WeScreenplay zoom: Embracing the Nuanced Latinx Experience

So I have not been publishing my blog at all lately. There has seemed to be a more toxic writer's universe on Twitter. I know you've seen it. It kind of scared me off I guess. But I created this blog for newer writers and I have to remember that I have things to help them grow as writers. If you're an Academy Award writer, this blog may not be for you. Everyone else, see if you get something out of it. 

So recently WeScreenplay hosted a zoom on Latinx showrunners and I was so inspired I had to post. First off, if you haven't been attending their zooms, they've been great. So keep your eye out for more. I've attended a couple so far and have loved them all. 

So this one was hosted by Joshua Noble and had showrunners Jenny Lorenzo, Latinx actress and writer, from things like Victor & Valentino and Gentefied, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, producer, director, writer of shows like Lost and The Dark Crystal, and Evangeline Ordaz, producer, actress and writer of things like Queen Sugar, Vida and 13 Reasons Why. 

They were all so passionate about what's going on with Latinx in TV and movies and had so many great things to say. So in no special order, here are some of the key things I took away from it. Mind you, I'm paraphrasing: 

Jenny Lorenzo (JL) grew up Cuban in Miami and said she didn't fit in growing up there. Even when she'd go to casting, they didn't know what to do with her. So when she'd write about her Cuban Abuela (Grandma) then those details are what formed a unique character. Tip: Use those unique characteristics to create unique and diverse characters in your pieces. 

Javier Grillo-Marxuach (JGM), from Puerto Rico, talked about when he wrote The Middle Man in 1998 he had to fight not to make a character more Latinx in a role. He didn't want a character to break out in Spanish or have Salsa music when his character walked. Because he himself is Latinx but doesn't like Salsa music. Every Latinx is different and has different experiences. They're all coming from different backgrounds and traditions. Tip: When writing a diverse character, make them complex then give them a Latinx name. Make them competent at their job and that's enough. That stays away from stereotypes. 

They all spoke about how inclusivity is important so when other people see people like them on TV or in movies, then they stop feeling like the "other". 

Plus, how it's their job to educate the execs. That they need to advocate for more people of color in those positions. Once we get to those positions, we do too! 

JGM mentioned he was a product of a diversity program. And how execs have biases for diverse people. And in the past 10 years, there have been more execs of color. It's slow, but it's happening. 

They all mentioned how networks want inclusivity but then they pitch to them and they all say, tone it down, it's too Latino. So it's mixed messages. But let's hope as more Latinx get in the exec roles, the less we will hear this. 

JGM brought up how in TV, mentorships are missing. How important it is that when you sell a show, to find a Showrunner who will help your vision end up as the final product. Tip: Find a Showrunner who doesn't want to take over your show, but teach you how to run it. That way the Showruner can get it up and running, teach you everything, and then they can go off and run other shows and your show succeeds. 

Evangeline Ordaz (EO) talked about how refreshing it is when she's in a room of all Latinx. She called it putting her "white brain on". When you're in an all Latinx room, you don't have to speak in different words or jargon because people all come from similar backgrounds. 

JL moved from Miami 5 years ago and talked about how there were so many Latinx out there. But when she came to LA it wasn't like that. So she decided to create the content she wanted to see and wasn't seeing. Tip: Create what you want to see. There are obviously other diverse people who want to see that too! If it's a universal theme, a larger audience will too. 

JGM mentions he writes any character as you normally would, and then suggests, making them Latinx. He tries to make at least one lead Latinx. Why not all of us? 

EO says we're not just one thing, all Latinx people. We're many things! Basically, you can't lump Latinx into one category. When you do, again, you end up with stereotypes. 

Even recently in my own writing group, I shared my Latinx sitcom. I have an amazing writing group of talented female writers. I based all my Latinx characters after my real relatives. But one non-Latinx writer gave me a note and said, 'Oh such and such would never happen so don't do this." Uh, what? I literally based this off my cousin! So, tip: If you are not a diverse writer, be careful when you tell a diverse writer, "such and such can never happen." Yes, it can! That's what makes diverse characters real! And not stereotypes! If you're not a diverse writer, tread lightly on "can never happen" notes. 

