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andrewpwoodberry

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Status Updates posted by andrewpwoodberry

  1. Do you get notes saying your dialogue doesn't sound real? Read and learn from transcripts. I'm reading this FBI one of leaker Reality Winner, which is getting turned into an Off-Broadway play soon! https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000015e-c5e7-ddab-a57f-cfe7d5b50002

    1. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      BTW - If your notes say you need to work on your action lines... practice with the linked transcript by adding the currently non-existent action lines.

    2. palostick

      palostick

      Thanks Andrew, this is brilliant. Plus Reality Winner has got the best name ever for a national security whistleblower...

    3. aphid47

      aphid47

      That's a great idea!

  2. TBS comedy execs are running laps around HBO these days. What happened?

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. Nic.Lishko

      Nic.Lishko

      I think the problem is Lena Dunham is what HBO thinks is funny.

    3. Icarus

      Icarus

      Y'all are crazy! Have you seen Barry?

    4. egerst

      egerst

      Agree. HBO is under the impression that the rest of the country is as fascinated by the struggles of creative professionals trying to make it NY/LA as creative profesionals in NY/LA are.

  3. There's a lot you can learn about serialized tv writing -- and how important "incident" is -- just by reading this timeline of stuff that's happened on This is Us http://www.vulture.com/2018/01/this-is-us-chronological-timeline.html

  4. For those interested in the nuances of telling a good story, check out this week's series in the LA Times on an Orange County relationship gone bad. Perfect example of storytelling that gets you to lean in and find out what happened next. http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-dirty-john/

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. benskelly2

      benskelly2

      Thanks for both, Andrew. This is the kind of thing that I love for writers to share on here. Appreciate it.

    3. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      Most of Pilar's podcasts are really great. This one I heard over the weekend I found particularly good for beginning comedy tv/film writers: http://onthepage.libsyn.com/523-the-comic-heros-journey

    4. rwe15

      rwe15

      Yeah, that was pretty wild. Did 4 and have to finish it.

  5. Fall network tv season officially starts today. I'll start a section in chit-chat in case anyone still has a TV that gets those channels.

    1. mebishop2001

      mebishop2001

      Have to admit I'm looking forward to THIS IS US. Need a good cry to melt my cold heart.

    2. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      Yeah, I like that show too. I know it's manipulating me, but it does a good job of that. Plus casting is A+ on the show.

    3. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      I've updated through today. No horrible freshman ratings yet. Only Good Doctor, Young Sheldon have really exceeded though. Typical network season so far in a post-cable world.

  6. Hope NBC renews Trial & Error tomorrow. Should do a Crocodile Dundee 2, and have the group's next case be in NY.

    1. Show previous comments  1 more
    2. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      Yeah, but they're reportedly making Timeless more family-friendly/lighter in tone. So it won't really be the same Timeless. (perhaps better though!)

    3. Reader George

      Reader George

      I felt like Timeless got a bit too cute integrating historical events. I understand it was the conceit, but to me the execution was off. Maybe it should've been a darker Netflix/Hulu/AZprime show instead.

       

    4. Nic.Lishko

      Nic.Lishko

      I didn't mind the somewhat light hearted fair, not every show has to be dark (though i'm told otherwise)

       

  7. If want to write network pilots, you should be reading Ashish's Runway Series every Thursday for the next 4 weeks: http://www.tracking-board.com/the-runway-your-2017-pilot-survival-guide-nbc-dramas/

    1. Show previous comments  4 more
    2. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      Kinda fun to also follow Deadline's "buzz" articles. By the end of pilot season, Nellie basically just lists every pilot as likely to get picked up. http://deadline.com/2017/04/pilots-2017-more-early-buzz-1202071998/

    3. aphid47

      aphid47

      I've always enjoyed reading the runway articles.

    4. lauriestark

      lauriestark

      Ooh awesome, thanks!

  8. Since it's pilot filming season, here's a great video from Michael Tucker on why Breaking Bad is the perfect pilot

    1. Nic.Lishko

      Nic.Lishko

      Great resource, thanks!

    2. palostick

      palostick

      Excellent, thanks Andrew

       

  9. The annual Top 25 Films video by David Ehrlich always gets me excited again for movies https://vimeo.com/194508152

    1. lauriestark

      lauriestark

      Thanks for sharing this!

  10. Great article on why This is Us is doing well, Nielsen-wise http://www.vox.com/2016/11/29/13769520/this-is-us-ratings-nbc

    1. Show previous comments  1 more
    2. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      I thought your review was very solid. It was hard to anticipate an actual audience existed for light drama + Milo's butt driving Facebook shares + Voice lead-in. Expect imitators this pilot season.

    3. Nic.Lishko

      Nic.Lishko

      It's a good show. Cheesey, yes, but quite good. And it massively fills that Parenthood, Friday Night Lights gap

    4. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      The ability to thematically tie in the flashbacks to present day is a great engine for the show. Lot to be proud of on that writing staff.

  11. Kind of an interesting read on how producers approach movies: https://thearcmag.com/what-its-like-to-be-a-movie-producer-edca96967123#.5pyy7a99f

    1. SLEnt

      SLEnt

      As a producer, I completely agree!

       

  12. I'm starting to sound like a TBS flack, but I'm really loving Search Party. This + People of Earth are right in my wheelhouse.

    1. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      BTW - Show is not for everyone. If you don't like Girls, you might want to stay away from this one.

    2. GlitterKitty

      GlitterKitty

      Agreed! Both have sharp writing, great casts, and feel wholly original. (BTW, my BF loathes GIRLS, but SEARCH PARTY is something he's totally in to.)

