I had doubts about posting this because even though there's some new shit happening , there's still some old shit. But in this film industry business that I want and NEED to break into, nothing's overnight and it ain't easy. This journey is long and hard...but you can't give up and I'm never giving up. I consider that to be a good thing unless you mind numbingly suck at it and are too stubborn to admit it to yourself. But I think I fall in the latter category. I've been writing for a long time. I started in the early 2000's, novels and short stories mostly. Then I dived into screenwriting in 2008. I collaborated with Juan Shannon Of Modern Tribe Communications (Google it) on the adaptation of his novel, West Bloomfield. It was my first real experience (working under a deadline). Cans of Mountain Dew and Final Draft were my weapons of choice. Fast forward to 2015. I self published a dark thriller novella. 2016 I adapted it into a feature. And even though I knew the basics of screenwriting, I didn't know the structure and how to show and not tell. I struggled and in that time I felt like Fitzgerald (if you've ever read Syd Field's SCREENPLAY, how Sydney describes him, aside from the genius part, you know exactly what I'm talking about (struggled with the formula, died believing he was a failure etc,.)
ANYWAY, I'm still working on the pilot (same old shit) but things have changed. The main character is a black female instead of a white male (new shit). I'm in this rewrite mentorship group (new shit) that I'm happy about. Got my notes back from my mentor about the rewrite and it wasn't what I was hoping for but it was what I needed to hear. If i send anything out with my name on it, WHEN i send anything out with my name on it, it better be perfect. I didn't take to his feedback right away. I was over dramatic (i'm a Cancer, don't judge me) saying I was going to go back to prose writing and it's too hard. All the quitter mantras. Then I was like, I need a drink before I get back into it. The next day I was like, Okay, lemme see how I can fix this.
A winner don't quit on themselves (quoting Beyonce'). So here I am, yet again. BUT it's a completely different script. Well, not completely. But I prefer Coley over Edward. Both are damaged. Both are programmed or brainwashed into believing a farce that takes them to a dark place, that turns them evil. but I feel like I have more leeway with Coley than Edward, more places to go, more room or whatever.
I'll let ya'll know what develops.
Here's to a blessed and prosperous new year!
