How to Break Up with Your Agent (or Manager)

John August's wonderful, informative post on how to break up with your agent; includes wonderful advice for all writers, regardless of representation (or lack there of)...

Filmmaking in Montreal

Alex Epstein discusses the panel on Feature Writing in Montreal he recently attended...

Q & A with John Lee Hancock (The Blide Side)

The Writers Guild Foundation presents Writers on Writing:

Meet writers whose work stands out for its originality and excellence. They will talk about their careers and the projects that made them famous. Includes an audience Q & A. Purchase DVDs of past Writers On Writing screenwriting events here.

JOHN LEE HANCOCK
Thursday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.
WGF/WGA Offices, 7000 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles

John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, The Alamo, A Perfect World, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil) in conversation with F.X. Feeney.

PURCHASE TICKETS

WGF Donors - Please call 323-782-4692 for special discounts or free tickets.

Student Groups - 10 or more $7 per person. Please call 323-782-4692.

Advance Online Prices:
General - $20, WGA - $15, Student $10

No Refund, No Transfer.

JOHN LEE HANCOCK (Director/Screenwriter) most recently wrote and directed the Academy Award best picture nominee  The Blind Side starring Sandra Bullock. He previously directed The Rookie, starring Dennis Quaid, which won the 2002 ESPY Award for Best Sports Movie. He also directed and co-wrote the historical drama The Alamo, starring Quaid and Billy Bob Thornton.

Originally from Texas City, Texas, Hancock earned a law degree from Baylor University. Upon moving to Los Angeles, he traded his legal career for the chance to start the theatre company Legal Aliens, with actor Brandon Lee. He wrote and directed several original stage plays there before launching his film and television career.

Hancock’s first major motion picture screenplay, A Perfect World, was directed by Clint Eastwood, who also produced and starred alongside Kevin Costner and Laura Dern. Hancock then wrote Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, the screen adaptation of the acclaimed book, also directed by Eastwood. He made his producing debut with the family drama My Dog Skip, starring Kevin Bacon, Diane Lane and Frankie Muniz, under the direction of Jay Russell.

For television, Hancock created the CBS series L.A. Doctors, on which he was an executive producer, director and writer. Later, he served as executive producer of the network’s drama series Falcone, also directing episodes.

Hancock most recently co-wrote the screenplay for the musical drama The Goree Girls, to star Jennifer Aniston. His upcoming films also include the drama Dead I Well May Be, which he wrote and is set to direct, and the fact-based Hurricane Katrina drama The American Can, which he is co-writing and will direct.

Hancock is currently an advisor at the Sundance Institute Screenwriting Lab.

ONLINE SALES CLOSE AT 2:30 THE DAY OF THE EVENT.

Ticket sales for all events are final. No refund, no transfer.

Special support provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Be Careful What You Post On Facebook

Ken Levine presents another example of why you should be careful when posting on FB and Twitter. If you learn nothing else from this blog...

Attention Graduate Students

I recently received the following question from a reader:

Do you have an opinion one way or the other about the value of getting a graduate degree in writing for film and tv? It seems like there's quite a few good quality programs at schools in the LA area, but I've gotten mixed feelings from working writers, some saying it's not necessary and a waste of money, while others think the education and connections you make are valuable. I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to apply or if I should devote my energies to pounding the pavement and working.

I'm currently writing a post in response to this question, but I'd like the opinions of other readers who attended grad school.  You can leave a comment on this post or, to comment anonymously, email me directly and I will repost your reply. 

Networking Events for Scriptwriters

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Founded in 1927 by 36 of the most influential men and women in the motion picture industry at the time, the Academy is an honorary membership organization whose ranks now include more than 6,000 artists and professionals.  Events open to non-members.

Academy of Television Arts and Sciences: Membership in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has privileges, and many of them. To start, members receive invitations to industry-related Academy events and seminars throughout the year, as well as a subscription to the award-winning EMMY magazine. Members are given the opportunity to join the Film Group at the current rate of $75.00 per year.  [Student membership available.]

American Film Institute: AFI is a national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media. As a non-profit educational and cultural organization open to the public, AFI relies on the generous financial support from moving arts enthusiasts like you to provide funding for its programs and initiatives. [Membership required to attend events.]

Film Independent's Indielink: Indielink is your opportunity to network and find the person you need to get your next project going. Held here at Film Independent, Indielink pairs you up with other industry professionals in a structured, yet informal setting. Indielinks are held 4-6 times a year, usually on the third Tuesday of the month and alternates with Shop Talk. [Film Independent membership required.]

