Month: November 2014

The Real World of Reality TV: Worker Exploitation?

Forewarned is, you know, forearmed. And it isn’t only writers who feel victimized:

Writers_raise_signs_at_wga_rallyby David Dayen

On September 10, 16 editors on the Bravo reality show Shahs of Sunset walked off the job in Hollywood after informing their employer, Ryan Seacrest Productions, of their intentions to unionize. The next day, Bravo announced they would delay the premiere of the fourth season.

“We thought it was about time, in the fourth season of a popular show, to get health care and pension benefits,” says Vanessa Hughes, one of the editors seeking representation through the Motion Picture Editors Guild, a division of the International Association of Stage and Theatrical Employees (IATSE). “We thought it’d take a day or so of picketing.” read article

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 11/14/14

TOSHIBA Exif JPEG

Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are=&0=& (former Obama speechwriter) is writing the pilot for Showtime’s ANTHEM, a drama that “chronicles…what happens when our political system collapses under the weight of mistrust and partisan division.” (I dunno, gang. Sounds like a reality series to me. I sincerely apologize for making such an easy joke. But I think it’s our current crop of pols who should apologize to all of us for making it possible.) Nick Stoller & Jerrod Carmichael (two hot properties in CAA’s collection of such) are developing an NBC comedy based on Jerrod’s “irreverent stand up comedy.” (Lovin’ the use of the word “irreverent,” NBC, but in an era when every single new standup comic is described as “irreverent” shouldn’t that whole category simply be “irrelevant” instead?)

That’s it for now. Write in and tell munchilito what you’ve sold today. TVWriter™ can’t wait to brag to all your friends. (And, more importantly, enemies. Hehehe….)

Up Close and Personal with LB

For those who’ve been clamoring about more info about what our Beloved Leader, Larry Brody, is up to – creatively speaking, that is:

Seen on Ballard Street, one of our favorite daily newspaper strips
Seen on Ballard Street, one of our favorite daily newspaper strips

John Ostrander: Redeeming Vader

Darth Toyboy
Darth Toyboy

by John Ostrander

By its nature, a trilogy connects. In movies, it becomes a single story united by narrative and/or theme. Each component film should stand on its own but they should come together as a single narrative.

Star Wars, especially the Original Trilogy (now known as Episodes IV, V, and VI), is a good example of this. In it, Luke Skywalker follows the Hero’s Journey (as defined by Joseph Campbell ), working with and through classic archetypes as he becomes not only a Jedi but a true hero. It is Luke’s story.

A funny thing happened when Lucas brought out the Prequel Trilogy (also known as Episodes I, II, and III). The story shifted from its focus on Luke Skywalker to his father, Anakin Skywalker, who was the villain of the Original Trilogy – Darth Vader. The overall story is now the fall of Anakin and the final redemption of Darth Vader. It completely changes the focus of all six movies. We are asked to accept this. At the end of Episode VI, Anakin’s Force Ghost takes its place with the Force Ghosts of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, the two Jedi who represent the wise mentors and forces for good. read article

A Short Lesson in Comedy Writing

More than short – brilliant! No matter how dark and serious your writing may be, you still need to know this if you want it to work:

demotivatiocalvin

“Beating” Jokes
by Ken Levine

When is something funny enough? That’s a little hard to say since every example is different and every case is subjective. But as a general rule, whenever I write a joke I ask myself two questions.

Is it funny? read article