I love myriad formats and genres. I try to appreciate each for what it is, not for how it compares. Sometimes the distinctions are worth noting because they inform the creative process. I'm encountering one of those distinctions today. It pertains to economies of scale. They don't typically apply in the world of novels or [...]
I'm rarely late. Deadlines do much to discipline my focus. Some of my writing friends feel opposite. Some think a purer motive is the work itself. I like the sound of that, but I can't deny the usefulness of hard deadlines in my working life. I'm all for combining a love of the work with [...]
I'm 50+ pages into a 95 page teleplay. I'm at the phase where even a prolonged conversation at breakfast can derail me from my tunnel time. It's mornings like these that checking emails must wait until later, and blog entries like this one must remain brief. May inspirations flow endlessly for each one of you [...]
What things do you do as part of your writing ritual? There are some things I repeat every day (like where I write), while I intend the substance of what I'm writing to be new every day. If not new, at least refined. I do find a range of themes I'm prone to explore . [...]
Of course, I'm referencing the famous autobiography by Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In her book, Maya writes how strength of character and passionate purpose can overcome great trials and injustice. However, the comparison between her brilliance and this entry ends there. It's a Saturday afternoon and I'm trying to keep [...]
Winchester? Hawken? Springfield? Which rifle to fire? I have no idea but I'll be figuring it out soon enough. My latest assignment from a Cable TV network (to be named later) is to write a 90-minute action-filled western. Since I've never actually written a western teleplay before, it has required a bit of research. I've [...]
Passion Project - what I most yearn to write Contracted Project - what I get paid to write Convolutions - too much of one and not enough of the other - from either direction! Pleasant Surprises - when contract writing transforms from assignment into passionate project or conviction writing leads to a contract I've experienced [...]
With the script having been revised several times for several reasons (characters being added or deleted; change of locations; a particular performer interested; or the director's continuing refinement of his vision), we finally get to a stage where it is considered "done!" - that is, for now. We know there will be changes throughout the [...]
I'm preparing to transform a screenplay into a shooting script with Director Todd Fisher. Among the many creative amenities at the HMPE Ranch/Studio is, of course, a full blown 4k HD theater. In the photo to the left, you'll see the script projected onto the screen in preparation of several days and multiple [...]
During the fourth quarter of 2014, Owner and Chief Creative Officer of HMPE Productions, Todd Fisher, asked me if I'd be interested in becoming a Department Head of Development and Scripts for his new motion picture endeavors. I responded with great interest. He flew me out to California to discuss the opportunity. Throughout the remainder [...]