tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post8165741511564090019..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Getting started in show bizBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83307671668776581342017-03-19T11:00:05.499-07:002017-03-19T11:00:05.499-07:00In the beginning days, when you and Isaacs would g...In the beginning days, when you and Isaacs would get together at night or weekends to write your spec scripts, were you working on separate ones or together on just one? As a follow-up, what kept either of you cemented to finishing a spec script (being as they're not exactly 'flash fiction' in length) and not jumping off to another idea either of you had?Brad Aplinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06823802067857735916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-8319071785290436912017-03-19T10:59:51.667-07:002017-03-19T10:59:51.667-07:00Why not me? I'm not funny and talented. lolWhy not me? I'm not funny and talented. lolRalph C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12488657064245017543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-74921076478881424932017-03-17T08:24:54.723-07:002017-03-17T08:24:54.723-07:00ChipO... Don't discount 'Luck'.
Some...ChipO... Don't discount 'Luck'. <br />Some people call it 'Timing'<br /><br />Being at the right place at the right time. <br />Being in the right time relevantly to other others.<br /><br />Yogi Berra was one of the great catchers of all time. If he was born today, he wouldn't even make a big college team. At least, not as a catcher.<br /><br />Or an Ozzie Smith, may never get a chance to play SS, because team's are no longer using a "all glove, no bat" person.<br /><br />In entertainment, let's face it...Steve Buscemi is never going to get the same money or roles as a George Clooney, no matter how much of a better actor he is.<br /><br />In music, don't we always say... IF so-and-so were better looking, or sexier or 'whatever' they would be better known than so-and-so no-talent artist.<br /><br /><br />just sayin' :)<br /><br /><br />The Bumble Bee Pendanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782074071758250824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68783674470144217152017-03-16T19:25:21.727-07:002017-03-16T19:25:21.727-07:00Our Time - When's the first reading? Looking f...Our Time - When's the first reading? Looking forward to hearing about the progress.ChipOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78956520468735936112017-03-16T19:23:30.509-07:002017-03-16T19:23:30.509-07:00"Breaking into show business takes luck, tale..."Breaking into show business takes luck, talent, timing, connections, education, and desire."<br />I know all of three people in entertainment. Luck, pre-existing connections, and timing had very little with their success. Talent, education, and desire most definitely helped them to be in the right spot at the right time. All three started at the very bottom, and had a college degree complementary to their entertainment industry desire.<br />They are all friggin disgustingly rich now - all from the business. They were not born into it - they wanted it and they worked it and they were good at it and they succeeded.<br />So, in a way, "you (do) go to (entertainment U.) law school, get hired by a firm, and work your way up," Sure, there are some snowflakes who just got lucky (that's a bad pun with current terminology), but most bios of successful people show a lot of "little" jobs along the way, but each one another step up.<br />And ... same in any industry. Unless you're the boss' progeny, you're going to have to work at getting there, and if you want it, and if you are capable, then you quite likely will outlast everyone else. <br />The inspirational post will end here.ChipOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-90839414448040821312017-03-16T19:03:31.479-07:002017-03-16T19:03:31.479-07:00Another play on the horizon? That's great to ...Another play on the horizon? That's great to hear! As an east coaster, I've never been able to see any of your plays in person, but I thoroughly enjoy your updates on the progress and process of the plays you've written since I started following this blog so many years ago. I look forward to similar tales with OUR TIME.404https://www.blogger.com/profile/00064577649967514295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-52764105759607405012017-03-16T18:24:13.588-07:002017-03-16T18:24:13.588-07:00Funny - I always wanted to be Buddy Sorrell
Xwor...Funny - I always wanted to be Buddy Sorrell <br /><br />XwordzAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83968474019194380312017-03-16T14:46:03.853-07:002017-03-16T14:46:03.853-07:00That was extremely entertaining.
