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General => Movies and TV => Topic started by: TempusVox on December 31, 2011, 01:42:24 PM
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I am very excited and pleased to announce that my friend James and I have inked a deal with the Weinstein Company to develop a quasi-autobiographical screenplay tentatively entitled "The Grizz". The story is something that has been bandied about for some time now.
The premise of the story is based on our true experiences with something we began purely by accident in 1990. It all began for us after a group of us decided to go see "Back to the Future II" one night, and upon arriving at the theater, found it to be sold out, so we ducked into "Christmas Vacation" instead. There are four of us close friends who basically grew up together. I have shared many stories and misadventures that we have had on this very site (some are certain to be included in the screenplay). Anyway, after seeing National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, the four of us (all drunk one evening) right after Christmas, had a really dumb idea (because we were drunk) to drive around and look at Christmas lights together, and listen to old 70's and 80's jams. So we did. We piled in our friend Karls car that first Christmas, and drove around, the four of us, drunk and singing hair metal songs, while looking at lights. Fortunately, God saw to keep us (and others) safe, and without a DUI. But what happened that night became the birth of what we have called every year since...The Griswold Awards. Aptly named in honor of Clark W. Griswolds light display from the movie. That first year we drove around and randomly called out fake awards. "Best Use of a Santa in a Nativity Scene"; or, "Most Icicles Hanging From a Garage"; or, "Best Use of the Color Red". We don't actually bestow an award on the houses we visit, although that has been proposed a few times, but never followed through with. (We've discussed sticking a flyer in mailboxes or something, but that's illegal, and no one wants to get out of the car long enough to ring some strangers doorbell either. Besides if we did they'd probably call the cops on us). So we just drive around, look at lights, sing our music and reminisce about the good old days. You get the idea.
Anyway, we have continued this tradition in some form or fashion every year since. Four years ago my friend James began bugging me to write a book about the whole thing. I politiely declined because it's not exactly my genre, and I didn't really have the time. He then asked if I would consider writing a screenplay with him instead, so we began shopping the idea around late last year. Most people have been very kind to me when I've presented the idea, but it was James who really pushed this baby through, and we've had multiple conversations with the good folks at Weinstein, and they finally accepted our pitch and made an offer on Wednesday. We have a great deal in that if it's produced, we retain quite a bit of rights on the back end.
Anyway, the story basically is about four friends who are at different places in their lives, and who meet up each year to particpate in their "Griswold (or "Grizz") ritual (much to the chagrin of a couple of the guys significant others). This particular year finds them in such different places that they fear this may be their last "Grizz". The story takes them on a journey reminiscing on past experiences, and on a crazy madcap night of their own (ala "The Hangover" but funnier and more realistic :biggrin: ).
I'll keep you all posted on this project, and if the good folks at Weinstein/Dimension decide to produce it once we've completed it. Anyway, I'm exitedand wanted to share.
Of special note: the following conversation transpired the other day when we got off the phone with our agent regarding the offer for the screenplay:
James: Man, you know what story we have to incorporate into this don't you?
Me: Yeah...I guess.
James: (Tempus), everytime I tell someone that story they at first think I'm making it up, and then they laugh their asses off.
Me: Dude, I know... me too.
Me: I cannot believe you jumped up in his face and screamed at him like that.
James: I know...crazy right?
Me: Ahhh, YEAH!
James: Not as crazy as tellin' him, "Hang on I'm not finished yet!"
Me: What's even more fucked up is he actually shut up and chilled and waited until I was done.
James: THAT'S fucked up! :lol
Lord help me if the Viet Nam Vet story ever actually makes it to the big screen. :biggrin:
Anyway, wish us luck! :metal
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This is simply not true.
For one thing, I am not your friend. ;)
Second, that conversation NEVER happened between us.
I am calling my friend Kevin and sorting this out.
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Good luck, TV! Sounds exciting!
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For one thing, I am not your friend. ;)
:( This makes me immeasurably sad. Thanks. Thanks alot.
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I thought the wink gave it away that I was joking :(
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Good luck, TV! Sounds exciting!
Thanks Hef! I actually never thought we'd be doing it. But James really worked his ass off to make it happen. It's exciting!
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Being James' friend is overrated. He constantly makes you drive him around everywhere, and when you order a pizza he never chips in for the tip. Trust me, you're better off not being his friend.
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I thought the wink gave it away that I was joking :(
Easy for you to say now... :(
:biggrin:
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Haha, I'll be over later tonight with a copy of my notes for the screenplay.
