2009: The Third Post

So in the last year I've managed to update this thing twice (before now). That's pretty crap, even by my procrastinating standards! Still, with the exception of the brief blip on the rom/com front (which, unsurprisingly, has died down again) there's not been much progress in my attempts to 'break out'.
One project which has been exciting me no end, however, has been my boys brand project. A few months ago I finally gave the go ahead for a very talented friend - Mr Anthony Lamb - to render one of the characters in CG. Since then it's been a whirlwind of incredible graphics that have left my jaw gaping. Work continues towards a potential May/April pitch with the 'big boys'.
Aside from that, a new job (out of London, at last) begins later this month which promises to be quite creative. And a new collaboration with a somewhat prolific writer could create an opportunity in the kids TV market... so far we're one network down with several to go...
With any luck, there'll be more to talk about next year (and hopefully less personal issues). Whether 2010 manages to be 'that year' where things start to happen, I don't know. But I certainly intend to work my arse off to try and make it so.

Writing in a Block (or in a Caravan)

So during the first week of June I packed my bags and laptop and headed off to Norfolk to work on the rewrite of the rom/com project. I say rewrite. In actual fact it was pretty much a page 1 restart (and was written as such). The goal was to literally write an entire script in a week, which was really just from Monday night to early Friday morning. Now, I'm aware that this is a pretty insane thing to do, but given the usual limitations of time etc, it was just about the best shot I would have at really having another crack at this thing, and doing it well.
Last year I spent four weeks writing with a fully qualified screenwriter, and I learned a lot. This new draft of the rom/com was pretty much the first time I'd written since (the aborted Highlander script aside) and it was truly a revelation.
I'd spent the previous two or so weeks preparing. By the end of that, I had pages of notes, the whole thing was carded and I had watched enough romantic comedies to make even the most hardened guy a gibbering sentimental wreck.
And so it began. I arrived Monday afternoon, unloaded at the caravan and hit Tesco in search of nourishment. By the early evening I was ready to begin. And things were going pretty well...

And then, on Tuesday afternoon, disaster struck. Only 10 pages in, I returned from a midday break to find the power cord on the Mac had given up the ghost. Panic set in, but soon (after a desperate call to my brother-in-law) I'd found the local (I say local, 15-miles away) PC World. Turns out you can't get the old Mac power cord any more. I only had one choice left - buy a laptop and write in Word.
Actually, it wasn't as hideous as I thought it would be, and by Wednesday I was thundering ahead. To be honest, I didn't think I'd hit my personal deadline. I hit the midpoint Wednesday night, with only one full day left to go.
Long story short, I managed it. 105 pages by 10.30am on the Friday.
A few weeks on and I'm still refining it thanks to some great feedback from some trusted eyes... I'm really happy with the outcome of this draft. It's by far the best so far, and the best thing I've written to date. I just hope my producer, and his US producer contact, agree.
As ever... watch this space.

Socialite in the City

It's been almost a year since I had my last proper lead on the rom/com. And as I've said before, it seems that you can think a project is dead in the water and then BANG, up it jumps!
The latest revelation concerns my producer's latest trip to LA, during which time he spoke to a well-conected producer (who, among others, was on-board The Dark Knight) about our romantic comedy project. And the great news is that he liked it... with one reservation: the locale. So, it would seem that the project will be trading the dusty streets of London for New York (or maybe LA).
And yes... that means another draft (a proper 'from scratch' job).
With a good 12 months between drafts, I'm pretty sure the mojo is there to get this thing ship-shape in the next month or so. In fact I'm looking forward to it!
In other news: I'm seriously considering making a short film - in fact was about to write the script when this came up. So it's on the back-burner... but not forgotten. Watch this space...