Filmmaker Optioned by Billion-Dollar Oscar-Winning Mandalay Pictures Through Stage 32

Filmmaker Optioned by Billion-Dollar Oscar-Winning Mandalay Pictures Through Stage 32

Filmmaker Optioned by Billion-Dollar Oscar-Winning Mandalay Pictures Through Stage 32

Donnie Hobbie
Donnie Hobbie
4 years ago

My background as a writer is very simple. I started writing because I wanted to direct. More by necessity than choice. At some point I realized something. For me, writing has been the only way that I’ve found the ability to express myself. But a screenplay can’t fully express the ideas within it. It’s in the translation to screen where the material is given life. That’s where the magic happens for me.

Like many others, I started out writing and directing short films. It’s an invaluable experience to go through the process from script to screen and see what works, and just as important, what doesn’t. And trust me, there was plenty that did not work in those early days. But, I’m a firm believer that you learn more from your failures than you do from your successes. I continued writing and making shorts. Eventually, a few of them did quite well. So, after a few relative successes, it was time to write a feature.

I spent eight months writing the first few drafts of 99 DREAMS NEON. I felt confident in the screenplay and started sending it to the Blacklist to see what I could stir up. The reviews were good. Some were very good. It started getting downloads. Then more downloads. Then more. And more! I thought that was it. I was on my way.

Then I waited. And waited. I made revision, after revision, after revision, based on often conflicting notes from people I’d never met and don’t know the backgrounds of. I tried everything I could think of without compromising the integrity of the story. I had one company that wanted to option the script but weren’t willing to discuss attaching me as a director. And that was that. Nothing.

So, during quarantine I continued fine tuning the script. But I still didn’t have anyone who wanted to make the movie.

In the fall, a film caught my eye that came out of Sundance last year called NINE DAYS. I was really impressed with the visuals and the story. Similar scope, scale and tone to my script. About the same time I received an email from Stage 32 announcing that Will Raynor of Mandalay Pictures was reading scripts. Will was one of the producers of NINE DAYS. I decided to send my script to Will through Stage 32 for a consultation. My hope was that he would appreciate some of the same cinematic qualities present in my script, to that of NINE DAYS and who knows, maybe he’d want to produce my movie too.

After a few weeks the day came for the consultation call. I remember being nervous. I really needed a win. Will was very personable and down to earth. We started with the pleasantries and then, he told me. He loved the script.

Caroline from Donnie Hobbie on Vimeo.

Then he went even further, he said he was interested in the project.

This was a big moment for me and I didn’t want to kill the momentum, but I decided to roll the dice anyhow. I told him I was hoping to direct. And, dramatic pause... He loved that too. He told me the script felt like a writer/director had written it. Usually that is not a compliment as some of you know. But, if you want to direct your movie, it should probably feel that way in the script. Will is someone who appreciates this.

He gave me notes and asked if he could see my short films. He also asked if he could show the script to his colleagues. I sent him links to my shorts and told him to share the script with whomever he needed to.

And after a few months of back and forth we made it official. Mandalay is taking on the project.

So now we’re working on the look book and figuring out next steps. It’s an exciting time. And while there’s still a long ways to go and a great deal of hard work to come, it’s hard work I’m confident that I’m ready for.

Sammy 2-17 from Donnie Hobbie on Vimeo.

And that’s the best advice I can give anyone like me. You have to put the work in. Writing a good screenplay is hard work. It’s not supposed to be easy. For me, it’s hours and hours of torture broken up by a few moments of precious reward. And you know that moment. When you get that shiver up your spine. You enjoy that moment, then you get back to work.

Everyone has ideas. An idea is worth very little. I believe any idea can make a great move, or a bad movie. The magic is in the execution. Finding the essence of, and molding your idea into something great. That takes time and hard work. There’s no secret formula, just two important ingredients. Resilience and work hard.

