tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post8668953471040518788..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: A follow-up to yesterday's post on Spec ScriptsBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19114035336006849902012-09-05T07:01:33.643-07:002012-09-05T07:01:33.643-07:00In this fast-paced world connected by technologica...In this fast-paced world connected by technological advancement in communication, the World Wide Web has been the greatest tool in getting information across the world. Going online in pursuing college degrees could offer amazing benefits and advantages for many people compared to the conventional way. <a href="http://betteronlinedegrees.com/online-bachelor-degrees/engineering-degrees/petroleum-engineering-degrees/" rel="nofollow">Click here</a> for the details.garywackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15073786751425259658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38149126405021935282012-02-13T11:51:38.970-08:002012-02-13T11:51:38.970-08:00Dear Ken,
I remember you from my days as the GSM ...Dear Ken,<br /><br />I remember you from my days as the GSM at KMPC from '76 - '84. I am a good friend of your father, Cliff. You have really made a good name for yourself in comedy and Sports Broadcasting. You replaced an old friend, Dave Niehaus. I am sure he would be proud of the work you are doing.<br /><br />I spent many years in radio as VP/GM of KLAC/KZLA and also XTRA and KOST FM. <br /><br />After radio I started a travel marketing company called Travel Related Marketing. I am also developing word games for the iphone and the ipad. If you like word games, I think you will love my newest game, "Vowel Movement". It is a cross between Boggle and Scrabble with several strategic differences. My new game has been approved by Apple.<br /><br />Here is the link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vowel-movement/id495500647?ls=1&mt=8<br /><br />I think it is the best new word game since "words with friends". You can challenge other players on Facebook or via email.<br /><br />There is much strategy in the game in which you make words from 2-6 letters long (there is a QU tile) on a 25 grid square.<br /><br />There are 50 alphabet letters and 4 wild tiles. The wild tiles and vowels can be moved at any time. The consonants can not be moved once you hit play.<br /><br />Try it, it's fun and challenging, but not too hard.<br /><br />Continued success <br />.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Norman EpsteinNorman Epsteinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66433818363838513022012-01-11T06:02:50.530-08:002012-01-11T06:02:50.530-08:00On the Animation question: While MANY of the peopl...On the Animation question: While MANY of the people at the studios I worked at have been idiots, I understand why they frowned on using outside writers. Most writers who are not cartoonists don't think of the visuals when they write, so you end up with 2 characters standing around a room talking, which is boring in animation. On the best animated pieces, the visuals and story are developed at the same time. Often a formal script for the actors to read isn't written up until after the storyboard is finished.<br /><br />Admittedly, I have never worked on any of the prime-time animated sitcoms like, THE SIMPSONS or FAMILY GUY. I'm sure on shows like that, that are more like traditional sitcoms, "regular" writers work as well, if not better, than cartoonists.<br /><br />Ken, even though you basically called me an idiot, I love the blog and will continue to read it. If I ever get my own show produced, I will even read your spec script.Bill Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00231144346597143968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-84101115391560385462012-01-10T18:12:29.654-08:002012-01-10T18:12:29.654-08:00A great series of posts. Thanks for them!A great series of posts. Thanks for them!Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3182722597186863212012-01-10T16:39:18.211-08:002012-01-10T16:39:18.211-08:00I realized I have a Friday question, thanks to Me ...I realized I have a Friday question, thanks to Me TV...why was it determined that B.J. Hunnicut needed a 2-part episode to introduce him, but only a single episode for Sherman Potter?Paul Ducanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30844212341549950772012-01-10T15:37:57.644-08:002012-01-10T15:37:57.644-08:00just one thought on your follow up comment -- i wo...just one thought on your follow up comment -- i would think that writing a spec script is a good exercise to keep the mind sharp, even if you're not hurting for work.DyHrdMEThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621011643939597497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64334756774317074082012-01-10T13:04:29.511-08:002012-01-10T13:04:29.511-08:00Very informative follow-up!Very informative follow-up!Franknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16125793699658280482012-01-10T10:38:55.419-08:002012-01-10T10:38:55.419-08:00Here's a question:
