Month: May 2017

How Pixar Makes You Cry

The most successful TV shows, films, books, short stories, paintings, illustrations – OMG! everything artistic, can you believe it? – are those that express the most emotion in the most effective (as in making the audience feel it) way.

One of the ways TV and films manipulate induce guide influence viewer emotions is via music. Ever wonder just how that’s done? Here’s a little insight about how some masters of the subject, those cryin’ angels over at Pixar, get the job done!

(from “sideways“)

Things Writers Should Never Say to H’wood Execs

This is so on the money:

“All your meetings are belong to me.”

by Ken Miyamoto

Screenwriters are always being told what they should say in Hollywood pitch meetings, meet and greets, and query letters. While there is a plethora of excellent advice in that respect, it’s what screenwriters shouldn’t say that really makes or breaks those first impressions.

Whether it’s in a query letter to agencies/management companies, during a chance elevator pitch with a Hollywood power player, or during first time meetings at studios or production companies, these are the all too common newcomer mistakes that the powers that be hear all too often, and wish they never had to hear again. read article

Web Series: Production Problems? Nah, Can’t Be…Can It? – @Stareable

 So You Want To Make a Web Series – Step 9
by Bri Castellini

Production is probably the most exciting part of filmmaking, and it’s also where a film or series lives or dies. I’m not trying to scare you, but it’s important that you understand how tenuous the success of your project is at this stage. With that in mind, what follows is a list of the most common problems that might arise on your film set and how to deal.

PROBLEM: Cast member is late
SOLUTION: Utilize the extra setup time wisely. Run lines or rehearsals with other actors, test out more ambitious lighting or camera set-ups, or, if possible, film scenes or angles where the missing actor isn’t needed.

PROBLEM: Cast member doesn’t show up
SOLUTION: Already have a second set of scenes that people are prepared to shoot, and cobble together a new shot list based on who is actually on set and available. Depending on the cast member’s eventual excuse and how many scenes you’ve already shot with them, you might need to consider recasting. Everyone can be replaced. Sometimes, you can even replace them with an extra or a crew member. read article

Cartoon: ‘Conversation’

Because a good conversation can be the best story of all. Especially as “reported” by the awesome Grant Snider:

TVWriter™ favorite Grant Snider’s new book, The Shape of Things, An Illustrated Exploration of Creativity will be out April 9th. BUY IT!

How to Make Great TV or, You Know, Die Trying (Yikes!)

Finding a fascinating primer on TV writing and production while skimming through the interwebs made our week. There’s a lot of meat in this stew, so without further ado:

We meant to run this pic last Monday – on “Loyalty Day” – but it fits better here…or does it?

“We’re creating a world that feels true”
by Caroline Framke

To truly understand the phrase “controlled chaos,” you should consider crashing the set of a television show.

It’s my first day on the set of The Americans, FX’s stellar Cold War spy drama. On this frigid November morning, I step into a nondescript Brooklyn warehouse and am immediately whisked through a labyrinth of endless hallways, half-assembled sets, crowds of crew members jostling around a catered lunch. I grab some food, turn around, and immediately run into series star Matthew Rhys. He’s laughing with the crew, so fresh off filming that he still has wig clips embedded in his curly hair. read article