Lauren Black @LBlackCreative Twitter profile

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Lauren Black

5 months

News of my latest project just dropped! My husband Jonathan Black is producing with Bob Yari, with my company Chair 10 Productions providing production services. We start shooting in Connecticut in a few weeks!

Malcolm McDowell, Jacob Ward to Lead Vietnam Draft Drama ‘Summerhouse,’ Magenta Light Studios...

Bob Yari's Magenta Light Studios has found its first in-house film production, "Summerhouse," to star Malcolm McDowell and Jacob Ward.

variety.com

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

The Boomer mentality of “you don’t deserve things if you can’t afford them” doesn’t take into account that Boomers wouldn’t have been able to afford them either, if they’d been born a generation or two later.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

3 years

Anyone else get annoyed by people shaming other writers for not constantly writing? If I am not writing, it’s because: - I am working a full-time job - I am taking care of two small kids - I am trying to survive two years into a global pandemic Have some grace.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

Unsolicited screenwriting advice: have your characters DO something besides just having a conversation. Use the scene setting and action to reveal character. So much more interesting than a couple talking heads.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

Anytime I see someone on a laptop at Starbucks - no matter who they are or where I am - I just assume they’re working on a screenplay.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

@Angry_Staffer Do the events of this week - between the MTG hearings and DeSantis’s battle with Disney - change the midterm calculus?

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

10 months

Offhandedly mentioned to my boss (at the day job) that I write scripts on the side and he was like, “I’d love to read your script, we also have a feature division.”

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

If you’re a screenwriter looking for a way into the industry, I want to suggest a job that might not be on your radar: Story/Post AP in unscripted television. Short 🧵 1/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

@clairewillett I spent six months casting the new season of Homestead Rescue for Discovery and my major takeaway was that homesteading is challenging if you know what you’re doing and next to impossible if you don’t.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

Screenwriters: how do you end your scripts? THE END? FADE TO BLACK?

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

3 years

#Screenwriters Do you give your characters last names?

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

At the risk of creating more drama… A short🧵about slug lines, particularly as they pertain to independent features. If your script makes it to a producer, one of the first things they will want to know is the budget: how much will this film cost to make? 1/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

One suggestion I have for screenwriters hoping to get produced (as opposed to repped/staffed) is to have at least one script with minimal cast, minimal locations and minimal set pieces that can be shot for less than $2m ($3m if you factor in tax incentives). 1/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

@avishaiw Notice how it’s never, “we don’t have enough money to pay our execs.”

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

@evogtmann @m_scribe My 4-year-old got her shot on Tuesday and still has the bandaid. And it’s just a plain boring bandaid. But she loves bandaids.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

If the studios’ business model is failing, that on them. The writers, actors and crew are paid to create the product. It’s the responsibility of the C-suite execs to figure out how to make it profitable. And they should be the ones to pay if they can’t make it work.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

4 months

We’re making a movie!

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

5 months

Independent film producing is not for the faint of heart.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

@blgtylr My almost 4-year-old re: our neverending kitchen remodel: I’m not mad about it. I’m not mad at you. I’m not frustrated. But I am a little sad. Me: Me too, kid.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

11 months

Are we back to arguing about slug lines? Because I want to point out that at some point, if your slug lines are not formatted correctly, someone will need to do that before the script can be broken down for scheduling and budgeting. Right now that someone is me.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

My schedule is opening up so I’m interested in reading more scripts. HMU if you’re looking for notes. I can take on at least 3, maybe a couple more.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

I HAVE A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT. The laundry has been put away.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

I’ve been feeling creatively blocked for a while but I just had an idea for a new screenplay while driving my little one to a doctor’s appointment. It’s high-concept (ish) and I’m kind of excited about it.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

6 months

Would people want a list of pitch deck and poster designers too? Drop reccs here. 👇🏻

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

#Screenwriters How easily do you switch between projects? I just finished polishing two scripts and all my other stuff is still in the ideas phase. I’m having trouble changing gears and getting in the headspace to work on something new.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