So that's basically the Latinx zoom. I hope you found it as interesting as I did. And hope it helps you write better diverse characters. I look forward to seeing them on the screen someday! 

5 Things I Learned Writing This Movie, #4

So tomorrow night 5 Weddings opens worldwide in 52 countries. You'd think that would be exciting right? Well, as a writer, I have to say, there's nothing scarier for me. See, what I love about writing is writing. But whenever people see my work, I know I'm putting myself and my hard work out for the world to see and to judge. And that is not really fun for me. So what's a writer to do?

Well, one producer friend suggested, just enjoy that I got a film made. That's no easy thing. With all the movies we see get made, you'd think maybe that's not a big deal. But really, with all the screenwriters, there really are a lot of very successful writers that don't even get a film made. So that's a really big deal and something to be happy about.

Then, that producer also suggested, my friends and family are all coming to see the movie and all excited for me. Enjoy that! What we writers forget with each step is to enjoy those moments. What's the point if we don't let ourselves enjoy these moments? So no matter what I'm thinking about people seeing it and wondering what they'll think, I have to let myself enjoy the whole experience. Enjoy that friends are there, they are happy for me. That's something!

Also, I'm listening to a book on tape, by Brene Brown, Rising Strong. And she has done a lot of Ted Talks and had talks on youtube and her suggestion is about the fact that a lot of people have opinions. But they personally don't put work out there to be judged, they just judge others. So her opinion is if your opinion on my work matters, then you have to put your work out there too. If you're just judging and not putting work out there, then your opinion DOES NOT matter. I love that! So this goes for movie critics and reviewers. It's sure easy to sit in the comfort of your home and judge someone else's screenwriting and film directing. But are those same people actually writing and directing? Nope. So even though I worry about being judged. I'm at least in the game. And that isn't something every person can say. And for that, I deserve a pat on the back!

So sure, other people might be super excited for me that my film is out tomorrow. And I promise I will try to enjoy it, every nerve-wracking moment.

5 Things I Learned Writing This Movie, #3

I'm back! I'm doing a series of blogs in honor of my movie 5 Weddings, that comes out this month worldwide, on October 26. I'm writing about 5 Things I Learned Writing This Movie. So onto:

#3 - Getting a movie produced can take a long, long time. I wrote the first draft of this movie about 13 years ago. Yes, 13 years! So what's a writer to do to not drive the producer crazy while you wait? You get started on another script, and then another, and then another, and then another. Well, you get the idea. Any script you write, you put in the past. And if it gets produced, great! And if not, you've got so many other scripts you won't care. And when it does get produced, like 5 Weddings did, then yay that's just icing on the cake. Even when the producer Namrata Singh Gujral finally told me about it two years ago that we were going to bring on Andy Glickman, a good friend of mine and talented writer to get the script ready for production, I almost didn't believe her! It had been sitting around for so long I really thought it would never get produced! But true to her word, one day, it was in production! I even have a blog post about being on the set for one of the days. And then next thing I knew, it premiered at Cannes! And now here we are, about to see the movie released worldwide. So, the moral of the story, is don't sit around waiting for a script to get produced, always move on to the next project. 

Okay, check in next for #4! 

5 Things I Learned Writing This Movie, #2

So I started a series of blog posts, 5 Things I Learned Writing This Movie, to honor my first produced movie that comes out this month, 5 Weddings. So, today let's hear it from:

#2 - When you write a script, you may think that what you have, is what it will always be. But for us, that was definitely not the case. And maybe not the case on many scripts. So what I learned is that when you write a script, it will change, and change, and change, and then change some more. At first when we started this script, it was a straight-up comedy. But after I finished the script in two weeks, the producer decided to add some dramatic elements. I don't want to say what they are as to not give anything away about the movie. I do think they add a lot of depth to the story, so I'm glad she suggested it. It ends up being the B story, in fact. But that meant there would be a lot of rewrites. So it went from a comedy to a dramedy. I also wrote the first script about 13 years ago, so that means a lot of rewrites over those 13 years. So as a writer you just have to be fine with changes. Because changes are what makes a better story. I think the basic elements are there from the start, but we added a lot over that time frame. So what I'm saying is, don't be afraid to let your script evolve! That's what scripts are made for.

