week. The only salvation is going to Vegas this weekend.

I was hoping to hear about a potential job -- it's disappeared without a microbe left behind to identify it ever existed.

A family member had some recent health issues. No, I'm not sayin' who or what.

Another family member is getting screwed royally at work.

I'm still doing two jobs at work, no end in sight.

I'm way behind on my House spec. And I can't make it all work in my head.

So yeah, I'm pretty quiet. I'll come back when I'm not so pissy.

Back!

And not a moment too soon, I might add. What were you people drinking while I was gone??

So, had a fabulous time driving around the state of Cal-ee-forn-ee-ah (best pronounced as Arnold does). Visited the giant Sequoias, Yosemite, San Jose, some garlicky Gilroy town (passed through on way to San Jose...smelled VERY BAD in Gilroy) and then down the PCH. Visited Hearst Castle yesterday and the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, both fascinating tours.

I live in a beautiful state. Pity I don't get out of the city much. What was strange was the feeling of relief being back in Los Angeles today. Maybe it's just the feeling when you get home from a trip, like 'I missed my bed' or other comforts of your home, but I was genuinely happy to be back. Happy to leave, happy to be back, the most I could hope for.

So, I didn't write a thing all weekend, and I feel recharged, ready to tackle the rest of my spec script and then dive into my next feature script. I'm looking forward to what I hope are some very productive days and weeks ahead.

Oh, and as for the film I wish I had seen in a theater, my vote goes to "House of Flying Daggers". Some may criticize how many films I see in theaters, but there are very few films out there I *wish* I had seen in a theater. My runner-up was "Dirty Pretty Things" just because when I read the screenplay I was dying to see it and I had to wait until it came out on DVD by that time.

Open Thread

I'm out of town until Tuesday, so I'll see you all then -- FINALLY getting out of L.A. to see some of the state that is not covered with smog.

Until then, I'll leave an open thread...what film did you discover on DVD/video that you wish you had seen in the theater on first run? (and you had the opportunity to see in the theater -- rediscovering a 1940's film doesn't count, unless you were a moviegoer at that time).

3-2-1 Contact!

If you have not read my previous posts about relationship management, check here.

So, it's Tuesday again, which means it's time to put aside the discussion of story, structure, character and what not and talk turkey about the business of screenwriting. Now, I am not a professional screenwriter (yet). I have not sold a script (yet). I have never been given an assignment (you guessed it, YET). What I do know is how to manage relationships. In my nine years at my day job, one critical component of my job has been to cultivate and grow relationships with others to maintain our business. I have taken many of the lessons learned there to better connect with people related to the film and television world. So, take my advice or don't...I'm just putting it out there, to try to help a few souls from making some of the mistakes I've made.

First up, I want to recommend a book. I know, not another screenwriting book. This one isn't really about screenwriting, per se, but it is a really interesting look into this world. Michael Lent's Breakfast with Sharks is a great read and pretty different from your standard 'How To' book. Oh, did I mention I've met Michael? Yup, he's one of my contacts.

Quick story: 2002 Screenwriting Expo. I did no networking. Very stupid, but then, I hadn't written a script yet and I didn't have a clue. 2003 Screenwriting Expo 2. My first day I vowed to meet at least 2 individuals I could keep contact with after the expo. One of the people I talked to was Michael. He held a panel which I attended and I talked with him afterwards. He had a booth in the vendor room, because he and and another person were co-producers on an indie film called "Hard Scrambled". I hung out with both of them in between my panels, chit-chatting and generally soaking up the atmosphere. They were both writers for Creative Screenwriting too, so I had already read a lot of their articles to get a feel for what their passions were. It was a lot of fun. I ended the expo having forged at least a passing acquaintance with these two writers. This was the start of my networking.