Hollywood Writers' Office Assistants Social: Work in a Writers Office? Currently work as a writer in TV? Or working on a show? Want to meet other people like you? HWAS is the group for you.

JHRTS:  Jr. HRTS is the Junior Membership for the Hollywood Radio and Television Society. This junior society was created by Astrid Oviedo Miano, an assistant at Artists Television Group. In August of 2000, Astrid presented the idea of a Jr. HRTS to then HRTS president Tom Nunan. The idea was, and still is, a membership that is exclusive to the assistant through coordinator levels from any area in the entertainment industry especially assistants from television studios, networks, agencies and production companies. JHRTS Member benefits include lectures, roundtables, social events & networking, and community service events.  

Organization of Black Screenwriters (OBS): OBS is a non-profit organization committed to the development and advancement of African-American writers.  [OBS membership required.]

ScreenPlayLab: ScreenPlayLab is more than 4,000 upbeat film and television professionals helping each other succeed. 

Scriptwriters Network: The Scriptwriters Network is a non-profit organization of writers supporting emerging writers with knowledge about the entertainment industry. The Network hosts an assortment of programs to help writers in both the television and feature film mediums, including monthly meetings featuring notable guest speakers. [Membership required.]

The Writers Guild Foundation: The mission of the Writers Guild Foundation is to serve the community of writers and for writers to serve the community. Through our events, outreach programs, library and archive we strive to educate and inspire writers as well as to promote and preserve excellence in writing.  Events are open to the public.

Women In Film | Los Angeles: Women In Film’s purpose is to EMPOWER, promote and mentor women in the entertainment and media industries.  WIF recognizes the importance of developing pathways and opportunities to encourage current and future generations of women to explore and pursue careers in all fields of the entertainment industry.  WIF offers scholarships, internships, mentoring, networking events, screenings, speaker series, and more.  Members receive discounts on event admission, trade subscriptions, and various services.  

Writer's Room: The Writers Room was created with one specific goal in mind; provide a place where Writers can write.  To that end, we have taken great pains to create a wonderful zen atmosphere with all the accoutrement that Writers need.  The Writers Room is open to EVERYONE serious about getting some work done.   You don’t have to write alone.  It’s the perfect blend between the ubiquitous but loud coffee house and the lonely home office.  It’s the perfect answer for the Writer who craves solitude, but misses the occasional social atmosphere a work office setting provides.  It’s a home office, plus work office with a dash of coffee house rolled into one.  Events include lectures by working writers and industry professionals, as well as networking events. 

Descriptions provided by the organizations' official websites, as well as wga.org.

New Feature: HU's Scriptwriting Network

Over the past few months, I’ve been flooded with reference requests from HU readers seekings writing partners, roommates, and fellow scriptwriters interested in giving and receiving feedback on specs.   In an effort to match up compatible writers, I’ve created Hollywood University’s Scriptwriters Network. 

HUSN is similar to other social networking sites but features information regarding members’ writing experience.  Profile information includes agent and/or manager info, industry experience, current spec scripts, favorite TV shows, and more.  In addition, members can create and view roommate listings, networking events, members' contact info, and job listings.

HUSN is a work in progress, and I look forward to your feedback.  Please email me your suggestions at HollywoodUniversityBlog@gmail.com.

Click here to join HU’s Scriptwriter’s Network.

UPDATED: Reputable Scriptwriting Programs and Contests

I've updated HU's list of reputable scriptwriting programs and contests.  Thank you to Neely Swanson for the additional links!

A Note About THR and Variety Production Listings

While THR and Variety do provide online production listings, the listings DO NOT provide production office numbers; they instead provide the contact information for the show's production company, studio, and/or network. For those of you submitting your resumes, send your application materials to the PRODUCTION OFFICE, not to the production company, studio, or network. Production office numbers can be found (for a fee) at Below the Line Production Listings and Production Weekly.

Online Apps for Writers

OnlineUniversities.comhttp://www.onlineuniversities.com/ recently published a list of 100 Free and Useful Web Apps for writers.  Below are my favorites: 

Whiteboard: This site lets you create a sharable and editable online whiteboard.

LogMeIn: Using this site you’ll be able to access your home computer, and your writing, from anywhere.

eFax: Don’t have a fax machine? No problem. This site lets you send an email right to a fax.

FaxZERO: Here you’ll find a tool that lets you send a fax to anyone, anywhere for free.

