Whether it's Win, Lose, or Draw, I must take this moment to thank the entire STAGE 32 team for presenting me with this joyous gift--- my screenplay, THE DRESS, is on course to be sent to a Producer through Open Writing Assignment 0214! It is truly an honor to be recognized, and I thank you all for providing me with this spectacular news.
Some quick background about the script: I wrote this supernatural thriller back in 2017, which would later become an "Official Selection" at the 2019 Beverly Hills International Film Festival and Winner at the 2021 Block Island Film Festival. Other placements include three Finalist claims: 2018 Crimson Screen Horror Film Fest, 2019 Inroads Screenwriting Fellowship, and 2020 Big Apple Film Fest.
THE SCRIPT'S ORIGIN: I was flipping through Variety magazine years ago and noticed the listings for expensive real estate near the back of the periodical. My eyes suddenly targeted a photo of a 1923 mansion with a pool, rumored to have been built for Rudolph Valentino. As I clipped the photo and magnetized it to my fridge, the puzzle pieces in my mind began to take shape: What if a murder occurred on that property in 1923 and the body was never recovered?
Fast forward to 1985. Young Hollywood film director, Steve Harp, has purchased the home and is now forced to pick up the spiritual breadcrumbs left behind by the ageless murder victim.
LOGLINE: Haunted by childhood memories of a drunken father, a hotshot film director, struggling with substance abuse, must conquer his demons to fulfill the mystical dream of a starlet who died in his mansion 62 years earlier.
WRITER'S FUN FACT: Throughout the creation of THE DRESS, I kept a 1923 silver dollar on my desk and would hold it from time to time. It offered me a physical connection to what I was conjuring.The coin remains. I just glanced down at it. : )
Thank you, once again, Stage 32. These eight fingers, two thumbs, and a keyboard welcome 2024 with a renewed sense of positive reinforcement.
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Well done, Bill Brock and Happy Christmas!
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Merry Christmas to you and your family, Bill Brock! That's a great Christmas gift! Congratulations on all the success with THE DRESS! Hope your script gets sold through the Open Writing Assignment!
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Congrats! Keep us updated!
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@Geoff Hall. Thanks, Geoff! Happy Christmas to you as well. Hope you were NICE all year and received LOTS of presents!
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Congratulations!! That's FANTASTIC! :) :) :)
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@Maurice Vaughan. Thanks, Maurice! You've always been very supportive and in my corner. Looking forward to returning the favor when you get the call as well. Hope you had a Very Merry Christmas! : )
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Will do, Dalene. Thank you!
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You're welcome, Bill Brock. I'm in your corner like Mickey.
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Bill, way to ROCK that Open Writing Assignment!
Here's wishing you more of the VERY BEST...especially with "The Dress!"
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This is so cool and inspiring, Bill Brock! Congratulations!
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Maurice Vaughan Ha! LOVE the reference to ROCKY, which is one of my favorite films! Mr. Stallone has always been my inspiration for.... "Jottin' Stuff Down." Check out my recent canvas art purchase. The "redhead" seated beside me is my dog, Molly, named after another notable redhead, '80s Film Icon Molly Ringwald.
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Jim Boston Thanks, Jimmy! To quote JAWS' legendary producer, David Brown, with regards to the Hellish nightmare of shooting the shark movie: "Is there film in the camera? If the answer is Yes, then just... keep... moving... forward."
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Sam Sokolow Thanks, Sam. You continue to shine as that "glimmer of hope" in the Stage 32 screenwriting community. Your inspiring guidance helps lead the way. May you have a GLORIOUS, safe, and healthy 2024.
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ROCKY is one of my favorite films too, Bill Brock. Rocky's speech to his son in ROCKY BALBOA is really inspiring! Great canvas art! Perfect art for when you need inspiration or motivation to write. Molly's a gorgeous dog!
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Maurice Vaughan Thanks, M! Yep, she just celebrated her 10th birthday. Here she was at 8 weeks old on the day I rescued her from the local shelter. There were two other cars in the parking lot on that chilly 29-degree February, 2014 morning, with occupants also awaiting the shelter's opening. I was so determined to get her, that I stood in front of the shelter's door for 30 minutes waiting for it to be unlocked and opened for business!!
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Bill, you're very welcome!
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You're welcome, Bill Brock. That's determination! That could be a movie scene.
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Congratulations Bill Brock . THE DRESS has a super dramatic, spooky feeling to it. I can't wait to see it on screen. You are such an inspiration! And the story of picking out Molly is so dear. She looks like a real love bug.
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Cool script idea, love the origin story. Also, super cool dog, but you knew that already I bet.
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Robin Gregory Thanks, Robin. With countless script submissions, I just keep sticking my foot in the door just as it's getting slammed on!. You should see my foot. It's all tattered, ripped up, oozing pus, and totally nasty! Wow. Now THAT'S Supernatural !!! : )
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Mark Garbett Thanks, Mark. Yeah. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to see this one produced. I really had a lot of fun with it. To put the story in the most simple terms-- The protagonist and the ghost each hold the key of the other's prison cell: Steve must find the remains of this 1920's-era young actress and our spirit must drive him to get clean and sober in order for him to find her.
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Bill Brock Ha! Yeah. Supernatural persistence, that's for sure. Good on you.
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CONGRATULATIONS Bill Brock
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Robin Gregory Definitely, Robin. This script certainly takes you on a wild ride! I had a total blast writing it. You'll be shocked to discover where the remains are buried. Here's a couple of clues: 1. The young actress from 1923 is named Esther Yates. 2. Think HOLLYWOOD.
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Mark Films Thank you, Mark. Sure hope it leads to something. : )
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So happy to read this. Congratulations and wishing all the best.
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That's really cool. If The Dress becomes a movie, perhaps that silver dollar should become a pendant to wear around your neck at the opening. :)
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Wonderful!
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Great logline!
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Anthony Murphy Thank you, Anthony! A little tweaking here and there led to a satisfying logline. I think it covers everything the reader needs to know. : )
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Erik Meyers Thank you, Eric. What a great way to start off the new year. Another journey begins....
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Asmaa Jamil Thank you, Asmaa, for the warm sentiments. I sure hope this script has legs and finds a cinematic home somewhere! : )
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Sallie Olson Thank you, Sallie. What a great idea! Love it! I'll drill a hole through the center of the vintage coin, then attach it to a chain necklace. With my luck, I'd wear it on the red carpet, then immediately get cuffed and hauled off by a Beverly Hills cop for defacing American currency. The result: Tried, convicted, and serving 10 to 20 in the state pen.
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Bill Brock Don't want to be a spoiler. I have a hunch it has something to do with a felt accessory.
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Congratulations Bill Brock!! That's a great accomplishment!
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Robin Gregory Ha! A felt accessory? Like, perhaps a stylish Flapper's dress, worn by Esther to an exclusive movie premiere party held at the mansion way back in '23?
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Amanda Toney Thank you, Amanda. It's very exciting to see my "third-born" receiving some additional love! The ghost of Esther Yates is Alive and Kicking. : )
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Oh my gosh Bill Brock, I thought it was a fedora known as a Yates...
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Bill Brock Or....you could encase it in resin and drill the hole through the resin so you're not defacing the vintage coin. Or even cooler...tuck it inside a hand-stitched amulet bag to wear around your neck, leaving the paparazzi to guess what's hidden inside the mysterious leather pouch... :D