I started in the entertainment industry as an actor. I had an agent as a senior in high school. I studied acting in college at Yale, worked professionally and, eventually went to drama school (the A.R.T. Institute at Harvard) to learn more. I understood the skills of the craft, but not how to live the life of a guy who works as an actor. I asked everyone I knew for guidance and direction. Eventually, I turned to writing, hungry to create roles that I’d want to play. Theater scripts led to TV writing and I moved from my native New York to L.A. to pursue work. I was still asking those questions and slowly discovering solutions in the real world and in the Juilliard playwriting program. It’s tremendously gratifying to pass on what I’ve discovered and coach writers to do the inside work and the outside work – along with the planning – to thrive in Hollywood.
I’ve coached artists of all kinds since 2008. And I love working with diverse writers one-on-one and in workshops, which I’ve run in New York, Los Angeles and in between. I’ve helped thousands of writers through live events, online seminars, e-blasts and his channels on YouTube, Facebook and X. I’ve been a guest artist / speaker at Hollywood Health and Society, The Dramatists Guild Institute, San Diego Comic Con, NY Film Academy, The Lambda Literary Festival, The Field, Bryn Mawr College, Loyola Marymount University, Interlochen School for the Arts, Chapman University, and I’ve taught at UCLA Extension School, Georgia Southern University and The Harvardwood Writers Program. TV writing includes Co-Executive Producer for Tracker and the CW / Max drama Stargirl. I’ve also written for God Friended Me (CBS), Tell Me Your Secrets (Amazon Prime), American Crime and Covert Affairs. You can find out more about me at HarperCreates.com. Or on my coaching site at yourcreativelife.com Bottom line, I bring all my skills to bear when you and I get to work together.
I started in the entertainment industry as an actor. I had an agent as a senior in high school. I studied acting in college at Yale, worked professionally and, eventually went to drama school (the A.R.T. Institute at Harvard) to learn more. I understood the skills of the craft, but not how to live t…
Etiquette for sending private messages: text, audio, or video?
Whether privately messaging someone via email, social media DM, or mobile text, which is better... writing, audio, or video? Here's my personal rule: 1. Writing is most respectful because it's the quickest for the other person to read. 2. The more of a relationship I have with someone, the more they'll likely be patient enough to listen to my audio / watch my video message to them... yet, if it's something I'm asking for / requesting, it's still more respectful to write if possible. 3. If recording audio/video, try to keep it under 1 minute 😅 and more about sharing emotion... not information, which can be shared via writing. 4. Except if I'm volunteering help to someone / doing them a favor, then audio/video longer is fine, but aim for no more than 3 minutes unless it's really super helpful to go longer 😄 5. Another exception -- if I'm responding to a client/student on a Q&A call and it's a video that will be watched by others, then of course, going longer (as you know I do!) than 3 minutes is normal 😂 What are your feelings when receiving a private message from someone you don't know super well? Do you prefer writing, audio, or video? Comment and let's discuss below. You're allowed to disagree with me 😊 (If you cannot see -- or write -- comments below, it means you're not logged in.)
I prefer written notices, especially if I don't know people. It gives them a chance to introduce themselves in words - tell me who they are and what they're up to. It's challenging for me, a wordsmith, to receive a message that isn't clearly, respectfully and well articulated. Voicemail is much more intimate and I won't click on or download something from a stranger.