David Mamet's Advice on How to Write Television

"DRAMA, AGAIN, IS THE QUEST OF THE HERO TO OVERCOME THOSE THINGS WHICH PREVENT HIM FROM ACHIEVING A SPECIFIC, ACUTE GOAL." - David Mamet

Thank you to Alex Epstein for this link:

MOVIE|LINE recently published David Mamet's memo to the staff of The Unit -- essential reading for television writers.

"ANY TIME TWO CHARACTERS ARE TALKING ABOUT A THIRD, THE SCENE IS A CROCK OF SHIT."

Tips on How to Write a Comedy Pilot

Read Ken Levine's tips on how to write a comedy pilot. Have I mentioned I heart Ken Levine? I do.

Television Events in LA & NY: The Paley Center For Media

Be sure to check out PaleyFest2010.  Upcoming panels include, Dexter, Breaking Bad, Glee, and Nurse Jackie, and more.

Script Formatting: (cont’d) vs. CONTINUOUS

John August clarifies...

Production Coordinator Job Opp

ATLANTIC TELEVISION – PRODUCTION COORDINATOR / FULL TIME, STAFF - SALARY + BENEFITS

Atlantic Television is seeking a full time, staff entry level Production Coordinator to join the company's growing national production coordination team. This entry level position is for someone with no more than three years of relevant television industry work experience. Recent college graduates and students graduating in May are encouraged to apply. This is a staff position, with benefits, based in Atlantic's offices in New York City.

The Production Coordinator will be responsible for seeing projects through from the initial client call to the sending of the final invoice. This is an office based position and duties will include hiring camera crews and other freelance production staff throughout the country, organizing the selection and delivery of a wide range of Atlantic's production equipment, arranging filming permits, booking hotels and transport, quoting clients, processing vendor invoices and invoicing clients.

We are looking for candidates who have the ability to work on multiple production projects simultaneously and who have first class written and verbal communication skills. The successful candidate must have a real passion for working in the television industry and be able to thrive in a fast paced environment. This position is ideal for someone who wishes to pursue a career in the area of production management in the television industry. Candidates must be based in New York City.

Atlantic Television is a national production services company that provides production support for several hundred broadcast and corporate communications projects every year in every major city in the country. The company provides high quality camera crews, additional production personnel and a wide range of camera, lighting and grip equipment to producers filming documentaries, reality shows, magazine programs, promos and corporate communications projects.
Atlantic's clients include many of the world's leading broadcasters, production companies and corporations.

For more detailed information about Atlantic Television please visit: www.atlantictv.com

Please e-mail to work@atlantictv.com a detailed cover letter explaining why you feel you would be specifically suited for this position along with a full resume.

HRTS Reality Television Panel

From THR:

The Hollywood Radio & Television Society will host the Hitmakers Cable Reality forum "Unscripted on Cable: The State of the Business"on April 21st at the Beverly Hilton.

HRTS Newsmaker Luncheon Series

The Hitmakers: Cable Reality

Wednesday, April 21
Reception 11:30am
Lunch/Program 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Live-stream 1:00pm (Viewable here: HRTS Online Video Central)

Moderator to be Announced

Invited Panelists:

Thom Beers, Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers
Mark Cronin, The Surreal Life, The Surreal Life
Jason Goldberg, Punk’d
Randy Jackson, Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew
Craig Piligian, Ghost Hunters, The Ultimate Fighter
Sally Ann Salsano, Jersey Shore, Tool Academy

The Beverly Hilton
9876 Wilshire Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Event Chair: Sean Perry, Co-Department Head of Alternative Television, WME Entertainment

Click here for more information.

How Hard is it to Get a PA Job on a Pilot?

A readers asks:

I have a question about getting staffed as an office PA. I've sent my resume to a bunch of pilots and haven't heard back. My question--is getting staffed an issue of timing, having connections, or simply luck? Many production offices haven't been set up yet, but they seem to get staffed up as soon as they are. Production companies don't take resumes before the production office is set up, so how do they get staffed just as quickly as their phone number is set up?

I consulted my friend, a production coordinator [whose job it is to hire PA's]:

On pilots, it's all about knowing someone. There are usually one or two recommendations from the writer, studio, or production company involved with the pilot.  Also, the production coordinator usually has a series [meaning, prior to the pilot, the PC worked on a series]; they would most likely take along their staff to the pilot. I haven't had to do PA interviews for a pilot in a long time. The pilots are usually quick and I generally like to honor the requests.

