The Web-series...
We held the auditions for the Web-series last week. It went really well. We had some talented people come in and read. Sad to say, there were a lot of not-so-talented people too. But I think we’ve found our main cast and I’m pretty excited with who we’ve chosen. Our director is planning a table-read with the actors in a couple weeks. If all goes well, we should be shooting by mid-February. I’ll keep you posted.
R.I.P. VHS...
I just read a rather sad story in the L.A. Times. It was about the demise of the VHS tape. Yes, it’s finally happened. But it had a good run – 30 years. I remember the very first VHS tape I purchased. It was in 1978 (or maybe it was 1979). It was a copy of my second all-time favorite movie: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The cost was rather high, especially for the late 70s, and especially for a teenage kid: $50.00. But the idea that I could get my favorite movies on tape and play them at home...? Whoa, that was pretty cool! Sure, I still occasionally watch stuff on VHS, but I’m a confirmed DVD guy. I guess Blue-ray is hot on DVDs tail and is becoming the new trend, but I’m sure they’ll find a replacement for that in a few years. Anyway, here’s the article from the L.A. Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/valley/la-et-vhs-tapes22-2008dec22,0,5604036.story
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
Well, Christmastime is here. Here’s a little gift from me:
(David Bowie meets Bing Crosby)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKTHvW2JcAA
(Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8rY0Fyws20
(A Charlie Brown Christmas)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRm5qofw5vs
Back from NYC and Web-series news...
I got back from my trip to New York City just a few days ago. As always, I had a blast there in the Big Apple. Yes, it was cold and rainy, but hey, I love that sort of thing. I met with some friends, ate some good food, did a LOT of walking, took pictures, and just soaked up the atmosphere of that great, great town. (Nothing like NYC just before the Christmas holidays!) I also brought along a script I've been polishing and got most of it done. So, a truly fab trip.
Web-series news:
So I met a young actress this past summer. She told me how she wanted to do a project that could showcase her talents. I told her a Web-series might be a good way to go. I figured I could write up a handful of episodes, then we could shoot them and put them up on the Net and see what kind of response we got. If people seem to dig it, then we could do more episodes. If nobody watches (a very distinct possibility), then we haven’t wasted much time or money getting those initial episodes created. My young actress friend agreed.
I saw this young lady as the cute, comedic type. Not glamorous, not necessarily “hot” and sexy (though she’s certainly attractive and cute); no, I definitely saw her as more of the funny, quirky type. So I pitched her an idea that I (coincidentally!) had kicking around in my brain for a few months. There just happened to be the perfect role for her. She’d play the quirky, funny best friend of the male lead. She really liked my pitch, loved the character I had in mind for her, and said she’d love to read the script when I had it completed.
So I took a few weeks and wrote several episodes. The actress loved what I wrote. She then contacted a young (well, younger than me) director/producer she knew and sent him the script. He really liked the script, too. The three of us had a meeting. Good meeting. Lots of great ideas tossed around, each of us in total sync. So we all shook hands and the director started putting a crew together. He also started the casting process. In fact, we’re having auditions all day tomorrow. From what I’ve been told, the response to the casting notice was quite high, so it should be a fun and interesting day. Always a thrill having actors bring on-the-page characters to life.
I’m not sure where any of this will go. I’m hoping people respond to this Web series once we put it out there. If not, well, I’m really enjoying the process, really enjoying working with smart, enthusiastic, talented people. For me, that’s a big part of why I’m in this business. I’ll keep ya posted.
Web-series news:
So I met a young actress this past summer. She told me how she wanted to do a project that could showcase her talents. I told her a Web-series might be a good way to go. I figured I could write up a handful of episodes, then we could shoot them and put them up on the Net and see what kind of response we got. If people seem to dig it, then we could do more episodes. If nobody watches (a very distinct possibility), then we haven’t wasted much time or money getting those initial episodes created. My young actress friend agreed.
