Martini Shot

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In Hollywood, even the most prosaic activities often involve a complex dance of priorities, rank and egos. This week, Rob Long explains the complex politics and power moves behind setting a meeting time that works for everyone’s schedule. Yet that exercise pales in comparison to figuring out who is in what position on which project, which often requires an advanced degree in calculus to understand. But according to Rob, it’s also why you can get by just as well with a good grasp of the concept of dithering.

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As a public service, Rob gives his expert guide to pitch meeting success, starting with what beverage one should order (it matters!).

In this week’s episode, Rob Long tackles the idea that entertainment is a risky business that takes a lot of intuition and nerve.

Screamers, show consulting, Stanford, seniority, status, and Stalin’s chair. These concepts are all linked, in this parable on power in the entertainment business. Listen and hear how.

This week, Rob give his notes on network notes.

Rob — who has run a few shows in his time— has some words of encouragement and yes, advice for those people who find themselves in precarious employment situations. And in the process, talks himself out of a job.

As the entertainment business slowly becomes a form of television and everyone slowly realizing that the television business depends on the management skills and personal discipline of…writers, some show runners are finding themselves replaced at alarming rates. Rob — who has run a few shows in his time— has some words of encouragement and yes, […]

In Hollywood, everyone is an artist. And as artists, they often feel they are entitled to a certain amount of eccentricity and perfectionism, including but not limited to having their cake and eating it too (metaphorically speaking).

Rob explains why managing “the talent” —which includes anyone who interacts with studio management— sometimes calls for techniques that are more commonly associated with calming infants.

In Los Angeles, everyone’s in show business. Everyone.