tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54193412009-10-13T05:49:06.445-07:00The trials and travails of a screenwriter in Hollywood.David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comBlogger416125http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/fb_pwrd.gifThis is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site.tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-12222984716185404892009-07-20T12:19:00.000-07:002009-07-20T12:23:14.770-07:00

I just received the following email:Hi David,My name is Warren and I run a screenwriting website called screenwriting-for-hollywood.com.I came across your site while searching information on screenwriting blogs, and I was impressed by your knowledge and experience on the subject.I think my readers would love to learn more about you; would you be open to an interview with us?If so, we can send you

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2009/07/act-iii.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-85711567698951046282008-09-14T13:23:00.000-07:002008-09-16T01:58:19.346-07:00

— Chapter 1 —Badger has a PlanOld Mr. Aardvark was not happy. He lived in a beautiful land and had a lot of money, but no matter how many times he counted his money he got no happier. He had spent his youth making more money than he could ever spend so that his happiness would be assured. Now, very old and very bitter, he summoned his adviser, Badger."I'm not happy, Badger and I want to know what

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2008/09/mr-aardvarks-big-box-of-money-hollywood.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-55240043629732367252008-09-04T18:27:00.000-07:002008-09-04T18:28:54.468-07:00

In June I spent some time on the set of The Soloist as a background actor. I like being on sets, even hot dirty sets like Joe Wright's. I didn't meet him, but I got to see him work. He's very methodical to the point of being maddeningly slow: He called 9 takes (I counted) of Robert Downey Jr. getting out of a car, closing the door, and walking across the street. I could see both Downey and the

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2008/09/who-are-you.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-30369168972869361262008-08-09T17:49:00.000-07:002008-08-09T18:45:00.665-07:00

Fear not, gentlest of Readers, your RSS feed isn't acting weird. I am actually posting to my wee blog one year and one day after my last post. I didn't realize until yesterday that it had been a year since I was here, but that's not the reason for this article.The reason for the post, and why yesterday was notable is because of who I was talking to on the telephone and why: I was talking to a

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2008/08/phone-calls-and-anniversaries.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-55266769593012703722007-08-08T14:28:00.000-07:002007-08-08T16:33:58.110-07:00

Anhedonia is where you can end up when your journey becomes miserable. I think I've been on the outskirts for a while now and my ardent attempts to find the proverbial interstate have finally landed me in the middle of downtown.I still enjoy writing well enough, but screenwriting isn't remotely fun anymore. I'm sure I'd like it just fine if I'd become remotely successful as a screenwriter. I'd

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/08/welcome-to-anhedonia.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-81016567495298350742007-07-09T10:35:00.000-07:002007-07-09T12:52:51.949-07:00

People have been asking me if I've heard from the producer I wrote about in my last article. Yes, I have.The upshot: SCRATCH is a pass but I have an open invite to pitch anew.Here's a bit of what she had to say:First, I think you are a very talented young writer, which is why it's no surprise that you have a manager and/or additional representation. Your presentation is professional and

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/07/summertime.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-24480357409038393982007-07-02T16:49:00.000-07:002007-07-02T20:08:59.762-07:00

Enduring Readers of this wee-blog have seen the notes I've received from Biz folken--the few left in Town who still write them. I always appreciate receiving them and even when they're not even close to glowing. I'm a writer, so I appreciate someone taking the time to write me notes.I received an email from one of my Pitch Fest contacts. I didn't pitch this exec in person. I emailed her my 3

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/07/notes-from-edge-of-irony.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-7117558824962878212007-06-30T19:46:00.000-07:002007-06-30T21:20:17.693-07:00

I stumbled upon it by accident. It's a word unlike any other and orders of magnitude more powerful than any f-word you've thought of all ready. The amazing thing is it's a word you know.But this word is like a gun. We know what a gun is, and some of us have handled and fired them. But the vast-vast majority of us have never used a gun to terrify someone. But you know a word that can terrify a

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/06/ultimate-f-word.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-48559314891939945392007-06-25T10:15:00.000-07:002007-06-25T13:28:49.489-07:00

