This is the 1st batch of ideas I'm putting out for your consideration. Pick the one that you'd like to see, buy or support so I can get cracking over here. Grazie!
1. Paranoid Lloyd. PROJECT: Screenplay. IDEA: An uptight Santa Monica water delivery truck driver becomes the focus of a multi-agency government manhunt—while falling in love on a blind date with a sexy former secret service agent-turned yoga instructor. COLLABORATOR: Carlos T. Dogg. BEST CASE SCENARIO: Jack Black’s take on Lloyd turns into the biggest hit of his career. WORST CASE SCENARIO: We have a completed 1st draft in dire need of a rewrite.
2. 13 BlissPICS. PROJECT: Oversized framed digital photos (2'x3'?) from my travels. IDEA: Gallery show in San Francisco. (Or LA? NYC?) Invite all my local friends and their 13 closest friends. Eddie Elliott flavors the vibe by playing my 13 favorite Eddie tunes. COLLABORATORS: Eddie. Maria M. (connoiseur of fine art and interesting people)? Pattee S. (curator extraordinaire)? BEST CASE SCENARIO: The night is such a smash that we get offers from people in 12 other cities to host/promote “13 BlissPICS” nights all across the U.S. WORST CASE SCENARIO: We have a fun night in a cool city, hanging out with friends and listening to good music.
3. Gut Check. PROJECT: Book. IDEA: Self-published anthology of stories, essays, poems and lyrics written by me and my fellow 9th Ward volunteers from Common Ground Relief about our experiences in New Orleans. COLLABORATORS: Any and all Common Ground volunteers. BEST CASE SCENARIO: The book perfectly captures what it was like to volunteer in post-Katrina New Orleans. The project strikes a chord, inspires many more to get involved and ends up being featured on Oprah. WORST CASE SCENARIO: We have a handsome, well-intentioned book that explains to family and friends just what it was like to volunteer in the 9th Ward.
4. Opening Act. PROJECT: Documentary. IDEA: 13 days on the road with Eddie Elliott. From opening for David Wilcox, one of his music heroes, during 3 gigs in Northern California. To driving out to Iowa, where Eddie was the headliner for another trio of shows in Iowa. I shot 13 1-hour DV tapes when I hit the road with Eddie in early May. This project is full of heart, soul and great music. A peak into the life of a wise, articulate musician trying to carve out a career in music. COLLABORATOR: Eddie Elliott. BEST CASE SCENARIO: The project gets into Sundance and Eddie becomes the next Dave Matthews. WORST CASE SCENARIO: We've got a DVD that Eddie can package and market with his first live album.
5. Tall Paul Gets Cool. PROJECT: Children’s book. IDEA: Nearly 3 years ago I put together a "Flat Stanley" book for my nephew Parker’s 2nd grade class. Since the Flat Stanley character is someone else's creation, I've taken the same story—which proved to be a big hit with all the 2nd grade classes at Parker's school—and reconceptualized the 2 main characters. Flat Stanley and Lisa Simpson are now "Tall Paul" and "Round Robin." Starring in a story about alienation, self-acceptance and what it means to be cool. COLLABORATOR: Ernie, who's designed the Tall Paul and Round Robin characters. BEST CASE SCENARIO: The media picks up on the story of our collaboration, leading to huge sales and more Tall Paul books. WORST CASE SCENARIO: We've got a cool little book that we can pass along to friends and family.
6. 13 GreetingCARDS. PROJECT: My photos turned into memorable greeting cards. IDEA: I’ll produce 3 sets of cards with a trio of different themes (winter/summer/humor). The 1st set I’ve already completed using photos from my SaltSpring Island winter. The 2nd and 3rd sets will use my photos paired with captions/punchlines submitted by readers. COLLABORATORS: Anybody willing to contribute an idea. BEST CASE SCENARIO: The cards are a hit, we sell enough boxes to fund all my other creative ventures and greeting cards become a staple moneymaker in the Bobtimystic Publishing empire. WORST CASE SCENARIO: We've got an endless supply of cards we'll be giving to friends and family for the next 13 years.
7. My Old Lady. PROJECT: Short film. IDEA: A simple story utilizing 2 of my favorite people in the world—Ruth and Tamale, both of them former actresses. We'll make the whole thing on the cheap. Using my consumer model DV camera, shooting almost entirely at Ruth’s new assisted living home. COLLABORATORS: Ruth & Tamale. BEST CASE SCENARIO: Our little film gets into a bunch of film festivals, while Ruth and Tamale get flooded with acting offers. WORST CASE SCENARIO: Ruth gets the satisfaction of acting with her new favorite hairstylist, Tamale.
