tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45472423776392456102011-11-27T16:00:23.212-08:00Stories, advice, anecdotes, rantings, musings, and various thoughts from me, a guy with too much information and a wife who's sick of listening to it.Russellnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-76749729575349083932011-02-04T09:34:00.000-08:002011-02-04T09:34:34.533-08:00

With production beginning on my new comic book, I'm moving my blog to: http://russellnohelty.blogspot.com/ There I'll be posting more information on the comic book, upcoming projects, and other fun tidbits.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-61723536258904370612011-01-13T10:51:00.000-08:002011-01-13T10:51:26.322-08:00

I know John Stewart's been pretty preachy this week, but I've been enjoying his message. I'm so sick of the rhetoric from both sides of the aisle. Here's a newsflash, Obama is neither the savior of the world or the Antichrist. We're neither going to turn socialist or tyrannical. Obama is neither incompetent or the most brilliant mind in a generation. One thing is for sure, he is your damn

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-40849976979197805402011-01-07T12:30:00.000-08:002011-01-07T12:30:20.044-08:00

This is the first draft of a monologue from an upcoming script I'm writing:When one door closes a window might open somewhere... but I'm not a criminal. Why do I want to crawl through a window? What if it's not on the first floor? I should be grateful to shimmy up opportunity's trellis and break into her third floor bedroom? Have you ever crawled through a window? It sucks. You always end up

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-79619771535615284212011-01-07T12:25:00.000-08:002011-01-07T12:25:46.502-08:00

LABYRINTH (click here to be redirected to Netflix page) In my first installment I wanted to bring something back from my childhood.  It's usually hard to watch movies from your youth because they don't always (let's face it almost never) hold up to your memory of them.  However, there are a few movies from my youth that I found on Instant Queue so I thought I'd see if my memory of them held up.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-36240927787007667512011-01-07T11:49:00.000-08:002011-01-07T11:49:48.831-08:00

So I've tried a couple times to reboot this site, but I'm confident I'll be able to keep it going this time (it's either because of hopeless optimism or from that mule repeatedly kicking me in the head over Christmas).  As I've mentioned before, I'm committed to not posting any more career advice until I have a steady paycheck or have sold a project.   No more posts about the nuances of the

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-54086582035272803782010-03-01T17:24:00.000-08:002010-03-01T17:24:10.676-08:00

My absolute least favorite part of the entire process of writing/production is the pitch.  Why?  Because it's talking to someone you don't know, usually, about a project that's foreign to them.  It's like speed dating, and I'm no good on a first date.  Heck, I've been with my wife since I was 21, I couldn't remember how to act on a first date if I wanted to.  The only misery I have to remember

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-23576866518363928622010-02-18T16:04:00.000-08:002010-02-18T16:04:07.607-08:00

So, most of my life is spent writing, obviously.  I toil away in small, cramped spaces, devoid of life and light.  I come up for air long enough to deliver a draft and get copious notes.  Then, I crawl back in my hole and do it again.  However, every once and a while, I get attached as a producer and/or director to a project, have to dust off my goin' out pants, brush up on my producin' knowledge

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-59773703840160079162010-02-03T14:26:00.000-08:002010-02-03T14:26:16.018-08:00

I love the pretzels in the lobby of my building.  German salt I believe they're called, but they could be called German Hairballs for all I would care and I'd scarf them down 2x a week.  During the daytime, work-week, hours nothing makes my day more than when I indulge in one.  So, today I was downstairs talking with one of the baristas as they warmed one up for me and I noticed they changed

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-63841350624625485672010-02-01T14:01:00.000-08:002010-02-01T14:01:07.536-08:00

When you work in any industry, trust is important, but I find it especially important when dealing with a film/tv/web series, etc.  Why?  Because you're judged not by what you've done, as much as what you've completed.  Starting 50 movies is great, but if you've never completed one, what good are you?  The answer, not very.  Let me tell you a few stories about projects I've worked on.  The names

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-16848808134951621782010-01-28T10:27:00.000-08:002010-01-28T11:12:14.550-08:00

LA is all about seasons. There's a rainy season and a dry season. Ba dum dum. I'm actually not kidding though. At least in the TV world, everything is based on seasons. Many people will tell you that TV has moved from a buying season to an all year development season. While this is true in many respects, MOST projects are still bought in the same way they have for 50 years. So, let's

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-47638547889430921622010-01-26T11:37:00.001-08:002010-01-26T11:42:52.214-08:00

Since I'm waiting for notes on my script, I've had a chance to catch up on pilot scripts and review orders and I have to say, I'm shockingly disappointed with the quality and originality of what's out there. My manager has a mantra: "Don't show me anything unless it's shockingly original." I wish these writers listened. Here's a smattering of pickups from the last couple days. Granted, some