I saw this young lady as the cute, comedic type. Not glamorous, not necessarily “hot” and sexy (though she’s certainly attractive and cute); no, I definitely saw her as more of the funny, quirky type. So I pitched her an idea that I (coincidentally!) had kicking around in my brain for a few months. There just happened to be the perfect role for her. She’d play the quirky, funny best friend of the male lead. She really liked my pitch, loved the character I had in mind for her, and said she’d love to read the script when I had it completed.
So I took a few weeks and wrote several episodes. The actress loved what I wrote. She then contacted a young (well, younger than me) director/producer she knew and sent him the script. He really liked the script, too. The three of us had a meeting. Good meeting. Lots of great ideas tossed around, each of us in total sync. So we all shook hands and the director started putting a crew together. He also started the casting process. In fact, we’re having auditions all day tomorrow. From what I’ve been told, the response to the casting notice was quite high, so it should be a fun and interesting day. Always a thrill having actors bring on-the-page characters to life.
I’m not sure where any of this will go. I’m hoping people respond to this Web series once we put it out there. If not, well, I’m really enjoying the process, really enjoying working with smart, enthusiastic, talented people. For me, that’s a big part of why I’m in this business. I’ll keep ya posted.
Share YOUR success stories!
Wow, I can’t believe 2008 is nearly history. I’m happy to report that I’ve had some nice successes and advancements this year. Some of them I’ve shared with you in this blog. I expect further success in 2009.
Now I’d like to hear from YOU.
I’d like to hear about any successes, big or small, that you’ve had in the past year. It could be a screenplay you’ve had great coverage on. It could be an option deal or perhaps even a sale. Maybe you’ve had a movie, big or small, produced. Maybe a Web series you penned was, or soon will be, posted to the Net. Maybe you signed with a manager or agent. If any of these successes apply to you, share ‘em with me and your fellow Working Screenwriter blog readers.
Why share, you ask? Well, because I think it’s important for all budding screenwriters to know that a modicum of success in this crazy business is definitely possible to those talented individuals willing to work for it. Sharing your success might provide a glimmer hope to other writers still waiting for their break. Besides, I bet you’re more than willing to brag just a little bit. (It’s OK, you deserve it. )
So e-mail me a quick summary of your success to theworkingscreenwriter(at) yahoo.com and I’ll follow up with a brief written interview. (If you prefer, I won’t use your real name when I post your interview here on the blog.)
C’mon, claim your bragging rights—let’s hear from you!
Now I’d like to hear from YOU.
I’d like to hear about any successes, big or small, that you’ve had in the past year. It could be a screenplay you’ve had great coverage on. It could be an option deal or perhaps even a sale. Maybe you’ve had a movie, big or small, produced. Maybe a Web series you penned was, or soon will be, posted to the Net. Maybe you signed with a manager or agent. If any of these successes apply to you, share ‘em with me and your fellow Working Screenwriter blog readers.
Why share, you ask? Well, because I think it’s important for all budding screenwriters to know that a modicum of success in this crazy business is definitely possible to those talented individuals willing to work for it. Sharing your success might provide a glimmer hope to other writers still waiting for their break. Besides, I bet you’re more than willing to brag just a little bit. (It’s OK, you deserve it. )
So e-mail me a quick summary of your success to theworkingscreenwriter(at) yahoo.com and I’ll follow up with a brief written interview. (If you prefer, I won’t use your real name when I post your interview here on the blog.)
C’mon, claim your bragging rights—let’s hear from you!
"Where'd Jim go?"
A few of you have written, asking: “Hey, Jim, why haven’t you been posting much of anything in recent weeks?” Well, the truth is, I feel that between my website and this blog, I’ve said pretty much everything I have to say. The outlining process, the rewrite process, formatting “rules,” navigating the “Hollywood maze,” the exhilarations and disappointments of the screenwriting life—it’s all there, all you have to do is look for it.
Another reason I haven’t posted very much is simple: I’m working on a lot of stuff.
