A Full Whack of Story...

Just posted the whole Warren Ellis quote about an hour ago, and it really resonated with me. That quote should be the goal of every writer - "a full whack of story" that's put out there for the mass market (that's where the "pocket change" portion comes in). Stories that are easily accessible and affordable.

That line of thinking is what I and my former colleagues at York tried to do with the projects we were developing. That's also what I'm doing with my current projects, bringing the comic book sensibility to the DVD marketplace. Movies and other entertainment that's affordable and accessible and uses the attributes of the DVD format to greatest effect.

Below are some of the horror projects we were developing at York. They are all copyright (c) 2005 by York Entertainment or whoever holds the rights. While I may have been involved in their creation when I was an employee there - I don't have any rights to them. I have my own stuff that I own 100% or have optioned. This stuff gives you an idea of what the "Powers that Be" at York thought would sell. Some have sold internationally already and are in the pipeline to be produced and distributed. Some of them will never see the light of day. All of them represent our attempt to see a fun movie made for $125K each.

BIG BAD BOOGEYMAN was an attempt to mix the TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE with a fairy tale type mystery. I understand that the film is now going before the cameras and is to be directed by my good friend Emmanuel Itier (SCARECROW). He should do a great job with it!

DR. CHOPPER was something that was really fun as we had a big meeting to come up with cool titles and I came up with this and BB Boogeyman in the same meeting. That's where it starts guys - the title. I saw the trailer for this that was posted on YourVideostoreShelf, but is no longer there due to bandwidth restrictions. I aslo remember pitching several different approaches for this one which included a "Hammer-esque" approach, and a "Rave party- serial killer approach." We had originally pitched it as "cannibalistic backwoods serial killers" movie which is what I think they eventually went with. I think Louis Mandylor ended up starring in this film...

MISTER STIXX was my idea to create an almost sympathetic type of monster movie - kind of like the HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. Stixx was a kid with a brittle bone disease whose poor father (Gepetto?) fashions braces for his son out of wood.

The kid is picked on at school and then goes on the revenge trail using his braces as a weapon. In my version he would have fashioned stilts for his legs as well to give him a disjointed, super-tall look - kind of like a Walking Stick.

Arik Ben Treston worked with me on developing these as well as Scott Pfeiffer, Giulio Costanza (who did all the art with no photos to work from) , Ivy Kim, Bruno Torres and several other people in the company who contributed from a sales perspective (always important because if you can't sell it then you shouldn't make it. Sam Arkoff and Roger Corman taught me that).

So there you have it - my past (warts and all).

The new pulp titles I'm developing : THE SKULL, HEXX, RIP ROCKET, MONSTER BOY, ALIENATED, I, MOBSTER and THE KNIGHTMARE (all of which are copyright (c) 2005 by Bill Cunningham) . The budgets will vary, but the sensibility will be the same - pure pulpy fun. Affordable and accessible.

Here's to the future, it's a lot like the past only now.

Stay tuned...

Truer Words...

Give me your pocket change and I'll give you a full whack of story.

--- Warren Ellis, discussing his new comic series Fell


That pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

Your Saturday Morning Cup of Coffee

Just got up and thought I'd ramble a bit as the coffee pot brews down in the kitchen. I'm still getting used to the new place and its sounds despite having been here almost a month. I get up real early now (6am) because the house is telling me to. I go downstairs and make coffee then have a cup or five before my day officially starts.

I have approval on the outline for the script for Velvet Steamroller. If you haven't heard of these guys you will. Check them out at www.velvetsteamroller.com . All the notes that I've been given by these guys have been good, and illuminated some areas that I wasn't thinking about in the story (or at least wasn't apparent in the outline).

Yesterday I started on the opening scene of the script itself, and it's good (if I do say so myself). It's a little different style of writing for me which is what I wanted - got to expand the skillset ya know? Unfortunately I can't talk too much about it, but suffice it to say if I succeed with this one then you'll see and hear a whole new kind of creature feature.

Also getting back to surfing the links (see right) and becoming familiar with the blog world again.
Interesting stuff has been going on over at Kung Fu Monkey, Groovy Age of Horror, Complications Ensue, Warren Ellis, and of course Retromedia Forum. Be sure to check those out, and tell them I sent you.

However expect light posting from me for the next three weeks as I work to finish this script. I'll post some pics, and do some posting of stuff that I have archived, but no major 'back and forth'. I want to clean up the site (again) thanks to the pulpsters out there who emailed me how, and expand some of its links. New house, new blog.

Okay, coffee's done...

The Secret Mountain HQ - Chapter One

The view from my desk looking out over the valley. Somewhere in the middle right side is the new Playboy Entertainment Group building.

Oh, and the green you see in the midground right out of the window is bamboo. Several of my midwestern friends were thinking I was becoming a corn farmer...uh, no.

A Grain or Two...

