Jen Grisanti Consultancy

In his book, THE WAR OF ART, Steven Pressfield examines the word "resistance" and how it pertains to the creative process. He writes, "There's a secret that real writers know that wannabe writers don't, and the secret is this: It's not the writing part that's hard. What's hard is sitting down to write. What keeps us from sitting down is resistance." I further appreciate how Pressfield reframes the experience of self-doubt when he states, "Self-doubt can be an ally. This is because it serves as an indicator of aspiration. It reflects love, love of something we dream of doing, and desire, desire to do it. If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends), "Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?" chances are you are. The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death."

Facing one's fear and moving past the resistance is integral in the act of creating something from nothing. But what are we afraid of? Why do we resist? Addressing those questions honestly begins to demystify the struggle AND repositions resistance as part of a noble journey rather than a negative mode of behavior. And to authentically answer, we have to look at the dual sides of the dilemma. One side of resistance asks us, "What if I do go after my dream and succeed?" while the other side asks, "What if I fail. What if people laugh at me or think less of me?" "What if, what if, what if...?" For most all of us, I bet it's both -- fear of success as much as fear of failure. But what if we explore the idea that behind every great success often lays a string of failures? What if we shifted our attitudes and looked at a failure as a step towards succeeding? Could that take the power of fear, self-doubt, and resistance down a notch and free us to move forward?

Another way to move past resistance is to focus on what our passion is to begin with - why we yearn to create, or more importantly WHAT we yearn to create. Sumner Redstone wrote in his book, A PASSION TO WIN, "In my experience, success has three essential ingredients: a passionate commitment to your goal, the courage to dream and take risks, and the moral and intellectual character to realize the dreams worth pursuing and the best route to take to achieve them." Sumner also said, "I learned more from my failures than I did my successes." Moving past fear and resistance is just a happy by-product of focusing on your inspired motivations rather than the big What ifs that are renowned for killing ideas before they have the chance to see the light of day.

Throughout my career, I've found it ironic that the most talented writer/producers are often filled with a large amount of self doubt. This fact surprised me at first but then I recognized that these brilliant thinkers used this doubt/fear to fuel their work. They never got complacent with one week of high ratings because they knew there was always a chance that audiences wouldn't come back next week. Or the week after. This drove them to constantly try to create at the top of their game. Similarly, on the other side of writing a blockbuster movie or a bestselling novel is often the fear of "What if my best is behind me?" "What if I can't do it again? Or do it better?"

One of my favorite authors, Kahlil Gibran writes in his book THE PROPHET, "Your daily life is your temple and your religion. Whenever you enter it take with you your all. Take the plough and the forge and the mallet and the lute, the things you have fashioned in necessity or for delight. For in reverie you cannot rise above your achievements nor fall lower than your failures. And take with you all men: For in adoration you cannot fly higher than their hopes nor humble yourself lower than their despair."

We think the key to fulfillment is the destination but from hearing so many speak about what their lives are like after they've "arrived," it seems clear that the fulfillment is right there with the journey. Maybe the key is to embrace every moment that it takes to get where we want to go and if we do get there; great, if we don't, at least we know we tried. If we look at failure as a rite of passage on the road to success, it might quench our fear of failure and allow us to learn and grow.

If you're interested in moving past the "What if" and feel that you would benefit from setting up a specific strategy to get to the next step in your career, please contact me for an initial free consult at jennifer@jengrisanticonsultancy.com.

In the interest of evolving, moving through resistance and embracing growth, I've expanded my website!! (www.jengrisanticonsultancy.com.) I've wanted it to be more interactive and more informative, so new features include:
1) A blog
2) A link to buy all the books I recommend in my newsletters
3) Links to all helpful websites for television and feature writers
4) Podcasts - Coming soon, I will be regularly interviewing guests throughout the entertainment industry
5) An archive for past newsletters, a link to sign up for my newsletter, etc.

My website was designed by Suzie Roth Design (www.suzieroth.com).

WRITER/YOGA RETREAT
Coordinating my upcoming Writer/Yoga Retreat in Hawaii is a perfect example of thinking big and moving past my fear. Though I'd always envisioned combining the beauty of peaceful Oahu and the healing practice of yoga with the opportunity to create, it seemed a bit out of reach for me. Colleagues have told me they too were inspired to do something similar but always figured that it was too big an endeavor. And yet, my feeling ultimately is... Why not try? What if?

