Update Time

It seems to me that I have not updated this site with my own goings on for quite some time. And while I'm sure you enjoyed some of my prose and musings, I imagine some of you are here for raw, pure information straight from the source. So let's get to it shall we?

I have spent the better part of the last two months slaving away on a Modern Family Spec script. The script is for submission to 3 different programs; NBC's Writer's on the Verge, WB Writer's Workshop and the coveted ABC/Disney Writer's Program. Each one receives about 1,500 submissions each year, and they then choose 10 for admittance into their respective program. So yea, it's a long shot to the tune of 0.6%. But as a famous Corellian once said, "Never tell me the odds!".

That said, if all I get out of this experience is a solid spec script, I can't really complain. I went into this knowing it was a long shot, but adding a new script to my portfolio is always a plus.

It's also been a huge opportunity for God to bless me. See, the ABC/Disney fellowship requires two letters of recommendation from "Industry Professionals" who can comment on my potential as a television writer. It may seem like a tall order for someone just starting out like me (and it is), but it's justified. You see, the Disney Program is the only writer's program that pays it's participants $50,000 a year. Yes, you read that right. The others just offer good experience, this one actually pays. And for a single guy sharing an apartment, $50,000 would go a long ways. But I digress.

So the application process was going pretty smoothly overall, but the letters of recommendation were becoming a major source of stress the last couple weeks. One by one I was turned down by my limited resources. LAFSC professors were either uninterested or "too busy". Unfortunately for me, most of my connections I've made out here (and there are a lot of them) have been relatively lateral career-wise. That means that while I know plenty of aspiring "Industry Professionals" I know very few in a position to comment on my potential as a TV writer. Actually, to be more precise, I know exactly two.

Last year my friend Tim worked on a movie filming in Minnesota. While on set, he managed to make friends with the writers/director of the movie, sisters named Jill and Karen Sprecher. They had co-written the movie and Jill was directing it. And it wasn't their rodeo either. In fact, Jill and Karen had both been on staff for the 2006 season of the HBO show "Big Love".

Kind of ironic that Tim had met such accomplished individuals in Minnesota while I floundered away out here. So naturally, when Tim came to visit me in late March last year, he managed to introduce me to his new friends. In fact, we met at Easter brunch at Marie Callender's. Quite a conspicuous way to meet someone huh?

After Tim left, I kept up my contact with them via email, periodically asking for updates on their lives and offering them updates on mine. They were working on several paid writing assignments so their updates were usually more interesting than mine. It also meant they were so busy that, even with Tim visiting three more times in the past year, we never were able to meet up again.

But I kept at it, even when replys from them were few and far between. Eventually these contests came around and I, feeling much more bright and optimistic at the time than I have the last week or so, shot off a "why not?" email to them asking if they'd consider writing my recommendation letters. I didn't even expect a response as I hadn't heard anything from them in over five months.

But wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles, they responded. In the face of mounting failure and disappointment, they came through when I needed it most. God's role in this is clear from my perspective and I am thankful for his providence here in the midst of hard times. While I doubt they will read this post, I also can't express my gratitude enough to the Sprecher sisters. If I get this fellowship I'm totally taking them out for a fancy dinner (I was thinking Chuck E Cheese or something).

Other than that, there hasn't been a lot going on. I'll be going home for most of the month of June (5th-30th), so anyone that reads this in that state (probably all of you) and wants to see me, there's your window. It's unlikely I'll be home again before Christmas so make the most of it! I, for one, am really looking forward to seeing my family again. Jordan is graduating from Mounds View the day after my flight gets in so that is exciting! With a little luck I might even get to see him compete in one last track meet.

I'll also be going to Pelican Rapids again for my 11th trip so that will be exciting after missing last year. But right now, all I can think about is how close I am to being completely finished with these applications and how happy I'll be when they are finally off my plate. I've had these three on my radar for over six months.

Til next time!

NBC's fall lineup = Everyone else's hits

Anyone else think that NBC is just trying to make their own versions of hit shows? Maybe it will work, but if you're just copying the best, you'll never be number 1. Though I suppose NBC would settle for not being last at this point.

On the plus side, it makes it easy to decide which "new" shows to watch when you can just match them to the shows you already watch. You can check out trailers here.

My theory:

Grimm = Supernatural

Same timeslot even, subtle. Throw in Fringe in the same timeslot too, and it's hard to see how this show can carve out any kind of niche of it's own. They're behind the eight ball on this one.

The Playboy Club = Mad Men

This could work since it seems to be more low brow than Mad Men, which is good since it's on NBC. Even has a little gangster action thrown in for good measure. May be the most likely to succeed in their new fall lineup.

Up All Night = Raising Hope

Different setup but the whole "raising a baby when we're horribly underqualified" thing is still there. I love Christina Applegate and Will Arnett though so kind of hope this is good still. Not getting my hopes up though.

Smash = Glee

Well, Glee for adults. Adult drama replaces high school drama and there's lots of song and dance. Looks promising actually, but is slated for midseason.

Prime Suspect = Literally a remake of a UK show

Could be ok. But don't see how Maria Bello can fill the shoes of Helen Mirren. Was probably more relevant in 1991 as well.

Awake = Journeyman?

This one looks really, really, really interesting. Admittedly this is a unique version of a familiar story (that has rarely succeeded in the past) but the trailer is by far the most interesting of any I've watched (for any network). The tone feels like nothing else on TV. That said, I have every faith that NBC will screw it up.

*Obviously none of these shows are carbon copies but they are all too close for comfort to me.

P.S. Whoever approved ABC's "Work It" should be shot. I can't believe that was actually produced much less green lit. Then again, this is the same network that green lit a show based on the Geico Cavemen so I guess I shouldn't be surprised...