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
5 Common Mistakes First-Time Indie Filmmakers Make
Finally producing your first movie is very exciting. You’ve nailed the script (which can take years), you’ve secured financing, and you’re ready to finally (finally!) shoot and sell it. You’ve crossed many difficult hurdles to make it this far. So why do so many first-time filmmakers fail? Read my tips below to avoid common first-time filmmaking mistakes that will help set you up for success.
4 Classic Scripts that Deliver on their Promise
Every script makes a promise, and it’s inherent in its genre. If you’re writing a comedy script, it must be funny. If you’re writing horror, your script must be scary. This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many writers fail to execute the promise of their genre on the page.
Secrets to Balancing Your Screenwriting with Your Day Job
In the real world we all have to work, and until writing becomes your work, it’s a balancing act of making the two happen simultaneously - without feeling guilty or frustrated all the time.
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.
Examples of Successful TV Series Bibles
If you’re an aspiring screenwriter with an interest in television, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of a TV series bible, but if you’ve never actually pitched a show, there’s a chance you’re not 100% clear about what that is. Have no fear: I’ve compiled some examples for you of a few series bibles to help you out.
3 Ways to Stay on Track with Your Writing Goals
If you’re an aspiring screenwriter, sometimes the hardest part about living your passion is sitting down and actually writing. Here are some tips on some writing goals you can set that’ll get you into the right/write mindset for tackling your next screenplay.
The Top 6 Screenwriting Competitions to Spend Your Time and Money On
There’s a lot of controversy out there on whether or not screenwriting competitions are effective in breaking in to the screenwriting world. There are hundreds to choose from, and 99% of the time they cost money, so which ones – if any - are worth your blood, sweat, and hard earned cash?
How to Get Your Foot in the Writers’ Room Door
Every person’s story of how they got into a writers’ room is different, and there’s no one way to do it. However, there are ways that I’ve seen it happen time and time again, so if the writers’ room feels an impossible dream, consider me your guide to navigating the dream.
3 Essential Steps to Writing a Killer Logline
How do you make a logline, and better yet, how do you make one that’s good? I have boiled down the infamous logline into three simple (and essential) steps that can be the difference between a pitch and a sale.
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.
The Top 7 Podcasts for Screenwriters
Bring the knowledge of Hollywood’s best and brightest with you with these podcasts for screenwriters you can’t afford to miss.
5 Spec Script Mistakes to Avoid Like the Plague
If you’re an aspiring screenwriter, make sure to avoid these common spec script mistakes that stick out like a sore thumb.
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..."
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.
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.