Notes From a Struggling Screenplay Writer

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NOTES FROM A STRUGGLING SCREENWRITER

I may be new to this getting your screenplay read by producers thing and all, but I have sent out 58 e mail queries. And only a handful of producers have e mailed me back, I'm not looking for 100% of them to respond but at least more than 6. It doesn't take long to hit the reply button and type, "No." I have sent out 13 snail mail queries, and I'm probably going to get responses from all of them. It would be nice if some of them are positive, but who knows. I'm just so happy I am finally writing. This is just going to be harder than I thought.

July 2, 1999 9:46 A.M. EST.

I have an advantage over most beginning screenwriters, I think. You see, although I have never been published, (I do have a poem that has been approved for publication in "Mirrors" a poetry anthology) all the screenplays that I plan to try and sell have all been written already, I only have to take the time and polish them. My problem will come with the writings that I write, that will keep me going until I sell a screenplay. In other words, I can't quit my day job yet. But, that day is coming soon. FOR I AM A WRITER!

July 6, 1999 11:54 A.M. EST.

I sent a couple of my original song lyrics to a record company, and they are interested in helping me make them into songs. It seems everything I write, except screenplays catch on. Even though, my screenplays have not been rejected so far, just my query letters. I have not sent out many copies of my new synopsis for "We Die Young". So, I should probably get more on the ball with it. But, I can't wait on "We Die Young" forever, I as a writer, have to keep on writing. Rejections are a part of life.

July 10, 1999 12:53 P.M. EST.

Things are starting to pick up. I am now starting to get requests from people who want to see, "We Die Young", I am currently checking on the credibility of the sources. If you are interested in seeing the screenplay and you can't get back to me when I ask for confirmation on your company I will not get back to you. I might be a little desperate, I am not stupid. Anyway, I am about to start on another one of my projects, which one I am not sure of yet. Right now, I'm just reading.

July 17, 1999 10:17 A.M. EST.

Something interesting is starting to happen. Okay, I have had this site since June 30th, and I have been shopping my first completed and copyrighted script "We Die Young", since a little before then. Now, I have just recently finished my second screenplay, "For Those Who Dare". And after posting the synopsis on Friday night I sent out a couple of "cold queries", just to get a taste and I have already equalled the amount of requests gotten for "We Die Young". And this is all before even doing any research as far as finding out who might be interested. (By the way, I think I just coined a new spec screenwriters phrase: "cold queries").

July 25, 1999 3:16 P.M. EST.

First off, I would like to apologize for bragging on the queries I sent out by snail mail. So far I have received two replies, and neither one was really a reply. They were both telling me I should send my queries out through an agent or whatever. As I write this, I am realizing, I have nothing else to say. Oh yeah, I still think that I have coined the spec screenwriters phrase: "Cold Queries". If I am wrong, forgive me for this:

"Cold Queries" Copyright 1999 Earl E. Chaney

August 4, 11:43 P.M. EST.

Things have slowed down considerable on the screenwriting front, the marketing aspect anyway. It's been about three weeks since I last received a request to see one of my screenplays. And the ones I sent out already I am still waiting to hear something from them. I did however get three rejections of the actual scripts, two for "For Those Who Dare", and one for "We Die Young". The "FTWD", rejections were weak. The first rejected it because the way it looked (it had to be that, I sent it out on a Sunday I received the news on a Thursday). The rejection from "We Die Young", was not so bad, I had sent it to a director, although he said he liked it he said he didn't feel passionate enough about it to direct it.

September 5, 1999 11:43 A.M. EST.

I finally have gotten replies from the first two copies of "We Die Young", I had sent out to production companies. Some of it good news, some of it bad. First, the bad news. Natural Nylon Films, have decided to pass on the script. The thing with that though, is the person who requested the script, was not the same person who emailed me, saying that they were passing. I hope I didn't get the first guy fired for requesting such a "lousy" script.

Now for the good news. On the same day I received the email from Natural Nylons, ----------- --------------, from Scaramouche Productions, emailed me telling me that she liked the script and she might be interested in being in business with me.

Also, a story editor from Artisan Entertainment, wants me to call him about my other screenplay "For Those Who Dare". I haven't as yet, made that call, but it's coming, probably as soon as Monday.

That seems to be about it right now, I'll try not to wait this long between my next "Notes From A Struggling Screenplay Writer".

October 30, 1999 10:21 A.M. EST.

So much for not waiting so long between updates.

Anyway, I called the story editor from Artisan Entertainment, (Is it just me, or does that seem like a big deal.) and he requested a copy of "For Those Who Dare". I sent it out about a week later, after re reading and tinkering with it for the umpteenth time. Now, I'm just waiting on his response, if one is actually forthcoming.

Also, I have just written a short screenplay, called "In A World Of Darkness", it's kind of edgy, (I think) and I probably have no chance at selling it. But, who cares.

I have gotten my hands on a certain actresses' home address and I am thinking of sending her a copy of my script, "RACHEL". I'm undecided on that right now, I might and I might not. Actually, maybe I shouldn't even had mentioned that, but again, who cares.

Things have been pretty slow lately on the marketing of my scripts, except for the copy of "For Those Who Dare", I sent out, and the seemingly fading talk of an option on "We Die Young". I have been basically just writing. But with the completion of two new scripts, things should start to pick up again (you know, a bunch of rejections).

Finally, I will probably be entering my three feature length screenplays in this contest I have run across. It's a pretty cool sounding contest, it's appears to be in a tournament style, pitting screenplays in direct competition with each other.

December 1, 1999 1:31 P.M. EST.

It's been pretty slow lately, maybe I got spoiled by the early "For Those Who Dare", query responses. So far I have sent out a couple of handfuls of queries for "Rachel", and I have yet to get a request for the screenplay. I did get a request to see my short screenplay, "In A World of Darkness", I am working on getting that out as we speak.

