Alex: Have you ever gotten half way through a script and realized you hate it? And that it’s not nearly as good of an idea as you thought it was? Well, that’s where I’m at. I’ve been writing scenes everyday and even though this is the first one I’ve ever written, I know I’m capable of producing better! My vocabulary stinks. My plot line isn’t as complex as I want it to be. My transitions are okay but could be better. I’m just not liking anything I’m writing at the moment. Describing a character or a scene is a lot harder than what I thought it would be! What was I thinking writing a Sci-Fi for my first script? I guess the only take away from this experience is that I am on the right path. I know I was born to be a writer. Even though I’m stumbling right now, I want to keep going.  I just wish I would have realized this sooner and finished this damn pilot months ago so I could be working on something new. Have you ever written a script and done nothing with it?
Nik: I actually think it’s a really good sign that you’re feeling this way. I know you don’t want to hear that, but almost everyone’s first script sucks. Trust me. In like five years (shit probably in a year) you’ll go back and read this sucker and be mortified.  If you were telling me that the script is amazing and you’re going to sell it and you can’t wait for me to read it, I’d be worried.  Just keep moving. Writing is rewriting (duh, but true) and your script will improve a million percent once you give it to people for notes and start doing rewrites on it. It’s good that you know it can be better. It really is. Keep going!
Alex: Thanks boo.
Nik: Welcome boo.
Alex: Knock, knock…
Nik: Really?
Alex: Yes. Knock, knock…
Nik: Who’s there?
Alex: Boo.
Nik: No.

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Alex: I feel like EVERYTHING has been done before. It’s annoying and irritating and makes me want to pull my hair out and kick my computer screen off my desk and scream like a child who just found out that Christmas isn’t happening this year. While I was writing a scene  last night, I thought of a concept for my next pilot. Later, after I was done writing, I danced with the new idea for a bit. I decided to do a little research and within 30 seconds I discovered it’s already been made into a show. I put away my phone and pouted like a little girl until I fell asleep. Why? WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY!?
Nik: My first pilot was in development until the network called and said they were passing on the project because it was in conflict with a show that had been picked up to series.  And by ‘in conflict’ they meant that it was too similar.  So.  I’ve been there.  And it sucks.  But it happens and it happens all the time. Not long after, I found myself at this great art exhibit at the Whitney Museum in New York and it was life changing.  The show had pieces from all the greats hanging in couplets–I can’t remember exactly, but it was something like Picasso’s Bathers with Beach Ball hanging next to Nudes With Beach Ball by Roy Lichtenstein and so on.  They were clearly inspired by one or the other.  They were of the same subject, but in the artist’s own style and medium.  It’s the same with music.  And it’s the same with writing.  Very little is 100% original.  It’s almost impossible to achieve.  But you know what’s original?  YOUR voice.  Not one single person has your voice or your experience or your spin on the story that you want to tell.  If your idea is already out there, then figure out a way to make it new.  Add your vision and your voice and make the idea YOURS.  If it’s something that has been done, ask yourself how you can make it fresh.
Alex: You just gave me goosepimples! You are so right. You’re always right. I don’t know what I did to deserve such a smart mentor but I sure am thankful. I copied and pasted this response into my phone so I can read it whenever I’m frustrated with this subject. I do have a voice and I’m excited to share it with the world. A wise woman once said, “There’s a storm in my head, the world should take cover.”
Nik: If only we had more twitter followers to see those nuggets.
Alex: Ugh… I haven’t had chicken nuggets in so long.
Nik: Me either. Let’s tweet about it.
Alex: And eat about it.