Being a freelancer in Hollywood means you have to constantly be on your toes to find your next writing gig. It's not an easy life. Your next job can come from anywhere because so many people in this town are connected in so many different ways. That means you are "on" a lot because you're always making a first impression. (This is sometimes hard as I am a t-shirt and jeans kind of guy who enjoys a good beer and burger, and I am often surrounded by vegetarian, Armani-wearing sharks. But they know I'm not afraid to break a limb or two if necessary, so it evens out..)

Being part of Hollywood also means writing all day, and then shaking hands and exchanging numbers all night. It's a hustle: Phone calls, web surfing, events, emails, etc... all geared toward finding work. So, if you think the life of a screenwriter means solitude and monastic habits then don't get off the bus at the Hollywood station. Please keep moving. We don't want you here...

Hollywood also means that there are a lot of opportunities if you can dig them out. You meet someone and it turns out you've worked with someone they know, or they've seen your movie on the shelves. One thing leads to another and you're working. Everyone is in the business (at least it seems that way).

But in this digital age you would think that there would be an easier way to find work - especially for those writers out of town. I think a step in the right direction is the Screenplays Wanted link to the right - a clearing house for producers and writers to interact. That's how this whole internet thing is supposed to work - interaction that leads to productivity. Some folks I know of (JR for example) have writing credits based solely on their query emails and contacts via the web.

Another site (in terms of work) is Craigslist (www.losangeles.craigslist.org) which allows free listings for people to hook up and hopefully get something done. There's Ifilm.com, Mandy.com, etc...that post classifieds of producers and writers, both looking to build their careers.

But...

I really can't sing the praises of Craigslist and the like sites because anyone can post on them.

Anyone.

That includes the so-called "producers" who don't have any experience, credits, and especially don't have any money. So I thought I would make up a list of my favorite phrases, buzzwords and clues posted on the net to let you know what they really mean. This will allow you to sniff out the bozos really quickly, and only respond to legit postings. They are there - you have to dig for 'em.

1. There is deferred pay = There is no pay.

2. Any mispelled words = bozo. This is especially true for words that are industry related. Examples: "muvie", "feeture", "development exectutive"...

3. I have a script that needs to be rewritten = I have a bunch of words on paper but it has no formatting, structure or coherence. Okay, all I have is an idea, but my dog's groomer thinks it's a great one.

4. This movie will be a great calling card for the chosen writer = I have no money and I don't know what I'm doing.

5. If they don't list their credits = bozo.

6. The script needs a part for a spunky 30 (40+) year-old male (or female) actor = The producer is getting money from an actor in exchange for a part in the movie to showcase their "talent." Hollywood hasn't discovered this amazing actor yet and all he/she needs is to get onscreen in a juicy part (or so the producer says as he cashes their check).

7. We want an ensemble drama = we have a group of people from our acting class who we can use for free.

8. This theatrical feature film will be shown at Sundance = it will probably be shot on HD for around $50K (or for whatever money we can scrape up) so that means you won't get paid.

9. We want a ( insert film genre or title here) type of movie = we want a script that will rip off superstar movie X that's making a ton of money at the boxoffice right now.

10. There is low pay = there is no pay.

11. Music video director seeks his first feature script = director has no credits. There is no pay.

12. Need screenplay based on my upcoming (novel, comic, graphic novel, t-shirt line) = I have not sold this to a publisher despite being rejected 1000 times, so let's see if we can make a movie about it first, then sell the book / graphic novel / t-shirt. Oh, that means there's no pay for the writer.

13 Multiple postings for actors, crew, and writer all at the same time = desperate bozo who doesn't know what he/she is doing.

I use the internet every day for work. It's a great research tool. It's a great communications tool.
But it needs to be taken with a grain of salt - just like tequila...

Stay tuned.

Finally!

Okay everyone - your friendly neighborhood pulpster is back! Finally!

What went wrong ?

Well, moving in LA is a chore and especially if you are moving to an unfamiliar area to most people.

DSL took nearly 30 days to get back to us to tell us that we didn't have DSL service in this area of town. Now I'm on cable modem, and couldn't be happier. To all those at SBC/Pac Bell, I simply have this to say to you:

YOU SUCK!

To those folks at Blogger who lost my site while moving servers ... you don't suck as bad, but there is a definite vacuum of quality there. I'm keeping my eye on you.

I will get back to the rest of you with details on what is happening with the Velvet Steamroller project, Items of interest in the DVD world, and general weirdness as it relates to my ever-changing pulp life.

And yes, there will be pictures!

Okay, Okay...

Been putting together the new house, organizing things and trying to get back on track. DSL still isn't in and Blogger screwed me when they moved servers. Long story short - lot's going on.

I'll be posting up pics of the new place and give you some news on my outline, which has been warmly received at Velvet Steamroller.

Stay tuned...

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