I am going to write an email to Scaramouche Productions, to see what's going on with "We Die Young", I was promised that they would send the script back to me with 'edits', but that hasn't happened yet. I don't want to be a pest, but I would really like to know what's going on there.

I am really close to sending a letter to the actress whose address I had gotten, asking about her interest to read, or more correctly, have her agent or manager read,"RACHEL". The letter is written, in fact I'm looking at it right now, I'm still undecided on if this is the right tactic, or not.

December 11, 1999 3:32 P.M. EST.

It took me six months, but I finally got around to purchasing a copy of, the Hollywood Creative Directory. It wasn't because I didn't want to buy one, but I really just couldn't afford it. And I have managed to get a couple of production companies to check out my scripts without it. So, in theory, with one I should be able to do a little more.

I think I have figured out that I may be the problem with Scaramouche Productions. They want me to send a treatment a synopsis and a biography and I have been kind of slow on my response. But, I promise that I will get it out as soon as possible, before they lose interest in "We Die Young". I have just been so busy with "Paradise City", that I haven't had the time to hammer out the treatment. That's not good, I need to put "Paradise City" on hold for a minute so I can give Scaramouche Productions, what they need.

Still no requests for "Rachel", so I have decided to go the contest route with the script. I have already entered it along with "We Die Young", in the ScreenPlayoff (check out the contests link). I am now in the process of looking for at least two other screenplay contests to enter, "Rachel". And since I haven't gotten any requests to see "Rachel", I also think it's time to send out that letter to that actress.

January 15, 2000 10:52 A.M. EST.

I was thinking that maybe no one would be interested in my short script "In A World of Darkness", but I was wrong. I sent it to Blackleg ZerO Productions, and got positive feedback on it. I also received an unsolicited request for it from Adam Kline Productions, a prodco that I had sent a copy of "For Those Who Dare". It hasn't amounted to anything yet, but who knows. It was just a very pleasant surprise, that's all.

I finished the necessary information for Scaramouche Productions. I sent it out, and now the ball is totally in their court. Hopefully, something good will come out of that situation. An option or whatever, probably nothing more than an ally, but that's okay too.

I entered "Rachel" in another contest, this time the "New Century Writer Awards 2000". I think I am about to become addicted to contests. even though, when I started this whole thing, contests are something I never thought I would enter. Every month, I will try and enter a script into one contest or another, just to keep things moving, especially when the requests to see scripts are in a lull (like I'm in right now).

Finally, I did send that letter out to that actress, if anything comes of it, I'll say her name, if not, then oh well, I gave it a shot.

February 5, 2000 10:13 A.M. EST.

Things have been moving pretty slow lately, no requests to see any scripts. I have been querying like a mad man lately, I need someone to read my latest screenplay "Rachel". I think it's really good and I just think a producer or someone should take the chance and give it a read. I heard information that most of the studios have or will soon have time travel films in production and I would just like my script to have a chance at being one of them.

As I continue to work on "Paradise City", I have begun work on a new short screenplay, tentatively titled "Looking For A New Love". I think it's very clever and I can't wait to finish it.

On the screenplay contest front, my scripts haven't fared too well in the "ScreenPlayoff", none of them made the cut into the final 64 stage of the contest. Better luck next time.

There is the literary agency called, A First Look, that is interested in reading my scripts, but from the way I hear it on various screenwriter message boards, they ask for every script, that they see on the internet. But, here's the deal, right now I'm seriously considering giving them a read. The problem with that is that, every screenwriter who has dealt with them claims they aren't real helpful.

My screenplay, "We Die Young", is still in the hands of Scaramouche Productions. The way I understand it, it's one of many projects that they are taking with them to the Cannes Film Festival. Maybe that will help me with the exposure needed to get a deal made.

March 16, 2000 10:07 P.M. EST.

Still no requests for scripts lately.

I think I will begin searcing for an agent to help me sell my screenplays, for my way doesn't seem to be working. I'll still query myself, I just feel that I can use a little more help. I know I have some quality scripts I think I just need a little more help marketing them.

Scaramouche Productions seem to be giving me the run around as far as "We Die Young" is concerned, but I will stick with them as long as I can, because although they are taking their own sweet time, my gut feeling is that something is going to happen with them, it's just going to take a while.

I haven't started on my next screenplay re write and polish job, (probably "Are You Afraid"), because the short script I am working on, tentatively titled: "Looking For A New Love", looks as if it is beginning to turn into either a feature length script or a pilot for an unprecedented television series.

April 1, 2000 7:49 A.M. EST.

Things were slow for awhile, but they picked up pretty quickly. I just took my own advice and started querying agencies. And I received requests to see my scripts, "Rachel", and "Paradise City". I had to write a treatment for "Rachel" before sending it to the agency. That took longer than I thought it would, seeing as how I had already started one for it earlier. Anyway, I also received a request to see "Paradise City", from a production company, and a surprise request to see "For Those Who Dare", from another production company.

I received a response to a posting on the hollywoodlitsales.com, website, for "Paradise City". They want to see a longer synopsis for it, broken down into three acts. I should be finished it in a couple of days, and then I'll send it back to them. I'm finally getting back to my short, which might not end up a short, "Looking For A New Love". But my thoughts on it being a television pilot were a little far fetched, because when it's finally finished, I can't really see it being very television friendly, but who knows, I haven't even finished the darn thing yet.

April 17, 2000 10:57 P.M. EST.

It's been a while since my last update so I have a bit of catching up to do.

First of all I have finished my short entitled: "Looking For A New Love". I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out, now I just need somebody to see it, I think they will be impressed. In the back of my mind I still see it as a pilot for a groundbreaking television series, but that's probably just me being overly excited.

Hollywoodlitsales.com, didn't respond to my longer synopsis of "Paradise City" (after all the work I put into it). I received a contract from The Rollins Agency, but I don't think I will explore it. They want me to pay a monthly fee for representation. That goes against everything I believe in as an aspiring script writer. I haven't received a response from the other agency I sent a script to, as of yet.

