Member : TommyCinLA > journals > reading "on the writing news"

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on the writing news posted : 11/04/09 at 03:44am pst

The Manhattan Theater Club just requested to read my new play and this is a first for me.  I have never gotten anything in their doors, even just for the consideration and rejection of it... so this is a first.  I just sent an email to see what I had to do to get them to read my play in their Science competition for one of their grants and without hearing the title of the play or what it was about they asked to read it.  MTC is famous for its writers and has the most amazing list of writer members that are the world's greatest living American Playwrights starting with Edward Albee and the list goes on.  It also the place where a certain way famous playwright told a young start up playwright... "This is our place.  Go find or make your own" and that's a true story, so gettin gin the hallowed halls is an accomplishment.

I have had three meetings this week about the possibility of one of my pilot tv shows to be produced and everything is going in the right way.  The director that's interested has shot some major commercials and is repped by one of the biggest agencies in town.  The other exec producer also owns a very famous web site and social network, he wants in.  Then there's my manager.  The director loves it so much thathe sent over a cd of a song that he wants to use as the theme song for the opening and it's perfect.  I heard it and told my manager "HE'S GIVING US HIS "A" GAME!  HE GETS THE WRITING & THE STORY!" and my manager said "I know, I thought the same thing.  

So now.... if you wanted to know why it's so hard to get into Hollywood and make it and or get anything made.... this is why... now there's 4 of us.... I'm not putting up any money and right now I have most of the control on the script, but now these 3 guys they have  the right to tell me what they "think" should be written into the script or completely re-written.  If this was theater, none of this would matter, the write is king there, but here.... he's like 4 or 5 on the food chain.  Soooo now I have to take their notes and incorporate as many as I can in because I have to keep these guys happy or they will walk and I will have no production.

The next problem isn't mine.  The next is my managers because he is also the exec producer.... now he has to keep all these people and more that will sign on to work, he has to keep them all in line and in their roles.... when they love a project, people tend to want to be in charge and they will also try to sneak around your back and make deals on the side... so one of my meetings was with the Manager and he tells me what my role is and I tell  him " I know that!  Remember I am the best well behaved writer in Hollywood" and that means I shut my mouth and do what I am told! BUT the others can at anytime mess this whole deal up by trying to step in front of my manager.  That's what will usually happen and right before we get to the "real cheesecake" or THE MONEY!  they will mess it up and it will collapse.

So for the next 5 weeks we have to punch up the script and make it more funny!  The manager and I read to each other and re-write... I usually roll solo when writing so this will be the difference.... but either way I am excited and love being in production and negotiations.  This is why I am here.

work in 3 hours... gonna try some sleep!

love you ladies and thanks for reading everyone!

PRAY HARD FOR ME! thanks!

Viewing 4 comments on this page

Rhea
11/04/09 07:19am pst

ive got my fingers crossed for ya hun !

TommyCinLA
11/07/09 04:11pm pst

Thanks Miss Rhea!  I need it!

wychlea
11/04/09 11:40am pst

Keeping positive thoughts, pally!

TommyCinLA
11/07/09 04:13pm pst

Thanks bro!  If this works we're having brunch in BELIZE next year on me!

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