The Unlikely Road to Becoming a Screenwriter

[Mirthquake]

I *finally* read the script.  It's solid. 

Casting wise, for Barry, I kept thinking someone like Miguel Ferrer... though he's way too old right now.  But he's got the right amount of concern and dickishness that the character needs.  Then I started thinking Patrick Wilson.  Maybe a little *too* smarmy?  I'm not having a "slam dunk" casting thing like I did with the White Whale. 

Maybe Sean Patrick Flanery?   Anthony Michael Hall?  Someone with three names... LOL!

Lex may be harder to cast with a name actor, though its a juicy part. 

[Scot Eric]

Cool oh Mirthy one!  Gillian just read it too -- must be a special Mess reading weekend!

Lex would actually be easier to cast -- the actor would record most of his lines in a studio - and probably only have to be on set for a day or two.  Pocketing $50-100,000 (hypothetically) for a couple days' work?  Easy money.

Gonna stay mum about Barry for the moment.

Hope to have more news about this project over the next couple weeks (including casting).  I have heard a little bit now about that now, as well as what my own compensation is looking to be for this, but I didn't feel it merited an official "update".  Waiting for one or two more "significant" things to happen before a new "digital journal" entry.

PS: Been playing around with taglines -- something along the lines of "It had always been his escape...now there is no escape" concept.

[Scot Eric]

Wednesday, 6/20

Other than being the 32nd anniversary of a demented kid throwing a walker at me and tearing a hole in my face less than an inch from my eye socket, it's also time for me to give the latest DND update...

1.) I've signed an option and purchase agreement with Mayhem (you'll recall for the purposes of these updates, I've nicknamed my friend in Los Angeles "Mayhem") for the screenplay.  There are clauses in the agreement pertaining to confidentiality and promotional activities (which relates to talking about the production in a public forum and social media like Facebook or a message board).  What I CAN say is that it is very much in line with what a member of the Writers Guild would get for a fairly low budget feature.  I've gotten a little bit of money now, and am in line for a larger paycheck if/when principal photography commences for the film.

Mind you -- the amount of money is in no way life changing.  So no sports cars or yachts or vacations in Tahiti are on my agenda.

Since I care more about this film:

(a) getting made
(b) being a quality production
(c) gaining me instant entry into the Writers Guild of America
(d) succeeding both commercially and critically, which would mean
(e) potential future offers for script writing (film or television)

The amount of money I'm actually paid -- while it's important, it's not the MOST important thing here.

I honestly can't say much more about the agreement, other than to reiterate I felt it was fair and in line with what any writer without any sort of track record would receive.

2.) Mayhem spoke to the proposed director.  The director's agent also loved the script, so it appears he (the director) is still on board.  He has already been able to assist with getting the script to several actors (Ethan Hawke -- who has already said he's tied up for the next year, Colin Firth, Ewan MacGregor and a couple others), so that's been a good thing.  But I can't say with any certainty that this man WILL be the director -- it's entirely possible he may end up being a first or second assistant director on the project.  We are still considering a few candidates who are among the best about to graduate from USC.

3.) Mayhem sent me some mockup ideas for the movie poster -- these "ads" would be used for creative meetings, meeting with investors and so on (that's why he was toying with this with the help of a graphic designer so early in the "process").  The posters were cool, but felt more appropriate for a horror film than a thriller.  I doodled something and sent it to him, and a friend of mine composed a little Saul Bass/Hitchcock like concept that I thought was pretty cool.  We'll see what the graphic dude comes up with after we've forwarded him that stuff as well with our comments.

4.) Over the course of the last week, I've made an effort to watch several films that were mentioned in the script coverage as being in the same ballpark/sharing some DNA/slightly similar themes or concepts and so on.  So I've watched DERAILED, FIREWALL, & MAN ON A LEDGE.  Each of these has (far) more contrived bits of plotting and "Why wouldn't he just--" moments than DND.  And as far as contrivances are concerned, many that DO exist in DND -- are about to be eliminated, as me and Mayhem have already discussed a few key points that will need to be fixed.  After all, the better & tighter the script, the better the resulting film.

5.) The DND script got into the hands of a person who's co-produced/executive produced a few reasonably well known films and a successful franchise as well. What's great about this guy is that (a) he's very experienced and knows his stuff; (b) he gets involved -- budget's no longer a concern and (c) if he gets involved -- instant credibility.

