Kind of Funky... And Not in a Good Way...

Just kind of a weird vibe today. I HAD to be out of my apartment early today because they're doing some work on the pipes, oh by the way thanks to the guy busting out the Jackhammer early this morning right outside of my window!

So I hit a mobile office to do some work, but still feel like somethings missing today. It's a gray, slightly wet day. It just has one of those "funky" day feels about it. Nonetheless I'm going to try to turn it into something positive!

That starts with taking some time to go back and start working on the second draft of my new script. Tweaking is the order of the day, trying to make sure everything I initially wrote really makes sense and sounds a good a second time around as it did the first time coming out of my head. I think I have a good feel for dialogue, it flows quickly at times, but I just have to make sure it really holds up draft after draft. I also like to allow the actors to get a hold of their lines and really work on making their character their own, so some things may change if I end up being the one shooting this.

OK, well time to get to work, enough babbling here... I hope wherever you are, your day isn't as "funky" as this one has started out!

Wow... What a Change!

So at a new mobile office... probably not one that I'll go to too often because it's out the rotation area, but I really dig it. In addition to a ton of space, in the middle of it all are these long family style tables with tons of outlets so everyone can sit down and use there computers. It's kind of a cool way to do work!

Good news, wrapped up the first draft on the new project. It took about a week to hammer it out and I like it... at least right now lol. What will happen next is I'll take about a day or two away from it so I have a fresh set of eyes to look at it and then I'll go through and start editing, tweaking and making it a really strong project. Don't know how many drafts I'll have to go through... I'll knock out as many as I feel it needs until it's ready to go into production. This is a project that I will probably do myself. It's small enough and will allow me to get my hands dirty if you will.

Got a bite this weekend from an agent who wanted to see some writing, so I fired off the spec script for "Hung" that I wrote. It's pretty funny and I think it's a good representation of my writing. It also is a hot show right now, so maybe that will make me more interesting to him. This is the first time, after sending out hundreds of emails, that I've had an agent go past the typical, "Thanks but no thanks," letter, so while I'm not getting my hopes up, I am keeping my fingers crossed.

OK, time to get some more work done... hopefully I'll have some more news for you all later this week!

OK, so I'm at one of my mobile office's knocking out some writing and more. While it's been a busy week, I need to keep pushing and get some more writing done this weekend.

It's funny a lot of people ask me where my mobile office is and to them I say, "That's why they're mobile, so I don't have any one in particular!" lol

I don't want to be so predictable... I like the idea of hitting on the run... one day it might be here... the next another place. All of the offices in the rotation right now, have different energy and depending on what I'm working on or what the day is like usually depends on which one I'll be hacking at.

So today, it's about doing some blogging, sending out some emails and some work on my new project, which over the next couple of months I'll be able to get into a little more.

Anyway so I don't just let my coffee get cold and my ideas grow stale, it's time to settle in and do some good work... until next time my friends... Ciao!

Location, Location, Location...

Day two of working on my new project and getting a lot done. Yesterday was a really good day writing, hoping for more of the same today.

Started out with a good workout... little healthy breakfast... hairs cut and then changing up my writing location for today, let's see how this place does in terms of giving me that energy I love when I write.

Have a cup of coffee with me. Listening to a little George Michael on "Pandora Internet Radio," deep in thought all day long... hopefully all of this will help inspire.

:)

Back Home

Well I am back from LA and look what was in the mail!

A 4th place finish in the SkyFest II festival for my new screenplay. OK so I didn't win it, but the project, "Student's Teacher," did win something and it has given me a little hope to send it out to a couple of other fests.

So Los Angeles was wild! It was non-stop from the time I landed, on my birthday the September 14th, through my flight back on Friday. I think I had at least two meetings a day, some times more!

I learned so much about "the business" out West and how you become a player for "real" in their world. Hopefully some of the lessons I learned will help me in the future. Now I'm not one to do a lot of name dropping, but I want to send out a special thanks to the folks at Warner Brothers, TNT, and HBO for giving me some of the best career advice I've ever had!

While I was on the Left Coast, I did get to do some fun things, including eating at a couple of my favorite hot spots and catching up with fellow Memphis Filmmaker Tony Flessas.

I've mentioned him before and right now he's living the dream! He's taking a shot and no matter what, you've always got to respect that. I hung out with him and his producing partner, "Bogey" in North Hollywood for a late lunch/early dinner.

When it was all said and done and I returned home, wouldn't you know it, my cable was down, they can't come and fix it for 4 days and half of the things that I had set to be recorded on my DVR... not recorded. Nothing like being hit in the mouth with reality right off the bat!

Out and About Again!

For the first time in what seems like forever, I am out and about!