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Alex: Today was so exciting, Nik!!! I took notes for the first time in the writers’ room. Well, it wasn’t the main room but who cares. The writers split up into two groups and I was pulled into one of them to take notes on character arcs. I loved hearing how they brainstormed ideas. How they took turns talking and giving pitches. It was so cool to see them debate and question each other. Honestly, it was magical. I can’t tell you how hard it was to stay focused. At times my brain would wander… I wanted to play too! It feels incredible to be working somewhere where I want to move up the ladder. I had to bite my tongue so many times because I had an idea I wanted to share but I know what I say right now doesn’t matter. I bet you kill it in the writers’ room.
Nik: First of all, everything you have to say matters, there’s just a certain way to do it when you’re at your level.  You should keep notes of your ideas and if they aren’t pitched, then find the right time to approach one of the writers and offer them.  I know from working on the blog with you that you have good instincts, so my guess is that you have great ideas for the show.  It’s more about room politics.  Just feel out the mood and  float your ideas when the time is right.  Slowly, if you find that your ideas are sticking or you’re getting good feedback, you’ll gain their trust and they’ll be more open to hearing your pitches.  This is all good stuff.  I’m so proud of you and more than anything I’m happy you’re gaining experience and finding that you love it more and more.  Tells me that you made the right decision when you chose this job over A&R at Epic.
Alex: I just clapped when I read this.
Nik: Why?
Alex: Because I am so happy. Even though making that decision made me stressed as a mother, I know I made the right choice. It has never been more clear that I am doing what I’m supposed to be doing.
Nik: Made you stressed?
Alex: I know, I hate using that word around you.

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Holy shitballs a year has passed? Wtf?! Happy Anniversary amentoramuse!

Nik: Congrats Alex! The first year in LA is the hardest – they say if you make it a year, you’ll make it.
Alex: It’s a little freaky how fast it went. Remember when we first hung out on the rooftop at Hotel Erwin and you wore SPF 50 and a hat?
Nik: 55. Yep. Feels kind of like yesterday, but kind of not. So much has happened since then.
Alex: I know! I took my first writing class.
Nik: I finished a pilot. Got new agents.
Alex: I had an internship at Warner Bros. Records and got a job offer from Epic.
Nik: BUT you nabbed your first TV gig on The 100!
Alex: And YOU got staffed on Mozart in the Jungle. Which by the way, looks freaking awesome!
Nik: Dreams coming true. You’re in Hollywood baby.
Alex: Oh, I got my car towed. Over $600 in fines, that was fun.
Nik: I had a skin cancer scare and got that little f$ck$r cut off my nose. Still have a mole hole.
Alex: You can hardly see it. I went skydiving and had sex in Yosemite National Park.
Nik: I had sex upside down and sideways.
Alex: I want to have sex upside down and sideways!
Nik: It’s fun. I watched friends get married, have babies, get divorced.
Alex: My first friend got married! I was a bridesmaid, she’s preggers now. Life’s weird.
Nik: You are.
Alex: You are.
Nik: I did my first sweat lodge.
Alex: I met Red Eagle and learned about my spirit guides.
Nik: Oh, yeah – I still want to do that with you.
Alex: We have a lot of things we need to do together.
Nik: We will. Since you made it your first year…
Alex: I’ll make it a bunch more… I have learned so much from you and I continue to everytime we are together. I can’t thank the universe, or my stepmom enough for bringing us together. I think my abs are even a bit stronger from meeting you, since we laugh so gol’ darn much. I still can’t get over the fact that a year has gone by!
Nik: Cheers lil betch.
Alex: Let’s go drink.

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MAY 8
Text from Nik to Alex:  The 100 got picked up.  Waiting to hear if they need a PA.  Send me your resume right now.
Alex:  I interview with HR at Epic tomorrow to finalize my start date!  What do I do?!
Nik:  Buy time.

MAY 9
Text from Alex to Nik:  I told them I couldn’t start until the 15th.  Have you heard anything?
Nik:  Not yet.  I should know something by Monday.

MAY 12
Text from Nik to Alex:  You interview tomorrow.  Expect a call today about setting a time.
Alex:  YES!!!  Shit!  Okay, should I tell Epic that I’m interviewing?  She knows I’m into writing…she just asked me to keep her up to date with everything going on. Or should I just call her once I find out about the job? Oh my gosh my heart is beating so fast. She is going to hate me for quitting right away.  What do I do?
Nik: Normally, I’d go the route of most respect, but for this I’m going to suggest you meet on The 100 first.  Nail the interview.  Get the job.  Then make the call to Epic.  In the most graceful and apologetic way, tell them you had a change of heart.  Then drink wine.   A lot of wine.
Alex:  Okay.
Nik: You should watch all the episodes of The 100 and read the pilot to prepare.
Alex:  I’m already 4 episodes in!

