Colby Day
@colbyday.com
screenwriter (Spaceman, In the Blink of an Eye) and TV writer (For All Mankind) and also I guess writer of other things
Hollyweird.colbyday.com
Hollyweird.colbyday.com
Thank you! Extremely jazzed!
October 21, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Thank you! Extremely jazzed!
He’s one of the best around!! Thanks guys!
October 20, 2025 at 8:34 PM
He’s one of the best around!! Thanks guys!
can’t wait to make something insane
October 20, 2025 at 7:57 PM
can’t wait to make something insane
Anyway, that's the answer!
More thoughts about juggling on my newsletter (which is free) and feel free to hit me up (as always) with any and all screenwriting craft and career questions.
I love talking about this stuff!
More thoughts about juggling on my newsletter (which is free) and feel free to hit me up (as always) with any and all screenwriting craft and career questions.
I love talking about this stuff!
October 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Anyway, that's the answer!
More thoughts about juggling on my newsletter (which is free) and feel free to hit me up (as always) with any and all screenwriting craft and career questions.
I love talking about this stuff!
More thoughts about juggling on my newsletter (which is free) and feel free to hit me up (as always) with any and all screenwriting craft and career questions.
I love talking about this stuff!
If you want to copy my development slate process and make your own, I went ahead and created a link to a free development template that you can copy and customize to your heart's content! docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Development Slate Template
docs.google.com
October 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
If you want to copy my development slate process and make your own, I went ahead and created a link to a free development template that you can copy and customize to your heart's content! docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Here's what my current development slate looks like, if we're only looking at the "active" projects. Meaning, things I could expect to get an email about this week. How many things are "active" right now? I'd say 8-9. Is that sustainable? I don't think so!
October 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Here's what my current development slate looks like, if we're only looking at the "active" projects. Meaning, things I could expect to get an email about this week. How many things are "active" right now? I'd say 8-9. Is that sustainable? I don't think so!
Then there are all the other active but not currently being written projects.
It's easier to juggle several of these at once than several writing projects. Talking to agents/managers, discussing ideas with producers, trying to help craft an edit, raising money, all feel easier to multitask.
It's easier to juggle several of these at once than several writing projects. Talking to agents/managers, discussing ideas with producers, trying to help craft an edit, raising money, all feel easier to multitask.
October 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Then there are all the other active but not currently being written projects.
It's easier to juggle several of these at once than several writing projects. Talking to agents/managers, discussing ideas with producers, trying to help craft an edit, raising money, all feel easier to multitask.
It's easier to juggle several of these at once than several writing projects. Talking to agents/managers, discussing ideas with producers, trying to help craft an edit, raising money, all feel easier to multitask.
How do you balance having all of these happening at once?
Well, rarely are you WRITING all of these things at once.
My ideal workload is a sort of one in, one out method. On any given day I would ideally be focused on only one active writing project, while having the next one waiting on deck.
Well, rarely are you WRITING all of these things at once.
My ideal workload is a sort of one in, one out method. On any given day I would ideally be focused on only one active writing project, while having the next one waiting on deck.
October 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
How do you balance having all of these happening at once?
Well, rarely are you WRITING all of these things at once.
My ideal workload is a sort of one in, one out method. On any given day I would ideally be focused on only one active writing project, while having the next one waiting on deck.
Well, rarely are you WRITING all of these things at once.
My ideal workload is a sort of one in, one out method. On any given day I would ideally be focused on only one active writing project, while having the next one waiting on deck.
I am putting more things “on hold” rather than in active development. There are only so many movies that a person can direct.
October 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I am putting more things “on hold” rather than in active development. There are only so many movies that a person can direct.
I am also currently at a bit of an inflection point in which I am no longer just writing, but writing for me to direct.
Over the last couple years this has meant the number of new original ideas I’m actively pursuing has gone down, because I need time and energy and the ability to focus.
Over the last couple years this has meant the number of new original ideas I’m actively pursuing has gone down, because I need time and energy and the ability to focus.
October 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I am also currently at a bit of an inflection point in which I am no longer just writing, but writing for me to direct.
Over the last couple years this has meant the number of new original ideas I’m actively pursuing has gone down, because I need time and energy and the ability to focus.
Over the last couple years this has meant the number of new original ideas I’m actively pursuing has gone down, because I need time and energy and the ability to focus.
But you can’t just chase paid work. I also always try to have at least one unpaid, spec project I’m working on. If you're just chasing writing assignments, you can spend a year plus working towards getting hired only to find that you got no jobs, AND, worse, you have no new work samples.
October 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
But you can’t just chase paid work. I also always try to have at least one unpaid, spec project I’m working on. If you're just chasing writing assignments, you can spend a year plus working towards getting hired only to find that you got no jobs, AND, worse, you have no new work samples.
Always have TWO paid jobs, and NEVER spend the money from the first one until you have already been paid at least part of the fee for the second one.
October 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Always have TWO paid jobs, and NEVER spend the money from the first one until you have already been paid at least part of the fee for the second one.