| :: Tuesday,
December 16, 2003::
Has it really been nine
months since my last entry?!? Well, "ROADSHOW!"
is still in search of financing and a producer (other than myself).
Thought I had Scott Swofford onboard, but then he and Deseret
Book announced the production of "The Work and the
Glory," so he's busy for the next decade or so. Maybe
he'll need a break from the intensity of the Lund works and
want to do a simple little film about coming of age in the Sixties
like mine. Maybe the revenues and budgets will have grown by
then, too. Maybe the Three Nephites will pay me a visit at Church
next Sunday...
Oh well, it's a good story
and I'm not giving up, but I need to get on with something new.
I'm debating whether or not to get back to work on my magnum
opus on the life of my grandfather, or do something a bit
simpler first. Excel Entertainment was excited for me to get
a treatment on Grandpa to them, but I have been eliciting family
support for the effort first, since I could never accomplish
such an effort without it. And, of course, I won't be able to
profit from Grandpa's name. I'll be donating my share -- probably
to the Missionary Committee. Looks as though the family is behind
me.
I really will try and get
back into the habit of entering (some of) my thoughts here.
:: Wednesday, March
05, 2003 ::
Well, my new screenplay, "ROADSHOW!"
is complete and "out there" for prospective financiers, executive
producers, et al. As I had feared, there is another work called
"Road Show" in some stage of development, but I can't yet
determine how far along it is. At least my screenplay is done,
even if it is only to be yet another in my body of unproduced
works. The "other" property is billed on ldsfilm.com
as a Mormon version of Moulin Rouge, which means that
the two properties are probably vastly different. I'm trying to
contact the other producer, Cary Derbidge, who has done "Out
of Step", but I don't have his contact info yet.
Script is currently in the hands of two distributors, another
producer, a director, a cinematographer and an actor, as well
as assorted friends and relatives. Haven't gotten any "real"
feedback on it yet. Family loves it. One friend has been honest
enough to say he didn't like it because, in general, he can't
stand stuff targeted at the "Mormon market." His quote was a
left-handed compliment: "You writing this is like a great composer
wasting his time writing New Age music." I guess I should be
flattered. Frankly, it hurt, though, because there is a lot
of "me" that went into this script. Fortunately, he acknowledges
that he's just an old curmudgeon (and growing more so by the
day). Old farts never die, they just make everybody uncomfortable.
Time will tell.
I'm torn over whether to return to Saving
Hollywood, the Novel or to do a rewrite of the "EXTRA
PAY" script. A third alternative is to begin developing
"SAVING HOLLYWOOD" as a screenplay, which is very likely
the course I will take. I love the screenplay format and it's
a story I really want to tell in some form. Then again, one
of these days, I need to do a complete overhaul on "LAST
LOVE", now that I have the real story in mind. And it wouldn't
hurt to re-vamp "C'EST L'AMOUR" to tone-down some of
the more objectionable parts...
"Oh, and don't quit your day job."
Manny is alive and well.
:: J. Scott 3:49 PM ::
:: Friday, January 31, 2003 ::
I'm writing again! No, I don't mean here,
though I'm doing that, too. I've got a screenplay in the works
and it feels so great to be doing something creative for a change.
It means I'm leaving the novel, "Saving Hollywood," on the back
burner for awhile longer -- to very few, if any, regrets of
my site visitors. I only know of one guy who wishes I'd get
on with the story. (Hi Joel!)
Screenplay is coming together fast, though.
I'm already on page 42 or so, which means I should be approaching
the halfway mark. I'm not going to work through it here, however.
Paranoia being what it is, I feel that, for its market, at least,
it's a great story title and setting, which somebody will capitalize
on if I don't do it first. I will note that this one is targeted
at the LDS market and movie-goer, rather than at the studio-movie
crowd or even the indie-goer, for that matter. While it is set
in an LDS universe, the themes are (I believe) universal, however.
Time will tell.
Part of my intent is to try and get a
foot in the door with some of the LDS distribs currently operating
in the market, i.e. Excel Entertainment and Feature Films for
Families. My feeling is that we're just seeing the tip of the
iceberg, when it comes to Mormon entertainment. There is a real
hunger for well-produced stories and entertainment that reflect
the doctrines and values of Mormonism, while still placing the
characters in real-word settings and situations. One of my earlier
complaints about LDS-themed material was that it was afraid
to depict darkness and shadows, yet, as Nephi so eloquently
states,
"For it must needs be, that
there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born
in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass,
neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good
nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in
one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain
as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor
incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility."
