Origins of a Techno-Thriller–Why I Wrote Lunar Options

I’m very proud of this story. I always wanted to write a smart action thriller like Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Identity or Tom Clancy’s Clear and Present Danger. What I like most about Ludlum’s works is that he admits the dirt that the government does around the world. Clancy, however, tends to make the US […]

The Perfect Metaphor for Hollywood

Part of deciding on whether or not to put your time and energy into breaking into Hollywood is deciding whether Hollywood will let you do what you want to do once you get here. If you have a bunch of new melodies to add to those four chords, Hollywood is waiting for you. If not, you may want to look elsewhere because although there’s a certain glamor to Hollywood, that glamor fades quickly for the artist trapped in creative monotony.

How to Get Attention

Three years ago, after Chris Brown brutally beat Rihanna, I posted an article that suggested the couple must have been slated to star in a remake of What’s Love Got to Do With It?–the Ike and Tina Turner story. This year, the couple reappeared seated next to Kobe on the floor at a Lakers’ game

Trump Romney Team for New Reality Show

Who wants to be a Billionaire Survivor Factor Celebrity Apprentice? The secret is out in Burbank this morning after many attempts to cover it up. Donald Trump announced Monday that he had an October surprise that would have consequences on the presidential elections.

Magical White People—Hollywood’s Newest Stereotype

I don’t believe a script can be greenlit in Hollywood today unless it has some magical white man with a sword, superpower, or ability to jump high or fly. It’s like every white guy all of a sudden is Chase Budinger from the Houston Rockets.

Lessons from DVD Extras–Getting Past the Cut

One of the great places to learn lessons about Hollywood is the commentary section of DVDs. It’s amazing the insights you can gain from filmmakers talking quite innocently about the process of getting the movie made.

I’m a Writer– Should I Move to New York or Hollywood?

In my opinion, the only people who should really be asking themselves this question are writers who’ve had some success with their craft. By “success” I mean that you’ve won awards for your screenplays or teleplays, you’ve gotten some type of representation, you’ve been optioned, you’ve produced your own plays or movies and have built an audience or you’ve placed in a film festival or writing competition.

8 Essential Keys to Acting Success!!!—What One Star Says Actors Need to Know

Here are some statistics you may not know—there are 120,000 SAG (Screen Actor’s Guild) actors in Hollywood. At any given time 85% of them are out of work. The average salary of a SAG actor is less than $10,000 a year. Most of them are just trying to earn the required $7,500 a year to keep their health benefits. 18-20% of them fall into star roles and make serious money. But less than 1% are the ones you read about and know, the real stars, the actors who make million dollar and double digit million dollar salaries.