Happy Sunday, everyone. Sharing this week’s Coffee & Content because it’s a good one, especially if you need a creative recharge.
RB spotlights an incredible Vanity Fair deep-dive where James Cameron breaks down every film he’s ever made — from The Terminator to Avatar: The Way of Water. What makes it so powerful isn’t just the behind-the-scenes stories, but how honest Cameron is about where he started: broke, fired, living off coupons, and deciding he had to create something only he could make.
His entire career is rooted in one idea: take people on a journey, no matter your budget or resources. Curiosity, problem-solving, and reinvention were his real tools.
RB also ties this into pitching — and the advice is worth repeating:
Start by being human.
Before your logline, take two seconds to connect with the person across from you. Show you did your homework. Executives notice, and almost no one does it.
Then get clear about:
• the format
• the genre
• and why the story matters to you
Clarity + personal connection = a pitch that stands out.
Cameron built a career by taking leaps long before he had the means. So the question RB ends with is a great one:
What leap are you ready to take next — even if you’re not totally comfortable yet?
A new script? A cold email? A pitch? Starting a short? Joining a collaborator you’ve been circling for months?
Drop it below. You never know who you might inspire.
Hi, Lindsay Thompson. Hope you're enjoying the weekend! I'm ready to do more live pitches even though I'm not 100% comfortable yet. And learning how to do live pitches isn't just for writers. It's also for producers, directors, executives, etc.