HOPE
A week later since my last post and things look much brighter. The Clintons and the Obamas united and a dream seems alive. No matter what your political affiliations, America stands a little taller today with Barack Obama officially nominated by the Democratic party to run for president of the United States of America.
And who needs more hope than us writers? I sent out several scripts last month and have only heard crickets since -- so instead of waiting like most writers do for a rejection or acceptance -- I wrote the producers. Three said they hadn't even looked at my script yet. Many ahead of mine in line. Patience. Hope.
My play is making the rounds to literary agents and artistic directors in New York. It's exciting to send out new work.
Hope is eternal.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
THE CANDIDATE
American voters should rent/watch that wonderful 1972 movie THE CANDIDATE starring Robert Redford. It gets better with age. Candidate Bill McKay. The perfect candidate.
In 2008, back in reality land, Obama picks Senator Joe Biden as his VP pick. I'm really beginning to wonder if the Dems aren't self-sabotages. I watched with disappointment as Al Gore and John Kerry bit the dust. Now Obama, a newbie, with super intelligence, picks a status quo mate -- when he could've guaranteed himself and his party a blowout WIN with Hillary Clinton by his side. Half of the Democratic Party voted for her. But Obama chose Biden. He picked a supporting player over a superstar player. Um, exactly how many presidential primary votes did Senator Joe get again? I don't remember. Do you?
Can we imagine a dynamic final scene? As the first African American president and the first female vice-president are sworn into office on a cold January day? Wow, just imagine... BUT NO... why be bold? Why go all out? Why mend fences? Why pick the best odds to win?
If like the others, Obama loses this election, he might travel on the documentary circuit instead of on Air Force One. Shouldn't the Dems be beating the Repubs in the polls considering the state of our country? Two wars? Bad economy? New Orleans and the World Trade Center site still not rebuilt?
Maybe Obama will use all of his brilliance to win an Oscar like Al.
Script note to the candidate: Obama, you can't beat McCain by playing it safe. Don't try. We want a bold hero. Think of your audience. Think of votes like box office. We want to leave the theater happy. Triumphant.
This election reminds me of a bad screenplay... starts off great... exciting... with many ups and downs... big obstacles for our heroes... major wins and losses... and then... we hit that all-important Third Act... and suddenly the plot fizzles... flat-lines... the characters become predicatable and boring... and we leave the theater scratching our heads saying "If only they did this... or did that... it would've all ended well."
Rent The Candidate, people. It truly is timeless.
Janet Lawler
Astoria, NY
American voters should rent/watch that wonderful 1972 movie THE CANDIDATE starring Robert Redford. It gets better with age. Candidate Bill McKay. The perfect candidate.
In 2008, back in reality land, Obama picks Senator Joe Biden as his VP pick. I'm really beginning to wonder if the Dems aren't self-sabotages. I watched with disappointment as Al Gore and John Kerry bit the dust. Now Obama, a newbie, with super intelligence, picks a status quo mate -- when he could've guaranteed himself and his party a blowout WIN with Hillary Clinton by his side. Half of the Democratic Party voted for her. But Obama chose Biden. He picked a supporting player over a superstar player. Um, exactly how many presidential primary votes did Senator Joe get again? I don't remember. Do you?
Can we imagine a dynamic final scene? As the first African American president and the first female vice-president are sworn into office on a cold January day? Wow, just imagine... BUT NO... why be bold? Why go all out? Why mend fences? Why pick the best odds to win?
If like the others, Obama loses this election, he might travel on the documentary circuit instead of on Air Force One. Shouldn't the Dems be beating the Repubs in the polls considering the state of our country? Two wars? Bad economy? New Orleans and the World Trade Center site still not rebuilt?
Maybe Obama will use all of his brilliance to win an Oscar like Al.
Script note to the candidate: Obama, you can't beat McCain by playing it safe. Don't try. We want a bold hero. Think of your audience. Think of votes like box office. We want to leave the theater happy. Triumphant.
This election reminds me of a bad screenplay... starts off great... exciting... with many ups and downs... big obstacles for our heroes... major wins and losses... and then... we hit that all-important Third Act... and suddenly the plot fizzles... flat-lines... the characters become predicatable and boring... and we leave the theater scratching our heads saying "If only they did this... or did that... it would've all ended well."
Rent The Candidate, people. It truly is timeless.
Janet Lawler
Astoria, NY
Saturday, August 16, 2008
AUGUST
It's tough to write with the excitement of the Olympics going on this summer. I'm spending more time watching the Games online and on TV than I thought. It's thrilling and motivating when you see these athletes achieve their goals after working so hard for so long. And how heart breaking is it to see someone work their whole life for this one moment -- and it slips away?
I finished the second draft of my play On the Nod. I'm sending it to theater groups in New York and to some companies across the country. The requirements are different for each submission, but overall, it's easier than submitting screenplays to LA producers, etc. Actors and theater directors are hungry for material and welcome writers. It's a wonderful thing.
On a side note, one of my best friends is an aspiring novelist. Her laptop went on the blink. She's a mother of four -- three kids in college -- one still in grade school. She's spending money on her family and life. No money for a new laptop with the winter heating bill right around the corner. She e-mailed me today to tell me how she woke up this morning and went downstairs to make coffee -- her usual routine -- when she spotted a LARGE gift package on the kitchen table. Her husband bought her a brand new laptop. How sweet is that? No wonder they've been married 25 years.
That husband gets the gold medal in my book!
Go USA -- Go World!
It's tough to write with the excitement of the Olympics going on this summer. I'm spending more time watching the Games online and on TV than I thought. It's thrilling and motivating when you see these athletes achieve their goals after working so hard for so long. And how heart breaking is it to see someone work their whole life for this one moment -- and it slips away?
I finished the second draft of my play On the Nod. I'm sending it to theater groups in New York and to some companies across the country. The requirements are different for each submission, but overall, it's easier than submitting screenplays to LA producers, etc. Actors and theater directors are hungry for material and welcome writers. It's a wonderful thing.
On a side note, one of my best friends is an aspiring novelist. Her laptop went on the blink. She's a mother of four -- three kids in college -- one still in grade school. She's spending money on her family and life. No money for a new laptop with the winter heating bill right around the corner. She e-mailed me today to tell me how she woke up this morning and went downstairs to make coffee -- her usual routine -- when she spotted a LARGE gift package on the kitchen table. Her husband bought her a brand new laptop. How sweet is that? No wonder they've been married 25 years.
That husband gets the gold medal in my book!
Go USA -- Go World!
Saturday, August 09, 2008
ACROSS THE POND
I'm sending a few scripts to London. There are some agents and producers there receptive to new material, especially from U.S. writers. Wondering if anyone here has submitted materials abroad? In this internet age, distance isn't a problem with electronic submissions of scripts and many of the London agents have offices in New York or LA. Curious on your thoughts out there.
I've finished a solid draft of my play. It's going to be a work in progress for a long time, especially when it's read aloud and performed. Rewrites, rewrites. That's going to be the exciting part -- seeing what actors do with it. There are some great playwriting groups in NYC who help workshop early drafts.
Write on.
I'm sending a few scripts to London. There are some agents and producers there receptive to new material, especially from U.S. writers. Wondering if anyone here has submitted materials abroad? In this internet age, distance isn't a problem with electronic submissions of scripts and many of the London agents have offices in New York or LA. Curious on your thoughts out there.
I've finished a solid draft of my play. It's going to be a work in progress for a long time, especially when it's read aloud and performed. Rewrites, rewrites. That's going to be the exciting part -- seeing what actors do with it. There are some great playwriting groups in NYC who help workshop early drafts.
Write on.
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