So....

Jen Grisanti Consultancy Inc. is putting together a Writer/Yoga Retreat in Oahu from August 18-23. I am organizing this with one of LA's top yoga instructors, Meaghan Townsend. You can read more about Meaghan at www.meaghantownsend.com


LOCATION: The Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu
DATES: August 18-23
PRICE: $1,600.00 - Yoga Only
$1,600.00 - $1,700.00 - Writing only, range determined by feature or tv script
$1,800.00 - $2,000.00 - Writing and Yoga
DEPOSIT DUE: $500.00 June 5, 2009. Please go to www.writeryogaretreat.eventbrite.com.
Remainder due the beginning of August.

The retreat will create a community experience to help accomplish your professional goals while nurturing yourself. I recognize the value of group participation as I've experienced the potency of it as the Writing Instructor for NBC's WOTV Program and having been a mentor for the CBS Program. Therefore, I've designed this retreat to mimic those experiences so that writers will get the chance to elevate the quality of their scripts amid a supportive community of colleagues. But this retreat goes one step further by offering the additional emotional, spiritual, and physical support of a yoga practice. With this unique vacation, you'll be productive, elevate your material, make new friends and return with a support group in place and be refreshed and rejuvenated by the practice of yoga. And the icing on the cake is that you can write it all off!

A few accomplished writers with TV and/or feature credits have expressed interest in coming to speak and participate in the retreat. I will keep you posted on the details.

If you're interested, please contact me at jennifer@jengrisanticonsultancy.com.

WRITING PROGRAMS AND DEADLINES FOR TELEVISION WRITERS

NBC - Writers on the Verge
This is a 10-week program focused on polishing writers' material and readying the participants for the staff writer position on a television series. Classes concentrate on creating an exceptional spec script and understanding the dynamics of pitching oneself in the television industry.
Please go to http://www.nbcunicareers.com/entry_leadership/Writers_On_The_Verge
DEADLINE TO APPLY - June 30, 2009

ABC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM
This is a 12-month paid program, during which individuals from diverse backgrounds are placed in entry-level positions in the production-related areas of ABC Studios in Burbank, CA.
Please go to http://www.abctalentdevelopment.com/
DEADLINE TO APPLY - April 24, 2009

CBS DIVERSITY
CBS's program focuses on opening doors: providing opportunities to build relationships with network executives and showrunners; to support new and emerging writers in their efforts to improve their craft; and to develop the interpersonal skills necessary to break in and succeed.
Please go to http://www.cbscorporation.com/diversity/cbs_network/index.php
DEADLINE TO APPLY - May 1, 2009.

FOX DIVERSITY WRITERS INITIATIVE
Writers selected will be invited to attend a six-week session at Writers Boot Camp and be offered a consultation with WBC mentors during which time writers will rewrite and improve their scripts. The goal is to execute scripts at a level of professional quality equal to those purchased by Fox in the course of its normal television development.
Please go to http://www.fox.com/diversity/creative/writer_initiative.htm
DEADLINE TO APPLY - July 3, 2009

WARNER BROS. WRITERS PROGRAM
The Warner Bros. Television Writers' Workshop consists of three components, Lectures, Simulated Writer's Room, and Staffing, all geared towards preparing the writer for a successful career in TV writing.
Please go to http://www.writersworkshop.warnerbros.com
SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED - May 1, 2009 - July 25, 2009

NOTEWORTHY TELEVISION EPISODES

LIE TO ME
W - TJ Brady and Rasheed Newson D - Arvin Brown
"The Best Policy" episode was gripping because both the A and B stories were perfect examples of high stakes writing. In the A story, Tim Roth's character "Lightman" gets personally challenged when he must weigh his loyalty to a close friend against his ethical compass -- struggling with the right course of action after discovering a high-level conspiracy surrounding a new drug distributed by his friend's company. Emotionally, the B story delivered, too, as it dramatized the release of two Americans imprisoned in Yemen. "The Best Policy" was definitely one of the best episodes of this series yet.

UNITED STATES OF TARA
W - Jill Soloway D - Brian Danelly
This episode"Abundance" stood out emotionally as it explored the emergence of a new personality for Tara and the fear it brought up for her family and her. It deftly portrayed the intimate effects of the disorder tinged with subtle humor; a sophisticated mode of storytelling that captures the complexity of the life experience and just how Tara and her family process it.