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-22502814067485400292010-01-23T10:12:00.000-08:002010-01-23T10:15:10.505-08:00

1-3/4 pages away from finishing the outline. There have been some -hiccups - along the way, but the format of this blog didn't work as well as I thought because there were very few. I thought it would be a torturous, laborious process to finish the first pass with work, but it really wasn't. partially, or mostly because I did 2 months of drafting an outline. I'm hoping the rewrite process

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-514863341233218292010-01-20T14:14:00.000-08:002010-01-20T14:16:37.928-08:00

Well, I got a couple pages today. Unfortunately, I had to do an interview over lunch, and do a bunch of errands for my bosses, which is fine. Things are things. I'll keep churning away...chopping wood.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-61546517444653166342010-01-19T14:10:00.000-08:002010-01-19T14:16:54.772-08:00

It's getting a little sad how quickly I'm kicking this script's butt. After a slow go at first, my speed picked up. I'm 87 pages through the first pass in 2 weeks. 4 pages left to go in my outline. At this point, I'm not even bothering to write dialog or good action blocks, I just want to get it done, scrap my outline document, and work straight from the script.I actually have, for the most

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-30620536081831296692010-01-18T19:55:00.000-08:002010-01-18T20:05:30.475-08:00

80 pages in under 2 weeks. Thank you holiday weekend. It's been hellish and grueling since I've only had an hour here and an hour there, never a good idea to be forced to write and not be able to let it flow. Luckily, and this is from the heart, I wrote a really long outline so I can just literally transcribe. It's really helped "zen out" and just keep plugging away. At this point, I'm

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-77803501735120568362010-01-17T17:20:00.000-08:002010-01-17T17:25:13.993-08:00

52 pages in. Nearly half done with my outline. Still probably have 10 pages to go in script before I'm halfway through. I have off tomorrow so I'm hoping to write another 20 pages. I've honestly never written this close to an outline before. I find it easier actually because it's mindless. I'm literally just transcribing scene by scene. I never have to stop and say, what happens next,

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-22394202980094810932010-01-16T10:45:00.000-08:002010-01-16T10:48:20.956-08:00

dog is gone, wife is gone, the day hasn't started yet. I actually had the whole morning to myself and got 10 pages of this script done. It is coming down. The page count is now just about 120 when I'm through this outline, which is where I want it. Usually, my first drafts are around 100 pages, but I really wanted to have some meat on this script's bones so I could cut and manipulate as much

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-44459533442316999622010-01-15T16:30:00.000-08:002010-01-15T16:38:51.160-08:00

Alright, so it's not great. It's done on first pass, and it actually ended up about right. in the end of my first Act, the girl finds a tooth which she attributes to her father's real killer. It happens four-ish pages into the outline, or 30 pages into the script, which is just about the sweet spot. Of course, by the time I'm done, I'll have whittled that 30 pages down to 15 or 20 and gotten

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-51017791091134148522010-01-14T15:11:00.000-08:002010-01-14T15:22:55.126-08:00

23 pages into the first draft today. 2+ pages through the outline. It's coming down. I'm only looking at a 180 page screenplay now on the first draft, down from 400. As predicted, I've been getting on a roll lately with the writing. Now that I know the characters, they keep speaking to me. Writer's block be damned. I'm writing mostly junk, specifically for one of my characters whose

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-27067720377655674802010-01-13T11:57:00.001-08:002010-01-13T12:01:55.588-08:00

Let me tell you, if you ever have a chance to deliver a new script in 3 days...pass. Luckily the script was only 17 pages long, 6 episodes (of which I only rewrote 5), but the pace was long and rewriting is always a crapshoot for me. I tend to write fast and then see what I wrote and say "this is good". I step back and come back and say...this is sh*t, tear it down and start fresh. That

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-6209000462406672382010-01-08T13:31:00.000-08:002010-01-08T15:20:57.383-08:00

the problem with rewriting based on notes is that you have to assimilate your taste with the taste of the producers on the project. ***NOTE: I think the producer of this web series is really open to ideas and I enjoy working with him very much because he will at least listen to an idea before he tears it down and is always up for spirited debate.***Now, when you're always functioning on all

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-69019081715373904792010-01-08T12:21:00.000-08:002010-01-08T12:46:44.895-08:00

So, I had a meeting about my web series with its producer and now have to switch gears to focus on that for the weekend. Hopefully I'll be back to writing this script by Monday, but rewrites of real projects come before writing by baby.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-12697047926060233242010-01-06T14:06:00.001-08:002010-01-06T14:07:29.131-08:00

So, I wrote a little more at lunch today. I'm now 11 pages in. I'm 1/2 page through my 18 page outline, which means I'm looking at a 400 pages script. Suck on that 110 pages!