That said, I always encourage people to fax their resume and cover letter to every series and pilot in production.  While it's a long shot to get staffed, it does happen (it's how I got my first PA job). 

More importantly, take advantage of your connections. 

2010 Tribeca Film Festival

April 21st - May 2nd

Click here for more information.

ATAS College TV Awards

The College Television Awards is a nationwide competition recognizing excellence in college student produced video, digital and film production.  Click here to learn more.

(The application period for the 2010 College Television Awards is now closed, but keep this in mind for next year.)

The SXSW® Film Conference and Festival

For those of you in Austin:
SXSW® Film Conference and Festival

Emerson College

I received this wonderful email from Rob, an Emerson alum:

I was reading back through your blog and came across a post about schools that prepare you for the industry.  I'd like to recommend my Alma Mater, Emerson College in Boston.

I went to Emerson wanting to be a movie director and was impressed by the opportunities available and the size of the school, roughly 4,000 undergrads.  This meant that I would be getting a quality education without needing to worry about class sizes or availability of equipment.

I had many wonderful classes at Emerson, but I found that I learned the most outside of classes by participating in different clubs and student films.  I became involved with Emerson's annual award show, The EVVY Awards, the largest student-run, live-switch television production in the country, and was the head writer my junior year.  I also had the chance to get my work judged by industry professionals by submitting to the show, and had the chance to write scripts for celebrities to read for taped congratulatory messages to the winners and nominees.  There was a stress on professionalism with the organization, because we were constantly dealing with industry professionals.

During my junior and senior years, I decided to focus on writing and post-production, and I had many great teachers whom I learned a lot from.  Their teaching came from experience, as many of them have or still do work in the industry.  My television and film professor worked in LA for a number of years.  One of the highlights of the class was being able to talk to working writers via conference call.  He always ends his semesters with a lecture about making it in LA, and provides a lot of tips that I've read in your blog, such as the importance of connections and how to cold call a production office.  My editing professor edited a number of features, and recently made the cross into writing.  His first feature, Legion, recently was released.  I also had the chance to work with one of the executive producers of Friends and Emerson alum, who came to Emerson to teach for the past couple years.

One final selling point for me was Emerson's LA semester option.  Emerson was the first college to offer an "study abroad" option in Los Angeles, and many other colleges have followed suit.  Emerson is currently building a permanent LA campus on Sunset.  I did the program my senior year and really enjoyed it.  I took one class and interned at a post-production company.  It was a nice way to get a feel for the area and what working life is like.  The LA Times profiled Emerson's program in an article about a year ago: http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/06/local/me-lastudy6

If you have any questions about Emerson, please let me know.  I'd be happy to answer them.  Your blog has been extremely helpful to me as I start my search for work in television writing, and I'd love to give back any way I can.

If you'd like to recommend a school, email HU: HollywoodUniversityBlog@gmail.com.

Balancing Motherhood and Hollywood

A reader asks:

With a career, a family, and two writing occupations (script and blog) on your plate, do you have any tricks to time management?

Organization and communication.

And a perfect husband.  We I communicate throughout the day regarding appointments, meetings, and our boys' schedules, and we share a google calendar to make sure we don't double book or over book ourselves.

Also, I write down everything I need to remember -- make vet appointment; wash lacrosse uniform; charge camera battery for baseball.  EVERYTHING.

HU Reader Lands PA Job!

Congratulations to Danny, who landed a PA job on ABC Family's Make It or Break It!

Film And TV Events in LA: An Evening with Nurse Jackie

AN EVENING WITH NURSE JACKIE

MARCH 15, 2010

7:30 PM

Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre

5230 Lankershim Blvd.  

North Hollywood, CA, 9160

See map: Google Maps

Join castmembers and creatives of Nurse Jackie at Goldenson Theatre for a special behind the screen peek at this popular Showtime series.

Scheduled Panelists:
 

EDIE FALCO - as "Jackie Peyton"
MERRITT WEVER - as "Zoey Barkow"
PAUL SCHULZE - as "Eddie Walzer"
DOMINIC FUMUSA - as "Kevin Peyton"
ANNA DEAVERE SMITH - as "Sheldon"
PETER FACINELLI - as "Dr. Fitch Cooper"
STEPHEN WALLEM - as "Thor"

LINDA WALLEM - as Executive Producer/Creator
LIZ BRIXIUS - as Executive Producer/Creator
RICHIE JACKSON - as Executive Producer

Moderated by CYNTHIA LITTLETON, Deputy Editor, News Development for Variety

(Panelists/Participants subject to availability.)

