Gangsters Galore

I wrote Sins Of The Father five years ago. Production companies loved it, but no one would take it on as most people felt that the genre had been played out in the British cinema, what with Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and Snatch. It didn't matter that my script had a dark emotional core, a teenager reunited with the father he hadn't seen for eight years struggling to accept the world his father inhabited, it was still a gangster flick and therefore old news. One production company even went as far as saying, "gangster films just aren't being made anymore."

In those five years the following have been made: Dead Man's Shoes, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, Layer Cake and now Dead Man's Cards, to name a few. And yet I still can't get anyone to commit to making Sins Of The Father. I've even sent it to directors/producers on Shooting People who are looking to make a low budget feature film. Again the same answer, nobody will take it on as the genre is played out.

But is it? If first time directors are still making films like Dead Man's Cards then isn't the gangster flick still alive, and more importantly being used as a springboard to launch careers?

I guess I just need to find someone with BALLS to go and make this "well written" script with "great potential." Easier said than done.

Competition

Why are there so few scriptwriting competitions in the UK?

America is the mother land of screenwriting competitions and rarely a week goes by when I don't receive an email asking me if I want to submit to one. Besides the BSSC the only other notable UK competition has been the Oscar Moore Screenwriting Prize, but since this year's controversy when they decided not to announce a winner the competition has disappeared. Will it return? It doesn't look like it. So now the only option for UK scriptwriters is to enter American competitions, which I think is very sad indeed.

'We're always looking out for new talent,' is something we hear quite often from the UK film and television industry so shouldn't there be more opportunities for us writers. There are other competitions now and again, but most are specific (i.e. only people from a remote valley in deepest darkest Wales can enter, and only if they own more than three sheep) and very rarely are these competitions annual.

I've even toyed with the idea of starting my own annual screenwriting competition, but I realised I would come up against two rather large obstacles; (1) what would I be able to offer the winner as a prize? (2) do I really want to plough through a mountain of scripts on my own? That idea is a no go then.

I guess all we can do as UK scriptwriters is to continue to enter American competitions and hope the UK situation gets better.

If anyone knows of any UK competitions, however small and exclusive, could you add a comment about it here and hopefully we can create a small list of hope.

The Name's Carver, Dom Carver.

I am soooooooo excited. I'm off to see Casino Royal this weekend and I can't jolly well wait. I can't remember the last time I've been this excited about seeing a film at the cinema (I think it might have been Batman Begins).

Like my brother I've always been a big fan of Bond, but I've liked the darker Bonds better. My favourite Bond film is On Her Majesty's Secret Service with George Lazenby. I know a lot of people hated him as an actor, but I love the film because it was more about the character than the actor that was playing him. That's why I like Timothy Dalton too.

With Dalton they tried to make the character darker, but studio interference meant they couldn't steer too far from the original formula. This was a shame because it basically put an end to the tougher, more true to the books, Bond that I love.

Bond had to move with the times even if the hardcore fans didn't want this. He also had to be based in reality, especially after that fiasco with the invisible car in the last movie. So goodbye cheap one liners, campness, unrealistic villains and impossible gadgets, and hello to a darker, grittier, more realistic Bond.

Cashing In

You shed blood sweat and tears writing a damn good script. It sells. It gets filmed. The film is released. You humbly acknowledge the praise heaped on you. You enjoy your new found celebrity. Things die down a bit as you eagerly await the DVD release and then what happens??? Some ungrateful swine tries to make money off your fame....well sort of.

Check out the link.

Will James be bidding for this bit of movie history? We shall have to wait and see.

Update 10/11/2006: It didn't sell so it has been relisted and someone has bid. A bargain at 99p.

Bouncing Back

Rejection is an unavoidable part of being a writer. I know that more than most after being constantly rejected for five years. I have an A4 folder full of No-Thank-Yous. What's most annoying is when people actually like your work but still reject you. I'm at that stage. The work is good but it's not landing on the desk of the right person at the right time. It's very frustrating.

If you want to sell your work you have to send it out and that means that people are going to reject you. Reading other blogs tells me it doesn't get any better when you're an established writer. Rejection is a way of life. Time spent sulking about what might have been is time lost putting yourself in a position to be accepted. Read it. Take on board what you need to. Accept it. Forget about it. It's the only way to go.

So how did I bounce back from the disappointment of last week?