Here's the bad part. I didn't follow up with them...for 18 months! In March Creative Screenwriting put out an e-mail that they were hosting a mixer. I decided to go, just on the off-chance that Michael or the other person might be there, they being writers for the magazine and all. Whaddya know, they were! Better yet, after some prompting, each of them remembered me and some of what I told them about myself. In the meantime I had read Michael's book and was able to discuss it with him. I now correspond with Michael pretty often and I count him as someone I respect and admire a great deal.

I'm fortunate to have met Michael. I consider him one of the contacts that is fast morphing into a 'friend' relationship (I mean really, he is the nicest person I have met in all of L.A., he's kind of an alien here now that I think about it) and I feel very lucky to know him. In fact, I don't really consider what my contact with him will net me down the road, because honestly, his friendship means a lot. That's one great thing about making contacts -- some of them become your friends!!

The key to maintaining a relationship with someone will seem obvious after I say it -- you keep in touch. You don't e-mail them every day or call them every week, but you do it just often enough, maybe once a month or a few times a year (depending on the contact) for them to remember who you are and keep you in their mind. Most of the contacts can be maintained with a quick e-mail 'hey, how you doing, what's new' kind of messages. Others require more -- massaging, especially if they are to become a key contact.

A key contact is one you identify as possibly being able to provide you with a lead down the road. You should always look for ways to 'scratch people's backs'. Maybe you can recommend a dog walker or you have free tickets to an event. Don't go too far afield to work the contact, but hey, you are shmoozing here, try to find something that you can use. When you bump someone up to key contact, you might want to consider a coffee or lunch date (you pay, always you pay for your key contact) to get some good one on one time with the person.

Here's what you DON'T do with a key contact:

* Ask for a job. I've done this in jest with a couple of people, so they know I'm serious about getting into the business, but I've NEVER actually approached a key contact with a resume, looking for a job. Let people know you are looking, if you are, but never ask someone to hire you.

* Ask them to read your script. If they ask you what you've written let them know. I suggest you wait for them to offer to read it. If I can remember the link, I'll post it, how someone sold their first script by keeping it from the person they wanted to read it. As I recall the story (and it is killing me that I don't remember who it was!) the writer had been working for a magazine doing interviews. He had finished an interview with an agent and mentioned he had finished a script. She asked to read it and he refused to send it to her -- repeatedly. He sent it out to everyone else in the world when it was ready, except the one person who asked for it. Eventually, she got her hands on it and wanted to buy it. He reasoned that she would want it more if she couldn't get it than if he had just handed it over to her and she passed. I have no idea if this would work for others, but I love the story...and if I find the friggin' link I'll add it!

* Don't become a burden. You do not want to ask this person for favors. You want this person to enjoy talking to you and want to help you, not avoid you like the plague.

So what DO you do with a key contact?

Talk. Discuss. And it can be non-writing things. Find out the person's interests, just like you would with anyone else. In my day job, I try to find out at least one hobby the person has, so I can ask them about it when I talk to them in the future (So, have you been skiing lately? How is that Lego version of Middle Earth coming along?) Ask about their experiences, but be polite. Don't take up too much of their time. Even if they wrote a crap movie or TV show, try to find a silver lining SOMEWHERE -- it may not have been their fault, after all.

If you manage your contacts well, a couple of things will happen. One, you'll feel more confident as a writer as you travel in circles with other writers and people in the business. You can gain a lot of insight into the business by befriending an assistant here or there (Michael Lent has a great chapter on being nice to assistants -- and I wholeheartedly agree. Even in my day job I find it critical to have a good relationship with the 'gatekeeper') The other thing that will happen over time is that your contacts will want to help you. They will offer to read your script, put in a good word for you, give you advice. Do not discount ANY offer of assistance from any contact. It may not always amount to one of your big goals, but you should always be appreciative of any help offered.

Beware of charlatans or poseurs. You know what I mean. If they start asking you to do more for them than seems right (like, write a script for free...that "producer" friend might not be all he's cracked up to be) don't be afraid to back away. As I've said before, everyone is a contact, but not everyone is a KEY CONTACT. Know the difference.