Okay, be sure to be on the lookout for #3 tip next time!

In honor of 5 Weddings: 5 Things I Learned Writing This Movie

So my first produced movie comes out this month, October 26, to be exact, called 5 Weddings. So in honor of that, I have decided to write posts called, 5 Things I Learned Writing This Movie. Get it? 5 Weddings? 5 things I learned? So drum roll, here is:

#1 - That I can write a script in 2 weeks! Before I wrote this script, I had never written a script that quickly. But when the producer told me about the project, she said can you write this in two weeks? And of course, I said yes, even though I'd never done it before. Because if someone has a deadline, then I meet it. I looked at it as a challenge that I would happily take on.

So I set myself a schedule in order to meet that deadline. I remember I had the weekend to write the whole outline and character studies. Then I had to pound out 5 pages every day, no matter what, during the week, for both weeks. And then on weekends, I wrote about 10 pages. For anyone who's written 5-10 pages in a day, it can be pretty exhausting. And doing that for two weeks? I was spent. Plus I had a one-year-old child at the time, so wasn't getting much sleep on top of it and didn't have a nanny so was really spending all day with my child and then writing at night. But anything can be done for two weeks. I remember being spent mentally at the end, but you know what? I had a complete script done in two weeks. And now, I know, if it needs to be done, I can do it.

So check back next time for What I Learned Writing This Movie #2.

Do you have a flute man in your life?

Okay, let me explain. Years and years ago when I was having one of those "OMG I shouldn't be writing!" moments in my life, I was in Bali, because aren't all writers? Okay, maybe not. But I was traveling around the world for a year, and I almost considered not traveling because I was so afraid any time away from writing meant my career would take that much longer. Now I'm so glad I went and didn't miss out on that trip. Because I've learned since that every life experience can only help our writing. But that's another post! So back to the flute man. So I'm in Bali and my travel friend isn't feeling good so she stays back at our hotel. So I go out clubbing with two nice guys I met at the beach that day.

So we hit this happening club where everyone was no older than 30, most probably closer to 20. And I see this older man, maybe in his 60's, with a long gray ponytail, and he's in tye-die like a lot of the travelers and he's dancing all by himself having the time of his life. Most of the people were avoiding him, kind of chuckling at this older dude at this club. And I say to my friends, that guy is so happy, I'm going to dance with him. Because when I see anyone living their life the way that's true to their own purpose and is full of joy, I want to know them.

So I start dancing with him. And he looks at me and goes, "You're going through something." That went right through me! Because just that day on the Bali beaches I was telling my friends, "I don't know, maybe this writing thing won't happen, maybe I need to quit." And I was really doubting if this path was right for me. Because all us writers doubt if we should be writing at some point, maybe many points! And I'm dancing with this older dude and he tells me just what I was thinking that day! OMG! It was a sign! And he continues, "You need to believe in yourself. You're going to succeed. Follow your dreams." Wow! The universe sent me a sign! Okay, maybe you don't believe in that stuff, maybe you do. But guess what, I do. And that day, I definitely did. Becuase no way could this man have known what I was saying to my friends on the beach that day. And no one at the club wanted anything to do with this man, but I did, I was drawn to his energy. And because I trusted my instincts about him, he told me the message I needed to hear. And every time over the years I've doubted myself, I remember the flute man. He keeps me going on my path to follow my dreams and believe in myself when I don't know if I can any longer.

