A Day In The Life

Ken Levine's back with a post describing a typical day for him and David Isaacs as they come up with a new sitcom script. The process is a fascinating snapshot of a comedy writer's life as they draw on 34 years of experience to churn out idea after idea.

I'd love to attend Levine's Sitcom Room workshop, but my work focuses more on movies and plays. The few ideas I have for television are strictly drama; plus, I don't live anywhere near California. I admire anyone who can write good, solid comedy--a talent that seems to be woefully lacking from many present-day shows.

Speaking of Rejection...

Looks like I'm not the only one thinking about it. Ken Levine recently dedicated an entire post to the subject--the antagonist and biggest (though not always worst) fear of every writer. He stresses the importance for moving on when your script gets rejected, and how writers will benefit from "a thick skin, belief in themselves, and five times a week therapy".

The confusing and notoriously temperamental world of Hollywood/Broadway means that your script can be too long and too short at the same time, one of many possible contradictions. Like acting, sometimes it's just a matter of being in the right place at the right time, so taking things personally in the business makes as much sense as repeatedly sticking your hand in a garbage disposal and expecting to pull it out without a scratch.

Of course, it's inevitably more complicated than that. Then again, Levine notes that some of the people who rejected his scripts are now asking him for a job. As they say, living well is the best revenge...

Next?!