tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17813352.post114734589242118153..comments2023-10-11T03:32:43.592-06:00Comments on Fencing With the Fog: Scripted SpontaneityMaryAn Batchellorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02465966881051431143noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17813352.post-1147699519506694872006-05-15T07:25:00.000-06:002006-05-15T07:25:00.000-06:00I had a panic attack early last year when I though...I had a panic attack early last year when I thought an opportunity was slipping past me. Then, I got some good advice from a highly respected and much beloved professional screenwritr who said, "What you're doing here is a bit of a mistake -- you're thinking in a 'subtractive' sense rather than an 'additive' sense. In other words, you're focused on what you think you're losing."<BR/><BR/>Which is? Nothing! If you don't have it to begin with, you can't lose it.<BR/><BR/>Of course, there was more to it than that but the point is that like you say, Dave, it's not a lottery.MaryAn Batchellorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02465966881051431143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17813352.post-1147663637670711302006-05-14T21:27:00.000-06:002006-05-14T21:27:00.000-06:00I suspect part of the panic with writers getting t...I suspect part of the panic with writers getting those studio/producer, etc. phone calls is that it's "the big opportunity". Perhaps it just takes having FU money that Joe Esterhaus spoke of years ago to calm the nerves.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps wannabe screenwriters don't think of themselves as professionals as much as they do lottery players. If you put in the time to study and write, it's a job like anything. Part of being a professional is being prepared and staying calm.<BR/><BR/>The notes are a great idea to keep you on target and centered.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03018882789781019000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17813352.post-1147445613214545112006-05-12T08:53:00.000-06:002006-05-12T08:53:00.000-06:00Technically, I don't watch Southpark. I think it's...Technically, I don't watch Southpark. I think it's mostly contemptably bigoted word vomit. But I HEAR it when my older sons have it on in the den which is only when my youngest isn't home. If the little guy is home, the grown sons have to watch Southpark in their rooms. <BR/><BR/>BUT, now and then, Southpark is just brilliant and I am envious of the minds that wrote it -- like with the Towlie stuff and one I saw recently called the Dog Whisperer which made laugh so hard, I thought I'd cracked a rib!MaryAn Batchellorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02465966881051431143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17813352.post-1147440510880465912006-05-12T07:28:00.000-06:002006-05-12T07:28:00.000-06:00Last week I participated in the Nielson ratings --...Last week I participated in the Nielson ratings -- filling in one of those TV Diary's. Logging who watched what and when. One night my husband said, "You're not going to tell them we watch SOUTH PARK, are you?"<BR/><BR/>Ha! That ought to skew the demographics a bit.cmwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10582955125941259290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17813352.post-1147408358896315052006-05-11T22:32:00.000-06:002006-05-11T22:32:00.000-06:00My pitch mantra:THE ESSENCE OF THE STORY...only......My pitch mantra:<BR/><BR/>THE ESSENCE OF THE STORY...<BR/><BR/>only...the minutiae ARE the enemy. Fun to trot out in the aftermath.<BR/><BR/>chrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17813352.post-1147385448372319842006-05-11T16:10:00.000-06:002006-05-11T16:10:00.000-06:00I lived the first 36 years of my life in Canada, t...I lived the first 36 years of my life in Canada, the last four here in Tornado Alley. It is a whole other concept putting on running shoes and heading for the local shelter up the street in quarter sized hail and sideways rain... you have big storms down hereAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com