Back in '97 I was "Lucid"

I completed my first spec screenplay called "Lucid" and registered it with the Writer's Guild of America. Before that I was writing short stories and hoping to write the great American novel. I had always been a big fan of movies, but had never tried writing a screenplay. Then I discovered Syd Field and found a few of his books on screenwriting, and I was off and running.

I remember I had gone to see "Scream 2". The series where all the characters are hip to pop culture and know horror movie cliches. When I got home I received my first request for "Lucid".

"Lucid" was a screenplay about a small time collector for the mob who finds a painting that opens a doorway to another realm. There's a little more to it, but that'll serve for now.

A few weeks back, I had queried several literary agencies that I found on the Writer's Guild website who were willing to take a look at new writers. So, I received my request and promptly sent out my screenplay.

And waited and waited and waited.

Then received the standard "not for us at this time" which in Hollywood speak means never. But I was new and green as grass and thought it was great to even have a screenplay requested. More on the transformation of "Lucid" later.

My question: Do you remember your first request? And how did you go about getting it?

Screenwriting Contest

Guy Walks Into A Bar Productions Sponsors Latest Quarterly Screenplay Contest Designed To Launch A Screenwriter's Career!

Prize: The winner will receive representation from Guy Walks Into A Bar Management and begin working immediately to try to develop his/her script with Guy Walks Into A Bar Productions PLUS screenwriting software provided by Final Draft, a $200 gift certificate from The Writers Store, a gift certificate to any Action/Cut Seminar ($350 value) and a copy of Dr. Format Answers Your Questions ...

ENTER ONLINE - DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 1 2005

I'm mulling this one over. Sounds like a pretty good deal for the winner. If anybody has any feedback on Scr(i)pt magazine contests, please feel free to add a comment. I subscribe to the magazine, but have yet to enter one of their contest.

Jumping on the Blog bandwagon

After finding really excellent screenwriting information through other screenwriting blogs like http://johnaugust.com/ , I found it only inevitable before I tried my hand at one. I started my personal website Mark's Screenwriting Page (www.markatwater.com) way back in 1998 as a way to meet and share information with other screenwriters over the internet. Since then I've written 12 screenplays and more or less have had my share of little victories.

I've also hosted a screenwriting chat on Tuesday nights for quite a few years now at http://pub49.bravenet.com/chat/show.php/4136484944 Feel free to stop by.

Anyway, as I start a new trek through the web, I hope to meet many more screenwriters and hear their experiences.

And if you haven't checked his blog out yet, Josh Friedman has an excellent site at http://hucksblog.blogspot.com/

Mark