tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post8449079374295030856..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Guest blogger: David IsaacsBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55470732259836543682014-07-08T10:13:28.793-07:002014-07-08T10:13:28.793-07:00This seems to fit: own the rights to the script li...This seems to fit: own the rights to the script like a photo negative (the photographer or Co. typically owns the rights to reproduce the image and gets paid for it). In music, those that own the song rights are far wealthier than the musicians that just play the music (unless you're in the band, U2. They apparently split profits four ways, which seems to remove jealousies and in-fighting).JT Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17859574895105837480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88421171959612372622014-07-08T09:33:10.109-07:002014-07-08T09:33:10.109-07:00What’s with the picture of Rudy Giuliani and Micha...What’s with the picture of Rudy Giuliani and Michael Crichton?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47266593814428023242014-07-08T09:15:15.918-07:002014-07-08T09:15:15.918-07:00"Own the negative." As in don't be ..."Own the negative." As in don't be a writer for hire, own your own show, the only way to make truly obscene amounts of money from writing. <br />Not really a writing tip, that was the joke.<br />Sorry.Wiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12468382203942352020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10302732787734938712014-07-08T02:10:29.112-07:002014-07-08T02:10:29.112-07:00Just want to tell David that I fully agree with hi...Just want to tell David that I fully agree with him regarding the overuse of "what?"<br /><br />I see it too much now, and it needs to be stopped. Even on "Louie," a show I like, he keeps having his characters say "what?" like mental patients.<br /><br />People generally DON'T do that in real life. That's why actors many times look like they struggle to make it sound spontaneous. Writing "what," not always, but too often means the writer has run out of steam, and is tossing a brain fart to the actor to deal with.<br /><br />Anyway, David, you're not alone on this one.<br /><br />Be strong, buddy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77046634663955874722014-07-08T02:04:34.515-07:002014-07-08T02:04:34.515-07:00Wilton said...
I once got in the elevator at unive...Wilton said...<br />I once got in the elevator at universal and there was bill link. We had offices on the same floor, so I knew him well enough to say hi, which I did.<br />A moment passed. I figured that was it. Then he said "hey John. You want to know the secret to good writing?"<br />You bet, I thought. I was already happy that he knew my name. This was going to be a huge bonus.<br />Bill smiled, leaned in, and whispered.<br />"Own the negative."<br />==============<br /><br />Can someone explain the above joke to me?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50240851828429375722014-07-07T18:40:39.208-07:002014-07-07T18:40:39.208-07:00I once got in the elevator at universal and there ...I once got in the elevator at universal and there was bill link. We had offices on the same floor, so I knew him well enough to say hi, which I did.<br />A moment passed. I figured that was it. Then he said "hey John. You want to know the secret to good writing?"<br />You bet, I thought. I was already happy that he knew my name. This was going to be a huge bonus.<br />Bill smiled, leaned in, and whispered.<br />"Own the negative."Wiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12468382203942352020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1036871259460589342014-07-07T17:30:49.404-07:002014-07-07T17:30:49.404-07:00I wish I had someone to write with, I bet it's...I wish I had someone to write with, I bet it's an enjoyable experience, more fun than alone.<br />Which shamelessly segways into my question... (Can you ask questions on any day? Is Friday just when they're answered, or asked as well? Let's see)<br /><br />When I write for the sheer purpose of getting some practice done, I find my work tends to be less humorous than when I simply write for pleasure. How do you draw the funny out whenever you're not 100% "into" writing at the moment? I hope this doesn't sound ridiculous. Thanks and have a good one, Ken. <br />David as well, I suppose.Joseph Graziernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82430958979227444862014-07-07T16:10:43.945-07:002014-07-07T16:10:43.945-07:00You guys are still the best. Thanks for the insig...You guys are still the best. Thanks for the insight David.<br /><br />Alan DukeAlanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10554363997444143004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71108490282652124252014-07-07T14:19:18.265-07:002014-07-07T14:19:18.265-07:00You know we want to hear what led to the tearing o...You know we want to hear what led to the tearing of the leather binder. It might not be a great story, but how bad can it be? It ends with a comedy writer tearing a leather binder in half.<br /><br />Do they even make leather binders any longer? I'm asking because there's no way I'm going to Google that phrase.Charles H. Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61946405130516386952014-07-07T11:35:01.160-07:002014-07-07T11:35:01.160-07:00David, after looking at the photo of you and Ken, ...David, after looking at the photo of you and Ken, and reading your post, and with all your years together, it got me thinking...<br /><br />If Ken ever needed a kidney, would you give him one of yours?<br /><br />And if so, then... What's with the hair? <br /><br />I mean, Ken - Can't you help a writing-brother out?Igornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87959588062790239922014-07-07T10:04:50.266-07:002014-07-07T10:04:50.266-07:00Did you find that one of you was better at writing...Did you find that one of you was better at writing dialogue for specific character(s)?Michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78096623159223635082014-07-07T09:58:44.697-07:002014-07-07T09:58:44.697-07:00"...we never took things personally..." ..."...we never took things personally..." Past tense? Like an ex-spouse?Scooter Schechtmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-41119896106428544782014-07-07T09:47:59.432-07:002014-07-07T09:47:59.432-07:00I *really* want to know the circumstances behind y...I *really* want to know the circumstances behind your tearing that leather binder...Green Luthorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11808312988625889127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46138193992789494762014-07-07T09:31:56.208-07:002014-07-07T09:31:56.208-07:00Fascinating post, David. Thank you.
I just watched...Fascinating post, David. Thank you.<br />I just watched video interview here.<br />http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/william-link#<br />William Link with longtime partner Richard Levinson created Colombo and much more.<br />He describes partnership as like marriage without sex. <br />Says yes, you have fights but they aren't productive. It's better to flip a coin or take turns and settle.<br />Waynenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78091698339016879702014-07-07T08:13:12.039-07:002014-07-07T08:13:12.039-07:00Hilarious post! Filled with some great truths and ...Hilarious post! Filled with some great truths and useful advice, too. I liked these bits especially:<br /><br />"You usually team up because you both figure two heads are better than one. So why abandon that when things get tough?"<br /><br />"Through it all though, we never took things personally for very long, and that, I think was the key. We both always recognized the value of the other guy to the bigger picture of turning out good work."<br /><br />Insightful advice from someone who's lived it. Thanks for sharing it.<br /><br />Can we get David to answer a question every week? :) (If so, here's mine: What was your time like on MAD MEN? What was the room like compared to others you've been in? What was working under Matt Weiner like?)Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16514427048676069202014-07-07T07:25:16.735-07:002014-07-07T07:25:16.735-07:00Ken:
Not a question, but a recommendation. If you...Ken:<br /><br />Not a question, but a recommendation. If you haven't picked it up yet, be sure to get Mike Sachs' new collection of interviews with comedy writers, "Poking a Dead Frog." Bruce Jay Friedman tells a great story about how, for one week, Natalie Wood was his secretary. I thought of you.Donaldnoreply@blogger.com