INT. HALLWAY. DAY.
Bare legs walk down the stairs. They stop by a large pile of mail.
GLENN UPSALL, 37, stands by the front door. He is wearing only his boxer shorts. He is unshaven and his hair looks like it has had a bolt of electricity shot through it.
He scratches himself in a way only a man can do, and picks up the letters from his 'welcome' mat.
Glenn tosses the unwelcome bills aside. His attention is focused on a large, brown envelope.
He swallows hard. His breathing deepens. He chews his lip.
He tears at the gummed seal, and slides a thick block of crisp, clean pages out. It is a Screenplay. The name on the front matches the name on the envelope.
There is a single page 'business-headed' letter with it.
Glenn scans the letter. His eyes darting across the page. Prominent words and phrases stand out: enjoyed the read...very topical subject... lively pace...clear structure...characters are particularly engaging...
Glenn's eyes shine. The trace of a smile flashes across his lips. He reads on.
Slowly his smile melts away. His eyes glaze over. He SIGHS, and drops his hand down by his side. The letter hangs there, helpless.
Glenn turns to look at his reflection in the full length mirror. His love-handles spill over the waistband of his boxers. Tears well in his eyes.
GLENN
So this is what an inciting
incident feels like?
CUT TO:
Ok, Ok... So it wasn't exactly like that. I don't even have that much hair! But this was my FIRST EVER rejection letter from an Agent.
I admit it. I aimed high. I wasn't expecting to be greeted with a six-figure advance and an over zealous handshake. But I can't help myself. When it comes to my writing... I'm an optimist.
For years I've been happy writing for myself and my family. Even my local Writers' Circle. But I've finally decided to take the plunge, and persue a writing CAREER.
I took a Screenwriting course in 2005, and I finally have the finished (First Draft) of my Screenplay. I entered it into the Northern Film & Media's Writer's Bursary Scheme 2007, and to my surprise, I was 'shortlisted.' I made the final 6, of which 2 were given £5,000 each to develop their scripts.
With my ego boosted, I sent my script to a local (and highly successful) Production Company. Their 'Reader' found it "very interesting" and they've passed it to the Producer to read...I'm still waiting for the outcome of that....
In the meantime, I approached an Agent. I called them up. I talked. They listened. I was even amazed they allowed me to send it to them, to be honest!
Two weeks later came my reply. A polite and personally worded, 'thanks, but no thanks...and good luck.'
I have to admit. For a second, I was gutted. Like I said, I'm an optimist. Every time I pop an envelope in the post, I think 'that's the one'!!
My point is; in this (show)business we have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and grow a thicker skin everyday, or else we will just give up. Rejection makes us try harder.
But don't forget!!
It's all very well writing for that Producer, or to impress that Agent, or to win that £5,000 prize, only to be slapped across the face. We have to write for ourselves. Be true to ourselves. That's what makes it all worthwhile.
But a six figure deal would be nice too!!!
