SUBLIME PRIMETIME 2016 – Writing Advice From Emmy-Nominated Writers

Photo courtesy of Michael Jones/WGAW
Photo courtesy of Michael Jones/WGAW

by Kelly Jo Brick

Sublime Primetime, an annual event presented by the Writers Guild of America, West, the Writers Guild Foundation and Variety, hosted several of this year’s Emmy-nominated writers who discussed the inspirations for their nominated episodes, the importance of research and realism in the stories they tell, how they got their first breaks and the need for greater diversity both on the screen and behind the camera.

These Emmy-nominated writers shared with TVWriter.com their advice for writers who are just starting out in the business.

Joel Fields (THE AMERICANS) – Write a lot and read a lot. I remember once when I was having a moment in my career where I was struggling, I was talking to my agent about it and he gave me some great advice. He said, “Keep writing.” I think that’s what it’s all about. Find what you’re passionate about and the stories you want to tell and tell them. read article

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 10/22/14

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Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are
by munchman

  • Mike & Julie Scully (THE SIMPSONS) have sold their spec sitcom, RAISING ADULTS to ABC. (And guess what? This one has a terrific logline about “a married couple hwo, over the course of 20 years of parenting three children, have gone from saying, “They grow up so fast” to “Will they ever grow up?” Stay-at-home kids have been done before, yes, but this time it’s actually about the parents, making this show if not “new and different” at least, “different,” and in TV these days I think that’s close enough.)
  • Neil Goldman & Garrett Donovan (THE IT CROWD) are re-booting the English hit series THE IT CROWD for the U.S., on NBC, no less. (Yes, my children, if you’re thinking, “Didn’t NBC already try this in the U.S. a few years ago?” you’re absolutely right. But creative bankruptcy is its own currency, which, evidently, Neil and Garrett are happy to take, so here the puke-cock network goes again. Sigh.)
  • David Israel (ABOUT A BOY) is writing a comedy about the sex life of bad actor Armie Hammer of THE LONE RANGER infamy for NBC. (Cuz Armie turns out to be really funny in bed, yer friendly neighborhood munchkin supposes. Or maybe it’s cuz he’s the great grandson of rich old dood Armand Hammer and Armand refused to pay the blackmail money. Who the &!%$ knows?)/li>
  • Peter Huyck & Alex Gregory (FRASIER) are an NBC comedy pilot about “a worldly, adventurous, and newly sober narcissist…back in his hometown making amends to his kids, his ex-wife, her second ex-husband and their younger son,” none of whom is too crazy about the idea. (Sounds to moi like this should’ve been written for my man Charlie Sheen, but it’s got Rob Lowe attached. Oh well, close enough!)

That’s it for now. Write in and tell munchilito what you’ve sold today. TVWriter™ can’t wait to brag to all your friends. (And, more importantly, enemies. Hehehe….)