I have found over time in my day job that I have been on the receiving end of relationship management. This is usually good. It means people do things for me and I find some way to assist them with what they need. Usually the person being "managed" makes out on the deal, but that's the point. Your contact should get more out of your relationship than you do to start. You should reap the benefits on the backend.

It is an investment of time and energy, but done correctly Relationship Management can really put you ahead of the game when it comes to navigating the waters of whatever industry you are in (believe me, this works just as well in IT or manufacturing as it does with screenwriting -- why do you think trade shows and conferences are so popular??)

By all means, add your two cents. I don't claim to have the market cornered on how to manage relationships.

One final book recommendation -- this one is a general guide to managing relationships: The Relationship Edge in Business. There are lots of relevant strategies for screenwriters to use.

Film Friday (on a Tuesday) for 7/31

It's the end of the month and if you are a long time reader of this blog, you know what that means...that's right, time to recap the remakes, sequels and TV adaptations announced from the studios this month. No idea is too bad to remake or too good to sequelize. So, without further ado, I give you the roundup:

• Road House 2 - The month started of weak and it wasn't until two weeks in we got our first news of a sequel, but boy what a sequel it is!
  
• Hollow Man 2 - Didn't realize this one needed a sequel, but apparently, I was wrong. I love that they casually mention this "might" go to home video. I'm thinking that's a definite yes.
  
• I Know What You Did Last Summer 3 - The best part of this sequel is coming up with a good title...I Know What You Did Two Summers Ago That Was Really Five Summers Ago. Maybe they'll just know something else someone did a previous summer...
  
• Summer School - I'm guess Mark Harmon will not reprise his role in the remake, which is a shame, because I think he's available.
  
• Untitled Smurf Movie - A SMURF MOVIE?? How did I miss this news? Stop the presses -- we must shout out to the world the smurftacular news! Smurfy!! Better yet, it's planned as a trilogy. Lord of the Smurfs, anyone (One Smurf to Rule Them All...okay, I'll stop)
  
• The Omen 666 - Haley Joel Osment is too old so I guess they'll have to find an unknown to play Damien.
  
• Voltron: Defender of the Universe - Saturday morning cartoons of the 80's had a good month!
  
• Charlie Chan - But, but, there's a twist, see. It's his granddaughter! Played by Lucy Liu. Can't be too un-PC if she's doing it!
  

A little light this month, but fear not. We've already heard that the casting is rolling on the Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake, so you know Hollywood is still finding ways to remake what once was good into something...not so good. Glad to know all is right with the world.

Tee-hee!

I got such a good idea for a feature that I'm clapping my hands together chanting 'Hercules, Hercules'. If it weren't for the fact I need to be writing my 'House' spec right now, I'd dig in on this.

It feels like I'm being denied a new shiny toy. I need to just add it to my wishlist for later. Hoo-boy I think this one's a keeper.

Cool picture of the day

A frozen lake on Mars. Actual photo. It's beautiful.

Blogroll updates

Another month, another batch of screenwriting blogs. This month I've added:

• ScreenwriterBones
  
• Dreaming in Tennessee (by frequent commentor TN_Dreamer)
  
• this savage art... which has been around awhile, but I keep forgeting to link it. **This has been updated, sorry for the bad link.
  
• Fresh Hell (by sometimes commentor Kira)
  

I'm trying to keep blogroll additions small, only 3 to 4 a month. If you have a blog you want linked, let me know and I'll consider it for August!

Now, you all have to remember the golden rule of blogging (and staying on my blogroll): Post or you're toast!

(By the way, for the curious, blogs that are registered with Blogrolling to be pinged will be preceded by an asterik if your blog has had an update in the last 2 hours on my blogroll. You can always tell which blogs are fresh here at 'Shouting')

My classmates hate me

It's not my fault, really. I just can't help it when I see something that could be better, I just want to help them fix it.

The result: I talk too much in class. The teacher doesn't say it, I'm sure she wouldn't, but I don't blame my classmates for resenting me and my big mouth.

