Tag: TV CAREER TIPS

Nothing revolutionary about AMC’s ‘Turn’

We’re getting into mainstream TV reviews this week. Not sure why. Maybe it’s just fun homing in on local newspapers and seeing how their tastes in TV roll. So far we’ve been mightily impressed by the areas of agreement that we’re finding with what we read in print – way more than we’ve ever found with online critiques. What about you?

amc-turn-tv
Not a zombie series – it just looks that way!

by Matthew Gilbert

It’s not easy to put together a decent TV series that’s also a period piece. The old-fashioned costumes, the dated manners and ye olde language, the elaborate set design — they’re all extra difficulties on top of the usual TV challenges, most notably the holy-grail challenge of finding good writing. read article

It’s WGA Minimum Basic Agreement Voting Time!

And here’s what the Guild is saying to its members:

WGA 2014 Voting Message CapturePass it on, Bruthas & Sistahs!
(Oh, and yep, LB has already voted – such a good boy!)

John Ostrander: Whore to Culture & Other Working Relationships

john ostrander logoby John Ostrander

I’m over at Facebook a fair amount. I use it not just for friends and family, people I actually know, but also as a way to keep in touch with fans which I think is important. I try to give them a good personal experience with me because I value them; their support enables me to make a living as a writer. Some publishers have an interest in hiring me because they know I have my own fanbase.

So I post things and answer questions or notes – sort of like at a Con – and it’s nice. Most of the fans are very respectful; sometimes, maybe a little too respectful. There have been those who refer to me as “master”. I appreciate it as a token of respect but, to be honest, I’m uncomfortable with it. To my mind, I’m just a working guy and my work happens to be writing. It’s how I make my living – buy food, pay the bills, and so on.

I’m a professional writer and I take great pride in that; people pay money to read what I’ve written and, as I’ve said elsewhere, that’s something I’ve never taken for granted and never will. There’s a big demand on your dollar today (mine too) and if you spend the money on one thing chances are you aren’t spending it on another. Maybe if you buy a comic I’ve written you can’t buy some other comic. So it’s my job to make sure you get your money’s worth. read article

Here’s Your Chance to See HBO’s SILICON VALLEY PILOT – Free!

We’re pretty sure this is sanctioned and not a stolen gift from YouTube. But just in case – enjoy ASAP, before it gets taken away:

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 4/8/14

Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are=&0=&book of essays, Self-Inflicted Wounds is heading for TV as a half hour comedy via CBS Television Studios, and – good news fellow strivers – the search is on for a writer or writers to do the adaptation. (In other words, get your agent on the phone NOW funny people! Or, better yet, tell your agent to get in touch with Yer Friendly Neighborhood munchman and give me a much-needed boost.) Paul Ackerman (THE AMERICANS) is adapting his Tony winning play, Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight into a comedy series for Direct TV, which has already ordered ten episodes. (Actually, this is a good thing for those of us amongst the Great Writing Unemployed because it shows that DTV is now open for comedy proposals. So if you didn’t call your agent after reading the last item, the time to punch in her numero has re-arrived. Hmm. Is that a word? It should be.) Matthew and Daniel Libman (HAPPY ENDINGS) are writing the comedy pilot DUTY for Comedy Central cuz…it’s a comedy, you know? (Bastards! It’s not like they need the gig. No way their hefty savings from HAPPY ENDINGS are already gone. Unlike the savings of a certain muncher with whom I’m very close who is thisclose to being homeless. Sigh.)