Link: The Great American Pitch Fest 4I didn't plan on going. I got email Wednesday night asking for volunteers starting Friday to help over the weekend. I'm still not sure why I agreed to volunteer. I'm not one who jumps at chances to volunteer and especially not to assist a for-profit convention in Universal City.Curiosity was a big factor. I felt like I had to get off my numb ass and at least

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/06/after-action-report-great-american.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-59918795875106979292007-06-12T12:01:00.000-07:002007-06-12T13:14:24.653-07:00

I've been trying to think of a good example of a writer-as-role-model. So far, not so good. I can think of various writers I like and none of them are good role models. I wouldn't want a child of mine emulating the attitudes or lifestyles of any of the writers on my short list:1) Ernest "Papa" HemingwayA boozing womanizer with no visible means of support. And why the nickname? He never had kids.

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/06/ranting-on-writers.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-63309485841659080352007-06-10T22:41:00.000-07:002007-06-11T01:05:28.319-07:00

I'm in a pissy mood. Maybe it's hormones--yes, we Y-chromo types get fluctuations too. I think there are extenuating factors beyond the biological. Here's an excerpt from my affidavit: I recently received two (2) direct inquiries about my current level of "creative" output; i.e. am I making pages and if so, what are the gist of those pages. These inquiries came within a 48 hour period from two

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/06/caution-severe-rants-ahead.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-16550425697634022362007-05-24T17:43:00.000-07:002007-05-24T20:39:59.467-07:00

That's how I feel since the past 4 years: Like I've been riding one bubble or another and each one has burst in its time.My bubble-riding coincides with the beginning of this wee-blog way back in May of 2003. No grand bubble-riding plan involved, just happenstance. Perhaps my bubbly-bursting journey will make for a good story one day--it all depends on the ending.I can't help but notice as I look

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/05/life-on-bubble.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-59947348843893562652007-04-06T00:12:00.000-07:002007-05-02T11:57:57.510-07:00

I'm referring to the word "guru" of course and its specific connotation for screenwriting and screenwriters.But before I jump into those muddied waters of unknown depth here's a quick update on me, the most unguruesque writer you'll ever read:My manager, M has mounted a major assault on the readers of the Town to put FEAR OF THUNDER under some appropriate noses. We talked the other day about the

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/04/notes-on-g-word.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-15912057073389371012007-03-27T11:55:00.000-07:002007-03-27T13:29:46.375-07:00

The cinemarati will know I've slightly mangled Colonel Kurtz's advice to Captain Willard about befriending horror in a horror-filled place. Perhaps better advice to Willard might have been: "You're up to your ass in alligators. Regardless of what you think about alligators--good, bad, or indifferent--there they are. You don't have to like large carnivorous reptiles, but since you're surrounded by

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/03/you-must-make-friend-of-waiting.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-23261995087065332712007-03-02T00:40:00.000-08:002008-12-11T15:03:35.479-08:00

If I don't do it who will?I got such a kick out of Thuglit's email I just had to share it. Thuglit.com is the first site I've been published on that I feel comfortable recommending. The writing is on harsh and gritty subjects and sometimes the writers use "bad words" but if that doesn't bother you I suggest a read for issue 13.I was pleased to see that The Princess and the King was actually

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/03/beating-my-own-drum.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-28931881263154104872007-02-22T16:38:00.000-08:002007-02-22T17:49:46.579-08:00

... the inevitable.First, in the plus column: My latest short story, The Princess and the King will appear in Thuglit's issue 13 and I get a a t-shirt! That's about it for good news. That leaves the phone call I got last Sunday. I'm still ambivalent about quoting my caller: It's a biz-related issue and any salient quote would sound like libel. I'm truly concerned that readers would decide I'd

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/02/good-news-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-12964744916868849412007-02-17T09:15:00.000-08:002007-02-17T10:32:54.485-08:00

I love their offices! It's a converted house with views of the ever-pacific Pacific.1) Why I got the meeting: My scripts got past their reader.They plan to meet with other writers who squeaked through as well.2) Who I met with: A development exec and a producer.3) What they're looking for genre-wise: They're not exactly sure.But comedies are out. Like most production denizens of the Town they're