My script, "We Die Young", is floating around the Cannes Film Festival in the arms of ---------- ---------------, from Scaramouche Productions. I sure hope something good comes of that.

And finally, I keep getting these, "I liked the read, but I don't want to pursue the script", type rejection letters. That's all well and good, but I think I would prefer, "I hated it", rather than, "I liked it but...".

May 20, 2000 9:21 A.M. EST.

A couple of things have happened since my last update, but at the same time not much has happened. "We Die Young", at the Cannes Film Festival with Scaramouche Productions', -------- --------, (I have stopped using this persons name out of respect to their privacy). It was shopped around to a few other production companies, which I am not at liberty to discuss right now.

I also was in the running for this writing assingment. On Tap Productions was looking for someone to write a screenplay from an idea that they had had. They asked for five pages and an outline based on their idea and that they would choose the winner, who would get the job of writing the screenplay. The pay wasn't much, $500.00 dollars and five points on the backend, but it would be a produced credit. I sent my five pages and outline on Friday June, 9th, but I have yet to hear anything back from them yet.

That seems to be about it. I haven't received any screenplay requests lately. So, I just continue to write my latest screenplay, "Are You Afraid?"

June 24, 2000 1:16 P.M. EST.

It took them a little more than a year, but I received a request from Saturn Films (they are responding to one of the last snail mail queries that I had sent out) to see my script, "For Those Who Dare". It had been so long since I queried them, that I just assumed they were uninterested in it. I will probably have it sent out by Saturday.

In other news, I did not get chosen by On Tap Productions to write their screenplay for them, I'd like to wish the winner good luck though. Even though I wasn't chosen for the writing assignment, I plan to write the screenplay anyway and market it as one of my own, which it will be after I'm finished with it.

I also received a request to see "Rachel" from another production company. I sent it out already, and now I'm just waiting for a reply.

I haven't finished the re write on my latest screenplay, "Are You Afraid", ideally I should be on the formatting portion of this project, but I have been dragging my feet on the ending. But, after I complete the rough draft, I will immediately start on my next short, (even though I haven't a clue on what it will be) as I put "Are You Afraid" in it's proper format. After those two scripts are finished, I will embark on my next screenplay, "NightTrain", which should be interesting because the original I had written of it no longer exists, so in essence I will be writing a brand new screenplay, I can't wait.

July 26, 2000 8:32 P.M. EST.

I hope I don't regret this later, but I have recently severed all ties with Scaramouche Productions. It seems ------------ ------------ was having problems finding backers for my script, "We Die Young" it seems that she was high on the script but was having troubles finding others who were as well. Having shopped it at the Cannes Film Festival but unable to get a bite. Anyway, Scaramouche Productions are in the midst of moving their operations to the U.K. and I was asked if I wanted to continue our relationship as writer/producer. I said no, and here we are now.

Now, I'm back to square one with the script and I must begin querying the script in earnest once again. I remember getting an offer or two to see the script, hopefully I can dig those back up and see if they are still interested.

In other news, my script, "RACHEL", has reached the quarterfinals of the 'New Century Writers Awards' contest. I'm kind of excited but, not very yet, seeing as how the quarterfinals consist of approximately 100 scripts or so.

August 22, 2000 9:28 P.M. EST.

Things are slow here in scriptville these days. I haven't been doing too much of anything these days, a little querying here and there and a lot of waiting.

Scaramouche Productions have made a last ditch effort to try and find another backer for my script "We Die Young". They told me they had another production company interested in it, but they haven't gotten back to me as of yet.

Even though, I've painted a pretty bleak picture of my progress lately, I did manage to get a request, by Energy Entertainment to see "We Die Young". And for the past couple of weeks I have been fixing a few problems I have found with the script before I will send it out to Energy Entertainment. I have just completed fixing the script, and it should be out to them shortly.

Since I have been slow on completing my script "Are You Afraid?" I have decided to forego a short script offering and jump right into my next rewrite and polish job. My original plan was to start work on a previously written script of mine, entitled:"Night Train",(which I no longer have a copy of), but it's partly autobiographical so I know I can get into it pretty much at any time. So instead, I will begin work on another screenplay of mine, which is untitled and unfinished as soon as possible, probably on Monday (I can now write at work most days because my job has been changed affording me more free time).

September 24, 2000 3:25 A.M. EST.

I haven't updated this in a little more than a month, so here goes.

I managed to finish my latest screenplay, "Are You Afraid?". I think it turned out pretty well and I have begun in earnest to query the script. As a matter of fact, I was able to get two requests for the script already. One of the requests was from Grade A Productions, and the other one was from, CubraLibraEntertainment. Although, they only wanted to see the first act of the script.I didn't like sending the partial script but I did it anyway (gotta give the people what they want).

I was also able to get a production company (Creative Impulse) that I had sent a previous script to, ("For Those Who Dare") to take a look at my screenplay "Rachel". I first had queried them about "Are You Afraid?", but in their response they mentioned they were looking for a very commercial script and "Rachel" is by far and away the most commercial thing that I have written. It's funny though, but I had to haggle with them a little to get them to see the script, but what's done is done.

October 29, 2000 9:26 A.M. EST.

Again I have begun searching for agencies to help me market my scripts because I am not having much luck on my own, a few requests here and there, but that's pretty much it.

I haven't received a response from the last few screenplays I have sent out yet, but I am pretty hopeful. In my last update I mentioned a certain production company (CubraLibra Entertainment) that had asked to see the first act of my screenplay "ARE YOU AFRAID". They said that they thought the first act was promising and requested to see the rest of the script, which is cool, but I haven't heard back from them since then.

Within the past few weeks I have received two more requests to see my screenplays "ARE YOU AFRAID", by Secret 7 Productions and "PARADISE CITY", by JAF Entertainment, but again they only want to see a portion of the script first (the first 25 pages). I haven't sent out either script yet, but I am working on it probably as early as tomorrow.