MAY 13
Text from Alex to Nik:  On my way to the interview now. So nervous!
Nik:  Just be yourself.  You got this.
(later)
Alex: I GOT THE JOB!!!!!  
Nik:  YES!!!!!
Alex:  I was hired right then and there at the end of the interview. This industry wastes no time, I start Monday. It’s night and day how different I feel after finding out I got this job versus finding out I got the job at Epic. It just feels right. I’m so excited to start! I’m going to call and quit Epic now before this happy feeling wears off.
Nik: I’ll have wine waiting.
(five minutes later)
Alex: Yep, she hates me.  That phone call sucked so hard.  She wasn’t happy. I really do feel bad for quitting before I even started, but you’re right, I have to do what’s best for me. I recommended a friend who is looking to work in the music industry and he has an interview there tomorrow so hopefully that softens the blow a little bit.
Nik: I know that was hard and definitely not the way you wanted to handle things, but the timing made it too risky not to have a back up plan.  She’ll be fine.  And you my friend just said yes to the beginning of your career in TV writing. Proud of you. Time to kick ass.

The post The Choice. Part Two. appeared first on amentoramuse.

Alex: Have you heard of this awesome new website that streams media on-demand? It’s called Netflix!
Nik:  (Silent.  Blank stare.  Thought bubble:  Is she serious?)
Alex:  Come on, I was being funny. Anyway, I’m not sure if I want to admit this or not, but I live on Netflix. We don’t have cable so what else is there to watch? Don’t answer that. I have my go-to shows:  Parks and Rec, Louie, Scandal, Arrested Development,  but recently I came across the “Max” feature. Have you heard of it?
Nik:  Muse moment.  I haven’t heard of the Max feature.  What is it?  Wait, first, because I’m the mentor, I need to tell you to watch Orange is the New Black, House of Cards and Top of the Lake.  The Netflix original programming is genius. You might also like Hemlock Grove.  Okay, now tell me about Max.
Alex:  It came out this past summer. Max chats and plays games with you to help you figure out what you should watch. He’s not always on the money, but when he is it’s a jackpot. It helps for those moments where you want to watch something, but you’re not exactly sure what. Or he’s great if you’re with a group of people and you want everyone to feel like they’re contributing to the decision.
Nik:  Oh fun.  I’ll try it.  And watch the shows I told you about–they’re sagood.
Alex: Aye-Aye captain! Have fun with Maxie. Let me know whatcha think!

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Nik:  I used to hate commercials. Specifically, the head rattling blast of noise that infiltrated my quiet night on the couch. Then TiVo came along. Ahh, the genius! I could skip through all those ads with an aggressive flair that screamed “Ha! Take that stupid commercial! My living room is impenetrable!” Additionally, last year, congress passed the CALM Act so Corporate America couldn’t noise pollute our family rooms anymore. But with the ever increasing information landfill–so many blogs to read, news articles to peruse, tweets to skim, instagram photos to eye, the daily dose of facebook and pinterest to troll, not to mention an entire season of something on Netflix (that you feel pressured to watch in one gulp so you can hang confidently in the water cooler conversation on Monday), oh, and the pile of books on your nightstand that you’ve barely put a dent in (I’m on page 20-something of 20 of them as I write this)–I’m about to say something crazy.  Do I dare?  Of course.  With the mind blowing amount of information to take in, I’m finding comfort in commercials.  That’s right.  I’m noticing a satisfying hint of pleasure after watching a 30 second spot.  30 seconds with a beginning, middle and end.  30 seconds that are actually making me feel.  For the first time since I saw the spot for Strawberry Shortcake in 1982 and obsessed over getting it for my birthday, I’m actually watching commercials.  Some have me laughing–Kmart’s ‘Ship My Pants’ commercial doesn’t get old.  And one or two make my eyes wet, like the Hello Human Kindness ad where the man gets out of his car to help the old lady cross the busy intersection.  It gets me every time.  So, hey Corporate America, I’m back!  And I’m watching your commercials! But for those of you trying too hard to cross the velvet rope to my mind, dial back on the stroke-inducing flashes, blaring music and lame gimmicks. Just tell me a good story because for the first time since 1982, I’m watching.
Alex:  I miss having cable… Livin’ the broke life… This is kind of old, but it is one of my favorite commercials. I still quote it and watch it sometimes when I need a good laugh. Who would have thunk a commercial could do that for me?
Nik:  I’m dying.  So funny.  Wait, you quote this?

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