UCLA Film School professor Howard Suber on how you can be a better storyteller

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Cuz these UCLA guys know.

Wait, that sounded snarky and we didn’t mean it that way at all. How about this instead?: read article

Angelo Bell: How Well Have You Conveyed Your Message?

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by Angelo Bell

Screenplay critiques should measure how well the writer has conveyed his/her message. Critiques are not only about what’s there, it’s about what was required to tell your storycompletely.  Often a critique will be about what’s not there. A thriller should be judged and critiqued as a thriller, not a misplaced coming-of-age film. If the genre isn’t clear it’s because the writer’s message is missing some important elements, not that it’s in the wrong genre. I’ve read many critiques where experts express disappointment that a writer has chosen the wrong genre. I think they are missing the mark. It’s the delivery that should be criticized.

I want to share this excerpt from a recent critique on my script, Legend of Black Lotus. I’m always tentative when I share my work because you wonder if anyone will truly get it. Often,getting it is the truest sign of how well (or poorly) you – as the writer – have conveyed your message. I think it’s important to note that my script is a martial arts fantasy, and not the reviewer’s favorite genre. read article

LB: Everyone Should be Reading Gerry Conway’s Blog

…And he should be writing a lot more on it too.

Gerry is one of the Kings of TV and film and comic book writing and also one of my longest-lasting and closest friends. We met almost 50 years ago at Harlan Ellison’s house, when we were both, um, kids. I went on to do what I’ve done, and Gerry did his thing at least as well. We’ve always stayed close. This post in his blog last week shows a few of the reasons why:

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Gerry created the Punisher but not exactly in his own image

Writing for a living is Hard, and other Obvious Observations
by Gerry Conway

I’m one very lucky son of a bitch. read article

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 3/14/13

Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are

  • Angela Santomero (BLUE CLUES) is developing SARA SOLVES IT, a children’s show for Amazon Studios which will be one of several completed pilots that Amazon will test online, looking for audience feedback, at al. (Which brings up a question: Can any tech company ever make decisions based on its gut? And another question: Can any artistic endeavor be successful if it doesn’t come from the gut?)
  • Ron Moore (anybody remember BATTLESTAR GALACTICA? ) has gotten the go-ahead into series by Syfy for his hight-tech medical thriller, HELIX.  (Which sounds to a us a bit too similar to some old Michael Crichton book. Anybody remember THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN?)
  • Daron Nefcy (a newb illustrator from Cal Arts) has sold STAR AND THE FORCES OF EVIL, an animated series about a magical teen princess from another dimension, to the Disney Channel. (Which tells us that the way the characters look will probably be more important than the writing – and that it pays to go to school at a place known within the biz as “Disney U.”)
  • Brian Buckner (TRUE BLOOD) is moving up to showrunner of TRUE BLOOD, replacing Mark Hudis, who replaced Alan Ball. (Which tells us that this isn’t an easy show to take charge of. But at least there’s no Robert Kirkman prob.)