The Gibbons Update

A New Direction for The Gibbons Update

2008-07-26T09:41:00.001-07:00

I've been doing a lot of thinking about things lately - and one of them is this: I'm changing directions for this site.

At the beginning, I thought it would be cool to start up a column about all "tech things Hollywood"... kind of go into reviewing gadgets and equipment and applications that were somehow related to storytelling in Hollywood and the business. I had a lot of areas to cover, from reviews on applications like Final Cut Pro to cool new gadgets to trends in post production in Hollywood.

But guess what I discovered? There are about 100,000 blogs out there about gadgets and equipment and applications. And while they might not have had the hook of looking at things from the inside of Hollywood and how they worked within that purview - it turned out, for me, that my column was just too close to thousands of others. Heck, you can't swing a cat (or dog or inanimate object) around without hitting a great blog or site about gadgets and cool products. I mean there are literally hundreds and hundreds (and hundreds) of websites and blogs about gadgets - and there were so many good ones (from Endgadget to Gizmodo, etc.) it's hard to keep track.

So the blog sort of sat and became mostly a Twitter file... of all the things I was doing day-to-day in the business. Pitches, meetings, prep work, development updates...

And then, the other day, I realized that I've been giving out advice to lots of people about lots of things related to this industry of mine - TV and film and new media... and it suddenly struck me that a blog about things I was actually more interested in on a personal level might actually be interesting to others. I mean, since I'm handing out info and advice to newbies anyway, plus giving thoughts and suggestions to writers, directors, executives and the like, why not encapsulate them all under one website?

The Plan

So that's the plan. I'll start with my own meanderings and tips and advice, and add to it from there, with other guest bloggers. I literally know hundreds of really well-qualified, "the business" savvy professionals who like helping others. I see many of them on panels at seminars I'm in or attending. Or in mentoring programs the Producers Guild runs for its members. I run into people everyday who would have some great little piece of advice to give to someone on the way up - or in transition from job to another in the industry, or just plain good old information that's interesting on several levels.

And that's just what we're going to do. I'm going to start by asking 100 colleagues or so for a quick paragraph or three about how they got started in the business - it's fascinating seeing all the different paths people have taken to get to where they are now... and we'll go from there. I'm also asking certain key people to think about guest blogging or adding to the mix of advice, on every level.

Advice and Experts

Some of the areas we'll cover: creating and writing for television; developing projects from books, scripts, magazine and life rights of people; prepping a project to pitch; pitching a project in TV and film; how to break into the business; how to figure out what your project will cost, from rough sketch ideas to full-blown budgets; how to move from one area in the business to another; how to get on a writing staff; how to sell your show or film or online project; how to get into the online world with your project; advice on a stuck career; advice on how to get ahead; networking techniques; story structure; the selling seasons at the networks; how to pitch, when to pitch what not to pitch; how to land a killer job; how to get, keep, and deal with agents and managers (or become one); pitfalls to avoid; specifics on genre (how to produce one-hour dramas or a single camera comedy or a sitcom or an action film, etc.).

Some of the types of people I'll try to snag into writing here: producers, directors, writers, production executives, below-the-line production people (make-up, hair, DPs, costumers, grips gaffers and Teamsters, etc.), agents, managers, creatives, techies, post production gurus and all things post, production geeks, bigs shots, moguls, company presidents and first year PA's... Hopefully somebody will have something to say to some of you about things you want to know about.

It's a big list and a big group of people. You'll find in this business that there are strict rules and no rules at the same time. You'll hopefully be amused, enlightened and entertained, all while we get to help some of you. Let's see how that all works out. But first, we'll start with something pretty easy for many on my "advice hit list": How did you get started in the business, and what advice would you offer someone trying to get in and build a career?

Please send ideas for columns and requests for specific advice. Tell me how we can help you and I'll see who I can come up with to answer your inquiry. Or, just read and let me know your thoughts.

See you 'round the blog!

Tweets of the Day

2008-07-24T23:55:00.001-07:00

09:23 Meeting later with a dude I know from MTV who's now working with some other dudes who had a show on MTV. I'm not sure I like the word dude. #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-23T23:54:00.001-07:00

08:31 Allrighty...a meeting this morning on the comedy series based on the book, with the author and the writer. We're gonna whip this into shape! #
08:36 @megfowler I'm thinking you're going to need some sort of intervention here! #
17:08 Just finished a meeting for the homicide show. #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-16T23:56:00.001-07:00

09:44 OK, I'm reading your script(s) today. Yes, you. #
16:12 Sitting in the eye doctor's office, waiting for my eyes to dilate. #
16:44 @slackmistress No really, the one with the hillbillies... #
16:46 @thedelicious That's what you think! #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-15T23:55:00.001-07:00

20:11 Stays #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-13T23:57:00.001-07:00

