Martini Shot

Latest Episodes:

Write It on Spec Jul 30, 2009

Show notes

I was talking to a writer the other day who has written a wonderful script. He's sort of an unknown, so he did the smart, entrepreneurial thing: he wrote it on spec. That is, he just carved out some time in his day, sat in one place and, over the course of several weeks, he eked out a funny, smart, fresh pilot script...

Waiting Jul 23, 2009

Show notes

A friend of mine called up someone he's known for over twenty years. They had had a meeting a few weeks ago about a project my friend was working on, the guy he's known for such a long time is in the talent management business – although, when you get right down to it, everyone in the entertainment industry is in the talent management business – and the meeting went well, everyone was happy to see everyone else, everyone was excited about the project, everyone was going to follow up, so when my friend did, in fact, follow up a few days later with a phone call, he expected to get his call returned...

Dither Jul 16, 2009

Show notes

Working in the entertainment industry is a little like being a character in one of those magical realism novels – it's about as close to real life as you can get and still have room for unexpected plot twists and scary monsters...

My Back End Jul 09, 2009

Show notes

In Hollywood, written -- that is to say, legally binding -- contracts are thought of as vulgar. In fact, just asking for a written contract is apt to bring out the latent mafiosi in Industry denizens. "I'm giving you my word," their pained expressions seem to say. "What? You don't trust me?"

The Pie Jul 02, 2009

Show notes

I got a call recently from an agent I know – a guy who represents some wonderful writers – some of whom I've worked with, some of whom I've only wish I've worked with – and he told me that he was leaving the agency business and becoming a manager...

Who Are You? Jun 25, 2009

Show notes

For the past year or so, I haven't had what you might call an assistant, on the logic that my life isn't really so complicated that I need assistance. I can work my phone, I can use Google Maps, I can unwrap my own sandwich – I'm a functioning, reasonably organized adult who makes his uncertain way in the world unassisted...

Rice Bowl Jun 18, 2009

Show notes

I'm in New York right now, and I just had lunch with an old friend of mine who somehow, despite richly deserving it, has not yet been fired by the investment bank where he works in something called "structured finance"...

Le Sit-Com Jun 11, 2009

Show notes

A few years ago, back during the Golden Age of television – and by Golden Age here I don't necessarily mean the age when television content was golden, when the shows were of a uniformly excellent quality – I honestly don't believe in that kind of designation – I think no matter when you turn it on, you can always find something on television worthwhile, interesting, and of high quality...

We Liked It Jun 04, 2009

Show notes

Everybody in Hollywood has their version of this story. You've got a show or a movie out there, and you're walking around town and maybe you run into an old friend or sit next to someone on an airplane and the conversation gets around to what you do for a living and quickly gets to the "have you ever done anything I might have heard of?" stage, and you mention your project and get this: Oh yeah. I've seen that...

But Why? May 28, 2009

Show notes

There's an old rule in business that says you shouldn't have a meeting unless there's an outcome to the meeting. There's no point in getting a bunch of people together unless there's a point to it -- unless at the end of the meeting at least one person walks out of there with an actual, deliverable task to accomplish...

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected