So, yes, Cricket Hill is being optioned. In a nutshell, Cricket Hill would be like The Royal Tennenbaums meets American Beauty, or as the Development dude from the company that optioned it puts it: American Beauty on acid.
And it has Voice Over....Ah, run! That was for you, Voice-Over haters.
The paperwork is on its way, so the option will begin shortly. What is an option, Olaf has asked. Basically, for a set amount, this company is buying the rights to Cricket hill for 1 year and in that time they are going to try to put a package together (attach a director, some kick-ass actors, etc) and gain financing. The plan is to get it made independently and get it to Sundance, which they have already done in the past to great success.
It's a good place, this company, I feel very comfortable working with them. They've got a couple features already under their belt (yes, stuff you've actually heard of), and they are going into production on another feature in 2 weeks (starring several well-known actors you've heard of), and it is some of those actors that they'll be approaching for my script.
They asked me if I wanted to direct. And I don't. Not on this one. I've directed 3 features and 5 shorts in my time, all low-low budget and with local actors. With the caliber of talent they're going to get involved on this baby, I become an instant liability. What the hell have I directed, the financers will ask. Nothing of note. And with the type of directors they said that they'll approach with it, they'll bring a lot more to the table. The directors they have relationships with have all had theatrically-released features.
Re-writes? They'll be minor. Touch-ups, basically. Not a Page 1 re-write in the least. A few tweaks here and there, and I've got no problem with that. I'm not going to be re-written, and will be on-set when the time comes.
By the way, thanks for the onslaught of support and congrats. You guys totally rock and I'll be looking forward to some of your upcoming successes!
14 comments:
Hey, I *love* voice-over.
Make sure you keep us all posted (pun intended), and don't forget to drop names. ;)
I will certainly keep you posted as things move along.
It's not so much that it's a secret, but honestly I'd be afraid of a barrage of unwanted queries to the company.
I've seen over at Robert Hogan's blog where some "anonymous" posters have pestered him for details of his successes so they can in turn go and try to bother the same people, which pisses on anything Robert has earned.
Plus I want everything all good & signed and official, so I'm a believer in trying not to jinx myself.
Well earned encouragement from the blogosphere. Don't forget to update us, though.
You're playing it right. The success is yours and no one should expect anything from your career. Keep up the good work!
I don't get the deal with the bad rap on voice overs. I've hardly ever seen an instance where I didn't enjoy it, or at least thought it added something to the movie. A lot must depend on who is doing the VO. If it's Morgan Freeman, the film is a hit. If it's Charro, then there's trouble.
Anyhow, man, you're the MAN!
What if Morgan narrates a film with Charro. Does she havea blog, by the way?
Yeah, I'm pro-voice-over, as those of you who have read my previous posts on the topic. I'm not a fan of voice-overs telling us EXACTLY what the character is thinking, but in some cases it can really add to the story.
congrats, patrick! and add another voice-over fan to your pack...
That's fabulous. Congrats, Patrick!
It's funny how rules are made and then when a film that might be considered great comes along just destroys them.
Three films where VO makes the film work on a whole other level:
Taxi Driver
Fight Club
Sunset Boulevard
Let's see McKee trash these titles!
Many, many well-earned kudos to you! I hope things move quickly and painlessly and that you make it to Sundance! I have very much enjoyed your writing on this blog and I look forward to your continued success...
(Scribosphere raises their half-full glasses and bottles.)
To Rodio! Here's hoping that you get to spend more time writing and less time scaring the shit out of crack whores!
Slainte!
(Scribosphere imbibes.)
Thanks, Alicia, and to everyone. I'll update its progress frequently.
And yes, think about Taxi Driver without Travis' creepy inside-his-head voice-over! Sometimes, it's necessary!
Voice-over is the surest sign of a terrible film. Why, just consider Adaptation, The Apartment, Sunset Boulevard...
Hmm. Someone may need to rethink that little gem of a "rule."
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