Screenwriting : OMG! It's January 4th already. by Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Happy New Year! I'm about two months in to slowly filling some sketchbooks with graphic novel sketches for several of my feature specs, really fun and exciting! Sounds like you've already been in the fresh creative flow this week as well!

I've been following and collecting a ton of AI / MidJourney art and design motifs so I'm also building a pretty wild pitch deck with that for a new project.

Congratulations on getting so much done in only four days, Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique! I rewrote a short script, pitched that script, built some great industry relationships, etc.

Congratulations on the work you've got done on your sketchbooks and your wild pitch deck, Daniel Stuelpnagel! :D

Maurice:

Good work on the short, the industry contacts, and starting 2023 with a bang.

Daniel: We're blessed to be excited about being creative. I'd be lost without the process. It's good for my soul and mental health.

Thanks, Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique.

I am working on this years submission to the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project. I was a finalist the last two years so I am optimistic that this will be the year I get in.

Congratulations on being a finalist the last two years, Robert Russo! Hope you get in this year! :D

Hey they say the third times the charm right? haha. I do feel like I am a more skilled writer this go around. Just have to incrementally get better and better.

I have walked my dogs and finished some bathroom renovations. I am actually resting for the first time in several years. Being a data dude for a living, the last few years have been covid data.

So kicking back.

Transcribing the first draft of a hand written novel I wrote 11 years ago. 45,972 words recorded and about 10,000 to go. Taking a break from scripts for a while.

Glad you're getting a chance to rest, Craig.

How long did it take you to handwrite a novel, Bill?

Maurice. From 1/12/11 to 5/31/11. Some parts I see need work, but some parts I'm proud of. On the down side I'll also find notes in the margins I wrote to myself then and have no idea what they meant.

Cool, Bill Albert. "I'll also find notes in the margins I wrote to myself then and have no idea what they meant." I do that too! I put notes in pdf scripts and have no idea what I was talking about! Haha Do you prefer typing or handwriting novels?

I really enjoy handwriting for fiction. It feels like more of a connection.

Transcribing it 11 years later creates a whole series of issues. Especially dictating character names into the system. John Farbrother becomes "John far brother" and Tano Keeper ends up as "10 oh keeper." It's a constant edit process.

Three pitches...minor rewrites...a blog post...filming to start this month...Phil, you're totally ON FIRE! YOU'RE THE BOSS!!

Well...me...I'm about at the 80% mark on a comedy called "Pushing the Envelope," an "Animal House" spoof I started on 11-20-2022. In it, a psych major and a film buff put their U of Oklahoma sorority on the line to determine if "Animal House" antics fly in today's campus climate.

Speaking of campus...I'm also nearly halfway through a screenplay I launched on 11-27-2022 called "Rapunzel and Lady Godiva." (It's a gender-switched version of "The Fabulous Baker Boys," and in this comedy, two college-age siblings in modern-day Chicago seek to strengthen their bond by becoming a duo-piano lounge act...only to find Big Sister's singing ex-boyfriend scheming to horn in on it.)

When these are done, I'm going to work on four new ones for 2023...and I'm excited about my new resolution of turning in at least one pitch each month.

Thanks for all the GREAT news about what you're doing...and here's wishing you more of the VERY BEST!

Jim: Pushing the Envelope sounds like an interesting premise. I like that you're not afraid to tackle material that challenges today's social climate. It sounds like you are hard at work. Comedy is a challenge, but I love writing them.

I spoke with my producer about another upcoming project about comedy/bio about Charles Bukowski, and that one is a wild ride. He's already optioned it, and we're looking at doing at least three films together. But he's a very productive filmmaker/actor.

Phil, thanks for the good word!

You're telling the truth about comedy...it's one of the hardest disciplines around. (But it's still fun...well, I like to think so!)

I'm trying my best...and Stage 32 and other platforms make it much easier. Just got to keep inching away and I'll get to where a producer/director/performer says: "Jim, let's talk."

I haven't had much experience with transcribing, Bill Albert, but sometimes reformatting scripts after importing them into Final Draft and other screenwriting programs is a pain.

Phillip is on fire, Jim. Phillip, maybe you should change your profile name to Phillip "Boss Phil" Hardy. :) You're on fire too, Jim! Congratulations!

Maurice: No can do. My wife is the boss. Bwahaha!