One good rule of feedback: Don't overload people. Of course, I consider myself bulletproof in the feedback department, but others might not be...

Relationship management 101

So we've talked about the importance of networking and how/where to potentially meet other writers and people in the business. Now you need to know what to say to those people and how to keep those connections strong. Most importantly, you have to make your connections work for you.

Let's back up and talk more generally here. I don't know about you, but I find that sometimes I don't do a good job at managing my relationships with others. You meet someone, exchange business cards or program each other into your cellphones and then...you don't follow up. Or they don't call back. Either way, the relationship withers and dies. When that happens, you've just broken the first rule in Relationship Management: Never lose a contact.

You may not understand where each contact fits into the big picture, but that's more reason not to let them fade away. Look at the following list of "contacts" and determine what they all have in common:

-- a writer from your class writing their first script
-- a blogger you've been reading who appears to be working on a TV spec
-- a person you met at the Screenwriting Expo who works as an assistant at a studio
-- a grip who works on films and would like to be a director

Beyond the obvious of 'they are all working their way into or are in the business' there's another key similarity -- they are all contacts! Each one of these people has the potential to be someone you can talk to, pass work to, work with...the possibilities are endless.

Here's a story from my life. This is an example of what NOT to do in managing relationships.

When my sister and I first moved to our condo, our neighbors(who have since moved) were a hairdresser for TV/films on one side and in the other unit was an older woman who used to be a script supervisor. The woman who used to be a script supervisor offered to teach me her craft, something that can be very good work once you get in the union and can also help you understand your writing. She moved out a couple of months after I moved in and I had every intention of keeping her as a contact...

...until I lost her phone number. I tried to track her down, but I still can't find her, a year later. That was BAD. That was a contact I could learn from, who was willing to teach me something that is a very usable skill in this industry and would have helped my writing. (I'll post about script supervisors and what they do some other time, if there's interest). The lesson I learned here was, SAVE EVERYONE'S PHONE NUMBER/E-MAIL ADDRESS/CONTACT INFO. Keep a spreadsheet on your computer or use your e-mail program or a palm pilot to store your contacts. Write them in a book. Whatever you have to do to keep the information, don't lose it.

So, here's a scenario. You've seen that someone has just written a new book about screenwriting and is going to be signing books, maybe even doing a Q&A at a local bookstore (I've done this one for networking too -- doesn't happen as often, but still a good one). What should you do?

Here are some possibilities. Let's say you haven't written anything yet. At this point, you need to make connections to learn from people (hopefully that's why you are reading blogs too). Talk to the author, talk to others who have come to the signing. Find out what their interests are. The basic question you can ask anyone is 'what are you working on?' This is a good place to start. If you've met another newbie, you can swap stories of your attempts to write and maybe you've just found someone who can keep you motivated (like a workout buddy, but a writing buddy). If someone has just finished a script and is looking for feedback, maybe you can (down the line, not the first time meeting them) offer to read the work and offer feedback. Maybe you've met someone who is trying to get an agent. You can learn from this person too. They have an agent? Even better, then you know someone you can talk to about submitting work to agents when the time comes.

Now you talk to the author of the book who is signing things, maybe while getting the autograph on the book you will buy (hey, I didn't say this trip was free) or if you're a cheapskate wait until after the Q&A and try to steal a moment with the person. Usually you can do this unless the author is on a tight schedule. Start with the usual, 'your book sounds great, looking forward to reading it'...oh, you DID read up on the person before you went, right? If you are going to be successful in relationship management, follow Rule Number Two: Know your contact. If the person has credits, know them. This is what Google was made for. Be able to compliment them on something they've done. Bonus points if you take the time to read something else they've written or seen a film they wrote. Again, ask about their latest project besides the book. Trust me, they'll have one. Now you've reached a decision point. It could be that this person won't care about getting your contact information and if the person is pretty well known, he/she could be pretty wary of giving out contact info. No matter, you don't need a phone number/e-mail in hand for this one. After all, you know who their publisher is. And if you do your research you'll find another way to contact them. The key here is to make the connection, have the conversation. You never know when 'I met you at your books signing at Barnes & Noble in April and I really enjoyed your book' might come in handy.

