Colby Day
@colbyday.com
I wrote the movies IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE (Hulu), and SPACEMAN (Netflix), worked on the TV series For All Mankind (S5 on Apple TV now) and write a newsletter about how writing for hollywood is normal and good
Hollyweird.colbyday.com
Hollyweird.colbyday.com
Pinned
Colby Day
@colbyday.com
· Oct 20
Tim Heidecker & Tatiana Maslany Set For Late-Night-Themed Dark Comedy ‘The Comedy Hour’
Tim Heidecker and Tatiana Maslany have joined 'The Comedy Hour,' a dystopian satire marking the feature directorial debut of Colby Day.
deadline.com
I started out as an intern in late night television so it only makes sense that my DIRECTORIAL DEBUT would be set in that crazy dumb world. Can’t wait to make this with THESE ABSOLUTE STARS. deadline.com/2025/10/tim-...
AMC just announced it's getting into distribution. The trade coverage is treating this like good news for filmmakers.
It isn't. It's one more link in the supply chain removed.
It isn't. It's one more link in the supply chain removed.
September 4, 2026 at 5:53 PM
AMC just announced it's getting into distribution. The trade coverage is treating this like good news for filmmakers.
It isn't. It's one more link in the supply chain removed.
It isn't. It's one more link in the supply chain removed.
My ending wasn't landing. Spent a week thinking it was the ending's fault.
It wasn't. My hero wasn't beat down enough at the start to earn it.
Went back to my comps, figured out what they were doing and fixed not the ending but the beginning. New post:
hollyweird.colbyday.com/p/your-hero-...
It wasn't. My hero wasn't beat down enough at the start to earn it.
Went back to my comps, figured out what they were doing and fixed not the ending but the beginning. New post:
hollyweird.colbyday.com/p/your-hero-...
You can always sharpen
The one rule three "sad fake dad" movies taught me about act one.
hollyweird.colbyday.com
July 31, 2026 at 9:27 PM
My ending wasn't landing. Spent a week thinking it was the ending's fault.
It wasn't. My hero wasn't beat down enough at the start to earn it.
Went back to my comps, figured out what they were doing and fixed not the ending but the beginning. New post:
hollyweird.colbyday.com/p/your-hero-...
It wasn't. My hero wasn't beat down enough at the start to earn it.
Went back to my comps, figured out what they were doing and fixed not the ending but the beginning. New post:
hollyweird.colbyday.com/p/your-hero-...
Reposted by Colby Day
Love this from screenwriter @colbyday.com. This is what I do, but not becuz of sage advice but from a lack of self-discipline. 😄 Follow or subscribe to his substack: substack.com/@colbyday
#writersky #authorsky
#writersky #authorsky
July 19, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Love this from screenwriter @colbyday.com. This is what I do, but not becuz of sage advice but from a lack of self-discipline. 😄 Follow or subscribe to his substack: substack.com/@colbyday
#writersky #authorsky
#writersky #authorsky
Reposted by Colby Day
PRODUCER: our new show is about a ragtag group of mutant ninja turtles
STUDIO EXEC: HOW OLD ARE THEY
STUDIO EXEC: HOW OLD ARE THEY
June 20, 2025 at 4:40 PM
PRODUCER: our new show is about a ragtag group of mutant ninja turtles
STUDIO EXEC: HOW OLD ARE THEY
STUDIO EXEC: HOW OLD ARE THEY
Reposted by Colby Day
“I’m Colby Knoxville, and this is Eating Lettuce.”
July 16, 2026 at 6:25 PM
“I’m Colby Knoxville, and this is Eating Lettuce.”
I don’t have a lot going on right now. Should I try this explosive diarrhea trend
July 16, 2026 at 6:02 PM
I don’t have a lot going on right now. Should I try this explosive diarrhea trend
I run a monthly zoom hang for writers via my newsletter. I've always charged just $8/mo to do it. We dig into craft questions, career questions, manager and agent questions, you name it.
If this sounds like something you could use, price is going up tomorrow.
hollyweird.colbyday.com/subscribe
If this sounds like something you could use, price is going up tomorrow.
hollyweird.colbyday.com/subscribe
Subscribe to Hollyweird with Colby Day
Weekly insights on screenwriting, craft, career and navigating the mysterious state of mind that is “Hollywood.”. Click to read Hollyweird with Colby Day, a Substack publication with thousands of subs...
hollyweird.colbyday.com
July 15, 2026 at 3:44 PM
I run a monthly zoom hang for writers via my newsletter. I've always charged just $8/mo to do it. We dig into craft questions, career questions, manager and agent questions, you name it.
