Tag: TV CAREER TIPS

John Ostrander: Upsides & Downsides of Being a Writer

by John Ostrander

Ostrander-ArtThere are some days that I love being a writer. When the everything is cooking, when the words are flowing, when the characters are speaking to you, when you’re on the top of your game, it’s all magic. That’s not every day. Not by a long shot.

There are the days when you’re staring at the screen and it stares back – and the screen does not blink. You pray and the gods/patron saints (depending on your belief system) do not smile, do not answer, do not share their favor with you. There are days when I have considered offering blood sacrifices to these gods/saints. On those days, the cats hide.

I make my living off of my writing. There are upsides and downsides to that. On the upside, I’m my own boss. On the downside, I frequently hate my boss. He always knows when I’m goofing off and I can hear his voice in the back of my head saying, “Are you makingmoney doing that?” It’s hard to get a day off; there’s no paid holidays, there’s no paid sick days, no paid vacation. read article

munchman: Joss Whedon Speaks – in Paris (but in English cuz he does that so well)

My father had an old saying: “If you’re lucky you don’t have to be smart.” Today I got lucky.

By finding this transcript of a Q & A with Joss Whedon at the Paris premiere of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Enjoy:


(This is in French so, um, be careful) read article

Cartoons: DREAM JOBS

Oh yeah!

dreamjobs-blogSee a zillion more insightful cartoons at Incidental Comics

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 2/5/14

Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are=&0=&Rob Schneider (ROB) is co-writing (with wife Patricia Azarcoya Schneider), starring in, producing, and financing his own  series, which he says is heavily influenced by FAWLTY TOWERS. (Rob’s doing the whole indie series thing here, with nobody to answer to but, well, himself and Patricia. In other words, we’re talking new paradigm – so your truly is all for it in every possible way. Go get ’em, tiger!) Craig Brewer (HUSTLE & FLOW) has a new overall deal with Paramount TV and will be writing, directing and producing two drama pilots. (Which myself think is awesome cuz…hey, this dude knows something. He’s fucking good, you know?) Wilton Barnhardt’s novel Lookaway, Lookaway has been optioned by HBO for a comedy series described as “a scathing comic window into the dysfunction of the American family, as Old South traditions clash with 21st Century realities….” (The producers are Sue Nagle and David Minor, and they’re looking for a writer, so if you or somebody you love knows ’em, have you peeps get in touch.)

Troy DeVolld: Pro Tip: How NOT to look for showbiz work

by Troy DeVolld

Notice, I didn’t title this entry “How to NOT look for work,” as that’s a completely different tray of fudge.  Nay, nay.  This is “How NOT to look for work, as in, “Hey, bub, you’re doing it wrong.”

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I’ve been wrapped out of the series I was recently working on and have been looking for work the last few weeks.  I usually land somewhere else quickly, so I haven’t been too balled up about it.  The interviews keep coming, and I hope to have some solid offers over the next week or so. read article