tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post2480209820535168611..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: The one word to watch out forBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30962742126702700872014-03-29T07:48:34.499-07:002014-03-29T07:48:34.499-07:00i know for a fact that natalie wood was fun.i know for a fact that natalie wood <i>was</i> fun.normadesmondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17325110017442011627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26985852101856140872014-03-27T16:08:20.057-07:002014-03-27T16:08:20.057-07:00I just remembered a back-handed compliment I got t...I just remembered a back-handed compliment I got that kind of broke my heart. I was attending life-drawing lessons and, being the first time I'd done any drawing in a decade, I was feeling a little insecure. All I needed a little bit of encouragement and support, so after class I went to the teacher and mentioned that I was feeling a bit insecure, BUT -- I was about to say -- "this piece came out OK, I think..."<br /><br />Before I could finish what I was saying, the teacher looked at the piece I was most proud of and said, "Well, it's not the worst drawing I've ever seen..."<br /><br />Ouch. That was her attempt at making me feel better.<br /><br />And to think I was paying for this abuse!Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17011125209222865782014-03-27T16:02:41.960-07:002014-03-27T16:02:41.960-07:00This leads me to a Friday question:
Ken, when wor...This leads me to a Friday question:<br /><br />Ken, when working with a partner, or indeed, in a writers' room, how do you approach giving negative feedback? If you see a problem, do you call it out?<br /><br />When I attended the Sitcom Room I'd just spent three years working in the cold, no-nonsense world of entrepreneurship. <br /><br />In that world, nobody is interested in how you feel; every suggestion or idea is challenged and picked apart in a brutally honest dissection. It's not personal, we're all just looking for the best solution as quickly as possible, after all, so why waste time.<br /><br />I was used to having my ideas coldly scrutinized (although, I admit, I didn't enjoy it), and looking back I was probably far too brash in pointing out problems with ideas that were put forward our in our room (sorry to those who were in my room, if you're reading this).<br /><br />But on a real show, when the deadline is approaching, and you're keen to break the story, or solve the problems with the scene, do you still take the time to try not to hurt someone's feelings? Or are people expected to have thick skin? <br /><br />A nurturing environment seems most conducive to creativity, and nobody should be made to feel afraid to pitch ideas, but at the same time, the clock is ticking...<br /><br />One obvious answer would be: "Pitch something better!", but what if the room, or your writing partner, don't believe your ideas are better?Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87426999597772642312014-03-27T10:31:13.652-07:002014-03-27T10:31:13.652-07:00Me and my husband are Washington State University ...Me and my husband are Washington State University alums. We love VOLUNTEERS. At football games on the big screen, they used to play the scene where John Candy (Tom Tuttle) is tied to the pole singing the fight song. <br /><br />I'm 37 (I think--just getting to that age where you forget how old you are), and recently decided I wanted to write a screenplay. But I also have a 5-year-old. So far, I don't have much to show for my dream. Right now, just doing a lot of "research" on the craft. I decided I need to focus on features since I don't live in LA.<br /><br />It's not possible to have a TV writing career unless you live there, right?<br /><br />Love reading your blog and getting insight into the world of screenwriting. Thanks!Kerriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00538129698829932559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19843882588416090522014-03-27T06:39:06.341-07:002014-03-27T06:39:06.341-07:00Yes, when I showed an animated music video that I ...Yes, when I showed an animated music video that I had labored on singlehandedly for two and a half years, to a professional animator and mentor, his comment was "Lotta work!" Thank you sir, may I have another!Gerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12361836428885324631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23557075221120062172014-03-27T05:46:41.845-07:002014-03-27T05:46:41.845-07:00Ken,
Unrelated, but...
