Introduce Yourself : Hello... I'm... by Timothy Dee

Timothy Dee

Hello... I'm...

Well shoot.  Since my screenplay, "Twenty Lashes," is a Semi-Finalist in the 1st Annual Diversity Springboard Screenwriting Competition and a Quarter-Finalist in the 6th Annual Feature Screenwriting Contest, I guess I'd better say "hello."  I'm a pre-pandemic (and I hope post-) stand-up comedian, former film professor from the University of Louisiana (GO RAGIN' CAJUNS) and now own a small production company based in Denver, CO.  I do some pro bono work for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on their web series, "STEM in 30."  I write and perform stand up, voiceovers, and write, produce, direct and edit various kinds of videos, and I've penned several screenplays.  To my fellow Semi and Quarter-Finalists, congratulations.  I'm sure you're as elated as I am.  For those of you who didn't make it, please don't lose heart.  Keep working and studying and creating and it may happen to you.  Frankly, Hollywood needs more fresh voices like yours. 

Karen "Kay" Ross

Hey, Timothy Dee! My name is Kay, I'm the Community Manager here at Stage 32. Nice to meet you! WHA?!? Are you following me? Most of my family is from NOLA/Texas, I was raised in the DC area, and went to film school in Denver, CO AND I turned down a job with the Smithsonian Channel - WILD!

Congrats on your script placing, sir, that's great news! If you're preparing to pitch it, definitely reach out to our Director of Script Services, Jason Mirch, who is excellent at matching projects with potential executives: J.Mirch@stage32.com

I’m sure you’ve already discovered the Screenwriting Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting), but I'd LOVE for you to start a post in the Producing Lounge! What would you like to talk about? Could you give us some insight into how Denver production is doing? https://www.stage32.com/lounge/producing

I think you'd also enjoy my intro blog post on how to engage with the Stage32 Community:

https://www.stage32.com/blog/Find-Your-Community-on-Stage-32

Enjoy exploring the lounges, and don't forget to comment and respond to others’ posts, too! It's the best way to really connect! And, of course, feel free to reach out at any time.

Timothy Dee

Hi Kay, it's even scarier than that. I taught at the Colorado Film School for a couple of years as an adjunct professor, so I know Frederic Lahey and probably several of your teachers. When they split with CU Denver (where my wife is an Accounting Professor), I stayed with CU.

And I once saw Kevin Smith live at the Comedy Works. No act, just Q&A. For the whole night, only two questions were asked and Mr. Smith talked nonstop for practically 3 hours.

Thank you for your uplifting post. Time and again I have had commitments for the funding to produce one of my screenplays only to have it all fall apart. I'm probably going to die of colon cancer from all the smoke that's been blown up my ass! (That joke is part of my stand up act--my apologies for the language, but if you are from DC, NOLA and Texas, I'm sure you've heard it before.) So staying positive is sometimes a chore.

Having my work recognized by Stage 32 as a Quarter-Finalist has been quite a boost. I have contacted the four weighty people I know in Hollywood asking if they'd like to read my screenplay or can give me a lead on finding representation. So far, crickets, but hey, they all return back to work on Monday.

Years ago, a VP at Paradigm said to me, "The cream rises to the top!" I said, "I agree, but I just want to know how to get in the f@*%ing bottle!! I'll rise!! After all... fat floats!!" My latest screenplay topic is so important, I really need to get it produced before I die... and I've had chest pains!! (I'm kidding.)

Let me ask you, Kay, has anyone in the lounge explored the topic of moving to LA for a month or two to cold-call and/or camp out in the lobby of literary agents? I'd like to read about those experiences.

Nice to meet you, young lady. I hope we stay in touch.

Laurie Gabriel

I'd also like to know if anyone has moved to L.A. for a month or two and cold-called literary agents. Did that work?

And if anyone has gotten more responses from executives by moving to L.A. for a few months rather than staying where they live?

Wayne Jarman

Congratulations, Timothy.

Timothy Dee

Thanks, Wayne.

Brian Flanagan

Congrats, Timothy!

Your bio comes across like bottled lightning. Sounds like you thrive on variety.

The Smithsonian, hmm? This might amuse you:

https://www.wordassociation1.net/qcmenu.html

Brian

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