Nothing Doing

12 July 2006

You might have noticed there hasn't been a lot going on at the moment, that's because I haven't been doing much. In fact I've done next to nothing in the last two weeks.

My wedding is coming up in just over three weeks and my days are now being spent pulling things together before the big day. I would love to leave the wonderful world of table plans, party favours, Bestman and usher gifts for one solid day sat in front of the computer working on a script. But alas it is not to be.

Here, to keep my faithful updated, is how things stand at this time:

British Short Screenplay Competition 2006 - I'm safely though the inital cull and into the first round.

Celtic Films - I still haven't heard back on the second draft, but at least they haven't sent it back and laughed in my face.

Final Draft Big Break Competition 2006 - I haven't heard anything so I gather Sins Of The Father is still in contention.

Micheline Steinberg Associates - No word here either, but as I haven't had the script back I'm thinking good things are due.

TV Vest - The jury is still out on which script Arne Reidar Mortensen and his friends will choose to be their first short film.

I'm doing a lot of waiting around at the moment so when I get back from my honeymoon I will go on the offensive, if not before.

The Journey Has Begun

04 July 2006

I have just checked the Kaos Films website and I have discovered that Journey's End has been chosen to progress to the first round. Check the link to see if your short script has been chosen too; British Short Screenplay Competition 2006.

Writersroom

30 June 2006

From This Day Forth was sent back from the BBC Writersroom with a standard letter. Only ten pages had been read of the script and the rest was untouched.

I don't mind rejection, it's part and parcel of being a writer. So now it's the turn of Where Angels Fear To Tread to be sent out. Let's see how that script is received.

Still no news from Celtic Films or Micheline Steinberg Associates.

Cheltenham Scriptwriters' Festival 2006

27 June 2006

Today I attended the New Writers' Day at the Cheltenham Scriptwriters' Festival 2006 at a cost of £90. For something that promised so much I have to concede I was extremely dissapointed in.

A week previously delegates had been sent an email asking us which sessions we wanted to attend so that the festival organizers could make sure that everyone got to attend the sessions they wanted. Upon arriving I was informed that the email was only meant as a guide for the organisers and that all the pitching sessions had already been booked up before I had arrived. I was livid as the pitching sessions were what I was most interested in.

The day was supposed to start at 10.30am with the Opening Speech but was delayed by about 15 minutes. Then followed Getting In - Finding your way around the industry. I was expecting an informative guide on how and who to approach. The only person to offer anything really constructive was Matthew Bates, a film and TV agent, who told us what an agent looks for from a writer. He wasn't very encouraging, hinting that unless a producer was already interested in your script, or you had been recommended to the agent by someone in the industry, as a new writer you were unlikely to get an agent to take you on. The only advice that was of any real help was that contacts with in the industry were helpful, something I already knew. The only helpful lecture I discovered was the next, You Can Do It, a speech on motivation and how to approach and reach your professional goals.

After lunch came Getting In - A Pitching Case Study. This presentation was only forty five minutes long, twenty of which the speakers spent going over their biographies; something we already had in our welcome packs. The last presentation I attended was Risky Business about the legal and commercial side of the writing business. Again compressed into only forty five minutes the presentation was rushed and large amounts of deatil were simply brushed over.

I was so dissapointed at this point I left for home. A lot of changes need to be made for next year if this festival is to be successful.

Secret Agent Man

22 June 2006

Last Friday I contacted Micheline Steinberg Associates an agent recommended to me by fellow Bournemouth scriptwriter Danny Stack. After trying unsuccessfully to land an agent in the past I was reluctant to approach them at first, but Danny convinced me they were a really good agency and had provided him with invaluable help in starting and growing his career. I sent them a copy of From This Day Forth which I have been informed landed on their doormat this morning.

Upgrade

15 June 2006

Two days ago I informed you that Moov2 were going to upgrade the blog section of my website. Among the ideas discussed are plans to archived blogs by month, blog comment allowed and the possibility of adding pictures. To get an idea of what it might look like go to Danny's Page

In other news, I have decided to try again and land an agent. I think with the recent interest shown in my work finding an agent willing to represent me is a more likely prospect. I shall keep you informed.

Be My Valentine

13 June 2006

The write a movie in 14 days challenge started well but I've stalled in the last couple of days. Instead of being cut down Mr. Valentine seems to be growing as I've introduced another character and failed to remove one that I felt wasn't working. The script is in a real danger of going over 120 pages. I shall just have to learn to be ruthless.

Moov2 are in the process of redesigning the blog area of the website so you should soon see some changes for the better here.

Still no news from Celtic Films.