screenwriting

Sorry for the delay

Maximum Z Disney, running, screenwriting, script doctor eric

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?

Maximum Z craigslist, screenwriting, writing gigs

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.

How liberating!

Maximum Z screenwriting, video

I didn’t write at all today.  I did think about BABY while I was running, but actual pages?

Nope.

And it felt pretty good.

I’ll do something tomorrow, or at least next week.

It’s weird, but I think once I get this draft done, making changes won’t be as hard as I think.  I also find myself going back to ideas way back in the early days of developing the outline.  Some of them could actually work.

I’ll have to look into that.

Movie of the Moment: HOT TUB TIME MACHINE.

Don’t you judge me.  Parts of it are really funny.  I can see how they were hoping it would be the next HANGOVER.

So my attention keeps going back and forth between this screen and the TV.

TV wins.

Later.

At long last…

Maximum Z screenwriting

I have written a script, and somebody gave me money for it.

Okay, it’s a 10-minute student film and I earned all of twenty dollars, but this really represents a milestone for me.  I’ve been working at this for 11 years with some real near-successes, but this is the real deal, as they say.

I know my writing isn’t perfect.  Far from it, but I still consider it better than most.  I still like to think I have a shot at making this actually happen.

I read the sale write-ups and the script reviews.  There is some really good stuff out there.  Stuff that is totally unlike anything I could do.  But I highly doubt these same writers could do the stuff that I do.

In some ways, that works to my advantage.  Now I just have to make it work.

It was interesting meeting with the director today.  He liked the 3rd draft, but did have some questions and comments.  Nothing too serious, but also nothing that required yet another rewrite.

I mentioned that if any of his friends need help with their scripts, to send them my way.

His agenda involves meeting with the production designer today, meeting with the producers and taking care of pre-production in the next week or so, then casting.  Shooting is in September, editing and post through October, then completion in November.  I get a copy of the finished film and script when it’s all done.

While part of his plans include submitting it to festivals and competitions, he also plans to move to LA in January.  He hopes to find work soon after that, and also wants to work on a feature film.  He said there was a good chance he’d be in touch for help on that as well.

As I’ve said, I wish him the best of luck.

As for me, it’s time to dive back in on BABY LIKES JAZZ.  As much as I’d like to go back and apply some of the group’s comments, I’d rather plow ahead and get the draft done.  This is late-mid-August, so if I do 3 pages a day during the week, that should take me to about the end of September or so.  That would be good.

Then the rewriting begins.  Again.

Movie of the Moment:  A double-header, so to speak.  It took me a few days, but I got through HIGHLANDER.  It was…okay.  But I think that’s mostly due to really lousy sound.  While the sound effects were loud and emphasized, a lot of the dialogue was muffled or just hard to understand.  I like the concept a lot, yet have no desire to see any of the sequels or the TV show.  It was also pretty hard getting past the ‘hey, this was made in the 80s!’ look.  Also cool that Clancy Brown played the bad guy.  I’m curious to know how old he was when he made this.

The other movie, which may have been mentioned here before, was JAWS on cable.  I never get tired of watching it.  I’d like to know if the documentary about it (THE SHARK IS NOT WORKING or something like that) is available.  Or is it a book?  Either way, bet it’s great.

Home stretch!

Maximum Z craigslist, screenwriting

The director has the 3rd draft.  I’m supposed to meet with him in a few days, where hopefully I will receive my payment (the whopping $20) for services rendered.  I like to think of this as the first small step of a long career.  Ambitious, yes, but I got nothin’ to lose.

When I sent the draft over the weekend, I wasn’t sure what to expect from him, comment-wise.  Amazingly, there were none.

He also mentioned something about getting a copy of the final draft when post is finished, or something like that.  Seeing as how his timeframe had the finished project being done around Thanksgiving, I wonder if I’ll be able to recoginze which parts are mine and which are his when it’s all done.

-I think I mentioned I had sent to a manager in Vegas following the recommendation of a blogger based out of Boston.  I sent her the loglines for WOK & ROLL and DREAMSHIP.  She didn’t seem interested, but made a good point regarding the former.

All this time, I’ve been promoting WOK as a romcom, when in actuality, the romance is just one of the subplots.  Overall, I suppose you could call it a comedy.  So that’s how I’ll start pitching it.  I thought about asking her if she’d still like to read it, but think my chance is over.  Ah well.  I’m still skeptical about this whole Vegas angle anyway.

There was also another screenwriter listing on Craigslist, but this one actually claimed to be willing to pay.  BUT.  They wanted somebody with credits, more or less.  As we all know, I ain’t got none, but I think my letter made a good effort in presenting me as a good candidate.  Still haven’t heard, nor do I expect to, but you never know…

Not only that, but there was ANOTHER listing on Craigslist, but this one was looking for somebody who would collaborate on a script about a dancer who’s had it rough.  I think it also mentioned something about ‘showcasing the rough and tumble world of professional dancing’ or something like that.  Definitely not me.

-The writing group is scheduled to reconvene tomorrow chez moi.  I sent the first act of BABY last week, so I’m looking forward to hearing the thoughts/feedback of those who plan to attend.  I know it’s rough, but still hope they like it.  A little validation never hurt, right?

Almost-Movie of the Moment: HIGHLANDER.  Yeah, I know.  How can me, of all people, not have seen this yet?  Never got around to it, that’s all.  Once V is in bed AND asleep, I’ll start.  Highly doubtful I’ll get through it all tonight.

The plan tomorrow is to catch a matinee of SCOTT PILGRIM.  I’ve been seeing articles all over the internets about why it’s a bomb.  Since I haven’t seen it yet, I can’t answer that.  Maybe tomorrow.

I’d like to try and catch INCEPTION later in the week, but I need to train for my race next week, and we’re in the middle of an intense heat wave round these parts.  As appealing as passing out from heat exhaustion in the park sounds, I’d rather wait until it cools down a bit.

Well, maybe a little run.