Over the last several days, I had been battling some kind of virus/flu and I think I've finally licked it. I wouldn't say I'm 100%, but I am definitely strong enough to get up and get out of the house for a little while and what better way to celebrate than to do a little work at my favorite mobile office! Now this particular one is not my fav of favs, but it's a solid one and truth be told one of the things I love about Starbucks is that for the most part I can get my Extra Hot Grande Mocha in Maryland, Tennessee, California or Boston and it's always going to taste the same. Some days that's all you want... that familiar aroma, taste and comfort.

So even though I've been under the weather, it hasn't completely stopped me from working. I'm still trying to get my spec script read and still trying to get my new feature script read. I'm keeping my head up on both fronts and hope that someone will take a chance to at least read something.

I've also started to work on some other scripts, some that I've had and a couple that are new. One of the other projects may take over at some point, but for right now I'm bouncing around getting a little done on a lot.

So that's the latest update, hopefully I'll have some more for you later in the week, but until then... time to get hacking away!

The Writers Power Breakfast

A scone, coffee, computer, iPod and a wild imagination... let's see if today will be productive!

Over the last couple of days I've done a really good job at working on the edit of my new script, which is not complete.

But I also have a couple of other scripts in various forms that I might start hacking at to keep the mind sharp and to continually work on the craft of screenwriting. And believe it or not... there are even a couple of more ideas that I should at least get down in note form.

My philosophy has always been, don't force writing, write when you feel it and just ride it for as long as you can, your body, mind and soul will tell you when you need to take a break, so I'm just riding this wave for as long as it goes!

A Great Edit!

Completed! This version of the new script I believe is tighter and flows better. Still proud of it... still hoping to get it sold... but if not, when I get ready to put it into production... this version will sing!

Working In A Sea Of Noise!

You've got to love construction! I'm at my desk working on my rewrite and battling through a sea of construction noise right outside. I opted not to go to one of my mobile offices today, I had the great idea to stay in an write!

In the end it will hopefully turn out well, I am getting a lot done and right now I'm just taking the noise outside, transforming it in my mind to the sounds of ocean waves cracking against the shore.

Time to write on!

Changing Things Up!

For those of you who follow this blog, which I think for the record is only one person officially, you know that when I work outside of my home, I like to hack away at any one of my favorite mobile offices aka Starbucks. But every now and then I like to think... pardon the overused expression, "Outside of the Box," and today that is the case. Today I'm working at Mayorga Coffee Factory in Silver Spring. It's a different vibe here and for the most part, I enjoy working here from time to time. The one issue I do have is that their server goes down from time to time and if I'm working on the web, I lose things. But for the most part it's a cool place to work.

Currently I'm working on an edit of my new screenplay. I like where it is right now, but am always working on getting it a little tighter and stronger. I just got done reworking a scene to have it flow better and I really love the new feel of it.

Now on this blog I list what films I'm watching and of course there is the big "Library Project," I have going right now. (Making it through all of the films in my library) Last night in addition to watching a great German film, "Run Lola Run," I started watching a DVD compilation I have called, "Cult Classics." It came with my subscription to MovieMaker Magazine when I signed up last time. It's a collection of 20 films from the 30s, 40s and 50s. Last night I watched the first film called, "Marijuana Menace" or it's original title, "Assassin of Youth." I figure the more film I can watch, from every source possible... all of it will help me be a better filmmaker. MM, wasn't the strongest film in the world, but you can imagine that it was pretty scary or powerful back when it was made in 1937. I love watching these old films and seeing the sets and costumes and listening to the dialogue. I grew up watching films from the 40s and 50s so this is fun to look back even further.

So that's what's going on right now, lots to do and I like it that way. Hopefully I'll have some big news to pass along in the next couple of weeks, so keep an eye out. And for those who do actually read this... thanks!

Kicking It Old School

Doing some work on a script with pen and paper! It's an old school approach, but some times the best way to get things done. Right now still trying to make it the best script I can and I do believe it may be the best script I've written, but I will always work to make it even better.

Usually what happens is, I'll get a script to what I think is about, 85% ready. And what that means is, it's a complete script and I like it and it's ready to shoot, but during the rehearsal process and I do like to rehearse before shooting, I'll tweak things even more. Part of the reason is because I always help my actors work on their characters and brings something to them that's not on the paper. And the other reason is because as you spend more time with the actors, you get a better sense of who they are and their own rhythms. If you can incorporate some of that into their character, I find their performance becomes even stronger.

So spending some time taking pen to paper right now, should help in the long run when this film gets made one day.

Crunching Numbers...

(At my primary "Mobile Office")

So out and about, crunching some numbers regarding a possible project. This is always kind of a fun part because you can put in whatever numbers you like! Usually I try to put in the "dream numbers" then I do about 4 or 5 other budgets that range from the more "realistic" to the "drop dead minimum." You always hope you get your dream budget or something close, but you never know.

After doing some work here for awhile it's off to the AFI theater to see the Larry David film, "Whatever works." Any chance you get to see a film in a theater these days is always great!

