NOTE FROM LB: A Hollywood poem by a Hollywood guy.
About what it felt like to be this particular Hollywood guy.
For those who want to know more, there’s a longer note after the main attraction.
Author: LB
A legendary figure in the television writing and production world with a career going back to the late ’60s, Larry Brody has written and produced hundreds of hours of American and worldwide television and is a consultant to production companies and networks in the U.S. and abroad .
Shows written or produced by Brody have won several awards including - yes, it's true - Emmys, Writers Guild Awards, and the Humanitas Award.
Larry Brody: 10 Things That Help Me Keep on Keeping On
by Larry Brody
We all know how horrific the early days of July, 2016 have been. Many people I know have spent the past week bent over with despair. Most of those who haven’t reacted that way are those who simply have lost the ability to feel.
They’ve been metaphorically zombified by the events in Falcon Heights, Baton Rouge, Dallas, and who knows what else before or in between.
Not being the sunniest, most positive guy in the world myself, I’ve had to struggle to stay on an even keel. Believe me when I say that I don’t consider myself a guru of any kind, or even someone who can give others advice. I wouldn’t presume to tell anyone what to do about anything.
LB: The 1 Book Every New TV Writer Needs
by Larry Brody
Yes, it’s true. I’ve finally found the one book every TV writer needs in order to fully understand what the hell is going on in the television production trenches, and it isn’t even one of my own.
The book in question is Troy DeVolld’s And Another Thing…A Beginner’s Guide to the Television Notes Process.
Because when you get right down to it, as a famous but still working TV showrunner told me half a zillion years ago, “They aren’t really paying us for our writing. They’re paying us for having to listen to their fucking notes.” And Troy’s book tells us how to understand and deal with those notes…and the notes-givers.
LB: Envy – Deadly Sin with a Positive Effect?
by Larry Brody
Just discovered the above video on the interwebs and definitely believe it’s worth sharing.
One of the dirty little secrets I’ve learned over the years is that many a showbiz biggie has gotten a boost from at least one of the so-called “7 Deadly Sins.” Whenever I say this, most people’s brains automatically zoom right to the sexier sins and the casting couch. But in my experience the most helpful sin has proven to be envy. It’s helped some of the most – and, yeah, least – talented biggies in films, TV, music, et al over some otherwise impossible hurdles.
Sorry if I’m bursting any bubbles. (But you’ll thank me later.)
LB: 3 Important TVWriter™ Updates
by Larry Brody
Well, I think they’re important, so:
1. The fact that the Early Bird Discount for this year’s People’s Pilot is now over doesn’t mean that we’re closed for entries. Au contraire, mes amis, our signature contest is up, running, and eager to accept entries up to and including the very final minute of November 1st, 2016.
That gives you lots of time to write, polish, and enter…and you can even take the reverse approach – enter, then write and polish, because no matter when you pay your entry fee ($50 for 1 entry, $85 in toto for 2 entries at once) you still have through November 1 to submit your work.