Confessions of a Cutter

No, not that kind, but it is something that can be just as painful and destructive. Gasp! I’m talking about cutting down your literary opus. For me, it is “Wild Space A Go Go.” The first read-thru by the cast is scheduled for March 7 and all of the creative team want to make sure that the cast has the best possible script.

Kurt, Valory and myself met last Monday and went over the script over beers, potato skins and whiskey/diets. One thing, besides the alcohol, that never hurts the writer is having a creative team that believes in the project as much as you do. In my case I am very lucky and I can only thank Kurt and Brad for the creative freedom and support they gave me.

Another thing all this freedom and support me was a libretto that is just too damn long. Thanks a lot, guys! Kurt and Brad agreed to cut down songs and I would tackle the book.

A friendly word of advice: Not every joke needs to get in the final draft. You can afford to save one or two for the next time around. There were times where I was so concerned about joke count that I piggybacked jokes in the same line of dialogue by the same character! The only result was that the better of the two jokes suffered. (Hint: It was something about showering in a bathing suit.) Well, jokes, in situations like this, were the first to go.

Another rule, and, if you write at all, you are probably acquainted with this one. If a line does not advance the plot, cut it out! It is painful, but not quite as painful as audience members, in the front row, getting up in the middle of Act 2 to stretch their legs.

It really boils down to how you approach the process. Thinking your work is perfect in early drafts is a rookie mistake. Approaching editing as an integral part of the creative process, will not only improve your attitude but make it easier on both you and your creative partners.

Meet Frank Stone

The first draft of “Frank Stone” continues. My plan of attack is to construct a story that will successfully work both as a one-camera sitcom and as web episodes. This will mean that the usual two-act structure will have to be adapted into three or more acts. It goes without saying that the most important factor in all of this will be the jokes. I think three jokes per page is the usual going rate but hopefully, with the outrageousness of the premise, we might be able to squeeze in just a few more.

Another important element to tackle will be Frank Stone’s all-important back-story. And trust me, there is a hell of a lot to cover! Glenn and I feel that we have the perfect remedy in catching the audience up to this unusual character in the fastest way possible. I have sent the pages I have to all parties involved and as stated in my last post, we will be meeting to discuss where the story is headed.

“Wild Space A Go Go” News:

Did I mention that my director/co-creator and friend Brett Vail is now working on WSAGG? Well, he is. He is co-coordinating all the video elements and even at this early stage is work is astounding! I wish I could show what he has come up with but it is best to keep it all in the bag until the show opens.

Tomorrow the director, composer and myself are getting together to discuss cuts to my libretto. I have no problem cutting. There has been a lot if discussion regarding running time. My feelings are that the show should run two hours with an intermission. Others feel that 2 hours and fifteen minutes is the correct amount of time for a musical comedy. I guess we will not really know until the first audience sits through it. So, we will just have to wait and see. What I am looking forward to is the first read-through by the cast. This is scheduled for the day of the Academy Awards. An omen for gratuitous length? God, I hope not.

When God closes a door, he opens a window. Really? Really?

I don’t really buy it. I think you need to open the damn window yourself. Grab the nearest appliance and smash it open if you need to. Just be careful and don’t cut your writing appendage.

Yes, dear friends, I believe one of my creative children is dying at the hands of an unscrupulous producer. Will it rise again from the ashes? Maybe. Only time will tell. One thing is for certain. It will not rise from the ashes anytime soon. I may have to wait until the option has expired in October of 2010. There is a chance I could get out sooner but that would depend on the sage advice of my lawyer. The question then becomes, do I want to spend a good deal of money to get out of said option. Decisions. Decisions. Rest assured that you, my friends, will be the first to know.

I am pleased to report that the second child, the musical “Wild Space A Go Go” is flourishing. Rehearsals will start very soon and we are now finalizing libretto cuts as well as working out the logistics for all the technical aspects of the production. There is a hell of a lot to do, but, what the hell, I don’t have to disappear for a movie shoot anytime soon.

Now, as to smashing the window; the next project coming from the demented mind of J.P. Linde, “Frank Stone.” I can’t say too much about it at this early date only to give you a few brief tidbits. The extremely talented Brett Vail will be directing and his wicked smart wife, Amy Vail, will be our Executive Producer. The story is by Glenn Holmes and myself and I will be tackling the writing chores with the able assistance of Glenn, Amy and Brett. First production meeting will be held early March. As we get closer to production, I will, of course, give you more information.

Cain, Abel and...

Presenting the color version of the "Wild Space A Go Go" poster.

Topic of the Day

As any fan of Steinbeck’s “East of Eden” will remind you, if you have the fates giving birth to two creative projects at once, one is going to be a joy while the other sends you to an early grave. My current situation attests to this. While one sings and dances its way to full production, the other is mired in distrust, creative rape and financial obligations that seem to never be met. If you need further proof, I will gladly produce exhibit A, a hard plastic night-guard that I am chewing threw quicker than a baby pit-bull.

The answer to all this pain from my offspring leaves me no other choice. I will have another creative offspring. What can I say? Like most white trash, I just love being pregnant. Besides, surely the results of this union will not result in my heart being ripped from my chest and gobbled up by Hollywood wannabes.

But whatever will this project be? There are no dating sites for creatives looking for producers. And, as I have already discussed in earlier Blogs, throwing literary shit into the wind of the Internet usually results in a return trip right smack into your face. Something I am beginning to realize even further with my problem child (we will call him Cain for now).

Well, getting to the point, I had coffee with one such collaborator, name withheld until the deal is set, yesterday primarily to discuss his participating in my one project that is going smoothly. Gazing into those dreamy, director/producer eyes, I decided then and there to lay it all on the line and pitch one of my other projects. Lo and behold, glory hallelujah and praise the baby Jesus, before I could open my mouth, he told me that he was sorry he was not more forceful in speaking up regarding another one of my projects. Let the love fest begin! This was going even better than I had expected. I reached into my knapsack and pulled out some material and handed it over with as much bravado as I could muster. Why dine and dance first? I say get right to the creative part. His eyes grew wide with anticipation. He took the material willingly and gushed over its promise. Gasp. We even talked about how the baby would be raised: situation comedy, utilizing a one cameral shoot, or a series of web episodes. I checked my temperature before the meeting and I was prime for creative fertilization. The dance was done in about two hours. Now it is just a matter of time to see if the seed to take hold. (To be continued)

Oh, and before I forget the "Wild Space A Go Go" site (www.wildspaceagogo.com) is up with all new content. Extended bios of the cast, venue and ticket information and even a free wallpaper. Sounds pretty sweet to me.