Yet Another Project
Hollywood has changed in some ways since I last worked out there, and in other depressing ways it hasn’t changed. It still puts a premium on youth and gender (the preferred one being male), but in terms of getting an idea in front of people with the power to buy it’s become a much tighter funnel through which you have to pass. My manager and I came up with a really cool idea, but to try and get to a network we’ve been trying to attract a big name show runner or director to come on board. That hasn’t happened because it’s hard to give the full flavor of an idea when you’ve only got a page or at most two, and the manager is trying to pitch it over the phone to a company. He’s walking a tightrope because if you say too much that gives them more chances to find something they don’t like and shut you down. And if you don’t say enough they go — “Oh, I’ve heard that idea before” and shoot you down when everyone knows “it’s the execution, stupid”.
Which leaves you with the other route through the maze. You write the spec pilot to show them why this is a cool idea, and how you can execute the hell out of it. Which is what I’m in the process of doing now.
After Michael and I cooked up the high concept pitch of the idea I went away and fleshed out the characters and the kind of stories we would tell. I knew there was a big secret so I wanted to have it all worked out and as I mentioned before I brought in writer/physicist Dr. Ian Tregillis to assist me. (I hit all the honorifics for a reason, and not to make Ian blush). As Michael failed to attract a Big Name I began to see that we needed to write this sucker so I asked Ian to form a writing team with me. Aside from the fact he had put a lot of energy into coming up with the secret behind the show, and he’s a hell of a writer there are many other advantages for us as a team. I have the experience and talent which is good, but Hollywood loves the Hot New Thing, and I have a track record which makes me less interesting. Ian is the Prince from a Foreign Land, he’s male, he’s young and he’s very talented. Voila, a Hollywood team is born!
We’ve gotten the Teaser and Act One written and we’re just into Act Two. We quit last night as exhaustion overcame us, but I was also bugged because I had seen this scene before. A lot of times before. That’s one of the questions I always keep floating in the front of my mind as I write. “Have I seen this before? And if I have how can I present this information in a more interesting and fresher manner?” While driving down the Hill from Los Alamos I saw the way to start Act Two so I’m going to write so of it this afternoon, and resume with Ian this evening.
I’ll keep you posted.
Melinda
August 21st, 2007 at 11:48 am
Good luck with your project.
I think I’ll stay in my quiet little corner far away from Hollywood.
And if one of my books ever makes it to publication and into a movie, I think won’t look because I’m sure it will be too far away from what I imagine. 
Btw, are you planning to see THE LAST LEGION? After what I’ve heard it not only butchers history but it’s not even good as a movie, and Colin Firth is miscast. Now, freedom with facts is something I can get over for a good story and some hot guys, but I’m really not sure about that one.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:09 pm
The key is lots and lots of Cletus.
I got a fever, and the only cure is more Cletus.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:44 pm
George and Steve Boucher saw the LAST LEGION and said it wasn’t that bad. Pretty good hack and slash. I want to see it, but just haven’t had the time. I keep seeing Colin Firth in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and I’m having trouble picturing him in a skirt.
As for adaptations — I always go back to what Roger Zelazny said when someone asked him about how Hollywood destroyed DAMNATION ALLEY. He patted the spine of the book where it set on the shelf and said, “My book is fine. It’s right here.” I think Roger was quoting some other author, but I don’t remember who.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:42 pm
That “Hollywood didn’t hurt my books, they’re right there on the shelf” line is so often used that it is can be attributed to many, but the first instance is generally traced back to James Cain (”Mildred Pierce”, “Double Indemnity”, “The Postman Always Rings Twice”).
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:50 am
Best of luck in this venture, Melinda! Also, if the story requires a blond 30-something, can I send you my headshot and resume … ?
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:16 am
Sure, Jason, but not for quite awhile. Keep in mind the timing of this thing. We get it written, Michael gives us notes. We rewrite. We get it to a show runner or a network.
Let’s say we hit a double and they actually buy it. Then they give us notes and we rewrite it. Then in January they lay out all the scripts and decide which pilots to shoot. For us to get picked we have to hit a triple. And then in May they look at all the pilots and pick the show that will go on the air in the fall of 2008. Which is hitting the home run.
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:55 am
Understood. That’s why I said 30-something. I’m still 29 at the moment.
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:42 pm
And if you desperately need a 40-something vaguely shaped like a fire-hydrant, and with a scruffy Jesus hair and beard combo, you know who to call.
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Would you stop with the fire-hydrant thing! You are incredibly cute, and very funny which ups your cute quotient. As to the Jesus hair and beard — a little ironic, no?
Cletus got some more quality screen time today.
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:55 pm
You know me, I like taking running gags into absurdity.
And we both know that Cletus will sell this show.