So maybe you don't have a flute man. But maybe yours is a teacher who believes in you, or a spouse, or a best friend, or a contest you advance in or a wind that blows a certain way. Whatever it is, find the thing that keeps you on your path. Because it's your dream! And only you know why you were meant to be a writer. And you have to tell your story. And now here I am and my first movie got made and is coming out in the theaters this year and is premiering at Cannes! If I stopped believing in myself all those years ago, that wouldn't be happening! I would have stopped before the thing I wanted ever happened! So keep at it!

If you haven't found your flute man, then I'm hoping this post can be that for you. Believe in yourself and your dream! And keep writing.

Don't shove theme down my throat

So I went to a short film festival a few weekends back. Okay, maybe more than a few weekends back. But you understand what I'm getting at. I go almost every year to this festival. Usually there are some good ones, okay ones, and some even close to bad ones.

This year, I went to an earlier time/hour than normal. So maybe that's why I wasn't really loving any of the films. Maybe they save the best ones for the later hours. But, what I did notice that wasn't working in pretty much all of them was that they all were forcing theme in our faces. Hitting us over the heads with it. But guess what? Theme is only supposed to be obvious to the writer! Not the people watching your film!

If you're watching a film and you come away thinking, "This movie was obviously about the family bonds", then that writer did not do their job. For instance, when you watch The Godfather, did you walk out going, wow, what a close family! Probably not. You probably just loved the drama and the fighting between the mob and all the Italians. It's not until you probably took a film class did you really think about wow, that was really about family and the loyalty between relatives and the loyalty with the mob family. Nowhere in the film did any of the characters say out loud, "I"m loyal to you." No! That would have been awful.

Some people swear that you have to have theme at the start of writing your script. Others say you don't and say it's okay if you stumble upon it and then pepper it throughout once you realize what it is. I say as long as you find the theme and put it in, who cares when you put it in. I personally put my theme in after I've started. Sure, I might have what I think is theme at the start. But sometimes, another real theme emerges and then that's what it becomes. The fact is, it doesn't matter when you find it. It just matters that you don't hit your audience over the head with it. Or I promise, your film will not resonate the way you think it will.

So get to writing that script. Add your theme. But just don't be so obvious, okay?

Happy writing!

And then it happened

So, I was hired over 10 years ago by a producer to write a script idea of hers. She had me write the script in two weeks. That was hell. Two weeks?! But she needed it, so I got it done. Here we are, over 10 years later, many, many rewrites later, many writers brought on and left, and it finally got made! So what did I learn from all of this?

First, when you're done writing a script, forget about it and start something new. I heard that many times from professional writers. It's true! I've written so many scripts since and thank god. Because if I waited for this to get made, I would have pulled my hair out.

Second, things can take time in this business. When I went to a WGA event with some big wig writer speaking, he said it took him over 10 years for his career to blossom. I was like, oh hell no, it better not take me that long! It's taken me longer. But if you're in this for the right reason, which is because you love to write, then just keep writing and stay in for the long haul.

Third, it was fun seeing my movie get made! I only went to one of the days on the set. They filmed three days in LA. I stayed as long as I was allowed. Then they go to India to film the rest. I'm not going. I was on sets years ago when I was in college and before I knew I was interested in being a writer. Back then I used to think being on a set was boring. Now that I love screenwriting, seeing my film was the coolest thing ever! Hearing actors read your piece, very cool. Seeing crew set up to film your movie, cool! Seeing craft services set up, for your movie, even cooler! Those are donuts, for my movie. Those are chips, for my movie. Those are apples, for my movie!

Fourth, seeing actor's faces and names in your movie imdb is really fun! I keep looking. Like wow, people!

Fifth, meeting the stars of your movie is pretty fun! Knowing people signed up because they liked your story and want to be in it, pretty darn cool! Okay, I've said cool a lot, I get it. But what else says that?

