Ben Blacker
@benblacker.bsky.social
The Writers Panel // Cut+Run: http://bit.ly/CutRunAudible // Hex Wives: http://bit.ly/HWtrade // Thrilling Adventure Hour // Dead Pilots Society
Re:Writing: benblacker.substack.com
Re:Writing: benblacker.substack.com
Reposted by Ben Blacker
To me, my X-Mas!
December 25, 2025 at 12:48 PM
To me, my X-Mas!
Reposted by Ben Blacker
A Proposal for All Parents Worldwide
Santa Opens It Up
YouTube video by Varietopia with Paul F. Tompkins
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 12:23 AM
A Proposal for All Parents Worldwide
Reposted by Ben Blacker
Once when we wanted to show the ineffectual dithering of The Good Place Committee, we had one of them say, "There are rules, procedures. This is The Good Place -- we can't just *do stuff.*" We almost didn't include it, because we thought it was a little on the nose.
WELKER: Massie and Khanna say they are looking at options including impeachment and contempt for DOJ officials. Would you support those steps?
KAINE: I think that's premature
KAINE: I think that's premature
December 21, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Once when we wanted to show the ineffectual dithering of The Good Place Committee, we had one of them say, "There are rules, procedures. This is The Good Place -- we can't just *do stuff.*" We almost didn't include it, because we thought it was a little on the nose.
Reposted by Ben Blacker
We don't need the Epstein files to inform us that Donald Trump sexually assaulted women. In May 2023, a jury found him liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll. Another 28 have accused him of groping and/or forcing himself on them. Bondi should've just released all the files. 1/2
December 20, 2025 at 1:44 AM
We don't need the Epstein files to inform us that Donald Trump sexually assaulted women. In May 2023, a jury found him liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll. Another 28 have accused him of groping and/or forcing himself on them. Bondi should've just released all the files. 1/2
Last Writers Panel of the year is a great one. Writer/director CRAIG BREWER (Song Sung Blue; Hustle & Flow) on dreamers, making a narrative out of a documentary, non-musical musicals, the beauty of “Save As,” the Faustian bargain of making art + lots more
benblacker.substack.com/p/craig-brew...
benblacker.substack.com/p/craig-brew...
December 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Last Writers Panel of the year is a great one. Writer/director CRAIG BREWER (Song Sung Blue; Hustle & Flow) on dreamers, making a narrative out of a documentary, non-musical musicals, the beauty of “Save As,” the Faustian bargain of making art + lots more
benblacker.substack.com/p/craig-brew...
benblacker.substack.com/p/craig-brew...
Reposted by Ben Blacker
Virginia Heffernan wrote this shortly after the 2016 election and it still holds true
December 16, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Virginia Heffernan wrote this shortly after the 2016 election and it still holds true
Linda Holmes sums up so much of what we loved about Reiner and his films, an enormous part of which is the enormous amount of love in them.
For me it was When Harry Met Sally… which I saw too young and which defined “adult relationships” for me for good and for… misguided.
It’s perfect.
For me it was When Harry Met Sally… which I saw too young and which defined “adult relationships” for me for good and for… misguided.
It’s perfect.
December 16, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Linda Holmes sums up so much of what we loved about Reiner and his films, an enormous part of which is the enormous amount of love in them.
For me it was When Harry Met Sally… which I saw too young and which defined “adult relationships” for me for good and for… misguided.
It’s perfect.
For me it was When Harry Met Sally… which I saw too young and which defined “adult relationships” for me for good and for… misguided.
It’s perfect.
Reposted by Ben Blacker
Reposted by Ben Blacker
I wonder if calculators had only been invented 3 years ago, we'd be seeing a lot of statements along the line of "these computers can both understand and speak in math, the universal language! They're thinking about math, they're really thinking about it!"
December 14, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I wonder if calculators had only been invented 3 years ago, we'd be seeing a lot of statements along the line of "these computers can both understand and speak in math, the universal language! They're thinking about math, they're really thinking about it!"
