Nate Federman
natefederman.bsky.social
Nate Federman
@natefederman.bsky.social
TV writer currently on Big City Greens / Second normal thing / Jamband apologist
Pinned
When I worked on The Office, Greg Daniels had a list of questions he asked of every story. Some were show-specific (eg “Are we saying something truthful if exaggerated about office life?”), but many are applicable to any script. Here’s a little thread on them…

🧵1/X
#Scriptsky #Screenwriting
This week’s #Scriptsky #Screenwriting thread is on WRITERS BLOCK. Specifically, the seven things I do to avoid and/or overcome writer’s block. My focus is on writing, but this stuff works for just about any creative outlet.
#WritingCommunity #Writing
🧵1
January 17, 2026 at 2:41 PM
It took me a little while to land on a New Year’s resolution, but I’ve decided to cook 26 new recipes this year. I made my first tonight: grilled bok choy with a sweet soy glaze. So simple but so good my 11 year old asked for thirds.
#26RecipesIn26
www.seriouseats.com/grilled-bok-...
Grilled Bok Choy with Sweet Soy Glaze
Bok choy with a glaze made from soy and sake makes a really crunchy and satisfying bite.
www.seriouseats.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:01 AM
I’ll remember you…

youtu.be/WLL5p6EAFYo?...
I’ll Remember You ~😓~ Sphere~Dead & Company~ Las Vegas 6-13-24
YouTube video by nowiknowuryder
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Listened to the Weather Report Suite from Dicks Picks 1 - my favorite version of one of my favorite songs - and found myself thinking that Bobby doesn’t quite get the songwriting praise he deserves because he (and Barlow) weren’t Garcia & Hunter. But for my money, WRS is damn close to Terrapin.
January 11, 2026 at 1:31 AM
I wrote this the day after seeing Dead and Company at The Sphere on 6/13/24. My tribute to Bobby Weir. I’ll remember you…
🧵1
January 11, 2026 at 12:07 AM
Very quick #Scriptsky #Screenwriting thread this morning because I need to go coach at an AYSO tournament in a few minutes. But I want to talk a little bit about the difference between BEING HUNGRY and BEING DESPERATE, and HOW YOU SELL YOURSELF.
🧵1
January 10, 2026 at 2:58 PM
I know it pales in comparison to all the awful things going on right now, but when I went to sleep last night, I found like 100 ants on the window ledge just above my bed, as well as several IN my bed, so I did the only logical thing and burned my house down. But I still feel icky.
January 9, 2026 at 4:19 PM
My 8 year old heard my wife and I discussing Venezuela. She excitedly said, “Since we kidnapped their president, now maybe they’ll kidnap ours!”
January 4, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Find someone who loves you as much as my kids love the Comfort Inn breakfast buffet.
January 3, 2026 at 1:12 AM
So let’s hope this Phish show was a metaphor for life. Brutal 2025. Amazing 2026!!!
January 1, 2026 at 6:03 AM
#Scriptsky one of the best things you can do to help improve/motivate your writing is to read more books. It’s not a 1:1 correlation but most of the best writers I’ve worked with are voracious readers. And I’d encourage you to mix up genres, fiction and non-fiction. Here’s a 🧵 on my favs of 2026.
🧵1
December 31, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I can help teach a new writer story structure, but I can’t teach them how to harness their own voice. Like Jon, my first two pilots got a lot of positive attention. My next couple were overly focused on rules and checking boxes, and weren’t nearly as impactful.
My first screenplay I wrote from the heart in my own voice and people absolutely loved it. It was what made me start taking this career seriously. Soon after I ran into wannabes telling me I needed to follow the rules and that voice was stripped out. For years I stalled until... #scriptsky
A writer sends me their sample. The writing is clean, the structure works, the dialogue flows. It's professional. Polished, even.
December 30, 2025 at 10:21 PM
I took my 8 and 11 year old daughters to LACMA today. I LOVE listening to their insights and opinions about art. My 11 year old was checking out a Jackson Pollack painting and said, “It’s chaotic and yet calming, cuz when you look closer, there’s order in the chaos.” I’m gonna steal that line!
December 30, 2025 at 3:09 AM
TIL cartons are better at preventing milk from spoiling than the plastic containers.

