When you're a kid, your bike will take you places you've never been before. It's your first real taste of independence and, ultimately, freedom. It starts with that first pushback against mom—who tells you not to go around the entire block. Then you do. She tells you not to cross the big street into the... Continue Reading →
Resident. Pedestrian. Citizen. On more than one occasion, a consultant or manager has told me not to use these words because they're not relatable; viewers don't say them in casual conversation, or only police or public officials use them. I say malarky and poppycock (Words that are actually unrelatable). Yes, there could be more precise... Continue Reading →
You're not a Jedi. Don't back into a sentence. Write it clearly and correctly, and viewers will respond positively. I'm sure this has been hammered into you during school or your career, but it can't be said enough. Be active, not passive. There are a few caveats to this mantra you should learn first. 1)... Continue Reading →
Television news writing is its own writing niche. Unlike most kinds of writing, your goal is to reach the ears of people who often are not paying attention to your words. Over my 18 years of writing television news, I learned to write news copy that grabs the attention of viewers. I shared my knowledge... Continue Reading →
Think of your first sentence as the moment a sprinter takes off in a 40-yard dash. One foot should be firmly planted. The eyes should be focused straight ahead. Muscles should launch the runner's other foot forward, creating momentum that will carry them through the next few seconds. In writing, that means firm structure, focused... Continue Reading →
Here is what to watch during Halloween 2023. This year, I'm mixing up my list to include a few categories for each of ten popular streaming services. Categories include: New For You A new, must-watch film this Halloween. You May Have Missed A new(ish) movie that's not quite a modern classic but should be high... Continue Reading →
The six Star Wars film references I wrote about that Rotten Tomatoes did not use
Ted Lasso shares some of the same principles and problems as other founding television dads.
A lot of movies become classics years after they're first released. They don't change but our appreciation for them changes as they continue to show up in our lives. The Wizard of Oz and The Shining were blasted by critics but are now some of the most treasured films of all time. Modern games are... Continue Reading →
Every day for 17 years, I pursued my deadline as a news producer with the fervor of a religious zealot. My rundown—a prophecy of stories. My scripts—mini manifests of my vision. I conjured images and sound to help spread my gospel. Through the day I crafted a sermon of wildfires, peeping toms, home runs, and seals... Continue Reading →
Among the Reads 