OK, so I had some good luck come my way not long ago. Here’s what happened:
Last October, I submitted a thriller script to a prodco here in L.A. (This is a company which I’m sure most of you have heard of. A solid company and they produce quality thrillers.) Though they really liked the script, they said it wasn’t quite up their alley. But…they asked if I would like to do a rewrite on an existing script they already had in development.
I had a couple of meetings, which went very well, then my rep worked out the details…and I was hired to do the rewrite. Two drafts, which I ultimately completed in about six weeks. I’m told the flick goes into production later this year. (Unfortunately, I won’t receive screen credit.)
Then…about a two months ago, the development exec at this same prodco gets in touch with my rep, asks if that original script I submitted last October was still available. (It seems that particular script was suddenly up their alley!) “Yes, it’s still available,” was the reply from my rep.
So I went in for a meeting…they suggested a handful of fairly minor changes…the deal was worked out…and I went to work on the changes.
I turned in the revised draft about two weeks ago.
A few days went by and we didn’t hear anything back. A full week went by, still nothing. Finally, they got in touch…and they really liked what I did with the rewrite. Great!
OK, so a couple days go by and we get this call from a producer at the company (a fella we hadn’t dealt with before), and he says: “We’ve decided to put your project on the shelf.”
WHAT?!
Then a few hours later we get another call from the same company, but this time it's from our main contact there. Turns out that the previous call about putting the project on the shelf was in error—“ooops, sorry”—and rest assured, my script was still in active development.
Anyway, as things stand now, the company wants me to do one more pass at the script. No major changes, just trimming up a couple of scenes. Not a big deal at all. If things go well—and really, anything can happen—they’re confident the script will go into production in spring 2011.
The roller-coaster ride continues. I’ll keep you posted on any further developments.
5 comments:
Jim;
Congratulations! That's fantastic news. I look forward to seeing the film when it's out. Keep us updated as things progress. It's fun to get the inside scoop on casting, story, and anything else.
Ashley
Hi ya, Ashley…
Thanks! Not to be a party pooper, but I've been through this sort of situation many times before. They love the script, the option the script, they make all sorts of promises, meetings are held, they treat you like a king (or a prince), more promises are made...then one day things just dry up and that's it. Hey, it happens. More than you think. But if you're lucky--as I've been--you can make some money, enjoy the process and the people you meet long the way, and if you're a fan of roller-coasters (which I'm definitely not), you can enjoy the ride. But yes, I will keep you apprised of any further developments. And hey, thanks for checking in!!
Love that. I assume you're keeping your seat belt strapped! Keep us posted.
Hey Jim,
I've enjoyed the 'My Roommate Sam' vids, good stuff.
Have you written a post about how to write a scene from a Point of View? Not just from a formatting stand point but how to convey the feelings of a character once they go to first person. For example, two cops inspect a warehouse. From a dark corner, a car fires up and runs over one cop. The other jumps to safety in time unscathed. He hops in his cop car and now the scene is him in the car. How do I do this? thx for any help. - Todd
Hi, Todd. Glad you've been enjoying "My Roommate Sam"!
Now, with regards to your question: I'm not quite sure what you mean by "point of view." You're going to write your scene as you would any other scene in your script.
Here's a poor man's version of how you might do it:
INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Officer Black and Officer White move about the dimly lit warehouse, flashlights leading the way.
From out of a dark corner, the horrendous sound of a car's engine firing up.
The two cops react, eyes wide, as a black Hearse roars forth like a demon from hell.
Officer Black stands his ground, drawing his service revolver...but it's too late as the Hearse plows into him with a sickening thud.
The Hearse barrels forth out the opened warehouse doors, disappearing into the inky night.
Officer White rushes to his downed partner. But it's too late.
White scrambles out, makes it to the patrol car, rips the door open and gets in.
INT./EXT. PATROL CAR - NIGHT
Officer White gets on the radio, trembling.
WHITE: Adam Six to Dispatch! Officer down! I repeat: Officer down!
Well, something like that. If I haven't answered your question sufficiently, please feel free to contact me at theworkingscreenwriter(at)yahoo.com.
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