Sixth, waiting for the final piece is scary as hell. I have no idea what the movie will turn out to be. As a writer it sure is scary trusting that others will see your vision. You hope it's in the script. But directors and editors might have something else in mind. But, it's getting made. And everyone keeps telling me, that's all that matters. I hope! So in the meantime, I trust the others. And in the meantime, I keep working on all the other scripts I'm writing. Because...I'm in it for the long haul.

He said, she said

So I've got a few projects in the works. They're all pretty exciting. One, if it works out, will be getting to one of my favorite comedian actor's production company. That same project will also be getting to one of the biggest agencies in Hollywood. "IF" it works out. See, the other two people involved in creating the story with me, there have been issues with making an agreement. I don't have an agent, so that's really the problem. If I had an agent, none of this would be a problem. That agent would say, here's your contract. End of story. So meanwhile you have me, the only writer, and two people who aren't in the business who are working on the story with me.

So what you find out when there's the possibility of a movie getting made, money happening, things get interesting fast. Nothing bad. No one meant any harm. But trying to get three people to agree on who should get what credit and what % if and when it sells/made. Is not that easy. Tensions get high. People's feelings get hurt. Oh the drama!

For me, I just keep trying to get everyone to talk. Keep trying to make everyone happy and make sure everyone felt like they were getting what they wanted. I was even willing to give people more than maybe they deserved, if it meant the script would get made and to the right people. For me, as a writer, getting it to these big Hollywood people was the brass ring I wanted to grab. A lot of our conversations happened through texts and emails, and I can say, that I learned that was a mistake. So yesterday, I got on the phone with one of the people, and amazingly, that seemed to be the trick. It didn't happen immediately. At one point, maybe many times even, I felt the project was going to be dead in the water. But by the end of the conversation, we actually found a way to make everyone happy. For the first time in weeks, it seemed things were moving and back on the table.

Then he spoke to the other person today. Yes, talked to her on the phone today. And he texted me after. And now, guess what, I think we agreed on a deal we can all be happy with! It's amazing what a phone call can do. Sometimes, picking up the phone is just what needs to happen. Graham Bell knew what he was doing, I guess!

So I also have a movie getting made this month, and just today more drama with one of the writers. I don't think it was anything he said intentionally that caused problems with the producer. I tried to gently let the producer know this. But she's not hearing it. Oh, again, the drama! I talked to the writer later and let him know I'll see what I can do to iron things out. I'm not sure I can. I'm not sure how or why I seem to be ending up the mediator in all these situations? All I can say, and if this helps you, is through all this, just remain calm. Try to see it from the other person's side. Be the one that's the calm in all of the mayhem. But boy, all of this is exhausting me. I may be calm on the outside. But I sure look forward to having an agent do all this for me someday!

As High As The Sky

No, not me. It's the title of a little film that needs to get attention. I happen to know the writer, director, Nikki Braendlin, but hadn't been in touch in years. I saw on her Facebook that she started to film said movie and was excited for her and wondered what kind of movie it would be. Well as luck would have it, she posted this week that it was free on Hulu, with commercials. So I thought, sure, why not! I thought I'd watch it in two days because what writer has time to watch a movie in one sitting. Not me at least because I'm always writing something.

Well, I loved it so darn much I sat and watched the whole thing all the way through. I didn't just love it a little, or love it because I knew her. I looooved it! It was really well written, the characters were done so wonderfully, the story was heart-warming and sweet. From start to finish, Nikki just hit it out of the park. I have since gotten back in touch with her and we're going to catch up, because I was so darn impressed. But now it's your turn. You must watch this great little film. The message was great. I loved the casting. Really could have watched more of these characters even beyond this movie, and that's a rare thing to say. I won't give away any plot points or ending, but I'll just say it really touched me. I had never been more proud to say I know a fellow writer.

Just as I was writing this blog, I opened an email from Sundance touting "4 movies you must watch online right now". Well, I'm going to make it 5. Add As High As The Sky to your list. You'll be happy you did.

