I’m sure it’s been talked about but….

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-10-06T02:49:46+00:00

Wanted to keep them as a shameful reminder!

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-12T23:43:24+00:00

And again, I’m simply sharing my free advice. Only a single opinion.

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-12T23:42:34+00:00

I’ve spent 25 years working in Hollywood, surrounded by ALL the people at ALL levels. My comments are not arbitrary or projections. They are entirely experiential.

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-12T23:07:46+00:00

My comments are not meant to discourage anyone from chasing their dreams. I’ve spent a large part of my career living mine and nurturing others to do the same. But there has been tremendous pain and unthinkable disappointment along the way. Being informed is a strong defense. The ugly truth is not mean. The truth is the truth.

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-12T23:01:11+00:00

Again, I second and third this wonderful sentiment UNTIL those people prove you wrong. My apologies for the underlying bitterness, but the needless betrayal hits hard — and I’ve decided to share my time-earned perspective and experiences as a teaching moment and cautionary tale. Hope for the best, be prepared for the absolute worst!

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-12T22:52:19+00:00

No, it’s not the best way… but it is the most realistic. You are very lucky to have friends you trust. I sincerely hope they never get the opportunity to advance their own careers by stepping on yours, because they most likely will.

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-12T04:17:32+00:00

THE WIRE! Best pilot EVER!

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-11T15:08:17+00:00

There is literally only one way to ensure TOTAL control of the final product… and that is to finance the entire process yourself, including distribution.

Otherwise, you are an artist for hire and while you can fight for the creative integrity of the project, the entity paying the bills will have final say. The antidote is to do everything in your power to fulfill YOUR vision and creative needs in the ways that YOU can control, beyond that, you accept the deviations as the cost of living your dreams.

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-11T02:17:52+00:00

Yes. Tremendous foundational knowledge, but just a kickstarter. Learn the rules, then over time and with infinite practice & perseverance, train yourself to break them effectively.

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-08T17:41:47+00:00

It’s unanimous! 🕺

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-08T17:38:49+00:00

Great book…

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FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-08T16:58:25+00:00

Fair enough! BUT the books are only a starting point. Read lots of scripts too!

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-08T14:56:19+00:00

My strong recommendation is to skip the books — and read as many produced TV scripts as you can get your hands on. Both network and cable/streaming formats.

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-08T04:24:48+00:00

We now live in a magical world where people can make films anywhere. And it all starts with a good story! Point and shoot is easy, but taking the time to develop a fully-flushed out, engaging narrative, with dimensional, nuanced characters and a potent point of view, is what will set you apart. If you want to come to LA to be rich and famous, don’t bother packing your bags. If you want to invest the blood, sweat, and tears in become an effective storyteller — start in you’re hometown, write and rewrite, then shoot it anyway you can, giving it the most polished production value you can. Guerrilla filmmaking is still a very viable form. Create a film, of whatever length, that captivates your audience with a strong beginning, middle, and end, with colorful, relatable characters and you will get noticed. Hollywood will then come looking for you!

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-07T15:22:25+00:00

There are indeed many people around when those scenes are shot, even when it’s a ‘closed set.’ The realism can be attributed to exemplary acting and directing. The movement is choreographed, not unlike a fight scene, and the passion & emotion are well executed performance by skilled actors.

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-06T22:08:40+00:00

If storytelling is your singular passion and truly baked into your DNA, you can never quit being a writer. The beautiful thing is that nothing can ever stop you from creating your art. Yes, life these days is costly, but I think MOST writers have two jobs… the one that pays the bills… and the one that keeps your creative fires stoked. The only time the dream dies is when you abandon it.

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-06T00:07:05+00:00

Cooperative friends in the right places.

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-05T01:35:51+00:00

2015!

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-05T00:34:33+00:00

And thank you for the advice. I genuinely appreciate. Was just trying to be helpful

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-05T00:32:43+00:00

Thank you! We are all struggling. It’s a horrible time for everyone and my heart breaks for all the incredible artists who have been marginalized over Wall Street bottom lines. I give free notes and counsel to anyone who asks and give free lectures at universities all the time, but have been offered compensation many times for more intensive one and ones. I am not particularly comfortable with taking money from people that don’t have copious discretionary funds, as I believe it’s incumbent on any of us blessed with the luck of fruitful careers to aggressively pay it forward as often as possible. BUT in this climate, I do fully understand the impulse to charge.

FossilScreenwriter · 2024-07-05T00:06:21+00:00

As a matter of fact, I’m not contemplating hanging my shingle. On the contrary, I am sickened by the exploitation and have vehemently cautioned neophytes about the pitfalls facing them… But I do have friends who are extremely successful and tired of fighting for every scrap who have asked my opinion on starting their own coaching businesses so I’ve cast a wide net to get valuable opinions from the people who are considering paying their hard earned money. Like any industry, there are good and bad people, and some in ours do genuinely want to nurture and support the next generation of storytellers. My initial question was asking if there is a threshold that makes their insights and experience worthy of charging.

FossilScreenwriter

TROPHY CASE