# The Business of Art

You stand at the front of the room and begin talking. You lay out a brief overview, a bunch of plot points, dozens of characters, etc. You’re right in the thick of your spiel when you notice something alarming.

Was there money in it? No. But there was that other thing, possibility, which over time, can end up being worth a whole lot more.

If you cannot effectively or efficiently communicate, every part of the creative process will take twice as long and be ten times as frustrating as it needs to.

You want your portfolio to be a good demonstration of your skills and overall brand as a creator.

“It’s just a quick photo shoot,” they say. “It’s just a quick script.” ... I say it’s just a quick sandwich. And you pay for sandwiches.

Arguably, if the work isn’t its own reward, you’ve not chosen your career wisely, no matter what the profession.

Film development is an (often) indeterminate phase of creation that is crammed in between the original spark of inspiration and getting the thing produced.

The limited series really must be considered long-from filmmaking, a brilliant hybrid of the best of the big and small screens.

"If you want to get better odds of selling a spec, write a role that could change a movie star’s life." - Ian Shorr

Just as one falling domino will topple another, before long I was taking part in all sorts of high-octane adventures ... when editors had a story idea that could get a journalist maimed or killed, I was the first scribe they pitched.

As the screenwriter, as an artist in general, all I’ve come to do is trust the process. Trust that if I’m incredibly efficient, if I display range and depth ... this will win out in the end.

Many facets of the Hollywood game are draped in shadow and secret. And as I see it, they really shouldn’t be.

I had to learn to become as good a businessman as I was a wordsmith.

Don’t go out of your way for someone who doesn’t value you.

This mutually exclusive conundrum is where I found myself after finishing my first novel ...