Jeffrey Lieber
@jefflieber.bsky.social
Screenwriter, showrunner, dad, playwright, progressive...over-user of ellipses. Film/Television/Dlysexia :)
A double beat is two separate moments that do the same thing. Like you want your character to feel guilty, but you have two scenes whose only purpose is to elicit that guilt. That's a double beat. You don't need both and the existence of both suggests you don't believe -- fully -- in either...
What exactly 'is' a double beat and is it something to avoid? Same for hat on a hat.
The plot of my current project is basically the main character being asked over and over again "are you sure you wanna keep going?" as circumstances get worse, and I'm not changing that, but I'd still like to know.
The plot of my current project is basically the main character being asked over and over again "are you sure you wanna keep going?" as circumstances get worse, and I'm not changing that, but I'd still like to know.
December 19, 2023 at 11:52 PM
A double beat is two separate moments that do the same thing. Like you want your character to feel guilty, but you have two scenes whose only purpose is to elicit that guilt. That's a double beat. You don't need both and the existence of both suggests you don't believe -- fully -- in either...
Write what you love and what makes you excited to sit down at the keyboard...and you'll figure the rest out later. Nothing is easy. NOTHING. And the biggest barrier to selling something is never finishing. So, if you have a passion, then write what you love in the worm it's usually aired and then...
Would it make sense to write a family movie in a 9 act structure in hopes of selling to the 'made for TV' market or is that really only a big thing for holiday/romance and thriller these days? I write a lot of family movies but I know those are near impossible to get made.
December 19, 2023 at 11:48 PM
Write what you love and what makes you excited to sit down at the keyboard...and you'll figure the rest out later. Nothing is easy. NOTHING. And the biggest barrier to selling something is never finishing. So, if you have a passion, then write what you love in the worm it's usually aired and then...
Concept A: Pick the network you think is most right for the subject matter, find a recent pilot made for that network and structure your pilot to match. Concept B: Choose a structure that most melds with your idea. Lots of twists...use act outs to make bigger. Subtler? Slower? Maybe no act outs.
Random one—if you were writing a pilot for yourself, would you prefer to write with commercial breaks in mind? Or without?
Or with all the streamers headed toward Cable Part Deux, should does personal preference even matter at this point?
Or with all the streamers headed toward Cable Part Deux, should does personal preference even matter at this point?
December 19, 2023 at 11:25 PM
Concept A: Pick the network you think is most right for the subject matter, find a recent pilot made for that network and structure your pilot to match. Concept B: Choose a structure that most melds with your idea. Lots of twists...use act outs to make bigger. Subtler? Slower? Maybe no act outs.
Got an hour to spare.
If you've got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this seems helpful...please pass it on.
If you've got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this seems helpful...please pass it on.
December 19, 2023 at 11:12 PM
Got an hour to spare.
If you've got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this seems helpful...please pass it on.
If you've got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this seems helpful...please pass it on.
I'll open this up to all since there have now been a billiony TV shows, but I'll say I started doing a rewatch of the West Wing and there was a palpable moment when Sorkin left and something just...broke...never to get fixed again.
Which TV shows had the most wildly variable writing, either in simple quality or by some other measure?
December 10, 2023 at 10:20 PM
I'll open this up to all since there have now been a billiony TV shows, but I'll say I started doing a rewatch of the West Wing and there was a palpable moment when Sorkin left and something just...broke...never to get fixed again.
The ink is not even dry on the conrac before someone from the AMPEEPEEP starts to strategize how to use incentives as weapons. "Hey, we'll give you a rate cut so you can start.a new thing..." which they never revisit even after the new thing is now the highest grossing part of the industry.
December 10, 2023 at 10:17 PM
The ink is not even dry on the conrac before someone from the AMPEEPEEP starts to strategize how to use incentives as weapons. "Hey, we'll give you a rate cut so you can start.a new thing..." which they never revisit even after the new thing is now the highest grossing part of the industry.
I mean...this is not my area of experience...and it probably depends on the comedy. The Full Monty was a pretty stellar piece of writing soup-to-nuts.
Ha! I was just about to ask if all/most comedies look like shit on the page. “In this film the protagonist has to win a golf tournament to save his grandmas house”
December 10, 2023 at 10:14 PM
I mean...this is not my area of experience...and it probably depends on the comedy. The Full Monty was a pretty stellar piece of writing soup-to-nuts.
Need more info. Like...played out? Or too complicated?
This might be vague but how do you know if a premise is stretched too thin?
Hope you're having a happy hannukah.
Hope you're having a happy hannukah.