Easy, I got back in the game as quick as I could. I sent a script off to Production Company C when they requested to read it, after reading the treatment. It's not a script I'm particularly happy with, but I've sent it out anyway because the more work I have out there the more chance I have of something being picked up. I can't afford to be afraid of sending stuff out, convinced it will be rejected even before it's been read. Just because I'm not happy with it doesn't mean someone else won't be.

I have also sent the same script to a reader for some page by page notes. It's always good to brush up on your skills now and then. It stops you going rusty and keeps you at the top of your game. Even top athletes need to go back to the basics sometimes.

Write it. Rewrite it. Rewrite it again. Proof it. Send it out. It's the only way to go.

Losing The Will To Live

First Micheline Steinberg.

Then PFD.

Then Marchmont. Not once, but twice.

And last, but not least, Carnival Films.

Oh for a bottle of single malt.

"The rejection gods have it in for you today, my friend. " - Danny Stack.

Do you think????

Update: My dad phoned me earlier to let me know the vet had to put the cat down. It's a cruel, cruel world.

Further Update: A production company I sent three treatments to have requested a script. Ah, I knew there was some good news out there some where.

Keep Fit; Keep Writing

So you're a writer. You sit hunched over your keyboard in front of your computer for hours on end working on that one screenplay which will bring you the fame, fortune and recognition you deserve. Food fuels the brain cells and you have to eat after all. No time to make a proper meal, got to get words on the page, so snacks are going to have to do (I'm munching on a can of Pringles as I write this). Only, when you've finished your masterpiece and you're ready to post it out you find your legs don't work and you're too fat to move anyway. You've been so busy stuffing your face and working on your script that you've forgotten that exercise is important, not only for the body, but for the mind and soul as well.

The other week I noticed I was putting on a little weight and that I was getting out of breath just walking up the stairs. I decided to do something about it. I joined a Kung Fu class.

I know I'll never be a Bruce Lee, but I felt it was an interesting way to get fit, something I would look forward to going to every week. I've only been doing it for two weeks but I'm already reaping the benefits. When I'm writing I get up from my computer every half an hour and practice a few moves or do a few push ups. Not only am I more flexible, but I'm also more alert and I feel fitter for it.

So this is a little reminder to all my fellow writers to remember that exercise is important. You don't have to join a class, go to the gym, or even run around your neighbourhood, sweat pouring off you, your face beetroot read and gasping for your next breath. As long as you get up every half hour and have a little walk around, get the blood pumping, you'll start to feel the benefit. And also remember a healthy body leads to a healthy mind.

Phonealisious

My world is changing. My comfort zone has gone. Let me explain.

Last weekend I started going to Kung Fu lessons. I want to get fitter and decided this would be a fun way. Going to a gym is so boring; I feel like a hamster going around on its wheel when I go on one of those treadmills, and there's always someone fitter than me when I go (when I mean fitter I mean someone whose pecks don't bounce and wobble like a plate of jelly when they run) making me feel inadequate. So I decided Kung Fu was the better choice, and at last I'll be able to kick ass when needed.

After Kung Fu Susie dragged me off horse riding for the first and last time in my life. What crap it is. It's like riding a very high bike with a mind of it's own. I hated it and I've told Susie in no uncertain terms that I will never go near a horse again. You have to stand in the stirrups to let them pee, and God do they pee....for hours, gallons and gallons of the stuff, and you just have to stand there until they finish. And no matter how much you tug on the reins they still go in the direction they want, not the one you do. Stupid creatures!

The highlite of the weekend was my new phone (above). I love getting a new phone having to spend several days setting it up. I've just loaded several CD's on it so I can listen to my music while walking down the road. It's fab and does loads. I don't think Susie was too impressed though as she complained I spent more time with the phone than I did her. She doesn't understand....it's NEW. It's soooooooo shiny. I love my phone.

On the writing front I've started two new series bibles for TV drama series ideas I had last week. No problems or obstacles I've come across yet. I've also had two agents request scripts from me after initial email enquiries. Hopefully the agent situation will be sorted soon.

So a lot has changed in the last week; new experiences, new avenues to explore and new toys to play with. New things are good they add fuel to the writers creativity. So lose that comfort zone and challenge yourself. Welcome new experiences as you never know when you might need to write about them.

Theta Waves Hello

Mark G talked about Theta Waves on a recent blog and how ideas spring forth when you least expect them to; the prime reason why all writers should carry a pen and note pad with them all times. You don't want to lose that once in a life-time idea after all.

So anyway, for the past few weeks I've been looking for a good television drama series idea with out any luck. No matter how much thought I gave to the subject not a single workable idea would come to me.