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-11499646478860044182010-01-05T18:09:00.000-08:002010-01-05T18:15:55.708-08:00

So, for lunch today I had a steaming pile of completed six pages of the first pass. Why do scripts always suck when you're writing them but feel better when you read them? I have a habit, which I've found works for me. Whether I go back and reread a script while I'm writing or not, I never change anything, except typos, on the first pass. First drafts always suck, but I started and that's the

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-31742236286706866442010-01-05T12:08:00.000-08:002010-01-05T12:14:40.252-08:00

My computer is looking at me out of the corner of it's eye. Sitting at work, my boss out, I brought my laptop in today planning to finally crack this script over an early lunch. But I haven't, and my computer keeps looking at me, disappointed. I don't know what it wants me to do? I'm busy. Okay, I'm not really that busy. I should put it away, before it starts yelling at me.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-80487663378507123762010-01-04T17:25:00.000-08:002010-01-04T17:36:17.395-08:00

So, I haven't written anything recently except outlines, treatments, rewrites, and blog entries. Mainly, nothing impressive or important. It's not because I don't have something to write. I actually have a banged out 18 page outline which I can start writing tonight if I wanted. Why? I tell people it's because I'm blocked, but I think it's because I'm scared. Right now, I'm at a place in my

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-49971916084594250082009-12-26T13:33:00.000-08:002009-12-26T14:02:53.094-08:00

Boy do I have one. I finally started feeling normal again a couple hours ago when the talking stopped, the family disbanded, and I could think again. I've been having what one would call a Movie Renaissance. For a long time I didn't watch any movies and instead focused on TV. However, a couple weeks ago I got Netflix and man has it been awesome to get back into movies. Last night, while

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-13743574685824473522009-12-26T10:16:00.000-08:002009-12-26T10:20:35.080-08:00

It's Christmas and I flew to DC-Baltimore and things have been crazy. It's impossible to write because people have literally been talking in my ear for 48 straight hours. So, expect another post after I get back or when I get a moment of clarity. Over these holidays, listen to people. I've already had 10 ideas over the past 3 days based on crazy things mine and my wife's family have said.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-55537641577200113092009-12-17T20:20:00.000-08:002009-12-17T20:46:06.131-08:00

As I mentioned, I got a manager this past year and figured it might be helpful for everyone to write up a short list with a few pros and cons of having representation. Here you go. Pros: He gets me meetings and my scripts read by people who would never touch me before. Keeps me focused on writing projects he can sell. Helps set goals and keeps me on track to accomplish them. It's nice to have

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-7357415225170138752009-12-16T10:15:00.000-08:002009-12-16T11:14:01.619-08:00

I'm pretty nervous about starting this blog again because the last time I had a job it got pulled out from under me in less than a week. However, I'm reasonably confident that this one might be a keeper. Don't hold me to it and if I disappear again, you'll know why. It's important to note that during this time I wrote a lot of scripts. A lot. I apologize for having such an extended hiatus,

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-22697957417425687432009-08-13T09:44:00.000-07:002009-08-13T09:45:37.223-07:00

But, I did promise myself I wouldn't post again until I found a job.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-81247461489813964672009-01-12T10:18:00.001-08:002009-01-12T10:21:22.198-08:00

In my last post, I forgot to mention a very important resource. The PRS (Production Reference Services) is a list of all the productions that are going into production. I still don't know how I got on this list, but if I was looking for a set job, this is a very important resource. It gives information like this, pulled straight from the latest one out today:LIFETIME TELEVISIONPROJ TITLE:

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-15683793688418901882009-01-11T20:02:00.000-08:002009-01-11T20:31:10.799-08:00

Amber Posted:Im moving to LA to become a film set PA...so I can learn the industry more and hoepfully after I put my time in, move up. Ive always heard about the UTA list, but no one knows how do you get the list(s) sent to you? how do you become on the list serve? or how does it all work? Im dying to be sent the lists..any advice?Ah, the infamous UTA list. I posted about it a while back.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-53269416538695610802009-01-01T13:17:00.000-08:002009-01-01T13:19:03.059-08:00

Happy new year, Grinders. As a belated holiday present, I wanted to share with you a BBC/MSN pitch opportunity which is free to enter and could lead to a development deal with the BBC. follow this link, and enjoy.http://www.miptv.com/en-gb/content-360.cfm

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-87389841358753505942008-12-25T09:51:00.000-08:002008-12-25T09:53:35.915-08:00

I don't care if it's pc or not, Merry Christmas to everyone out there in Grinderland.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-24099542479891212162008-12-21T08:57:00.000-08:002008-12-21T09:13:02.983-08:00

Okay, I know this is a weird segue, but I am just awful at coming up with new names. They always end up at Madison for a girl and Jimmy for a guy. It's idiotic. But, I found a fix in the weirdest place. This year, I had several cross country flights. First, I went to visit a client in San Diego in February. Then, I flew into La to apartment scout in June. Finally, in June, we relocated to

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-2928581014015932482008-12-16T11:09:00.000-08:002008-12-16T11:25:46.774-08:00

*** warning, season 3 Heroes spoilers ahead***It seems to be the fad of the week, or the past two seasons to hate on Heroes. I, myself, have been driving that bus more than once. However, the thing that turned me around was watching season 1 on DVD. See, if you actually sit down and watch it from the beginning, all of the idiosyncrasies that have ballooned up in the past two volumes were quite

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-74663801346363925652008-12-12T17:39:00.000-08:002008-12-12T18:17:05.988-08:00

First, this is my 100th post, so woohoo! Get the party poppers, hats, and cake and do a little dance. Okay, now that's out of the way, I want to discuss NBC cutting original scripted programming at 10pm and replacing it with 5 days of JAY LENO! This has caused an uproar within the creative community because it means 5 less hours of programming for writers, directors, and producers. Instead,

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-50393019947240691772008-12-12T09:45:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:58:42.109-08:00

Unfortunately, I'm good at it. That doesn't make me like it any more. But, since I have some expected time off, and I'm sans scripts to write, it's been two weeks of research: btwn NATPE, a new script research (right now I'm leaning to a shakespeare adaptation...like every other human on earth), and English language market research (Australia, Britain, Canada...sorry, Belize) it's been busy

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-56473375483584912852008-12-11T14:26:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:55:52.835-08:00

So, after berating Leverage, calling it a poor man's hustle, guess who has an interview with the production company who produces the show today. That's right, THIS GUY. Karma...is a bitch.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-90702964513258701442008-12-10T16:44:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:55:19.311-08:00

Try as I might, I missed that hustle IS coming back for a fifth season. Thanks Spec Odyssey for the note. See the press release here. Get your DVRs ready.In my defense, I read from several sources that the series was cancelled. From Wiki, the all-knowing source of all things*Following much media speculation, including reports of the programme being cancelled and a motion picture spin-off,[6]

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-44986546451666399692008-12-10T08:56:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:54:52.118-08:00

***IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED LEVERAGE, THERE ARE SPOILERS AHEAD!!!***I love you, and Kung Fu monkey is one of my favorites, AND leverage is a quality show shot on the Red, which I respect. I qualify those statements to say this.Leverage is a poor man's Hustle. Hustle is a British show that aired on AMC for four seasons dealing with a group of "scrupulous" thieves who steal from degenerate human

Russellnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-52708046791983301542008-12-08T14:19:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:54:30.227-08:00

In another article from Living the Romantic Comedy, they analyze the structure of Slumdog Millionaire. After watching the movie, I commented to my buddy about how beautifully the story was structured, and this blog encapsulates why it works so well. See it in it's original form here. Structure, Structure, StructureIf movies are story, and they are, then screenplays are structure. -- William

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-5942944731813162952008-12-07T19:47:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:54:09.837-08:00

I hate movies. I usually see about 10 movies a year, and of those maybe one is acceptable and another 1 is transcendent. The other 8 are garbage and make me want to gouge my own eyes out. Last night, I saw Slumdog Millionaire, and I loved it, except the last 10 minutes are kinda cheesy. As I was walking out of the theater, I realized why. It's because I didn't recognize ANYONE in the movie,

Russellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-89572430624819293222008-11-28T15:45:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:53:55.220-08:00

Poached directly from this Vanity Fair article, who obtained the exclusive on it. This is a memo circulate to the entire crew of The Christmas Cottage. For S and G, here it the trailer. I should caveat, I've never produced anything shot on 35mm with a dvd distribution by Lionsgate that starred multiple academy award nominated actors, but still...come on. Thomas Kinkade's The Christmas

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-76205874217490395912008-11-28T09:37:00.001-08:002008-12-12T10:53:32.839-08:00

My time at UPC is coming to an end next week, and joy of joys, SAG is going to send out strike authorization to it's members in December. This has been the big drama in LA since June, right after the WGA strike settled, and the town settled down with DGA and AFTRA making deals. Outside of it being impossible to get a job in this town, at least on a show, in Dec/Jan, the SAG strike could shut a

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-24148268056093809282008-11-27T09:45:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:53:12.050-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American readers. For everyone else, have a frank and productive Thursday.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-30436684081954293472008-11-26T11:55:00.001-08:002008-12-12T10:53:03.164-08:00

I use the term lightly. More accurately, I am oft quoted as saying "Tim Kring does not watch his own show". I say this, having watched almost every torturous episode of the show, listened to every ridiculous plot hole, and listened as the ran the show into the ground. I hope, god i hope, that this new "reset" is a new beginning for the show.Being home this week due to Turkey day with no scripts

