Happy Saturnalia!

Yes, it's that time between the Christmas holidays and the New Year, that the ancient Romans called "Saturnalia." It's the breathing room before the new year. I have taken some time off and not done much in the way of writing in order to re-charge my batteries. I hope everyone is having a restful Holiday.

Silent Bob is blissfully lying at my feet awaiting the time when he can go back home. I'd like to think he will miss my feet when he goes back to his owners. Even when I'm not at the desk he finds a way to sneak under either my or Roy's desk to sleep. We've broken him - he's now a "writer's dog."

This is also the time of the year to clear out the files and toss the things that need tossing - old magazines, papers, clothes for Goodwill, clippings, etc...

It's all so that we can start fresh for the new year and hit the ground writing. Some of it is catch up work, some of it is plowing new ground. I like to plan what the heck I'm doing long before I do it. It keeps me disciplined.

These long term goals will be broken down into more manageable monthly, then weekly units. Daily if I can take it that far. That way it doesn't seem so daunting. In 2005, I met 70% of my goals because I broke them down into units that I looked at and said, "Oh, I can do that." This year I plan to do better.

So what's on tap ? (aka My Goals for the Year)

1. Overall:

Increase income
Build the "Bill Cunningham" brand of writing & producing
Generate more awareness of my work at a studio level
Read, write, learn.

2. Material already written:

-Sell Wolfsbane. (Script ready to go to talent, production co's. Goal: Feb have talent)
-Send out Knightmare (Script near ready to send out. Goal: March)
-Set up B.E.M. (Treatment at production company. Set up as comic with artist attached? Goal: By end of year)
-Set up A.R.M.O.R. ( Treatment ready)


3. Production work to push forward:

-Last Horror Picture Show. (Goal: Feb/March have greenlight)
-Untitled Sci-Fi DVD Premiere Sequel by other writer (Goal: Answer by April. Needs rewrite)
- Creature Feature DVD Premiere (Goal: By end of year)
- Attach myself as producer to two screenplays/projects by other writers
- The Sound (not much to do since I'm not a producer on it, but whatever I can do I should do. This one has theatrical potential, which will be a big plus)


4. New material to generate:

-Thriller for Germany. (Treatment phase now)
-TV series proposal (In progress. Investigate rights for two series as well)
-Rewrite Skull (Goal: Have ready by July)
-Rewrite Patchwork ( Page one rewrite. Goal: By September. Investigate comic book option)
-Another short story for Black Coat Press (Idea already written. Goal: By July / August)


5. Networking:

-Attend more DVD Academy functions
-Attend 2006 Screenwriter Expo
-Organize and attend more local Scribosphere events (quarterly)
-Attend American Film Market
-Attend Comic Con
-Generate more referrals for people (You only get what you give)
-Contact and develop relationships with people who are higher up the chain (That's the only way I'm going to move up)
-Get an Agent and/or Manager (Goal: By July. Use Knightmare as sample)
-Find and contact people/companies I've lost touch with, and find out what they are doing
- Revise the look and links of this blog to make it more professional. Initiate rss links, google ads, etc... to build a wider audience

So these are my career oriented goals. I'm writing them down so I can a) stick to them, b) so that I am reminded of them and c) so that I can break these down into mangeable units so I don't feel worn out and overworked. Next time I'll show you how I do that.

Edit: In case it comes up, I'm not saying that my goals outlined here should be your goals. I'm simply saying that in order to be productive, you need to set and meet your goals.