Category: Resources

40 years worth of TV writing experience and info, yours for the taking.

John Ostrander: The Bourne Formula

by John Ostrander

NOTE FROM LB: Some of you may read this as a film review. But if you look upon John’s words here as a writing lesson, well, you and your readers and viewers will be mighty glad:

Spoiler note: Various plot elements of the Bourne movies may be revealed below. The movies have been out for a while so I’m assuming those who want to see them have seen them. Nevertheless, the spoiler flag is flying just in case. read article

Web Series: ‘SIBS’ Goes Hollywood

by Dawn McElligott

What kind of a show would you and your sibling make?

Last month, real-life siblings, Kimberly and Bryan Scamman answered that question for themselves with a short film entitled, SUPER SECRET CANADIAN SPY MOVIE. read article

Gerry Conway Remembers Len Wein

Len Wein and some actor Len’s brainchild, Wolverine, helped make famous

NOTE FROM LB: Len Wein passed away Sunday. You may not know the name, but Len was an integral part of the Marvel Universe as well as humanity at large. On Twitter, Joss Whedon  set out the facts: “Co-created Wolverine & the new X-men. Co-kickstarted the modern comic book era with its most powerful metaphor. And more. RIP Len Wein.” But as far as I’m concerned, it’s the human side that counts. Here’s how Gerry Conway puts it:

by Gerry Conway

Mr. Wein & Mr. Conway

My friend Len Wein is gone.

I’m trying to process this. I’ve known Len since I was fourteen years old. More than half a century. He was as much a part of my life as my own family. He felt like a brother to me, and I loved him like a brother – with all the complicated emotions of brotherhood. We were friends, rivals, collaborators, roommates, cohorts in a generational changing of the guard, fanboys, old farts. At times we were very close, at other times we were almost enemies. We hurt each other, helped each other. We had ups and downs and we stood together and apart. But he was always there, someone I looked up to, someone I tried to emulate, a man I loved, admired, envied, and respected. read article

LB: A Few Words from One of My TV Gods: Herbert F. Solow

by Larry Brody

One of the kindest, toughest, gentlest, strongest, sweetest human beings I’ve ever known is my friend Herb Solow, probably better known to most people reading this as:

In case you’re from another planet, this is Herb’s Star Trek title card!

Herb and I first met in the mid 1970s, and we’ve worked and hung out together for over 40 years. Best known as one of the key figures who brought ST:TOS to TV when he was head of production at ye olde Desilu Studios, Herb also ran MGM when it still was a studio to be reckoned with back in the ’60s, and he was also Executive in Charge of Production, Executive Producer, or just plain “Producer” on TV shows and feature films whose names are bound to ring some bells:

  • The Courtship of Eddie’s Father
  • Medical Center
  • Then Came Bronson
  • Mission: Impossible
  • Mannix
  • The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.
  • Saving Grace
  • Brimstone & Treacle
  • Man from Atlantis
  • Killdozer
  • Elvis: That’s the Way It Is

And a zillion more that I don’t remember, although IMDB has a pretty fine list. Oh, while I’m at it I probably should mention his fine book – pretty damn controversial among Trekkies Trekkers – Inside Star Trek: the Real Story. read article

Bri Castellini: How To GET FIT While Making Your Indie Film – @BrisOwnWorld

by Bri Castellini

Hey you. Yeah, you. The sleep-deprived indie filmmaker who just tried to film 25 script pages in a single day. Things seem bleak, but there’s a silver lining to this whole mess of a process- you could be making your passion project AND getting fit at the same time!

Here’s how!

  1. Don’t eat on set. You don’t have time to stop working anyways!
  2. Insist on setting up all the equipment alone. It’s your project, after all, and people will judge you if you aren’t doing enough to help out.
  3. Take public transportation to and from every shoot. Nothing says “FITNESS” like carrying a 50 pound lighting kit up and down subway stairs while balancing a costume bag on your head.
  4. Only write walk and talk scenes. Not only will this filming style keep the energy up in a scene, but you’ll get to 10,000 steps on your FitBit NO PROBLEM!
  5. Stare into the void. The void doesn’t care that you’re hungry or tired and will offer no sympathy, so you may as well get over it.
  6. Offer actors piggy-back rides to and from holding. Your cast will appreciate the break, plus you’ll really tone those glutes.
  7. Have all of your equipment with you all the time. Sure, it’s inconvenient to drag your lighting kit to the park when there’s nowhere to plug in, but you never know, and your biceps have never looked better!
  8. If you MUST eat on set, only eat fruit snacks. Fruit is good for you.
  9. Buy costumes one size too small for yourself. Nothing says “thinspiration” like constant discomfort and self-loathing!
  10. Always be working. Done with one project? Start another! If you’re a workaholic, you can’t ALSO be a chocoholic! #Logic #Paleo

What are YOUR Get Fit Tips for indie filmmakers? Tell me in the comments! read article