Category: News

This Just In: 2019 Writers Guild Awards

Don’t you just love how the mainstream pubs show pix of actors even though writers are the actual recipients of awards? Neither do we.

The Writers Guild of America picks its winners!

Eighth Grade
Bo Burnham
Best Original Screenplay
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Nicole Holofcener, Jeff Whitty
Best Adapted Screenplay
Barry
Bill Hader, Sarah Solemani, Emily Heller, …
Best New Series
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Amy Sherman-Palladino, Jen Kirkman, Daniel Palladino, …
Best Comedy Series
The Americans
Joe Weisberg, Joshua Brand, Stephen Schiff, …
Best Drama Series
Lowell Ganz
Laurel for Screenwriting
Babaloo Mandel
Laurel for Screenwriting
Paean to the People
Alex Gansa
Best Episodic TV Drama
Jenji Kohan
TV Writing Achievement
Chapter One: Make Your Mark
Bill Hader, Alec Berg
Best Episodic TV Comedy
Bathtubs Over Broadway
Dava Whisenant, Ozzy Inguanzo
Documentary Screenplay
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Tom Rob Smith, Maggie Cohn
Best Adapted Long Form
God of War
Cory Barlog, Richard Zangrande Gaubert, Orion Walker, …
Best Video Game Writing
Castle Rock
Sam Shaw, Dustin Thomason, Mark Lafferty, …
Best Original Long Form
The Fake News with Ted Nelms
Ed Helms, Sara Schaefer, Joe Randazzo, …
Comedy/Variety – Specials
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
John Oliver, Daniel O’Brien, Josh Gondelman, …
Comedy/Variety Talk Series
General Hospital
Chris Van Etten, Lloyd Gold, Shelly Altman, …
Best Daytime Drama
Adam McKay
Vice
Paul Selvin Award
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Steve Melcher, Ann Slichter, James Rowley, …
Best Quiz and Audience Participation
Class of Lies
Tessa Williams
Original Short Form New Media

Congrats to everyone from TVWriter™!

Question for the source of the above list, our good friends at Wikipedia: Shouldn’t these categories all be labeled “best writing?”

Herbie J Pilato Presents the Man Wonder – Burt Ward

Everything you need to know about the “Legendary Pop-Icon and Humanitarian,” by our legendary Contributing Editor Emeritus.” (That title means that Herbie, erm, outgrew us…and his professional growth spurt makes us proud.) Anyway:

by Herbie J Pilato

Burt Ward, pop-culture icon and world-renown humanitarian, was about three seconds late for our phone interview, and he apologized.

But the apology, of course, was not necessary, certainly because his delay was only a minuscule of a moment, and secondly because he was detained due to his non-stop efforts to rescues dogs.

In the realm of classic television, Ward is best known as Robin, the Boy Wonder a.k.a., Dick Grayson, ward (“Holy irony!”) to Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman, played by Adam West (who passed away in 2017) on the Batman TV series which originally aired on ABC, twice a week, from 1966 to 1968.

Today, more than 50 years after the show’s debut, the heroic-based Batman is more popular than ever, as is the heroically-human Ward.

Down-to-earth, bright, energetic, and unassuming, Ward continues to utilize his public persona to make a positive impact in the real world, just as did Robin on Batman.

In addition to keeping his Robin persona active in the public eye, Ward, and his wife Tracy, own and operate Gentle Giants Dogfood and Products, a company dedicated to the healthy meals and living for man?—?and woman’s?—?best friends, and saving the lives of those said canines, and as many beloved animals of every species as possible.

“When you’re involved with saving lives,” Ward said, “…sometimes, it’s a life and death situation,” and time is of the essence. “We’re known for rescuing dogs, but we’ve also rescued cats, horses, pigs, goat, sheep. And when you do that (save lives), and you give more of yourself. We actually get more pleasure of doing things for others, than doing for ourselves….”

Read it all at MEDIUM.COM

Herbie J Pilato is the Founder and Executive Director of The Classic TV Preservation Society and author of several classic TV companion books.  He has been part of TVWriter™ for 20 years and is Contributing Editor Emeritus. Learn more about Herbie J HERE.

The Writers Guild Foundation’s Veterans Writing Project

Veterans Wrilting Project group workshop

via TVWriter™ Press Service

The mission of the Writers Guild Foundation’s Veterans Writing Project is to identify emerging writers from United States military backgrounds and provide them with the tools and insights to nurture their passion for writing and successfully navigate the entertainment industry.

We do this in two phases over a yearlong program: A weekend-long retreat, and monthly follow-up workshops and special events. Each military veteran is paired with WGA members. Our writer-mentors represent some of the most beloved movies and television series of the past and present, and are committed to guiding the voices of the future.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

When is it?
The program’s kickoff event – the weekend retreat – takes place in spring 2019. Ongoing mentorship workshops and networking events will continue each month through spring 2020 on weekday evenings.

Where is it?
All sessions take place at the WGF’s Shavelson-Webb Library in Los Angeles, CA.

How much does it cost?
The program is free. NOTE: those from outside the Los Angeles area are expected to cover their own transportation and lodging costs.

