That's right -- we're Houston-bound!
Did I sell my script, find a job, or what? Nope. My wife was offered a lead position at the new headquarters in Houston, and I strongly encouraged her to take it. It's the next best step for her career, and we were set on getting out of this rural nowhere at any cost, so why not get paid for the move? Yep, includes relo pay and benefits.
Mind you, we just went through this less than two years ago, to get from St. Louis to here. It wasn't an easy task on such short notice and believe me, as far as what they pay you to do it, you're lucky to break even.
I've been to Houston, once, must've been about 12 years old. I don't know much about it -- don't care -- as long as I don't have to drive ninety minutes to get to a TARGET anymore. Plus, they have IKEA. And, we'll be even closer to the ocean.
And, they have a movie scene! Yep, prodcos and all. In fact, a screenwriting friend just had her script requested by a reputable prodco in Houston (shout-out to Sarah, good luck!)!
One thing is for sure -- before you move somewhere, you see everything that is good about the place. The people seem different in a good way. Once settled in, you start finding out about all the bad things -- in the local news, from neighbors, etc. And what was different about the people starts to be irritating. I've lived all over the U.S. and a few places in Europe and this never fails.
To keep this in check, I won't learn too much about the place too quick, I'll ride that naive wave a bit... and make sure I change the channel when "COPS" comes on!!
FADE OUT!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
INKTIP.COM
In this Thanksgiving 2009 post about
INKTIP.COM
(post at link)
I announced the entry of my script, "CLUNKER", into INKTIP.COM
Sixty bucks, a fax of my release, and almost two months later and I'm ready to share some info.
For starters, site admin Jerrol LeBaron seems on it. My fax was confirmed quickly, as well as my uploads, in no time I was "out there."
But let's go back in time, screenwriter, to your logline, maybe what you put together last, in an attempt to describe your entire story in one sentence -- if it sucks, your script is going to nowhere on Inktip, or anywhere else for that matter.
I loathe loglines, quote me here -- any wine or woman that can be described in one line is not of value. If someone described Rome to me in one line I never would have went there. But, loglines are an evil necessity of the biz, because execs only have so much time and they don't want to waste that time on a bad screenplay.
My lesson learned -- write the logline before the screenplay, unless you know it is so high-concept, so simplified, that there's no need to.
Anyway, Inktip offers a lot of visibility and options. You get to post your logline, treatment, script, choose the genres, budgets, number of actors, locations -- everything essential to the film. And all of that info is accessible to execs and prodcos, reportedly over 5000 members.
Prodcos can do a search on the site -- they may search for genre, budget -- it's like looking for a home to buy on realtor.com. They generally know what the budget is, but might be open to different genres, locations. When your listing comes up on a search, you're notified. That DOES NOT mean they looked at your listing, it simply means it came up in a search. You'll get the company name and can imdb.com it, but don't dare contact -- read the rules of the site.
You'll have stats on who searched, who accessed the logline, and finally, who downloaded the script, should you be so lucky. Finally, the other day, this happened to me, and I was happy to see the name of a prolific actor / producer / director listed there, with a long IMDB. The rest is up to destiny, or the quality of your writing.
You'll get emails from the site -- many, reminding you to upgrade to a newsletter, and I could do without this. BUT, you get an email newsletter with at least six prodcos, stating what they are looking for, and a chance to "apply" with them. My comment -- who could imagine so many prodcos were looking for horror flicks?
All in all, for $60, it's a pipeline right into Hollywood, and cheaper than two entries into those "one too many" screenwriting competitions. There is a lot more more I could tell you, but bottom line, it's cheaper than printing drafts and queries, if your screenplay means that much to you I highly advise you get onboard.
FADE OUT!
INKTIP.COM
(post at link)
I announced the entry of my script, "CLUNKER", into INKTIP.COM
Sixty bucks, a fax of my release, and almost two months later and I'm ready to share some info.
For starters, site admin Jerrol LeBaron seems on it. My fax was confirmed quickly, as well as my uploads, in no time I was "out there."
But let's go back in time, screenwriter, to your logline, maybe what you put together last, in an attempt to describe your entire story in one sentence -- if it sucks, your script is going to nowhere on Inktip, or anywhere else for that matter.
I loathe loglines, quote me here -- any wine or woman that can be described in one line is not of value. If someone described Rome to me in one line I never would have went there. But, loglines are an evil necessity of the biz, because execs only have so much time and they don't want to waste that time on a bad screenplay.
My lesson learned -- write the logline before the screenplay, unless you know it is so high-concept, so simplified, that there's no need to.