www.chefsresource.com/faq/why-does...
Why does milk last longer in a carton? - Chef's Resource
Why does milk last longer in a carton? Milk is a staple in many households, prized for its nutritional content and versatility. However, one common frustration that milk consumers face is its short sh...
www.chefsresource.com
December 28, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Reposted by Nate Federman
There are things in life that you can control and things you can’t; focus on what you can control.

That’s been my mantra since 2017. And it’s what I tell people to focus on when it comes to writing. So this week’s #Scriptsky #Screenwriting thread is about PROCESS VS RESULTS.
🧵1
December 27, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Nate Federman
Just gonna say this again for games sphere cus we get the same question:

Networking doesn't mean schmoozing up to famous people, it means making friends with your peers. Then in 10 years, 20, one of you might be famous? And sure you're still helping each other cus well yeah friends.

Make. Friends.
Talking to one of these types at a con who asked how I 'got in' with so many 'famous writers' who I'd been talking to and I said "we made friends before anyone knew who we were decades ago by striking up interesting conversations and enjoying each other's company" and he kept re-asking the question.
They have come to the convention hoping to "break in" and then find themselves -- shocker! -- a "nobody in the book world." Yeah no shit! We all are! I have gently told guys like this a million times that it takes most of us *years* of hard work but they do not believe that could be true for them. +
December 27, 2025 at 12:06 AM
There are things in life that you can control and things you can’t; focus on what you can control.

That’s been my mantra since 2017. And it’s what I tell people to focus on when it comes to writing. So this week’s #Scriptsky #Screenwriting thread is about PROCESS VS RESULTS.
🧵1
December 27, 2025 at 4:11 PM
All this 15 year old pup wanted for Christmas was non-stop pets and scritches. And she got ‘em. #DogsOfBluesky #Dogs
December 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
My favorite Christmas book is, “One Thousand Christmas Beards” by Roger Duvoisin. It’s the story of Santa viciously assaulting all the people dressing up like him and stealing their fake Santa beards. Seriously.
December 26, 2025 at 6:16 PM
My favorite part of holidays are cooking for my family. Tonight, we had two Melissa Clark recipes: Roman lamb over cheese polenta (pommes purée for the kids) and dark chocolate pudding w/ homegrown blackberry sauce. Plus, my wife and kids made a Yule log with meringue mushrooms.
December 26, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Help me solve a Christmas mystery…

There was a huge Amazon box on our doorstep this morning addressed to my 8 year old. Inside, there were plates and glasses. No one we know ordered them for us. So uh… what the hell is going on? Is this what happens when you wait until Dec 24 to make a Santa list?
December 25, 2025 at 6:13 PM
My wife and I decided not to shop at Target, Walmart, and Amazon in 2025. We weren’t perfect but spent less than $100 and managed to make Christmas happen only spending $15 between the three companies. It’s not much, but it felt good to support less awful businesses.
December 25, 2025 at 5:14 AM
My 11 year old just wrote a wishlist for Santa (that we aren’t allowed to see). She said, “If he’s real, he’ll get me something from it.” I spent the next 30 minutes explaining building/wrapping/packing/shipping logistics of the North Pole and why she was royally fucking over Santa.
December 24, 2025 at 9:46 PM
When we did the punch-up on my very first script for Big City Greens, one of the writers who’d been on the show for a couple years said, “This script feels like 100% the tone of the show but also something only you could’ve possibly written.” That’s always what I’m aiming for.
What's a compliment you'll never forget?
What's an insult you'll never forget?
December 24, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Looking for some new Christmas programming? Big City Greens has you covered. Check out: “Green Christmas,” “Virtually Christmas,” and “Dream Tree.” The latter two were written by this Jew, but are still very much holiday appropriate.
December 24, 2025 at 5:07 PM