As of this moment, I’m completing a submission draft of a psychological thriller (which I’d like to get out before the looming holiday season), I’ve recently completed writing four episodes of a proposed web-series, I’ve just outlined a story for a dramatic character study (a spec), started outling another psychological thriller (also a spec), and I’m doing final tweaks on the El Salvador assignment (see posts from March/April ’08). Add to this the occasional script critique, and dealing with the minutia of day-to-day business (producers, representation, etc.), along with trying to maintain some semblance of a social life...well, there's not always a lot of time to come up with blog posts.
Fear not, when I have a distinct point of view to offer on the art, craft, and business of screenwriting, or when I have some interesting behind-the-scenes tidbits, you’ll be hearing from me. But right now I just need to focus on getting projects done, getting them out into the world and, hopefully, produced.
But always remember, I’m only an e-mail away. If you have a specific screenwriting-related question you’d like me to tackle, feel free to send it my way. I’ll post my response here on the blog.
So, friends, until then...WRITE ON!
Another reason I haven’t posted very much is simple: I’m working on a lot of stuff.
As of this moment, I’m completing a submission draft of a psychological thriller (which I’d like to get out before the looming holiday season), I’ve recently completed writing four episodes of a proposed web-series, I’ve just outlined a story for a dramatic character study (a spec), started outling another psychological thriller (also a spec), and I’m doing final tweaks on the El Salvador assignment (see posts from March/April ’08). Add to this the occasional script critique, and dealing with the minutia of day-to-day business (producers, representation, etc.), along with trying to maintain some semblance of a social life...well, there's not always a lot of time to come up with blog posts.
Fear not, when I have a distinct point of view to offer on the art, craft, and business of screenwriting, or when I have some interesting behind-the-scenes tidbits, you’ll be hearing from me. But right now I just need to focus on getting projects done, getting them out into the world and, hopefully, produced.
But always remember, I’m only an e-mail away. If you have a specific screenwriting-related question you’d like me to tackle, feel free to send it my way. I’ll post my response here on the blog.
So, friends, until then...WRITE ON!
Paul Newman (1925 - 2008)
The world lost a great man and great actor yesterday. Paul Newman. He was a true great, a true icon. I grew up on Paul Newman. He starred in two of my all-time favorite movies, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Towering Inferno. So many great roles and great movies: Cool Hand Luke, Harper, Winning, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, The Sting...and the list goes on and on. But there's no reason for sadness here. Paul Newman had a long life. Up until very recently, he was quite healthy and very active. Not only did he have an unbelievable film career, he had a loving family, a fantastic wife (50 years!), a racing career, and did a lot of great charity work with his Newman’s Own products. I’d say he was one lucky man. And we were awfully lucky for having him for 83 years. Thanks for the memories, Mr. Newman.
You can find a million clips of Paul Newman on YouTube, but here are just a few that I found. Enjoy!
GREAT SCENE FROM “BUTCH CASSIDY”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y87EaadjqM
“COOL HAND LUKE”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYqwYrbwHeM&feature=related
PAUL NEWMAN TRIBUTE (music is from “Cool Hand Luke”)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9yhD4qZNvw
“BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBV9_QzUPac
TRIBUTE VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvwdBiEGrKg
You can find a million clips of Paul Newman on YouTube, but here are just a few that I found. Enjoy!
GREAT SCENE FROM “BUTCH CASSIDY”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y87EaadjqM
“COOL HAND LUKE”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYqwYrbwHeM&feature=related
PAUL NEWMAN TRIBUTE (music is from “Cool Hand Luke”)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9yhD4qZNvw
“BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBV9_QzUPac
TRIBUTE VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvwdBiEGrKg
WEBSITE REDUX: THE DOLLAR OPTION...
Q: A producer is offering me a “dollar option” (aka “The Free Option”) on my script. Is this something I should consider?
A: It depends on who the producer is. If he has a reputation for getting movies produced, and if he’s someone you get a positive vibe from, then a free option for a few months might not be a bad idea.
Then again, if this is a legitimate producer, why can’t he come up with some cash?