If this sounds like something you could use, price is going up tomorrow.
hollyweird.colbyday.com/subscribe
If this sounds like something you could use, price is going up tomorrow.
hollyweird.colbyday.com/subscribe
Substack just ranked Hollyweird #6 in Rising Film & TV.
Which means now is probably a good time to explain what it actually is.
I’m a working studio screenwriter — and I write a free weekly newsletter about what this career really looks like.
Once a week. Free. Link in profile.
Which means now is probably a good time to explain what it actually is.
I’m a working studio screenwriter — and I write a free weekly newsletter about what this career really looks like.
Once a week. Free. Link in profile.
July 8, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Substack just ranked Hollyweird #6 in Rising Film & TV.
Which means now is probably a good time to explain what it actually is.
I’m a working studio screenwriter — and I write a free weekly newsletter about what this career really looks like.
Once a week. Free. Link in profile.
Which means now is probably a good time to explain what it actually is.
I’m a working studio screenwriter — and I write a free weekly newsletter about what this career really looks like.
Once a week. Free. Link in profile.
Wrote about the difference between a craft problem and a relationship problem this week —and the test I use to tell which one I'm actually looking at.
Your job is not to transcribe
How to tell if it's a notes problem or your reps just aren't into you anymore
hollyweird.colbyday.com
July 3, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Wrote about the difference between a craft problem and a relationship problem this week —and the test I use to tell which one I'm actually looking at.
In a good year I’d pitch on maybe a dozen projects.
Get hired once.
That’s what a good year looks like.
Nobody talks about the ratio of success to failure in Hollywood because the ratio is embarrassing. But the ratio is also just the job. Once you accept that, the nos stop feeling like verdicts.
Get hired once.
That’s what a good year looks like.
Nobody talks about the ratio of success to failure in Hollywood because the ratio is embarrassing. But the ratio is also just the job. Once you accept that, the nos stop feeling like verdicts.
June 30, 2026 at 2:32 PM
In a good year I’d pitch on maybe a dozen projects.
Get hired once.
That’s what a good year looks like.
Nobody talks about the ratio of success to failure in Hollywood because the ratio is embarrassing. But the ratio is also just the job. Once you accept that, the nos stop feeling like verdicts.
Get hired once.
That’s what a good year looks like.
Nobody talks about the ratio of success to failure in Hollywood because the ratio is embarrassing. But the ratio is also just the job. Once you accept that, the nos stop feeling like verdicts.
Every question I get asked in these is one I’ve had myself at some point.
That’s kind of the point.
Live Zoom Q&A this Wednesday July 1 12pm PT. Free.
Bring whatever’s been stuck in your head — craft, career, what to write next…
Last day to grab a spot here.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
That’s kind of the point.
Live Zoom Q&A this Wednesday July 1 12pm PT. Free.
Bring whatever’s been stuck in your head — craft, career, what to write next…
Last day to grab a spot here.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Hollyweird Hang Q&A RSVP
Drop your email, name, and question (if you have it) for Wednesday July 1st's Hollyweird Hang.
I'll send the zoom link to everyone who signs up.
docs.google.com
June 29, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Every question I get asked in these is one I’ve had myself at some point.
That’s kind of the point.
Live Zoom Q&A this Wednesday July 1 12pm PT. Free.
Bring whatever’s been stuck in your head — craft, career, what to write next…
Last day to grab a spot here.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
That’s kind of the point.
Live Zoom Q&A this Wednesday July 1 12pm PT. Free.
Bring whatever’s been stuck in your head — craft, career, what to write next…
Last day to grab a spot here.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Colby Day
As a former reader, this is absolutely true.
I never, ever had a script that opened with ten terrible pages change my mind by the end.
Some people misunderstand this to mean your first ten pages can’t start slow. That’s not what I’m saying.
The first 10 pages tell me if you can WRITE
I never, ever had a script that opened with ten terrible pages change my mind by the end.
Some people misunderstand this to mean your first ten pages can’t start slow. That’s not what I’m saying.
The first 10 pages tell me if you can WRITE
The first ten pages of your screenplay aren’t the beginning of your story.
They’re the audition.
A tired reader isn’t asking “what happens next?” on page one.
They’re asking: “Is this writer worth my time?”
You answer that with voice. Confidence. The sense you know exactly where this is going.
They’re the audition.
A tired reader isn’t asking “what happens next?” on page one.
They’re asking: “Is this writer worth my time?”
You answer that with voice. Confidence. The sense you know exactly where this is going.
June 18, 2026 at 6:35 PM
As a former reader, this is absolutely true.
I never, ever had a script that opened with ten terrible pages change my mind by the end.
