Hello, good people!
Middle age is a weird time. My brain still thinks it's 20, but my body complains when I bend down to tie my shoes. I still love robots, EBM, and comics just as much as I did 30 years ago, but I struggle to stay awake past 9pm.
I adventured through my first four decades, working at jobs so farfetched I’ve left them off my résumé, and partying like it’s 1929. I accumulated a lot of older friends: skateboarders, activists, artists, AIDS survivors, musicians, and goths, some in their seventies. One told me, “I only work three days a week. Any more than that cuts into my social life.”
Getting old doesn’t have to mean getting boring. Last year I turned 50. And last year I left my career in office admin to become a screenwriter. Maybe writing’s easier when you’re older, because you know who you are, or because you hone your style, or because you just lose patience with empty, needless words.
I’m a Canadian living in Scotland, trying to sell my show about senior vigilantes in the US. Stage 32 is helping. I dig the Pitch Tank sessions and I think it’s time to join in. I’m also working on an all-female film adaption of HP Lovecraft’s story, “Pickman’s Model”.
Wondering “What if…” doesn’t inspire me to write, the way my literary heroes say it’s supposed to. My inspiration comes from wondering “Why…” It also comes from the seniors in my life, like my 87 year old dad who listens to ABBA on his daily three-mile walks, and my 74 year old friend with a mohawk. It comes from Cabaret Nocturne, Perturbator, and Orax. I’ll draw on all those sources while I find my way.
Hey, thanks for letting me into the clubhouse. Let’s connect!
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Haha, great intro! Welcome!
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Thank you!
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Lovely, and inspiring :-) Welcome!
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I totally relate to this, Alexandria Mitchell! LOL Also, WELCOME to the community! Although, I'm not sure what generation I'm in 'cause I'm part of that weird in-between generation that remembers a time before computers (1981). Starting learning on an 8-88 with a legit floppy drive in 4th or 5th grade. Turned 40 this year and now I'm having stern words with my skin which doesn't seem to want to cooperate any longer. :-P
What are you working on? What can we help with? Also, SO envious of your stay in Edinburgh. I feel like I would wander the streets on the daily just to see if I can run into Sam Heughan LOL
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Thanks Karen... well said! We're the last pre-internet generation, which gives us a unique perspective. Last year the very first Generation X "kids" turned 55, and I'm inspired by watching my generation grow older and redefine later life.
I want to bring this celebration of later life to tv with my series, because it's not been done since the Golden Girls! I've got Season 1 treatments, a bible, location maps, marketing ideas, character bios, insignia, and a tv promo script. My motto is, anything worth doing is worth overdoing!
I've gone as far as I can without representation, so I think self-promotion in the form of networking and pitching are next on my hit list!
If I see Sam Heughan, I'll tell him you say Hey :D
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Alexandria Mitchell YES, PLEASE! But only if you say it like, "HEYaaayyyy" ;-) I'll find a way to confirm that inflection for ya LOL
You absolutely should! Have you tried pitching to any of Stage 32 executives? You can sign up for pitch sessions here: https://www.stage32.com/scriptservices/pitch-sessions If you need help structuring your pitch, whether it's a 2-page pitch document, a 5-minute verbal pitch, or a 15-30 page pitch deck, feel free to use Stage 32's free Pitching Guidebook: https://www.stage32.com/sites/stage32.com/themes/two/pdfs/happy-writers/...
If you have any questions about executives, definitely reach out to our Director of Script Services, Jason Mirch, who is excellent at matching projects with potential executives (or managers, in your case): J.Mirch@stage32.com
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Hey, Alexandria! I’d definitely check out your show about senior vigilantes. Sounds awesome!
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Hi Alexandra. Love to read some of your work, maybe you can read some of mine. I've been living in a creative bubble, need to get out and share with like-minded grown-ups.
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I can certainly relate to that combination of youthful, nerdy and "ow, my back!" :D I'm a generation X-Man.