no news is still no news

I haven't heard anything from the Holiday Plans director about the location and dates of the shoot. Since they're thinking about shooting the second weekend in March, I'm thinking that they're taking their time. The director was shooting Russell Simmons' post-Grammy Party, so I guess he had other priorities. Still, a little email or text would be nice. I'm trying not to be high maintenance, but that would be counter to my diva nature.

Speaking of high-maintenance, I received an email from the "Mixtape" management folks asking for a conference call on Friday (today). Seems they have a director and a producer willing to come on board with the project. But, get these apples, they want a full rewrite. What the fuck did they see in the script in the first place if it has to be rewritten a fourth time? It's really annoying me. So I wrote them back and was all "I'm on board for a rewrite and conference call, but first I want a contract or at least a detailed memo outlining what our relationship is and how much we get paid upon sale, etc.".

Crickets.

That was Tuesday and I haven't heard NATHAN. No "I understand and I'll get back with you" email, no "fuck you, who do you think you is, the Wiz?", no nothing. So, this could be going two ways. One, they're drafting something and will get back with me or two, they were on the shady tip and I called their bluff. I'm hoping for option one, but if it's option 2, I'm ready for their asses. I'm too old to pay games. I want my movie on screen, but I'll be damned if I don't get paid for it.

Chef Shredder

Here's the latest: I spoke to the director of HP2 and he told me that they have two people in mind for the role of the "Chef Shredder"- and that these two are very interested in playing the role. The two people are Jaime Kennedy and Michael McDonald. Not the sissy-voiced, Colonel Sanders from the Doobie Brothers, but the guy who played Stuart on Mad TV! Is that boss or is that boss? I'm completely stoked about it, so I had to share. Shooting may or may not take place during the second weekend in March, but whenever it does, you'd better believe that the chocolate diva will be there!

Yesterday morning, I got an email from the manager who I met with in December. Seems that he's still keen on seeing the "Mixtape" rewrites. I wrote him back, telling him that I'm just about done with my read-through and that I'll send it on. Ya'll, I'm gonna send it on like I promised, but it's really hard to get behind this. I mean, either offer me a contract or not. I just don't think I can chop on this script one more time.

Speaking of chopping on perfection (*wink*), I read an article in a screenwriting mag talking about what was wrong with the script for the Dark Knight. Um, exuese me? That movie was up for Oscars in just about every category except screenwriting, so what's their beef? Wanna talk about scripts with problems? Let's talk "Juno"? Let's talk about how there are about fifteen scenes that do absolutely nothing to advance the story and about how every character- regardless of age- talks exactly the same. The only reason Jennifer Garner stood out was because she was the only one not speaking like a fourteen year old gamer. But whatever. Everyone's entitled to their opinions. Well, everyone except douchbags.


Anyway, I have to get back to my revisions, but I'll catch up after I hear more casting news or I talk to Stan Rogaine. Whichever comes first.

Stan the Sham

Oh, yeah. I forgot to call Stan Rogaine about ignoring my script. Never fear! I fully intend to show my natural black hindquarters. Ignore the DLF? Ha! Never that!

she works hard for the money

Prayer does, indeed, work! I just got my offer letter today from our erstwhile Dick Cheese, Inc. company. Yay! Dick Cheese, they are no longer. Henceforth, they shall only be known by their proper name (which has nothing to do with schmegma). Anyway, I must fax my acceptance letter in tomorrow morning and then I begin work (and collecting a paycheck, natch) on 9 March. It's been a long time coming, so I'm so grateful to have been offered a job when so many others are losing theirs. Things are looking up, up, up!

Earlier today, things were looking down, down, down as I received a long-overdue rejection letter from a prodco in Los Angeles. Well, at least they sent it and didn't have me waiting and hoping ad infinitum. It's back to the drawing board and the drawing board is pretty full these days. I'm revisiting a screenplay I'd written called "The Sophomore Gospel". It's teen religious noir and very outside my box, but in a talent-stretching way. I'm on page 70 and I'm anxious to see where my characters take me. Right now, they're being held hostage in their Catholic boarding school by Satan. Did I mention my main character is Asian? Not enough Asians have starring roles in movies. That's me, ya'll. A catalyst for change.

Tomorrow I have a ton of volunteer training to attend for my son's school, but I'm gonna try my best to squeeze in a couple more scenes in "Gospel". The more I think about this project, the more I'm falling in love with it all over again.

you spin me round round, baby, round round...

Sitting here in the familiar pink robe doing the familiar "write-revise-release" dance of the struggling writer, I decided to take a break and let you know what's new. Ah, the power of the blog! No sooner had I written that I hadn't heard from the Holiday Plans director (and how I didn't care because life sucked anyway...), did he text me with an apology and an assurance that production would go forward this month. Yay, but it's a Valentine's Day-themed script and I don't think it's going to make it out by next weekend. They do have a quick turnaround time, so let's see...

I've finished the revisions for the full-of-crap Barriowood producers. But instead of just sending it to them, I'm gonna submit the script to the Austin Film Festival. It couldn't hurt and I need the exposure.

Speaking of exposure, I'm going to call Stan Rogow and show my ass. That's Corbin Bleu's manager/gatekeeper and he's going to get a full frontal view of my chocolate moon today. What kind of professional can't shoot off a "thanks, but no thanks" email? I can't wait to tell him where he and his bald-headed black granny can go. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, it could be his air-headed assistant's fault that nothing has happened. What if she's in charge of reading scripts? What if she's the keymaster to his gatekeeper? Heaven forbid if she's anything like the other empty-headed, silicone-injected, failed abortions that roam the streets of Los Angeles.

I'm actually looking forward to this chat. Until then, back on the hamster wheel...