And finally, I have entered a couple of screenplay contests again. "IN A WORLD OF DARKNESS" has been entered in a short script contest, sponsored by the Grand Valley State University. And I have entered "WE DIE YOUNG" into a contest sponsored by Jaguar Films. I am flirting with entering at least two more screenplay contests. I'm figuring the more exposure the better and since my Christmas bonus is coming up plus income tax return season, I think I will be able to afford to spend a little extra money.

December 3, 2000 1:52 A.M. EST.

It's been a while since my last update, but unfortunately nothing major has happened.

I have yet to enter any more screenplay contests, but I do plan to enter one or a couple of contests (not saying that I will, but that is my plan).

Anyway, I received feedback for my screenplay ARE YOU AFRAID? from Joe Augustyn of Secret 7 Productions. He gave me a lot of good advice and pointed out a few things about the screenplay and my writing in general. I was particularly impressed that he gave me all of this advice just because he liked what he saw of my potential as a screenwriter.

I am also getting some input on my screenplay ARE YOU AFRAID? from CubraLibra Entertainment. I will probably begin rewriting the screenplay, but probably not until some time this Spring (do you capitalize Spring when it's a season? I forget).

Finally, I sent my screenplay PARADISE CITY to Mystic Literary (they liked it), a supposedly WGA signatory agency, but when I emailed them back about their credentials, they haven't gotten back to me as of yet.

January 19, 2001 9:42 P.M. EST.

Can you say more than two months since my last update. Sorry.

But, here is the deal: nothing's really going on anyway.

I got the results from the screenplay contests that I entered scripts, neither IN A WORLD OF DARKNESS or WE DIE YOUNG won their respective contests.

I got another request from both Secret 7 Productions and CubraLibra Entertainment to see my script, PARADISE CITY. CubraLibra have already gotten back to me with their coverage, but I'm still waiting to hear back from Joe Augustyn of Secret 7 Productions about PARADISE CITY. I'm patiently waiting the response because of the way he responded to ARE YOU AFRAID?.

I got a request from Lake Films to see my short IN A WORLD OF DARKNESS, for an anthology television show entitled THE MINDS EYE, that runs in New York City and Long Island. There's no pay involved, but exposure and a produced credit aren't a bad thing to have either. One last thing, I've gotten my first request to see LOOKING FOR A NEW LOVE, I haven't gotten it out yet, but I will by the end of the week. I haven't been able to get it out yet only because I will be sending it to Australia, and that's a little bit more expensive than your average U.S. postage.

March 31, 2001 9:45 P.M EST.

I really need to update these pages more often.

I never got around to sending out the two copies of LOOKING FOR A NEW LOVE, hopefully they still want to see it, and if so I'll try to send them out in the next couple of days.

I also recently got another request to see WE DIE YOUNG. I'm working on getting that one out as well. The request for the script was unexpected, my favorite kind of script request. It also appears that nothing has come of the anthology television show and IN A WORLD OF DARKNESS.

About a month or so ago, I had gotten a telephone call from Joe Augustyn of Secret 7 Productions in regards to PARADISE CITY, which I had sent to him a few weeks earlier. He told me that he really liked the script and that he had recommended that his agent give it a read. So, I sent the script out the next day to his Agent. Unfortunately, the Agent hasn't gotten back to me yet. But, in the wake of the writer's strike being avoided, I'm looking forward to hearing from the Agent soon.

Finally, I am still working on my latest screenplay LIFETIMES. The fact that I am still working on it pisses me off to no end. Because I know that if I just made more time to finish the first draft, it would of been finished by now. So, in order to try and keep myself focused on the task of writing, I have decided to write a pilot for a television series (for a contest I intend to enter) and a new episode every two weeks, for the rest of the year (after the pilot is written).

I plan to do this as well as keep on working and reworking my not ready for prime time scripts and my short script ideas. Now, this might sound like a big under taking here, but I feel I need to get back to writing constantly again, and giving myself a project such as this is the way to keep me in a writing state of mind all of the time.

May 8, 2001 8:39 P.M. EST.

Boy, can I procrastinate. The script requests that I have gotten lately, two for LOOKING FOR A NEW LOVE and the one for WE DIE YOUNG, have yet to go out, I would like to blame it on finances, but that's not exactly true.

Remember, in my previous updates when I was so excited about a request that I had gotten for PARADISE CITY, by the Lillie Blayze Agency, through a writer/producer (Joe Augustyn) who really liked the script, well a couple of weeks ago I received the verdict, NO! Out of all of the rejection I have received that one has hurt the most, because I was so so sure that I was about to represented by a WGA signatory agency. Alas, not yet.

That television pilot and subsequent episodes thing I am trying to do, is turning out to be a little harder than I had expected. I have written out the basic idea for the television series and where I want to go with it, but I'm just having problems figuring out how I want to get it started.

Oh, and one last thing, kudos to me for finally finishing my latest screenplay, LIFETIMES.

June 12, 2001 7:08 P.M. EST.

I really have to try harder when it comes to writing these updates. It's almost been two months since my last update.

I have gotten numerous script requests in the past few weeks, including my first couple for my latest screenplay, LIFETIMES. I would go in more detail on some of the responses I have or haven't gotten, but if you have nothing good to report, why waste the time reporting it.

On the writing front, I am pretty ashamed of myself. First of all, I have yet to decide on my next rewrite and polish job. And secondly, I haven't gotten any farther than approximately five pages on my television pilot idea.

I am however, working, albeit very slowly, on this short script project that I am working on. The short is based on the five pages that I had written for that writing assignment (for On Tap Productions) that I didn't get. If I buckled down and really concentrated I could finish it quickly. I mean, it's already written in my head I just can't seem to get it down on paper.

Well, that's basically it, hopefully, I can get on the ball a little better. Wish me luck.

August 5, 2001 3:40 P.M. EST.

The big disappointment continues.

