What shows should you spec? Shows you love to watch A show that’s been around 1-2 seasons but expected to last Highly-rated, critically acclaimed shows Episodic shows One half-hour comedy and one procedural Not the show you want to write for That’s the simple answer. You should always write something you love to watch because [...]

A Hollywood producer friend of mine said the biggest frustration he has with new writers is that they don’t write from the heart so a lot of their scripts are just bullshit. You might be passionate about your idea, but if the story itself doesn’t come from a deep-rooted need to understand something about human [...]

As I mentioned in my Expo Survival Guide, I would be making a list of  ‘qualifiers’ necessary to make it as a Hollywood screenwriter.  Some speakers said “anyone can do it if I can”, while others were more inclined to believe that “only the sane and dedicated have a shot”.  Honestly, not just anyone can [...]

Continued from yesterday’s article on Danny Manus’ guide to the pitchfest. Pitching Do’s and Don’ts: What not to Pitch: The period piece. Anything before 1970 is considered a period piece.  It’ll be hard to sell, but if you have a solid story and rockin’ script, pitch it. The mega-budget sci-fi fantasy epic trilogy No production [...]

Ever wonder what it’s like to attend a screenwriters’ pitchfest?  Courtesy of Tim Coyne’s The Hollywood Podcast, here’s an excellent audio clip of real pitches that work and a lot that don’t.  See if you can tell the difference.  Thanks, Tim!