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
).
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!
Lord help me if the Viet Nam Vet story ever actually makes it to the big screen.
Anyway, wish us luck!
Topic: Just Inked Screenplay Deal with Weinstein Company (Read 2955 times)
