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
The #1 Thing You Should Be Doing for Your Career
This may seem obvious, but it’s worth making the point emphatically. The most helpful thing you can do for your career is to practice your craft. If you're a writer, write. If you're a director, grab a camera and direct something.
How to Make Sure Your First TV Series Staffing Job Won't Be Your Last
You’ve finally landed your first staff writing gig, congratulations! Here’s how to make sure it won’t be your last.
Hollywood Power: The Top 4 Talent Agencies for Screenwriters
There are countless agencies out there, some small, some big, and some, well, very big. If you’re interested in Literary Agencies 101, I’m going to start off with the top dogs, or more commonly known as The Big Four, that you should definitely know.
The Top 6 Screenwriting Books to Read Before You Write
There are countless books that claim to have all the knowledge to turn you into the next Aaron Sorkin, but which ones are the best? Here’s your go-to guide on screenwriting books to pick up before you break out Final Draft.
There’s No Crying in Show Business… Unless You're on Screen.
Crying on cue in front of the cameras is an impressive talent. On the other hand, crying in the midst of a tantrum, always complaining or just plain being difficult, can put you on the dreaded LITS list.
How To Give Good Meeting... And Get the Job, Part One
Whether you’re interviewing to be an assistant or it’s your fifth showrunner meeting and you haven’t been staffed, here’s how to master the five steps of the meeting “dance.”
5 Steps to Developing the Most Important Hollywood Skill
What makes you irresistible to decision makers is not your award-winning student film or even the ivy league college you graduated from — although both are appealing assets — it’s simply having the right Hollywood attitude.
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.
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.