Friday, January 5, 2018
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Monday, September 28, 2015
The Future of Television
THE FUTURE OF TELEVISION
Standard
Yes, we are in the golden age of television. Never in the history of television has there been this much original content being produced. Never in the history of television has there been this many channels and ways to watch content. As a writer, producer and director, never has there been this many opportunities. You would think this would be a wonderful thing. But unfortunately, where there is boom, there will be bust. It’s time for the industry to take a pause and try to avert a potential disaster that may be lurking. Let’s remember what happened when banks gave mortgages to everyone. 2008. Look at what’s currently happening in the energy sector around the world. It’s cratering. Supply and demand rules everything, even the film and television industry. Although it may take some time for this reality to come home to roost for the entertainment industry, it eventually will. People can’t keep up and consume the amount of new content that is being made and distributed. So maybe now is a good time for the television industry to take stock of itself. Instead of quantity, focus on quality. Hire more writers onto higher quality shows to sustain what works. Maybe then we can avoid the slowdown I fear. Or maybe I will be wrong. I hope the latter is the case.
Salvatore Stabile
Saturday, July 11, 2015
The Task of Writing
Whether you've decided to write a television show, a film, a book, or anything for that matter, now begins the toughest part. Here is a little secret that every successful writer will tell you; all writers hate to actually write. We will do anything to procrastinate. We will do laundry, cook, clean, run errands, any trivial chore that prevents us from actually sitting down in the chair in front of your computer. So don't fret, you are not alone if you are feeling that way.
Writing is like no other job in the world. You can't just write because you've set a time to do it. I mean, I guess you can, but I've always found my worst writing comes when I force myself to do so. If you want to be disciplined about writing, the best thing you can do is to write when you feel the urge. I know that advice is hard, but trust me. You will be the most fruitful and prolific when you feel it. It's like going to the bathroom. Bad analogy I know, but you don't go sit on a toilet and hope something comes if you are not feeling it. That would be an immense waste of time. Well, forcing yourself to write will be the same.
What do you do? You have your idea, your characters, you're ready to write your script, but you can't seem to find the inspiration during the time you've assigned yourself. My recommendation is to pay attention to the time of day YOU DO find yourself inspired. Pay attention to the temperature, the lighting, the mood. Did it happen after you did yoga? Or did inspiration oddly strike when you are most stressful and need a break from that stress. Some people love to write in crowded, noisy coffee shops. Just go to any Starbucks in Los Angeles and you will see what I mean. Then again, some people need absolute silence. So, the next step as a writer is to identify the habits and conditions that inspire you to write and try to make that a ritual.
Lastly, never get frustrated with the amount or quality of your work. I have written twenty pages in a day and none of them were good or usable. Then again, I've written one page in a day and it was the most imaginative work I had ever done. There is a famous saying, "Writing is rewriting." So, if you think your work is going to be flawless after one draft, think again. Before I even show anyone a script I go through 10-15 drafts of it. Writing a script can take days, weeks, months or years. There is never any rhyme or reason, which is why it is so important to write what you know and what you are interested in. Otherwise, it will become a chore, just like the other chores you do before you actually write.
- Sal Stabile
Writing is like no other job in the world. You can't just write because you've set a time to do it. I mean, I guess you can, but I've always found my worst writing comes when I force myself to do so. If you want to be disciplined about writing, the best thing you can do is to write when you feel the urge. I know that advice is hard, but trust me. You will be the most fruitful and prolific when you feel it. It's like going to the bathroom. Bad analogy I know, but you don't go sit on a toilet and hope something comes if you are not feeling it. That would be an immense waste of time. Well, forcing yourself to write will be the same.
What do you do? You have your idea, your characters, you're ready to write your script, but you can't seem to find the inspiration during the time you've assigned yourself. My recommendation is to pay attention to the time of day YOU DO find yourself inspired. Pay attention to the temperature, the lighting, the mood. Did it happen after you did yoga? Or did inspiration oddly strike when you are most stressful and need a break from that stress. Some people love to write in crowded, noisy coffee shops. Just go to any Starbucks in Los Angeles and you will see what I mean. Then again, some people need absolute silence. So, the next step as a writer is to identify the habits and conditions that inspire you to write and try to make that a ritual.
Lastly, never get frustrated with the amount or quality of your work. I have written twenty pages in a day and none of them were good or usable. Then again, I've written one page in a day and it was the most imaginative work I had ever done. There is a famous saying, "Writing is rewriting." So, if you think your work is going to be flawless after one draft, think again. Before I even show anyone a script I go through 10-15 drafts of it. Writing a script can take days, weeks, months or years. There is never any rhyme or reason, which is why it is so important to write what you know and what you are interested in. Otherwise, it will become a chore, just like the other chores you do before you actually write.
- Sal Stabile
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Where to begin - "What do I write about?"
So you've decided you want to be a writer. You've read a few books on screenwriting, or television writing. Now begins the daunting task of actually writing your first script. Before you begin thinking about agents, money and winning prestigious awards, you first have to fill 120 blank pages with a compelling drama or comedy; 60 if it is a 1 hour TV drama pilot, 30 if it's a comedy pilot.
What do you write about? That's the first question all writers face. Are you a funny person? If so, comedy may be your ticket. Do you love watching intense thrillers? If so, maybe that is a genre you should consider. First, I suggest making a list of what you think the 10 best films and TV shows are according to your taste. That should give you a good indication of what genre you may want to consider writing. If you list 20 comedies, don't go try to write a slasher film because you think it might be easier to sell.