You mentioned earlier that...Here's a question:<br /><br />You mentioned earlier that at the end of the day, it's best to have two sample scripts: One spec, and one original pilot.<br /><br />If I have a spec that I wrote by myself, and an original piece I wrote with a partner, are there any problems that arise with both of these being part of the same submission package to an agent, producer, etc. (either submitting as an individual, or as a team?)David Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-81129021406852647072012-01-10T10:18:25.495-08:002012-01-10T10:18:25.495-08:00David Schwartz: I have a similar story. In the mi...David Schwartz: I have a similar story. In the mid-90s, the supervising producer of a top ten drama series suggested I team up with a friend of mine and write a one-hour spec as a writing sample. The idea was that he'd give us notes and help us get it into shape so we could land one of the few open assignments on his show (a fledgling team having a better shot than a solo newbie).<br /><br />So my friend and I wrote the spec and turned it in. The producer called me within a few days and spent two hours going over the script with a fine-tooth comb, making suggestions both detailed and general, mostly of a practical nature, designed to set our work apart from the average wannabe and land that assignment.<br /><br />I was thrilled -- great notes, and pretty simple to execute. I called my co-writer and told him everything. Instead of being thrilled, he was incensed. Who the hell was this producer to tell us how to write? He refused to do the rewrite. Since we had written it together, I couldn't just do the rewrite, take his name off and pass it off as my own. So that was the end of that.jbryantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-74057705765020483942012-01-10T09:31:00.886-08:002012-01-10T09:31:00.886-08:00Ken,
This is for a Friday question: You’ve mention...Ken,<br />This is for a Friday question: You’ve mentioned a couple of times doing an un-credited re-write for <i>Jewel of the Nile</i>. I’m curious about that, mainly as it pertains to the ability to add it to your resume. Assuming only known writers would be asked to do a re-write, I suspect there’s enough Kevin Bacon-esque connections that it would be easily verified should it come up. But, well, does it come up? Why was it un-credited (your call or theirs)?SeanKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25006568021522052072012-01-10T08:02:21.340-08:002012-01-10T08:02:21.340-08:00I'm taking a slightly different approach. I&#...I'm taking a slightly different approach. I'm actually making my original pilot comedy in animation software (basically pre-viz software), using voice actors. I figure this is a much better way to get noticed...but it sure takes a long time to make. Set design, cinematography, lighting, sound design...I'm spending all my time learning about things other than writing.Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17970641911241417692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64979430416237098512012-01-10T07:40:12.581-08:002012-01-10T07:40:12.581-08:00Thanks for the praise, Ken. I look back on my day...Thanks for the praise, Ken. I look back on my days trying to break into sitcom writing during the 80's and reflect on my efforts, accomplishments and sometimes, my supidity. Like the time Peter Casey was gracious enough to read a script I'd worked on and give notes. Here's a guy who's a showrunner and acclaimed writer, and after getting his notes I decided I KNEW BETTER and didn't rework the script. What was I thinking? My common sense must have taken the day off that week. Even if I didn't agree with his notes at the time (ah, the joys of being youthful and stubborn), did I not think to myself, "This guy's a showrunner and could possibly GIVE ME WORK?" Just thinking about it makes me wince. Anyway, looking at the big picture I've had a pretty successful writing career (in spite of myself sometimes), but it's so interesting to look back at the small choices that may have made a large impact.David Schwartzhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ2W6VoCrSwnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14837366815489772362012-01-10T06:48:49.831-08:002012-01-10T06:48:49.831-08:00Thanks for sharing, I have no interest (or talent)...Thanks for sharing, I have no interest (or talent) in writing scripts but I'm facinated by the process and enjoy reading about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-41273993053366477772012-01-10T06:43:10.559-08:002012-01-10T06:43:10.559-08:00Off topic, which group of potential bidders of the...Off topic, which group of <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Roy-Disney-family-mulls-bid-to-buy-Dodgers-010912" rel="nofollow">potential bidders of the LA Dodgers</a> would you prefer, and why?Roger Owen Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05298172138307632062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88058582889062263212012-01-10T06:09:40.986-08:002012-01-10T06:09:40.986-08:00As someone currently working on a Happy Endings sp...As someone currently working on a Happy Endings spec and a comedy pilot, your last few posts have been greatly insightful. <br /><br />Just wanted to share my appreciation!colleen cunhahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13594475766314084796noreply@blogger.com