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The word “locked” has been bandied about with regard to my script. I do not think it means what they think it means. Or maybe it just doesn’t mean what *I* think it means.
Regardless, what it really means is “time to rewrite.”
Last week was all about the second draft. I completed 30-page chunks at a time and sent them to my producer. Friday, I started to panic – he wanted the completed draft by Sunday and Sunday was coming too fast. I was spending an inordinate number of hours staring at the screen with nothing happening. Just wasn’t feeling it. (Interesting dichotomy: I love deadlines, yet hate to be rushed.)
Woke up Saturday and got my head back in the game – sat down to work at 11:30 that morning and stayed there until 3:30 SUNDAY MORNING. Took all meals at my desk and literally did not spend more than 60 minutes combined outside my office during that 16-hour stretch. My husband and kids were terrific – gave me lots of space all day to work. (Or maybe it was because I didn’t even take the time to change out of my jammies or brush my hair all day...) Anyway, I got a lot done and felt nice and in-the-homestretchy when I started on the third act Sunday morning.
There’s something really motivating in feeling firmly on the right track, so the work went rather smoothly on Sunday and I finished the second draft Monday night.
Tuesday morning, I received an overnighted package from my producer including a printed copy of the script covered in very bad penmanship. We went over the most indecipherable hieroglyphics on the phone and I set to work.
I am now halfway through the third draft with another Sunday deadline bearing down. This being more of a buffing and polishing draft with the heavy grinding and sanding already done, I’m not dreading this Sunday.
I mentioned in my last entry that the script will be going to the Cannes market for distribution. Well, my producer sent me a draft of a press release his publicist wrote and the subhead reads: Teen Comedy Pool Boy Marks First of Three Pictures to Be Produced Under New Partnership. It includes the phrase, “The film, which was written by Julie O’Hora and is set to begin shooting in Fall 2006...”
Which was nice to see.
(You may have noticed they called it POOL BOY – looks like we’re back to the original title, which I like best, anyway.)
It’ll be interesting to see what happens when I finish this pass on the draft. We’ll be out to directors soon, apparently. Still talking to the guy I referred to in the previous post, but that’s not solid yet, from what I gather.
Still not holding my breath, but conditions do seem favorable for this movie to actually happen...
Regardless, what it really means is “time to rewrite.”
Last week was all about the second draft. I completed 30-page chunks at a time and sent them to my producer. Friday, I started to panic – he wanted the completed draft by Sunday and Sunday was coming too fast. I was spending an inordinate number of hours staring at the screen with nothing happening. Just wasn’t feeling it. (Interesting dichotomy: I love deadlines, yet hate to be rushed.)
Woke up Saturday and got my head back in the game – sat down to work at 11:30 that morning and stayed there until 3:30 SUNDAY MORNING. Took all meals at my desk and literally did not spend more than 60 minutes combined outside my office during that 16-hour stretch. My husband and kids were terrific – gave me lots of space all day to work. (Or maybe it was because I didn’t even take the time to change out of my jammies or brush my hair all day...) Anyway, I got a lot done and felt nice and in-the-homestretchy when I started on the third act Sunday morning.
There’s something really motivating in feeling firmly on the right track, so the work went rather smoothly on Sunday and I finished the second draft Monday night.
Tuesday morning, I received an overnighted package from my producer including a printed copy of the script covered in very bad penmanship. We went over the most indecipherable hieroglyphics on the phone and I set to work.
I am now halfway through the third draft with another Sunday deadline bearing down. This being more of a buffing and polishing draft with the heavy grinding and sanding already done, I’m not dreading this Sunday.
I mentioned in my last entry that the script will be going to the Cannes market for distribution. Well, my producer sent me a draft of a press release his publicist wrote and the subhead reads: Teen Comedy Pool Boy Marks First of Three Pictures to Be Produced Under New Partnership. It includes the phrase, “The film, which was written by Julie O’Hora and is set to begin shooting in Fall 2006...”
Which was nice to see.
(You may have noticed they called it POOL BOY – looks like we’re back to the original title, which I like best, anyway.)
It’ll be interesting to see what happens when I finish this pass on the draft. We’ll be out to directors soon, apparently. Still talking to the guy I referred to in the previous post, but that’s not solid yet, from what I gather.
Still not holding my breath, but conditions do seem favorable for this movie to actually happen...
posted by Julie O'Hora at 1:50 PM
10 Comments:
Good for you Julie...maybe come cannes- you'll have combed your hair?
Keep it up, and congrats with every passing day.
Jamie
Julie,
You've made it. No need to hold you're breath anymore. It will get financed and produced. You have a property in a demo they love.
Cecil
Congrats, woman.
I know you've been working like some kind of animal which works hard, but surely there is a light at the end of the tunnel if Yoda is ready to start making public noise about the project.
Finish strong, stick the landing, enjoy the applause.
Then repeat as necessary.
Oh, and Happy Mom Day, mom.
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B
Hi Julie,
Fun hanging out last night. Your project definitely sounds like a go to me.
With regards to unproduced projects selling at Cannes check here to see the movie posters I've done for projects like yours (not comparing the quality BTW, as I'm sure yours is higher on the food chain). None of these movies existed, and most didn't even have a script yet. Welcome to Hollywood, the land of smoke and mirrors.
Keep it up, girl. Work as if it is and be surprised if it isn't.
Julie,
This all sounds very exciting. I hope sometime soon you get a nice spa day...
Suz
and now? what's the latest?
Thanks, everybody!
The latest: I turned in the third draft during the wee hours between Saturday and Sunday.
Just got notes back tonight. Some good line notes in the second act and some broad notes on the third act. They shouldn't be too hard to implement because the story won't change but some emphasis and minor structural stuff will. It will probably be more of a challenge to plan than to write.
Also, my producer told me the announcement may come out in The Hollywood Reporter later this week -- I'll keep everybody apprised, natch. (And then I'll stop calling him "my producer.")
I'm soooo getting your autograph.
ted
Way to go, Julie!!! Congrats!!!
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