December 10, 2023 at 10:03 PM
Need more info. Like...played out? Or too complicated?
Here's the problem: you'd still need a couple billion dollars to do something sustainable and the people who have a couple billion dollars are not creatives. So, something small...for a project here or there...totally, but to take the things back from the assholes means we'd need our own asshole.
What are the chances of reviving the UA idea of creative-owned-and-led production and distribution for writers, actors, and musicians?
December 10, 2023 at 10:00 PM
Here's the problem: you'd still need a couple billion dollars to do something sustainable and the people who have a couple billion dollars are not creatives. So, something small...for a project here or there...totally, but to take the things back from the assholes means we'd need our own asshole.
Reposted by Jeffrey Lieber
What are the chances of reviving the UA idea of creative-owned-and-led production and distribution for writers, actors, and musicians?
December 10, 2023 at 9:57 PM
What are the chances of reviving the UA idea of creative-owned-and-led production and distribution for writers, actors, and musicians?
That's a SUPER hard question to answer, because once a movie is made the version that originally sold sort of disappears into the ether. But know there's the version that you sell and the version that you make and they are often very, very different.
What's the worst screenplay you can think of that was still made into a good movie?
December 10, 2023 at 9:54 PM
That's a SUPER hard question to answer, because once a movie is made the version that originally sold sort of disappears into the ether. But know there's the version that you sell and the version that you make and they are often very, very different.
Got an hour to spare. If you've got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this seems helpful to you, please pass it on.
Fire away and if this seems helpful to you, please pass it on.
December 10, 2023 at 9:48 PM
Got an hour to spare. If you've got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this seems helpful to you, please pass it on.
Fire away and if this seems helpful to you, please pass it on.
Reposted by Jeffrey Lieber
Flying across America. Have a moment. Let's play.
You got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this is useful to you, please pass it on.
You got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this is useful to you, please pass it on.
November 26, 2023 at 12:15 AM
Flying across America. Have a moment. Let's play.
You got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this is useful to you, please pass it on.
You got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this is useful to you, please pass it on.
No. A great log line and a great pilot and a SHORT, smart bible that explains season one and where the show is going/ends (and 5 pages is a good place to START with this)...should be enough to learn if people are interested. If they are...you'll do the rest of the work, but also...
If someone has an idea for a series, beyond writing an exceptionally solid pilot, and maybe starting a series bible, what else should be done before you even try to show it to someone (agent or exec) in the industry?
November 26, 2023 at 1:39 AM
No. A great log line and a great pilot and a SHORT, smart bible that explains season one and where the show is going/ends (and 5 pages is a good place to START with this)...should be enough to learn if people are interested. If they are...you'll do the rest of the work, but also...
Yes. We all do. Every step forward I've had was based on a connection I made, none of which I had when I got to LA. High tide raises all boats and we all benefit from people we know succeeding.
I hate making any sort of ask of a friend. HATE it. But I probably need to get better at it.
November 26, 2023 at 1:36 AM
Yes. We all do. Every step forward I've had was based on a connection I made, none of which I had when I got to LA. High tide raises all boats and we all benefit from people we know succeeding.
One has to balance the two side by side, such that you can be friends with people and know you MUST ask for help from the people who are your friends and understand that if they can't help it's not because they're not friends and hope they have the ability to be honest with you.
It's not easy.
It's not easy.
It's like, I get that the most important part of this business is being able to sell yourself as "the guy" (or whatever gender identifier) who can make the story work but, and I'm sure I've said it before, the line between networking and friendship makes either feel impossible.
November 26, 2023 at 1:19 AM
One has to balance the two side by side, such that you can be friends with people and know you MUST ask for help from the people who are your friends and understand that if they can't help it's not because they're not friends and hope they have the ability to be honest with you.
It's not easy.
It's not easy.
Well they hopefully go -- This is who I am and who are you and this is what I've done and what I want to do and what do you do, please tell me stories. And if that goes well it ends with...thank you for your time, I'll grab the check and I'd love to keep in contact and let me know...
So there's always the push for, "come out to LA, invite everyone you can to get coffee and make friends and learn and whatnot".
How do those... meetings? Friend dates? How do those get togethers usually go?
How do those... meetings? Friend dates? How do those get togethers usually go?
November 26, 2023 at 12:52 AM
Well they hopefully go -- This is who I am and who are you and this is what I've done and what I want to do and what do you do, please tell me stories. And if that goes well it ends with...thank you for your time, I'll grab the check and I'd love to keep in contact and let me know...
