Dumb it down. Simplify it so that actors and readers can easily read your outline/story. Like a campfire story.
Extremely frustrating when I am requested and directed to dumb down my writing so that others can "easily" comprehend it.
This means to me that thinking skills lack, no need to mention crit...
Expand postDumb it down. Simplify it so that actors and readers can easily read your outline/story. Like a campfire story.
Extremely frustrating when I am requested and directed to dumb down my writing so that others can "easily" comprehend it.
This means to me that thinking skills lack, no need to mention critical thinking skills.
Critique noted. I am NOT dumbing down my work!
Ben Johnson Jr, has been talking about business thinking from a writers POV (just a summary). I think you would benefit from thinking like a producer. Let’s come up with a quick checklist of what YOU, the producer may want. This is going to take some internal honest and discomfort.
1) I want a profes...
Expand postBen Johnson Jr, has been talking about business thinking from a writers POV (just a summary). I think you would benefit from thinking like a producer. Let’s come up with a quick checklist of what YOU, the producer may want. This is going to take some internal honest and discomfort.
1) I want a professional script ready to go. I may want to customise it. But not fix it.
2) I want a screenplay that is possible to make for as cheap as possible. The lower the cost the sooner I become profitable.
3) I want something that has as big an audience as possible. I want something that will have 1,000,000 (or more) customers no matter what.
[ 2 and 3 could be swapped depending on taste]
Now what I don’t want.
4) I don’t want to have to deal with a writers fragile ego or the misconception that they better than anyone. They wrote the story. Doesn’t mean they know what I want from the story.
5) I don’t want any threads left hanging. Once I buy it. I own it. No one has any creative control except me or who I choose.
6) I don’t want legal head aches. So “loosely based on” stories are dead to me.
Things I don’t care about as they have no impact on the film.
7) How passionate the writer is about the story. May be engaging during a pitch.
8) How long it took to write or if it is based on some deep family history.
Producer Craig wants a magic black box. I put a dollar in one side and two come out the other side. Whatever is in the black box is unimportant.
So, if you were putting your own money on the line. If you are a producer, what would really want to see?
Ted Hope has been warning about the death of indie film for decades. Can't recommend his blog and his book (Hope for Film) enough. It was guaranteed the second the long-tail returns of DVD/TVOD were r...
Expand commentTed Hope has been warning about the death of indie film for decades. Can't recommend his blog and his book (Hope for Film) enough. It was guaranteed the second the long-tail returns of DVD/TVOD were replaced by streaming.
I'd argue the ultra-low-budget side only exists because a lot of people can afford to lose that money.
CJ Walley I think ultra-Low-budget is a gamble people are willing to take. Most of it goes to horror as it has a hungry audience that isn’t 100% quality driven. So a bit of bad lighting or questionabl...
Expand commentCJ Walley I think ultra-Low-budget is a gamble people are willing to take. Most of it goes to horror as it has a hungry audience that isn’t 100% quality driven. So a bit of bad lighting or questionable acting is accessible.
But if you are good. An Ultra-Low can be a great stepping stone. Which what I think drives people to risk the money and time.
https://youtu.be/ySwLPrBcTOY?si=tAujvmRqm3cpJhYQ
This was a quick video about the graph above. The world has segmented into Ultra-Low which is a gamble (low budgets also mean low returns) and things that are blockbusters.
Working (research and development) on my Profound screenplay.
Also have an Action script that is lurking in the back of my mind.
Drafting Writer's Agreement for mini-series. If and when this gets signed, then I can continue to market the project, until then...
I’m having some writer’s block. What are some of your rituals or Ways you get into your writing headspace?
Agree with the comments about taking a break. Give yourself a few days where you put your script away and do something completely different. This means that you can come back to your script refreshed and with a more open perspective.
Don't beat me up, but washing dishes in hot, soapy water unclogs my brain. That, and getting outdoors. Nature can really boost your creativity.
I just go live life for a while. My subconscious works on my problems and I get a new look at the world which is fuel for my writing.
Just finished part 1 of 4 of the Your Complete Guide to Showrunning course/class. TV episodic, not feature.
Learning the Process is my goal.
As a TV Episodic ShowRunner, my circle of working colleagues will be Line Producers, Producers/Directors, Number2 Writer, Post Producer, and Casting Director....
Expand postJust finished part 1 of 4 of the Your Complete Guide to Showrunning course/class. TV episodic, not feature.
Learning the Process is my goal.
As a TV Episodic ShowRunner, my circle of working colleagues will be Line Producers, Producers/Directors, Number2 Writer, Post Producer, and Casting Director.
LookBooks are great to have to show the vision for/of the production.
Buzzwords. I have to learn Buzzwords, and incorporate them into my work.
Learning the process of showrunning will help to improve my mental health and quality of experience in the industry.
Homework is reading script and production notes of Shadow Hunters episode 218 season 2.
