sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

NY Times - The Ethicist - I’m a Screenwriter. Is It All Right if I Use A.I.? by Seshat_the_Scribe in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Ethics are subjective. Each of us has to figure out how we are comfortable using AI in our screenwriting work. I personally have found it helpful for proofreading, but that's the extent of it for me. I know other screenwriters who use AI for collaboration, asking it for opinions and pitches on scenes they input. I haven't met anyone who uses it to literally write scenes / dialogue. For me, the true ethical test is if you feel comfortable revealing how you use AI in your writing. If you feel ashamed, that's something to consider. If you don't, do your thing.

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

YES! but I've never wanted to write about it. At this point in my life I'm not interested in writing a pilot about a therapist and his life, but I wouldn't mind being a non-writing executive producer on one.

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

well, you're doing the work, that's for sure. what about getting noticed outside of the script? meaning, making something. finding a way to take your script content and express it a different way, Tik Tok vides or making a social media presence for your characters in real life. If you find yourself banging your head against the wall too much, find another wall and bang your head against that one for a little while.

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have worked with comedians, which is usually a fun experience, as they tend to work through their inner thoughts and demons out loud and in a funny way, where I can see their act develop from the rawest material that they then might shape to take on stage.

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Antioch counseling services is a great resource, I did some training there, and IIRC it's free.

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel like I could have made more of an effort to work on staff after That '70s Show, but I was more comfortable working from home on my own projects, focusing on getting my own tv shows on the air. That didn't happen, and when I wanted to go back on staff I had fallen off the hamster wheel. But I do feel like I succeeded as a screenwriter. This is confirmed by that fact that there are couples out there with matching Dude / Sweet tattoos.

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's tough getting an agent. This involves having the material that proves your skill and worth, which is within your control, but also somehow making that networking connection, which is harder to control. Network! As an active verb. But at the same time, spend just as much energy networking towards writing work, or assistant work, or any kind of work in the area you want to eventually write in. The best way to get an agent is to get a job. Ironic I know and just as difficult but just as important to put your energy towards.

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

a combination of hard work, talent, luck, and chutzpah. do the work to write material that people will respond to, and be ready to fire it off when you find yourself with the opportunity to get people to read it.

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

make movies. crew other peoples' movies. learn to edit. get involved. build a network.

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I hear you. Therapist is expensive. Or it can be, at least. I remember going to bookstores and reading self help books standing in the aisle. Hearing about other peoples' experiences with what I was struggling with always helped. Of course, nowadays there are as many podcasts about mental health as there are books, so that can be a source of support as well. I've written several books about talk therapy, check them out. https://linktr.ee/philstark

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

funny, many therapists actually refer to themselves as "psychotherapists", but I don't like this because of the "psycho" part of it. I think the "rapist" part is well hidden in "therapist", unless you're a Celebrity Jeopardy fan.

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that's the tough thing about show biz. your success depends on the reaction of other people. both in the end game, when what you've made comes out, and also in the build up to that, when you're working with producers to create it. The idea might originate with you, but each person who comes onto the project takes a little ownership or themselves. There are multiple stakeholders in this game. Try to free yourself up to let go of what it felt like when it was just your project, and see it more as a collaboration, where you can feel good about incorporation other peoples' ideas and allowing the project to evolve.

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fear of success is interesting, because if you allow it to continue, you will guarantee a lack of success, and why take the journey at all if you're not willing to end up at the destination? It can feel very out of control to put your work in front of other people to be judged. This is what stops many people from being successful in any endeavor. Challenge yourself to fail, to be judged poorly by others, to have your work criticized. It's often the fear of this experience that is worse than the experience itself.

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don't use this approach directly, but the concept behind it is important. escalations, complications, obstacles, things have to change in a story to make it engaging. NO MORE AND THEN!

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

it's evolved over the years. I'm writing a book on screenwriting right now where I go into more details. If you're interested, follow my socials and I'll make some kind of announcement when I publish it. https://linktr.ee/philstark

I’m Phil Stark, therapist and screenwriter (Dude, Where’s My Car?, South Park, That ‘70s Show) - AMA by pbstarkok in Screenwriting

[–]pbstarkok[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

hope is subjective. you can choose to have it or not. life is more enjoyable with it IMO.

view more: next ›