Digging Up The Dead

Nearly 10 years ago I was stewing over an story idea about a guy coming to terms with his impending 30th birthday. It was, effectively, a dark, comedic look at the point where you realize you have to stop being a 20-something knucklehead, and own to up the adult life that you're actually living.

Over drinks one night I discussed the pitch with a good buddy who loved the idea. He eventually became my writing partner and we wrote the screenplay, as well as a bunch of other stuff.

Unfortunately, I think the final result was a mediocre script that was totally watered down from the original concept. It ended up being a series of sitcom-esque moments with sitcom-esque characters and the whole thing was weak.

We finished it, showed it to a few people, got lukewarm response, and it went to the shelf where it sat... moldy.

The thing is, I've always been in love with the basic concept of the story. A guy, coming to terms with where he's at in life. It's a theme we all deal with every day and, I think, the protagonist in this story does it rather uniquely.

And... well... I'm now staring down the barrel of a gun at 40. And this character keeps coming back to me... now older... now in a different life than originally imagined... but there he is. Facing 40. Dreading his mid-life. Wondering what comes next. Evaluating his existence and wondering where he goes next.

I want to write this screenplay again, from the ground up. I want to tell this guy's story. My story. Hell - the story of pretty much any guy in his late 30's wondering what happens next.

But here's the catch. I originally had the story concept - which is really all I want at this point. But then I went off and wrote it with another person. Which means, in effect, he owns 1/2 of the story.

Mind you, I want to completely retell it. But... he still owns 1/2 of the current story.

So I've gone back to my old writing partner to see if he'll relinquish the rights to it, so that I can once again try to tell it. I wasn't sure what he'd say but, literally, halfway through writing this post the phone rang.

He totally got where I want to take the story. He, too, is in his late 30's, and gets how easily the story can be updated to a perspective we both understand so clearly. And he was a true friend and a great business partner in telling me that I can define how I want ownership of the property to go.

So... Dave and I have several irons in the fire. I've committed to finishing my latest revisions to the unnamed Broadway-musical/Margaret Atwood adaptation/alien-invasion/gay porn screenplay by the end of this week. We'll then put a wrapper on it and send it out to get feedback on.

Next we plan to pitch one another one script ideas for the mysterious "production company you've heard of" that had Siege awhile back. We're hoping to go back in with some pitches and see if anything piques their curiosity.

And then, last but not least, I'm sh*tcanning the crap "new idea" I had in favor of this updated "old idea" from 10 years ago, with the hopes of it being the opus I always dreamed it would be. I'll keep you posted on how that goes, since I originally dreamt it up before the Tried And True BMovieWriters Rules were in place. It may be tough sandwiching in a lesbian sex scene and a role for Natalie Portman, but I'm up for the challenge.

- Charlie