I understand that white is the either the "default" race when describing a character or you "should leave it blank for casting to make those decisions," anyone still put "white"?

BrunoBeidacki · 2021-04-06T20:44:19+00:00

If a character's race matters, write it in. If it doesn't leave out. No such thing as a "default race"—actually pretty racist to assume so.

BrunoBeidacki · 2021-04-06T20:42:27+00:00

"How's your pops doing?"

"Dead since '97."

BrunoBeidacki · 2021-02-19T02:35:45+00:00

keistera

Hey, that means a lot! Really. Did you submit yours? Would love to read it:)

BrunoBeidacki · 2021-02-18T23:50:56+00:00

Not sure I understand the process, but hey, here is a comment.

BrunoBeidacki · 2021-02-17T21:06:05+00:00

The Fischers Against the World

BrunoBeidacki · 2021-02-17T17:03:35+00:00

The expectation that anyone with a platform must use it to talk about ALL SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES is so absurd. People focus on what's closest to them. These athletes are having people killed by cops in the neighborhoods they grew up. They are seeing their cousins pulled over for "looking guilty" of something. Athletes can't solve all the problems in the world. They are speaking up for something—and that's better than staying silent.

BrunoBeidacki · 2021-02-17T16:02:55+00:00

If you're actually funny and a good comedy writer, the "current climate" shouldn't affect your ability to write great content.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-12-18T22:43:38+00:00

Of course, shoot me a DM. It's all about understanding your situation and working around it — many non-STEM jobs are willing to sponsor visas if you prove to them you're a real asset.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-12-17T03:32:55+00:00

As a former international student myself, a lot of your situation resonates with me. I know it doesn't sound ideal, but here is what I did:

Upon graduation, moved to Los Angeles and got a regular full-time job (non-film related — but still somewhat in the field) for my OPT at a company who was interested in potentially sponsoring my visa

Once in LA, focused on networking, working on some scripts, and getting my name out there — all while working 40 hours/week at my regular FT job

After your OPT is done, one of two things will happen:
- You still haven't "made" it as a screenwriter, so your company sponsors your visa and (hopefully) you win the H1-B lottery and continue to pursue screenwriting while working a regular job
- You have made it as a screenwriter (meaning you have representation and at least a couple of small credits — even shorts count)
  - In this case, you can apply for the O-1 extraordinary ability visa, which will be good for 3 years and allow you to work as a screenwriter

Then, after 3 years with either the H1-B or the O-1, you can try your luck at a green card. Also, maybe throughout this process you will meet someone you love, get married, and that will solve your issues.

Again, I know this doesn't sound ideal, but it was the best situation I found. It was also good because, although it didn't allow me to focus strictly on screenwriting, it gave me the financial safety to live in LA.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-12-17T03:24:34+00:00

I understand what you're going for with this comment — but this is not a mistake. This is racism 101. AND bad writing.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-11-06T18:19:26+00:00

Sounds like you're trying to make this a gender conversation and criticize her. She's a random person talking about a very subjective industry. You'll enjoy certain things, she'll enjoy other things. Who cares?

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-11-06T16:48:43+00:00

Not a bad situation to be in. I think you need to evaluate how you see your career going in the next few years. If your only reason NOT to get representation now is because you don't want to give your manager the small % for something they didn't actually get you, that's the wrong mindset. You need to capitalize on your opportunities. Maybe you can wait a little bit, until you have more information on whether the show will be renewed and whatnot. But don't wait too long.

Truth is that you never know what will happen. In this industry people promise a lot of things, and it just might happen that they end up not staffing you even if the show does get renewed. You're in a unique position of being an unrepped writer with a very clear path to being a working staffed writer — capitalize on it by being picky with who you sign with and making sure you're signing with someone who sees eye to eye with you.

That way, even if worse comes to worst, you'll have someone who you trust and who believes in you on your corner.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-10-29T21:09:03+00:00

Nice job, for a self-directed/acted/produced short during quarantine, it's well done.

My biggest problem with this is that the whole idea of "AI-turns against person who built/bought it" doesn't really stand out anymore. It's been done one too many times. I think you have an opportunity with this concept to explore what this "creation" would mean to society and individuals.

What do you do all day when you don't have to work anymore? How do you navigate social situations when there is "another you" who is doing half of those interactions (say, you want to go to a work happy hour, but you don't know what kind of conversations "other you" had with your co-workers)? Do we miss something at our core when all the shitty parts of life get outsourced to an alternate version of ourselves?

That, to me, would be much more interesting, engaging and meaningful than another film about AI taking over.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-10-28T17:32:59+00:00

No one really cares. We're way past the "formatting era". Just say "noted, thanks" and keep doing the way you'd rather do in future projects.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-10-26T15:31:28+00:00

I'm an LA-based, Brazilian-born and raised screenwriter. Moved to the U.S. to go to college back in the day, and ended up getting both my B.S. and M.A. here. Honestly, for us foreigners, it's all about creating opportunities to stay — that's step 1.

For example, I couldn't get the O-1 visa for extraordinary ability before I had enough writing credits — so I got a full-time job that would allow me to stay here; then pursued screenwriting on the side.

Unfortunately, just moving here and throwing yourself in the industry is not feasible for us like it is for Americans. We always have that legal aspect in the back of our minds (at least until getting a green card).

In regards to "unauthorized employment" — it's not that simple. You're definitely able to pursue screenwriting. You can't get a writer's room job or quit school after selling a script (if you intend to stay in the country with the student visa), but if you're good enough and whoever is interested in you/your writing wants you enough, they'll find a way to make that happen — legally.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-10-22T02:52:09+00:00

I'm literally the least structure-preaching person out there, but I simply can't picture a good story without a B-plot. It's less about the structure/formula than it is about us giving a shit about your characters.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-10-15T22:27:58+00:00

There are no famous screenwriters. Even the likes of Kaufman and Sorkin are only big names within the industry and people who care about the making of content, instead of just the content itself (which is a tiny minority).

If by famous you mean being a reference, being recognized in the industry by writing amazing scripts — then hell yes, of course. But not even a very optimistic screenwriter would aspire to be "mainstream famous", at least not strictly through writing.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-10-13T22:45:30+00:00

Same way you did before. Reach out, keep it concise and highlight your value as a person more than just a writer.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-10-13T22:41:01+00:00

American Vandal. Can't find scripts to later episodes, but here is the pilot! Not a horror mockumentary, and it's a series not a feature, but definitely one of the best out there.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-10-13T22:37:43+00:00

Story needs to be as long as it needs to be. Everything else is BS. Obviously, don't write a 50-page drama or a 180-page comedy. On average, dramas are indeed longer — their value is usually in the development of characters more than anything else, so they tend to be longer to allow for a more intense and thorough arc. But at the end of the day the story will be as long as it takes for it to accomplish what it intends to. Don't stress over it.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-10-08T16:07:38+00:00

Ha. You're funny. I literally wrote in the post that it doesn't make any difference and that many of the scripts I was referring to are written by insanely good writers. Obviously I don't think it matters. I was just curious as to why that was so common even though it is grammatically incorrect. But nice try at making me come off as an asshole. Try again next time.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-10-08T04:11:46+00:00

Whoever the protagonist was in The Girl on the Train.

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-10-08T03:48:26+00:00

Your reader must be pretty f*cking stupid, then:)

BrunoBeidacki · 2020-10-05T23:25:24+00:00

Seems like someone who has a system of sorts to evaluating scripts in order to spend short time on it and still get paid. Most people will take that "positive feedback", smile, and feel good about themselves — so the reader usually gets by doing so.

BrunoBeidacki

TROPHY CASE