(II Nephi 2:11)
In this sense, Art must definitely imitate
Life.
More to come...
:: J. Scott 1:43 PM ::
:: Monday, December 23, 2002 ::
I've been on the phone...
I seem to be having trouble with motivation of late. Work is
hum-drum. I need to get excited about a story and be writing
it. Meantime, to kill time, I'm starting a list of celebrities
whom I've met, worked with or at least rubbed shoulders with.
It probably won't be comprehensive, but if Blogger allows, I'll
come back and add to it from time to time. Ready? Begin:
Alan Alda - PAF Benefit, Washington, DC, 1989
Bess Armstrong - PAF Benefit, Washington, DC, 1989
Ed Bagley, Jr.,
Genevieve Bujold,
Gary Burghoff,
George Bush,
George W. Bush,
James Cameron,
Frank Capra,
Cher - PAF Benefit, Washington, DC, 1989
William Christopher,
Gary Collins,
Jamie Lee Curtis,
Billy Davis, Jr.,
Dana Delaney - PAF Benefit, Washington, DC, 1989
Dom DeLuise,
Jimmy Durante,
Barbara Eden,
Mick Fleetwood,
Dennis Franz,
Debbie Gibson,
Rudi Giulianni,
Elizabeth Glaser - PAF Benefit, Washington, DC, 1989
Paul Michael Glaser - PAF Benefit, Washington, DC, 1989
John Gorka,
Tom Hanks,
Mary Hart,
Bob Hope,
Al Jardine,
The Jets,
Henry Kissinger,
Jane Leeves,
Mike Love,
Shirley MacLane,
William H. Macy,
Monte Markham,
Marilyn McCoo,
Mary McDonough,
MaryAnn Mobley,
Rita Moreno,
Mickey Mouse,
Olivia Newton-John,
Merlin Olson,
Allan Osmond,
Donny Osmond,
Jay Osmond,
Jimmy Osmond,
Marie Osmond,
Merrill Osmond,
Wayne Osmond,
Amanda Plummer,
Dan Quayle,
Julia Roberts,
Robin Roberts,
Ally Sheedy,
James Shigeta,
Jimmy Smits,
Jimmy Stewart,
Susan Strassberg,
Loretta Swit,
Mel Torme,
Vanity,
Mike Wallace,
Dr. Ruth Westheimer,
Andy Williams,
Treat Williams,
Carl Wilson,
Steve Young,
:: J. Scott 10:20 AM ::
...
:: Thursday, November 14, 2002 ::
Been awhile. We got Eric into the MTC and he's doing
well: already a district leader over other elders. He'll be leaving
around the 20th for Toronto. We're proud of him. Gloria's got
a little empty nest blues, but she knows he's where he should
be.
Things are tight for us. When it rains, it pours. Clutch went
out on the Jeep. Property taxes are due Dec. 2nd. Bills, bills,
bills. And Christmas is coming.
I've resorted to putting an "Amazon Honor Code" link on the
site, in hopes that maybe some of the folks who visit will consider
donating a buck or two if they listen to my songs, read my screenplay,
articles, etc., or maybe just want to do a good turn for an
starving artist/state employee -- okay, not starving, but just
eeking along.
I've been spending a fair amount of time lately, trying to
determine exactly where the pivotal point in my life occurred
that set me on the downward slide from which I'm just now starting
to recover. But maybe that is an exercise in futility; I mean,
there were the divorces and the failed businesses and the bankruptcy,
etc., but there were things earlier on -- "little sins" that
put the chink in my armour. Maybe there wasn't one pivotal point,
but just a lot of little slips which, when combined with my
ever-growing ego finally turned into full-blown self-destruct
mode.
Through this lament, I need to acknowledge a great deal of
joy and gratitude for the greatest blessing of all: the return
of my wife and family. "No success in life can compensate for
failure in the home." Fortunately, I have turned things at home
around and do now feel truly successful. That said, with regard
to the rest of my life, outside the home, the thing is, I've
always been blessed with a good deal of talent and intelligence,
but not a great amount of practical savvy. I've had to learn
what I have of that in the school of hard knocks.
