Month: January 2015

Film bosses accused of mutilating scripts and pushing out writing talent

This is one for the Ya Can’t Win Dept. UK screenwriters are saying that UK film execs are so aggravating to work with that they’re being pushed into the very medium that so many writers in the U.S. bitch about – television. As another U.S. TV writer who also did a movie or three would say, “case in point:”

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by Dalya Alberge

Three of Britain’s Oscar-nominated screenwriters say that an increasing tendency among film studio bosses and directors to “mutilate” film scripts is forcing top writers to either direct their own work or write for television, where they command greater respect.

Jeffrey Caine, William Nicholson and Steven Knight – whose acclaimed screenplays include those for The Constant Gardener, Gladiator and Dirty Pretty Things respectively – told the Observer that writers were often sacked without warning from the studios and would then discover that their original work has been altered beyond recognition by a production line of writers. read article

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 1/16/15

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Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are=&0=& (another YouTuber making good – all riight!) has a similar Vimeo thing happening, a science fiction drama called PARALLAX about “a young scientist who alone has knowledge of an imminent, cataclysmic meteor strike.” (What makes these two Vimeo projects special? Well, they’re both for Vimeo On Demand, which is the website’s foray into competition with Big Media TV, oh and they’re both being produced by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, whose careers for many years have been the definition of A list in both TV and film. Anybody out there got a phone number for either Brian or Ron? I’m thinking maybe I should give ’em a call.) Back in the Big Media world, Jason Tracey (ELEMENTARY) has a new overall deal with CBS to keep kicking ass on that show and create new ones. (Try as I may, yer munchero just can’t come up with any decent snark about this guy. Cuz if anybody’s career arc has made him my hero, Jason’s the one. Congrats, dude, let’s get together so I can show you my new ELEMENTARY spec – which I’ll start writing as soon as I find the Final Draft template, don’tcha know?)

That’s it for now, munchaladas. Don’t forget to write in and tell yers truly what you’ve sold when you sell it. Cuz TVWriter™ can’t wait to brag to all your friends. (And, more importantly, enemies. Hehehe….)

Leesa Dean: Adventures of a Web Series Newbie #88

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Chapter 88: Hitting the Ground Running
by Leesa Dean

Happy New Year everybody.  I’m really looking forward to 2015.  A lot of exciting things happening.

I started off the year in a good way, meaning chilling a bit but mostly writing.  I connected with an old friend and we discussed some real building possibilities which I’m SUPER excited about.  It’s too soon to talk about them but if/when they progress, you’ll be hearing about it here first.

So, I did a lot of thinking over the holidays and really honed in on my strategizing.  Since I’m working on a number of projects I’m working on, I decided to actually lay out a time plan so I literally write/produce/promote one and once it’s off the ground, start on the next. Needless to say, the first one I’m focused on is the new and improved Lele Show.  I readjusted my plans for the show, tightened the writing and still have a bit more to finish.  I feel so good about what’s already in the can, it’s just a nice place to be. read article

BAMBOO-CEILING TV

The network tried to turn Eddie Huang’s memoir into a “cornstarch sitcom” and him into “a mascot for America.” And guess what?

His sitcom is on the air. And he still isn’t afraid to hate it:

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How to Use Rejection to Create Success

These are terrific tips that we all need. Especially those of us who are cursed with an addiction to showbiz. (Even you, munchman!)

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by Tori Reid

Whether it’s a job interview or after asking someone out on a date, rejection is a harsh reality that we all face at least once. It’s tough, but how you handle rejection may very well be the key to getting a second chance later, and succeeding when you do. Here are some tips on handling rejection well and using it as a turning point that will get you what you want in the end.

Overcome Your Fear and Accept Rejection as a Real Possibility

Fear of rejection isn’t uncommon, but that fear will get in the way of you taking another shot. The first thing you need to do is overcome your fear of rejection, regardless of how intense that fear may be. read article