Advice

We started as novelists. We, meaning my wife, Jennifer, and I, who met a mere six years ago as aspiring novelists. Then life stepped in. Then two kids stepped in. Then … I am sure a good number of people here understand. Last year we had the “we aren't getting any younger” talk. Viola’! We tightened our belts and last year wrote our first script based on our own content. As a former technical consultant to a few production companies many years ago, I thought we would be invited with open arms....

Happy Sunday Creative Army! Have you had a creative weekend so far? I have some content here for you that is sure to get the creative juices flowing, so grab your coffee and let's dive in. First up, In Depth Cine shares a deep dive into how writer/director Taika Waititi shoots films at 3 very different budget levels. Specifically, they break down the budgets and aesthetics of Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2.5 Million), JoJo Rabbit (14 Million), and Thor: Ragnarok (180 Million). Next up, Varie...

“You cannot have a victory without a battle.” - Kawan Glover, Author, Screenwriter, and Victory Coach My fellow creatives, it’s time to celebrate! Complete a screenplay draft? Great! Win a contest? Fantastic! Secure financing for your film? Phenomenal! But what else is worth celebrating? Must we wait for the accolades to feel good about our work? Recognizing our efforts, whether personal or professional, creative or pragmatic, is an essential step on the journey to be our best selves. Per...

  When you decide to write music for Film and Television as a full time job, you’ll soon realize that from that moment on it is not just about your music, but about the music business. There is so much to know and to learn about the process of negotiating a deal. I am going to share some of the experience I have made so far, hoping that it will help you with your negotiations a little bit.     When & Why: Signing an Agreement When you are offered a composer job, your first instinc...

How It Started Earlier this year I joined Stage 32 and I’ve already made some great connections. Now, I’m working on an animated feature screenplay, and an animated TV pilot screenplay with fellow writers I’ve met through Stage 32. Not too bad from where I started about seven years ago. I didn’t start my journey by graduating from college with a degree or being a child prodigy with a pencil attached to my hand since I was five. My journey began by walking into a bookstore and purchasing a “Ho...

Good Morning my Warriors of Writing, my Sultans of Storytelling, my Colossi of Creativity! A Preamble Before you dive in, I want to tell you why I wrote this blog post. I will break into this industry, become an acclaimed writer, and set a new standard. This is not a belief. This is a promise. I'm not the best writer, but I'm dedicated to my craft, so this article is for those who are just as dedicated. Those willing to make that same promise and set the path ablaze to create a new standar...

My first experience in the entertainment industry was as an actor and that experience has served me well when I got seriously into writing the last 3+ years. The major catalyst for my passion in writing came about when I started collaborating with my friend Stephani Prescott who is writing a fictional novel based on her dating relationships. We are both from Boston but a few years back Stephani “went for it” and moved to LA where she made some amazing connections in a short period of time. Th...

Happy Sunday Creative Army! I've got my coffee in hand and your weekly dose of content coming in hot - grab your coffee of choice and let's dive right in. First up, the folks over at StudioBinder have put together a fascinating video all about film composition. Specifically, they break down how you can use framing & composition to tell a story, create depth, and articulate meaning. You will see examples from JoJo Rabbit, Last Night in Soho, Harry Potter, Trainspotting, and many more.  Next...

Recently, the nominations for the 74th primetime Emmy Awards were announced. Shows like Squid Game, Stranger Things, Succession, Ted Lasso, and Abbott Elementary led the nominees. But how does one get nominated for an Emmy? Who votes on it? Who submits me for it? In the era of streaming and prestige television, there are literally hundreds of performances each season vying for 5-8 slots for the best of the year. Like any awards season campaign, chances for getting nominated for something are...

The Wire. You’ll see the connection. I hope!! Extra. Extra. Read all about it! As well as being an author, I’m also an extra, otherwise known as a supporting artist on movie sets, TV series’, music videos and TV commercials. During my time on various sets over the last three years, I’ve worked with many famous actors from the UK and Hollywood, but this particular shoot of which I write was something else for many reasons and I will never, ever forget it. I hope you enjoy the read! Talent...