Looking back

So I started this blog almost a year ago exactly. It was November last year, but on the 28th. I was home in bed sick with my son. Today I write, home in bed, sick with my son. Only today he's sick playing video games and I'm the one stuck in bed. So, hmmm...is there a theme here? Or just flu season? Any way, it's been a great year for my screenwriting, all in all. I just went to a movie screening last week for the big film producer I worked with all year. As of last year this time, I hadn't started working with him. But starting last December, our business relationship kicked off. It's not as fast as I'd like, but alas, we're working together. He's got about four films that he's producing as we speak, so that's keeping him pretty busy. Last week he invited me to a friends and family screening of his current movie that will be coming out next year. The year before, I would not have been invited to that. So that shows, it's definitely been a great year and moving things forward. I also just wrote a TV spec and am getting it to the creators of Up All Night. Turns out I have a friend who is best friends with the creator. Who knew?! I've also finished the script for the indie producer that is supposedly getting produced soon. This year soon? Early next year soon? Who knows. It's done at least. After five years of writing, rewriting, other writers coming on, coming back to me, I've finally finished the latest draft that has made it filming ready. So now the rest is up to the producer. I've also been in talks with a management company to rep me. They're reading my scripts and we'll see what happens from there. So to sum it up, that's not a bad year. I guess sometimes being forced to lay in bed and rest is a good thing for me. Especially this year, I feel like I am burning candles at six ends, not just two. So sometimes the only thing that will get me to slow down is when I am sick and forced to relax. I keep thinking one of these days I'll learn how to rest before that happens. It hasn't happened yet. I've got two weeks before my next writer's group. We're taking a holiday break. I am in dire need of some rewriting of my first draft of my latest comedy and I think the holiday might be a good time to do that. As we move towards the new year, ask yourself where you are in your writing. Have you reached the goals you set for yourself? And if not, then are you getting closer? What else can you do to reach those goals? Believe me, my goals haven't been met yet. But I am getting closer, and as they do, I see that I am inching closer to seeing my dreams realized. And it's nothing short of awesome!!!

When is a script like another?

What do we do when we are in the middle of writing a script and then find out a movie is coming out that seems waaaay similar to what we're writing? First off, we cry. Okay, maybe not out loud. But of course your heart sinks. Then remind yourself, this is a good thing. You're obviously coming up with Hollywood type material, and that's never bad. Then really figure out if it's that similar and if you really have to scrap what you're writing.

Perhaps it's only a tad similar, as if in the world, but not story. I mean, there are a million ways to tell a love story. A million ways to tell Romeo and Juliet. But you probably can't redo say, Godfather if it's exactly THAT story. So it's up to you, how much is it the same? Of course turn to your trusted writer friends and ask for their honest opinion. If there's some wiggle room to keep writing, then do.

You never know. Even if it is way too similar it could end up being a good writing sample and perhaps get you some attention at film contests and land you a writing gig eventually. But if you think it's a waste of your time, which is might be, then that's when you decide to throw in the towel.

Just remember, it's never waste to write something that makes you a strong writer. Every script you write, gets you closer and closer to making it in the real world. If it's not this one, then perhaps it's the next. Just keep moving forward. That's all you can do.

Mother F'in Kenny Powers

Tonight's the first night of season 3 of Kenny Powers on HBO. If you haven't been watching it from season 1, it's time you did. He's the crassest most offensive jerk you'll ever love. He's a jerk, he's rude, he cusses every other word, he's full of himself, and yet, you love him and the show. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what a great writer can accomplish.

He's an ex-pro baseball player that everyone loves to hate. He's bitter about the fact his career was over before it started. And yet, his ego is too big to admit this, so he just acts like a pompous jerk to cover up the fact that he's miserable that he's not a pro baseball player any more.

So how does a talented writer accomplish such a feat, to get us to love a total prick? It's not easy. But it can be done. And when it's done, it's beautiful.

One way is to add comedy so we are laughing at the jerky character. They don't know they're idiots. They think they look suave. And everyone in the TV show or movie, takes this character seriously. But the audience knows better. And when we can laugh at the jerk for being a jerk, we have sympathy for him.

