UC Execs Reveal True Values

The recent revelation that 36 UC execs have called on President Yudof to “do the right thing” and allow their pensions to go beyond the IRS...

WGF Presents THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT Screenwriters at Ca Brea Restaurant

Warm up your January with some hot writers at Ca Brea Restaurant when the Writers Guild Foundation presents: LISA CHOLODENKO AND STUART BLUM...

Rating the Raters: The LA Times Tries to Defend the UC System

In its December 17th Editorial on the UC system, the LA Times unintentionally highlighted in one paragraph much of what is wrong with our hi...

Regents Rubber Stamp Fake Future

At a special meeting on December 13th, the UC regents voted to endorse the Commission on the Future’s final report and the new pension plan...

UCLA Embraces Growth, but there is a Catch

In an Inside Higher Ed article , I argued that the way out of the current financial problems facing American universities is to increase und...

UCLA’s Neoliberal Path

Neoliberalism is centered on the belief that free markets can regulate themselves, and so it is unnecessary to have large government program...

The Regents Take a Strong Stance Against Free Speech and Shared Governance

Before the UC Regents voted on another fee increase, several of them voiced their concern for the future. One Regent bemoaned the role of s...

Fox Movie Channel's LIFE AFTER FILM SCHOOL and WRITER'S DRAFT

For behind-the-scenes video interviews with writers, check out Fox Movie Channel's LIFE AFTER FILM SCHOOL and WRITER'S DRAFT series....

Blogroll: Neely Swanson's NO MEANER PLACE

I used to (naively) think the key to selling a pilot was writing a good script.  I've since learned that a good script is only one of m...

Ken Levine's Comedy 101

Check out Levine's free lessons in television scriptwriting.

How to Get an Agent

There are two ways to land an agent in Hollywood.  The first is through a connection.  If you, personally, know an agent, you can ask them t...

Hate the New IMDB Layout?

If you hate the new layout of IMDB, John August has the answer: LESS IMDB.

The UC's Path to Financial Suicide

Due to three actions taken by the Regents, the University of California is headed towards a total financial meltdown. These three actions a...

A Note On Food Allergies

As a PA, it is often your job to not only pick up lunch (and make sure you have the correct, complete order before leaving the restaurant) b...

Interview with SKYLINE Co-writer Liam O’Donnell

Via BU Today : BU Alum Hits the Big Time with Skyline Writer’s first feature film debuts tonight By Amy Laskowski    Skyline is in theater...

What it Takes to Become a Writer

A reader asks: What do YOU think it takes to be (or become) a good writer? And statistically speaking, what is the median age of a writer wh...

Copyrighting Question

What if your script is based off a real person and you're waiting for permission from their estate before submitting your script? Could...

Does Jessica Alba Adlib Her Lines?

Jessica Alba is Elle Magazine's December cover girl.  She's quoted as saying:  “Good actors, never use the script unless it’s amazin...

A Note On Query Letters

A great post from Alex Epstein : I recently finished a film and I'm ready to put it out there. As it is a very specific niche film, I...

Why Does It Take Hollywood So Long to Respond to an Email?

Unfortunately, there's a growing trend among Hollywood professionals to ignore emails. Agents, executives, and the like receive hundred...

Pitch Festivals

I've received several emails asking my opinion on pitch festivals. I've never attended a pitch festival, nor has anyone I know. If...

UC-AFT Election Analysis

The most positive aspect of the 2010 election is that Meg Whitman did not win and proposition 25 passed, which means that a simple majority ...

Personal News... and other links...

I apologize for my unexpected hiatus from blogging, but I'm thrilled to announce that my husband, Warren Bell , and I sold a pilot to Ni...

A Response to the Commission on the Future’s Final Recommendations

Since the regents are supposed to be discussing the Commission on the Future’s recommendations at their November 16-18 meeting, it is import...

The CRY HAVOC Company's OPEN WORKSHOP SERIES

The CRY HAVOC Company, Inc. is a not-for-profit theater company in New York City. Led by Artistic Director Kitt Lavoie, CRY HAVOC is co...

Why Options A, B, and C are Bad

While it looks like some senate faculty leaders and members are planning to support the new proposed Option C for the future pension plan, i...

Unions Respond to Proposed Pension Changes

A coalition of UC unions has put together a set of shared principles regarding the UC pension system (UCRP). We plan to present the followi...