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 Thursday, July 02, 2009
Got Legal Advice?
Posted by Chad
Hey, screenwriters and filmmakers--
Just wanted introduce you to today's Website of the Day... Legal Ease, an outstanding legal Q&A blog from FilmIndependent.
It's been up and running since the beginning of the year, answering questions on everything from options and Writers Guild minimums to licensing songs and obtaining book rights.
All the questions are answered by Jesse Saivar and Matt Galsor, two lawyers from the LA-based entertainment law firm Greenberg & Glusker, and it's an excellent resource for writers, directors, actors, and producers who can't afford a high-end attorney but still need to get their questions answered quickly and completely.
So check it out... and if you want to submit a question, email Carolyn at CCohagan@filmindependent.org.
Books Tools Resources | Career Advice | Digital Media and Web Series
Thursday, July 02, 2009 2:04:15 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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 Saturday, June 27, 2009
Sell Your Reality Show... Next Tuesday!
Posted by Chad
Hey, guys--
If you're hoping to sell the next The Bachelorette, American Idol, or Dancing with the Stars... or even if you just want to work on them... I'm teaching my reality TV seminar, "Writing the Reality TV Show," for mediabistro next Tuesday, July 7. If you're interested (and in Los Angeles), I'd love to see you there! Here's the scoop...
(Also, for those of you who have already emailed or asked... YES-- this is the class that was originally scheduled for Monday, July 13. It's been moved up.)
Writing the Reality TV Show
So You Think You Can Dance. The Real World. Rock of Love. The Amazing Race. From the
multi-million-dollar series of broadcast television to the low-budget
niche shows of cable, reality programming dominates television. But are
reality shows really "reality?" How much planning and production goes
into unscripted storytelling? And, most importantly, how can you get in
on the action?
This seminar lays the groundwork for anyone wanting to break into
the lucrative world of reality TV. We'll look at various types of
reality shows and what makes them tick, from docu-dramas and docu-soaps
(The City, Keeping Up With the Kardashians ) to game shows and elimination-style competitions (The Biggest Loser, Big Brother, Top Chef, Survivor) to personality-driven and "aspirational" series (Dietribe, Ruby, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition).
We'll then discuss how to conceive, develop, and sell your idea.
What are the critical elements of a pitch? Should you attach talent?
Does your series work as a strip? We'll explore how to structure your
reality pitch and get it to the right people. Who are the major
players? When should you attach a senior producer? What networks are
best for your concept? Whether you're a writer, producer, or host,
reality television's waiting for you.
In this seminar, you will learn:
- The differences between reality shows, and how to pitch them accordingly
- The critical elements every reality show and pitch must have
- How to structure a pitch both verbally and as a written document
- How to pitch to networks, studios, and production companies
- When to attach hosts or producers to your idea, and when not to
- What to expect when you're making your pitch, and what happens when you leave
Click here for more information...
WHEN: Tuesday, July 7, 7-10 pm WHERE: Beverly Hills Bar Assoc., 300 S. Beverly Dr., 2nd Fl., Beverly Hills, CA 90212 COST: $65 ($50 for avantguild members) TO SIGN UP: Call 212-547-7890 or click HEREHope you can make it!
Career Advice | Classes Seminars Workshops | Events Activities and Things To Do | Reality TV | Writing TV
Saturday, June 27, 2009 7:08:57 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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 Wednesday, June 24, 2009
A Few of My Favorite Podcasts...
Posted by Chad
Thanks to the anonymous reader who posted in response to last week's post about Jen Grisanti's Storywise podcast, and their question...
"Which writing podcasts do you regularly download?"
To be honest, I don't listen to a ton of writing-specific podcasts... although I always wish I did... but I like to listen to some other fun/newsy Hollywood podcasts.
Here's a quick list of links to some of my favorite podcasts, as well as a couple which friends really recommend, and all of which can also be found on iTunes...
The New York Times' Front Page - The NY Times has a terrific lineup of outstanding podcasts. My favorite is its Front Page, which condenses the top stories of the day into a short 2-4 minute podcast.
Martini Shot - TV writer Rob Long's (Cheers, George & Leo, Big Wave Dave's) podcast/radio show is produced by local LA NPR station KCRW, and it's usually some funny/insightful bit about either A) what's going on in Hollywood, B) pop culture, C) Rob's life. But it's always entertaining.
The Business - Also from KCRW, The Business is a weekly podcast that explores topical business, creative, and political issues concerning the entertainment industry.
Programming Insider - In TV guru Marc Berman's daily podcast for Mediaweek, he goes over each day's TV ratings, talks about what they mean, and explores issues concerning TV. This podcast can be a little long and talky sometimes, but it's always informative.
Creative Screenwriting Podcast - Jeff Goldsmith does great interviews with some of today's top screenwriters like Brian Helgeland, Jody Hill, Christopher Hampton...
Filmspotting - To be fair, I don't actually listen to this movie review podcast by Adam Kempenaar and Matty Robinson all that often. But my friend Rick swears by it, and the few times I've listened, I've really enjoyed it.
On the Page - Screenwriting teacher Pilar Alessandra's podcast covers everything from writing tips and advice to interviews with actual writers. (My friend Jen loves this podcast...)
