Attended the 44th Annual James Dean Festival in Fairmount, Indiana, last month. Met a man who has lived in James Dean’s NYC apartment since 1974! Regaled by his compelling stories, I suggested that a documentary be created. He agreed and handed the screenwriting reins to me! An LA filmmaker friend chimed in and offered to shoot it. Plans have been made to visit Dean’s old haunt at the end of the month. Super excited to have been given this incredible gift!
Screenwriting : Visit a SMALL town & a GREAT gift falls into my lap. by Bill Brock
Visit a SMALL town & a GREAT gift falls into my lap.
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That’s amazing! I’m a huge JD fan. Been to his home in Fairmont/grave/museum etc. Have also been to Chalome, CA where he was killed. In fact I drove by the spot last night at 12:45am. I’ve visited all the spots in LA that he was at on the day he died. It’s a weird feeling to retrace the steps of someone like that when you know that was his last day on earth. Unfortunately the gas station has been torn down since I was there. Please keep us posted on the progress of this project.
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Will do, Bill. Thanks for your interest. I wrote a feature screenplay on Dean last year called “James Dean: Crossing the Finish Line,” and am currently awaiting the Copyright certificate. The story takes place during the last 22 hours of his life.
At the James Dean memorial in Lost Hills, California, there's a small monument with his favorite quote from The Little Prince - "What is essential is often invisible to the eye."
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Very cool, Brian. Thanks for the info. Good to know these memorials exist. I teach high school seniors (Honors English) here in Virginia and sadly, only 2 of my 110 student know who James Dean was. Yikes!
I was last in Lost Hills on a foggy February 2014 night. Drove through the fog to the sea. Clear. Pacific Coast Highway all night headed north. Passed Hearst Castle. Seaside seal calls! Breakfasted in Big Sur. Arrived in Half Moon Bay - booked a 2 night stay at The Cypress Inn B&B. Napped listening to the waves of the Sea. Life is for living.
From LA, you clear all the mountain ranges and enter the San Joaquin Valley going north on I-5. Once you arrive at Highway 46. Exit. Head west a bit... the James Dean is on the right (pretty sure).
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Oh wow! That's great stuff, Bill! Man even I am excited for you. Enjoy it like hell for me. Best wishes!
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Thanks, Imo. Should be one heck of a ride! So much history there. Jimmy Dean was still renting the place at the time of his death.
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Bill, way to score...congratulations, and all the VERY BEST to you!
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Thanks, Jim! My best to your writing endeavors also. Things got underway today as I conducted a recorded two-hour phone interview with the current occupant (a tenant since 1974!). My gosh, the stories he told! : )
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Way to go Bill!! How wonderful these chance meetings can be. Do let us know of progress and completions.
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I agree with Shackle. Keep us informed along the way if you can. Would love to follow this journey :)
Hello, Everyone. I rarely log on to the Stage 32 site, but just wanted to give an update regarding the Dean documentary. One word. COVID. The project has been shelved until NYC is safe to enter. That’s about it at this stage. Be well and stay healthy!!
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Wow, Bill Brock! This is incredible... congratulations to you!
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How fun! Have a blast :)
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That is amazing! So exciting. I hope you manage to find people with memories to share.