I guess it is about time I shared my latest tragic success/failure story. On September 18th, I was informed that I was one of only three finalists for the New Hampshire Film Festival 2016 Screenplay Competition. See below?
As I waited for the news, I tried to avoid getting my hopes up. Instead, as I often do, my imagination ran wild with the idea that I might win the festival, magically secure a producer, and cast Vera Farmiga in the lead. At the same time, I suspected that my (possibly) less marketable period piece centered around a woman over forty was a longshot. (It seems to me that America doesn't much do women over forty -- England is a whole other story though -- their films are loaded with "wrinklies" and I love it).
Well, the success fantasy was just that -- a fantasy. I lost to a contemporary crime drama that I must admit sounds intriguing. I don't really feel that I lost, as such, but the end result is that I certainly cannot claim to be the winner.
So after drowning my sorrows in a variety of carbohydrates over a variety of days, I've pulled myself from the depths of disappointment. The way out of this mini-depression has simply been to focus on the next script, and continue to enter Modern Persecution in various contests (seems like England might be a good location to focus on). I can't help but be excited by my next screenplay idea. It's really unusual, but contemporary and very marketable. I've got a good number of the (virtual) index cards all laid out. There's a part for Vera in this one, too. Angelina Jolie would also fit the bill. I'd need a twenty-something actress (an unknown would be preferable), and a guy as hunky as Keith (Matthew St. Patrick) in Six Feet Under. I do love to let my imagination run wild, don't I?
I always come back to writing; I'm not built for marketing. Of course, I long for my screenplay to be produced and I look at people in the business and wonder why I'm not in it (all while knowing that my introverted nature and lack of marketing perseverance may have something to do with it). "Some folks lives roll easy as a breeze..." --Paul Simon
Well, the success fantasy was just that -- a fantasy. I lost to a contemporary crime drama that I must admit sounds intriguing. I don't really feel that I lost, as such, but the end result is that I certainly cannot claim to be the winner.
So after drowning my sorrows in a variety of carbohydrates over a variety of days, I've pulled myself from the depths of disappointment. The way out of this mini-depression has simply been to focus on the next script, and continue to enter Modern Persecution in various contests (seems like England might be a good location to focus on). I can't help but be excited by my next screenplay idea. It's really unusual, but contemporary and very marketable. I've got a good number of the (virtual) index cards all laid out. There's a part for Vera in this one, too. Angelina Jolie would also fit the bill. I'd need a twenty-something actress (an unknown would be preferable), and a guy as hunky as Keith (Matthew St. Patrick) in Six Feet Under. I do love to let my imagination run wild, don't I?
I always come back to writing; I'm not built for marketing. Of course, I long for my screenplay to be produced and I look at people in the business and wonder why I'm not in it (all while knowing that my introverted nature and lack of marketing perseverance may have something to do with it). "Some folks lives roll easy as a breeze..." --Paul Simon
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