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-82995093231425740042008-11-26T09:17:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:52:41.653-08:00

t=I love TV. I'm not afraid to say it. I LOOOOVE TV. I don't really watch movies, go to theater, or buy cds, but I LOOOOVE tv. So, I wanted to talk about a great show, that I hope with RIP.If you follow tv, you know one of the greatest shows in tv history ended last night. Not only was it excellent, It was also historically relevant. It was really responsible for the landscape of cable

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-43019927437176451612008-11-24T15:35:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:52:28.894-08:00

As you know if you've read my blog, I like to get right into a script, barreling through if I like an idea until it's done, a nice, neat garbage draft. However, every once and a while, during a re-write, I find that the idea doesn't work, like at all. I'll give you the logline of a spec I'm working on:"After her father commits suicide, a young girl decides to kill herself, and sets off along a

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-5713112260330980932008-11-16T20:48:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:52:17.149-08:00

Once you are read by a company, for the most part, they will give your script on two different criteria. First, let me tell you that if you don't know what coverage is, go to www.scriptcoverage.com and you will be able to see basically the format of what coverage looks like. Disregard the synopsis and the development comments, and look at second grid at the pop of the page. Each script and

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-50148654054288038812008-11-08T10:01:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:51:44.498-08:00

Because I'm not just a writer, or director, or director of development, but also run my company, I am often called upon to do OTHER CRAP besides being a creative. I hate the other crap, but it allows me to be more marketable to my business partners and the outside world.And it got me to thinking about all the junk that needs to be done OUTSIDE of being creative and writing a script/directing a

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-37419137813863424362008-10-29T09:34:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:51:02.262-08:00

Because all of the Grinders out there have been engrossed in a rewrite debate all week, and because I happened to come across this blog posting from one of my favorite bloggers, Lucy Vee, I decided to repost it for all your enjoyment. Read it here. Approaching Rewritesfrom Write Here, Write Now by LucyFor the lovely H who asked last week for my thoughts on rewrites. If you have a query for the

Russellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-41991147635545327532008-10-28T17:32:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:50:44.092-08:00

As we at the Grind, by which I mean me at the Grind, often do, I'd like to clarify the previous blog entry, as I have been getting a couple of questions about it. While I think that imposing a deadline can be a very good thing for a first draft, I do NOT recommend imposing deadlines for final drafts, unless you've found that it works for you. I like to work in a world where I will do 1-2 drafts

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-45377210278896669052008-10-26T11:01:00.001-07:002008-12-12T10:50:29.481-08:00

I read an interesting post today at Raving Dave's blog about the pitfalls of using deadlines. While I agree with the issues, I disagree that it is necessarily a bad thing as mentioned here: I’ve seen it happen so often: A looming deadline encourages you to move the goal posts, lower the bar, relax your standards. The closer the deadline approaches, the more crap you’re willing to see through your

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-12866120794932217802008-10-21T18:48:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:50:04.255-08:00

Another Question came through the comments section, and I'm all too happy to answer.Blogger Rob said... One thing I don't get about this advice, and it may be obvious to you, is that you stick to the same genre. Don't you want to demonstrate to someone that you are flexible enough to do different things?As loyal Grinders know, we did go over this several posts ago, but since I'm SOOO bad at

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-63472623042173217862008-10-21T08:23:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:49:27.873-08:00

Living in LA, one thing you quickly learn is how to tell if someone is legit or not. It's at every function, every networking event, every time you go out with friends. It's usually goes one of two ways: The way you don't want it to go:Person 1: What do you do? Person 2: I'm an actor.Person 1: What have you been in?Person 2: Just a couple background. Person 1: Any speaking roles? Person 2:

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-35222251863790328932008-10-14T18:28:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:49:11.497-08:00

One of my absolute favorite blogs, The Rouge Wave, Reposted a blog of mine, and I'm ever so happy to be able to return the favor.So, Here it is: "Everybody is eager to query and get repped. It will change your life, right? Money will be flowing to you in golden buckets and fame will be quick on its heels.Not exactly. Getting representation hangs in the frustrating zen space between utter

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-38821525519750425362008-10-14T08:28:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:48:47.038-08:00

...when you're starting your career. The beauty of film school is that it's an incubator for people to have terrible projects. And trust me, everyone's first project is a disaster. so is their second, third, and fourth. It doesn't matter if you are an actor, a director, a cinematographer, or a writer, you will invariably SUCK when you start your career. If you are beginning in a career in

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-17590692000388409702008-10-10T15:49:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:48:20.058-08:00

My friend at UPC sent this to me as a sobering reminder of the reality of making it in Hollywood. It is a direct post and response from http://storyfanatic.com/Question: **Redacted**im thinking of taking a year off and heading to hollywood to make it as a screen writer/actor. i’m just curiouse about your oppinion on this matter. i love writing and acting and if i dont do that i’m most likely

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-45993205167319100072008-10-09T09:05:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:47:56.512-08:00

