#10. Blog Entries

Not always but, every so often, when it’s late and I’ve realized I’ve forgotten to blog, the pressure is on to keep my daily 15+ year blogging streak intact.  The pressure!

#9. The First Draft of a Script

Getting started is the most daunting part but, once you get going, and provided you’re backed by a bulletproof outline, you can get into a groove.  And it can actually be a lot fun.

#8. Production Rewrites

This actor won’t be available for this scene.  This location will have to be switched.  We need to lose a page a half.  It can be challenging but, like figuring out a puzzle, it can be quite satisfied as well.

#7. The Script Polish

By this point, the changes are (hopefully) minor, so the process is relatively painless.

#6. The Script Outline

A little foreboding off the top and it does require creative leg work to flesh out those scenes, but like the first draft it can be fun if you get into a rythmn.

#5. The Beat Sheet

Can be like pulling teeth.  But once you get started, it’s not so bad.  Unless you hit a patch that has you spinning your creative wheels.

#4. The Follow-Up Query Email

“Hey, hope you’re well.  Don’t mean to be a bother, but it’s been six weeks since I sent you the script.  Just wondering if you’re still alive.”

#3. The Pitch

Make it thorough, professional, yet conversational.  Then forget half of what you wrote on the day of the actual pitch.

#2. The Pitch Deck

You’re basically writing a sales document.

#1 – The Second Draft

Your script is the Jenga and the notes are all the blocks at the bottom you have to rearrange.

5 thoughts on “The Top 10 Things I Hate to Write!

  1. All so true. Plus as a script editor, searching to ensure consistency. I’m always amazed at how hard it is to write natural dialog. I love reading scripts that are like novels. Thank you for your hard work. Yes, I make decks and it’s pure sales with art.

    Joe, cut back the blogging if it’s no longer fun. We love it but care about you more.

    1. No, blogging continues to be fun. Just some days I get distracted and don’t remember to post until was too late in the day.
      And, yes, natural-sounding dialogue is an art. Not as easy as you’d think.

  2. Well, I want you to be happy, but I also want you to keep blogging. Your blogs are a lot of fun when you are in the middle of a production or project. The behind the scenes you provide are to-die-for. So much fun to read! You really have an interesting life. Dogs, food, writing, show running, travel, Akemi …rants! I’d miss it all, that’s for sure.

    1. @ponytail, you’re so right. I’ve been reading Joes blog for years for the honest and sometimes snarky reactions you have to the Business, your wonderful food adventures and I must admit, occasional stories about Ben Browder. I’m glad you still consider blogging fun.

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