I was driving to work last night, a journey of about twenty minutes, and as usual I was daydreaming behind the wheel (one of these days I am going to have a crash). Not only did one idea for a television drama series pop into my head, but two managed to worm themselves free from the creative part of my brain.

Now I'm lucky in one regard and that is I don't need a pen and paper to write ideas down to remember them. All I have to do is think about them for a little while and they kind of get stuck in my head for ages.

So these two ideas were rolling around in my head working themselves out and evolving all through my car journey. When I got to work I had two fully formed, very workable ideas, ready to go. I am starting on the series bibles today.

It's a joy when ideas come to you like that. I bloody love new ideas. Woo-Hoo!!!!!!

Be My Valentine

At last, after almost five years of writing my feature script Mr. Valentine is now complete. After a proof read the first ten pages will be posted on my website and then will begin the process of posting out copies. Until those first ten pages are published here's a teaser:

'The grass is greener on the other side. At least dreamer Barnaby Valentine believes this until his wish is granted and all women suddenly find him irresistible. It isn't long before Barnaby realizes even the greenest grass hides weeds and the odd obsessed zombie teenage girl camping out.'

Other News:

Some of you may be aware of a project called Buddha Of Birmingham and certain regretful events that happened relating to it. Below is a post published on my website in an attempt to clear the matter up:

'As most of you will know I was working on a project called Buddha Of Birmingham with Belinda Evangelista. Sadly I have to announce that Belinda and I have dissolved our writing partnership.

What will happen to Buddha Of Birmingham? I don't know to be truthful, as our parting wasn't as smooth as either of us would have liked it to be. Bad words were spoken and professionalism lacked on both sides, something I deeply regret. So all that's left for me to do is contact Belinda and try and work out an amicable solution that will keep the project afloat.

Even with a degree in scriptwriting and five years writing under my belt it came as no surprise that I still don't know it all, even if I sometimes act like I do. I have learnt a valuable lesson: make sure all the details of your partnership are worked out to both parties satisfaction, then get the details down on paper and get it signed by both parties. Make sure this is done before any work on the project begins. This is important no matter how well you know your writing partner.

Hell, no one can accuse this site of not being educational.'

Final Final Draft

The finalists have been announced and are as follows:

Stinson Carter, Los Angeles, CA - ANANIAS
Tom Cosgrove, Dublin, Ireland - THE SEA DEVILS
James Duff, New York, NY - MOROCCO
Rick Fonte, Austin, TX - HER FORTUNE
Ken Klein, Portland, OR - IMPACTS AND REMAINS
Yehudi Mercado, Austin, TX - BUFFALO SPEEDWAY
Bret Ootes, Toronto, ON, Canada - ATOMIC EYE
Jill Parker, London, UK - LOVE IN THE TIME OF BOLERO
Jon Preece, Newport, UK - ELVIS WALKS HOME
Greg Shea, North Andover, MA - HEARTBREAK HILL

There are still two UK writers in with a chance which is good to see. Come on Jill and Jon.

I suspect however, that James and Danny might well be supporting Tom.

Photocopying Blues

Arsing photocopier! I took one of my scripts to work with me last night to run a few copies off on the sly, so I could post them out next week. Only I find that someone hadn't put the toner in properly and the photocopies came out with lines on them and dark smudges.

They weren't too bad because you could still see all the text clearly, but it was obvious they had been through a photocopier because some of the pages were grey. Worried I had wasted two reams of work's photocopy paper I emailed the font of all my knowledge Danny Stack.

'Send them out if you can still read them,' said Danny, 'production companies expect scripts to be photocopied.' So sod it, they're going out, black lines, smudges and all. I don't want to kill any more trees than I have too.

DIY

"What have you been doing all day?" said my wife when she came home the other day.
"Writing," I said. She looked at me blankly.
"What have you been doing?" she said again.
"I've told you, writing, trying to earn a living at it so I can give you that house and those babies you keep begging me for" I replied.
"So you've done nothing then?"

It doesn't matter that I'm at home all day sitting in front of this computer straining my eyes and giving myself headache after headache just so that Susie and I can live a better life, I'm still not helping around the house. The fact that I hold down two jobs isn't an excuse not to do the house work. It came as a big surprise to me.
I tried to argue, to make Susie understand, "I have TWO jobs Susie."
"Do you get paid two wages?" she fired back at me. Damn that woman can find holes in any argument.