Some people misunderstand this to mean your first ten pages can’t start slow. That’s not what I’m saying.
The first 10 pages tell me if you can WRITE
I never, ever had a script that opened with ten terrible pages change my mind by the end.
Some people misunderstand this to mean your first ten pages can’t start slow. That’s not what I’m saying.
The first 10 pages tell me if you can WRITE
The first ten pages of your screenplay aren’t the beginning of your story.
They’re the audition.
A tired reader isn’t asking “what happens next?” on page one.
They’re asking: “Is this writer worth my time?”
You answer that with voice. Confidence. The sense you know exactly where this is going.
They’re the audition.
A tired reader isn’t asking “what happens next?” on page one.
They’re asking: “Is this writer worth my time?”
You answer that with voice. Confidence. The sense you know exactly where this is going.
June 18, 2026 at 5:54 PM
The first ten pages of your screenplay aren’t the beginning of your story.
They’re the audition.
A tired reader isn’t asking “what happens next?” on page one.
They’re asking: “Is this writer worth my time?”
You answer that with voice. Confidence. The sense you know exactly where this is going.
They’re the audition.
A tired reader isn’t asking “what happens next?” on page one.
They’re asking: “Is this writer worth my time?”
You answer that with voice. Confidence. The sense you know exactly where this is going.
You can stare at a structural problem for days and get nowhere.
But take a walk, sleep on it, work on something else… and you’ll suddenly know exactly what to do.
The best thing you can do with a script you’re stuck on:
Put it down.
But take a walk, sleep on it, work on something else… and you’ll suddenly know exactly what to do.
The best thing you can do with a script you’re stuck on:
Put it down.
June 16, 2026 at 4:44 PM
You can stare at a structural problem for days and get nowhere.
But take a walk, sleep on it, work on something else… and you’ll suddenly know exactly what to do.
The best thing you can do with a script you’re stuck on:
Put it down.
But take a walk, sleep on it, work on something else… and you’ll suddenly know exactly what to do.
The best thing you can do with a script you’re stuck on:
Put it down.
“Go where you’re wanted.”
Stop trying to convince people who are already looking for the exit.
Making a movie is a multi-year marriage. Don’t start it with someone who was lukewarm at the altar.
Stop trying to convince people who are already looking for the exit.
Making a movie is a multi-year marriage. Don’t start it with someone who was lukewarm at the altar.
June 9, 2026 at 6:32 PM
“Go where you’re wanted.”
Stop trying to convince people who are already looking for the exit.
Making a movie is a multi-year marriage. Don’t start it with someone who was lukewarm at the altar.
Stop trying to convince people who are already looking for the exit.
Making a movie is a multi-year marriage. Don’t start it with someone who was lukewarm at the altar.
Most writing paralysis is just your brain in the future instead of the scene in front of you.
Who’s here. What do they want. What’s in their way.
That’s it. That’s today’s job.
New Hollyweird on exactly this ->
Who’s here. What do they want. What’s in their way.
That’s it. That’s today’s job.
New Hollyweird on exactly this ->
I’m back
On taking it one day, or page, at a time
hollyweird.colbyday.com
June 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Most writing paralysis is just your brain in the future instead of the scene in front of you.
Who’s here. What do they want. What’s in their way.
That’s it. That’s today’s job.
New Hollyweird on exactly this ->
Who’s here. What do they want. What’s in their way.
That’s it. That’s today’s job.
New Hollyweird on exactly this ->
Hot take: If you're on your third or fourth revision thinking “this is the final draft…” you’re probably wrong.
Until the movie’s screening in front of an audience, there is no final draft. You’re going to be tweaking that thing all the way through. Trust me.
Until the movie’s screening in front of an audience, there is no final draft. You’re going to be tweaking that thing all the way through. Trust me.
June 4, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Hot take: If you're on your third or fourth revision thinking “this is the final draft…” you’re probably wrong.
Until the movie’s screening in front of an audience, there is no final draft. You’re going to be tweaking that thing all the way through. Trust me.
Until the movie’s screening in front of an audience, there is no final draft. You’re going to be tweaking that thing all the way through. Trust me.
Most of a screenwriting career isn’t writing.
It’s convincing people to let you write.
Development meetings. Pitch calls. Emails that go unanswered. “We’re a big fan but…”
If you’re worried you’re doing it wrong… you aren’t. This is how it goes.
It’s convincing people to let you write.
Development meetings. Pitch calls. Emails that go unanswered. “We’re a big fan but…”
If you’re worried you’re doing it wrong… you aren’t. This is how it goes.
June 3, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Most of a screenwriting career isn’t writing.
It’s convincing people to let you write.
