Step #2 - Go Completely Insane

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. Hopefully the few people who actually read this blog have it in their RSS feeds, cause I'm sure no one's checking anymore. ;-)

Last weekend, it was so rainy and grim, I just decided to treat myself to a day watching movies. So I went to the public library and took out a bunch of indie flicks that I had been meaning to see:

The Squid and the Whale;
Little Miss Sunshine;
Everything is Illuminated;
Straw Dogs;
and, No Direction Home (Martin Scorcese's Bob Dylan documentary).

While I was sitting there, immersing myself in the best the film world has to offer, I remembered an idea for a story I had had some time ago. I jotted it down in my little notebook that I keep near me at all times, and then went on with my day.

Later on, I was talking to a friend who is a script consultant for a number of major Hollywood production companies. I mentioned this idea to her and her response was a surprised little "oh!" Now, usually when you tell a consultant about something you're thinking of writing, they usually say something non-committal like "that could be fun" or "let me know how it works out." After all, since they're in the business of hearing movie ideas, day in and day out, there really isn't much that's new to them. So when your idea is the one that makes them say "oh," you really have to pay attention to that.

The first step with any story is research. Usually, my stories are about things that I know well, so the research process is minimal. However, this particular idea involves so many elements that I know almost nothing about, this will be the first time I have undertaken major research. So major, in fact, that I've marked out the next 6 months to a year just for that purpose.

Naturally, as a result, my blogging time might be a little diminished, but stay tuned. I'll try to pop in for some regular updates on how things are going.

Three cheers for productive insanity!

Step #1 - Give Away All Your Free Time

So I took the first step on the way to a job in the film industry - I applied for a job as a production intern on a local film shoot. I haven't heard back, so I don't know what will come of it. But if I do get a job there, it will basically take up every free moment that I have (which isn't saying much, given the day job and all).

I also have a meeting tomorrow morning with a production designer to talk about where I might fit in the movie world in general, and what would make a good next step.

I have to say, I'm not used to taking things this slowly. Usually, I see something I want and go hell bent for it. The last time, I wound up moving to Boston after college with no job, no prospects, and a little money in my pocket. All I had was a place to land. I guess this time around, I'm hoping to avoid making the same set of mistakes. After all, isn't that what getting older is all about? Learning a thing or two as we go?

Even still, making a mid-career change from one relatively insecure industry to an even more insecure one doesn't scream "common sense." But there are times when you just have to listen to that little part inside that's telling you it's time to make a run for something new.

Besides, most people have several careers in their lifetimes. I'm way overdue for at least another one.