Yes, but both those shows were seen as successes so some part of the culture was saved. There are also the cases where shows are actively changing artistic directions, though in this day and age...they kinda just cancel the thing.
The Gilmore Girls transfer of power vs the Community transfer of power?
November 26, 2023 at 12:50 AM
Yes, but both those shows were seen as successes so some part of the culture was saved. There are also the cases where shows are actively changing artistic directions, though in this day and age...they kinda just cancel the thing.
No real onus, but there are two very different kinds of transfers. 1: Old Showrunner moves on from long running show. Often person who takes over is picked to maintain most of the culture. 2: New Showrunner brought on 'cause Network/Studio fire old one. Part of the mandate is to change the culture.
Random one, but one I think about sometimes:
When a show changes hands (showrunners), is there any onus on the new showrunner(s) to follow the previous administration's plans for said show overall?
Or is it blank slate as much as possible? Or is the whole thing far more gray than that?
When a show changes hands (showrunners), is there any onus on the new showrunner(s) to follow the previous administration's plans for said show overall?
Or is it blank slate as much as possible? Or is the whole thing far more gray than that?
November 26, 2023 at 12:36 AM
No real onus, but there are two very different kinds of transfers. 1: Old Showrunner moves on from long running show. Often person who takes over is picked to maintain most of the culture. 2: New Showrunner brought on 'cause Network/Studio fire old one. Part of the mandate is to change the culture.
Flying across America. Have a moment. Let's play.
You got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this is useful to you, please pass it on.
You got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this is useful to you, please pass it on.
November 26, 2023 at 12:15 AM
Flying across America. Have a moment. Let's play.
You got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this is useful to you, please pass it on.
You got questions about writing for TV/FILM...I -- might -- have answers.
Fire away and if this is useful to you, please pass it on.
Reposted by Jeffrey Lieber
Universities offering screenwriting graduate degrees are essentially printing free money in exchange for a piece of paper that should say "you are now qualified in writing a screenplay for a grade."
Graduate degrees typically require you to demonstrate more than 1/2 competence in a field.
Graduate degrees typically require you to demonstrate more than 1/2 competence in a field.
November 21, 2023 at 7:17 AM
Universities offering screenwriting graduate degrees are essentially printing free money in exchange for a piece of paper that should say "you are now qualified in writing a screenplay for a grade."
Graduate degrees typically require you to demonstrate more than 1/2 competence in a field.
Graduate degrees typically require you to demonstrate more than 1/2 competence in a field.
This…
(The only difference is that no one sites five paragraph form as if it — itself — we’re an active formula to make the art form.)
(The only difference is that no one sites five paragraph form as if it — itself — we’re an active formula to make the art form.)
You think Save the Cat might be the scriptwriting equivalent of five-paragraph form? Like, we were all taught in middle school to follow it as a formula, and it produced dreck, but when we grew up, we realized that there was real value in understanding the *format* while avoiding the *formula*?
November 21, 2023 at 5:40 AM
This…
(The only difference is that no one sites five paragraph form as if it — itself — we’re an active formula to make the art form.)
(The only difference is that no one sites five paragraph form as if it — itself — we’re an active formula to make the art form.)
You absolutely positively do not need any accredited skills training to work in film/tv. What we do is mostly craft and the very best experience is in going the work. Being smart and rounded is SUCH a plus, but no one will ever ask to see your diploma.
Can students right out of college get any jobs at all that will help them make it into writing for TV or film? Or do they need MFAs and other jobs first?
November 21, 2023 at 5:38 AM
You absolutely positively do not need any accredited skills training to work in film/tv. What we do is mostly craft and the very best experience is in going the work. Being smart and rounded is SUCH a plus, but no one will ever ask to see your diploma.
Do you still love it? If so, wipe it clean, reconstruct it and see what remains. If you don't still love it...deeply...write from your new self.
How do you get back into the right mindset for a project you started long ago when you were a different person?
November 20, 2023 at 9:05 PM
Do you still love it? If so, wipe it clean, reconstruct it and see what remains. If you don't still love it...deeply...write from your new self.
That is optimistic, but there are SO MANY outsized costs that can only be controlled through scale...it's hard to imagine building a sustaining independent market. What would be better is if the people who bought into entertainment but actually hate entertainment...would get out.
Do you think there will be an indie boom in an effort to not work with some of the AMPTP studios?
November 20, 2023 at 9:03 PM
That is optimistic, but there are SO MANY outsized costs that can only be controlled through scale...it's hard to imagine building a sustaining independent market. What would be better is if the people who bought into entertainment but actually hate entertainment...would get out.