Peruvian Intrigue

Sunday, March 5, 2006: More than a year since the last update... Wow. It astounds me how long projects take to complete. Of course, working a day job doesn't exactly accelerate the writing process.

The word: The Peru project is being reworked. Granted, I didn't give the script nearly the attempt some do in trying to sell their work, but in the process of rewriting ADR (since renamed ETHEREAL), I've found that I want to integrate the two worlds, make a bit of cross-over between projects.

I've been thinking of turning it into a serial or novella for the likes of Analog or F&SF, building some momentum with it in print, then shooting it toward the screenplay gladiator pits. Alternately, if I can get some momentum on ETHEREAL, the Peru story would really lend itself as a semi-sequel/sister novel. What happens next with ETHEREAL will really determine the next step for the Peru story.

Why not dive head first back into the the screenplay market? Because, folk, between rare islands of shining talent (and there are definitely some very talented people here), the bulk of the writers can't write. Don't believe me? Ask an agent. Still don't believe me? Ever wonder why Hollywood has a hard-on for remakes instead of original material? Is it starting to make sense yet?

Unfortunately, those who can't write have managed to devise a system not unlike a commodities market where script futures are predicted and values tracked (on what are essentially private message boards). While the best of the best in the business are largely above this self-serving ego game, there are a surprising number of producers and agents (er, "Creative Executives") that actually pan and can works without ever reading them.

Why was this sorry contrivance invented in the first place? Because the latest batch of CE's grew up with getting all their answers from the magic Google Box. Having a central place online to look for scripts that are building "buzz" saves valuable time over that primitive "reading" process. And why should we blame them? The average script is a regurgitation of a half-dozen archetypes shoved through a formula grinder. Remember the controversy about some MIT guys writing an "Automatic CS Paper Generator"? Anybody in the business knows we've had the same thing churning out scripts for years...

If I sound like sour grapes... well, consider it a bottle of fine whine. I'm a story teller – and I love the visual medium. Movies are a great way of telling a short story. "Script tracking" peels away the art and lets politics and intrigue take hold where talent once ruled. The further I can stay away from the cesspool of commoditized creation, the longer I'll retain my sanity.

Fri, Feb 18, 6ish PM PST After a topsy-turvy week, I managed to get another query letter out. I won't bore you with specifics, but suffice it to say that the query process is going to drop to 800 feet depth and cruise in stealth mode. More updates to follow if something interesting happens...

Thu, Feb 10, 6:27 PM PST: Been close to a week since that last submission. I really thought I'd be submitting more but some sorta virus (rhino, I'm guessing) just knocked the snot outta me. Not the nausea of the flu, thank heavens, but my sinuses are now pushing what little brain matter I had clear out my ears. Jenny had it first... I thought I was clear... it got me on the way out... Run, you fools!

Today's single shot is going out to another local agent who is in a decent-sized, dual-coast house: Acme Talent & Literary. From best I can tell, Mickey Freiberg is the only WGA guy in that place and that's... okay. Especially when they care enough to put "literary" in the Agency name.

Mickey, here's hoping I catch you in a creative mood...

Fri, Feb 4, 10:15 PM PST: Well, I've got a new template for general submissions. I haven't heard from Icon (nor do I really expect to) and I am moving into saturation phase. Now, every couple of days, I will be sending out a new query letter to an agent/agency.

The log-line is the same from the Icon submission, but there's a new synopsis. At about 2/3 of a page, the query is short and sweet but still highly descriptive.

Dramatic moment: I'd printed the thing out, sealed it up and was ready to head out the door. Something had been nagging me, though, and I decided to give one last look. I read through it a dozen times, what could I have missed? Turns out I missed a "to." One "to" two many - and I'll be damned if my eyes hadn't just glazed over and corrected for it. Ouch.

Fortunately, it was caught. The query was reprinted, signed (I still get nervous signing those things... what do these guys read into when they see a signature?), sealed and dropped into the Burbank Olive Avenue Postal Station.

Fly true, lil' letter...

Tue, Jan 25, 10ish AM PST: As I headed off to work, Jenny dropped the Icon query into the mail. Good first step (first step?!), but now comes the tough part: assume they're never going to read an unsolicited script (or even answer their mail) and start looking for an agent. I've got the list of WGA signatories, though most won't look at something unless you're holding hostages.