And, of course, my ABSOLUE FAVORITE PODCAST OF ALL TIME... it's not Hollywood-related, but it is-- as far as I'm concerned-- the BEST NEW MUSIC PODCAST OUT THERE...
Bands Under the Radar - Featuring unsigned bands and indie artists, Kami Knake used to book for the Viper Room before moving to Nashville, and I swear-- she has some of the best ears for new music out there! Thanks to her, I discovered the Pierces, the Pipettes, maybe even the Fratellis. I live for this podcast... check it out!
I'm always on the lookout for other great podcasts, so if you have some favorites, please post below and let me know! Especially if you know of great new music podcasts... I'm always in need of great new music!
Books Tools Resources | Digital Media and Web Series
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 12:27:31 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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 Monday, June 22, 2009
The Future of TV: CBS vs. NBC
Posted by Chad
Hey, all--
Just wanted to point out a great article from Brian Steinberg in this morning's Ad Age... he does a nice job of pointing out how NBC (which is seemingly in a deadly tailspin) and CBS are both programming their air in vastly different ways-- and how their two strategies reflect the seismic shifts going on across television.
Click HERE for "NBC, CBS Have Conflicting Visions of Broadcast Future." (Also, I'm linking to TVWeek's pickup of the article, since Ad Age usually takes their pieces down after a day or two.) (Damn those businesses that actually want to get paid for their services!)
Industry Updates | Interesting Talking Points | Writing TV
Monday, June 22, 2009 8:11:14 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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More on Ageism in Hollywood...
Posted by Chad
Some of you may remember, a few weeks back when loyal reader Jon sent in a question and we had an ongoing discussion about ageism.
Well, thanks to Jon for sending in "What Hollywood Is Not Letting You See," a recent piece from Robert Elisberg in The Huffington Post.
It's a great piece... click HERE to check it out!
Interesting Talking Points | Reader Questions
Monday, June 22, 2009 4:59:57 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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 Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Storywise: All Your Favorite Writers... In Their Own Words!
Posted by Chad
Hey, folks--
This is gonna sound like shameless promotion, and maybe it is-- especially considering Jen Grisanti is a friend of mine-- but this is a great new resource that you should all check out.
Jen, who used to run current programming at Spelling TV and is now coaching countless of top-notch writers and directors through Jen Grisanti Consultancy, has launched Storywise... a monthly periodic podcast of interviews with A-list screenwriters and TV writers.
Her first episode features an awesome interview with TV writer and executive producer Glen Mazzara (The Shield, Life, Crash, Hawthorne), and her latest interview is with feature writer Jason Filardi (Bringing Down the House, 17 Again).
If you love hearing writers talk about their own paths, definitely check this out!
Also-- as a lot of you know-- I'm a HUGE proponent of podcasts... I'm always shocked that they haven't become more mainstream, especially since they're downloadable, making them portable enough to listen to in your car, at the gym, as you're cooking dinner-- wherever you want!
Anyway, for writers looking to learn from other writers' experiences, Storywise a great way to get wonderful advice right from the source!
Click HERE to check it out...
Digital Media and Web Series | Fun Stuff
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 3:40:15 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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 Friday, June 12, 2009
35 Tips on Indie Filmmaking... According to Nikki Finke & Friends
Posted by Chad
At last weekend's Producers Guild/Produced By conference, a Deadline Hollywood Daily stringer compiled a list of 35 tips on producing indie films, from the mouths of folks like RJ Cutler, Roger Corman, Lawrence Bender, and a host of great execs, producers, and agents.
Click HERE to check it out!
Books Tools Resources | Career Advice | Conferences and Festivals | Production | Screenwriting (Film)
Friday, June 12, 2009 3:48:10 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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 Thursday, June 11, 2009
Melissa Scrivner: From Writers Assistant to TV Writers Room (Courtesy of HWAS)
Posted by Chad
Hey, TV writers--
The good folks over at the Hollywood Writers Office Assistants Social (HWAS) have put up another great interview, this time with a good friend of mine... Melissa Scrivner, who was a writer last year on NBC's tragically under-appreciated cop show, Life. For those of you fighting to get into a writers room, it's an interesting read... Melissa talks openly about how she got into the room... what she learned... how to play your cards.
Click HERE to take a look!
Career Advice | Guest Perspectives | Writing TV
Thursday, June 11, 2009 11:57:42 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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 Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Are Emmy's Writing Awards Inaccurate?
Posted by Chad
Hey, guys-- just wanted to let you all know about a piece I have in today's issue of Variety about the Emmy's "Outstanding Writing" category... and whether or not it's fair and accurate. Take a look... and lemme know if you think the Emmys' process is fair, accurate, or dead-on!
Click HERE to read...
Industry Updates | Interesting Talking Points | Writing TV
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 7:31:29 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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 Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Back to the Futurama
Posted by Chad
Hey, guys--
If you're a fan of Matt Groening and David Cohen's Futurama, which was canceled by FOX six years ago, check out this Hollywood Reporter article, hot off the press...
Comedy Central has picked up the series, and new episodes will begin debuting next year!
Fun Stuff | Industry Updates
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 11:12:36 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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