If he believes in your script, he should be willing to put up some dough, right? But if this “producer” is some kid fresh out of AFI or USC, then I’d think twice before signing my script over for any significant length of time.
Why? Well...
It’s difficult enough for an established producer to get a movie made, so what makes you think some guy out of film school can get your script off the ground? But again, a freebie 3 month option, to see if they can get the project up and running, isn’t a big deal. Anything longer than that, tell ‘em to whip out the checkbook.
I’ve accepted the “dollar option” twice. One (very early in my career) was a complete and total waste of time and I’m sorry I did it. The other turned into an interesting and educational rollercoaster ride and I ended up making some bucks on the second year renewal. Then I optioned the script again to another producer!
***
Available in paperback from Amazon.com and Kindle e-book! (You're gonna love it cuz it's all about Hollywood and screenwriting!)
Check out my book, Q & A: The Working Screenwriter!
Interviews with 16 working screenwriters!
A: It depends on who the producer is. If he has a reputation for getting movies produced, and if he’s someone you get a positive vibe from, then a free option for a few months might not be a bad idea.
Then again, if this is a legitimate producer, why can’t he come up with some cash?
If he believes in your script, he should be willing to put up some dough, right? But if this “producer” is some kid fresh out of AFI or USC, then I’d think twice before signing my script over for any significant length of time.
Why? Well...
It’s difficult enough for an established producer to get a movie made, so what makes you think some guy out of film school can get your script off the ground? But again, a freebie 3 month option, to see if they can get the project up and running, isn’t a big deal. Anything longer than that, tell ‘em to whip out the checkbook.
I’ve accepted the “dollar option” twice. One (very early in my career) was a complete and total waste of time and I’m sorry I did it. The other turned into an interesting and educational rollercoaster ride and I ended up making some bucks on the second year renewal. Then I optioned the script again to another producer!
***
No witches, no warlocks, no vampires. Just a sexy, rollicking story about a guy trying to hit it big in Hollywood.
"A great summer read!"
"A sexy Hollywood tale!"
"It's WHAT MAKES SAMMY RUN for the 21st century!"
Check out my book, Q & A: The Working Screenwriter!
Interviews with 16 working screenwriters!
WEBSITE REDUX: OH, THE REJECTION!!
Q: I’ve sent my script to four production companies—and they’ve all rejected it! Should I just give up?
A: Oh, you poor thing. How awful! Look, get used to rejection—it’s a staple of the screenwriter’s diet. I’ve had several scripts passed on by one producer and then optioned and/or purchased from another.
I recall giving a horror script to one well known script consultant about seven years ago. I met him at his apartment in North Hollywood. The guy never even called me back! Since then, I’ve optioned that script three times and it’s currently in development with a producer here in L.A.
This is a numbers game. Fact is, not everyone is going to “get” your script. Some will love it, some will hate it, most will be somewhere in the middle. That’s the way it is.
If the first guy doesn’t want your script, move on to the next guy. And if that guy doesn’t want it, move on to the next guy. If your script is truly great, someone will eventually say yes. (Probably.) And, as we all know, it only takes one “yes” to sell a script.
You need a thick skin to be in this business, so I suggest you start hanging out with some armadillos!
A: Oh, you poor thing. How awful! Look, get used to rejection—it’s a staple of the screenwriter’s diet. I’ve had several scripts passed on by one producer and then optioned and/or purchased from another.
I recall giving a horror script to one well known script consultant about seven years ago. I met him at his apartment in North Hollywood. The guy never even called me back! Since then, I’ve optioned that script three times and it’s currently in development with a producer here in L.A.
This is a numbers game. Fact is, not everyone is going to “get” your script. Some will love it, some will hate it, most will be somewhere in the middle. That’s the way it is.
If the first guy doesn’t want your script, move on to the next guy. And if that guy doesn’t want it, move on to the next guy. If your script is truly great, someone will eventually say yes. (Probably.) And, as we all know, it only takes one “yes” to sell a script.
You need a thick skin to be in this business, so I suggest you start hanging out with some armadillos!
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