...to a network is perfectly demonstrated by two television shows currently on TV. These shows are amazing examples of how two networks can develop the same premise in two very different ways. The shows: USA's Psych and CBS's The Mentalist.What is the premise: An man with a gift for noticing every detail of the world pretends to be a psychic and works with the police department to solve crimes.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-34366074603035548062008-10-04T00:18:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:47:22.556-08:00

and why to put it on your IMDB page/acting resume. It's not to stereotype or to typecast you. It's because is every company in Hollywood, assistants are making lists daily. Whether its writer's list, director's list, actors list, or editor's list, the city runs on these lists, like an old fashioned locomotive. In order to make lists, assistant rely on STUDIO SYSTEM and IMDB. If it's not on

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-35927206366226791862008-10-04T00:16:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:47:03.470-08:00

were getting one rejection to Warner Bros. I was getting two. I got rejected to both the Comedy and Drama program. Which is pretty awesome for a person who deal with telling other writers how to write.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-7862875676180010402008-10-02T17:40:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:46:37.650-08:00

...is beautiful satirized in this College Humor "trailer". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzCc1iyOeUwPass it on. I knew this election was a movie! Regardless of your political affiliation, everyone can appreciate good satire.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-91150569832229608582008-09-30T08:39:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:46:23.267-08:00

...has graciously posted me as their featured blog today, so I feel as though I need to get a new blog up for all the story spotters out there. Usually, I give advice but today I'm just going to tell you my plan for the next couple of months, and you can take it or leave it. Hopefully you'll comment on it. I'm currently in an epic battle to get EVERY GOOD IDEA I've had percolating in my brain

Russellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-20496401316846250892008-09-28T08:07:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:46:01.915-08:00

...well I kinda am, but I have a good reason. If I get through this project soon, I'll tell you stories about it. It might go down in screenwriting lore.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-8929460438702563182008-09-20T11:23:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:45:51.540-08:00

I'm not a wonk, and I try to keep my political leanings to myself. But THIS, is disgusting: http://news.yahoo.com/page/election-2008-political-pulse-obama-race

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-38509872743215245772008-09-16T13:22:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:45:39.801-08:00

To add on to my previous post, the old adage is that it will take 10 years or 10 scripts to get a sale. Which means, theoretically, you have 8 scripts which will be terrible. Now, hopefully one of those terrible scripts will be in your genre, but if not, it still gives you 2 scripts to get the sale. My timetable is roughly as follows:1-3 scripts - shite. Don't show them to people unless you

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-70736235329421164342008-09-16T09:59:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:45:23.970-08:00

I'm going to make this quick, probably. I read a post on the Rouge Wave today and one of the tips she gives is for writers to specialize in a genre. This is something that is so important to a writer, because you want to be "typecast" as the go-to guy in a specific genre. This goes for writers, directors, producers, etc. For instance, if Eli Roth's next movie was a period piece romcom, you

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-30981661947661744282008-09-15T14:47:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:45:03.694-08:00

Clients always inspire the best blog posts. So, I have a new client, paperwork pending, that is creating a web serial after years of film and plays. the idea is solid, but I'm teaching her how to write for TV from the ground up...she's never even watched 30 Rock for goodness sakes. Anyway, yesterday I went to view her read-though and we got to talking about the difference between TV series.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-81749069411810861972008-09-10T11:23:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:44:38.552-08:00

So, I've been knocking around a lot of ideas lately, and have a bunch in a cue to write. This is along with a lot of projects I am developing including 3 web series, 1 short film, and two features. But, while these films stew and get ready, I'm intent on writing down GARBAGE DRAFTS of everything I have in my head. These include:5 features1 tv pilot1 comic book pilot (are they called pilots in

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-6682227306097971862008-09-06T14:16:00.001-07:002008-12-12T10:44:26.183-08:00

Oh, if it were only like this. Saw this here.The Best Advice Is: Be in charge. Then you can do anything. If you're not in charge, always play characters who have your haircut. That saves an hour in the morning. No wigs, no beards. Forget it. I had to wear a beard for one day. Ridiculous. Forty minutes. No. My haircut: ten minutes. And don't choose ridiculous costumes. Choose normal clothes.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-18320881132414295872008-09-06T08:41:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:44:06.395-08:00

So, I neglected my blog this week...and I'm sorry. First, a shameless plug. If you are out there reading this blog, please, please, please, tell your a friend. If you have a blog, link me. I'm a big whore for promotion. A couple announcements...I started a gig at an UNNAMED PRODUCTION COMPANY (UPC) on Thursday in their TV department. I was only there two days last week, but I'm sure It'll be

Russellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-3547867713434198432008-08-30T08:31:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:43:42.409-08:00

