Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Learning from failure

Funny I read screenwriter David Botrell's post yesterday morning. He wrote about what happens when you write something and it's a flop.

Last night my manager called me and told me my new script, the one with the bigger story, hook, higher concept, didn't sound like my voice at all. That was a bad thing. This script which I spent months writing, will not be going out as a spec script and will probably never see the light of day. It wouldn't be a cheap movie (there is action in it) so for a studio to buy it, they would have to really be into the concept. It was Legally Blondish meets Mr. and Mrs Smith.

After staying up all night and going through the usual "I suck. I should have never quit my day job, etc. , this morning I said to myself, "Alright. On to the next script."

I had fun writing my action movie. It was a good experiment trying to write something out of my comfort zone. After hearing the first script had good characters and dialogue but where was the hook (this makes it hard to sell), I wanted to write something that was a "bigger" movie.

What I have learned from this failure is I can't try to predict what is marketable. I know mainstream Hollywood is all about high concept, teen boys, shit blowing up and Indie Hollywood is a mess. Trying to write something in order to "fit" into the narrow boxes of studio movies will not serve me well as a writer. I need to write stories I really want to tell and let the chips fall where they may. Who knows what will happen?

What I do know is I can't sit around today a funk. I felt like crap last night. I have to squash the negative thinking right now.

I'm going on a walk around the Historic Center.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm looking forward to going to a movie and being able to say *I know the writer* keep working away!

Monika said...

You are doing so much more than most of us by even following your dreams! You WILL get there, stay positive :)

glamah16 said...

I say use Rome and the people you are meeting as inspiration. Theres a story there right under you nose.I dont believe in these formulas etc. Be true to yourself.And maybe switch agents if your not in sync?

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

joanne - grazie.

monika - thank you. I'm trying.

glamah16 - talking to a producer friend today we were talking about how crazy things are in Hollywood right now. sigh. You're right. All one can do it be true to one's self.

Jen said...

I can relate to this on so many levels, I just can't tell you.

Diana Strinati Baur said...

Oh ragazza, I wish all of us bloggers who get so much inspiration could POOF appear at your doorstep right now and take you out to do shots. Or something. You are an inspiration. And what you produce will find its audience. I will send you sacks of rice and polenta if need be to get you through a dry spell or two... keep moving. Your voice keeps alot of us reading you, it really does.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

jen - It's not a fun experience. sigh

diana - grazie. Yesterday was a downer but I'm feeling much better today. A good nights sleep helps a lot.

erin said...

you're strong to keep moving forward. hopefully that walk downtown helped out a bit...hard not to be inspired by that :)

Also, I just read your newer subtitle paragraph...LOVE IT!

Anonymous said...

Way to stay positive! I love that attitude. I don't know how you get used to it. But that is amazing of you to keep trucking. And sometimes that makes all the difference, righ?

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

erin - thank you!! yes the walk helped a lot.

nwy - true, attitude makes a big difference.

Anonymous said...

This is the "in the making" part of the overnight success.

Oh, imagine just how sweet it will be when you do make it.

Keep going and stay true to yourself. Remember the universe will conspire to assist you.

Cleopantha

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

cleopantha - thank you so much for the encouraging words.