There's a thing that happens at networks and film studios: if an exec leaves under less than totally friendly circumstances, then all the projects associated with that person get buried - they get put in a weird limbo, where they're not going to get made, but can't be shopped anywhere else due to contractual bullshit ("Sure, you can shop the project elsewhere - if you pay us back ALL the money we've spent." "But if I get it made somewhere else, I can pay you back - wouldn't you rather take that chance?" "No, not so much.").
Three guesses what's happened to our show.
I'd seen the writing on the wall; normally every line of dialogue, every idea, every shot, every rough cut is second guessed by some level of network or studio jackassery - Standards and Practices (to make sure you don't do anything that will get the network fined), executives, executive's kids, the cleaning guy, various hangers-on, etc...
When all that stopped and we got no notes from anyone at all (even before we knew our exec was leaving) I knew we were doomed. Legally the only thing we can do is to wait until we can shop the show elsewhere - another year, I think.
I've turned my phone off tonight (and I'm holed up at a friend's house. The Blonde knows where I live and I'll bet that she'll be pounding on my front door at some ungodly hour), and I'm going to run the risk of missing a work call because I have got to get some sleep. I'm already hearing people who aren't actually there talking to me. I think - they might really be there and I'm just not moving fast enough.
Honestly? This whole process has put me under so much stress that I'm almost glad it's over.
I have to check with the lawyer to see how much of what happened I can write about. That may have to wait a year, too.
Couch of the Day:
11 comments:
it sounds like a great story...and oh so LA/Hollywood.
Hope you get some sleep.
Good to have a "safe house" to hole up in. My mom used to say things will look better after a good night's sleep. Hope it works for you!
I was editing a kid's show for ABC. It was the highest rated show on Saturday morning. The exec. in charge was fired. The new exec. killed the show because he didn't like the old exec. People think Hollywood is about the money. Nope, it's about power. Considering most middle management jobs at studios (D-girls, etc.) only last about 2 years, it's amazing ANYTHING at all gets made.
damn - i'm sorry to hear that.
Sorry your show got shit-canned for no good reason. Get some rest, eat right, don't forget to exercise for stress-relief.
Ignatz
Your blog keeps featuring this mysterious character (a destructive force) "the blonde" and this so-called "show" of yours...But we never learn just what it is/was. Beware of Hollywood pipedreams, for they will seem very real,...at first.
Thanks everyone - I feel much better today.
Anon- Both The Blonde and the show were explained at the very beginning of the blog - further back than most folks have read, probably. The nickname comes from some random literary reference, as I'm not willing to use real names here (a trait I share with many other bloggers). The show was a TV pilot which I couldn't explain in detail due to legal crap - the most detailed description is probably the one in the first post of this blog. Oh, and "destructive force" is an excellent description of The Blonde
Glad to hear you feel better.
I am totally convinced you could fall back on a career of making coffee table books. I would totally pay 35.99 for a book on your couches...
What WC Dixon said.
sorry to hear about the show. Hope you get the sleep you need, I know how bad it is to not sleep.
i feel your pain. keep at it.
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