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Arts, David Trottier, North Texas, Screenplay, Screenwriter, Screenwriting, Sixth Sense, Spec script, Television, Television pilot
There is that point in your life when you step back and ask yourself, “How the heck did I get here and how am I able to do this?!” Your this may be very different from mine. But a recent revelation has prompted me to recognize and pay attention to those moments when they surface. It is those moments that seem to catapult me into a creative frenzy and I am no longer fighting the feeling.
Early November I started a three week medical leave from my day job. I was told to take it easy in order to have a successful recovery. The week prior to surgery I was wondering “What the heck am I going to do for three weeks?!” I don’t have cable and the instructions were very clear, “Travel and exercise are not an option.”
One evening prior to surgery, I walked into my apartment, turned on the TV (for company) and like any other day began dinner. As I puttered around the kitchen listening to the evening news I realized there were an unusual amount of stories about inappropriate behavior at various schools across the nation. I thought (out loud) to myself, “Are these kids learning anything?” That thought prompted what would occupy my time during my downtime from surgery.
From Nov 9th until . . . well, until I develop an ending, I have been writing screenplays. Writing a screenplay isn’t something super new to me. I wrote my first (an only) one the first year of college many, many years ago. Since my focus was always on acting, I never really gave writing any thought. Sure, I’ve written grants, policies, procedures, company manuals and a host of other things associated with my jobs over the years. Heck, I’ve even written and self-published a book. But . . . a screenplay? I hadn’t given it much thought since those decades ago.
Knowing that I was not a screenwriter by trade I knew I would need some tools to learn the correct process and three weeks of bed rest was not going to allow for a class or seminar. After searching the web for a reference I decided “The Screenwriter’s Bible” by David Trottier was going to be my best bet. All of the questions I had were actually outlined in the table of contents.
So, I was prompted by a newscast to write a screenplay pertaining to the school system. I had obtained a book that is pretty much by the numbers in structuring the script from start to finish and I had nothing but time to invest in this project. Pretty cut and dry, right? Right! But, why?
Since November 9th until the moment I began this blog I had been diligently writing. I’ve actually begun several screenplays. That may be because after my three weeks off there was an ice storm in North Texas that turned many of us into hostages. So, the additional week off has really stirred something in me.
But as I sat writing another episode to the first script I wondered, “How am I able to form these ideas? Where is this stuff coming from? Who are these people (characters) and why are they in my head?” I even went as far as to go through old shows I had watched to make sure I hadn’t plagiarized anyone else’s work. Then it hit me. “Gail, you’ve lived a really full and odd life. Shut up and write!”
What I realize is my characters are from this weird journey I’ve had the luxury of living. I used to complain about so many aspects of my life; living in not so nice conditions as a child, not being able to advance in my jobs as an adult, and multiple isms to deal with in general. But now I can, genuinely, tell a story that offers a firsthand account of what the character is doing or going through. When I write “. . . as the sickly sweet essence of crack waifs through the room . . .” I’m not conjuring up thoughts from something I’ve heard. I’m actually reliving my time as an admin assistant, working at a police station. I still remember the day the detectives called me in to take a deposition from a guy who was so wasted on crack cocaine that he had no idea his clothes were soaked in blood and the brain matter of one of his friends who had been shot sitting right next to him. That and the sickly sweet scent covering him is what I remembered most about that evening.
As I’ve began writing, I started (as I do too often) doubting my ability to sound believable. I questioned my writing style, speed and all of the content I had written along with syntax, grammar, structure and phrasing. I wondered if I were being respectful and honest with and about the characters. This is where I had to hit pause and do inventory. I wrote 1 (ONE) script in college DECADES ago, I’ve written a pilot script, spec script and have started three movie scripts in the last three and half weeks – WEEKS. Other than the fact that I know how to write, I am at a total lost with every other aspect of what I’m doing. So my inner self is saying, “GAIL! GET OVER YOURSELF ALREADY!!!!!”.
Those of you who are too ambitious for your own good need to hear that – get over yourself. If you want to then write – do it ad nauseum! But, write. I have to remind myself that I had no desire or inclination to write a screenplay. It popped into my head and I did it. Now, it feels right. So I’ll keep doing it. I’ve always had the spirit of a scribe. But I was thinking in terms of books, novels and poetry. I never thought to channel that energy into a possible movie or television series.
My point is: If you fall into something out of the ordinary of your daily grind – lean into it. If you decide it’s not for you – put it on the shelf. If it becomes a tremendous success – celebrate. Those things that whisper to you in the night are not to be ignored. Some of what I write has the eeriness of the movie The Sixth Sense. It’s as if ghosts want me to tell their stories and when I don’t pay attention they start to prod me through evening newscasts.
If writing is your thing, start with one sentence or even a title. Go at a pace that will not exhaust you or cause you to hate the craft. I have to realize that the spec script is the crawling phase. Once I get some feedback then I’ll think of it as walking. But I can’t see being in full stride until I have at least five really good stories and get feedback from industry professionals. I also need to keep developing these first projects in order for people to want to know more about the characters. This also means I’ll be seeking more classes, workshops and groups to help me hone this newly regenerated craft.
Those things that are familiar to you? Those things you once complained, cried or cussed about? They are what shapes your acting, writing, dancing, singing . . . all of creativity. Be thankful to have lived through it and to have the presence of mind to want to share it through your craft.
There are many things I’ve learned through this journey I can write about without fear or hesitation. But, trust me, I never, EVER want to experience or be in the presence of many of those issues/events EVER again. Several things that immediately come to mind:
- Being in the presence of crack, meth or any other addictive spirit that consumes the souls of a person.
- Hearing the screams of residents trying to evacuate a blazing apartment complex.
- Listening to someone try to justify why they abused another person in an effort to stay out of jail. It only makes sense in their sick little world.
- Interacting with my boyfriend’s friends and family members – only to find out he’s not really single.
- Being lost on the Chuo Expressway in Japan with no formal training on how to read Kanji.
- Falling down a hill only to land face-to-face with the butt of a carabao.
- Yodeling at 4AM. You had to be there!
- Tequila!
If you are diligently seeking ways to have your heart’s desire manifest might I suggest you listen to the whispers in the night? While you’re searching it may be in a evening newscast, overheard in a casual conversation while standing in the check out line or just a tap on the shoulder waiting for you to release it. Don’t worry about the timing. 3 weeks or 30 years, when it happens that will be the right time.
#Breakaleg #Dallastalent