As you might have noticed, I've been absent for awhile. I'm still trying to shake off the rust as a month away feels like a hell of a long time when you're used to posting regularly. 
But the break was worth it - when measured by productivity - as the script is finished. Or at least the rough draft has been written based off an agreed upon outline and the screenplay currently stands at 100 pages (1 page generally equates to 1 minute of screentime).
It took working six days a week for the month to create the draft. I write best in the morning hours, and so I typically spent the first two hours at my actual job (the one which pays my bills) drafting new scenes. Then, I could usually sneak another hour in the afternoon if I was lucky. The weekends were spent editing the script with my brother and sending freshly-written pages to the producer on Sunday evenings.
After the first week, I found myself digging the schedule and staying inside the script every single day made writing it much easier than our past efforts, which usually took months of starting and stopping. It was a satisfying feeling to write "The End" this past week and then send it off into Cyberspace to await a verdict.
Now what? That's a fine question, and I have no answers.
The first step is to get the producer to focus on the script, which is unlikely in the immediate short-term as he is currently editing and scoring his own movie. On the plus side, he did invite my brother and I to his house, along with ten other people, to watch a rough cut of his film about two weeks ago.
The project was shot for a few million dollars, and plays like a straight-to-DVD National Lampoons comedy or something you might find late at night on Comedy Central. This was the intention.
Apparently, Sony studios is interested in seeing it once completed because some guy from "The Hills" or "Laguna Beach" plays a bit part. Personally, I could give two shits about anybody who populates either show because they're generally vapid degenerates and entire cast seems to share roughly sixteen brain cells which function properly on any given afternoon. But maybe that's just me. 
The best part of the process is now over, and the frustration is set to begin - at least I feel this way. I do not work well with things in limbo, where I have no control over when someone will read something or answer an email or send edits or do virtually anything that I cannot control. I simply find it brutal and more frustrating than an empty refrigerator when you're stoned.
But there's nothing I can do except wait and be persistent without pissing him off, which is a fine line to ride. I did speak with the producer late last week, and he planned to read the script in June and send back his edits before we discuss where to go from here. We'll see.
Talk is cheap. Especially in the entertainment industry.
In the interim, it felt stellar to complete the draft on schedule, however, the pay is lousy and so I will continue to push this bastard until I can't move it forward any longer. Fingers crossed, eh?
-BDS
Good for you. Good job getting the script done.
Of course, all this talk of writing a movie script is making me want to see this movie, especially with a working title like "Monkey Business." If it's got monkeys, I gotta see it. (Yeah, I know you didn't originally write anything with monkeys but perhaps that has changed in this latest draft, hmm... A monkey-lovin' guy can dream, right?) Either way, good luck dude. I'm pulling for you up here in the great white north.
Frustration is inevitable at this point. Enjoy the ride.
WhatIgot - I appreciate it and we do have some goats written into the movie, which seems ironic given the title. Hell, monkeys it is if this thing ever moves forward and gets made. Appreciate any good thoughts from up North.
Heff - You said it. Buy the ticket, take the ride.
Don't let me tell you what to do, I'm just offering up my opinion based on my personal experience. After having chased a goat in a t-shirt through my basement, I've come to the conclusion that goats aren't funny. Neither is having to clean up the mess made by a goat after it's eaten garbage and pooped in my garage.
It's quite an accomplishment to have made it this far and I believe few ever do. But I do think the movie will get made come hell or highwater. Don't get too frustrated...just let go of your control issues. ha
Fingers crossed like a pot head waiting for the hooch to arrive on a Friday night with a Domino's menu on the coffee table.
The control freak in me HATES waiting for someone to decide my future or fate... but this is part of "The Biz" so I'm glad you seem to have a good prespective.
Nice work!!! Sucky about having to wait..and wait..and wait for someone else as that can be very stressful.
Now what I really want to know is what did this fancy shmancy man's house look like :)
fingers crossed guys, & I rarely go to the movies but if it gets made I'll fork over the $10
Ha!!
WhatIgot - That sounds like a post needs to be dedicated to that story. Ha. But I've heard goats has foul dispositions, so that tends to line up with that theory. I'll strongly take the funny animal thing under advisement during re-writes.
Jlee - Thanks as I generally feel the same way, and if you figure out a good way to let go of control issues, feel free to pass it along. I've horrible at it. Ha.
Anonymous Boxer - Ha. Loved that first paragraph. Love it. And yes, I'm trying to keep a good perspective as I find this type of thing tough to handle regardless of the industry. I hate not having a hand in moving things forward.
Miss Ash - It was nice, but not crazy huge. We actually had the same plasma TV, which I commented on at the screening for reasons unknown to me. Ha. This guy has done mostly effects work to this point, and is just now getting into directing, producing, etc. I'll tell him to let our script be his meal ticket. Ha. We'll see it that works.
Nobich - I'll send you a copy if this thing ever gets made - I'm asking for about 100 free ones myself. Ha.
During the waiting you should start working on your next script. It's always good to have more.
When/if you start meeting with "people" you'll be asked about what else you are working on. They always want to know how many scripts and/or treatments you have. Trust me, the last thing you want to say is, "I've just been focusing on this one".
truly, I've never been in that position.
:-)
Mr. DNA - That's good advice - thank you. The guy we've been working with said something similar, and it's tough as I've been living with this one for so damn long. Ha. But it's a fine idea and so I might as well start looking ahead instead of dwelling in the past.
Anonymous Boxer - Of course not - neither have I (damn slow Dominoes drivers).
I'll hold you to it......
I definitely have my fingers crossed for you. Everything willbe fine.
BTW... There isn't anything more frustrating than an empty refrigerator when you're stoned. Haha
Congratulations!!! And I agree, even harder maybe than writing it will be waiting to hear. hang in there!! my fingers...and toes... are crossed.
Nobich - If I them, they will be distributed. Ha.
Trina - You better believe it. Ha. An empty fridge in that situation can make you weak with anger or weep in frustration or more than likely just call a delivery person.
Vivavavoom - Exactly. I appreciate the crossing & I just want definitive answers, which doesn't seem like too much to ask.
Great job B and I really hope this whole thing pays off for you. I'm sending you my best wishes from Down Under and keeping everything crossed for a successful outcome. I'm very bad at waiting for ANYTHING nevermind something this important.
About that empty refrigerator....I'm one of the lucky ones who never gets the munchies usually because I've gone into a coma before it has a chance to hit :)
Awesome! I've got all my fingers crossed for you :)
Gypsy - Thanks and I appreciate any crossing possible, especially from a different continent. Ha. And that's too bad about the coma because eating is one of the best parts. Then again, so is sleep.
Grace - Thanks. We will see, but for now, I'm trying to relax and enjoy it.