I woke up to this bit of good news this morning. 4388 screenplays were submitted into the BlueCat Screenplay Competition. 341 advanced to the Quarterfinals. My screenplay BREAK AWAY was one of them. You can find the complete list HERE. BlueCat has been a launching pad for many writers. It began in 1998 by Gordy Hoffman (brother of the late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman). I’ve entered my share of screenplays to BlueCat over the years but I’ve never managed to make the Quarters. It is a highly competitive competition which offers each writer a 600 word critique of what works and what needs improvements. You than can re-submit a new draft (which I did this year). But before I entered the new draft, I reached out to script consultant David Wappel, whom I spoke about in an earlier blog HERE. David really liked the script, but he did have some suggestions which he described as more ” scalpel work” – a far cry from a page one re-write. I took his suggestions, added a few of my own, re-worked the script before I resubmitted to BlueCat. I believe this new draft help push me into the Quarters. But regardless, this latest draft is a fine script.
These last 12 months have been hard on everywhere. I had a rough year of lots of rejections mostly to do with my screenplay LET IT SHINE. It’s left me feeling discouraged, lethargic. Recently I began reworking this script (more scalpel work) and it is now ready to go out into the world (again). During the pandemic, all I have been doing is re-writing these three scripts: screenplays BREAK AWAY, LET IT SHINE, and my play ANIMAL.
ANIMAL has been in my life the longest (over 10 years) and it really is time to let her go. I am tired of re-working this play. I recently read it over and I quite like this new version of the Shepherd family, the story of Raina Shepherd and her struggle with mental illness. I’ve been sending ANIMAL out and whatever happens, happens. And the same goes for BREAK AWAY and LET IT SHINE as they’ve been entered into competitions/festivals/fellowships. Here’s hoping the best is yet to come.
I have written nothing new these past 12 months. Some of that comes out of fear. What project will possess me next and take chunks of my time to develop? What is worthy? It is time to begin something fresh. Perhaps I need to approach a new script not so seriously, don’t put so much pressure and weight on the actual writing. And just write. And maybe take a page from painter Pablo Picasso to not overthink things:
Congratulations, Romeo. Praying for more good news!
That’s great news Romeo! Persistence is one of the precursors of success. Here’s hoping you hear more good news soon. You work so hard at your craft. You deserve it.
Congratulations Romeo!
Hey Romeo,
Glad to hear some positive news in the dissatisfying season!
Take Care
Jim
Congratulations Romeo, Here’s hoping for more good news at the next cut. Best wishes Rosalind
This is wonderful to hear Romeo! You are truly gifted in your craft. It was always an absolute joy working with you because regardless of the genre your writing reached in and moved my soul.
Let the newness of Spring lift you to new heights, my friend!
Keep going Rom – keep going!
And a Happy Easter to you and yours!
Wonderful news, Romeo! Hopefully this is just the beginning for Break Away! I’m sure your latest rewrite of Let It Shine will pay off as well.
That means you were better than at least 4047 other screenplays. Great to hear.
I always remind myself, without writers, 99% of movies and tv shows would not exist.
Congrats Romeo…I will always remember you and the help you gave me when I was in one of your plays…The commitment and dedication you had to pulling it off….Hope you are well
I’m so excited for you Romeo! Your big day is coming – stay faithful and keep looking UP! I got the bug for acting when participating in your Easter dramas, and when COVID is over, hope to see if there are any spots open for extras, etc. It was your enthusiasm and dedication to your craft that gave me a love and appreciation for the hard work that theatre and any acting is.
Wouldn’t it be something if Animal is the play that makes you famous?
In the meantime, start something fresh – it’s Spring ! A time for green plants to grow before they bloom!
Happy Easter, He is Risen!
This is wonderful Romeo, good to hear you made the cut.