You said that ...That was extremely entertaining. <br /><br />You said that "DESIRE" is the goal. <br />To get started, yes.<br /><br />I think 1 and/or 2 things make someone successful in whatever field they are into:<br />Drive<br />Luck<br /><br />Not necessarily in that order. The Bumble Bee Pendanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782074071758250824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30664189078363282222017-03-16T13:55:15.600-07:002017-03-16T13:55:15.600-07:00As Gary noted, I wonder how many of us grew up wan...As Gary noted, I wonder how many of us grew up wanting to be Rob Petrie? Watching daily reruns of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" inspired both me and my wife/comedy writing partner, Laura. It made her want to become a singer/comedy writer like Sally and marry a tall, goofy comedy writer as Laura did, and it made me want to be a comedy writer like Rob and marry a hot chick named Laura. And we both accomplished those goals! Also, during a brief time when we were working in the Northeast, I rented a mailbox in New Rochelle, just so I could have that return address. Sadly, I couldn't get one on Bonny Meadow Road. Guess not all dreams come true. But at least, I'm not a robot. Pat Reederhttp://www.hollywoodhifi.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38560046103157432732017-03-16T13:54:59.926-07:002017-03-16T13:54:59.926-07:00Mike: My Nam stories would probably bore you. Mike: My Nam stories would probably bore you. Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-81917888262180448342017-03-16T13:44:44.281-07:002017-03-16T13:44:44.281-07:00Is it just me but your writing partner looks like ...Is it just me but your writing partner looks like Yogi Berra to me. But that's ok as Yogi had a real good sense of humor also.Barry Traylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14134880916215990198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4390264213160706702017-03-16T13:08:57.479-07:002017-03-16T13:08:57.479-07:00@VincentS
Short answer: yes
Longer answer: differe...@VincentS<br />Short answer: yes<br />Longer answer: different job, different guild<br />Longer-er / better answer: Ken's Wallynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7782491635129701312017-03-16T12:38:13.383-07:002017-03-16T12:38:13.383-07:00Friday Question: When a producer, writer, or cast ...Friday Question: When a producer, writer, or cast member of a show directs an episode do they get paid extra?VincentSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44644255179697920322017-03-16T11:05:05.587-07:002017-03-16T11:05:05.587-07:00Like so many young baby boomers in the 1960's,...Like so many young baby boomers in the 1960's, I'd have given anything to grow up to be Rob Petrie, writing jokes with Buddy and Sally for a big TV show. Alas, I had to settle for being the funny guy at the office, making wisecracks at marketing meetings to hear a few bored coworkers crack up. Luckily I can still live vicariously through your blog, Ken! Garynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-8782269977729338792017-03-16T10:52:08.873-07:002017-03-16T10:52:08.873-07:00Still eagerly awaiting Cap'n Bob's Tales f...Still eagerly awaiting <i>Cap'n Bob's Tales from The 'Nam.</i><br />With Cap'n Bob. Accept no imitations.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06248182899977033579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61526049041143066972017-03-16T09:31:35.110-07:002017-03-16T09:31:35.110-07:00There have been many fond remembrances of Stuart M...There have been many fond remembrances of Stuart McLean these past few weeks. From interviews to commencement speeches, radio to television appearances, he would encourage all to follow career dreams and goals - by citing his own rather unorthodox story.<br /><br />He joined the CBC in his twenties as a reporter. He joined Ryerson University (Toronto) as a journalism professor, also in his twenties. Steady work, a familiar presence, if not quite a household name. It was not until his mid forties that McLean began his "Vinyl Cafe" radio program, and even then only as a summer replacement series for a few years. "Vinyl Cafe", at that time a quiet, in-studio broadcast, the classic disc-jockey format with recorded music, McLean's written offerings, listener story exchanges. Gradually the show would expand to the year round weekly format, with live audience, live music, live story-telling.<br /><br /><br />It can take a while to reach that destination, that place where a person is really good at what they are doing, in love with what they are doing. Sometimes that place comes relatively later in life. A person can make it happen. Thank you for your example, Mr. McLean. Rest in peace, good sir.John Hammesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-69045361164366565882017-03-16T07:29:34.699-07:002017-03-16T07:29:34.699-07:00As someone trying to make the transition from copy...As someone trying to make the transition from copy editor to feature screenwriter (and still believing it's not yet too late to succeed), I look forward to your play (and podcast, when I get the opportunity to hear it). As Stevie Wonder sang in my favorite record of his, the underrated "Never Had a Dream Come True," "Keep on dreamin'!"VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.com