I've almost finished writing my script. By the end of February, I should have completed the first (and last: I only write prodigy-style) draft. After that, all I need to do is either sell it (a cop-out, I admit) or direct it. Either of these results will equal success at my high school reunion. As my friend Nick Stevens - who just visited New York recently - pointed out, even if I just sold the script, the pre-production buzz about what actors were going to play what characters, who was going to direct, etc. would overshadow just about every "Wow, so you produced Napoleon Dynamite, huh? Sweet!" conversation.
To be able to sell or raise funding to direct the script, however, I need contacts. I have a few already. But I need more. To this end, I am volunteering at the Sundance Film Festival starting about a week from now. I have a friend to stay with in Salt Lake City, but the main action is in Park City. Unfortunately, I don't have a driver's license, for reasons explained in the last entry of my very first blog, 'it's a mod, mod, mod, mod world,' so I would need a ride to and from SLC/Park City every single day of the festival. OR, I would need a way to stay in Park City.
Are there any Utah-based Beat Jeremy Coon readers who can help me?
At the moment I'm in Los Angeles. This is a city I've defended for many a year, shielding it from what I once thought was the irrational, inexplicable hate I would witness every time the city merely came up in conversation. After this trip, however, I agree. Los Angeles is a cold, merciless city with nothing to offer but a stiff neck from sleeping on a stranger's couch and some really good friends. Get out of L.A., guys! The frozen, snowy arms of Salt Lake City look much warmer to me now than the sunny shores of Venice.
I don't know anyone in Utah, but you could try www.couchsurfing.com
Posted by: Leslie | January 12, 2007 at 11:37 AM
I am taking a small group of high school students from the Carrollton, Texas area this year to Sundance. I teach film at RL turner High school. WE found out the transit system in Park City is free and travels all around the area. I don't think you will have a problem with transporation.
I am starting Harry Preston's screenwriting class this week. Does he represent one of your scripts?
Posted by: Jasojn | January 14, 2007 at 05:53 PM
You know, I live in Utah and would love to give you a lift. Unfortunately, I live in Provo which is almost an hour from SLC. The person who commented above is right, though. There should be tons of public transportation going back and forth from Salt Lake to Park City, especially with Sundance going on.
But if you need a lift in the Provo area, let me know. I'll spread the word that you are looking for rides to all of the peeps in my area.
Posted by: abby | January 15, 2007 at 06:55 PM
Yeah, LA isn't what it's all cracked up to be. I'm originally from SLC but I'm here finishing my graduate degree in film at Art Center College of Design. I plan to move back to Utah and commute when I can for any projects that arise. Hopefully everything works out for you while in Salt Lake getting to and from Park City.
Posted by: Nate Fackrell | January 15, 2007 at 10:13 PM
Jason,
How did you find out about Harry Preston? I took his screenwriting class 11 years ago, and I went to his "Friday Night" screenplay reading sessions every week after that for a couple of years. He does technically represent one of my scripts, though it's not a sellable script, so it's kind of irrelevant. He and I used to be close, but now that I no longer have a car, I've never found a way to see him whenever I'm in Dallas.
And Abby, afraid I won't be in Provo at all this trip, but thanks for the offer. Maybe I'll see you in Park City. And let me know if you find anyone from SLC driving to Park City.
Rhys
Posted by: Rhys Southan | January 17, 2007 at 03:10 PM
I am taking a screenwriters class at a local community college in Dallas. I actually start tomorrow. How are his classes? Are they worth it?
Posted by: Jason | January 17, 2007 at 05:51 PM
I love Harry, and he will teach you how to properly format and structure scripts. The funny thing is that he doesn't watch movies anymore. He will probably say something to the effect that there hasn't been a good movie since the '60s. His taste in films is very old fashioned. He'll decry modern movie theaters with their stadium seats and surround sounds and say Kate Winslet was ugly in Titanic, but he'll teach the basics well. And he's fun to be around.
Posted by: Rhys Southan | January 20, 2007 at 05:00 AM
I got that from the first class. He has an old Hollywood mindset. He knows his craft, which is good. It will be hard to create something that will be in line with his taste, but I will just write and go from there. Now it is time to buckle down and get my treatment and the first 15 pages done.
Posted by: Jason | January 20, 2007 at 11:40 AM
I tried my hardest to find you a place in Park City. Now, where's your long overdue post?
Posted by: Nicole | January 30, 2007 at 02:16 AM
Check the post:
http://www.rhapsidiom.com/2007/02/plea.html.
Posted by: Rhapsidiomite | February 08, 2007 at 01:12 AM
Woops, fixed:
http://www.rhapsidiom.com/2007/02/plea.html
Posted by: Rhapsidiomite | February 08, 2007 at 01:14 AM
Rhys,
You post some very personal information of people without, and I'm guessing here, consulting/asking permission.
As you did not appreciate the coercive lap dance and cookie licking, please consider that some people do not wish to share their personal lives with the public.
On a lighter note - I thouroughly enjoyed the story about parking/bumping the professor's car and your subsequent Court battle. The dialogue between yourself, the prosecutor and the judge was hilarious. I laughed out loud. Thanks for the laugh!
Posted by: Patrick Coover | February 23, 2007 at 03:08 PM
Rhys,
You post some very personal information of people without, and I'm guessing here, consulting/asking permission.
As you did not appreciate the coercive lap dance and cookie licking, please consider that some people do not wish to share their personal lives with the public.
On a lighter note - I thouroughly enjoyed the story about parking/bumping the professor's car and your subsequent Court battle. The dialogue between yourself, the prosecutor and the judge was hilarious. I laughed out loud. Thanks for the laugh!
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