There is a simple way to answer the question, "What do I write about?" Here are a few rules and suggestions that may help.
1) Always try to write about what you know, an experience that has happened to you, or a subject or characters you know intimately. Doing so will be an easier process, and your knowledge of the world will show on the page and lure your reader in. Writing about what you know will always produce a better script.
2) Do not write anything that you think can easily be sold. The truth is, in this business, nothing is easily sold. Even great writing sits on shelves for decades.
3) Write about something that interests you. Do not write a children's movies if you really don't like watching them at all, or if you have no experience with children. It will show.
4) Once you decide a concept and the genre you want to write (ie. a slapstick comedy, a drama, a thriller, a sport's movie, a horror film, etc.), learn the rules of writing that particular genre. Pick up a good book about genre writing and the rules of what makes each genre really work at its core.
5) Be original. Be exciting. Be bold. If a reader can guess what is going to happen in your story, or if the main characters are mundane, you are doing yourself a disservice. Movies and television shows are about people and situations that are out of the ordinary and take you on a journey that an audience will never get to go on.
With this in mind, make a list of 5-10 ideas or characters. Chat with friends and families. Pitch them your stories and characters. You will know when people are genuinely interested. Use those around you to help you decide what is the most compelling subject to write about. Once you have that idea, or that character, well then the true work begins.
What do you write about? That's the first question all writers face. Are you a funny person? If so, comedy may be your ticket. Do you love watching intense thrillers? If so, maybe that is a genre you should consider. First, I suggest making a list of what you think the 10 best films and TV shows are according to your taste. That should give you a good indication of what genre you may want to consider writing. If you list 20 comedies, don't go try to write a slasher film because you think it might be easier to sell.
There is a simple way to answer the question, "What do I write about?" Here are a few rules and suggestions that may help.
1) Always try to write about what you know, an experience that has happened to you, or a subject or characters you know intimately. Doing so will be an easier process, and your knowledge of the world will show on the page and lure your reader in. Writing about what you know will always produce a better script.
2) Do not write anything that you think can easily be sold. The truth is, in this business, nothing is easily sold. Even great writing sits on shelves for decades.
3) Write about something that interests you. Do not write a children's movies if you really don't like watching them at all, or if you have no experience with children. It will show.
4) Once you decide a concept and the genre you want to write (ie. a slapstick comedy, a drama, a thriller, a sport's movie, a horror film, etc.), learn the rules of writing that particular genre. Pick up a good book about genre writing and the rules of what makes each genre really work at its core.
5) Be original. Be exciting. Be bold. If a reader can guess what is going to happen in your story, or if the main characters are mundane, you are doing yourself a disservice. Movies and television shows are about people and situations that are out of the ordinary and take you on a journey that an audience will never get to go on.
With this in mind, make a list of 5-10 ideas or characters. Chat with friends and families. Pitch them your stories and characters. You will know when people are genuinely interested. Use those around you to help you decide what is the most compelling subject to write about. Once you have that idea, or that character, well then the true work begins.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Becoming a Television Writer
As television quickly becomes the choice medium for storytellers in the film industry, there has been a rush of writers abandoning the once sexy world of writing for the big screen. They are all now defecting to the small screen.
When I started in the business 20 years ago, even the mention of working in television was looked down upon. Things have change in a grand way. No longer is film the desired medium among aspiring writers in Hollywood. With studios producing fewer films, opting only to make content that has the potential to be a franchise, it is harder than ever to make a living as a screenwriter. However, with more profitability, cache and opportunity available in the television business, no wonder writers are abandoning film in droves and focusing their attention on telling stories for TV.
With that said, becoming a writer for television has never been more difficult. All of a sudden, people are writing spec pilots everywhere you turn, every producer in Hollywood is flooding the market with an abundance of pitches and agencies are looking to have all of their clients working in both mediums. Even though there have never been more content providers making original programming, working in television has become more competitive than ever.
And so, I am writing this blog for every young writer who has asked me, "How do I get into the television industry?" My blogs will provide a glimpse into the television business, suggest ways aspiring writers can get actually make it and offer insight on what to expect once you do get a break and find yourself sitting in a writer's room on a television show. - Salvatore Stabile
When I started in the business 20 years ago, even the mention of working in television was looked down upon. Things have change in a grand way. No longer is film the desired medium among aspiring writers in Hollywood. With studios producing fewer films, opting only to make content that has the potential to be a franchise, it is harder than ever to make a living as a screenwriter. However, with more profitability, cache and opportunity available in the television business, no wonder writers are abandoning film in droves and focusing their attention on telling stories for TV.
With that said, becoming a writer for television has never been more difficult. All of a sudden, people are writing spec pilots everywhere you turn, every producer in Hollywood is flooding the market with an abundance of pitches and agencies are looking to have all of their clients working in both mediums. Even though there have never been more content providers making original programming, working in television has become more competitive than ever.
And so, I am writing this blog for every young writer who has asked me, "How do I get into the television industry?" My blogs will provide a glimpse into the television business, suggest ways aspiring writers can get actually make it and offer insight on what to expect once you do get a break and find yourself sitting in a writer's room on a television show. - Salvatore Stabile
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