It is eminently difficult for me to accept the fact that I
have not been able to make a greater contribution to society.
I acknowledge that I have been able to help people through productions
I have done for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Children's Miracle
Network, as well as the George H. W. Bush Inaugural, ZiNj-TV,
Tabernacle Choir, "Mr. Krueger's Christmas," etc. etc. etc.,
but I've never been able to establish a real presence to make
an ongoing contribution. My creative works have largely gone
unnoticed and my ability to contribute capital to worthy causes
has been minimal, at best. It is ironic to me that, for all
the negative aspects of big business and the "Babylon" of Hollywood,
much good is done as a result of their contributions. O, to
have the resources and the "clout" of a Steven Spielberg or
a Tom Hanks, not for the glory and self-aggrandizement (anymore),
but for the good I could accomplish in the lives of others.
Gloria tells me that I've been "thinking old" lately and I
have to confess that she's probably right. In a world where
youth is valued and rewarded at every turn, it's sometimes difficult
to convince myself that I am still a viable, intelligent, creative
human being with wisdom and insights gleaned over (just) half
a lifetime. We're told not to judge our successes by others'
standards, but even judging them by my standards, I fall way
short in the good that I want to do. Well. My philosophy is
that "if you want to change your life, change your mind." It's
time to walk my talk and change my mind about what my prospects
are. Manny, my muse, would say, "Shape-up, kid. You're just
getting started! Now get to work!"
-jsi
:: J. Scott 10:13 AM ::
:: Monday, October 28, 2002 ::
Feeling better than last Friday. It's only money and
we had a wonderful weekend with family. My grandson, Keyan (Rachel's
son), was baptized. What a great feeling it is to know that our
family is, to a large extent, back on track in the Church.
This is going to be an eventful week as we take Eric to the
Missionary Training Center in Provo on Wednesday. He will be
set apart as an LDS Missionary on Tuesday evening and I'll get
to be his companion for about 18 hours. Missionaries are never
supposed to be alone. After we say farewell to him at the MTC,
he'll reside there for about three weeks before heading for
Canada/Toronto West Mission. Our prayers go with him. He's a
fine young man and he'll do well.
I do want to say a few more things about money, since it's
obviously on the brain these days.
I grew up in a family that was decidedly upper middle class.
We weren't rich, by any stretch of the imagination, but Dad
was a noted Salt Lake attorney and made a good living. My parents
were thrifty, even frugal, and the motto was "Use it up, Wear
it out, Make it do or Do Without!" Still, I always got what
I wanted for Christmas and birthdays (except that one Christmas
when I changed my mind at about nine p.m. on Christmas Eve and
told Santa I wanted skis instead of a bowling ball).
As an adopted child, my folks probably indulged me a bit more
than they should have, and I most certainly knew how to pout
and holler when I didn't get my way. Anyway, I never wanted
for much. Consequently, even though my parents always told me
to save my money, I just didn't care much about it. I didn't
think much about it at all; I mean, why bother, when there were
butterflies to chase and bikes to ride and bows and arrows to
shoot and so many fun things to do?
I remember as it grew time for me to prepare for my mission,
Mom gave me a very stern warning about saving my money, but
by then, the pattern had been set. I even remember telling her
that money was not important to me; that I was going to go to
med school after my mission and college, and when I graduated
I was going to be a doctor and so I wouldn't have to worry about
money then, either. Can you say "Blind Fool?"
I married shortly after returning from my mission. I didn't
get accepted to med school, and money has been in short supply,
ever since. Still, I've made my share of it. Sometimes, I think
I'm not meant to have it in any great excess. Even during the
times when I've had a savings program going, it always seemed
as though the cash emergencies expanded to sap whatever capital
was stashed away. I'm not talking about "oh, we have to get
that whatever, because we now have some money in the bank."
I'm talking about the car blowing up, or the unforeseen medical,
or one of a gazillion other things that only seemed to happen
when we had a savings account. Ironically, as long as we were
living paycheck to paycheck, the car usually worked, the kids
stayed healthy, etc., etc. Why is that?!
