podcast

A last big push

Maximum Z actor, crowdfunding, director, filmmakers, independent films, notes, podcasts, producer, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films , , , , , , , , , , ,

This is the last weekend for the crowdfunding for my short film SHECKY.

“A new homeowner discovers he’s being haunted by the ghost of a comedian who keeps telling the same terrible jokes over and over, and who refuses to leave – or stop.”

The campaign may be winding down, but there are still plenty of ways to support this indie film project: the usual donations and tier rewards – just click on the link above to get all the details.

But there are also some perks you might want to consider, including:

-$125 – script notes from me

-$250 – be a guest on my podcast The Creative Writing Life to talk about yourself and your work (available on both Spotify and YouTube)

-$250 – if you’re an actor, Trevor Nagle, who plays one of the two SHECKY leads, will do a critique on your reel, a self-tape set up consultation, or an audition coaching session

-$500 – for filmmakers, award-winning director Ally May will give you notes on your reel, offer tips on filmmaking, or give you notes on your script

We’re also offering producer credits, complete with onscreen credit:

$500 – Associate Producer

$1000 – Executive Producer, which also includes one ticket to attend a screening of SHECKY at a local film festival

Just to get an idea of the quality of talent involved with this project, here’s Ally talking about her involvement with the project.

And here’s Trevor.

The entire team behind SHECKY is really excited to see it happen. Your donation, no matter how much, will be a huge contribution towards that.

That’s one out of the way…

Maximum Z animation, comedy, determination, draft, fantasy, ideas, networking, perseverance, persistence, podcasts, reading, rewrite, San Francisco, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films, spec, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hard as it is to believe, I can honestly say that my work on the animated fantasy-comedy has come to an end. I got some great notes from a new batch of readers (and one previous one), did a few passes on it, and there you have it.

I think it’s a very strong piece of work and at the very least makes for a fantastic sample/calling card.

Bonus – one reader really enjoyed it and offered to put out feelers for potential interest within their network of industry connections. There was no hesitation to say yes (and thanks).

When the year started, I had plans of what I wanted to accomplish in terms of writing and the writing-adjacent. With this rewrite officially in the books, I feel totally unencumbered to do that.

Things feel different this time around, like the air is rife with possibilities. It’s up to me to take advantage of that and be productive while also enjoying the ride.

A few more ideas jotted down for the new spec, work continues on getting things ready for the short film, lining up guests (and reading their work) for the podcast, and putting the finishing touches on the panels for the Writing For Hollywood track at the upcoming San Francisco Writers Conference.

And when I can find the time, reading scripts – both produced and specs.

There’s a lot going on. So far, so good.

Striving to thrive in ’25

Maximum Z ambition, community, contests, crowdfunding, determination, perseverance, persistence, podcasts, rewriting, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films, spec, story, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I can honestly say that this year did not play out as originally planned.

-A script rewrite was shelved to do a few more rewrites on another script.

-Developing the crowdfunding campaign for my short film, and subsequent production of said film, kept getting delayed – mostly due to working on other stuff.

-The podcast I co-hosted became solely hosted – by me – which meant doing a lot more reading of the books of upcoming guests.

-I entered my script in a handful of contests. Got a few semi placements, a few QFs, and a few whiffs.

Overall, not the results of what I was hoping 2024 would yield.

But despite it all, it’s all okay.

After all those rewrites, the script feels much, much stronger now. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m drastically cutting back on contests, so this script will only be submitted to a low single-digit number.

I really want to see this short film through to completion, so I’m setting up a daily checklist of what I need to do to get it there. Hopefully I’ll have an actual short film to show off this time next year.

On the writing front, I’m still working out the details of a new spec. Right now it’s all about breaking the story. Once the outlining is done, at least two drafts done by year’s end would be great.

There’s also a new type of project I’m developing that, if it comes to be, would be something I can’t wait to show. More on that as it develops.

Lastly, but certainly not least, the return of The Maximum Z Script Showcase proved to be a ringing success, with over 550 views and a handful of read requests. Already looking at when to do it for next year.

2024 has been a real rollercoaster ride, and I hope you were able to accomplish many, if not all of the things you set out to do.

Here’s to all of us doing even better in 2025.

-A little relevant and shameless self-promotion – the latest episode of the podcast features myself and screenwriter/author/brand strategist/past guest Brian Fitzpatrick talking about what a writer can do to prepare for the coming year. It was a lot of fun to record, and offers up some great advice.

Giving the brakes a little tap

Maximum Z burnout, crowdfunding, determination, mental health, podcasts, productivity, rewriting, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films, story, stress, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

My list of “Stuff that needs to get done” seems to have grown exponentially – especially over the past few weeks.

A rewrite, developing a new story, reading the books of upcoming guests on the podcast, then recording & posting said podcast, lining up guests for the podcast, working on the crowdfunding for the short film project, and not to mention all the regular duties around the house.

It keeps a guy pretty busy.

There’s always that ongoing thought of “I need to work on this”, which eventually leads to “Oh, and I also need to work on this other thing, but I don’t want to forget about this other other thing.” Repeat ad infinitum.

Great as it is to check off stuff for that day’s list, there’s always a few other something elses (somethings else?) requiring my attention.

It can get a little overwhelming, so it’s important to be careful about pushing myself too hard so as to avoid some major crashing and burning.

But if slowing things down a little helps me feel a little more in control, then that’s what I’ve got to do. I’d rather it took a little longer than feel totally spent, and therefore non-productive.

I’m allowing myself the luxury of *GASP* not writing and doing something else, like reading or watching something. Cooking/baking also does wonders for me.

I might even go so far as to get out of the house and indulge in some kind of non-writing-related activity. An outrageous notion to entertain, I know.

But a mind at ease tends to yield better results than one under constant stress and self-imposed pressure.

Besides, it’s not like the writing and all the other stuff’s never going to get done. It just won’t happen as fast.

The reins have been reclaimed

Maximum Z community, crowdfunding, determination, encouragement, frustration, motivation, notes, perseverance, persistence, pie, podcasts, productivity, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films, spec, stress, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The past few days have been the standard rollercoaster. Some good stuff, some not-so-good stuff, with a small percentage of the latter being very not-so-good.

But there were a few glimmers of hope within the darkness. More on those as/if they develop. Any positive vibes and crossed fingers are always appreciated.

During this time I was reminded of the phrase “Don’t worry about things over which you have no control.” I took that to heart, and it’s really helped.

There are SO MANY things about screenwriting that are out of our hands. Stressing out about them doesn’t do us any good, and I’d much rather work on the things over which I DO have control.

Things like figuring out the story of my new spec, coordinating with guests for my podcast, getting the crowdfunding ready for my short film, reading friends’ scripts and giving notes.

(Two little things that have really paid off – a few minutes here and there to interact with other writers on social media or email, and maintaining a “What needs to get done today” checklist.)

Taking care of any of these helps me feel productive and less stressed because I AM GETTING STUFF DONE. Some of it may take longer than hoped or expected, but each one constitutes a step in the right direction. Even just writing about it helps.

If you feel this way, just remember that you’re not alone and there are always things that you can do to help make your screenwriting journey a little easier.

Keep calm, stay focused, and maybe have some pie.