    3. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      Kinda sad more people aren't talking about this show. Maybe if it was on Netflix? Or maybe my commercial sensibilities are off (my favorite show from last year was Big Time in Hollywood, FL)

  13. Fun Fact: If you ever go on Done Deal Pro, the Forum with the most eyeballs is always Agents, Lawyers & Managers. People want to look for easy answers outside of themselves.

    1. Show previous comments  4 more
    2. axalon
    3. egerst

      egerst

      I think that's a great point. I actually left a writers group too because all we ended of doing was talking about different ways to 'land' an agent or mngr. I am of the mind that's so secondary all we really should be talking about is how we can improv as writers.

    4. sometimeaftertwoam

      sometimeaftertwoam

      That forum is nothing but whiners complaining about not being able to break in. This forum is the most nourishing place I've found yet. None of the negativity of that hell hole.

  14. People of Earth on TBS is a 10/10 for me. Great fit for the network. Pilot is up on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1mTImmx6Jk

    1. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      If you have Xfinity, eps 2 and 3 are already up Xfinity Go.

  15. Yes! Current War might edge out other Westinghouse-Edison project after all: http://deadline.com/2016/09/michael-shannon-benedict-cumberbatch-current-war-weinstein-company-1201828220/

    1. Nic.Lishko

      Nic.Lishko

      ALRIGHT ALRIGHT I'LL READ THE DANG THING. (love your commentary in the thread btw)

    2. conktails
    3. sbbn

      sbbn

      Great script, glad to see it's going into production.

  16. Atlanta has the best writing on television currently. Sad we have to wait 51 weeks to see if it will win the Emmy for comedy writing.

    1. Show previous comments  4 more
    2. osg

      osg

      Feels like I've been pleasantly surprised by a bunch of comedy lately, but maybe I'm just late to the game (that's the likely answer). Atlanta, Better Things, Fleabag, High Maintenance...

    3. Penelope

      Penelope

      I feel like the writing on this season of Halt and Catch Fire is better than Atlanta but I am enjoying both.

    4. axalon

      axalon

      This latest episode of Halt was great

  17. It's a slooow burn, but HBO's The Night Of is engrossing. Watch the pilot for all the great setups that will be paid off later.

    1. Show previous comments  8 more
    2. sbbn

      sbbn

      The 5th amendment right against self-incrimination includes the right to not have a prosecutor try to insinuate guilt from silence or requesting counsel.

    3. axalon

      axalon

      Very interesting. Especially the part about refusing to talk never being brought up in court. Seems like it's always insinuated in movies and television just how bad you'll look for requesting a lawyer.

    4. sbbn

      sbbn

      Yeah, the right against self-incrimination and the right to counsel are huge so anything that even begins to challenge exercising them (e.g., refusing to talk or requesting an attorney) doesn't come in. And if the prosecutor tries to slip it in, that's grounds for mistrial or being overturned on appeal. It's a very serious thing that police/prosecutors shouldn't mess with.

  18. Not for everyone, and incredibly depressing, but James White is streaming on Netflix now. Great movie.

    1. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      Christopher Abbott should be (will be?) the next Mark Ruffalo. Such a natural and emotive actor.

  19. Finally watched Room on Amazon Prime. Great story, wonderful acting. On the script side, master class in set ups and payoffs (the bad tooth, the long hair, "i pick for both of us", the shed)

    1. GlitterKitty

      GlitterKitty

      Totally agree with you. The book is a good read as well.

  20. I'm really enjoying the Off-Screen Podcast. Two intelligent guys summarizing & reviewing some of the most notable spec scripts that have sold in recent years. http://www.ospodcast.com

  21. Not sure how long this will last, but Black Irish Books is allowing people to download Steven Pressfield ("War of Art")'s new book "Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh--" for free here http://shop.blackirishbooks.com/pages/nobody-wants-to-read-your-sh-t-download

    1. Show previous comments  3 more
    2. kittyketchup

      kittyketchup

      Hey, thanks!

       

    3. palostick

      palostick

      Read the first 30 pages. It's excellent, thanks for the heads up, Andrew.

       

    4. ChristianSavage

      ChristianSavage

      I'm a little late, but thanks, Andrew! Big War of Art fan, so I'm excited to read this. :-)

  22. Showtime is streaming Cameron Crowe's Roadies pilot for free https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwYCA7dbqJ8

    1. sbbn

      sbbn

      Enjoyed it but I was surprised that the gun scene was played for humor and presented so nonchalantly. With all that has gone on in the last few years, that type of things just doesn't feel very funny anymore.

    2. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      I didn't hate it. But I found some characters to be shallow/cliche & way too much pontificating instead of actual conversations. Would have been interesting to see same concept attempted as half hour comedy. Hour felt too long.

    3. sbbn

      sbbn

      @andrewpwoodberry, great comments and I agree with all of them. Especially about some of the characters feeling too cliche and stereotypical.

  23. I don't quite understand the economics of movie making. So many of the movie packages selling at Cannes seem non-commercial, despite the strong talent involved. Would love a comprehensive breakdown of $ paid at Cannes vs. foreign pre-sales recouped vs. box office performance.

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. Nic.Lishko

      Nic.Lishko

      Wait wait, go back to the other status about ABC. They literally cancelled every show I watched on that channel. WTF

    3. andrewpwoodberry

      andrewpwoodberry

      Only Nashville surprised me. They screwed Castle by firing Stana Katic & Agent Carter's ratings were sagging. Unlike CBS/Supergirl, no secondary channel for ABC to show Agent Carter on + Hayley Atwell had Conviction in first position regardless.

    4. Nic.Lishko

      Nic.Lishko

      Still. I loved Galahad (I know, I know, shhhhh) and Agent Carter. Was just disappointed to see em die.

  24. AV Club reminded me how much I love the Aliens in America tv show. Here's the pilot script for other fans: http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/Aliens_In_America_1x01_-_Pilot.pdf

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