Is there such a thing as a money gene? I've watched many in
my extended family become millionaires and extremely successful
businesspeople, while I've always had to struggle. Is it because
I'm adopted and didn't inherit that particular gene? My family
has always been very generous in their praise of my talent and
creativity. Well, I took my talent and creativity and tried
to make a go of it away from family, out in the Lone and Dreary
World, for much of my life and, though I had many fantastic
experiences and opportunities, it has always been a bust, financially.
People have tried to help. I have one former missionary companion
who has been more than generous in helping me get back on my
feet during tough times.
I don't want this to sound like a "poor me" lament. If anything,
I've come to accept it as my lot in life. I still work and strive
and I really do try to save a little extra, as well as cut my
expenses wherever possible. My Patriarchal Blessing said I would
be blessed with the things of this earth requisite to the fulfilling
of my mission in life, and that has been exactly the case --
even during my extended period of inactivity in the Church.
Over the past decade, or so, I've come to adopt the "I have
just enough" attitude and it seems to work about ninety-five
percent of the time. What about the other five percent? Well,
I'll just have to leave that in the Lord's hands. It's all His,
anyway.
:: J. Scott 9:41 AM ::
...
:: Friday, October 25, 2002 ::
Ooo... It's ugly today. Today is payday, but the account
is already at $0.00. We're trying to get Eric, our oldest boy
out into the missionfield (Canada/Toronto West) and he enters
the MTC next Wednesday, so there have been extra expenses. The
mortgage payment just went through, so that's the good news, but
the tithing payment didn't yet and that's bad. Maybe I can ask
the Bishop to hold the check for two weeks. I know this is a test
of faith, but it gets real tiring that it's always the same test
-- finances. We'll weather the storm somehow and I'm making a
solemn vow that when we finally get our VISA paid down, the card
gets snipped. Compared to many, we really don't have a huge balance,
but it's big enough that I'm paying $150 or so in interest per
month and that's insane. Maybe it's time to call Debt Free Living
and see what they have to say. Gloria's getting ready to go out
and get a job. I hate to see her have to do so, but with Eric's
added expenses, I'm afraid it is necessary -- unless I can sell
some of my creative works. Yo... Anybody reading this want to
buy a song or a screenplay? Bargain rates! Visit my homepage
for links to the songs and scripts for sale. I'm going to quit
writing for now until I'm in a better mood.
:: J. Scott 9:37 AM ::
...
:: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 ::
I am still bothered about losing
yesterday's initial post. I told the story of my adoption as it
has come down to me from my mom. Maybe I just wasn't supposed
to record it here. Well, I'll get it into some journal form at
some point, but I don't have the energy or the inclination to
write it again right now.
So what do I say? Yesterday's post started out as a discussion
of "Returned Mormon Prodigal." Suffice it to say that I was
adopted as an infant into a prominent LDS family and grew up
in as idyllic a setting as any kid could ever hope for. Over
the years, however, especially after marrying young, I strayed
far and wide, only to finally realize that the Gospel of Jesus
Christ is true and there is a plan and a purpose to my life.
I once tried to write an allegory called "Laman and Lemuel
Love Life," which started out with the vision of the straight
and narrow Path in Lehi's
dream, found in the Book of Mormon. The dream refers to
those who wander off and are lost when mists that come up along
the path. In my story, I had my characters stumble along for
many days in the mist until their path starts to climb upwards,
still enshrouded in a fog. Ultimately, they rise out of the
cloud to see a magnificent plain far below, complete with the
path and iron rod, the river, the large and spacious building
and, of course, the Tree of Life -- all distant and part of
a much larger vista with snow-capped mountains, a vast ocean
and a gorgeous sunset. My intent, of course, was to say that
Lehi's dream represented a very narrow view of life.
That was then. Were I writing the story today, I would have
them arrive at their beautiful vista, only to realize that they
were starving and the only food that would truly satisfy and
preserve them was still growing on that tiny little Tree
of Life, now so far away.
I guess I don't need to belabor the point.
There is only one way to truly nourish the soul in this Lone
and Dreary World. Gather your fruits first and then you'll have
plenty of energy (and Spirit!) for the long hike ahead.
:: J. Scott 10:25 AM ::
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