The producer (let's nickname him..."Power Dude") reads many, many scripts.  He tends to pass on most of them.  He had heard about DND, and although he loves the thriller genre, he still figured it would be another "pass" as well.

BUT HE LIKED IT.  

Liked it enough to have a meeting with Mayhem Tuesday afternoon.  
Liked it enough to point out changes he'd recommend making.  
Liked it enough to say it's '70% there -- which is a lot more than most scripts tend to be'.  
Liked it enough to be sending us a full set of notes for the issues (both big & small) he had with the screenplay.

Liked it enough to say he'd let us take a couple passes at rewriting the script -- and although he doesn't expect us to go along with and incorporate EVERY change he suggests, if the script gets closer to being "there" (say, 85-90%) -- he'll want to come on board as a producer.

So it's good news & bad news.  The bad news -- there's about to be some extensive rewriting in my immediate future, and based on the heated conversation I had with Mayhem last night -- I might not initially agree with each point.

But the good news is -- if we can make this a better script -- we also get a solid & major producer involved with the project that will help clear the way in terms of experience, money and credibility.

I should be receiving the notes either today or tomorrow, and after I digest them, I expect to have a LONG discussion with Mayhem over the weekend before reembarking on the rewrites.  I actually HAD started yesterday -- already made some changes throughout the first four pages (the main character will now clearly be more meticulous and more about the rituals and control he exerts over his life -- which is what is later lost over the course of the story) but realized I should stop and wait to read Power Dude's notes before going any further.

So while I don't expect anyone who's read an earlier incarnation of DND to take the time to read a rewrite, those folks should be aware the next draft will have a number of changes from the last version (and if you read a draft before the April 26th version -- it will be very different indeed). I'm not saying it will be 30 percent different (wink & nudge) -- but at least 15 - 20% different (another wink & nudge).  Which is fairly significant, no?

And that's everything for now.  I now realize that it could be several months before filming starts.  Actually, since I consider myself the "glass half-empty" guy -- I should say "assuming it does start".  So there's one other thing I really need to do after I finish with these rewrites and other related writing business over the next few weeks.

Fuckity fuck fuck -- I'm gonna need a job.  Fuck.

And so it goes...

[Marv-El]

Wow. I would love to know who Power Dude is. This sounds great, SE.

[Scot Eric]

I'd rather not publicly post that information.  In fact, I've already gone back and removed the info about the director from a page or two ago.   Posts on Critical Mess can be found via Google -- and I realize I need to be more careful about what I choose to disclose here.

Hopefully -- as names have either not been used or changed (except for some actors, and I'm not worried about that just yet), I don't think I've said anything that would be in violation of that agreement.

Wouldn't that be funny though?  My posts on a message board that are probably only being read by a very small handful of people -- lead to screwing up the whole thing.
Oh, my sides are hurting from the laughter even as I type this.

[Hyperion]

Well shit, then start steering them to the threads where we bitch about DC movies being crap and see if we can't talk them into making the JLA series.

[Mirthquake]

RE: Number 3... I'm surprised you didn't have me take a crack at it.  I'd love to see what they came up with.

Otherwise... sweet!

[Ebon]

I'll re-read the rewrite...In fact I'd love too.   The ball does seem to be rolling, Scot. 

[Scot Eric]

Tuesday, 7/24

After three weeks, I thought I completed my major rewrite of DND last Thursday (7/18).

Then Mayhem read through it a few times.  He also gave it to three other readers to get their critical & objective feedback.  On Sunday night, we went over all the comments notes.  The readers, his and even mine -- yes, I had actually spent a few hours combing through it the night before.  Fuck, I found all sorts of things to fix.

A plethora of corrections, tweaks and two key points in the script all needed to be resolved. So I spent all afternoon Monday doing just that.  We discussed it again at 1 in the morning. Almost there, but not quite yet.

I wiled away for another two hours on it earlier this afternoon.  
Mayhem got back in touch with me this evening.  

Just a few tweaks more -- and one line of dialogue that's too darned important to just say "Fuck it, it's fine".  But I finally figured out how to make it work...and that was that.

So...this rewrite is done.

Mayhem is sending the "new" script to get script coverage once again.  It's certainly different enough to warrant it.  As script coverage is what reps and agents will look at first before recommending a script to their people, it's vital.  The last time -- the script scored very well, but I'm hoping this time the reception is even better.  