09:28 I dId not stand in line for two hours yesterday for some iPhones, now did I? #
15:34 At American Girl Dolls... #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-12T23:59:00.001-07:00

15:46 My kid is a water monkey. Honestly. #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-11T23:55:00.001-07:00

01:40 Just had a meeting with an Australian pop star/actress about doing a comedy series for the US and Australia and the UK. #
19:55 HBO announced that "Curb" is coming back. Now can you all stop asking me about it? We're coming back for another season. There, I said it... #
19:55 Good pitch meeting today with the fabulous Des Barres'. #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-10T23:56:00.001-07:00

12:32 Reading scripts, dodging calls from writers... kidding. #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-10T00:02:00.001-07:00

07:48 Meeting with the LA Sheriff's Homicide Bureau captain and detectives today, regarding my show with them. #
07:56 @ColleenCoplick Done. Next time I'm anywhere near there, I'll send you a tweet. #
19:05 At Hollywood/Highland for their annual Summer Block Party - for "stakeholders" in Hollywood. #
21:21 Daughter and wife are salsa and mambo dancing to the Luis Cruz Beltran group at Hollywood/Highland. #
22:55 @Tony_D OK, but tomorrow I'm meeting with a celebrity/socialite/actress/c-lister. Be careful what you wish for! #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-07T23:54:00.001-07:00

19:32 At the Producers Guild, for our quarterly National Board of Directors meeting. #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-06T00:06:00.001-07:00

10:42 Saturday morning - just chillin' like Bob Dylan... #
10:44 @ElPocho I like the classic early 60's as well as the late 70's/early 80's revival... #
16:39 Watching my kid in the pool. Saturday is always Daddy/Daughter Day! #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-04T23:58:00.001-07:00

17:36 Hanging out at CBS Radford, enjoying the Studio City 4th of July Festival. Fireworks later. #
18:36 @Funkyjenn - No mistake - you'll just get a $5000 charge on your credit card, no doubt! #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-03T23:58:00.000-07:00

08:52 A quiet day in the business. Time to catch up on some scripts and writing. #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-02T23:58:00.001-07:00

12:33 Meeting one of my former ass'ts - who's now a Co-EP in reality TV - and she's buying lunch! #
16:09 Reading scripts and manuscripts, after working on some Producers Guild projects this morning. #
16:58 Listening to some ska. Never to much of that around, I tell you. #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-02T00:07:00.001-07:00

11:18 My 11a meeting is running late. #
15:50 Had a meeting with an Oscar nominated (Best Supporting) actress today. She also writes, is a musician, you name it. #
20:27 Watching/listening to Poncho Sanchez (free!) at Hollywood/Highland. #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-07-01T00:46:00.001-07:00

08:57 Prepping for a meeting on my homicide show. #
09:36 My 7yo daughter is watching ballet on a DVD: Scheherazade and Firebird... She's loving it! #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-06-30T00:00:00.001-07:00

10:17 Just had breakfast with my little family at Vivian's in Studio City. #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-06-28T23:56:00.001-07:00

14:44 Spent the morning at the Producers Guild helping orientate some new members. #
14:45 Just saw WALL-E at a PGA screening... Cute, very good. #
19:37 Watching my kid at a pool party. #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-06-27T23:58:00.001-07:00

15:33 Meeting this morning regarding a comedy series. Then a meeting with my co-writer for a dramatic pilot. #
17:43 How is it, that I end up going crazy on emails, calls, presentations needed, drafts being redone, mtgs rescheduled... on Friday afternoon? #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-06-26T23:59:00.001-07:00

08:50 On my way to breakfast with my main agent and manager. Maybe I'll get a career yet. #
09:04 Steve Winwood and Tom Petty rock!! #
10:23 Back to work. Creative meeting later for the ensemble comedy. #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-06-26T00:03:00.001-07:00

19:04 On my way to see Tom Petty plus operner Steve Winwood. #
20:10 Ok, so why do half the people at Tom Petty's show look like drug addicts & alcoholics? Srsly, it's like an AA meeting but they're all drinking. #
20:18 Then there's the dorks in front of me who are reading newspapers and magazines during Steve Winwood's set. Oughtta be a law!! #
21:22 Tom Petty is on!!! #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-06-24T23:58:00.001-07:00

10:57 I'm going to say it again: "There is such a fine line between stupid and clever." – David St. Hubbins, from "This Is Spinal Tap". #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-06-24T00:04:00.000-07:00

08:59 Prepping for: development meeting; writer meeting for lunch; then to the Producers Guild for long-term strategic plan; network notes call... #

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Tweets of the Day

2008-06-22T23:56:00.001-07:00

13:45 Yes! Wait until it's 110 degrees, then decide to rent the van and move some junk. My smart plan. #
13:45 Islands for lunch, but *no* burgers! #
13:47 Using JungleDisk and Amazon's S3 service to do and online backup of files. Time to complete? 24 days!! #

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