the long haul...

So, a more show-biz-oriented post for you right here.

Just heard today that it looks like we've got a contract--or deal memo--signed to begin co-development on a new dramatic TV series that we've been incubating for some time.  The deal is with an established production company that helped create a major dramatic series that's currently running on CBS.

They're the real deal.

Here's what's post-worthy about this.

It's taken a million years to get to this point.

Okay, not a million, but a very long time.

It was 2002 when I decided that I needed to start leaning how to write for the screen.  I finished my first screenplay summer 2003 then wrote three more before writing one that got produced as a feature-film that I also directed.  The script that started us thinking in the direction of the TV series that's now under consideration was one we found more than three years ago.  We purchased the script two years ago--or maybe a year and a half ago.  We worked on that idea for a good six or seven months then decided to go in another direction.

I started workshopping the concept we're signing on this week summer 2008.

We built a mock-trailer for it fall 2008.

We showed the mock-trailer to the producer we're now entering into co-development with January 2009.

Four months later we're signing an agreement to develop the thing together.  

What that means is we'll workshop the idea 'till the point where our partners (with their deeper experience in pitching U.S networks and cable carriers) feel it's ready to 'go out with' after which they'll start working to find a home for the series.

Before that they'll probably put some feelers out to see if the parties they're considering approaching will be more inclined to consider our pitch if we 'attach' some elements--like a star actor or another more established TV production company or producer--to the pitch.  If they get a 'yes' to that, they'll work to get the attachments done.

Then, we'll start shopping.

Then, we'll either get interest or we won't.

If we do, we'll probably go into an extended 'refining the pitch' process which will either culminate in the series being picked up or not.

If it is, we'll go into pre-production for six months or so then start producing.

And so on, and so forth.

The point for you is that if you have a dream of doing something unique, that has mass impact and that is less-than-run-of-the-mill, you're going to be at it for a very long time.

Spiritual marathon shoes are what's required 'cause...

It's a long haul.

T