Everything I Need... To Work At Least!

(Mobile office time)

OK so it's been a little while since I've had some time to really sit down and update the blog, but who can blame me... my daughter was here for her summer visit and when she's in the mix it's all about her!

Now however it's back to work and that includes a plan for me latest screenplay. Still shopping it around, trying to get it read. But I'm also looking into what happens if I go it alone. I've done it before, I'll do it again so I'm not afraid of the proposition, but until I really crunch some numbers and do a little more research I'll reserve final judgment on that final step.

In the mean time, good news about a special project, the 10th Anniversary DVD of "3 Days... 3 Hours... 3 Minutes... 3 Seconds..." The initial post is going well and hopefully before the end of the year it will be ready for you to purchase. There will be a ton of special behind the scenes pieces I think you'll really enjoy, so stay tuned on that.

All in all, staying upbeat and pushing forward... after all that's what you have to do to make films as an Indie!

It's Going To Be A Good Week!

I've decided that no matter what, I'm going to try and make this a positive week. That means lots of hard work, that I hope will end up making this a good week.

Right now, I'm doing a little work at a new mobile office. I don't get out to this part of town... Rockville actually, but this office is a nice one. Lot's of outlets and room. The only downside, really small tables to write and drink your coffee on. But this is going to be a good week, so that's not going to slow me down at all!

Last week sent out some more query letters for the new script and as of right now, nothing back from anyone. So, sticking with the theme, I'm going to say that no news is good news! I'll probably spend some time over the next day or so hammering out some more and just trying to get someone to take a chance, or at least get their readers to take a chance to flip through my screenplay. I like it and it has a real edgy vibe and when it gets into the right hands could be a very hot project. Now of course I'd love to find someone who wants to help me make the film so I can direct, but I do realize that this is "Show Business," so I if someone just wants to buy purchase the rights, we can talk.

I am starting to feel that itch... that itch when I know it's time to do something... make a film. Hopefully this will be... no it WILL be a good year so I can get something in production before 2010... at least that's the plan!

Shaking Off Some Funk & Working Hard!

As you can tell, out at the mobile office again and that's probably a good thing. Nice to write and work from other locations from time to time. Let's get you up to date on some stuff.

My copy of the "Hollywood Creative Directory" arrived and I've already started to put it to good use. I have a screenplay that is ready to go and I'm trying to take it through the "traditional" Hollywood channels, so the new book is helpful to at least get my initial query letters to the right people. I'm trying both the agent route and production companies. I have to get one or two people to actually read the sucker and then I think I have a good shot! I've had a couple of people I respect read the script, some in the biz some out and they all say the second they start to read it, that it's a "page turner," they didn't want to put it down until it was over! So that's good news!

Sticking with the script I also entered it into my first screenplay contest, so we'll see how it does there as well. But at the same time, I'm not just throwing my eggs in one basket. I continue to work on a couple of other screenplays and this month I'm going to begin the 10th Anniversary DVD of our smash film, "3 Days... 3 Hours... 3 Minutes... 3 Seconds..." Look for that, just in time for Christmas!

So there is a lot going on. I'm pushing forward on a lot of different things and I stand by my belief that if you throw enough darts at the wall, one of them is bound to stick!

Done... Let the Games Begin!

It's done... no more writing... no more tweaking... the script is ready. Ready to send out into the big, bad, Hollywood world and hopefully be bought!

Boston has the "Big Dig," today I completed, "The Big Read." I went through every line of my new screenplay, working it, making sure it fit standard format and double, triple checking everything. I've written, what maybe 10 to 20 screenplays in various forms over my life, but this one... this one is now the way the Industry wants it. Hopefully that will pay off.

In the writing process you get to the point where you can simply do no more. You've checked and double checked. You've read it aloud and read it quietly. You've looked at everything you can think of and then finally you just have to let it be and say, "This is the way my film is going to be." That's where I'm at. I think it's at a place where it's ready, so now we'll see what others think.

Ideally, I'd love to find that perfect agent and deal to not only sell the script, but also get to direct it. But if that doesn't happen, then I'm going to make the film anyway.

Keep your fingers crossed... hopefully in the next couple of months, we'll have some good news to talk about with this project. It's been a labor of love and I hope the seed to an amazing film.

Working like a dog!

I've been working like a dog over the last couple of days, really trying to get my new script ready to go.

The plan is to get it out there to some agents in the next week or so and also take a shot at finding a company to produce the film. I've always wanted to try to land an agent for writing, so we'll see how it goes, this will be a new adventure.

I guess part of the reason I feel OK about it, is because if I don't land a deal with someone, I'm still going to make this film, it's what I do.

Anyway, keep your fingers crossed!

Also, don't forget to check out our main website: www.triplestickspro.com There is always a big update on the first of the month and with Friday being the first of August, you can expect some new dirt!

Peace out!