Complimentary attendance for Television Academy members and one guest (non-transferable).
Membership card and ID are necessary for admittance. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis with reservation. Admission is not guaranteed. Parking is $4 per car.

Open to Membership in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences ONLY.   Student memberships available for $25.  Click here to join.

Temp Agencies

I've never temped, but I worked with several temps at Touchstone Television (now ABC Studios) that were hired full time.  Last week, I asked readers for recommendations and received listings for Friedman Agency and Co-Op Temp Services.  I found additional listings on The Hollywood Temp Diaries (left sidebar) and Hollywood Connect. 

To recommend an agency or share your temping experience, please email me or leave a comment on this post.

UTA Joblist

To view to the UTA Joblist, visit The Hollywood Temp Diaries. The blog includes a link to the current joblist (in the left sidebar) as well as the option to subscribe via email; contact TempX@tempdiaries.com  |  subject: "Subscribe me."

Happy Job Hunting!

Breaking In to Animation

A reader asks:

Is there a unique path for those that want to do animation?

I asked a friend of mine, who came up through the ranks of animation working as an art coordinator and then an executive assistant before getting his first shot at a script.   He recommends that if you are exclusively interested in animation, the best place to start would be with an entry level PA or assistant job at one of the big animation houses (Cartoon Network, Disney, Nickelodeon, etc.).

If you have advice to offer regarding breaking in to animation, please leave a comment on this post.

Film Foundation’s Film Finishing Fund

Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 grant cycle for the WIF Foundation Film Finishing Fund

The application period is March 23 - April 30, 2010, with winners notified August 15, 2010.

The Women In Film Foundation’s Film Finishing Fund (WIFF FFF) supports films by, for or about women by providing cash grants of up to $15,000 and in-kind services. The new grant cycle is currently open and WIFF FFF is accepting submissions. Filmmakers who are eligible can find more information through our online application. More...

Temp Agencies

YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS NEEDED.

I'm putting together a list of temp agencies that specialize in industry placement. Please email me your recommendations or leave a comment on this post.

HU Now On LinkedIn

Follow HU on LinkedIn.

Submit Your Question to HU

This month's posts will feature answers to questions submitted by blog readers.  Please submit your questions to HollywoodUniversityBlog@gmail.com.

March Madness

This month's schedule is proving to be overwhelming.  And it's only March 3rd.

(I think it's March 3rd...)

I have a pilot,  a pitch, and a pile of resumes and specs all clamoring for attention.  And pony baseball starts this weekend.

If you are awaiting my feedback on your material, thank you in advance for your patience.  I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Writing Contest Deadlines

For a complete list of reputable writing programs and contests, click here.  (Several programs have yet to update their websites to include this year's deadlines.)

Note: Relocation is required upon acceptance into most programs.


ABC Daytime Writer Development Program 
Applications accepted year-round

ABC New Talent Development Scholarship Grant Program

Visual Communications is currently accepting submissions for the 5th Annual ABC Talent Development Scholarship Grant Program. 

CBS Diversity Institute’s Writers Mentoring Program
Applications accepted March 1, 2010 - May 3, 2010 [postmarked]

Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting:
Early Bird Deadline:  April 1, 2010 (US $30 entry fee)
Regular Deadline:  May 1, 2010 (US $45 entry fee)

Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab:
Deadline for U.S. filmmakers: May 1, 2010 [postmarked]
Deadline for international filmmakers:  September 1, 2010 [postmarked]

The Guy A. Hanks and Marvin Miller Screenwriting Program:  
Applications accepted July 15, 2010 - September 15, 2010 [postmarked]

Warner Bros. Television Writers' Workshop:
Open for submissions May 1, 2010 - June 1, 2010 [postmarked]

Writer's Room Blogs

The writing staffs of several of shows now publish behind-the-scenes blogs.  (Grey's Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, etc.)  I recommend Eureka Unscripted from the writers of Syfy's Eureka.  The post A DAY IN THE LIFE - Ed Fowler, Writer's Assistant provides aspiring writer's assistants with a detailed description of the job.

What are your favorite behind-the-scenes blogs?

Donate Life Film Festival

To learn more, visit Complications Ensue: The Crafty TV and Screenwriting Blog.

Deadline Reminder: WB Writers' Workshop

The Workshop is open for submissions May 1 - June 1, 2010. Submissions must be postmarked by June 1, 2010 to be eligible. Click here for more information.