It's also important to have moments of them being vulnerable. Something the series writers of Eastbound & Down do a wonderful job of. There are tender moments where Danny McBride admits to being lonely, to being washed up. And during those moments, we feel for him. We see how lonely he truly is. Those moments put us on his side. They're fleeting moments, and he's quickly a jerk again. But the tender side we got a glimpse of, lasts forever in our hearts.

It's also really important to have those "pet the cat" moments. Where the jerky character has those nice moments of them helping someone out, or putting someone before themselves. It warms us up to them and lets their faults slide.

And in the case of Eastbound & Down, every other character is so darn funny and the writing is just so darn funny throughout, that we're so busy laughing, we don't really get stuck caring that Danny McBride is really probably the biggest jerk ever!

So that's how you make a jerk character likable, ladies and gentlemen. Here's to the hopes we all can achieve that in our own works someday soon.

Of Mice and then some

Every so often you see a movie that has something so special and shall I say, tender, about it. Something that really pulls you in and makes you want to follow the characters and get a glimpse of their world. Well, I saw that kind of movie on Netflix instant stream. It's called Main Street, and it was written by Horton Foote. You might not know his name off-hand. But you do know his movies. He wrote Of Mice And Men, To Kill A Mockingbird, and a whole other slew of things you may or may not know. It starred Ellen Burstyn, Colin Firth, Orlando Bloom, Patricia Clarkson, Amber Tamblyn, and Andrew McCarthy. I know! What talent right? I don't know why I had never heard of this movie before. And truthfully, I think people who like good writing, really should see this film.

The story was about a small southern town that was once prosperous because of the tobacco industry, and now has not much left to offer since tobacco is no longer big business. It's about the people who have stayed, the people who are dying to get out, and what becomes of all of those who don't. Ellen Burstyn plays the character that the story really focuses on, having been born into the tobacco industry by her father. Now she's left with an empty warehouse and no money to pay her rent on her large southern home. She's pained by having once been from a wealthy family, and now saddened she's run out of money.

I don't want to give anything else away, as I really enjoyed watching it all unfold and think others will too. So I just wanted to give it a plug, because good writing really deserves to be honored. If you see this movie or have seen it, please let me know. I'd be curious your thoughts on it too.

screenwriting events can get in the way of screenwriting

So a friend recently sent me a link to an event out in LA where some really interesting TV writers were speaking. Of course they were cool shows, great writers, and it all sounded really fun. Only for $10. What a great way to spend the night right? Well, I must say, I've kind of stopped going to see other writers speak about their great careers. I noticed that going to those things started to seem like a way not to write.

I know people always find things to get in the way of writing any way. Everyone's lives are busy. So adding anything, even if it's to inspire you, can just take away writing time too. Yes, of course, once in awhile is fine. But there are always so many of those, especially in LA, you really have to ask yourself, "Am I using this as an excuse to not write?" It might not feel like it, but it's funny how we can mask doing things for your writing that is not moving your writing forward.

At some point you have to take out the computer and actually write the script. Take the finished script and submit it to producers. Get what you create to come out on the screen. And anything that isn't moving that forward, has to be given up. It's the same in our stories, our characters always have to be moving forward right? So then, our career has to too. And if we're constantly having an episodic life, guess what, that's boring for us too! It might not seem like it from the outside. Sure you might see some way cool Hollywood writer talking about the way cool Hollywood actors in his show or movie. But again, do you want to just listen to a writer talk about it, or have that be you up there someday? I'm opting for the, "it being me up there" someday. And believe me, when it's my turn, I'm not going to do so many that I don't have time to write at that point in my career either.

Can Facebook zap your writing time?

How much time do you spend going on Facebook? Or Twitter? Or reading emails? What about the news headlines? If you're a writer, and you're working on a script or a novel, or any creative writing, you need or should be writing almost every day. But are you?