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/02/after-action-report-my-meeting.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-68567200606699843072007-02-12T12:51:00.000-08:002007-02-04T15:07:18.350-08:00

The walrus wanted to talk about shoes and ships and sealing wax, and cabbages and kings. Those are all great topics, but I'm on another track right now.Firstly, I have a genuine Hollywood style meeting scheduled for tomorrow with a little prodco-by-the-sea. M helped it happen. I'm supposed to have another meeting this week with another outfit if it gets scheduled. M is totally responsible for

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/02/time-has-come-walrus-said.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-84983438286989941262007-01-28T12:41:00.000-08:002007-02-17T22:09:50.699-08:00

I've been taking it easy since late December--just jotting notes, testing a premise or two with trusted folks, and catching up on some motion picture watching. Then I got rambunctious and replied to a posting over at ShootingPeople.Here's the posting from the January 29 issue of the ShootingPeople.org Screenwriter's Bulletin: From Adrian Mead:> I have a handout available on this subject for

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2007/01/extra-wriggley-can-of-worms.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-23959301851432036812006-12-28T12:40:00.000-08:002006-12-28T12:41:00.916-08:00

Editors all across America are clearing their desks so they can get the heck out of the office and have a little fun. The desk-clearing includes sending out those pesky pass notes because the editors know if they don't they'll be buried in follow-up letters and emails come January.I heard from The New Yorker yesterday on my second submission, Damage Control:We're sorry to say that this manuscript

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2006/12/years-end-passes.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-85657858177649766882006-12-15T16:26:00.000-08:002006-12-17T13:43:30.195-08:00

I hear lots of deserving screenwriters are looking for a rep. I wasn't searching for one when I met M. She was looking for new lit clients and I was "lucky" enough to meet her while she was looking. I use the word, "lucky" in a quasi-facetious way: Luck does indeed favor the prepared. So, how was I lucky?1) I've been pursuing my writing career non-stop since 2000.Those who've been read this

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2006/12/so-how-come-i-got-manager.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-19746503597752583642006-12-08T18:05:00.000-08:002008-12-11T15:03:35.711-08:00

My manager (and I still get a kick out of that phrase applying to me) and I, we'll call her M, were supposed to meet today. We didn't meet for a very good reason: M was too busy. She spent the whole day getting through to people she hadn't been able to reach for months. And the best part is she was talking to many of those people about FEAR OF THUNDER and a healthy percentage of those folks want

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2006/12/new-sensations.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-1165216550966737752006-12-03T23:08:00.000-08:002007-02-17T22:21:00.159-08:00

The December surprise has sprung!I signed with a manager this week. She's in her first year, loves managing, and has kilowatts of energy. She's gonna need it too. She's the first manager I've talked to in two years. I met with one soon after arriving in Town in 2004 but we didn't "click." M and I clicked all through lunch. It was a click-fest. We talked about the Variety article covering the WGAw

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2006/12/under-new-management.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-1164098262572939092006-11-21T00:36:00.000-08:002007-02-17T22:24:21.341-08:00

I'm a rising penny stock on Blogshares. I don't know why my value has gone up. It might be a pump-and-dump scheme. Caveat emptor.I'll be off in the toolies for Thanksgiving weekend. The Princess and the King is coming along well. I should be done before I leave civilization. I've got several scripts out and keeping all articulated joints crossed.There's a possibility of a December surprise but I

David C. Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369777617818130098noreply@blogger.comhttp://keylight.blogspot.com/2006/11/im-hot-stock.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419341.post-1163710328381384842006-11-16T12:30:00.000-08:002006-11-16T14:07:01.733-08:00

I'm getting better at it. I figure it this way: If I'm going to get above the bottom of the proverbial pile my ascension will be powered by my words. I'm waxing pseudo-poetic because it's just that aggravating.No word from my maybe-manager. No word from the "producer" who wanted to meet with me. No problem. I'll vent my spleen creatively. I'm working on a new short story. Here's an excerpt:The

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