So yesterday was spent doing things around the house. I only intended to clean the kitchen; the oven was in a particularly bad way. It took me a couple of hours but the kitchen sparkled and I knew Susie would be pleased. Dirty and sweaty I went for a bath. I noticed the seal around the bath was moldy. After the bath I ripped it off, treated it and put some new sealant down. White sealant looks a lot better than moldy green sealant. I knew Susie would be pleased.

"What have you been doing all day?" said Susie when she got home.
"I've been doing stuff around the flat," I said, proud of my achievements. I showed her what I had done.
"Is that all?" said Susie said, sounding none too impressed with my work.
"Yup," I said.
"Have you done any writing?" she asked.
"Err, no," I replied.
"Why not? You know I want a house and babies and we can't afford either at the moment."
Sorry, dear," I replied.

A writers' work is never done.

Ideas? Oh Dear!

Will everyone stop stealing my ideas....Please?

How many truly original ideas are there in the world? Not many, which makes it even more annoying when someone comes up with an idea that you thought was original a few weeks before. It's happened a lot to me in the last few months and it's driving me potty. Here are some examples.

First of all there was my idea for a three part drama that suddenly turned up in documentary form in the cinemas. I won't go into details on this one because it's still workable..... Just!

Then FX go and announce Brotherhood starring Jason Isaacs, about two brothers, one a crook, one a cop, fighting for control of their neighborhood. I had just such an idea half way through the treatment stage. That one's in the bin then. Bum!

Then came a fantastic idea about a new way to approach writing for TV. Having thought about it for six months, but not being able to put it into action, I was quite miffed when Danny Stack mentioned he and James Moran were going to do something similar. Again I can't mention what it is because their idea is top secret and I don't want James coming around my house with his axe and chopping my fingers off. I need them to type. Besides, I want in on the idea, after all I thought of it first. Not that they will believe me. Thieving gits!

I've come to the conclusion that original ideas are like buses; you wait ages for one to come along and two or three turn up at once. The question is, how quick can you turn your idea around? Don't sit on your idea until someone else thinks of it too, get it down on paper.

PS. This is my 37th post, the same number as the candles on my birthday cake last April. Woo Hoo!

PPS. Danny and James, you haven't really stolen my idea, I was just joking ;-)

Potty?

The Dennis Potter Screenwriting Award.

"Annual award established in 1995 in memory of the late television playwright to 'nurture and encourage the work of new writers of talent and personal vision'. Submissions should be made through a BBC TV drama producer or an independent production company."

Hurrah, another competition for new writers.... that was what I thought until I read the last line.

2006 winner: Russell T. Davies

What the f%&k? Since when is Russell T. Davies a new writer?

Does anyone else think this award is nonsense, or is it just me?

Contest Semi-Finalists

The semi-finalists have been announced and are as follows:

Jason Butler, Dublin, Ireland - TON OF MONEY
Stinson Carter, Los Angeles, CA - ANANIAS
Tom Cosgrove, Dublin, Ireland - THE SEA DEVILS
Steven Davidson, Logan, UT - BADLAND
James Duff, New York, NY - MOROCCO
David Eskin, Vienna, VA - THE WALK
Rick Fonte, Austin, TX - HER FORTUNE
Jen Frankel, Toronto, ONT Canada - MINNIE FINSTER
Jason Ginsburg, Valley Village, CA - THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS
David Haynes, Santa Monica, CA - BAD THINGS PEOPLE DO
Kellen Hertz, New York, NY - MASQUE
Ken Klein, Portland, OR - IMPACTS AND REMAINS
Yehudi Mercado, Austin, TX - BUFFALO SPEEDWAY
Bret Ootes, Toronto, ONT Canada - ATOMIC EYE
Jill Parker, London, UK - LOVE IN THE TIME OF BOLERO
Jon Preece, Newport, UK - ELVIS WALKS HOME
Richard Redlo, Albany, NY - THE OTHER TEAM
Greg Shea, North Andover, MA - HEARTBREAK HILL
Ian Taylor, Lilling York, UK - STREET MAGIC
Nizar Wattad, Los Angeles, CA - AGENCY

Well done to Jill Parker, Jon Preece and Ian Taylor for keeping the British end up. Good luck for the final.

You will have noticed that Sins of The Father wasn't one of the scripts mentioned. Never mind, there is always next year.

Being Professional Part 2

Copyright matters, but only to new writers it seems. New writers go to great lengths to copyright their scripts, using the circled C symbol, their name and the year, and making sure there is one on every page of their script. Even I have been guilty of this until recently. So why, as new writers, are we so paranoid about our working being stolen? The answer is simple; we're being unprofessional.

