For awhile I’ve been grappling with the fact that I lack awareness of where my time — as in the collection of hours that makes up my life — goes. I know I work and write, and read stuff and watch things on screens (as well as eat, sleep and do dishes) but—perhaps especially when … Read more
Some people are good at tweet-length writing. I’m not. Some people are good at 500 word or 1000 word “flash fiction.” That’s usually not me either. I had a class once where each week we wrote from a prompt and the limit was 800 words. That was fun. But later, when I went back to … Read more
Today I saw that The Hollywood Reporter published this article last week. The article is mostly about another project at Jumpcut, the studio that has optioned a pilot I wrote called Jack 9, but Jack 9 is mentioned here in the subheading… And later in the article, I am named in conjunction with the project. … Read more
The other day, I was asked to give notes on a short script that had an interesting premise and main character and cool settings, but felt lacking in dramatic dramatic tension. In my notes I talked about obstacles and stakes, which are elements that come up commonly enough with clients or students, that I thought … Read more
Mere hours after publishing my last post where I listed my difficulties receiving copies of the anthology in which I have a short story, I received four copies in the mail, along with a lovely handwritten note from the editor explaining that since I’d paid full price, they were sending two copies instead of one … Read more
So, here’s a little news on the professional front. I’ve got representation now! A little more than a year ago, I received an email from a college classmate, introducing me to his manager and suggesting that we might enjoy working together. I had some work ready to go, so I sent the manager some samples which … Read more
Two weekends ago was a “writing cave” weekend—basically an 11-hour day and a 13-hour day of polishing a draft and application materials of Lovers in Their Right Mind to submit to the the Film Independent Screenwriters Lab. Wish us luck! Last weekend was more fun because my next deadline–for Pole Cats–is not until May 1st, which … Read more
Another interesting concept from my directing class is the idea that when you compose a shot, you can usually find within it a triangle. And the point of the triangle that draws your focus is the APEX of the triangle. When the idea was introduced in class, I was intrigued–but wondered, beyond aesthetic benefits, what … Read more
Have I mentioned that I’m taking a directing class? Maybe not, because I spent the first three weeks thinking I might drop out before I officially added it. I’m a little fearful that I won’t make some of my deadlines lately, and one might think that adding this new weekly activity, that meets at a … Read more
Only a few days ago, the weekend was looking weekend-y. To be sure, a meeting with my writing partner and some writing–we have a March 30 deadline to get our script to readers–but also a possible hike, a Skype date with friends, a yoga class or two were on the docket. Then, on Wednesday, HBO … Read more