I have written approximately 5 pages in the past five months. I have two shorts that I am not working on, and one screenplay. I have three script requests that I need to get out, that I have been taking my own sweet time on (although 'Kinko's does have a little responsibility to bear, long story). Again, I will try to get back on the ball. I just have a little funk that I have to work through.

I AM STILL A WRITER, DAMN IT!!!!

October 22, 2001 2:07 P.M. EST.

I'm starting to get back into the swing of things again. I just recently sent out three script requests, two for RACHEL and one for FOR THOSE WHO DARE. Plus I have a request for WE DIE YOUNG that I will get out by the end of the week.

But, more importantly, I have just finished my latest short script offering, entitled, WHAT YOU MADE ME. Also, I am getting some work done on my latest screenplay polish and rewrite job. More later.

November 8, 2001 2:21 P.M. EST.

Merry Christmas.

I recently finished my re working of ARE YOU AFRAID?. I wasn't really thinking about doing it anytime soon, but I came across the set in Philadelphia Screenwriting Contest (my home town) and thought about which of my scripts were actually city specific and I came up with WE DIE YOUNG and ARE YOU?, the deadline for the contest is January 4, and I wanted to send the best possible copy of ARE YOU AFRAID? or WE DIE YOUNG and I knew I had some work to do on ARE YOU AFRAID? so I figured now was the best time to fix the script. All I did was add more to the first Act and cut out a couple of scenes and some extraneous dialogue. The script went from 102 pages to 105. I'm not sure which of the two scripts I will enter into the contest, but I'm leaning towards ARE YOU AFRAID?

With the re write of the script, I had to rework a couple of lines in the synopsis, and then I proceeded to send out a couple of queries for the "new and improved" ARE YOU AFRAID?, and actually got two script requests out of it.

I haven't gotten much done on my re work of the FOUR HORSEMEN in a while, although I did get a couple of pages written earlier in this week.

December 21, 2001 2:22 A.M. EST.

Okay, first things first, it's the same as before on my work on my latest polish and re write job.

I was all set to enter my script ARE YOU AFRAID? in the Set in Philadelphia Screenwriting contest. And then, just like that, it didn't happen, first of all, I waited until the deadline day and then didn't have enough time to get everything together in time. Oh well, better luck next year.

I sent out my two requests for the 'new and improved' ARE YOU AFRAID? And I also sent out a request that I had gotten for my script LIFETIMES. The cool thing about the LIFETIMES request is that it was one of my favorite kinds (unexpected), and that it came from a logline post on the www.hollywoodlitsales.com.

Anyways, that's it for now and, oh, by the way I would like to say thanks to all the people who have written me saying that they enjoyed my website. I didn't think anyone was watching.

January 9, 2002 10:06 P. M. EST.

I got a couple of requests for screenplays that I just got out on Friday. I'm finally getting some real work done on my latest polish job, THE FOUR HORSEMEN. I'm starting to realize that if I want to get something done, I'm going to have to get an agent first. Considering that it seems that about 90% of production companies no longer accept scripts from non agented writers.

Remember the producer I had made a contact with from Scaramouche Productions? Well, she emailed me about a week ago and she has produced her first feature film: BEYOND THE SOUL, http://www.beyondthesoul.net,. I wonder if I would of stuck around with her, could that have been my script? I doubt it, but you never know.

I'm starting to think that I might also need to get some sort of job within the film industry which would also help in my attempts to become a successful screenwriter. I'm looking into that as we speak. Hell, any advantage will help.

March 3, 2002 3:33 P.M. EST.

I just recently finished my latest script polish job, THE FOUR HORSEMEN. It took me awhile, approximately a week to come up with a suitable synopsis for the screenplay. Which was surprising to me because it usually doesn't take that long. I started querying the script yesterday, with my 'inhouse' query addresses, (basically all of the email addresses that I have on file).

I haven't had any luck with that finding a job in the industry thing yet, but I'll keep on trying.

I haven't been getting many script requests of late. But, no matter, at least I have gotten back into the swing of writing again. For a while there, I couldn't get any thing done. Even though, that television pilot thing I talked about writing last year, doesn't seem to be happening. No matter. As we speak, I'm working on this really 'high concept' short script, that I hope to finish before the week is out. The only problem with the short is is that it's gonna be about eight to ten pages long. I mean that's not really a problem but I've never written any thing that short.

April 21, 2002 11:17 A.M. EST.

Just thought I'd do an update before it gets any longer between updates.

First of all, I haven't gotten any requests of any kind in quite sometime. I'm surprised kind of on the lack of at least a single request for "THE FOUR HORSEMEN", I mean, a 'feel good' baseball movie script, during baseball season no less, I thought someone would want to see it. Isn't baseball 'our national past time'? Guess not.

This past Saturday (May 18, 2002) I actually got to work on a film crew. It was a short that was shot all in one day called: 'THE MAD SCIENTIST MEETS THE PRINCESS OF DARKNESS' by Casey-Veros Films. I worked as a grip. There was no pay (for me), but I will receive a credit and a copy of the film upon it's completion. I will try to get on as many crews as I can in order to get enough experience to one day shoot my own films (probably my best bet as far as exposure is concerned).

May 21, 2002 9:03 P.M. EST.

Very very bad.

I haven't updated this site since late May. I haven't worked on my latest screenplay rewrite and polish job, in about as long. I haven't even finished that short script I was talking about. I don't know what my problem is of late. Other than that, everything is going great.

I just recently sent out two script requests for my short LOOKING FOR A NEW LOVE. I already got a good response from one of the producers, and now I'm anxiously awaiting what happens next. I won't mention anything else about that for now, so as not to jinx myself.

July 20, 2002 12:13 P.M. EST.

I haven't updated in a while, so here goes.

First of all, sadly I would like to mention that I have shelved my latest rewrite and polish job "Survival of the Fittest". I didn't want to, but I keep looking at my open notebook, and no words pertaining to the rewrite flow onto the paper. I can't figure out what the problem is, so I'm putting it aside for now. Hopefully, soon I can get back to it.

