Noel Anenberg: Screenwriter in Los Angeles, California.

The Dog Boy sounds like it is right up my alley, something I would enjoy, reading - perhaps more enjoy as a film. I also enjoy science fiction, and one of my favorite films (although I have never read the book) is Cloud Atlas. Your sci-fi novel sounds really cool. If you are anything like me, you are full of stories. I have at least 5 more novels and several of screenplay ideas in my head, and I am frequently getting new ideas. Folks like us cannot not create. We may not get to tell all the stories, but we will damn sure try. I have said that if I live to be 150, I would likely reach up from my death bed and exclaim, "But I'm not done, yet."

Yes, I would very much love to hear about Gunny McGuire and the process there.

Yes! I too am ‘plagued’ by a mind that operates as a story mill. I’m always looking.for the story in everything I see. If I notice an oddball character my mind goes right to work extrapolating how they live from what they do or say.

Send me your address and I’ll send over a copy of The Dog Boy, K.

Gunny: as I pressed the white return arrow in the red circle at the bottom of my response I realized I have been holding onto the disappointment too long, Karlyle.

The producer I was working with took the script to three producers who are currently making movies. Producer 1 read the script, reported he liked it then suggested we make a few changes. W/O a contract and with my guys encouragement I made the changes. Everyone liked them but Producer 1 demurred. Producer 2 noted changes in a slightly different direction. I revised that away. Then, he passed. Here I started to feel like a dog fetching a tennis ball. Producer 3 suggested the development of a tangential character into a significant role. That required a chunk of work. He read the revised script and said he ‘liked’ the original writing better and said he did not want to see the script again! At this point I realized my guy was blowing in the wind and had no vision for the script. The process was terribly disappointing and inasmuch as I’ve been keen on selling a script a major let down that derailed me. I’m getting back on track now with the realization that - as mentioned - if I write a novel I own it. I will not be required to chase after people with a script in hand. I’m a late starter. I sold my business at 53 the same year I completed work on a MA in professional writing at USC. I have not developed the relationships Hollywood demands. Will one of my stories be made into a movie? I’ll never say never but I have also realized it’s a bad bargain to place too much hope into any single outcome and instead to enjoy the creative process. That’s what I’m working on. Still, a part of me wants the recognition (validation) the sale of a script or novel would bring. As we are unable to control the world around us I know that waiting for validation is a losing gamble. I’m afraid I’ve taken up your time sorting the above out, Karlyle. But as my eight year old grandson recently said to his nana, “A man’s gt to do what a man’s got to do!” LOL

Send a mailing address if you’d like a signed cc of THE DOG BOG.

And, THANK YOU for forbearing my ‘circulating’ thoughts.

Thank you. You can mail to:

P.O. Box 71908

Corpus Christi, TX 78467

I am a late bloomer, as well. Although I have written for as long as I can remember and I have written several articles for different venues, and also had a monthly feature for Recovery Times regional magazine back in the 1990's. I never finished my first novel until I was 58 years old and it was published when I was 59. I had never been able to get through more than a couple of chapters of a novel until I realized that I can write the protagonist as first person, and channel them telling the story. That works for me.

Getting a script to film is daunting, even for some of the major pictures. There is a documentary series on Netflix - "The Movies That Made Us" and it shows the challenges that some of the most famous movies went through to get made. My favorite was the making of "Pretty Woman" which started out as a dark and serious script about prostitution in LA, and then Gary Marshall eventually turned it into a comedy, and the rest is history. So, that script went through several re-writes. I think when you have something you believe in, you just have to keep plugging it. It may or may not come to fruition. Most scripts don't, and probably most of the ones that do get translated into a movie aren't half worth watching, anyway. Keep plugging.

Blessings,

KT

Noel, thanks for accepting my invitation. Working on a feature screenplay on Frankenstein.

Right back at you, Martin. Thanks! What are you at work on?

Our theatre industry continues to experience great challenges post lockdown and is trying to rebuild its audiences may of whom are still hesitant to assemble in enclosed spaces. I have been fortunate with work having played a lead role in a feature film, which is due for release in 2022, and a few short films. Currently I'm filming a UK Christmas TV commercial, which is a 5 days shoot, this is proving to be great fun. After that I will shoot a short comedy film. I hope we'll see a massive upsurge in confidence as the new year commences and a return to theatre, which is my first love.

I hope you too have been finding inspiration in these challenging times?

That’s really kind. I’m glad you liked it.