Although all characters struggle with external events and obstacles, the deepest conflicts are always within the character. A Character Map will help you chart the emotional tensions deep inside the character and how those tensions lead to his or her transformation. Powerful screenwriting creates powerful internal conflict for the script’s characters.
Read the full story »How a new online scripted drama series and website gets created, developed, sold and launched.
My film reviews and how the Nine Character Types affects the success or failure of the script.
What’s on TV? How the right Character Types help make a hit or miss.
Making the writing life work for you. Tips and tricks to keep your writing fresh and interesting.
Random thoughts on pop culture and the world at large.
It’s rare for a creative person to be on the other side of the desk— evaluating pitches instead of doing the pitching. I had that opportunity this week when we were hiring people for some creative elements for my online series.
Here are six lessons I learned sitting on the other side of the desk. I also had the realization that at one time or another I have made all these mistakes myself. What an eye-opener to see how those missteps look “from the other side.” Here’s what I learned:
1. Be Authentic. Don’t try to second-guess what the producer wants. It is impossible to inuit someone else’s taste. Don’t make stereotypical assumptions. Instead, offer a fresh take on the core idea that reflects who YOU are. When you pitch be true to the sensibility of the project, but bring something unique and original to the table. The lesson here is be yourself and speak with an authentic voice that ADDS something to the project. Demonstrate that you have a clear point of view and can make a real contribution.
2. Get to the Point. It’s always great to do your homework and research whatever element you are pitching. But avoid the temptation to over-explain or simply show off your background knowledge. Don’t get into research unless it has a clear correlation to something specific in your pitch. You run the risk of telling the producers what they already know when you include too much extra information. Instead, get right to the heart of what it is you are pitching. Show don’t tell applies here. Show you’ve done the research by the quality and specificity of what you pitch.
3. Stay on Target. Make sure everything in your pitch reflects the core idea of the project. Beyond Lemonade is for and about women over forty. Several of the pitches included default ideas that missed our target completely. I say “default ideas” because most online projects are aimed at a younger audience. The ideas pitched might have worked in the usual situation but weren’t appropriate for and didn’t reflect our unique audience. Be meticulous in each and every element of your pitch. Make absolutely sure that everything in your presentation reflects the core idea at the heart of the project.
4. Ask Questions. Be certain you have all the information you need to pitch. If you don’t understand something, ask. Intelligent questions convey interest and enthusiasm. A few pointed questions can also help you tailor your pitch to the unique circumstances surrounding the project. Be judicious and stay on point. Don’t waste time with irrelevant questions.
5. Be Enthusiastic. Only pitch those projects that really excite you. If the project is not for you then pass and concentrate on something else that is more your style. If the project is your “dream job” then let it show. Communicate why the project is in tune with your unique sensibilities or interests. Enthusiasm is infectious and really can’t be faked. Show up in person. No one can sell your pitch better than you can. Don’t “phone it in” on any level.
6. Take Direction. When a producer asks for an adjustment, get to the bottom of what is missing (or wrong). Ask, “What would adding (or subtracting) this address for you?” Don’t fixate on the literal detail the producers are questioning. A literal fix often doesn’t really address the underlying problem. It’s your job to discover what is actually at issue and fix that. Be creative. You are being hired to be a problem-solver. Solve the problem in a way that expresses the talent and insight you bring to the table.
Developing Beyond Lemonade had been an exciting and revealing process on so many levels for me. Having evaluated these pitches will change forever my view of the pitching process. I know it’s not just me. A Fremantle assistant who had aspirations to act was invited to help the director casting another Fremantle online project. Seeing the auditions from the director’s side of the table was a real eye-opener for her. She told me it completely turned around her view of auditions. Here is the final take-away. The person on the other side of the table REALLY wants you to do well. They WANT you to be the answer to their prayers. They are on your side. Only you can mess it up for yourself.
The photo at the top of the post is attributed HERE
The Actors Gym is an ongoing workshop for working writers and actors that meets on Monday nights at the Asylum Theatre in Hollywood, CA
The three highest grossing Romantic Comedies in 2009 were The Proposal (Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds) It’s Complicated (Meryl Streep & Alec Baldwin) and The Ugly Truth (Katherin Heigl & Gerard Butler). Despite some terrific performances each movie manages to stumble into more than one of the RomCom Pitfalls.
It’s not too unusual these days to find DVDs for sale in supermarket chains. But how about a supermarket chain that actually creates and produces its own movies that are available only at its respective stores?
Here is an interesting piece on how central a good story is to success and galvanizing others. Politics is all about who has the most compelling story.
William Zinsser discusses how “good writing” is a matter of cultural difference. Here’s what he said in a talk to the incoming international students at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism on August 11, 2009:
As Avatar moves closer to breaking Titantic’s number one place in box office history, controversy has raged in the press and elsewhere about the film, about what James Cameron was trying to say, about the supposed underlying political, social or moral agendas at work in the film and generally about what the film means and why it is so popular. Here are some interesting links.
The excellent film, Invictus, starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela is a great study in Power of Conscience leadership.
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