Lost Rooms and American Zombies
I set the TiVo to grab SciFi Channel’s “The Lost Room” mini-series, largely because it co-stars Elle Fanning, who is also in The Nines. The two projects seem to overlap thematically: in my movie, Elle plays the key to a dark conspiracy; in the series, Elle is a player in a dark conspiracy about a key.
It’s a giant relief to see The Lost Room, because it’s very similar to a show I nearly pitched this season — which would have involved Elle getting kidnapped, a cult, and mysterious goings-on. Since The Lost Room effectively precludes my idea, why do I classify it as a relief?
Because now I don’t have to write it.
Many of the projects I write — and the majority of the projects I produce — begin because an idea will present itself and I’ll think, “Wow, someone should really do that.” I’m sure a sizable portion of the American public has similar “why doesn’t somebody…” ideas. The difference is, I am that somebody. I can call up ABC and pitch a show and get a fair chunk of money to write it. But it’s not always the best use of my time.
“Someone should do a crime show set in Alaska” — six months writing and shooting the Alaska pilot
“No one’s ever done a show about private military contractors” — a year and a half writing three different versions of the pilot for Fox
“Prince of Persia would make a great movie” — going on three years executive producing an adaptation, which still doesn’t have a start date
So that’s why, sometimes, I’m delighted when someone else has the same good idea. I recently had 30 projects on my “To Write” list. Now I have 29. Actually, 28…
I just saw in the Slamdance catalog a listing for American Zombie. That’s a title I’ve had on my list for three years, without any real story to go with it, just a sense that, “Someone should make a movie called American Zombie.”
Now someone has. The director’s name is Grace Lee. I hope her movie’s terrific. Either way, I thank her deeply.
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December 17th, 2006 at 11:06 pm
I met Grace when I served as an extra for American Zombie last November. It wasn’t a super involved shoot, but there was money behind it, and the crew seemed relaxed. I met the main actor, whose name I forget (he does standup in his career moments) but I had the most fun at the craft table. Uh, can you say free food?
The concept behind American Zombie is pretty strange, though. I never quite “got it” but I was interested enough to inquire, and got a featured extra part based on a short zombie film I wrote and directed that I sent to the casting people. So now I’m looking forward to it’s release. Thanks for reminding me of it!
December 18th, 2006 at 7:30 am
Unless I missed this post a few days back, I think this should have gone at the top of the page - plus the date’s missing. I think your database might not be working quite properly. Good post though.
December 18th, 2006 at 9:49 am
Just curious John….and please don’t name names, but when you call up ABC (or any other network) what position are you dealing with? Just curious who in the chain of command makes those decisions.
December 18th, 2006 at 12:23 pm
Hey! That’s such a cute picture of Elle Fanning! Do you have any more?
December 18th, 2006 at 12:44 pm
Oli –
It was a human error. And now it’s fixed.
Adam –
The real chain of events is as follows: I call up my TV agent. She calls a bunch of people. By the time I get in a room, it’s generally with the head of the network. But that’s many years into a career.
December 18th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
Whew! That completes it. I’ll never have to write my magnum opus, “Contracting a Prince of Persia to Wander Around a Lost Room In Alaska With an American Zombie.” Back to eating tofu manwiches.
December 18th, 2006 at 6:08 pm
Grace Lee directed a very funny/poignant doc called “The Grace Lee Project.” http://gracelee.net/ Good for her for moving on to such a different endeavor.
December 19th, 2006 at 4:46 am
Elle is Dakota’s sister? Dakota is amazing. Is like discovering Michelle Pfeiffer at six.
BTW, you are a terrific blogger: often I find myself laughing out loud when reading yout posts.
Funny bloke.
December 19th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
A friend and I speed wrote a script called “Cowboys & Aliens” almost fifteen years ago, now, assuming it would sell on the title alone. The WGA registration having long since lapsed, a film with the same title is supposedly now in pre-production, based on a comic book I can’t bring myself to read.
December 20th, 2006 at 8:56 am
Please show us more pics from this movie!