Did you see that Modern F...Ken, <br />Unrelated, but...<br /><br />Did you see that Modern Family last night? I haven't laughed that hard in years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70163881059730916892014-03-27T05:05:06.167-07:002014-03-27T05:05:06.167-07:00I think I've said this before, but I think the...I think I've said this before, but I think there's two types of criticism:<br /><br />1. When you're starting out, and you need some support. <br /><br />2. Before you release it into the world, and you want absolute honesty.<br /><br />Indeed, I think Jane Espenson tells of a writer couple who, whenever one of them asks for feedback from the other, always qualifies it with which "critic" they want:<br /><br />Critic A) Finding the promise in what they're doing.<br /><br />Critic B) Finding the problems in what they've done.<br /><br />As a general rule, if it's not finished: Be supportive! :)Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38573828377705502292014-03-27T04:07:46.029-07:002014-03-27T04:07:46.029-07:00Next time any of us has to break up with someone, ...Next time any of us has to break up with someone, just tell them "I'm not dumping you. We're consciously uncoupling".Hamidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-21219533439713365392014-03-27T00:24:24.297-07:002014-03-27T00:24:24.297-07:00As a second generation drag hag, I learned a long ...As a second generation drag hag, I learned a long time ago that if you ask a drag queen what they think of what you're wearing, and all they do is smile and say "Girl, that outfit/look is Very You", it ain't a compliment, it's a "read".<br /><br />Cheers, thanks a lot,<br /><br />StormStormnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70028057320297216302014-03-26T20:55:02.816-07:002014-03-26T20:55:02.816-07:00When I was a kid I heard an adult acquaintance com...When I was a kid I heard an adult acquaintance comment on my sister's hairstyle: "That's . . . striking." Blair Iveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03428917942590969429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82224058851154266392014-03-26T19:06:35.329-07:002014-03-26T19:06:35.329-07:00Swell!Swell!Dan Ballhttp://thedanballbrand.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58224639838960475282014-03-26T18:28:31.874-07:002014-03-26T18:28:31.874-07:00Oh, I don't know. I thought Septic Singovers ...Oh, I don't know. I thought Septic Singovers were fun.Gary Therouxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82183929045908607282014-03-26T15:59:49.895-07:002014-03-26T15:59:49.895-07:00"Good! Really good. I mean, it was no Dueling..."Good! Really good. I mean, it was no <i>Dueling Cavalier</i>, but you know, it was really nice!"Kelly Sedingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10704114189919711467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87212241008761905862014-03-26T15:42:00.745-07:002014-03-26T15:42:00.745-07:00Not bad...not bad.Not bad...not bad.emilynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-32259659597362601762014-03-26T15:40:27.917-07:002014-03-26T15:40:27.917-07:00I just realized the intent behind this praise for ...I just realized the intent behind this praise for the movie Striptease<br /><br />"Ving Rhames is spectacular!"<br /><br />MikeNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71152971070132303272014-03-26T14:55:08.207-07:002014-03-26T14:55:08.207-07:00My mother and her sisters used to say this: "...My mother and her sisters used to say this: "This is very good, FOR YOU." Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76763880470047282392014-03-26T14:53:18.230-07:002014-03-26T14:53:18.230-07:00Bob Gunton
If that's really you, you rock! Lo...Bob Gunton<br /><br />If that's really you, you rock! Loved you in The Shawshank Redemption. Hamidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-60362693484960772322014-03-26T13:52:27.410-07:002014-03-26T13:52:27.410-07:00Well, let me help you there.
No matter what role ...Well, let me help you there.<br /><br />No matter what role you see Bob Gunton in, you can be sure that his performance and characterization will be utterly unbelievable.RockGolfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3587929066902787462014-03-26T13:50:58.214-07:002014-03-26T13:50:58.214-07:00I recall seeing Jack Lemmon interviewed and tellin...I recall seeing Jack Lemmon interviewed and telling the story of a screening of one of his movies - I can't remember which one, but a dud. Naturally, Lemmon's best buddy, Walter Matthau, was in the audience, and he comes up to Lemmon after the screening, and Lemmon says, "What did you think? <br /><br />Matthau: "Get out of it."<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82042676431404466902014-03-26T13:48:34.518-07:002014-03-26T13:48:34.518-07:00"it's been real," although that was ..."it's been real," although that was ironic from the get-go.DBensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39967367150024857942014-03-26T13:46:18.619-07:002014-03-26T13:46:18.619-07:00Nice Pic of Natalie Wood by the way...
It's ...Nice Pic of Natalie Wood by the way...<br /><br /><br />It's interesting how some of Hollywoodisms have crept into my line of work.<br /><br />Recently a client would not meet with one of my subordinates. When the guy complained about the last 3 canceled appointments. A young lady in the meeting said, "their just being polite, it's a California No".<br /><br />The young man paused for a moment and asked the girl. "Are you from California?"Angry Gamernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3082238535394650532014-03-26T13:31:41.742-07:002014-03-26T13:31:41.742-07:00For me, as an actor, the one-word review I never w...For me, as an actor, the one-word review I never want to hear is "unbelievable!"Bob Guntonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15714399361630868852014-03-26T13:16:56.810-07:002014-03-26T13:16:56.810-07:00Yes, "interesting" is REALLY the kiss of...Yes, "interesting" is REALLY the kiss of death.Roger Owen Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05298172138307632062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78730161885076515642014-03-26T13:07:09.565-07:002014-03-26T13:07:09.565-07:00Great post. I would like to just say that the “Tha...Great post. I would like to just say that the “That was really fun" line also applies to dating... any more tips?Still Singlenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79721970485322824532014-03-26T12:57:50.662-07:002014-03-26T12:57:50.662-07:00A columnist for a weekly paper in Santa Fe wrote a...A columnist for a weekly paper in Santa Fe wrote about his experience while signing copies of his first published book. A 'friend' came up to him and said, "You've gained weight." <br /><br />At least it wasn't false flattery.RCPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04251247613686669877noreply@blogger.com