More importantly, copies of the rewritten screenplay are being shot out to three prospective producers.  One, two or even (albeit doubtful) all three could conceivably sign on to make the film.  It's even possible (if not probable) that something akin to a bidding war could happen.  But I find that hard to believe.

I wouldn't see any of that money anyhow.  So piffle diffle dee.

All three guys have major connections and money.  Two have produced/co-produced/exec-produced well known films, and the other guy -- I honestly forget what he's done, but he has facilities in Sydney -- so that's why I suspect he's still in the mix.

I still think if a film is done -- other than 2 days in NYC, it will be filmed in either Canada or Bulgaria.  Nope, not Georgia of the former Soviet Union anymore.  An "executive decision" was made -- and it looks like Not Russian Dave is out of the picture.  The feeling was: he just wasn't bringing anything to the table we either didn't already have -- or would have (and much more) with the guys Mayhem has been talking to on a consistent basis.

Hopefully, within the next week or so -- we'll get the reactions from the producers as well as receive the script coverage.  Right now, it sounds like two probably outcomes:

1) 1, 2 or all 3 producers will like it enough to move forward NOW.  We're especially interested in one who is the "biggest" of the three and was the fellow who actually gave us pages of notes on the previous draft.  He's the guy who said it was "70% there".  If I've been able to get it to at least 85% -- the belief is that he'll sign on.

2) If he (and possibly the other potential producers) still like it, but feel there's more that needs to be fixed before moving to the next level -- then I have some more immediate rewriting to do.  Sigh.

I think that's all there is to say (publicly) right now.  I'm not asking anyone here to read this version just yet, although whether you've read a previous version or not -- I think it may be worth it.  I'd rather wait and see what the producers say, what the coverage indicates, and so on.  No point in giving anybody anything if I may have to start tinkering with it again days later.

When I get the news about the producers and the script coverage, I'll be sure to share it here.

In the meantime, I really need to start focusing on looking for an actual job, as my bank accounts are slowly but surely drying up -- and there's no other sources of financial assistance available to me.  As of right now -- I have enough money to make it to -- probably December.  So my joke about being "Homeless for Christmas" might not be such a joke after all.  Good times indeed.

And so it goes...

[JSayonara]

Good luck with the work situation Scot.

I know how it feels to be scraping by right now.

[Scot Eric]

Thanks JSay.

Just wish Hot Toys would go on some sort of toy-making sabbatical, or that I had more time than the next two weeks to decide to re-up for the Matty sub.  Can I assume I'll be earning a regular paycheck by the end of the year or not -- that's the question.  But considering the overall financial situation -- I better be, or it won't just be toys I won't be able to afford!

Of course, by keeping my credit card debt non-existent -- I probably COULD get whatever toys are coming down the pike -- oh there I go, rationalizing the dumbest and most impractical of behaviors.

But I could...

Man, sure hope I get some news that's not just good, but great regarding that darn script!

[Hyperion]

You'll hear more soon about the script and it will be good news.



Just don't hit the kid working next to you at McDonalds with your spatula when you do.
















I'd say I was kidding, but my two stepsons work at McD's and they do pretty good.

[Marv-El]

Excellent news for someone here is long overdue, and your script (well, the last one I read) deserves it.

[Scot Eric]

Thanks bro.

When I am certain there won't be anymore "extensive rewriting" -- I will certainly make the latest version available for you and Ebon to read.  If Mirth & Gill wanna see what a more intensive re-write can yield, I'll let them have it too.

Hyp -- you are definitely a fella who's been following these trials & tribulations, so I'm more than happy to share it with you as well!

And although doubtful -- if anyone else at the Mess wants to read it at that point -- I'll be more than happy to send it to them as well.  Right now it's clocking in at a super-lean 93 pages -- so it definitely won't take anyone more than 90 minutes to read it -- and probably considerably less.  I mean, I know it's not an officially published work, but...   

Oh, if you're wondering if that was a not-so thinly veiled shot -- why yes, yes it was.   

[Mirthquake]

I am interested in seeing this draft, if for no other reason but to see what studio meddling accomplishes (I kid!), to compare and contrast, and see if the suits picked up on the things that I did. 

That and I always enjoy your writing.  Do you feel that it still tells the story you want?  THen I'm sure it's aces.

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