Herbie J Pilato: Showbiz & Its Ethical Dilemmas

EDITOR’S NOTE: Here at TVWriter™ we know Herbie J Pilato as a demanding critic of pop culture. Time now to bear witness to another of his many sides:

ALifeSunKindness Trumps Talent
by Herbie J Pilato

 Years ago, I directed a musical for the Rochester Association of Performing Artists (a.k.a. RAPA), and spent weeks auditioning many actors, singers and dancers of all ages. A diverse amount of extremely talented performers gave it their all during the auditions, but of course I could only narrow it down to a chosen few who would win the various lead and supporting roles.But it soon became clear who would round out the cast.I was impressed with the excessive talent of some, but more impressed with the extreme kindness of others. Some of those with the most talent, unfortunately, did not have the best personalities – nor the kindest of demeanors. And some of those with less talent – and in some cases, no talent at all, appeared to be less egotistical and potentially the easiest with whom to work.So, I was faced with a dilemma:

Hire the most talented who were also the most egostical and difficult personalities?

Or read article

Top TVWriter™ Posts for the Week Ending 8/2/13

julianne-houghs

Here they are, the most viewed TVWriter™ posts for the past week:

Become a Better Writer with These Important Reading Skills First read article

The Most Underused Doctor in TV History

DoctorWhoMagazine-Nov2003j…was, of course, DOCTOR WHO’s 8th Doctor, played by Paul McGann.

McGann starred in the 1996 DOCTOR WHO TV movie, which was really a pilot for a U.S. version of the series. We’ve seen it a couple of times and know what? It sucks. Terrible script. Ridiculous direction. Absurd acting by everyone involved–

Except Paul McGann, who is, simply, cool as hell. read article

Peggy Bechko: Following Your Own Writing Trail

hikerby Peggy Bechko

As a writer you hear all sorts of advice about outlines and formulas, how to do it, how not to do it. Oh, and above all, don’t follow those rabbit trails, stick to your story. Cling to your outline, don’t deviate!

What?

All right, come on. Isn’t following rabbit trails, getting off the path, the very essence of creativity? That which will help create an exciting, twisting tale. That which makes the storytelling, the exploration fun and exciting. read article

A Cautionary Tale for Hollywood Writers

Repeat after us:

“We don’t pay to be produced. The producers pay us.”

Again. Again… read article