So far, we've presented the first two rules of Relationship Management:

1. Never Lose A Contact
2. Know Your Contact

Next Tuesday we'll get into how to maintain your contacts and make them work for you.

Firefly

I finally got my box set and I've started watching all of the episodes, some I've not seen since it was on. I was there -- from the beginning, fat lot of good that did. Man was it a great show cut down too early in life.

I'm geared up for the movie now.

Shouting for a year

Today marks the 1st birthday of this blog. I started it as a way to spout off about whatever came to mind and over the course of the year it guided me to its true purpose -- to discuss my writing and my journey to become a working (paid) writer.

So here's to the next year of 'Shouting into the Wind'. May I never get too hoarse or my lips get too chapped. :-)

Alone on 'The Island'?

Went to see The Island this weekend. Apparently, I was the only one (though I'd swear the theater I was in was pretty full). I actually enjoyed the film a lot, which makes me wonder 2 things:

1. Is it okay to like Michael Bay? All of the critics tell me not to. I probably shouldn't tell them of my secret love for Armageddon

2. Did I miss the memo that said 'don't see this really expensive movie' this weekend?

I dunno. I'm gonna offset my sin of enjoying a Michael Bay movie by going to see March of the Penguins today. I loves me some penguins.

How sad is the education system in this country?

...if people continue to search for the film Hustle and Flow by looking for "hustel and flow"...someone happened to typo it in the comments and so people are finding the blog.

Okay, if you are looking for this film or information about it, you might want to heed Google when it asks you Do you mean Hustle and Flow?

...unless you are German. Then you are allowed to misspell.

Without A Box

Most folks know that Moviebytes.com has a pretty comprehensive list of screenwriting contests and film festivals.

Now meet Withoutabox.com. Register (basic membership is free) with this website and you can see many of the current contests and film festivals accepting submissions. Some even offer a discount on the entry fee to Withoutabox members. If you upload your script with information, you can submit it to some contests through their website, saving you time and money.

Check it out!

It's about who you know...

Admit it, we'd all like to believe that talent alone will get us noticed, get us an agent, get us a job or a sold spec. As with any other career and probably more so, we know the truth is there is a combination of factors that will help us along. Talent is pretty important but talent is not the most important thing to have. Luck is hard to gauge, but I'd assert it plays a part. No, the most important factor in success has got to be determination. But how do you focus your determination into positive results.

Answer, you've gotta have friends.

Networking is probably the most important skill to have as an aspiring screenwriter. I like many others I'm sure, can be pretty darn hermit-like. While this may be great for focusing on honing our craft and making our scripts great, it doesn't help us much in "playing the game." I also don't think there's any shame in networking. I've actually met other aspiring screenwriters who have told me that they feel that an agent will kill for their script. Sure, they don't know anyone at CAA or Endeavor, but their script is dynomite and it cannot be denied.

Look, this blogging thing -- it's great to keep me motivated, but I'll admit it, it's also a way to connect with other people. Don't be closed off to any avenues of meeting people. In my experience, here are a few of the best ways:

• Take a class -- I've taken several classes at UCLA and in each one I make a point to stay in contact with instructors and classmates. Building a good network takes time, but this can provide you a quick way to advance your circle of friends and colleagues very quickly.
  
• Message boards -- The Artful Writer is a great one. So is Wordplay. Without being in the WGA, these boards provide not only insight into working writers' psyches but direct access to them. Along with message boards, the next best thing are other writer blogs, particularly working writers like John August. Now, don't be stupid and ask them straight out for a job. That will get you nowhere fast. Many of these blogger writers are however willing and able to answer questions from newbies. Take advantage and LEARN.
  