Solidarity from Connecticut. #wgastrong

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

Here is my cancellable screenwriting take: If you’re relatively new to the game, you want to put your best foot forward. Make sure the script you’re sending out is one you’re proud of. Better to get it right than rush it out before it’s ready.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

You can find jobs at , the premier job site for reality television. They also post jobs for production assistants and other roles all over the country. 4/4

Home - Staff Me Up

staffmeup.com

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

May have stumbled upon a historical figure obscure enough that no one has considered writing a script about them. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

I’m late to the party on the latest Screenwriter Twitter drama, but I am pretty sure this was the same person who said a few months ago, “I will totally steal your script idea. If you pitch me, it’s fair game.”

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

Exciting news! I have just joined @Stage32 ’s roster of professionals and will be giving feedback on scripts and reality pitch decks through @Stage32Scripts . Looking forward to reading!

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

More unsolicited screenwriting advice: if your script is mostly dialogue, ask yourself if you can take some of the things the characters are talking about and turn them into their own scenes. “Show don’t tell” may be cliche but it’s cliche for a reason. 1/2

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

9 months

How does everyone keep track of story ideas? Spreadsheets, notebooks? I feel like I need a better system.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

4 months

I’ve been a little AWOL on here but I’ve been producing a movie! Being on set has given me such a different perspective on writing but I’m hoping to get those creative juices flowing again soon on my own scripts.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

7 months

I am convinced that no matter how many times you go through a script, there are ALWAYS more mistakes to find.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

10 months

For context: we are working on a reality show, he mentioned my “way with words” as we talked through the umpteenth revision of a pitch deck, and the prodco has a movie currently in theaters.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

3 years

Instead of working on any of my current WIPs, for some reason I have decided to resurrect a script a friend and I were writing a decade ago. It’s a literal mess but I think the story is solid. Hope it’s not more trouble than it’s worth.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

9 months

I want to call this out because when it comes to script formatting, there’s a distinction between things done for style and things that are practical for production. O.S./O.C. means the actor has to be scheduled on set for the day. V.O. can be added in Post.

Matt

@mattcswriter

9 months

I'm curious... when you're writing a scene that includes a phone call, do you use V.O. or O.S/O.C for a character on the other end of the call who we don't see?

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

For those of you who do outline: how do you do it? I’ve tried a few things but always default to Google sheets and a scene-by-scene breakdown.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

10 months

Would people be interested in an online workshop on writing for production? Mostly from an indie film perspective. Like, what to do when your producer says you only have 20 shoot days, or how to trim the script to cut the budget. Trying to gauge interest.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

Just found out a show I cast got nominated for a daytime Emmy, so that’s cool. I was working on this during the last months of my pregnancy with my 2yo. Literally went into labor the day after I wrapped.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

Serious question: Easter was more than a week ago and my children (ages 1 and 3) seem to have forgotten about the chocolate bunnies I got for them. Is it okay for me to eat them?

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

An artistic rendering of my feelings regarding Peeps.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

The barrier to entry is lower than in scripted, the pay is decent, and a lot of Post jobs are currently remote and likely staying that way. It’s a great way to learn story, especially for episodic television, and you will gain valuable insight into the network notes process. 2/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

As with everything, you don’t HAVE to follow these guidelines, but if you do, your line producer will thank you later. End/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

3 years

What advice would you give someone trying to break into Hollywood? Mine is: People can seem totally legitimate and also be totally full of shit. And you can know better and still fall for it.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

3 years

@keakealani @Dtheman53 @mollypriddy I had good insurance and was close to hitting my deductible, and my C-section still cost me $5500 for the hospital bill - which apparently is covered under a separate deductible.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

@KameronHurley Some of these bans are so extreme that pregnant people will be forced to sacrifice their lives for a fetus that is already dead, or in the case of ectopic pregnancies, that never had the potential for life.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