I haven't gotten any script requests lately, but I have entered a couple of other screenwriting contests, within the past months. I thought I had some good news in the works for my short: "Looking For a New Love", but it appears no such good news is forth coming.

Finally, I am interested in writing a sequel to a certain movie. Although, I haven't started working on it yet, I have been asking around about the pros and cons of writing a sequel to someone else's movie. Noone has actually told me not to write it, but the responses I have gotten back have been luke warm at best. I'm mainly being told that once I write it, I basically can't sell it to anyone but the original producers. But, even with all of that, I still want to write it, just to write it, and who cares about trying to sell it.

Monday September 16, 2002 12:28 A.M. EST.

These updates appear to be going the same way that my writing is going these days, nowhere fast.

I seem to be in a serious writing slump, which I can't seem to break out of, no matter how hard I try.

Maybe some adversity is what I needed, and I think I have just found some. There is a movie opening today, I mean yesterday, (which will go nameless), that I have been seeing previews for and one little bit of the preview is strikingly similar to something that I have written. I'm not really worried about it, because the movie seems so far away from anything I've written but, it just has gotten me a little nervous. I can't wait to see the movie just to ease my mind, or maybe put together a lawsuit (doubtful).

Anyways, even though I am getting absolutely nothing done on the writing front, I am set to enter a contest or two and to send out a couple of scripts.

One last thing, I mentioned in my last update that I was interested in writing a sequel to someone else's movie, well I have backed off of that as of yesterday. I came up with a couple of ideas, that will enable me to write the script, (because I love my idea for the proposed sequel) but have it go in a completely different direction and set up so that it will be an original script of my own making. If all goes well, I will begin it in a couple of days. Maybe this will break me out of my slump.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Peace.

Thursday November 28, 2002 11: 47 A.M.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome to 2003, and things might be starting to look up. I've just completed my first piece of writing of the new year, a short script entitled: The Cure. As a matter of fact, it's my first completed writing since April of 2002. Hopefully this means 2003 will be better than 2002.

I also have just gotten a couple of script requests, that I will try to get out ASAP. I haven't decided on my next feature length project, going back to Survival of the Fittest, or starting something new.

That's it for now, hopefully I'll have more soon.

Wednesday January 8, 2003 10:15 P.M. EST.

First of all, congratulations are in order, on Valentines Day (Friday February 14, 2003) I will be getting married to my fiancee at halftime of the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Orlando Magic game.

Secondly, I'm in the process of converting all of my scripts onto disks. I have managed to put all four of my short scripts onto disk and two of my feature length scripts, For Those Who Dare, and Rachel. It's hard work, re typing all of the scripts from paper to computer since I don't have a scanner. In the process of re typing the scripts, I'm actually reworking them at the same time. I'm not sure how many of my other scripts I will convert over. In essence, I'm reworking scripts in order to keep myself busy writing so that I can hopefully move onto some newer works.

That's all for now.

Saturday February 1, 2003 9:08 P.M. EST.

First of all I would like to say that I am now officially a happily married man. Although, we've been together for five plus years - it's not like I was going anywhere.

Anyway. As far as writing something or re working something new is concerned, no such luck. But, I have transferred another one of my scripts, "The FOUR HORSEMEN" to disk . I had received a script request for it, which I haven't gotten out yet, so I figured now was the perfect time to put it on disk. I should get the request out today but probably tomorrow.

I had just recently sent out requests of four of my scripts ( RACHEL, WE DIE YOUNG, ARE YOU AFRAID? and FOR THOSE WHO DARE) all to the same production company.

I wish had more to say here, seeing as how I haven't updated this in more than a month, but nothing appears to be forth coming. So, I'll just end this by saying two things: First, I hope this war in Iraq is over soon with no more loss of lives American or British or Iraqi and secondly, thanks to whomever that was the other day who emailed me telling me to update my site, because I was really neglecting it. Even though, in the long run I had nothing to say.

Saturday March 29, 2003 12:32 P.M. EST.

Hello, all!

First of all, sorry about the very very very long delay between updates, but sometimes things get out of hand and there's not enough time to straighten them out. My credit card was cancelled at the end of March (the only one I had at the time), and I use it to pay for my internet access, MSNTV and plain old MSN, so I had to wait until I got another credit card to reinstate my MSN account. I was, however, able to get internet access through Earthlink, so I was still able to surf the net, I just couldn't get to my MSNTV email account or this website, that is until now. Anyways, so much for my personal B.S.

Secondly, I'm kind of excited! I'm actually writing a completely NEW screenplay, entitled "GENESIS", my first actual feature length completely new non re write screenplay I have written since who knows when. I'm about 48.... wait, this is the wrong page for that kind of info.

Hopefully, this whole time that I have been unable to access my MSNTV email account, no one has tried to email me with some truly important info. Unfortunately, nothing else new is going on.

In closing, I'd like to say sorry for the long delay between updates and I hope those of you who keep coming back to my site, indeed keep coming back to my site.

Peace.

Wednesday June 11, 2003 6:21 P.M. EST.

As a way of trying to keep these updates coming on a regular basis, I am writing this update with practically nothing to say.

I received a request for one of my newer short scripts, THE CURE, by the Hat Factory Studios HFS. They wanted it sent out by email, and since all of my short scripts are on computer disk it was rather simple. Although, I sent it out by email, I prefer the good old fashioned hard copy script. Anyways, I received some positive feedback on the short from HFS, and then they asked about my other writings but so far nothing else has materialized.

And with that, I say 'so long', until my next update.
Saturday July 5, 2003 10:24 A.M. EST.

A couple of days ago, I got the strangest of emails, (well not all that strange) from a visitor to my site. I guess this person was some kind of reasonably successful screenwriter, or producer, or actor, or director or something. Anyways, the email was basically pointing out things that were wrong with my site and with my screenwriting career in general. I took the email as constructive criticism and we'll leave it at that.

