My Best Articles
• 3 Essential Steps to Writing a Killer Logline
• How to Create Great TV Bibles & Treatments
• My Number #1 Tip For Writers: Self-Compassion
• 6 Ways to Turn Your ‘General Meeting’ into a Job Opportunity
• How To Give Good Meeting... And Get the Job, Part One
• How To Give Good Meeting Part Two: Four Key Strategies
• How to Write a One-Pager that Gets Traction
• What is a “Leave-Behind” & When Do You Need One?
• Get your Sh*t Together! 10 Ways to Organize Your Creative Life
All Articles & Blog Posts
Six Things Your TV Spec Script Needs to Stand Out
I had the recent pleasure of joining Pilar Alessandra as her guest for her On The Page podcast: "Sex, Death and Other TV Tips..."
Signs You Have Blazing Hot Material
To succeed as a writer in Hollywood, I believe you need to master these four areas...
What is a “Leave-Behind” & When Do You Need One?
You’ve done it! You’ve prepped. You’ve practiced. You’ve pitched. The hard part’s over. There’s energy in the air. They like your idea. You can breathe again.Now you just need to leave the pitch meeting on a high note.
The 3 Cardinal Sins of Networking
3 Reasons Why Your Spec Script Might Not Make it to the Final Round
You’ve sent off your episodic spec sample to the latest screenwriting competition/festival/writing program feeling pretty good about your chances. Then, a few weeks later, you receive the dreaded letter/email informing you all your hard work and effort didn’t make it past the first round.
3 Things Never to Say in a Meeting... and What to Say Instead
When I was starting out, I had a meeting with a high level exec at ABC. I was trying to impress her by gossiping about another high level exec at a different network. Thought I was doing great until she told me that woman was her best friend.
1 Easy-To-Correct Mistake That Makes You Look like an Amateur
If your mother ever told you, “you have one chance to make a good impression,” she understood Hollywood.
Why Feeling Bad is Good
It’s that time of year again. When many film festivals, screenplay competitions, and writing programs announce who’s made it to the next level or even to the final level.
The Man Behind the Meme: Hollywood Dictionary
A few years ago, a humorous take on Hollywood terms made its way to my inbox. I liked it so much, I included it in the Appendix (page 247) of my book Hollywood Game Plan: How to Land a Job in Film, TV or Digital Entertainment.
How to Be an Intern Rock Star
Truth is, these tips work for anyone starting an entry-level position, paid or not. So all you interns, production assistants, office assistants, etc, these are for you.
10 Things Never To Do in a Pitch
Recently I was in Australia with Glen Mazarra, Jen Gristanti, Ellen Sandler and Steve Kaplan speaking at the 2013 TV Writers Studio.