Scripts about Hollywood

[Ambrose Chapel]

I have a script going about Hollywood. It is in a pre-draft state, but pretty fleshed out (a 70 page "treatment" with lots of dialogue, written for my use only). I haven't got a good logline yet. So, while I hate this kind of description, it could be described as THE PLAYER meets BODY HEAT, though it is not a murder mystery. It is closer to a caper story: a hot young development exec scams his own studio with a truly inspired crime.

Anyway, I've heard many times that scripts about Hollywood are a tough sale, so I've been considering doing it as a novel, getting it published, and then trying it on Hollywood with the "cachet" of being a book. Of course, this is heavily dependent on that all working out. Does anyone think that's worth trying, or should I just stick with the script approach and take my chances?

I'm also thrashing about for a title, having only two working ones I don't really like: THE TRACKER, and THE SPEC. One that applies is SLEIGHT, but that may be too esoteric. What do you think?

[oz]

Hi Ambrose

Gotta tell ya, if the script is great, no one cares if it's about HW. All the grumblings you heard were probably from those who got passes on their scripts because we've seen plenty of HW movies over the years.

Your willingness to do double duty just to get the script out there is a personal decision. If you got it in you, go for it. If the only reason you're writing the book is to be able to sell the script, I don't think it's necessary. If you've got enough for a book and you WANT to do the adaptation because it's unique enough to make it a marketable thing for you, time-wise, that is, then go for it! Don't really think it's an issue of being "worth trying". It's an issue of what you're willing to do for the sake of the art. Can't be doing it for the sake of the sale because it will never happen if that's your motivation; hence the grumblings we talked about.

As for titles, I'd need more of the story to help with that. Sorry! Good luck, though, with whatever route you choose. Just make sure it's a journey for the right reason : )

[Jeff Messerman]

Ambrose,

The fact of the matter is EVERYTHING is a tough sale. If you think your story works and is one that's bursting out of you, get it down. As Eszterhas says, "cut open a vein, pour it on the page."

The script or novel debate is an easy one to answer too... when you think of your story, does it come to you as a series of images or a more complex series of inner thoughts and emotions? If it's primarily flying pictures, I think, then, you know the answer. At least that's the gauge I use.

I personally LOVE a good Hollywood barnburner. Swimming with Sharks, Wag the Dog, Sunset Boulevard.. always fun to watch tinseltown get a good smackdown. Also, for the BEST novels about Hollywood, take a gander at the works of BRUCE WAGNER. This guy reams Hollywood a new one and then some in his "I'm Losing You" trilogy.

Take care,
Jeff

[echomusic]

Sounds like an interesting story.
I'd say check out The Bad And The Beautiful -- it's one of the best movies about Hollywood.
Also check out Heist (David Mamet) as far as caper movies go. It's a gem of a movie and features a fantastic performance by Gene Hackman.

The idea of a caper movie in Hollywood defnitely sounds like something I'd love to see.

Get writing!!!