...movies. They happen. Not every good movie is a huge success. Not every huge success is a good movie. I was surfing around the 'net this morning and saw an article discussing the 10 worst box offices of all time. I'm not sure this list is 100% accurate, and it obviously doesn't go into deep detail about the depth of the financial problems each movie caused (Like how Cleopatra actually

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-16090853170579167332008-08-29T17:29:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:43:05.249-08:00

This is a re-post of an informative link I was sent about the Actual/Craigslist meaning of crew positions. It was obviously written with a specific bent, but that doesn't make it any less accurate. Thanks to my friend, Jeff, for sending it to me. For all of you looking for a way in, and are using Craigslist, this is a pretty good primer, and relatively humorous. This is a dictionary to help with

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-5243981219511033822008-08-29T12:54:00.001-07:002008-12-12T10:42:43.017-08:00

I was playing a puzzle game last night, and I kept getting stuck on one problem. I understood the mechanics on how to get the problem solved, and had a brilliant way to solve it, but I just could execute the moves to make the solution work. And it got me thinking about the difference between having an excellent concept and being able to EXECUTE it. See, a lot of people have great concepts for

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-63278245892966124482008-08-28T17:13:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:42:29.747-08:00

...is back, in the states. And as a tribute I want to give you a metaphor about writing a screenplay. To set it up, a football drive consists of a series of plays that are all designed with the end goal of scoring a touchdown. However, in that there are many smaller battles to score first downs. Every four downs, the offense has the opportunity to move the ball ten yards. If they make it ten

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-4312314885325956512008-08-28T15:06:00.001-07:002008-12-12T10:41:47.568-08:00

So, over the past two days I've had an abnormal amount of synopsis which did not follow the standards of what a synopsis should look like. This got me to thinking, and if these people are so wayward in their definitions of a synopsis, maybe some of my readers have the same problem. So, what is a synopsis. A synopsis:4. Definite the characters in the story3. Give a backbone to the script2. Tell

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-4382529726585497342008-08-27T11:53:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:42:06.681-08:00

Good afternoon Russell,What would you suggest as a first approach for enlisting the services of a writer for a movie concept that I have? My story now resides on audio-tape and written notes with a creative writer in Nashville. She created the synopsis. But we need someone to take us to the next level.There are three important questions that need to be asked when you are looking for a writer.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-73969709240203444342008-08-25T11:05:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:40:53.642-08:00

Thanks for ruining my job prospects...Just Kidding. You know I love you. However, with 2/3 of the industry shut down, and Paramount now on it's 3rd series of layoffs, lots of people are losing their jobs. And, since people are LOSING their jobs, there's not a lot of jobs to go around. Writer's Assistant jobs are going to WRITERS who were laid off, Production Coordinator jobs are going to UPMs

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-73059257289621035572008-08-22T12:46:00.001-07:002008-12-12T10:39:50.189-08:00

a little comedy for the weekend. It's so wrong, but it made me chuckle.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-50522213077193475472008-08-22T11:25:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:39:35.744-08:00

...who would rather have a more traditional example as to the structure of a screenplay, or any story. Here.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-52600106711136688772008-08-21T10:16:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:39:19.216-08:00

be a bully. Imagine for a moment, you and your protagonist are walking down a road, let's call the road your screenplay. As you walk down the path, you give him one good nudge to get him startled. This pushes him off the path and takes him a minute to recover. You feel bad, so for the rest of the path you may want to nudge him/her, make him trip a little, maybe laugh at him, but because you

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-72325255250813594182008-08-20T12:17:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:39:05.872-08:00

***NOTICE: I am not advocating companies USING free labor, instead of PAID labor. I am not condoning WORKING for FREE. I do not advocate union companies hiring scabs, or skirting the law. I do NOT advocate or condone ANY Company who would try to hire FREE workers instead of PAID workers. In this post I am SPECIFICALLY talking about INTERNSHIP possibilities, where the goal of the work is to

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-42482784431088050082008-08-19T15:00:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:38:36.189-08:00

There is a slight correction to my previous post about the difference between Networks, Studios, and Production companies.In the post, I stated ABC's Studio is Disney Studios. However, an astute reader pointed out that ABC's Studio is actually ABC Studios, formerly Touchstone Television. THANK YOU. I am always striving for perfection, but once again fall short.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-42959178866491832912008-08-19T08:52:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:38:19.542-08:00

So, I read a lot, A LOT of blogs, trades, read reviews, etc, and I've seen a disturbing trend of people liking terrible shows, specifically one terrible, wretched abomination of a show. So, I'm here to set the record straight on a terrible show that should NEVER get a good review. I should mention that I have watched 6 episodes of this show, and each has been worse than the previous one. I

Russellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-43474184067329412072008-08-18T19:41:00.001-07:002008-12-12T10:38:01.836-08:00