Development meetings. Pitch calls. Emails that go unanswered. “We’re a big fan but…”
If you’re worried you’re doing it wrong… you aren’t. This is how it goes.
It’s convincing people to let you write.
Development meetings. Pitch calls. Emails that go unanswered. “We’re a big fan but…”
If you’re worried you’re doing it wrong… you aren’t. This is how it goes.
I fear Hollywood is going to take all the wrong lessons from the breakout success of backrooms and double down on trying to find YouTube based IP when in fact what people love and cannot get enough of is the feeling of freaky liminal space
June 2, 2026 at 9:52 PM
I fear Hollywood is going to take all the wrong lessons from the breakout success of backrooms and double down on trying to find YouTube based IP when in fact what people love and cannot get enough of is the feeling of freaky liminal space
Most “no”s have nothing to do with your work.
Slate full. Bad timing. Someone in the room had a weird personal association.
We treat every pass like a verdict on our talent.
It’s almost never that.
Slate full. Bad timing. Someone in the room had a weird personal association.
We treat every pass like a verdict on our talent.
It’s almost never that.
June 2, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Most “no”s have nothing to do with your work.
Slate full. Bad timing. Someone in the room had a weird personal association.
We treat every pass like a verdict on our talent.
It’s almost never that.
Slate full. Bad timing. Someone in the room had a weird personal association.
We treat every pass like a verdict on our talent.
It’s almost never that.
Writer’s block is mostly just your brain fast-forwarding to “what if this fails” instead of staying in the scene you’re actually writing.
The fix: who’s here, what do they want, what’s in their way.
Write that. Repeat.
The fix: who’s here, what do they want, what’s in their way.
Write that. Repeat.
June 1, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Writer’s block is mostly just your brain fast-forwarding to “what if this fails” instead of staying in the scene you’re actually writing.
The fix: who’s here, what do they want, what’s in their way.
Write that. Repeat.
The fix: who’s here, what do they want, what’s in their way.
Write that. Repeat.
Just came back from parental leave.
First thing I noticed: Hollywood didn’t miss me.
Choosing to find that reassuring.
Everything I was working on is still here.
First thing I noticed: Hollywood didn’t miss me.
Choosing to find that reassuring.
Everything I was working on is still here.
June 1, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Just came back from parental leave.
First thing I noticed: Hollywood didn’t miss me.
Choosing to find that reassuring.
Everything I was working on is still here.
First thing I noticed: Hollywood didn’t miss me.
Choosing to find that reassuring.
Everything I was working on is still here.
Listen to this ep for my hot take on Michel Gondry that he’s “Too French.”
This week on @podcastlikeits The 2000s @emilystjams.bsky.social and I start a brand new miniseries on Spike Jonze & Charlie Kaufman’s 2000s by talking Human Nature with In The Blink of an Eye screenwriter @colbyday.com! We discuss Michel Gondry, Charlie Kaufman’s transgender metaphors and Bjork!
April 3, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Listen to this ep for my hot take on Michel Gondry that he’s “Too French.”
Reposted by Colby Day
This week on @podcastlikeits The 2000s @emilystjams.bsky.social and I start a brand new miniseries on Spike Jonze & Charlie Kaufman’s 2000s by talking Human Nature with In The Blink of an Eye screenwriter @colbyday.com! We discuss Michel Gondry, Charlie Kaufman’s transgender metaphors and Bjork!
April 3, 2026 at 5:19 PM
This week on @podcastlikeits The 2000s @emilystjams.bsky.social and I start a brand new miniseries on Spike Jonze & Charlie Kaufman’s 2000s by talking Human Nature with In The Blink of an Eye screenwriter @colbyday.com! We discuss Michel Gondry, Charlie Kaufman’s transgender metaphors and Bjork!
“It never really gets easier to hear No.”
I’ve been working in Hollywood for years. I’ve sold shows, written pilots, even made movies.
And I still feel it every single time.
Here’s what I’ve learned about what “No” actually means — and what it doesn’t. 🧵
I’ve been working in Hollywood for years. I’ve sold shows, written pilots, even made movies.
And I still feel it every single time.
Here’s what I’ve learned about what “No” actually means — and what it doesn’t. 🧵
March 20, 2026 at 5:18 PM
“It never really gets easier to hear No.”
I’ve been working in Hollywood for years. I’ve sold shows, written pilots, even made movies.
And I still feel it every single time.
Here’s what I’ve learned about what “No” actually means — and what it doesn’t. 🧵
I’ve been working in Hollywood for years. I’ve sold shows, written pilots, even made movies.
And I still feel it every single time.
Here’s what I’ve learned about what “No” actually means — and what it doesn’t. 🧵