Most of the things that this person pointed out were things that I was kind of already aware. All of the things that were mentioned I am able to rectify, except for the one where they pointed out that unless I live in New York or L.A. becoming a successful screenwriter will be very hard.

So as of today, I have eliminated the guestbook and the email rejections section from my website.

Well, that appears to be it for now. Until the next time...

Friday August 1, 2003 7:27 P.M. EST.

Just writing to update and let you all know what's going on.............

NOTHING!

Well, I have been doing a little work on my latest script project "Genesis', but little else. I have considered entering a few screenplay contests (a few? probably one) but haven't decided which one yet. Also, I intend to sign up for a film seminar in October. More on that later.

Well, that's all for now, I hope to give a real update next time. Later.

Thursday September 11, 2003 10:49 A.M. EST.

I have just finished the Action Cut Film Making Seminar on DVD. It was chock full of useful information that should help improve my screenplay writing and it gave me useful info on how to actually try and shoot something. Now, although I have just viewed the seminar on DVD, I intend to actually attend the seminar when it's here in Philadelphia on October 25, 26. I thought it was best to purchase the DVD version of the seminar so that I would have it whenever I needed to refer back to it. Going to the actual seminar only leaves no way to do that. But, I feel I need to attend in person, and if I can work it out financially I will.

As far as other updates are concerned, I haven't been writing much lately, although I truly intend to complete my latest feature script project (Genesis) in the next week or so, or die trying. Also, I need to get back into the swing of querying again because I have definitely been lacking in the marketing portion of my screenwriting career.

That's it for now.

Monday October 6, 2003 1:46 A.M. EST.

Okay, let's see what i have for you this update. First of all, if I hadn't noticed that it's been two months since my last update I might not be updating now. Anyways.

I finished my script 'Genesis' in October and entered it into the Independent Black Film Festival's screenplay contest after querying all my in house query addresses and getting only luke warm responses, no requests so I guess the responses were cold. But, I'm thinking the script is some of my best work because it is the realest script that I have written to date.

I just recently put another one of my scripts on disk, 'Are You Afraid?', I had every intent of entering it along with 'Genesis' into the Set In Philadelphia screenplay contest, but once again I managed to miss the deadline. This time, unlike the others it was more financial then anything else.

I also recently reworked one of my short screenplays, and I recently ran across a short scripts wanted ad that it might be perfect for, the only problem as of now is, I have no title for the short, but that's minor and shouldn't be a problem.

And finally, I have been secretly working on a new feature length script. I say secretly because I had no plans of mentioning it either here or on it's own update page because I didn't want to jinx the project, mainly because I don't know if I'm really ready to proceed with the in progress script.

Well, that's it for now. Later.

Wednesday December 3, 2003 1:38 P.M. EST.

My computer sucks!!!!

I was just last week putting my script, ''Paradise City' onto disk, and having a good time doing it I might add. I was about eight pages from finishing and the next day when I come back to it, somehow the disk I was saving it on got unformatted and therefore I couldn't access the script to finish it and lost all of the work I had done on the rewrite. I came up with a lot of good rework material that's now lost on disk. It's no problem with the re typing, but the good ideas might not come back to me when I rework the script once again.

In my last update I mentioned the 'new' script that I was secretly working on, well let's just say it's still a secret. The ideas I had for the script don't seem to be amounting to anything, so for now I'll set it aside until I either do something with it, or shelve it.

I am in the process of reading a book on directing it's called: 'DIRECTING Film Techniques and Aesthetics' by Michael Rabiger. The book is actually helping a lot with my screenwriting, and if I do finally get a chance to direct I should be prepared. I also have another directing book that I will read plus two directing courses I intend to take.

Okay, I guess that's it for now.

Thursday January 22, 2004 2:40 A.M. EST.

I'd just like to do a quick update here.

First of all, I have finished the first directing book I was reading. I have two more directing books to finish, and then hopefully take a crash course or two on directing.

I just got a request for my screenplay 'The Four Horsemen', I should be getting the request out shortly.

I finally finished putting 'Paradise City' onto disk and I have jumped right onto my next script to disk project, 'Lifetimes' and after that I'll have just one more script to put on disk, 'We Die Young'.

The one movie that I worked on appears to be finally ready, it's called "The Mad Scientist Meets Morella, Princess of Darkness" by Casey-Veros Films, I should be receiving a copy shortly and I can't wait to see it.

I think that's all I have for now. Later.

Monday February 23, 2004 1:22 A.M. EST.

I finally sent out the copy of 'The Four Horsemen' that I got a request for. I have also finished putting Lifetimes on disk. I have yet to start putting 'We Die Young' on disk, because I have a notion that I will be starting a new script project shortly.

I just recently got a second job as a beer vendor at the new Philadelphia Phillies ballpark, so maybe I'll have a little extra money to enter screenplay contests like I would like to and possibly pay for classes that I intend to take.

I have just recently started story boarding some of my short screenplays, so that I will be prepared for the eventual day when I raise enough money to start shooting my own scripts. I have discovered one thing though, I can;'t draw to save my life.

Anyway, that's all that I have for this update.

Wednesday April 7, 2004 12:50 P.M. EST.

So much for the extra money thing. The reasoning behind the second job was the extra money, but since my main job has me on the night shift, since September I might add, (when it was supposed to be a couple of weeks), I am unable to get as many baseball games in as I would like.
Anyways.

I recently sent out the second of two requests that I have gotten for my script 'Paradise City'. I also finished an introduction to 16 mm film workshop which I had hoped would allow me to have something (an up to 2 minute short) to use as part of my reel, but the project I shot will have to be re shot due to lighting problems on my first try.

I have started putting 'We Die Young' on disk. So in a week or so, I should have all of my scripts on disk.

There should be more here for me to write, but for some reason I can't think of anything.

Until next time.

Saturday June 12, 2004 9:22 P.M. EST.

Wow!

