Sunday, April 8, 2018

#Scritpchat Transcript: Greta Heinemann @GretaHeinemann (NCIS: New Orleans and @finaldraftinc Big Break Features winner)

Awesome night with Greta Heinemann @GretaHeinemann (NCIS: New Orleans and @finaldraftinc Big Break Features winner)! Topic: Tackling fellowships & (hopefully) surviving your 1st year on the job.

Read the transcript here.


Greta Heinemann @GretaHeinemann (NCIS: New Orleans and @finaldraftinc Big Break Features winner)

Greta Heinemann @GretaHeinemann (NCIS: New Orleans and @finaldraftinc Big Break Features winner)

Topic: Tackling fellowships & (hopefully) surviving your 1st year on the job.
  1. TONIGHT 5pm PT #scriptchat hangs with @GretaHeinemann (NCIS: New Orleans and @finaldraftinc Big Break Features winner) - Topic: Tackling fellowships & (hopefully) surviving your 1st year on the job. Chat details here: https://t.co/hAS3zRfCK4 #screenwriting #tvwriting https://t.co/M1JUbBnFQd
    TONIGHT 5pm PT #scriptchat hangs with @GretaHeinemann (NCIS: New Orleans and @finaldraftinc Big Break Features winner) - Topic: Tackling fellowships & (hopefully) surviving your 1st year on the job. Chat details here:  http://scriptchat.blogspot.com/p/how-to-chat.html  #screenwriting #tvwriting pic.twitter.com/M1JUbBnFQd
  2. One hour til #scriptchat and I slice my typing fingers... gonna be a slow speed chase. https://t.co/ekGQZK3yg3
    One hour til #scriptchat and I slice my typing fingers... gonna be a slow speed chase. pic.twitter.com/ekGQZK3yg3
  3. This is gonna be my first venture into actual twitter convos. Bgentle... @jeannevb 5pm PT #scriptchat hangs with @GretaHeinemann
  4. #scriptchat looking forward to this. First time caller/viewer/rubbernecker!
  5. It’s #SCRIPTCHAT O’CLOCK with @GretaHeinemann (NCIS: New Orleans and @finaldraftinc Big Break Features winner) - Topic: Tackling fellowships & (hopefully) surviving your 1st year on the job. Chat happens here:  http://www.tchat.io/rooms/scriptchat  #screenwriting #tvwriting
  6. @GretaHeinemann We'll all ask questions and you answer. :) @jeannevb will usually pour you a virtual drink. And moderate. #scriptchat
  7. Shall we start with TV fellowships? Which ones, etc? #scriptchat
  8. @jeannevb @GretaHeinemann thanks! On it. Yes, what are we talking about... it's the fellowship season... #scriptchat
  9. @GretaHeinemann being a features girl, I know nothing of fellowships. Tips on standing out? #scriptchat
  10. @jeannevb @GretaHeinemann -- I'd say that the personal essay is equally as important as the quality of the script. #scriptchat
  11. @GretaHeinemann What is it like working in TV, and on a show like NCIS New Orleans? #scriptchat
  12. @GretaHeinemann @jeannevb The fellowships gravitate towards interesting people since usually they have interesting things2say. #scriptchat
  13. @filmwritr4 @GretaHeinemann wild... I work pretty much all year round. Write and produce around 3 episodes a year. #scriptchat
  14. @GretaHeinemann Do the fellowships deal with different genres, or one in particular? #scriptchat
  15. #scriptchat @GretaHeinemann Is it tough to get into a fellowship if you're not a 20-something?
  16. @GretaHeinemann Hi! Q: Any advice on choosing a show to spec? What to consider? Procedural v serialized? Season the show is in? #scriptchat
  17. @BakerJohnjoyce define genre. They do comedy & drama, but generally drama is pretty wide open. from family to crime and back :) #scriptchat
  18. @SeasideScribe @GretaHeinemann I'd say if you're NOT a 20 something fellowships are a great way to try and break in. #scriptchat
  19. @GretaHeinemann for instance, science fiction (Altered Carbon) or fantasy (Once Upon a Time)? #scriptchat
  20. @filmwritr4 @GretaHeinemann that's my goal. The more important question is: Do others see me becoming that :) #scriptchat
  21. @BakerJohnjoyce I see -- in the CBS fellowship we were SCI-FI girls, family drama writers, quirky voices&myself (the grit-chick) #scriptchat
  22. @GretaHeinemann I think you'd make a great showrunner. Hopefully others will see you become one... #scriptchat
  23. @GretaHeinemann when we get past the fellowship questions, let's chat about the good, bad & surprises working in writers' room #scriptchat
  24. @GretaHeinemann @BakerJohnjoyce from what I know everything goes. Write what ur best at. Your passion&craft will stand out #scriptchat
  25. @GretaHeinemann What's the difference between the various fellowship programs? #scriptchat
  26. @jeannevb @GretaHeinemann I got plenty of those. HA. What never stops to surprise me is how important the make-up of the room is #scriptchat
