Sorry for the delay

I haven’t written/posted in a couple of days because I’ve been out of town.  For THE RACE.

The Legs of Steel are now on the mend following my running the 2010 Disneyland Half-Marathon.  My time: 2:02:30, which is 2:31 more than the last one I did. Three years ago!  There’s hope for me yet.

I am sooo grateful it was cool and foggy.  If it had been sunny and warm/hot, I don’t know how I would have done.  There were times I felt like I wouldn’t be able to finish, but my body overruled my brain and I kept going.

Once again, K put it in perspective.  If I had trained more, I would have had a better time.  So, I’m going to really have at it in order to be ready for New Orleans in February.  I’m hoping to get at least 1:55.

And our time in Disney was fun, too.  Hot, but fun.  V discovered a love of rollercoasters.  Except for that big one in CA Adventure.  She didn’t like that.  Or Indiana Jones.

K also commented that I was born to steer the boat on Jungle Cruise.  Can’t argue with that.  We also noticed a lot of multiracial families and a TON of tattooed patrons.  There were also a lot of overweight folks, but that’s expected…

On the writing front:

-I talked to that life coach from the logline contest last night.  He was really cool and had some helpful things to say.  I didn’t know what to expect, but was hoping he wouldn’t be some kind of Tony Robbins ripoff.

Quite the opposite.

He used to work in the industry, but has since moved on.  He mentioned a lot of his clients still do, which is very interesting.

He liked what I said about myself, and suggested trying to get involved with some networking.  Only problem – I’m up here and they’re down there.  I think there may be some ways to accomplish this online, so that’s something to investigate.

He also offered to try and send some potential event leads my way, which means I may be heading south again.  I’m thinking November-ish.   Provided, of course, that this doesn’t fall within the ‘Hollywood shutting down for the holidays’ timeframe.

It also seems like the man behind the contest is also a great contact to have, and is worth establishing more of a connection with.  His basic script analysis package is $99, which isn’t too steep; just more than I can currently afford.  I’d like to do that soon as well.  I think if he likes it enough, he’s willing to pass it on to more industry folks.  And that would be awesome.

-I re-did the first act outline of BABY LIKES JAZZ, using my notes from BABY BOOM as a reference point.  Problem is, apart from these changes, I like how it all unfolds later on.  I also noticed a few holes that need to be taken care of.  That might be harder to take care of than I anticipate, but I’m not too worried.

No Movie of the Moment tonight, but we’ve got IN THE LOOP and the first season of PUSHING DAISIES in the house.  One of those tomorrow, so hang in there.  Suggestions are always welcome, too…

Who are you again?

I’ve noticed a disturbing trend among people seeking screenwriters on Craigslist:  they want someone with credits to help them with a project.

Because a professional screenwriter is constantly checking Craigslist to get that big $50-80 payday.

The most recent listing was from somebody who graduated from film school last year, but focused on directing and producing more than writing, so now they want a ‘professional’ to give their script the fine-tooth-comb routine before it is sent out.

Because THIS IS THEIR CREATIVITY ON THE LINE!!! (emphasis mine)

Give me a fucking break.

You want somebody who knows what a script should look like. Believe it or not, there are tons of quality writers out there, and a lot of them would be more than happy to check out your script.

I highly doubt someone with credits is going to spend a few hours checking out something like this.  And if they do, they must be ‘between projects’ right now.

And I’m not even going to get into the listing from the caucasian writer who wants to partner with a black writer on his project, because, in his words, only a black writer can capture the passion and personality of the story.

Oh, fer God’s sake…

Getting back to me.  I started breaking down BABY LIKES JAZZ like how it was done in BABY BOOM.  Short, to the point, but relevant to the story and revealing of the main character.

Amazingly, some of the ideas I had waaaayyyyy back in outline #1 still apply.

Apparently my brilliance knows no bounds.