• Meetup.com -- Did you know there's a Hollywood screenwriters meetup group? Actually, there are many many meetup screenwriter's groups all across the country. See if there's one in your area and join it. If there isn't one near you, why not start one? You may be surprised how many aspiring screenwriters live in your area...
  
• Other writer groups -- Besides Meetup.com, there are other writer groups out there. I know the Alameda Writer's Group (AWG) is a pretty substantial one. I've already signed up to their Yahoo! group and plan to attend the next meeting, provided I'm in town. Some groups may charge a membership fee, so be sure to check. Don't live in Los Angeles? Again, just start googling. Another way to find other writer's is to refer to my previous suggestion about taking a class. Can't afford a class? Why not just post a flyer at the nearest campus looking for writers to share pages and to meet with. You may be able to form a group without hitting the classroom.
  
• Screenwriting Expo -- It's probably the biggest screenwriting event in the country (Austin's Festival is probably #2). Hundreds, no, thousands of aspiring writers will be there taking in panels, listening to writers, pitching scripts. You could meet not only other writers, but pros, maybe even an agent or two. Networking goldmine.

So you've found some ways to network. What do you do when you network? How should you approach people? How do you build connections with people. Most importantly, how can you make these connections work for you?

Ah, that's the next post. Stay tuned.

Random update

Finished reading Harry Potter VI today. I'll reserve my comments/review until I feel everyone who wants to read it has and those who won't get around to it won't care what I say. I dare not incur the wrath of a Harry Potter fan who hasn't finished the latest book.

This one was shorter than the last one, only 650 pages. I blazed right through it. Read about an hour or so yesterday and finished it in 6 today. Kinda slow for me, but I did take breaks to eat and clean the kitchen...

So, I'm off to see Wedding Crashers. Will try to catch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory later this week.

What did everyone else do this weekend?

Feedback

So, got my first draft (and I mean really really rushed first draft) of my "House" spec outline back from my instructor (btw, for those keeping score, this is a new class so the instructor for this class does NOT write for "House". The instructor for my previous class does write for the show.)

So, how to interpret the notes...there are exactly 2, not counting the 'Very Good!' at the top of the first page. Note number 1 tells me that a scene in Act 4 might not be needed. Note number two says that another scene later on in the Act could be combined with the scene I might not need.

That's it. Those are the notes. I'm not sure I can revise my draft from this.

So either it is 1) the most brilliant outline ever written or 2) it was so bad she didn't know what to point out.

Please God, let it be #2. I don't know if I could handle it being really brilliant.

Working on the revision of my "Lost" spec today. I'll go back to the outline during the week...

Emmy Nominations

The Emmy nominations were announced this morning. Here's the full list.

You have to scroll quite aways to get to the writing categories. I was thrilled to see that the "Three Stories" episode of House was nominated, as it was definitely my favorite of the season. Oddly enough, it was the one episode my instructor (who writes for the show) wasn't sure about...

Lost picked up two writing nominations. Yay for Terry O'Quinn and Naveen Andrews getting supporting actor noms!

Also note the sad state of sitcoms.

So, other reactions...?

On the heels of that study news yesterday...

Study indicates that one-third of studies don't hold up

Is any other comment really needed here? Create your own punchline...

Fire up the B movie engines!

This story (hat tip: Slashdot) discusses the revival of B movies on the Sci-fi Channel, which is investing about $21 million for 28 more films.

I helped write a short 'B' movie once for my sister's class. I think it's time to dust that puppy off and bring it back as a feature!

It took a study to validate this?

A new study notes that at least 90% of DVR users skip the commercials.

Ummm...duh?

I use my DVR many times for the sole purpose of skipping commericals. I'll start recording a show and turn it on about 16 minutes in so I can watch the whole thing without sitting through a single commercial.

Talk about a waste of money studying that phenomenon. Hey, guess what geniuses, 90% of web surfers hate pop up ads and ignore them or block them! You need to study that? Give me $100K and I'll prove it to ya with pretty charts and graphs and everything!!

Sheesh...