  27. @Webb_W_W don't forget to use the #scriptchat hashtag on your tweets so we can see you
  28. @GretaHeinemann Q What are some things you think the fellowships look for in a promising writer's spec script & original pilot? #scriptchat
  29. @GretaHeinemann If the show is a serial rather than stand alone episodes, how do you fit your script into the continuity? #scriptchat
  30. @GretaHeinemann @jeannevb Have you read @NellSco book, "Just the Funny Parts" where she talks about being a woman in writer room #scriptchat
  31. @collinlieberg loaded Q -- Generally I'd group NBC/CBS/WB as one. Class set up. ABC pays. FOX is for advanced writers. #scriptchat
  32. @GretaHeinemann @collinlieberg Nickelodeon is for comedy & Humanitas New Voices pays and has you develop (I did that & CBS) #scriptchat
  33. @GretaHeinemann @collinlieberg Also there's a bunch of new ones like Sundance & HBO, but they're even more competitive I think. #scriptchat
  34. @jeannevb @GretaHeinemann Does a head writer/showrunner come up with the main storyline for each season, and does he/she assign episodes based on those elements? I ask because I wonder how it's done for a sitcom. #scriptchat
  35. @GretaHeinemann @SarahAlexis4 also 4shy writers: It's super important you learn how to get out of your shell. SUPER IMPORTANT #scriptchat
  36. @GretaHeinemann @SarahAlexis4 1 thing I learned is that screenwriting is to equal parts talent, work-ethic&personal presentation #scriptchat
  37. @GretaHeinemann @SarahAlexis4 if ur locked in a writers room you want to hang with cool, easy going, fun people. #scriptchat
  38. Hey, TV writers, current or soon-to-be, check out the #scriptchat hashtag RIGHT NOW where @GretaHeinemann is answering Qs, dispensing wisdom, and suchlike. RIGHT NOW, I say.
  39. @GretaHeinemann Q: What was the most important craft and/or industry lesson you learned during your fellowship experience? #scriptchat
  40. @GretaHeinemann @collinlieberg @jeannevb @NellSco What advice do you have for those who seek to establish diverse, equal writers' rooms? I've been wanting to start one and get it to 50% female-50% male for my web series. #scriptchat
  41. Oh hi @froonium! what you guys don't know is that Ricky taught me how to murder my script and make it better at @uclaextension #scriptchat
  42. @SarahAlexis4 @GretaHeinemann definitely how to give a good interview (I hope) and explain to others who I am as a writer #scriptchat
  43. @SeasideScribe @GretaHeinemann Pitching is hard. I've seen passion and confidence work. I often stand up so I have more energy #scriptchat
  44. @GretaHeinemann @SeasideScribe energy reads as passion which might make a mediocre idea more palpable ;) #scriptchat
  45. #scriptchat How do you turn minor league writing heat into a chance at the majors? Have a writing client who has won a Fellowship, a few contests, had a feature produced, and is a NYC playwright. Can't seem to get manager and staffing meetings
  46. @GretaHeinemann How instrumental was the fellowship to landing your writing gig? Did they help set up meetings? #scriptchat
  47. @FadeOutTo hm. That's tough. Is your client writing plays only or screenplays? Also TV or feature? #scriptchat
  48. @GretaHeinemann @collinlieberg manager got me in front of showrunner @JeffLieber and thanks to him and CBS support I got the job #scriptchat
  49. By the way, if you're into #screenwriting #TVwriting you should read STEALING THE SHOW from @Joypress. My current read. #scriptchat
  50. @GretaHeinemann Did you have a manager before the fellowship? Won competitions or anything before getting in? #scriptchat
  51. @GretaHeinemann - produced NYC playwright, feature distributed starring michael madsen,awards/contests were TV pilots/specs. #scriptchat
  52. @collinlieberg @GretaHeinemann I was on manager 3 when fellowships hit. 1st mngr. was personal relations. #scriptchat
  53. @FadeOutTo @GretaHeinemann honestly a bit out of my waters, but I'd recco to apply to fellowships, maybe approach junior agents? #scriptchat
  54. @GretaHeinemann @collinlieberg @JeffLieber Any TV scripts/series you suggest aspiring/current writers to view to improve their skills? #scriptchat
  55. Any writing room advice? Or contest advice, in general, seeing as you nailed @finaldraftinc Big Break! #scriptchat
  56. @GretaHeinemann @SarahAlexis4 I was ridiculously nervous. Generally I'd say: Listen for a while, try to learn before you speak! #scriptchat
  57. @filmwritr4 @jeannevb @GretaHeinemann @JeffLieber I've missed being here! Sunday has become a work day for me. Glad I could make this one. #scriptchat