Reposted by Ben Blacker
The horrific tragedy at Brown University is the 389th mass shooting this year and the 230th gun incident on school grounds so far this year.
This is not normal and we don't have to live this way.
bradyunited.org
@bradyunited.org
This is not normal and we don't have to live this way.
bradyunited.org
@bradyunited.org
December 14, 2025 at 1:04 AM
The horrific tragedy at Brown University is the 389th mass shooting this year and the 230th gun incident on school grounds so far this year.
This is not normal and we don't have to live this way.
bradyunited.org
@bradyunited.org
This is not normal and we don't have to live this way.
bradyunited.org
@bradyunited.org
Reposted by Ben Blacker
so far tonight msnbc has interviewed two students from brown university that are also survivors of separate high school shootings.
insanity.
insanity.
December 14, 2025 at 1:28 AM
so far tonight msnbc has interviewed two students from brown university that are also survivors of separate high school shootings.
insanity.
insanity.
Reposted by Ben Blacker
Put in the work building relationships. Asking for advice is a good start. Work hard, be kind, be nice, demonstrate your abilities, and you can ask for more. If you have a big ask, think about the cost to the person you’re asking. And remember: you only get a few asks, so use them wisely!
🧵17
🧵17
December 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Put in the work building relationships. Asking for advice is a good start. Work hard, be kind, be nice, demonstrate your abilities, and you can ask for more. If you have a big ask, think about the cost to the person you’re asking. And remember: you only get a few asks, so use them wisely!
🧵17
🧵17
Reposted by Ben Blacker
Someone in a tv show just ran a BLENDER and then said “I’m so sorry, did I wake you??” Yeah dude you turned on a fruit lawnmower.
December 13, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Someone in a tv show just ran a BLENDER and then said “I’m so sorry, did I wake you??” Yeah dude you turned on a fruit lawnmower.
Reposted by Ben Blacker
Hey, I know time’s are tough, so it’s all there for free, but if you’re looking to spend a few dollars on #bandcampfriday, I can always use the support!
tedleo.bandcamp.com
tedleo.bandcamp.com
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists
tedleo.bandcamp.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Hey, I know time’s are tough, so it’s all there for free, but if you’re looking to spend a few dollars on #bandcampfriday, I can always use the support!
tedleo.bandcamp.com
tedleo.bandcamp.com
A great chat w @iambennydrama7.bsky.social for today's Writers Panel about the fun and horny OVERCOMPENSATING, creating an authentic coming-out story, translating his stand up to a TV pilot, gray areas, inhabiting characters, the state of TV comedy + more.
benblacker.substack.com/p/benito-ski...
benblacker.substack.com/p/benito-ski...
December 2, 2025 at 6:42 PM
A great chat w @iambennydrama7.bsky.social for today's Writers Panel about the fun and horny OVERCOMPENSATING, creating an authentic coming-out story, translating his stand up to a TV pilot, gray areas, inhabiting characters, the state of TV comedy + more.
benblacker.substack.com/p/benito-ski...
benblacker.substack.com/p/benito-ski...
Reposted by Ben Blacker
"oh, don't forget to highlight, in bright red, the two-letter word in the tagline! the two letter word that's kind of the whole point of this clever ad campaign! the two letter word that links this show to the horror movie of the same name!"
"no problem boss. i'm on it"
"no problem boss. i'm on it"
November 29, 2025 at 8:51 PM
"oh, don't forget to highlight, in bright red, the two-letter word in the tagline! the two letter word that's kind of the whole point of this clever ad campaign! the two letter word that links this show to the horror movie of the same name!"
"no problem boss. i'm on it"
"no problem boss. i'm on it"
November 28, 2025 at 9:41 PM
One. Hundred. Percent.
“Be very wealthy” would be more honest advice
November 27, 2025 at 12:30 AM
One. Hundred. Percent.
Reposted by Ben Blacker
Starting your holiday shopping? Check this thread for independent artists to get amazing things from!
Let's support each other, not billionaires!
Let's support each other, not billionaires!