8. Letting Go of VanGo. PROJECT: Documentary. IDEA: The story of me and my beloved, troubled car. The project will explore the history and mystique of the VW bus, while also touching on many of the interesting stories revolving around the vehicle I bought 13 years ago. From magazine photo shoots, to appearances in MTV videos to multiple cross-country adventures to trips into the Hollywood Hills to visit supermodels. This old boy has been around. The project will also follow my efforts to raffle off the bus. Once I've sold $13,013 "tickets" at $1 per entry, the movie will conclude with me taking my final VanGo road trip to deliver the car to the winner...wherever they might be. One last adventure. All of it on video. With lots of cool music. COLLABORATORS: My director friend Nippy? NYC Bugsy? Anybody willing to look through my VanGo footage and help edit tapes? Atlanta Glenn? BEST CASE SCENARIO: Another film festival favorite, one last crazy adventure with VanGo and enough leftover cash to buy a reliable new ride. WORST CASE SCENARIO: VanGo catches fire in the New Mexico desert and gets totalled by a meth-crazed teenager while I'm off hunting down a tow truck.
9. Under the Radar. PROJECT: Book. IDEA: A collection of stories, blog entries, essays and poems written by me and the small army of bloggers I’ve been reading the last couple years, most of whom have never been published before. COLLABORATORS: All the bloggers I love. BEST CASE SCENARIO: The book turns into a must-have summer read while launching a number of professional writing careers. WORST CASE SCENARIO: Everyone who contributes to the project has a nice looking book to prove to friends and family that they are, in fact, a published author.
10. 13 Songs/13 Stories. PROJECT: Music, storytelling & photography. IDEA: A night of songs and stories. With pics projected onto the wall behind us. This is my chance to share some of the stories I've accumulated during my travels, plus an opportunity to get over my fear of playing music in front of a crowd. I'd also utilize many of the songs written and performed by my friend Eddie to underscore and illuminate my stories and photos. COLLABORATORS: Eddie Elliott. Anyone willing to host/promote such a night in their living room/backyard/loft/favorite bar/theater/warehouse. BEST CASE SCENARIO: The night is such a hit that we get offers to take the show on the road, hitting another dozen towns with our stories and songs. WORST CASE SCENARIO: Everyone has a great time. I polish up my storytelling skills. Eddie sells lots of CDs and we both make some new fans.
11. 13 Artists. PROJECT: Paintings. IDEA: Gallery show in...LA?...Santa Fe?...San Diego?...Little Rock? Featuring the various artists I’ve connected with during my last few years on the road. COLLABORATORS: Mr. and Mrs. McQueen of Santa Fe? The Laser sisters of Little Rock? Team Quixote in Hollywood? BEST CASE SCENARIO: All the paintings sell and each of the artists gets some well-deserved recognition. WORST CASE SCENARIO: The paintings don't sell but the artists get exposed to new audiences while everyone has a good ol' time drinking too much wine.
12. Relationship Killers. PROJECT: Screenplay. IDEA: A pair of friends come up with a killer business idea for getting non-confrontational people out of unwanted relationships. I started writing this idea with my friend back east last fall. COLLABORATOR: NYC Bugsy. BEST CASE SCENARIO: Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson hit pay dirt again with this smart romantic comedy. WORST CASE SCENARIO: Another 1st draft in need of a rewrite.
13. Wide Open. PROJECT: ???? IDEA: I'm leaving this spot open for someone to come to me with an idea. It could be a video or film project. A photography idea. A publishing venture. The sky's the limit. COLLABORATER: You?
* I'll be posting another 13 ideas here soon. In the meantime, weigh in NOW with your opinion about which project you think I should tackle next.
2 comments:
I think you should work on them in this order.
1. Tall Paul Gets Cool. It seems to be pretty much done or easy to finish up. This is what you should start with to get the ball rolling. Plus Childrens books can make a mint.
2. Paranoid Lloyd. You owe it to yourself to get this monkey off your back. At one point you were stoked to get this thing out there. I think that if you dig back into it you'll find your mojo again.
3. Under The Radar. This sounds pretty cool. It has a hip vibe that might be easy to pitch to publishers. There is a ton of great talent out there that has yet to be discovered.
4. Letting Go of VanGo. I'm a little biased on this one. I know that this story has a special niche. At the very least, you could sell these at VW shows which are abundant and cheap (to sell at) in SoCal. A small ad in HotVWs could generate a ton of sales. A book would probably work better than a video IMHO. Or you could combine both and sell it as a package. Maybe incorporate a raffle ticket into the cost of the book?
Get to work!
More vote? New Orleans, Letting Go of Van Go, and perhaps that blogger book...
...tough to choose from all the choices, but I'd go with what feels energetically and most easily realized to get the ball rolling. An the heels of accomplishment, the others should flow...
Post a Comment