I can't remember where I read it, or who wrote it, but I once read an article about copyright, in which the author pointed out that the only people to make any money from infringement of copyright were lawyers. Can you think of any case where someone successfully sued for copyright infringement, because I can't?

It makes sense to assume that the large majority of producers, or production companies, would never dream of trying to steal a writer's idea, because if they were found out their reputation would be in tatters, and no one would want to work with them in the future. So why send out scripts covered in the copyright symbol? Copies of Hollywood scripts I've read are surprisingly copyright free. Besides, copyright infringement is near on impossible to prove legally.

I've also learnt that you can't copyright an idea, because let's face it with the millions of writers and film makers out there two people are bound to stumble on the same idea independently. Let's take Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Tombstone for instance. Two Hollywood films released at around the same time, both of which had rival productions; Robin Hood and Wyatt Earp. You didn't hear them scream 'Copyright Infringement'.

There are two ways you can protect your ideas as a writer. The first is the most simple; don't tell anyone about, or show them, your idea. The second is to write down your idea in as much detail as possible, that way if someone does copy your idea you have safeguarded your version of it. Once it's written down in detail it becomes your intellectual copyright. You don't need the copyright symbol to tell everyone that.

To safeguard your finished script there are several options. The first is to register it with the Writer's Guild of America for which you have to pay. There are also British companies offering this service, but again you have to pay and to be honest they are only taking advantage of new writers' paranoia. The best and cheapest way to protect your script is to post a hard copy to yourself, and don't open it when it arrives.

Otherwise stop worrying about copyright. Seriously, remove the copyright symbols from every page of your script (leave one on the title page if you're really that paranoid). Producers will only think you're unprofessional if you leave them there when you send out your scripts. They think like this; Copyright symbols on every page = New Writer = Crap Script = Bin.

If I Was As Good As This

When I was fifteen (1984) my friend Adrian Long lent me a book. I read it, I loved it and from then onwards I was hooked. The book was Legend and it's writer was David Gemmell.

On Thursday 28th July 2006 David Gemmell past away at the age of 57.

I have every book David has ever written (as I write this I'm waiting for delivery of Shield Of Thunder, David's last book) all of which have been read several times. The pride of my collection is my hardback copy of White Wolf which I had signed by David when I met him at Borders in Bournemouth. I remember the day, I told my boss I was going to see David for the signing at Borders (during working hours), as he was my favorite writer, and I didn't care if I got the sack over it. My boss accepted my passion and agreed to let me have the morning off.

I stood in line to get my book signed until it was my turn. I stepped up nervously, but I needn't have worried. David was a great man, very humble, with no ego. We chatted away like we were old friends. It was a truly memorable, and inspiring experience for me.

Friends have asked me what my favorite David Gemmell book is. After thirty novels I still have to say that Legend is the most read in my collection. What is so appealing about David's writing? He writes real characters, flawed, but essentially good, trying to do the right thing.

David, for me, was, and is, and will forever be, a true LEGEND.

R.I.P. David, you will be missed.

Update: Sheild Of Thunder arrived on my door mat with a gloriously thick sounding thud this morning. My head will be between its pages until I've finished. It's a great shame the triology will not be completed.

Trouble and Strife

I'm back from honeymoon and I'm now a married man. More to follow when I've recovered from the jet lag.

Getting Married

Ladies and Gentlemen as of Friday the 4th August I will be off line until 22nd August as I'm getting married at 12PM on Saturday 5th August. The lucky lady is Susie (pictured on the left). Beautiful, isn't she? I'm such a happy man.

Everyone has been asking me if I'm scared yet and to be truthful I'm not. The only thing I'm slightly nervous about is giving my speech, as everyone knows I'm a writer so they're expecting it to be good. I hate public speaking so I've decided to treat it as if I were pitching to a producer. That way I'll get some good practice in and hopefully I won't be so nervous about it. But as for the wedding, that'll be a piece of cake. That may not be the case Saturday morning though ;-)

The wife and I (heh heh heh) will be spending our honeymoon on the lovely island of Kuredu in the Maldives (below).

I can't wait as I've never been that far from my own country before and it looks so good. I've even bought a snorkel set so I can swim with the fishes. I'm so excited I can barely control my bladder.

So anyway, those of you who visit this blog regularly will have to wait until August 22nd before my next post, if I'm really tired when I get back then you may have to wait longer, but I promise to let you all know about the exciting time we had. Bye, bye for now.