Writer's Blog
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From This Day Forth Part 1
27 April 2006
In January 2006 this site was launched to showcase my work and allow others to follow my journey as a writer. Not even Mystic Meg could have predicted that a little less than four months later things would begin to take off.
Yesterday I received some inital notes for the rewrite of From This Day Forth from Celtic Films. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting but a couple of the changes are major ones. Firstly they want me to change the script from a TV drama to a feature screenplay. This is ironic because the first two scripts I wrote were features and I couldn't get anybody interested in them. I then decided to try TV drama and the first script I wrote could now possibly become my first feature screenplay option.
The second change is to the film's setting; the gentle rolling hills of the Oxfordshire countryside exchanged for another country. It's a big task to change this and will require several weeks of heavy research and rewriting to get right.
I am aware that even though I make these changes it doesn't guarantee that Celtic Films will like the new draft, or want to option it. When I met Danny Stack on Tuesday for lunch he told me this had once happened to him. At a meeting with a producer to discuss one of his feature screenplays he was given notes and asked to do a rewrite. When Danny came back to her with the changes she didn't like it. Consequently she dropped her interest in the project despite it being a better script than the original. If this does happen to me at least I'll come out the other side with yet another completed script.
I will keep you informed.
Across The Pond
24 April 2006
I just received the following email.
I'm a Brit who now lives in the USA - southern California to be exact, not too far from L.A.
Anyway, reading your entries about sending off scripts and treatments and eagerly awaiting replies, somehow made me a little nervous, I guess because I too, right now, am embarking on that road.
I'm a Registered Nurse, by profession and have always, in some shape or form, been a 'writer.' Now, however, I'm really getting my teeth into it - self-taught, no formal training, but enjoying every minute. The phenomenal Final Draft is a huge help too.
I wish you the best of success in your career. I too have work in at the BBC Writersroom, though since submission I've learned so much, so I'm not expecting too much from that (should hear something within a month or so). Kaos Films has my entry for the 2006 BSSC, so fingers crossed for both of us there. If nothing else, I'm really enjoying what I'm doing and plan to continue and to improve and hope that, one day, someone, somewhere (other than myself) likes what I've done.
Oh, and thanks to your 'links' I've been able to access some really great info.
Cheers! Tim.
It's good to know that in some way, big or small, this site is of help to other writers. After all it was created to catalogue my growth as a writer and if that helps other new writers avoid the same mistakes that I have made then it will have all been worth it.
Back To The Grind Part 2
20 April 2006
The second half of the Where Angels Fear To Tread rewrite is not going as well as the first. I've had a sudden attack of doubt and I'm fearful that I might have over done it on the first half of the script. To stop myself worrying about it I'm going to set myself the deadline of Friday, 28th April 2006 to finish the rewrite. I had better knuckle down.
I printed off a copy of Journey's End today to look it over before entering it into The British Short Screenplay Competition. It was one of the first scripts I worte and upon reading it I realise I've come a long way since. It needs some work on it before it'll be ready to send out.
I finally got around to writing to Russell T Davies begging him to let me write a spec script for Doctor Who. I want to demonstrate my writing ability to him in the hope I can one day write a commissioned episode of the series. I'm sure it will be a negative response but if you never try you never get anywhere. It will be interesting to see what kind of reply I receive, if any.
Back To The Grind
14 April 2006
After the excitement of last week I've buried my head in the rewrite of Where Angels Fear To Tread. I originally wrote it as a 90 minute pilot for a 6 x 90 minute drama series, but have since decided that it really needs to be 60 minutes. Having done a little research I found the only 90 minute dramas on TV are long standing series like A Touch Of Frost, so a 6 x 60 minute series it will be. I've worked hard on the first half of the script losing about 15 pages and the script is now looking a lot tighter. One subplot has already been cut because it was distracting from the main plot and watering down the tension. Another subplot may also go. If the second half of the script goes as well as the first I should have it finished by next Friday.
April is shaping up to be a busy month despite being almost half over. As well as the rewrite on Where Angels Fear To Tread I also plan to work on my feature comedy Mr. Valentine, as it has now been four years in the making and it's about time I got it finished. Then there's a sitcom Budda Of Birmingham my first collaboration with another writer, Belinda Evangelista. I'm also waiting on the notes from Celtic Films for From This Day Forth and there's the treatment of my 2 x 60 minute drama Remember Me? to complete. I think I'll be drinking quite a bit of coffee before May-Day.
Happy Birthday Part 2: Enter Celtic Films
07 April 2006
I just received the following email:
Dear Dominic,
First things first; I am truly sorry about the long delay in getting back to you. In an attempt to account for this, I am relatively new here at Celtic Films and have been getting used to the routine of this office, as things work slightly differently here than at other companies I have worked at. The good news is that we have tweaked our submissions and development process to make things slightly more efficient. Hence I am able to write to you now!
I am sure we have corresponded previously, although I am truly at a loss to find any of our e-mails. I am adamant we may have talked, and that you are aware we like your script for 'From This Day Forth'.
Before I suggest the next step, I would like to reiterate that I do like the script but, as it is rare to find a script that is 100% ready to go, feel it is in need of development. I feel that, with your permission, the best step to take next will be for me to go back to the script, re-read it and provide you with a full set of notes, outlining thoughts and development suggestions on the script, as well as an annotated hard copy. Should you then feel these changes are suitable, you are free to implement them to the script; this is useful for us as it will be a very good indicator of how well, as a writer, you will be able to develop your material in conjunction with a producer. Then we can take things from there.
We are an independent production company and, as such, funding is always an issue for us. Unfortunately, despite asking you to undertake this period of work, we are not, at this stage, in a position to be able to provide payment for you to do this work. As far as I'm aware that you are not a professional writer, and that work commitments may result in you being able to devote significantly less than full working days to your scriptwriting; there is no time constraint, or even a commitment, to making any changes to your script. If you choose to do so, we are aware it may take time so please feel no pressure to complete this work at anything other than your own pace.
Please also be aware that this in no way a binding agreement agreement with Celtic Films Entertainment Ltd to commit to the financing and/or production of 'From This Day Forth' in any way, now or in the future.
I think this is the next best step to take, please do let me know your opinion on it?
I will look forward to talking with you soon.
What do you think my answer was? I'm really enjoying my birthday this year.
Happy Birthday
07 April 2006
Today I am 37 years old. For my birthday pledge I am making it my mission to be a commissioned writer by the time I am 38. Day One and I'm feeling very positive. As usual I shall keep you updated on my progress.
On Tuesday, 4th April 2006 I took the plunge and entered Sins Of The Father into the Final Draft Big Break Competition 2006. It's the first competition I've entered outside this country so it'll be interesting to see how a British script will be received by an American audience.
TV Super Star
06 April 2006
On Saturday, 8th April 2006 I make my Norwegian television debut on the Frokostblanding show on TV Vest.
My good friend Mr. Arne Reidar Mortensen shot a commercial for the breakfast show while he was visiting a couple of weeks ago. I've no idea what it's going to be like as by the time we got around to shooting we had both had a drink or two, but hey, how many English people can say they've been on Norwegian TV?
To check out my performance click on the link TV Vest and click on Frokostblanding. I hope you find it amusing.