3rd Horror Script Optioned
Hey folks, everything's been going extremely well. I haven't posted lately because I haven't felt like being a blogger the last few months.
Yesterday, I officially optioned a 3rd script. Technically, its actually not an option rather it was an assignment...the production company approached me last September to write an adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft short story. I didn't market myself to get this opportunity, rather the relationships from LEFT IN DARKNESS got me this gig. The contact was made through Chris Engen, one of the LEFT IN DARKNESS lead actors. His career is blossoming. He landed the lead role for the official prequel to EASY RIDER. You can see some pictures related to that project on his Myspace page:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=85598263&albumId=0
So after seeing my final draft of the Lovecraft story, the company has now committed a sizeable chunk of resources to the budget and is now looking for a partner.
Back in September when I was pitched the idea, the producer asked if I could make the script extremely faithful to the short story, but intertwine modern day sensibilities and themes. Initially, I was like WTH, how do you make a faithful and modern 90-page adaptation of a 7-8 page short story that's supposed to take place in the 1920's? And it's Lovecraft...people are going insane merely by seeing things that aren't described.
But, I did it. If you stare long enough at a blank page anything is possible. My take on Lovecraft has gotten some curious reactions. My manager says its the "best thing you've ever written." A couple friends also said that. I was like, "huh? I think the best scripts I've written are my Sci-Fi's and Fantasies." When further clarified, the comment was about the accomplishment, not the script. They said the script is extremely respectful to Lovecraft while walking the tightrope of being fast-paced and cinematic. I preserve almost every line of Lovecraft's dialogue from the short story. Almost every Lovecraft visual and situation is used. I preserve almost all of Lovecraft's original characters and keep them in the roles he envisioned them. I also interwove the trademark Lovecraft moment of characters going insane purely from a visual (btw, I'm very proud of the trick I developed to pull that off).
The only moderately big departure from Lovecraft is that the production company asked that I flip the genders of one of the characters. I argued about it, but ultimately the reality is that securing a budget for a Horror movie with no female characters can be very difficult. And Lovecraft does have a tendency to use a lot of tweedy, nerdy men in his stories. It was felt that this quality could be a little overwhelming in a visual medium.
So, that's the latest news from me. Flavia's doing great. She's a little stressed from some projects she's working on. However, she's doing fine, is very productive and is finding her satisfaction.
My 2nd Horror script DESPAIR'UL seems to be doing well. Ed Sanchez e-mailed me last month saying he thought everything on the project was proceeding smoothly and that they plan on moving it into production this year.
Yesterday, I officially optioned a 3rd script. Technically, its actually not an option rather it was an assignment...the production company approached me last September to write an adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft short story. I didn't market myself to get this opportunity, rather the relationships from LEFT IN DARKNESS got me this gig. The contact was made through Chris Engen, one of the LEFT IN DARKNESS lead actors. His career is blossoming. He landed the lead role for the official prequel to EASY RIDER. You can see some pictures related to that project on his Myspace page:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=85598263&albumId=0
So after seeing my final draft of the Lovecraft story, the company has now committed a sizeable chunk of resources to the budget and is now looking for a partner.
Back in September when I was pitched the idea, the producer asked if I could make the script extremely faithful to the short story, but intertwine modern day sensibilities and themes. Initially, I was like WTH, how do you make a faithful and modern 90-page adaptation of a 7-8 page short story that's supposed to take place in the 1920's? And it's Lovecraft...people are going insane merely by seeing things that aren't described.
But, I did it. If you stare long enough at a blank page anything is possible. My take on Lovecraft has gotten some curious reactions. My manager says its the "best thing you've ever written." A couple friends also said that. I was like, "huh? I think the best scripts I've written are my Sci-Fi's and Fantasies." When further clarified, the comment was about the accomplishment, not the script. They said the script is extremely respectful to Lovecraft while walking the tightrope of being fast-paced and cinematic. I preserve almost every line of Lovecraft's dialogue from the short story. Almost every Lovecraft visual and situation is used. I preserve almost all of Lovecraft's original characters and keep them in the roles he envisioned them. I also interwove the trademark Lovecraft moment of characters going insane purely from a visual (btw, I'm very proud of the trick I developed to pull that off).
The only moderately big departure from Lovecraft is that the production company asked that I flip the genders of one of the characters. I argued about it, but ultimately the reality is that securing a budget for a Horror movie with no female characters can be very difficult. And Lovecraft does have a tendency to use a lot of tweedy, nerdy men in his stories. It was felt that this quality could be a little overwhelming in a visual medium.
So, that's the latest news from me. Flavia's doing great. She's a little stressed from some projects she's working on. However, she's doing fine, is very productive and is finding her satisfaction.
My 2nd Horror script DESPAIR'UL seems to be doing well. Ed Sanchez e-mailed me last month saying he thought everything on the project was proceeding smoothly and that they plan on moving it into production this year.