Film Journal

Jan. 5 2010

Yesterday's film journal helped. The second I finished it, I re-read it, and instantly got ideas on 'Shilas and the Tomb'. I haven't though on 'Shilas' today, but already I am excited to make it more of a narrative. By introducing Shilas' money issue of wanting to get the most out of the land that he has purchased, I was able to find an ACT 1 OUT - Shilas has a body that is too big for the final coffin in his graveyard. What is he going to do?

Shallow Glen

Today we compiled our notes on the feature film script, 'Shallow Glen'. We have been working on the idea that it is a film about 'talent'. The main character, RUSSELL, is a busted talent, who never lived up to the potential everyone prophecied he was capable of. A character who was one of the best in the whole world as a junior, (18) and one day got the yips. Through helping a young tennis player get a scholarship Russell comes to realize that although he is great at coaching and his over analysis techniques actually help others, Russell prefers to go back to the tour where he would rather die unsuccessful living the dream, then stay home coaching. Now at 28, at the end of his troubled career Russell is suspended off the tour for an illegal blood doping trade. Russell hides out at his old home club of Shallow Glen, after having lived out of a suitcase for the last 15 years while traveling, waiting for his suspension to expire. Gerry, Russell's lifelong friend, allows him to use the club, as long as he gives tennis lessons and plays with some of the members.

This idea has been tough to write, because the producers we are writing it for aren't fully sold on it yet. They keep wanting to know what other movie it's like...The Wrestler meets CaddyShack meets Bottle Rocket meets Role Models meets Clerks meets Match Point meets Napoleon Dynamite meets Eastbound and Down.... A big fish thrown back into a small pond.

It is tough trying to find the style..the voice...I want to make a movie about a tennis club exploring the minutia, but it seems now that I am working on a talent expose...I should really stick to my personal experiences and my thought on talent...relationships with ex players...relationships with coaches...ideas on what makes an athlete... comedic way...- players excuses, outbursts on the court, crazy tennis club members, characters.

Need to keep grinding with it.

C