Why Is Everyone But Me Succeeding?! | David H. Steinberg Get more from David H. Steinberg on Patreon

Re-upping my favorite post about success in this business... www.patreon.com/posts/why-is...

The most fun is telling someone their movie is getting made! This one wild thriller set in space comes to mind ...

The least fun is dealing with the industry contracting and all the ripple effects of that. All the "survive 'til 25" conversations. Hopefully this year many more people can thrive.

Because it's never a bad time to post my How to Make a Horror Movie Crash Course

Hits & Misses 2024: Case Studies of Six Sundance 2024 Premieres | Filmmaker Magazine Publication with a focus on independent film, offering articles, links, and resources.

Informative article. Hollywood could benefit from being more open with case studies.
filmmakermagazine.com/128194-hits-...

The Blood Is in the Water for Karen Bass The feckless Los Angeles mayor is certain to lose her seat—if she isn’t recalled first. “If it is true that she left the country on a Saturday after the warning came out, that is a dereliction of duty...

L.A. mayor Karen Bass is all-but certain to lose reelection, if she isn’t recalled first. And her rival, Rick Caruso, could be waiting in the wings… if he doesn’t run for governor instead.

@peterhamby.bsky.social reports on the political geography of a city on fire:

Incredibly grateful for the LAFD for literally saving my part of town this morning. Unimaginable destruction elsewhere. LAFD is asking everyone to conserve water, please take heed.

I would add to that list movies that were high budget when filmed but would likely be mid-budget today -- CLIFFHANGER, THE ROCK, HEAT, etc.

Think JOHN WICK, LETHAL WEAPON, TERMINATOR 1, BABY DRIVER, DESPERADO, LUCY, EXECUTIVE DECISION, BLADE, THE BEEKEEPER, FIRST BLOOD, TAKEN.

Feeling like demand is outstripping supply at the moment.

a man in a suit is holding a jacket and a cigarette . ALT: a man in a suit is holding a jacket and a cigarette .

Where did all the mid-budget action specs go?

The 99% Invisible Breakdown: The Power Broker - 99% Invisible In 1974, two very significant things happened, if you are a fan of 99% invisible. Number one is that 99pi host Roman Mars was born. And number two, The Power Broker by Robert Caro was published. Roman...

My favorite podcast of 2024 -- an incredibly entertaining breakdown of Robert Caro's legendary Robert Moses biography THE POWER BROKER. The ultimate villain arc! Kudos to @romanmars.bsky.social and
@elliottkalan.bsky.social.

99percentinvisible.org/club/

"Hook": What if Peter Pan grew up?

"Shakespeare in Love": What if Shakespeare had writer’s block?

"Back to the Future": What if I had gone to school with my dad?

"What if." Perhaps the two most powerful words in the creative process.

gointothestory.blcklst.com/what-if-7978... #screenwriting

Kudos to all who made the 2024 Black List. So lucky to be working with Matisse Haddad (SKIN), Jeremy Leder (BRIDGEHAMPTON), & Kayla Sun (BOY GIRL FIG). None of these scripts are "high concept" in the trad sense. They're weird, singular, & beautiful. Each made me laugh & cry. Write your spec.

a football player is wearing sunglasses and a big shirt ALT: a football player is wearing sunglasses and a big shirt

IT'S GREAT TO BE A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE.

My two biggest complaints about TV scripts from new/emerging writers

One is choreography on the page. You need to know where people are, where they are going, when they enter. You have to tell the reader enough to picture the scene in your head.

SCREENWRITER AXIOMS FOR GENERALS

This isn't a pitch it's a first date. Just connect.

Have an agenda. Research them, ask Qs re their projects.

Don't pitch ten ideas. Tease two to gauge interest.

You're thinking "what can this person do for me." Remember, they are thinking the exact same thing!

In honor of being here on Bluesky, I am unretiring THE CUBAN MISSILE’S WRITING ADVICE MEGATHREAD. I do this knowing earnestness is cringe-worthy and Pollyanna-ish optimism about the profession of writing is not often appreciated. That’s why it’s time to talk about failure and how to deal with it. 1/

Trying out Blue Sky. Excited to see some familiar faces from Screenwriter Twitter. Howdy!