If you have enjoyed the past two posts, and want to learn more about these concepts, I highly recommend the seminars put on by Media Bistro and taught by the incomparable Chad Gervich.In three hours Chad can bring you up to speed on at least the baseline concepts you will need to succeed in this industry...What you do with them after that is up to you. Of course, you can also email me with your

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-56278430717638786502008-08-15T16:56:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:37:48.519-08:00

Hey everyone,I've been sick for the past week, which has caused me not to do anything, except have one job interview today. That is the first time I left the apartment since Sunday. Gross. Anyway, I promised I would talk a bit about tv syndication. While I can't delve into incredible detail, I'll do a cursory explanation. First, as previously discussed, we know a network does not produce

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-22693399015115749952008-08-08T08:50:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:37:25.939-08:00

I was at a seminar last night for tv writers and a question was introduced which made me realize many people don't understand the difference between a Network, Studio, and Production Company. So,Network: A network distributes programming. They are the STATION that puts a show on the air, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, USA, TNT, ESPN, etc. there are six major companies that own networks for SCRIPTED

Russellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-69663735122222914012008-08-02T18:25:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:35:59.396-08:00

I'm so excited. This is the first time I can comment on a comment to the blog. Dave writes:I definitely agree that bad dialogue is an instant turn-off when reading a script. However, most producers will only even start reading the script if they’ve first been triggered by an intriguing premise. So when they start reading they’re looking to see if this is a movie, not whether the writer is the

Russellnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-34121362345888912772008-08-02T08:50:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:35:45.022-08:00

As promised...an optimistic post. Writing and working in this industry is as much about finding your weaknesses as it is accenting your strengths. For instance, I am great with dialog, decent on structure, and terrible at proofreading. So, how do I account for that? I send my scripts to tons of people, have begun outlining more strictly, writing more extensive character developments, and trying

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-1375846074825960142008-08-02T08:46:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:35:26.029-08:00

Google Analytics, and it's telling me that the average time spent on my blog is in a tail spin, and I think i know why. I got a nice comment from a buddy of mine, a client actually, that told me my blog has been wholly depressing recently. I can't disagree, because I am in limbo, so many projects close to being completed, so much potential clearly pent up, and so many projects in development...

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-28508070077837815952008-08-01T00:47:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:35:10.261-08:00

...is incredibly frustrating because you have to rely on so many people. The dp has to light correctly, the actors have to act correctly, the camera op has to frame correctly, the producer has to produce correctly, and even the editor has to edit correctly. Now, a lot of what that means is not only showing up and doing your job, but also doing it in a timely fashion. It is usually the problem

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-31401120403499979042008-07-29T11:47:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:34:47.779-08:00

Well, I felt my first earthquake today, 5.8. crazy.

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-5201061279807257612008-07-29T11:23:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:34:37.636-08:00

happens. I'm currently writing a romantic comedy script about a guy and a girl who meets, fall in love, get disconnected, stop loving each other, and then start loving each other again... I know, a novel concept. However, the problem is that I just don't care about romantic comedies. They aren't my thing. And, since I'm not writing on assignment, I have no motivation to make the project

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-67771164823732076742008-07-28T07:45:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:33:30.137-08:00

is a word that is usually thrown around to talk about actors, but it should be also be in your vocabulary to discuss your career. What makes you bankable as a writer/actor/producer/director/reader/pa, etc? Have you worked on formats ranging from mini-dv to 70mm? Have you been optioned or produced or had a feature distributed, either in home video or theatrically? The more things you can do to

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-25309319252859617172008-07-26T01:27:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:33:03.425-08:00

...to be in la, married, and alone on a friday night. However, it brings up a question that has been plaguing me for the entirety of my stay in la. See, I have two partners. I have many people who have been involved in my movies. However, even though I am close to some of them, I will never be as close to them as I am to my old roommates, friends, lovers, and acquaintances of my past. And it

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-68612660580121029682008-07-25T12:50:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:32:33.218-08:00

Hopefully it's not as piss-poor as 300, otherwise, I would be pizzed.http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-23801846706017548572008-07-23T08:45:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:32:13.414-08:00

it's better than destroying.So, I only wrote my last post about the manager to SET-UP the PAY-OFF of this post.After meeting with the manager, one thing was clear...people are only interested in new people that have created content. I keep hearing it over and over...get a youtube channel, create some shorts, do a webisode. If don't have any of those things, you are FAR behind the eight-ball.I

Russellnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547242377639245610.post-26477044551578486512008-07-23T08:28:00.000-07:002008-12-12T10:31:33.873-08:00

So, I met with a manager yesterday, and he's willing to hip-pocket me, woo-hoo. Me and johnny drama have something in common. Of course, the word hippocket never came up, it was verbiage like:-"Let's let the relationship emerge."-"No need to put anything on paper."-"Next time YOU need something, call me."The difference is, unlike J-D, I'm grateful for it, because at least it means that someone

Russellnoreply@blogger.com0