June 2004, was the last time that I updated my website. Unfortunately that was also the last time that I actually did some serious writing. I mean, it's not as if I haven't done anything in the past 17 months, just not anything that you would notice. I've updated all of my scripts at least a once in the past months, but I haven't sent out any scripts or entered any contests.

A little background for the long delay may be a little necessary. It's going to sound like a serious excuse, but it is the truth:

Back in September of 2004, already 3 months of no updates or serious works on writing, it rained very heavy in the city of Philadelphia for a couple of days. My offices (and I use the term loosely) are located in the basement of my house, with a door to the back yard below ground and then steps and a landing up to level ground. At the time, the house next to me was abandoned, and unfortunately, abandoned houses attract trash, it never fails to amaze me what people will throw into the backyard of an abandoned house. Anyways, the abandoned house wasn't the problem it was just something I wanted to get off my chest. Well, from all of the rain the run off drain became clogged with mud, so after a couple of days of heavy rains, well you do the math, water began to flood the basement. Now, mind you I'm sitting in the basement at the time, unaware of all the water that is rushing into the basement. But, here's the key, the wireless keyboard to my MSNTV, is sitting on the floor, which it almost never did. I didn't know it was on the floor, my main concern was stopping the water from entering the basement, I cleaned out the drain and made a makeshift levy and after a mid-major cleanup I came back to discover my keyboard soak and wet and no longer operating.

Now, the dummy that I am didn't realize that I could probably find a MSNTV wireless keyboard on eBay. I also didn't really try that hard either. I did go as far as recreating my website on my computer, and I will probably unveil it soon now that I can link it back to this website, but I couldn't do that before because I couldn't access MSNTV without my keyboard.

Now, I am back. I haven't written anything new or reworked anything in two years, well that's not really true, I've reworked previous reworks but not any completely new reworks but I am back and fully committed to my writing career once again. So, look for more updates soon.

PEACE!

Wednseday November 23, 2005 10:47 P.M.

I had painted a bad picture of my writing over the past 17 months or so, it just dawned on me that I forgot to mention it hasn't been completely bare. It's not much but I've entered the Midnight Moviemaking Screenwriting contest over the last two years. I haven't won, but I enjoyed the experience, having to write a short script in seven days on a topic and genre you don't find out until a week before the deadline. My two entries have been interesting, the first year I had to write a comedy that had to do with plastic surgery. I came up with a short entitled: Perfect Features, Imperfect Creatures, about a woman who has breast reduction surgery to spite her husband. And this past year I had to write a thriller about an ambulance. I came up with something entitled: And If That Wasn't Enough…, about a man who is poisoned and is being rushed to the hospital while the people who had poisoned him are in pursuit. Both shorts are up on my site as of today.

One last thing tomorrow is the deadline for this years TV Writer.com's, People's Pilot Competition. If you are a regular you probably remember me writing about a television series I had intended to write, I haven't meet all the grandiose plans I had intended for the television series, but I have written the presentation and I will send that in tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Wednesday November 30, 2005 1: 39 P.M. EST.

Hello again, all.

I have two pieces of good news, and they are actually connected to each other. First of all, I think I've finally gotten my feet off the ground on the pilot for the television series idea that I have (The Third). It took me forever but I'm actually getting some work done and coming up with very decent if not great ideas on the various themes of the series. I still haven't completed the pilot but within the next couple of days I should have it done. I guess it took the fact that announcements were forth coming about my status in the People's Pilot Competition to get me on the ball. I mean what if I had won, I would at least want a pilot ready.

Which brings me to the other good news. The Semi-Finalist were just announced for the People's Pilot Competition and my idea, The Third, is one of the Semi Finalists. Again, wish me luck.

Thursday February 2, 2006 2:36 A.M. EST.

Okay, things are getting interesting.

First off, I have finished the pilot for the THE THIIRD. I finally stopped worrying about the set up and just decided to write my story and let the ideas that were coming to me, lead me wherever they happened to take me. My original goal with this television idea was to, after finishing the pilot, to create a new episode every two weeks or so. I think, I am finally up to that.

Secondly, I am now a finalist in the People's Pilot Competetion. It's eleven total finalists and I think at least four entries place, I'm starting to like those odds. The winner's should be announced in two more weeks. Again, wish me luck.

Wednesday February 15, 2006 2:15 A.M. EST.

Two months later, I guess I should update, huh.

Since it's been two months, basically I guess you can tell that I didn't win or either place in the People's Pilot Competition. Don't worry, I'll try again next go round, especially after noticing that the winner had actually entered the same pilot presentation at least twice before finally winning. I'll revise my presentation and hope for the best.

On another note regarding my television idea, I have been struggling mightily with the second episode. I had hoped to be finished it and at least on my third if not fourth episode by now, especially seeing as how fast the ideas were coming to me for the subsequent episodes. I seem to be stuck on how to bridge the ending of the second episode to the pilot and the rest of the series ideas. (Don't worry if that makes no sense to you, it does to me.)

I have another piece of information that I would like to share here, but I think I've already blown the opportunity. I have been in contact with a literary agency that might be interested in representing my script, (Paradise City) but I think I have missed their deadline. I'll see if they are still interested in me later this afternoon. I might have to try and enlist the aide of one of the few contacts that I have made during my trials as a wanna be screenwriter.

I hope to have more, SOON.

Saturday April 15, 2006 6:31 A.M. EST.

Not much going on these days, but I have entered the People's Pilot Competition again. I have entered The Third (of course) I've also used a short that I had written, 'Looking For a New Love' as the model for a pilot presentation. This was actually a long overdue decision, because when I first wrote the short I had television series in the back of my mind, 'groundbreaking television', if I recall correctly.

I've been shuffling my feet too much lately, but my financial situation appears to be starting to look up, so maybe not being broke all of the time will allow me to be a little more creative, or at the very least enter more contests and get more coverage for my scripts. I have to do something, despite not having much success as of yet as a writer, I know I'm close. I can feel it.

Saturday June 3, 2006 7:17 A.M. EST.