Hi Gang,
I’ve been meaning to post a writing update for a while now!
I thought I’d share a little about a feature-length drama I’m writing on spec on called SURF. First off, I am well aware that writing on spec has an infinitely small chance of being picked up by a studio. However, in the worst case, I can use it as a writing sample in my portfolio… Best case, something better than that comes from it. Now that’s out of the way, what is surprising about this project is that it was one of the first films I wrote. Because, well, life happened, I put it away and more or less forgot about it.
I was doing some research recently and saw that one of the top 10 screenwriting competitions to enter is BlueCat. It rang a bell and I remembered that I had been a semifinalist in this competition many years ago for SURF. For some info on the project, SURF was inspired by my time working in disability law and a particular client who had diabetic retinopathy – he was losing his vision and ironically had worked as a photographer (I kid you not, that was his true story). This client’s humor, positive attitude, and his hope resonated with me at a time when I was going through a tough time myself. I was amazed at how this client was able to approach life with such joy given his lot in life. At the same time, it made me question why I wasn’t able to do the same? Not to mention the fact that he basically asked me out to dinner over a call when I interviewing him for a disability report. I knew at that moment that I had to write about this experience! The script is an otherwise entirely fictionalized account and explores the client/attorney relationship that grows as the client struggles to obtain disability benefits with the help of his legal assistant who has struggles of her own. In the end, the client winds up helping the assistant just as much, if not more, than she helps him. Needless to say, now more than ever, I’m feeling an emotional connection to this script since health insurance and disability benefits remain a key political issue. I’ve recently begun to embrace the philosophy of: Art is activism.
I remember that I was disappointed to only be a semifinalist in BlueCat at the time with this entry. But, the research I did said that there are over 3,000 submissions a year to BlueCat and that if you place, revising the script and resubmitting is advised. A semifinalist is in the top 100 out of 3,000. So, I found my script and reread it. While there were many scenes that I wanted to revise/delete, I was pleasantly surprised by the foundation of the script, the structure, and the characters. So, I began revising (in downtime from other projects) and I’m pleased with the progress. I found that the learning I’ve done over the last few years really helped me identify weak areas in the script and, *hopefully* I have remedied them. I also added more comedic elements in appropriate places. It actually combats the serious subject matter in an uplifting manner and in a tone that I would compare to Skeleton Twins. So, I now see it as a true dramedy, which is the genre that I hope to write. It still needs another few revisions, but I think that I will be able to use this script in my portfolio and possibly resubmit to contests. Now, I just have to get it completed. If in six months, it’s not finished, please yell at me! Repeatedly! (Reminder, the current goal isn’t necessarily selling the script or getting it made. Though that would be ideal, the current goal for dramatic writing is to obtain an agent).
As a side note, I was asked if it was discouraging that I’d placed in the competition so long ago and only recently rediscovered this script. I answered no. (Of course it is a little) Overall, I actually see it as a positive. At the time, I didn’t yet know how to make it better. Now, I revisit this script with fresh eyes and years of learning. It seems fitting that the title was inspired by the duality of the definition of the word surf. The definition is as follows:
SURF
Noun – the swell of the sea that breaks upon a shore
Verb – to stand or lie on a surfboard and ride on a wave toward the shore
I chose the title not only because the client loves to surf, but because during the course of the film, the assistant has a choice: she can let herself be broken or she can ride the wave.
Thanks for reading! More to come later… This is just one of the 3 current projects in the mix (My quest to focus and complete continues).
Great piece, Meghan. Almost ten years ago, I, too, dusted off an old screenplay and was able to see it in a new light. It became the novel that got me my agent. Have you considered applying for a Nicholl Fellowship? I think that remains the most prestigious of the screenplay competitions and even a quarter final finish nabs agent/ producer interest (this happened to me back in early 2000s). Your story sounds timely, compelling, moving. Good luck to you!
Hi Eileen,
Thank you so very much for posting! I recognize you from #1lineWed! That’s so very encouraging to hear about your own screenplay and how it became the novel that got you your agent! How wonderful! It shows that no work is ever lost. I have been considering possibly trying something similar, to be honest. With writing comes so much rejection, so I appreciate your kinds words more than you could know. I believe the screenplay needs much more work (or so I hear from some recent notes) but I will definitely consider the fellowship. I would love to hear more about your own work, too. If you ever have time, please drop me a note on twitter. I’m going to copy/paste this onto your twitter account just to make sure you see it! Thank you again!