The WGA Writer’s Strike… My Thoughts. December 21, 2007
Posted by papad in Uncategorized.trackback
Oh well… guess I picked the wrong year to try and promote my most recent efforts — DAMN.
Actually, that attitude was how I felt before I knew any better. It was an uninformed knee-jerk, and I was a jerk for thinking it. I hope the writers are successful in elevating their status and in gaining a better piece of the pie. Having attempted to do what they do (at least the writing part — I still haven’t pitched anything or promoted a page of it), I have a deep appreciation for the time, effort, and love that goes into their work. Any great movie has an amazing script to thank for its very existence. Directors… producers… actors… special effects wizards… all these folks would be staring into space if it weren’t for the brushstrokes (or keystrokes) of a true visionary to guide their interpretations. Writers create the worlds — everyone else simply interprets. A script in the hands of a gifted crew can be rendered into a timeless classic. Like “Raiders of the Lost Ark” for example. If you’ve ever read the Lawrence Kasden script for it, it’s a fun read! And director Spielberg’s interpretation of it was wonderful — over 20 years later, it still stands alone as my favorite all-time movie experience. What 10-year-old boy didn’t want to be “Indiana Jones” back in 1981?!
I wish the strikers all the best. And I hope to be able to promote my own humble efforts whenever the smoke clears — with a deep sense of appreciation for the sacrifices and the fortitude of real writers picketing today for the rest of us.
~Papa D.
Hey Papa D. How are you doing? It seems that it’s been a long time since your last entry.
Hi Nick.
I guess stepping away from all of the negativity was for the best. I’m in a better place now.
There are still a lot of stresses to deal with, but I’m on the road to recovery. My writing efforts are on-hold for the time being (and will resume once everything else is addressed in my life).
Thanks for sending me your thoughts. How have you been?
~Papa D
It’s been great. A lot has been set into motion since my recovery from depression (that would be around two months ago). So, I have this music project running, and I am also back to screenwriting. For some days, it seems like the project is telling me to keep working on it… a part of me just feels that it’s too good to let go.
It’s a sitcom, so it’s definitely fun to work on these days.
Good luck with everything you’re doing.
Glad to hear it.
I’m addressing my own depression (ironically enough) — they always say the first step to recovery is admitting there is a problem. I’m getting a full regiment of blood tests and hopefully my doctor will point me to the right medication. I’ve been out-of-work for almost a year now… and with an 18 mo. old and a wife depending on my income (or lack thereof), it’s been a real strain on all of us. I feel like a colossal failure most of the time for having lost my job to begin with, which has caused my hair to go “Bill Clinton” a bit. Dwelling on negativity does not do a bit of good, but understanding it and where it stems from is the key to overcoming and moving beyond it.
I have some great ideas for scripts, and plan on resuming my journey as an aspiring writer once I stabilize things (get a job… benefits… bring home the bacon…). Right now, it’s a distraction I cannot afford to entertain, although it is all I think about and all I truly love — WRITING.
Glad to hear you’re moving ahead of your own ‘demons’ and resuming a promising path. I wish you the best.
~Papa D
You, too.
Hang on.