It's the time of year again -- time to do your holiday shopping from independent artists. It's more important than ever to support people actually making stuff!
If you're an artist or craftsperson of any kind, please reply to this with what you make and a link to your store and I'll share it!
If you're an artist or craftsperson of any kind, please reply to this with what you make and a link to your store and I'll share it!
November 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Starting your holiday shopping? Check this thread for independent artists to get amazing things from!
Let's support each other, not billionaires!
Let's support each other, not billionaires!
A LOT of this going around.
Took out a show in early 2023 to ProdCo’s. Multiple producers fought to grab it. Then, the strike happened. Afterwards, all those producers were like “We can’t now. Too much of a risk if it’s not coming from a showrunner.”
🤷🏽♀️
🤷🏽♀️
November 26, 2025 at 4:52 AM
A LOT of this going around.
This thread. Also: at my (upper/mid) level, all I'm hearing is "make your own thing." I've been doing that for 20 years. It's been a nice way to supplement my scattered income from selling scripts. But to make something, you need to pay the people helping you (at a certain point). So, who funds it?
Said with love but there is a tone deafness in the "just write your spec!" advice that seems to be totally ignored in the current climate.
It works if you're repped. If reps are taking new clients. If places are buying A LOT. If rooms are staffing unknowns/lower levels. If not? It's a platitude.
It works if you're repped. If reps are taking new clients. If places are buying A LOT. If rooms are staffing unknowns/lower levels. If not? It's a platitude.
November 25, 2025 at 5:56 PM
This thread. Also: at my (upper/mid) level, all I'm hearing is "make your own thing." I've been doing that for 20 years. It's been a nice way to supplement my scattered income from selling scripts. But to make something, you need to pay the people helping you (at a certain point). So, who funds it?
Yes. The writing is not the problem these days. It’s the fear of buying/development the studios/nets seem to have, it’s the lack of opportunities; the town feels like it’s been shut down since LAST October. And we only had about 2 good weeks before then.
It's good practice, absolutely. And it's good to have an arsenal of samples when the time eventually comes (if it ever comes!) But to continue to insist that if we just write something GOOD ENOUGH someone will SEE US is at a certain point, absolutely ignoring the industry's current failures.
November 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Yes. The writing is not the problem these days. It’s the fear of buying/development the studios/nets seem to have, it’s the lack of opportunities; the town feels like it’s been shut down since LAST October. And we only had about 2 good weeks before then.
Reposted by Ben Blacker
Again, I get it. WRITING is in fact the key to success as a writer. PLEASE continue to writer your specs! Write everything you can when you can. But remember if you're a budding writing right now, a lost lower level, current or pre WGA these are unprecedented times. YOU aren't the problem.
November 24, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Again, I get it. WRITING is in fact the key to success as a writer. PLEASE continue to writer your specs! Write everything you can when you can. But remember if you're a budding writing right now, a lost lower level, current or pre WGA these are unprecedented times. YOU aren't the problem.
On today's Writers Panel @edgarwright.bsky.social + co-writer Michael Bacall talk THE RUNNING MAN: adapting @stephenking.bsky.social 's novel, writing readable scripts, learning from past experiences, world-building, Glen Powell as secret weapon + more.
Links: benblacker.substack.com/p/the-runnin...
Links: benblacker.substack.com/p/the-runnin...
November 18, 2025 at 7:50 PM
On today's Writers Panel @edgarwright.bsky.social + co-writer Michael Bacall talk THE RUNNING MAN: adapting @stephenking.bsky.social 's novel, writing readable scripts, learning from past experiences, world-building, Glen Powell as secret weapon + more.
Links: benblacker.substack.com/p/the-runnin...
Links: benblacker.substack.com/p/the-runnin...
Reposted by Ben Blacker
I have the most wonderful story for you all today: baby alligator spotted in Charles River, then immediately rescued by local reptile enthusiast
November 14, 2025 at 4:10 AM
I have the most wonderful story for you all today: baby alligator spotted in Charles River, then immediately rescued by local reptile enthusiast