  58. @jeannevb @finaldraftinc room: Listen & learn, watch what pitches land, try to pitch that way when you do. Don't be a nay sayer #scriptchat
  59. @froonium @jeannevb @GretaHeinemann You and @JeffLieber would be awesome guests. @GoIntoTheStory reposted Jeff's showrunner rules and I'll definitely check that out. Hopefully it applies to web series, too... #scriptchat
  60. @GretaHeinemann @jeannevb competitions: Make sure your script is air tight. Apply. apply. Apply. #scriptchat
  61. @GretaHeinemann @jeannevb also - focus on the big competitions. @finaldraftinc gets winners major exposure. you want that! #scriptchat
  62. @GretaHeinemann @jeannevb Any tips on handling feedback/notes from fellow writers inside the room? #scriptchat
  63. @filmwritr4 @GretaHeinemann @jeannevb TAKE THEM WITH GRACE. You learn even from bad notes. collaborate & don't be difficult #scriptchat
  64. @GretaHeinemann @uclaextension (What you guys may also not know is that Greta had TWO winning scripts in the UCLA Extension TV Competition, one spec episodic & one pilot, & neither needed anything close to 'murdering.' Just a bit o'polish!) #scriptchat
  65. @GretaHeinemann @jeannevb @finaldraftinc Do you recommend paying for consultations before you apply to competitions? If so, who do you recommend? #scriptchat
  66. @GretaHeinemann @filmwritr4 @jeannevb also. unless it's ur show, u serve ur showrunner. Might disagree, but he's still the boss #scriptchat
  67. @chandra7thomas @VernellAllen Hey Chandra and Vernell! *waves* Welcome! It's great to see you here on #scriptchat
  68. @filmwritr4 @GretaHeinemann @jeannevb & if you find yourself having2explain/justify sth. STOP. It's not on the page. fix that. #scriptchat
  69. @GretaHeinemann Loved your interview in @LeeZJessup 's latest book! I'd advise all emerging screenwriters to pick it up! #scriptchat
  70. @GretaHeinemann @collinlieberg @JeffLieber But it serves me well when writing dark thrillers. . .#scriptchat. And you gotta admit, it was quite a twitter moment :)
  71. @FinalFenwayFict You're right. Definitely pick up GETTING IT WRITE and BREAKING IN from @LeeZJessup -- HUGE HELP! #scriptchat
  72. @filmwritr4 @GretaHeinemann @jeannevb it'll be hard, but focus on the work not the pressure. don't waste time freaking out! #scriptchat
  73. @jeannevb Hey, I've been lurking. . .and writing! #scriptchat And I chimed in when my buddy @DwainAWorrell was on!
  74. @GretaHeinemann @jeannevb Will definitely keep that in mind! Thanks so much for taking the time to share all this great writing advice with us! Definitely learning a lot here! #scriptchat
  75. And thanks especially to @jeannevb for making tonight's #scriptchat possible!
  76. @collinlieberg @GretaHeinemann I came to LA in 2008 got into the fellowships in 2014/2015. I think I was lucky speed wise #scriptchat
  77. @GretaHeinemann if your feature hits, do you plan on juggling both TV & feature writing? #scriptchat
  78. F5: OUTLINES & THE THEMATIC! Writing is a roadtrip, how can you be sure you'll get to your destination? Various ways to outline, throughlines, motifs, Thematic Method for generating scenes & characters! $4.99  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078BR44DB/secretsofactions  #amwriting #film #screenwriting #scriptchat
  79. @GretaHeinemann @collinlieberg Were you working in the industry in the meantime (other than writing)? #scriptchat
  80. @jeannevb @GretaHeinemann I'll worry about it when I have to. JK, eventually I'd love to work both. Cuz I don't have enough 2do #scriptchat
  81. @GretaHeinemann haha I think you should toss a novel or two in the mix. Just for fun. ;) #scriptchat
  82. @GretaHeinemann Thank you so much for joining us! Even w/the injured fingers! All the best on NCIS:NO & w/ your other projects! #scriptchat
  83. @GretaHeinemann thanks SO much for joining us tonight. The hour flew by! I didn't have time to refill your tequila! #scriptchat
  84. Next week we have @MickeyFisher73 (Extant/CBS, Reverie/NBC, Writer for The Strain/FX & Mars/NatGeo ) - Writing sci-fi TV series #scriptchat
  85. @jeannevb @GretaHeinemann good, cuz I don't know how well that tequila goes with my whiskey-sour. #scriptchat
  86. Thanks, all! Let's hope Storify is still working. We still need to find a back-up transcript site, so if you know of 1, ping me! #scriptchat
  87. Gonna refill my drink & leave the machine on while I get ready 2see @YouWereNeverMov -- Feel free2ask more Qs if you have them #scriptchat

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