My new favorite thing is congratulating my fellow screenwriters on their contest placements.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

Today. Today will be the day I finally put away those six baskets of laundry.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

3 years

@davidhalchester V.O. It matters for production. Will the actor be needed in the scene or is it something that can be recorded after the fact in ADR? If they’re not physically present in the scene it should just be V.O.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

7 months

When your child keeps you up half the night because she’s scared to sleep alone, but then you come downstairs in the morning to this… 🫠

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

My entire Twitter feed is photos from the picket lines. Keep ‘em coming. #wgastrong

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

3 years

I feel like I’m almost as nervous sending out notes on someone else’s script as I am sending my own script out for notes. 😬

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

As a bonus, you will likely learn Avid (or Final Cut or Premiere, but most likely Avid), as well as discovering why “We’ll fix it in post” isn’t always a great solution. Plus you’ll gain valuable understanding of rights and clearances. 3/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

⁃If filming in multiple locations within a larger location (KITCHEN, LIVING ROOM), indicate the primary location first (HOUSE - KITCHEN), so that the scenes will be grouped by the larger location in the schedule. 5/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

How many hours do you spend scrolling social media in the morning before you feel ready to start the day? Because it’s 10am here and I haven’t been able to start working yet…

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

6 months

I’m putting together a Google spreadsheet with reccs. 👇🏻

Script Consultants

docs.google.com

Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

6 months

Who are your go-to’s for paid script notes - consultants, not coverage services?

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

Things that will add money to a script that you might not expect: - Unnecessary speaking roles - Lots of extras - Driving scenes - Big locations - Animals - Children - Big builds 3/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

8 months

Official balloon day and also the reason I’ve been mostly offline (that and Crescent City 3). It’s been a great day!

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

7 months

Having two kids often feels like having 15 kids. I can’t imagine what three kids is like.

Lucy Huber

@clhubes

7 months

Nobody will tell you this but me but having two kids is actually too hard. It’s simply too many children.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

7 months

There’s nervous and then there’s the Zoom waiting room for a big meeting. I don’t know if my heart’s ever pounded so hard.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

11 months

I don’t care if your slug lines are bolded or not. I care that you label locations consistently. Otherwise they are a bitch to schedule.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

Adding: once you get into pre-production and you’re dealing with real money, you will almost certainly be asked to cut the script to make the numbers work. So, expect that, and be flexible. If something’s got to give, chances are it’s not going to be the budget.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

The first three are contained in the slug line and scheduling software like Movie Magic will use them to automatically sort the schedule. So above everything else, slug lines are mainly a practical tool for production. With that in mind: 4/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

6 months

@AshLazerWrites 👋🏻 Screenwriter and reality TV producer here! Relocated to Connecticut 3 years ago after 16 years in LA and now my husband and I have a production services company. Simultaneously working on a Shark Week show, in prepro on a feature and raising two young kids. So, chaos.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

3 months

Finally resurfacing after a crazy month of film production and simultaneously wrapping on my Shark Week projects. To transition back into writing mode, I’m offering notes on TWO scripts. Any genre! If interested, drop a cute animal pic or GIF and I’ll let my kids pick.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

@bessbell At Disneyland.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

⁃Specific time of day only matters if it affects when the scene must be shot. MORNING and AFTERNOON are largely indistinguishable from DAY but DAWN and SUNSET requiring filming at particular times that should be scheduled accordingly. 6/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

3 years

@keakealani @Dtheman53 @mollypriddy A repeat C-section because my OB told me that if I tried for a vaginal birth there was a slim but very real chance it could kill me, or the baby, or both of us.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

I’ve gone pretty much full-on swamp witch at this point.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

In order to do a proper budget, you need a proper schedule. A schedule will tell you how many locations you need, what those locations are, how many days you need the locations and how many days you need the actors. 2/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 months

What do Glennon Doyle, Connie Britton, PiNK and I all have in common? We decided to #AnswertheCall tonight for Kamala Harris!