Anyway, Inktip offers a lot of visibility and options. You get to post your logline, treatment, script, choose the genres, budgets, number of actors, locations -- everything essential to the film. And all of that info is accessible to execs and prodcos, reportedly over 5000 members.
Prodcos can do a search on the site -- they may search for genre, budget -- it's like looking for a home to buy on realtor.com. They generally know what the budget is, but might be open to different genres, locations. When your listing comes up on a search, you're notified. That DOES NOT mean they looked at your listing, it simply means it came up in a search. You'll get the company name and can imdb.com it, but don't dare contact -- read the rules of the site.
You'll have stats on who searched, who accessed the logline, and finally, who downloaded the script, should you be so lucky. Finally, the other day, this happened to me, and I was happy to see the name of a prolific actor / producer / director listed there, with a long IMDB. The rest is up to destiny, or the quality of your writing.
You'll get emails from the site -- many, reminding you to upgrade to a newsletter, and I could do without this. BUT, you get an email newsletter with at least six prodcos, stating what they are looking for, and a chance to "apply" with them. My comment -- who could imagine so many prodcos were looking for horror flicks?
All in all, for $60, it's a pipeline right into Hollywood, and cheaper than two entries into those "one too many" screenwriting competitions. There is a lot more more I could tell you, but bottom line, it's cheaper than printing drafts and queries, if your screenplay means that much to you I highly advise you get onboard.
FADE OUT!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
QUICK BLURB
A new thing around here, the "QUICK BLURB", and this one comes from watching Obama's "state of the union" speech tonight.
If you've kept up with presidential speeches over the years, you have to admire this guy's candor, regardless of your beliefs, because it is conveyed in a language and style that no other president has. Not to degrade any of our greats -- there have been many. And I couldn't applaud it if it were just words, not backed by belief, but it's rather sincere.
Leadership is not about self-interest, it's about what's in the best interest of the people. And helping others, like what America is doing for Haiti, and many other countries that have accepted the call -- they're all doing the "right thing".
Come together.
FADE OUT!
If you've kept up with presidential speeches over the years, you have to admire this guy's candor, regardless of your beliefs, because it is conveyed in a language and style that no other president has. Not to degrade any of our greats -- there have been many. And I couldn't applaud it if it were just words, not backed by belief, but it's rather sincere.
Leadership is not about self-interest, it's about what's in the best interest of the people. And helping others, like what America is doing for Haiti, and many other countries that have accepted the call -- they're all doing the "right thing".
Come together.
FADE OUT!
I WILL BE BACK -- THEREFORE I AM
I tried to stay off the blog for a month, while "CLUNKER" occupied the main post spot. Apparently, I couldn't do it, falling a few days short. Seems I love to write.
So, happy 2010, all. Seems a lot like 2009 after all the smoke and hypomania clears, doesn't it? But, for true artists, hypomania never goes away, and that's why I'm back to posting!
A lot has happened in a month, and I'm not going to blow all of that in one blog post, we do want to conserve our resources here. Just as in screenwriting -- can't do all the good jokes in act one, to follow with nothing. Screenwriter note -- that's referred to as "top heavy", not a good thing, at least in writing.
What's in store, for sure? A move -- yep, you'll find out where, how, why -- all of it. A career change -- AGAIN! The progress of my rescued kittens! My ongoing love-hate relationship with home renovation! All about TRIGGERSTREET.COM! "CLUNKER" and where it has gone in a month! If INKTIP.COM is a hoax, or not. Could you be a READER, and why would you want to (it's all about the pain!)?
So, an update, screenwriter tip, and insight into "hypomania", which you can find on "the google". Plus a "trailer" for the upcoming stuff. Thanks for being loyal!
FADE OUT!
So, happy 2010, all. Seems a lot like 2009 after all the smoke and hypomania clears, doesn't it? But, for true artists, hypomania never goes away, and that's why I'm back to posting!
A lot has happened in a month, and I'm not going to blow all of that in one blog post, we do want to conserve our resources here. Just as in screenwriting -- can't do all the good jokes in act one, to follow with nothing. Screenwriter note -- that's referred to as "top heavy", not a good thing, at least in writing.
What's in store, for sure? A move -- yep, you'll find out where, how, why -- all of it. A career change -- AGAIN! The progress of my rescued kittens! My ongoing love-hate relationship with home renovation! All about TRIGGERSTREET.COM! "CLUNKER" and where it has gone in a month! If INKTIP.COM is a hoax, or not. Could you be a READER, and why would you want to (it's all about the pain!)?
So, an update, screenwriter tip, and insight into "hypomania", which you can find on "the google". Plus a "trailer" for the upcoming stuff. Thanks for being loyal!
FADE OUT!
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