Maria Lokken, Romance Author

Maria Lokken, Romance Author

Maria Lokken, Romance Author

Use Your Words

We work in television.  Being creative is how we make our living.  Some of us are clever. Some are witty and some are even smart.  Whatever combination you are, it’s at least expected you know how to speak the English language.  However, more and more I hear people speaking in catch phrases, short hand and … Read more

Tell The Truth

Sometimes you make mistakes.  Sometimes the mistake is so huge you feel certain this will be the one that will get you fired.  Maybe even blacklisted from ever working in this business again. Mistakes run the gamut from: Oh Shit – I told the Show Runner s/he could start next week but I actually don’t … Read more

What’s a Cost Tracker?

Every good Line Producer knows the financial health or sickness of their production at all times.  Knowing where you are financially helps you overcome the unpredictable.  You know what I’m talking about –  those moments when your Executive Producer tells you the water scene you planned to shoot from the docks will now be an … Read more

Screaming Won’t Save You

I’m convinced a secret closet exists in every production company from NY to Los Angeles.  A closet that not only glows in the dark, but likely pulsates and magically replenishes itself daily. This mystical closet I’m speaking of contains thousands and thousands of only one item.  What’s in this closet?  A monkey wrench.  Yup, that … Read more

Why Production Meetings

Before you shoot you must have a pre-production meeting before everyone scatters to wherever the heck they’re going. Yeah, I know, meetings, meetings, meetings.  The constant yammerimg of people who talk because they are in love with their own words and ideas – yes it’s very frustrating and you want to hurt people.  BUT, without … Read more