writing

This blog can now legally drive in several states

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My oh my, where has the time gone?

Hard as it is to believe, it really has been 16 years since I started this blog. (July 9th, to be specific)

Initially once a day, which was a foolhardy attempt on my part, so it switched to twice a week for a while, and then to once a week, which seems to work just fine.

My original intent was to chronicle my journey towards being a working screenwriter. At the time, that translated to “write and get paid for it”.

That still applies – sort of.

Don’t get me wrong. I’d love for that to still happen, but my interpretation of what it means to be a “working screenwriter” has drastically changed.

First and foremost, I can say with absolute certainty that my writing is significantly better. Looking at a script from back then and at one from earlier this year, the difference is more than noticeable. Took a while to get there, but well worth it.

On a side note, I think my analytical skills when it comes to giving notes have also improved. Of all the scripts I’ve read, there’s only been one writer who didn’t like what I had to say.

The number of writers I’ve met, both virtually and in person, has also skyrocketed. I’m quite proud to have established and maintained a professional relationship with many of them.

Some of those connections have led to other things, like becoming involved with the San Francisco Writers Conference to invitations to speak to writing groups and appear on podcasts.

And speaking of podcasts, my connection with another writer led to my co-hosting, and eventually solo hosting a podcast about writing.

I’ve done what I can to help the community, from forwarding or posting “scripts wanted” listings to inviting submissions to the Maximum Z Script Showcase to offering my two cents on screenwriting craft, methods and practices.

And for those who’ve been following along the past few weeks, production finally commenced on my short film, with things now moving into post-production.

It’s been a fantastic journey with lots of ups and downs, and I am exceptionally grateful to all of you fantastic readers who’ve been incredibly supportive over the years. I really appreciate all the likes and comments – don’t be stingy and keep ’em coming!

Hope you’ll join me in a celebratory piece of pie to commemorate this momentous occasion. In the meantime, keep writing and keep pushing forward.

Go get ’em, chums. I’m rootin’ for ya.

Me too, Indy

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As the crowdfunding for my short film continues (all donations welcome!), I’ve also donned my producer’s hat and am quickly discovering just about everything involved with putting the whole operation together.

I say “just about” because my more-than-capable director is handling some of the more technical aspects, but pretty much everything else falls under my jurisdiction.

For someone who hasn’t done this before, I’m taking the approach of “this is something I’m pretty certain needs to be done, so I better take care of that”.

And I am not understating it by saying there is A LOT to take care of.

From all the social media to get word out about the crowdfunding to making lists of props I need to pick up to reaching out to local restaurants about donating food for the shoot (with onscreen credit, natch), every day a few more things get added to the list.

Writing the script is challenging. Producing it is a whole different and much bigger ballgame.

It’s exhausting, and sometimes I feel pulled in multiple directions, constantly wondering if I’m doing a good job. But I will admit on a certain level I’m enjoying it. This is a project I’ve worked on for a long time, so doing everything I can to make sure it all goes smoothly, or at least as close to that as I can get.

And we haven’t even gotten to the post-production part of the conversation. I’m bracing for that one.

As I’ve said to more than a few people involved with the project, I hope they’ll be patient as I stumble my way through all of this. It won’t be pretty, but I’m doing what I can.

And here’s the link to the crowdfunding once again, which also falls under the category of “something that needs to be done”.

A few bangs for your bucks

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The crowdfunding for my short film SHECKY continues. We’re closing in on 30%, and doing what I can to keep those numbers climbing.

Every dollar raised goes into the costs involved with making this film, and there are different amounts you can donate. Each tier has its own reward as a thank you for donating.

(and if the names seem a bit odd, just think “showbiz”. It’s part of the story)

$10 – Stage Door Johnny

Social media shoutout of your total awesomeness & onscreen thanks expressing my eternal gratitude

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$25 – What, And Give Up Show Biz?

Social media shoutout, onscreen thanks, and your name as “Member of the Chorus” on a Paradise Theater poster

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$50 – Road Company

Social media shoutout, onscreen thanks, your name & your vaudeville act on a Paradise poster

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$75 – Rising Star

Social media shoutout, onscreen thanks, your name & your act as headliner on a Paradise poster

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$100 – Presenting…

Social media shoutout, onscreen thanks, your name on the Paradise marquee, a pdf of the film’s poster, a copy of the script

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$250 – In The Spotlight

Social media shoutout, onscreen thanks, a video of Shecky telling you a joke, poster, script

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$500 – Stage Manager

Social media shoutout, onscreen thanks, joke video, poster, script, digital copy of the film

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$1000 – Publicity Agent

everything above & onscreen credit as “Patron of the Arts – Silver Circle” + 1 ticket to screening (if possible), full-service script notes

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$2500 – Mr./Ms. First Nighter

everything above, onscreen credit as “Patron of the Arts – Gold Circle”, 2 tickets to screening, script notes, interviewed on The Creative Writing Life podcast

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$5000 – Box Office Smash

Everything & above, onscreen credit as “Patron of the Arts – Diamond Circle”, 1 ticket to a screening at a film festival, script notes, podcast interview, short film consultation

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This is a project that’s been a long time coming, so I sincerely hope you’ll be willing to chip in to help make it happen.

Can’t go wrong with a little originality

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The crowdfunding effort for my short film has passed the 25% mark. On one level that is FANTASTIC, but there’s still that remaining 75% with about six weeks to go. That means my extensive efforts and outreach will continue.

It’s the only way to make this happen.

It’s great to have so many supporters step up. More than a few have commented on how much they love the concept, along with a handful who’ve asked to read the script – and liked that as well.

One of the recurring comments has been how this would be a great example of independent film. In all honesty, I never thought of it that way. I just wanted to write and make a short film that other people could enjoy. Mostly for the experience of doing it, but also for the satisfaction of having something I can show the world and say “I wrote that”.

But what it really comes down to – a bunch of creative types making a film based on an original idea.

Hopefully that’s what’ll happen. Fingers remain, as always, firmly crossed.

And please donate if you can at the link above. Thanks!

Drips & drabs, but no drudgery

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Some kind of bug/virus took me out of commission earlier this week, which slammed the brakes on everything – including the slow-but-steady progress developing the new spec. Apart from a persistent runny nose, I’ve for the most part recovered, and am slowly getting back into it. Slow definitely being the operative word.

I may be working at a snail’s pace, which is a bit frustrating, but it’s a snail that’s seeing results, which is good. Even with this like-molasses-in-January output, things continue to move forward. Getting a few scenes done today means a few more than I had yesterday. It might not seem it at the time, but all the little steps forward will gradually result in the completion of a long journey.

The most important thing is to GET IT WRITTEN. Outlines and first drafts ain’t pretty, but at least they’re a starting point.

It’s not just about putting all the puzzle pieces together, but figuring out what the puzzle is and all the potential components. Pages and pages of the project’s notebook are jam-packed with ideas and possibilities. There is absolutely no doubt this will continue to be one big mess, but oh what a beautiful mess it is (and will continue to be as it takes shape).

But despite all the frustration about timing and slow progress, I’m still having an absolute blast doing it. Having a solid polished script is great, but it’s the figuring things out and organizing all the ideas that has always given me an extra thrill. I do what I can to spin an entertaining yarn, and this time is no exception.

I’ve said it many times and it still rings true – you can see the writer’s love and enjoyment of the material in the material itself. That’s what I’m shooting for here – apart from just having a fun script. I want the reader to get just as caught up in the story and NEED to see what happens next. I try to have my scripts fall under the category of “I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it”.

Onward, runny nose and all.