Am I eligible?
We encourage U.S. military veterans and military service members who are interested in the craft and business of screenwriting and storytelling to apply. Applicants must be 21+ years old and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Should applicants have writing experience?
Writing experience is not a requirement — what is most important is that applicants show a passion for the craft and business of writing and a commitment to completing 1 screenplay or TV pilot during the program.

How many vets does it serve?
About 50 veterans are accepted to the program per year.

How can I apply?
The application window to apply to the 2019-2020 Veterans Writing Project is now open. View the application here. Please read instructions carefully before submitting.

What is the deadline to apply?
The deadline to apply to the 2019-2020 Veterans Writing Project is Monday, February 25 at 11:59pm PST.

Will there be an interview?
WGF staff and/or selection committee members may reach out to select applicants for a phone or Skype interview.

I am a WGA member; how can I help?
If you are a WGA member and you are interested in mentoring, please contact Libbie at vets@wgfoundation.org. And please consider making a tax-deductible donation here.

I am not a WGA member or a veteran; how can I help?
Our volunteer needs are currently met, but you may email Libbie at volunteers@wgfoundation.org for more information on how to give your time to the Veterans Writing Project. And please consider making a tax-deductible donation here.

The application window to apply to the 2019-2020 Veterans Writing Project is now open!

VIEW 2019 VETERANS WRITING PROJECT APPLICATION

Please subscribe to the Project’s email list here to receive updates about the program.

The Good Side of TV, Film, etc. “Piracy”

What? You didn’t know that there was a good side to unauthorized posting of certain intellectual property? Neither did we. Which is why, now that we’ve seen this article, we believe it’s important to pass it along:

Tolerating Piracy Can Benefit Consumers, Creators and Retailers, Research Finds
by Ernesto

New research suggests that turning a blind eye to piracy can benefit consumers, creators and retailers, all at the same time. This win-win-win situation has a positive effect on the economy at large. Using Game of Thrones as an example, the researchers conclude that tolerating piracy to a certain degree can be a wise decision.

Over the past decade, various entertainment industry groups have lobbied hard for tougher anti-piracy measures.

The harder it is for people to download something through unofficial channels, the more revenue will flow to the creators, the argument goes.

However, a new study by Indiana University researcher Antino Kim conducted together with colleagues from the University of Texas-Dallas and the University of Washington, suggests that this is not always the case.

The findings from their economic impact model are published in the latest edition of the MIS Quarterly Journal, in an article titled  “The ‘Invisible Hand’ of Piracy: An Economic Analysis of the Information-Goods Supply Chain.”

According to their analysis, piracy limits the pricing power of both the creator and the retailer. This reduces the impact of double marginalization, which occurs when creators and retailers both add significantly to the price of a product.

Because piracy is seen as a form of “shadow competition” the price of a product, such as an HBO cable subscription, is pushed closer to the economic optimum. At that optimal price point, everyone is better off, including the broader economy.

“When information goods are sold to consumers via a retailer, in certain situations, a moderate level of piracy seems to have a surprisingly positive impact on the profits of the manufacturer and the retailer while, at the same time, enhancing consumer welfare,” Kim and his co-authors write.

“Such a win-win-win situation is not only good for the supply chain but is also beneficial for the overall economy,” they add….

Read it all at TORRENTFREAK.COM

Animation jobs are booming in Southern California

So ya came to L.A. to get into showbiz, didja? And things ain’t goin’ the way ya thought they would? According to the Los Angeles Daily News that’s because you’re looking in the wrong showbiz niche. Animation’s the future, boys ‘n’ girls. Here’s the scoop on how to join the parade:

by Bob Strauss

It used to be something of a Mickey Mouse business. But an exploding desire for animated entertainment content – supercharged but not entirely due to the expanding new medium of streaming services’ constant need for product – is turning cartooning into a rewarding career for, perhaps, more than ever before.

“It seems like a lot of studios are eager to capitalize on streaming and technology in general to present things in totally different formats than we used to,” observed Danny Ducker, who’s been drawing storyboards at The Cartoon Network’s Burbank headquarters for the past three years. “Which I am super for, whether or not every single experiment works.”

Southern California’s drawing factories have never been so busy. The Burbank-headquarterd Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) reported an all-time high of more than 4,500 artists, technicians and writers currently working under its agreements, up from 4,200 individuals employed a year ago and around 2.400 in 2008.

“It’s a really, really exciting time for animation over here, and it’s an exciting time for animation worldwide,” said Mike Moon, an animator and studio executive for three decades who currently oversees Netflix’s adult animation operation. “I’ve been in the business almost 30 years now, and I don’t ever remember a time when the studios in L.A. were as busy as they are now. That’s not just because of us, it’s because of everybody. It’s a great, great time for the artform and there are so many different options for animators now.”

As it is in most other aspects of streaming, Netflix is spending big on family, adult-oriented, Animeand other types of cartoon content. Soon-to-come-online will be streaming services from such traditional studios as Disney, Warner Bros. and NBCUniversal, all of which own massive animation operations and intellectual properties ripe for new, on-demand iterations….

Read it all at DAILYNEWS.COM