There's Always Options...By Steve Gast

After another relatively sleepless night, I forced my eyes open and checked my email.  There I found the message I had been both waiting for and dreading: "SCRIPT ANALYSIS AND LETTER ATTACHED".  A week earlier I was confronted with two options:

OPTION 1: Send $300 to a script consultant and pitch company in L.A.
OPTION 2: Eat and pay rent.

No brainer!  My screenplay "Mr. Stripper" had been sitting on the shelf for a year and at the pace I am going now wouldn't be produced until 2035.  So in a now or never moment, I pulled the trigger and hit the submit button.  Doubt started creeping instantly, because that's what doubt does.  Creepy doubt.  I had visions of red ink splattered all over my screenplay, my year of labor and toil, MY BABY!  I saw angry notes suggesting I give up writing and look into a career at Wal-Mart.  I SUCK!!!

Did I mention writers tend to have self esteem issues?

I forced myself to open the email.

"Dear Steve,

Thanks again for sending in “Mr. Stripper”! The notes and letter are attached.

BTW, I really liked this script, Steve. I’m not sure if you knew that I also produce movies. As such, I am very interested in optioning this. Please let me know if you are interested. Thanks again."

Reading this was indeed one of these moments:

Now before anyone starts asking for a loan, things to keep in mind.  One an "option" does not mean I have sold the script and does not guarantee the film will be made.  It just means I would give a producer exclusive rights (usually for a year) to produce the film.  If it gets made, I might actually get paid something, but if not, I get the rights to the script back.  Even if the film is made, there are a million ways for the writer to get hosed in the deal.  Also I don't have a formal offer yet, just an email expressing interest.

BUT

What this email provided was a gift every writer craves more than anything: VALIDATION.  Even three years into the film business I still feel like a newby, especially when comparing myself to my friends in New York and LA.  I have a long way to go, but just knowing there is value in my work gives me a feeling I belong.  I won't be putting on that blue Wal-Mart vest just yet.

That said, I did spend my rent money on this, so if I could crash on your couch that would be cool.

So the adventure of "Mr. Stripper" begins.  Stay tuned for updates!