Learn the process.
Thanks, Andre.
Glad to hear all of this! I know that Todd loved educating you guys!
Great to hear!
I am an entertainment attorney and independent film and tv producer in Chicago looking forward to connecting with other creatives and to work together to bring our stories to life on either the big or small screen. I believe that the community of creatives at Stage 32 is its greatest resource. There...
Expand postI am an entertainment attorney and independent film and tv producer in Chicago looking forward to connecting with other creatives and to work together to bring our stories to life on either the big or small screen. I believe that the community of creatives at Stage 32 is its greatest resource. There are enough people here doing great things in every aspect of film and tv production to get the job done on any project, so let's broaden our networks and share our gifts and skills! God bless you all and I'm looking forward to connecting with you soon!
Welcome to Stage 32. Great to meet you, Rodrick.
Welcome! If you're taking pitches, let me know! Have a GREAT day!
Love the attitude Rodrick! There are certainly many filmmakers here to connect with, and get projects up and running.
Good Day to all on Stage 32!
Hello! It is a pleasure to meet you all!
I am a Songwriter. I look forward to building relationships and forming collaborations, through this platform. Also, I would like to be a band member! Hint! Hint!
Always happy and excited to hear from you all!
Best Wishes
Petal
Thank you Nick Waters!
Hi Sam! Thank you for your warm greeting! Thanks.
Thank you Sydney!
Hi everyone! It's Nathan Varni and I'm here to do an AMA for the next 24 hours all about current programming. Currently I serve as Exec Director of Current Programming at ABC. Once a show is ordered to series, that's when my job starts! I am tasked to serve as the network liaison for our show creato...
Expand postHi everyone! It's Nathan Varni and I'm here to do an AMA for the next 24 hours all about current programming. Currently I serve as Exec Director of Current Programming at ABC. Once a show is ordered to series, that's when my job starts! I am tasked to serve as the network liaison for our show creators/writers/producers making sure our creatives are fully supported along the way and typically work with a studio counterpart to help bring these shows to broadcast. Each day is a little different from one another and might include providing feedback on written materials and rough cuts. Dealing with various departments within ABC is also part of my work such as marketing, standards, digital, social media, integrations, budgets/financials, sales, casting and keeping in touch with scheduling for air schedule changes, pre-empts and strategizing. Another part of my job is meeting a wide range of writers and directors to build relationships and to hopefully be able to recommend to our showrunners if they need suggestions in terms of staffing support for their shows. I also attend table reads, network run thrus (on multi-cam's like The Conners), set visits and/or tape nights. I just finished up the 22-23 season covering Grey's Anatomy, Station 19, Will Trent, Company You Keep, Alaska Daily, The Conners and General Hospital (currently celebrating our 60th year on ABC and having produced over 15,500 episodes!)
I'm here to answer any question you might have about current programming, what the difference is between development and current. More details about my specific job and/or series I oversee for ABC. Happy to also answer any questions about broadcast television in general or even staffing questions. I started at the bottom in this industry over 20 yrs ago (not knowing a soul, not having any family connections) and have managed to keep my career rolling in the right direction after all these years. What I did know from an early age (13 to precise) is that I wanted to work in television and made it my life long mission to learn as much as I could about the industry, I started writing letters to producers as a teen to get their advice on breaking into the business and to this day, I continue learning as I like to say I'm a forever student of the business. Happy to get into details on how I broke into the business and the work I did in many different genres from reality shows to sitcom production to studio/network jobs.
Look forward to communicating and answering your questions over the next 24-hours!
This Q&A was SO helpful and insightful--thank you, Nathan, and everyone!
Thank you Nathan Varni! This was so helpful and so inspiring! Appreciate your time to do this! Looking forward to seeing you in the community!
Nathan Varni Thank you! This was brilliant! :)
Anyone interested in joining a team for the Providence RI 48 hour film project. It’s from June 23-25.
Sam Sokolow thank you, it’s my first time so I’m sure I’ll learn a lot.
Inquiry- Would we need to be in RI during that time?
Andre if you’re interested I’ll check with the director. I just want to make sure you know it’s unpaid volunteer work, for fun.
A Yellow Cotton Dress (AYCD) is adapted from the book novel of same title.
AYCD is a miniseries cinematic adaptation about the most beautiful woman who ever lived.
AYCD is the story of a young girl's odyssey, from childhood, to become the Lady of Elegance, and then her metamorphosis into a polished,...
Expand postA Yellow Cotton Dress (AYCD) is adapted from the book novel of same title.
AYCD is a miniseries cinematic adaptation about the most beautiful woman who ever lived.
AYCD is the story of a young girl's odyssey, from childhood, to become the Lady of Elegance, and then her metamorphosis into a polished, intelligent Woman of Power.
At every junction, she relies on one simple item to keep body and soul together- A Yellow Cotton Dress.
-Andre (Screenwriter).
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