Racing to the finish

The 4th draft of the Mafiaboy screenplay is in the hands of Blork as I write these words. He is my first reader and my favorite editor, which is the most convenient arrangement I could ever dream of. Loud noises from the stupid race cars on Ile Sainte-H�l�ne provide a strange soundtrack to his reading. It’s like a swarm of killer bees, hovering over the house, threatening us.

I hate that sound.

My back hurts from sitting at the computer too much.

I’m going to go in the living room with him. I’ll try to read while I discretely check on his reactions. Is he laughing? Does he look annoyed? Is he using his red pen? Again?

If all goes well, the script will be in the hands of the producer on Tuesday morning. If all goes well, it will be in the hands of the director in a week or so. If all goes well, it will be ready to turn in, budget and all, for the October deadline at Telefilm Canada. It all goes well, they’ll say yes and give us the money for production, though they never say yes on the first turn – at least that’s what people say. If all goes well, they’ll start shooting in 2005.

That’s a lot of ifs.

But hey, that’s the business. And I feel better about it because the producer has just offered me another feature to write – the adaptation of a British best-seller chick lit novel. She optioned it recently and I’ve just started reading it yesterday. It’s about a woman who gets dumped on the altar, but I won’t talk about it because it might upset Lisa, a few days before the big day. Don’t worry dear, it only happens in the movies.

By Martine

Screenwriter / scénariste-conceptrice