Ya know, I don't mind the sales aspect but it's not my specialty. That's why I want an agent. Let me write and I'll take time out to make pitches and appearances as necessary.

Now, excuse me wade into this swirling maelstrom of... business.

Fri, Jan 21, 4:56 PM PST: The first draft of the query letter is done. I'm sitting on it for a couple of days while I let the dust settle... Then I'll come back to it and see if it still reads well.
The letter has to be a bit of a swiss army knife.
1.) It is first and foremost a pitch letter, so we have to establish hook (first paragraph, basically what you'd see on the poster).
2.) Next, it has to have some draw into the story (a hyper-simplified version suitable for pitching).
3.) Additionally, I've got to advance some personal interest for Mel (or associate) to actually bother to call should they have forgotten the personal interest they once had in the region.
4.) Last, since I'm just starting the agent search for this work, I offer them a read of an unsolicited script. At the same time, I have to project an image of professionalism, so wording is everything. For a writer, it should be.

It's a bit sensitive to post (there are plot elements after all), so if you're at interested, email me or send a note via the comments form on Odds and Ends page.

Tue, Jan 18, 11:56 AM PST: It is done...
...the registration, that is (don't want to get all dramatic here). With a short online process, the script was uploaded to the WGA (West) archives, registration number: 1039567.
Next step: Crafting a query letter. Will try bouncing it off Icon while simultaneously dangling before their preferred contacts (at least, that's the plan).

Mon, Jan 17, 3:48 PM PST: Well, after nearly two weeks, I've figured out a title. Thanks to friends and family for their suggestions and moral support (and much appreciation for immoral support, too).
Oh, yeah - the title: Revelations 8404. It foreshadows the discoveries of the script, qualifies their importance (these would truly be earth-shattering events if they came to pass), quantifies them (the "s" makes it plural), and it evokes some biblical fire and brimstone.
Don't want it too "bibley" though, so we throw "8404" on the end to give it a slightly technical spin. The number ties into the plot.
Afterthought: Bible-savvy folk may still scratch their head at the title: "....Erm... 8404? My Revelations didn't go that high. Maybe this guy got the Expanded Edition..."

Tue, Dec 28, 5:51 PM PST: The script has been sanded, polished and shined. Easy work considering how much was done on the way. Much gratitude to my gratis editors Jenny Day, Lynn Snyder and Janis Klein. Honorable mention to Kirstin Snyder for throwing in her two cents as well. Coincidentally, this is the core of my [brutally honest] fan club, too. Thanks ladies!
One actual edit: On page 143, cave scene, mid-finale - the description of the actual volume in the cave sounded a bit reversed from what I envisioned. Minor tweak ensued and it now reads visually accurate without being any longer.
What's Next? Getting this work out there, of course! I heard about Mel Gibson (yes, that Mel Gibson) wanting to do a bit in Peru. I had a chance to read the Charlie Rose interview where Mr. Mel expressed interest in doing something around Machu Picchu. A bit nebulous, but that works for me: I touch on Machu Picchu... but I lean on other archaeological mysteries of Peru (hence the title).
The current plan is to dangle this in front of Icon Productions and see if they'll chew on it while I find an agent. At the same time, I poke around, see who Icon is comfortable with. Backup plans: I'll be searching out Spielberg and Cameron... with Peru's mix of intrigue, action, myth and speculation, the story fits their specialties. Tall order to get this work in front of those eyeballs... but it should be fun in a perverse naked-dive-into-a-briar-patch sorta fashion.
But Wait! I can't sell the script as "Peru"... It was a great working title but it sounds like a travelogue. Unfortunately, I'm used to "Peru," which is going to make it a challenge to figure out something new. We need something dramatic but not cheesy, something intriguing but we don't want to give it away. Hmm...

Mon, Dec 13, 9:50 PM PST: I don't think I can write any more. I shouldn't write any more... the last thing on the script says "THE END." Altogether, I'm pretty happy with the effort.
"Peru" - the working title of the script for the last two years - is finished. Again. The first version had good character development, good plot, great dialogue... but none of it fit together. Bummer. This version seems to gel. Granted, it's 149 pages long, but there are sequences that tell a story with pictures - and it takes a thousand words to paint a picture. In actual play, it should play out to about 125 minutes (fairly svelte against the recent trend of marathon movies).
Next step: Go over the script, check for errors and rough passages. Make corrections, smooth stuff out.