Now even I can blame myself for going on Facebook, headline news, emails, off and on all day. They're time zappers. We writers have to find ways to stop letting things like that get in our way of actually writing. So what can I do to stop that? Well, I'm going to try something, that I hope I can actually do. It might be hard for me.

But here's what I propose, I'm going to limit how many times I go on these sites. Perhaps it's one time a day, where I check all my emails and Facebook, and headlines, and that's it. No cheating and allowing myself to go on more. But can I really do that? It's really tempting when it's just a click away! Especially when I'm writing a script, I need some brain vacations to come up with other ideas, so going on Facebook is so mindless, it's the perfect way to take a break. But am I using up valuable time that I could be writing instead? Maybe I spend more time on there than I would if I just took a break. But let me start with at least one day, and go from there. Perhaps I can go a week like this. And before I know it, maybe add a lot more writing time in my day, and then it can become a habit. And I'm going to blog about this tomorrow, so I'm held accountable. It's a scary thing being accountable. But it keeps me from cheating at least.

And what about my cell phone? It dings every time I get an email. Like it's calling me, taunting me. "Check your emails," it says. But how many times are they even from someone I know? 90% of them or more are from stores that want me to purchase things that I probably never would want any way. But maybe I can turn off that ding so I don't know about it. What I don't know, won't hurt right?

There's also the cell phone calls, or home phone calls. When I'm serious about having writing time, I don't answer my phone at all. It's so simple to go, "Oh, my friend Lucy is calling! I haven't spoken to her in ages!" And then get stuck yapping about who knows what, and before you know it, your window for writing time has vanished. So me personally, when I sit down to write, I let it go to voicemail. That's what it's for, people! You can always call them back. I promise, you won't lose friends.

Now another time zapper for writers, is watching TV. I can't tell you how many writer friends have favorite TV shows they watch all week long. I would tell them, if you have time to watch TV, you have time to write. Or some friends who would work full time jobs, and then when they get home they're too tired to write at night. Well guess what? You can't be a writer if you're not writing. That's how I even came up with my blog title, "Screenwriter Writing" because I can't tell you how many writers I've known that just never make time to write. I'd even tell them, "if you have 20 minutes where you're not doing anything, write in those 20 minutes." Because, if you were to write 20 minutes every day, by the end of the year, you'd have something! A first draft of a script, or a book, many short stories, who knows! But you can't get there if you keep making excuses.

I've seen and met many people who say they're going to write that script, but just never do. Life always seems to get in the way. But does it need to? Do you really want to write that script? Are your actions and priorities helping you fulfill your destiny? Sure it's fun to post on Facebook, but will you remember what you wrote on there 30 years from now. Or is that script you're dying to write, the next big movie waiting to happen. Only you know. But you'll never know if you don't get it on that paper.

Out of this world

So I watched PAUL tonight, that alien comedy movie starring Seth Rogen as the alien, with a slew of other big names like Kristen Wiig, Jeffrey Tambor, Jason Bateman, Jane Lynch, a small part at the end with Sigourney Weaver, and some nice parts by Bill Hader and Jo Lo Truglio. It stars these two British guys, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, who's mission in the movie is to travel America to see all the supposed alien sites. Only thing is, they meet Paul and end up on a journey to help him travel to a spot so he can meet his space ship and return home.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I saw it. The trailer didn't look great, some funny moments, but nothing that made me run out and see it in the theater. But I love Seth Rogen, so figured it couldn't be that bad....And you know what? I was delightfully surprised. This was a heart warming comedy that had a pleasant message that kept me laughing throughout. By the end of the movie, I was happy I had seen it, and know I'll be sure to share with all my friends that they should put it on their must see list too.

The fun thing about the movie too was that they had fun poking fun at all the alien movies we've known to love. And Kristen Wiig being one of my favorite actresses, for a long time, longer than Bridesmaids, I'll have you know, is as sweet and funny in this as all her other movies. If you haven't seen it, be sure to check it out.