NEVER, EVER DO THIS: Gentle Advice for Eager Writers (Part 2)
Just like last time, I’ve tried to stay away from the blatantly obvious here and instead give you some under-the-radar tips.
Should You Go to Film School? I Did.
The decision to go to school for something isn’t as straightforward as “do you want a job?” anymore.
Q&A: Fundamental Principles of Story Setups and Payoffs
One of the most vital yet least discussed aspects of effective storytelling is the ability to execute potent setups and payoffs.
Hamilton Needed a Weekend
How are you going to make something that’s going to change the world when you’re too busy to experience the world you’re trying to change?
Artist Snapshot: Jessica Kane
"The sooner you embrace your weirdest self, the sooner you'll find the stories you were meant to tell." -Benjamin Franklin...actually did not say this.
Sun, Moon, and Stars: Using Astronomical Symbols in Your Story
There are perhaps no other elements used more often in these early stories than the celestial bodies people saw when they stared into the sky.
The Secret to Better Writing? Prepare to be Bored.
There’s no magic secret to success in Hollywood as a scribe. It all comes down to the same boring, monotonous tasks that everyone knows they should do but nobody wants to.
Emily Gordan Wants to Know: What's Keeping You From Writing?
These barriers are often of our own making, created by way of excuses to get out of doing the dirty work.
Interview: John Cosgrove
Reflecting on our mortality is a process of personal grief that comes with all the psychological pitfalls of grieving for another.
Lessons from an Ad Agency: Fear, Hope, and Fantasy in Genre Writing
One of the worst pieces of advice ever given to a screenwriter has to be: “Write what you know.” The key is relatability. If you can relate, you can write.
Build a Better Pitch Deck
Please, please PLEASE do not hesitate to inject your personality into your deck. This isn’t a technical manual, it’s a freakin' movie!
Artist Snapshot: Quincy Ledbetter
The beautifully tragic thing about this absolutely mental way of life is that you have no desire to do anything else.
Art vs. Artist vs. Optics: Why We Wrote a Slapstick Comedy About Race, Even Though One of Us is a (Gulp) White Guy
Jokes can be a weapon disguised as entertainment. And because of their disarming nature, they can be more effective in demonstrating a point about inequality, prejudice, or oppression than a serious speech or dramatic monologue.
Don't Be a Dick
The only thing your heroes all have in common is that they work really fucking hard. And it’s only through doing this work, quietly and in the background, that you can ever hope to have a respected career.
Shut Up and Listen
It’s not as easy as it may seem to take notes when you put your heart and soul into something.