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About the Author

Donnie Hobbie

Donnie Hobbie

camera operator, cinematographer, director, director of photography, filmmaker, gaffer/lighting technician, lighting designer, producer, screenwriter

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15 Comments on Donnie's Article

Dan Tonkin
Screenwriter, Director, Editor, Producer, Cinematographer, Production Manager, Motion Graphic Design
That sounds awesome! and GOOD GOD! I know what the ´dealing with conflicted feedback´ feels like. I once was on a pitch where this guy told me it was EXACTLY what he was looking for then in his feedback email said completely the opposite. Another one said my anthological comedy magical surrealist drama was a ´done formula´ - Examples please...! You know but... Nothing. You´re right, I should take more of a 1 on 1 approach with my ideas. Looking forward to more news from you and your team.
3 years ago
Stephen Marcus
Actor, Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter, Voice Actor
Congratulations Donnie. Fantastic story and the inspiration that keeps us all going. If you need a great character actor, give me a shout. Cheeky smiley winking emoji here.
4 years ago
Frances G McCaffrey
Actor, Screenwriter
Love this story. Very encouraging! 
4 years ago
Ryan Cho
Director, Actor
Congrats, making it happen! Motivation creates momentum, momentum creates movement. Small steps can lead to experiences that are totally unexpected. Hard work and the will to win will make things happen. 
4 years ago
Alexander Merelo
Actor, Playwright, Screenwriter
Yo, Donnie, that's some AWESOME news! LOVE your short films, you've a knack for comedy you lean masterfully on. I'm proper chuffed for you, Mandalay is an excellent partner, and Nine Days was an experience (one too often absent from modern movies, I find). I'll watch 99 Dream Neons when it comes out. Thumbs-up, man!
4 years ago
Ingrid Wren
Screenwriter, Author
Congratulations and thank you for the inspiration!  Hard work and resilience... sounds like something my ballroom dance coach said.  I've found that writing is like competitive ballroom dancing - you have to be able to cope with rejection and ask yourself "What did I learn from that experience?"  The other ballroom dance related comment that applies to screen writing is "if it was easy everyone would be doing it!"  Best wishes for the future of your project.
4 years ago
Tasha Lewis
Actor, Author, Choreographer, Dancer, Director, Editor, Filmmaker, Marketing/PR, Narrator, Producer, Researcher, Screenwriter, Student, Translator, Voice Actor
Thank you Jason for another success story at Stage 32.  Donnie, thank you for sharing your journey and testimonies.  Being ready at the right time and taking advantage of an excellent opportunity to showcase your accomplishments is one of the themes of my projects on my project page.  Congratulations and then some.
4 years ago
Marie McRae
Producer, Screenwriter, Author
Congratulations Donnie, very happy for you
4 years ago
Valerie Michele Oliver
Director of Development, Producer, Screenwriter, Creative Executive, Executive
How wonderful, Donnie! Thanks for sharing the GOOD NEWS with us. And thanks to Stage 32 for the gift you are in this industry. Have a great day!
4 years ago
Susan Joyce DuBosque
Content Creator, Editor, Screenwriter, Songwriter
Bravo! The harder you work, the luckier you get.
4 years ago
Congratulations!  You have the right attitude to realize your vision!  Can't wait to see the film!  
4 years ago
Harri-Pekka Virkki
Author, Stunt Performer
Congrats for ”99 Dreams of Neon” Donnie!  Loved the short films. Encouraging, honest and just the right  post to get the week started. Stage 32 rocks! Thanks for sharing! 
4 years ago
Martin Reese
Producer, Screenwriter, Director
"Everyone has ideas....The magic is in the execution". I love that line. Congrats, Donnie! Well-deserved. It is so obvious you put in the work. Love hearing these success stories.
4 years ago
Kenneth M Sutton
Music Composer, Screenwriter, Singer, Sound Designer, Author
Congrats Donnie!!
4 years ago
Greg Harvey
Screenwriter
What a great story - congrats Donnie. Well deserved.
4 years ago
Sandikazi Scwebu
Accountant, Author, Researcher, Screenwriter
Congratulations Donnie - this is an awesome and inspiring achievement.
4 years ago
Paul Meskunas
Screenwriter
Congratulations to Donnie. Great to hear of hard work paying off; that keeps me motivated when I feel the odds are so against us. But I am also an eternal optimist...
4 years ago
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