W - Christopher Santos D - John Dahl
The episode "Betrayal" also stood out because of its heart-wrenching dramatization of Tara betraying her son when he finds one of her personalities kisses his love interest. Always trying to be understanding of his mom and her condition, Tara's son's inner conflict explodes when he lights the shed on fire -- the place where his mom usually goes to recover from her "personalities."

BOOKS (all of these can be ordered through my website)

PROFESSIONAL
The War of Art
Written by Steven Pressfield
This book explores how "resistance" tries to squelch artistic expression and what we can do to move past it and find success. The book both examines internal obstacles faced by the artist and presents tools to overcome them. Universally, THE WAR OF ART will hit everyone who reads it not only in their creative processes but in their lives.

SPIRITUAL
The Prophet
Written by Kahlil Gibran
The depth and intimacy of Kahlil Gibran's poetic exploration into mankind's biggest fears while bringing peace to the reader is uniquely brilliant. I've never read anything like THE PROPHET, and while reading it, I didn't want to come to the end of it -- now I want to read every single one of his books.

WEBSITES

http://Going.com
Ever wish there were one place to find all the events around town? And see what other people THINK of events? Stop wishing and start surfing. Going.com helps you find fun things to do and fun people to meet.

SCENECHRONIZE SOFTWARE
Introducing scenechronize - a radically useful software for the entire production
Scenechronize is web-based production management software for film and television. It combines the script, breakdown and scheduling into a single application, available through the web, anytime, from anywhere. It allows the core production planners (producer, director, LP/UPM, 1st AD, 2nd AD, production coordinator) to organize a production as never before, shaving days, or even weeks, off of prep. As the first day of shooting approaches, scenechronize is available to the entire crew, quickly and efficiently communicating any changes to the script or schedule.
To learn more, please visit http://www.scenechronize.com

WEBSERIES
Check out Bill Taub's cleverly written and fantastic new webseries, PSYCHO BABBLE.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Taub+%22PsychoBabble%22&aq=f PSYCHO BABBLE

RESTAURANTS
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Mario Batili and Nancy Silverton are combining their love of authentic Italian food and artisanal breads to proffer what could be LA's best pizza. I went here for a celebration and loved it! The ambiance is fantastic and the food, mouth watering. We had their popular Fennel/Sausage Pizza and Fried Squash Blossoms. And for dessert, you must try their Butterscotch Budino, it's PHENOMENAL!

Osteria La Buca
5210 1/2 Melrose Ave.
LA, CA 9038
If you love thin crust pizza with sauces that will make you feel like you're in Italy, this is your place! The mushroom pizza and the scrumptious white fish made for one of my favorite meals ever. The restaurant has expanded and the new ambiance is the perfect place for either a date or a business meeting.

NETWORKING
Friday Night Drinks is a networking group I started that meets the first Friday of every month at Century Plaza Hotel's X Bar at 2025 Ave. of the Stars.

A big thanks to the tremendous group that showed up for the April mixer.

The next Friday Night Drinks is Friday May 1, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. at the X Bar.

There won't be one in June because I'm leaving for Seattle that Friday to present my seminar. I will resume in July but not on the 4th of July weekend. The date is TBD.


OTHER REASONS TO CONTACT JEN GRISANTI CONSULTANCY INC.
I've got many accomplished writers on my client roster who've completed pilots. If you're interested in a list, please contact me at jennifer@jengrisanticonsultancy.com.

If you'd like to experience the effects that one-on-one coaching can have on your writing, please contact me at jennifer@jengrisanticonsultancy.com.

In response to the economy and people losing their jobs, one day a month I will have reduced rates on single consults. I will read your script one time and give you notes either by phone or e-mail. For more info, please contact me at jennifer@jengrisanticonsultancy.com.

SPECIAL CONGRATS
TJ Brady & Rasheed Newson for their first produced episode of TV airing with LIE TO ME. It really stood out!

Liz Benjamin for getting staffed on CRASH.

Tom Mularz for his first produced episode of television with C.S.I. It was powerful and emotional!


QUOTE OF THE MONTH
""Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars."
Kahlil Gibran

Have a great month!

Love,
Jen
www.jengrisanticonsultancy.com
Developing From Within