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That's great news, sir. Best of luck. Please disclose as much info as you can on the process of developing the screenplay and pitching to studios, as it is a field that fascinates me. Are you a west coast native?
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Thanks Myke. In our case it was really about some of my contacts at Random House putting us together with the right people, and my friends enthusiasm, persistence and patience paying off. There is sort of a formula I guess for the pitch meeting(s), and if you'd like I can PM you those more minor, but important details.
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Is anyone else attached to the project, or is it just a script deal?
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Congrats TV!!!! I am very happy for you,, sounds awesome...wishing you the very best!!
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I expect some form of Dream Theater reference or something in the movie....
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Seriously though... This is freaking awesome! Congrats!
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Is anyone else attached to the project, or is it just a script deal?
For now it's only a script deal, but there are a lot of things also in the works. Michael at WG wants to set something up this spring when were further along with Adam McKay. That's all I can really go into detail about now, but we're hopeful.
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Holy shit, man. That is fucking terrific! I'm going to film school in April, majoring in Film Production, so this makes it all the more exciting. Best of luck to you!!!!!!!!
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Is anyone else attached to the project, or is it just a script deal?
For now it's only a script deal, but there are a lot of things also in the works. Michael at WG wants to set something up this spring when were further along with Adam McKay. That's all I can really go into detail about now, but we're hopeful.
So it'll turn into a Will Ferrell comedy? Do not want. :P
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Is anyone else attached to the project, or is it just a script deal?
For now it's only a script deal, but there are a lot of things also in the works. Michael at WG wants to set something up this spring when were further along with Adam McKay. That's all I can really go into detail about now, but we're hopeful.
So it'll turn into a Will Ferrell comedy? Do not want. :P
:lol Not necessarily!
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Is anyone else attached to the project, or is it just a script deal?
For now it's only a script deal, but there are a lot of things also in the works. Michael at WG wants to set something up this spring when were further along with Adam McKay. That's all I can really go into detail about now, but we're hopeful.
Sounds very nice. Congratulations and good luck!
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Will there be boobs?
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Will there be boobs?
This question cannot be stressed enough.
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As long as they're not Will Ferrell's.
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Very cool Temp. Congrats!
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Will there be boobs?
This question cannot be stressed enough.
Agreed. Boobs are absolutely necessary for any screenplay to be artistically valid.
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Is anyone else attached to the project, or is it just a script deal?
For now it's only a script deal, but there are a lot of things also in the works. Michael at WG wants to set something up this spring when were further along with Adam McKay. That's all I can really go into detail about now, but we're hopeful.
Yeah man, fire away!
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Very cool TV!!!
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WOW..... how very exciting TVox..... Best of luck.... looking forward to the updates....
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The mystery of Tempus Vox will be a secret no longer
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Edit: Derp me.
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That's awesome!! Congratulations!
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The mystery of Tempus Vox will be a secret no longer
:lol
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The mystery of Tempus Vox will be a secret no longer
My immediate thought. :lol
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Congrats, that is great news! As said previously try to keep us all up to date on the progress. Awesome news. :smiley:
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The mystery of Tempus Vox will be a secret no longer
My immediate thought. :lol
It would be a lie to say that hadn't crossed my mind.
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Very very cool. Can't wait to see the trailer, and then the whole damn thing.
Good luck.
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Congrats!
Do not compromise. Take a refresher with Geddy about that.
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Absolutely awesome, congratulations Tempus. This sounds exactly like a movie I would go see. Right up my alley with my sense of humor.
BTW, I live near two houses (unfortunately not next to each other) that seriously have like a million of those blow up light up lawn decorations every year... like more of those than yard show. Seriously. And the one I'm closer to, while having significantly less decorations, is about half the size of the other house, so it's just as bad. Most obnoxious lawn decorations. They seriously need to use that in the film, like film them driving next to the house or something. I should take a picture and post it, because the decorations are probably still up.
BTW (again) one of the houses does that for every single holiday, I shit you not... so I'm going to see a bunch of blow up cupids and hearts in the next few weeks on that guy's lawn...
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PLease work in the Vietnam Vet story. I know it's legendary, and that you won't repost it.
Or you could just post it, pretty please?
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Fantastic!
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Congrats!
And belated congrats on The Firm series. I watched the first episode last night, and it was pretty good. :tup
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*Bosk uses misdirection/inside joke*
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:lol