I also read Evan Anglin’s post which resonated with me. Not just the notion that execs aren’t bogeymen but rather potential connections who want us all to succeed, but the mention of voice stuck out to me.
Despite having been writing since before I could actually write (yay drawing!), I only recently found my voice, and ever since I stopped people-pleasing, it’s been harder to keep it quiet lol. I shared in a comment on a lounge post ages ago that one of the biggest risks I took was leaning into my mental illness and using it to my advantage creatively. That’s why everything I write is weird, and I’m quite proud of it, because good luck copying me lol
This has especially been true working on my definitive life’s work, Finding Elpis. I’ve nonstop been taking risks with this project, from the initial premise (rock band is galactically famous due to achievements in ignorance—and it’s NOT a satirical comedy) to the framework (it’s officially a feature heptalogy, but can still be made into a series of shorter episodes) to the way I even tell the story (I use kishōtenketsu rather than three-act structure/hero’s journey, and all the characters are important so there isn’t a protagonist-vs-antagonist setup). It's also got a very noticeable anime influence/bent since that’s primarily what I watch. It’s been difficult pitching it since I’m pretty firm on my intentions for the story, but nonetheless I’m still leaning into my crazy with the hopes that my dream collaborators are out there, they just might not be ready for me yet :)
3 people like this
Good for you, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh! leaning into what makes us us-- is a huge thing. My suggestion-- lean into the fact it's not your normal protag vs antag structure. Showcase how it's like anime in many aspects and it is like bringing one to life and here's how it's different from anything out there. Give yourself the grace to really let go of the normalcy of things-- and showcase those aspects which are broken which move the plot forward and how it gets to a resolution at the end.
3 people like this
Happy NWC. I love your energy and passion.
There’s a sentence stuck in my head: “Good luck copying me, lol.”
That’s absolutely the spirit of someone who truly knows how unique their voice and story are.
I encourage you to keep going and realize your dreams.
3 people like this
Thank you for your suggestions, Cynna Ael, I've started by listing anime comps rather than live action films, and probably the next step is to make it clear that the band as a whole is the protagonist rather than an individual member. I've also taken several exec's suggestion to add a character sheet which I'm hoping will aid the pitch more; it would simply be too cluttered to show what they all learn/how they grow at the end of part 1.
4 people like this
Hey, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. I'm glad you stopped people-pleasing! Glad you've been taking risks with Finding Elpis too! Weird is great for creating!
4 people like this
Thank you Meriem Bouziani, I’m a big believer in uniqueness and I fully trust mine to set me apart. Finding Elpis is full of stuff I think is cool, and you can’t get more unique than that (among many other things I married outer space, puns, mythology, Christianity, music, and shoujo manga in particular). As such, you can imagine how protective I am of it lol especially to critiques that suggest I play to a more traditional/orthodox setup.
Thank you, I’ll definitely keep moving forward, even if I have to make it a proper homegrown project lol
2 people like this
That really sounds so cool. I can’t wait to watch it Banafsheh Esmailzadeh
3 people like this
They will Banafsheh Esmailzadeh
2 people like this
Thank you Maurice Vaughan, I’m glad I stopped, too :) when I create I feel most like myself so people-pleasing made less and less sense over time. I create to make myself happy and so deciding to share it with everyone else will often make them happy too, I think :) I hope Finding Elpis reaches lots of people this way. It’s definitely going to require a significant investment, not just in budget but time, but nonetheless I know it’s what a lot of people need and crave right now.
1 person likes this
You're welcome, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. That's great! Hope Finding Elpis reaches lots of people that way too! Movies, shows, etc. don't have to just entertain. They can change people and situations.
4 people like this
I love your dedication to FINDING ELPIS. You're such a champion!
3 people like this
Thank you Meriem Bouziani, I'm lucky to get to watch it in my head as I write it, and also during table reads when the characters come to life. Hopefully we can all watch the final product together in the near future :)
3 people like this
Thank you, Sandra Isabel Correia, I hope so hehe. I'm very lucky to have Dustin Lee cheering me on, with any luck I'll find some execs who are up for the challenge and ready to become part of something wonderful.
2 people like this
Absolutely Maurice Vaughan, and thank you so much. I'm definitely hoping everyone has fun watching the series as much as I am writing it, and maybe it will change a life like it did mine (not my call to make, of course, but nonetheless I'd be deeply honoured if that happens). More than anything, I hope it makes even one other person feel less alone in the world.
2 people like this
Thank you so much, Elle Bolan, I'm definitely married to the series right now lol. I will keep pushing until it makes all the right connections :D but for now I might focus on finishing it before pitching more people, even just because I wanna be even more stubborn about its direction xP
1 person likes this
You're welcome, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. Hope the pitching goes great when you start!
1 person likes this
Thanks Maurice Vaughan, I hope so, too~
1 person likes this
You're welcome, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh.