What an amazing group of posts...I'm speechless. It's gratifying to see that the process works, that this medium can be used to such good effect. Something that has always been important to me is de-mystifying the process. Lee mentioned somewhere uptopic that the on-line stuff has been going on for a long time, across various shows, from RGBs and Power through Zone and now to this. To de-mystify writing, Harlan writes in bookstore windows...I do this.
I just got a private note today (oh, and speaking of notes, just address hard-copy mail to my name; it's a private mailing address, not a studio) from one fellow who just managed to get a development deal with a studio. It ain't big, but it's a start...and because of the discussion here, and elsewhere over the years, he has a better idea of what to expect, and how to prepare.
This is an extremely tough business to crack. And the largest part of the problem is just getting accurate information. When I came to LA originally, I didn't know squat, and a long time _ a LONG time _ was wasted, time I now very much regret losing, because I just didn't fully or accurately understand How Things Worked. If this process can make the entry easier for another writer, or de-mystify what happens behind the screen, then all the better.
And, selfishly, it has been great to get the input, to hear the questions, especially those I can't answer...because down the road you just KNOW that that question will come up eventually, and better to be hit with it now than blindsided later on. It's a rewarding, fascinating and challenging exchange. I suspect that a LOT of shows would be considerably improved for this kind of direct communication.
Oh, yeah...and re the newsletter...if you ask Christy nice, I'm sure she'll send you the back issue. Tell her I said it was okay.
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