First feeler to produce Paw & Order!

Not me--I wish

I told you I tagged up with Inktip--a writer-oriented site I knew from decades ago. You list your logline (one or two sentence script description--as in a TV Guide movie description), synopsis (longer), and offer the whole script for upload by producers.

An indie production company wrote me a very promising offer to "option" my two scripts (sequel, too, though it's not finished).

It was a dollar-option--for a buck each, the company would have 18 months to two years to raise money for the films. If both scripts were purchased, the total would have been $200K.

I know--to the outsider--this seems ridiculous--a dollar? Yet, this is done in this business. I had a no-dollar option on the CBS project, which did eventually flush. This was 25 yrs ago.

The producer, a young woman, had done quite a few movies in the $1.2 million range. This would be low for animation, according to what I know.

I agonized for several days, but decided not to tie up my projects for this long a time. I asked for $5,000 instead of one dollar. This didn't fly and they decided they were not so nuts about my script after all, saying it was not action-filled enough for really little kids.

This was an exciting and useful exercise. At least I did not cry for days and quit the business like the first time. Am I more mature? Nah. Just more determined.

Darn that real life

Real life sidetracked my fantasy life. I hate it when that happens. My ex-and daughter's father died unexpectedly and all the stowed baggage of that relationship of 30 yrs ago tumbled out.

Of course, this immediately made me physically ill.

Still, I entered the Nicholl contest with Paw & Order, as well as Scriptapalooza.

But I veered away from working on the Sequel (http://pawandorder2.blogspot.com).

Also, I went on the crazy-hard Copright Office website to register the first script and--funny story--our government does not like ampersands. I have no idea how those two tangled in the past. It would not take my Paw & Order url--and when I tried to change the title to upload it--Bill Gates in his infinite changed the script to European DOS.

Mistake?

I tried again...same.

I could not believe it...again...Then I realized I was deleting my backups and copies. I stopped myself in time. Now I SAVE AS changed name--not try to change the name.

Soooo....that was fun.

As of today, though, I am back on track, have worked on the Sequel two days in a row.

Losing momentum, though, is a scary thing.

All in all, I prefer fantasy world to whatever the rest of this is.

Status update: Effort, no big result yet

First, after completing the first script, I sort of chilled waiting to see if my new-found buds (meaning they answered my email without a snotty "we can't possibly read anything you send us" message) at William Morris Endeavour (WME) would agree to read the script.

I sent kind of half-funny/half-disgustingly obsequious emails. Nothing. Then--finally--I was consigned back to Screenwriter Siberia with a stern letter from THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT (all caps--scary). Leave us alone!

Will do. My humble hope was to make money for all of us--but I am outta there.

Then I signed up with a group I knew about from my earlier writing days--Inkspot. You pay a somewhat modest fee and list your script logline and synopsis for 6 mos. The idea is that producers go there from time to time looking for properties. The place was still around--so I am trying it.

I also entered the script in the Page contest--one of the top ones. I may do one more, not sure. I did not enter contests when I was a mere girl, but now, I don't have time to waste. I need to get the lines out there.

The funny lines.

I also hooked up with a pretty active group on Linked In--and we kick things around.

And, of course, I scour the papers, namely the WSJ, for news of movies and scripts that are selling and making money--then try to contact those involved.

And I am working on the Sequel.

It keeps me off the streets.

Maybe....

Zero Gravity Management agreed to let me send my script. If you are not in the game, you may not know how rare it is for a company to even let you send something...

Cross your fingers...

I know--it makes it hard to type. But I do appreciate it.

I can't HEAR you

I said, my script is done. This site gets hundreds of hits--some overseas. Doesn't anyone want to rep the first Paw & Order animated feature?

FROZEN (Disney) killed because it was the only animated film around at the holidays.

Come on, Disney--let's repeat it. Pixar Schmixar. Of course, Pixar Schmixar is also invited to inquire. In fact, that would be aces.

Or Dreamworks Animation. Or Universal. Or Sony. Or Fox. Or Warner's. Or Reel FX.

Read the script--have a few laughs--then let's get this party going.

OK--writers should be scruffy and keyboarding, not making a spectacle of their shameless desire. I am not normal. But I am fun. Go to my profile, email me... I promise not to be sloppy.

Paw & Order script--available--yay!

I am giving the big-time agents who actually spoke to me first dibs, but my script is available. Email me if you have questions or thoughts. And email right this second if you have money to spend.

Hey, kid, you can direct.

Anyhow, I had the usual insecurities--writers are basketcases, you know. Was it funny? Was it fun? Now two people have read it and are screaming for me to write a sequel.

I will start notes on that on a second website-- http://pawandorder2.blogspot.com.

Come by.

PS I was serious about that money part. This site has gotten 1,400 look-sees. Surely someone wants to make a movie. Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?

First draft almost done--now what?

You know what they say in screenwriting--your last day of the script is your first day of the rewrite.

I am near to polishing this.

I have written twice to Dick Wolf, CEO of Wolf Films and creator of the iconic Law & Order franchise, and in typical H'wood fashion, he did not reply.

I have sent a color postcard to some animation houses. No response from that.

But this website has gotten 1200 hits--they can't all be in Norway or Russia.

My first step, I think, will be to return to the big agency who read my summary. But I am not there yet...stay tuned.