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

In order to build a schedule, you need the following information for each scene: ⁃Where it will be filmed ⁃Whether it’s inside or outside ⁃Whether it’s day or night ⁃Which actors are in the scene 3/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

⁃Different locations require different names in slugs. If you have two restaurants, it should be FANCY RESTAURANT and CASUAL RESTAURANT, rather than just RESTAURANT. 7/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

So take a second look at your script and see if there’s stuff that adds to the budget but not the story, and find ways to streamline it. A line producer will thank you for it later. 4/4

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

⁃You should have new slugs for every camera setup. Don’t use CONTINUOUS if the scene could theoretically be shot on a different day. ⁃Keep slugs clean, clear and consistent. 8/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

6 months

Who are your go-to’s for paid script notes - consultants, not coverage services?

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

9 months

I’m currently unemployed (or possibly just on hiatus, TBD) but my (former) boss is reading my script this weekend, so… silver linings?

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

@totallymorgan To be fair, only one of them is a speaking role. However, Laena and Laenor…

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

Who is going to trust these guys to read scripts when they clearly had trouble reading the room?

Scriptapalooza

@Scriptapalooza1

1 year

Hi everyone, unfortunately we got caught up in the frenzy of AI. For the past 25 years we have been working for writers. Bad decisions were made to run with this. We apologize. We stand with writers and the WGA.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

Either I just got propositioned by a wrong number, or I’ve been punked.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

I am not one to listen to music when writing but my latest WIP is about a female-fronted rock band and I could use some inspiration! My brain lives in a late-90s alt rock headspace so anything new and fresh is welcome. Drop your faves here.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

6 months

Perspective. It has been a ROUGH week and yes, I know it’s only Tuesday.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

My 18-month-old is having a meltdown because I won’t let her have a cookie for breakfast. She is 100% my child.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

7 months

For #InternationalWomensDay , shoutouts to some of my faves on here: @PhoenixBlackNow @leah_from @RachelSL @RachelStuhler @staceycrussell @SuzanneGriffin1 @americanmegalo @LisaLueyLutes @analydiamonaco @andreaberting @WappelH @OnTheRoadMel @UnicornFilmsLtd

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

1 year

Yes, it’s about a great script, but it’s also about BUDGET. Unless it’s a tentpole film, producers at all levels are concerned about the bottom line. 2/

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

3 years

@NathanMackBrown Vaxxed, boosted, and parent to two kids under 5 with no hope that I can get them vaccinated before the next surge. So, no, not ready.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

3 months

Four days at Disneyland with the kids = no time for Twitter. Had a pair of amazing meetings in LA yesterday and, despite the exhaustion, am looking forward to jumping back into the swing of things next week.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 months

Script research!! Tell me something you would never ever EVER do.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

I am late to this party but I just watched the first episode of “The Bear” and I was not prepared for that level of intensity at 10 in the morning.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

3 years

@AwkwardGirlLA One of the hardest lessons to learn in this industry is just how many people are full of shit. Even the ones who seem legitimate.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

9 months

Hair refresh. A few quick snips and a blowout.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

7 months

THIS. I was told once that physical descriptions in a script limit the actors you can go out to, and - as with everything - you should only include those details when they’re relevant to the story.

David Stokes

@davidleestokes

7 months

Reading the Saltburn script. Emerald Fennell's character descriptions are glorious. Nothing about height, weight, size or physical appearance. Just WHO that person is. Two thumbs up.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

10 months

Jumping on the bandwagon. Offering 2+ pages of script notes plus an hour phone call or Zoom to chat through to one lucky commenter. I’ll read anything!

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

9 months

This is only one coat but OMG I am in love.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

New logline: When a local cop shoots a beloved black bear, his neighbor launches an all out crusade to save the bear’s orphaned cubs before it’s too late. Oh wait, that’s not my WIP, that’s my real life.

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative

2 years

Favorite free or low-cost screenwriting software?

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Lauren Black

@LBlackCreative