Someone had to do it, so...

Happy New Year all!

My goals are simple. Sell two features. I mean, yeah, I gotta write them first and all, but that's pretty much it.

And I've been reading a helluva lot of scripts lately, and having a lot of fun with it.

That said, best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year. Much thanks to the Don!

Steve

For 2020, I want to complete the 1st draft for some of the scripts I thought of the previous year.

$7,000,000
GENERATION: DOOMSDAY.
Iconic
The City That Murder Built

Thanks for starting this Steve! I will be posting my comment as soon as I get home later this afternoon. I have only used my phone for the last couple of weeks. I thought I would be reading and writing a lot on vacation, but I only open my laptop ones LOL. There was no Internet, so I closed it up and put it away. All I can say is the Twenty20 better be more productive than 2019!  

My goal is simple:  Be more productive than last year.

In my defence 2019 was an Annus Horribilis on the homefront.
Regardless, I enjoyed my SS Mod duties, managed a few Blog reviews, and second place in one round of the Writer's Tournament was a highlight.

Happy New Year, all!  

Some of mine:

Vote
See The Rise of Skywalker (and possibly Solo) and FINALLY get caught up on Star Wars (Maybe try not releasing one every year, Bob)
Catch up on the last six Marvel movies
Read more
Write more
Get audiophile-grade speakers and receiver
Get the rest of everything I need to enjoy vinyl (anti-static brush, stylus cleaner, poly inner sleeves, aforementioned speakers, possibly external pre-amp if RCA cable doesn't reach)
Complete this one short film I had been shooting for a few years and am just now editing (I'm currently working on compositing a green screen sequence one frame at a time... It's complicated, since it's a foreground, background, and mid-ground.)
Film more shorts
Watch more Blu-rays and DVDs now that I have a new player
Finish at least season 2 of Game of Thrones

My main focus is to get the Cyborn novel published and an agent. I'm gathering lists (checking them twice) and sending out query letters. I'll also be looking for network/pitching sessions I can go to.

I will continue with writing screenplays. I'm prepping The Broken Kingdom TV pilot and Bible for pitching at the London Screenwriting Festival in April.

Although 2019 was a great year, I was terribly unproductive as far as anything creative goes. So, my 2020 goals are simple. Get back to being creative dammit! Read more, write more, film more. Finish up those features that are either near finished or just in first draft form. Write new scripts! Shoot at least two short films! One of which I want to be a sequel to Them That's Dead. Them That's Undead. Yes, a zombie pirate film hopefully shot at Fort Matanzas in FL. Unless I can find a fort type thing even closer.

Let's get this creative year started!!!  

No goals for 2020. 2019, I don't think I tried and failed so much as I ran my mouth (keyboard, rather) and didn't follow through. Less talking, more doing would be preferable. Less talking, less doing, even. See what happens...

Happy New Year, all!

My goal is to make it to 2021 - rinse and repeat

My goals are same as Libby and Pia's... as outside of a few shorts I was pretty unproductive last year and made a bunch of crap excuses as to why.

Oh and be more regular on here in terms of contribution and on the Opportunity posts which have been somewhat Ad Hoc of late

Happy New Year to all!

To finish a feature and get one, just one short film actually made....

Okay, time to set some goals...

1) Crowd fund the first 3 issues of the Shaka comic. Issue #1 set to hit Kickstarter in March. 3 was ambitious especially with COVID, but it looks like issue 1 will fund which means issue 2 will happen and we should get it up before the end of the year.

2) Enter all 2020 OWC's. Zero entered to date, actually entered one but pulled the script on the first day because I couldn't commit to reading.

3) Finish at least one feature, be it one in progress or a new one completely. Not even close

4) Write my first pilot ever. Nope

5) Have one short produced.  Completed!! A New Present was filmed and looks amazing, even if I say so myself. It even had a song written specifically for it by Dutch musician Alain Clark. I have it stuck in my head constantly. Also had The Painter produced.

Pretty similar goals to last year but I think they cover most bases in terms of writing and content creation. I'm super excited about what this year might hold.

Good luck everyone, hopefully it's a productive 2020.

Quoted from Warren 2) Enter all 2020 OWC's.

Speaking of...      

I'll play! Nothing like putting a little heat on yourself by publicly proclaiming goals.

1. Stop eating at my computer.
2. If not 1, then stop spilling food on me while eating at my computer.
3. Get into Imagine Impact.

If 3, then go where it takes me. If not 3, then...

4. Finish current feature rewrite project.
5. Start and finish one new existing feature idea. Also, start developing another existing idea.

(Dammit! Number 1 and 2 are out. Stupid mayonnaise!)

6. Enter all OWCs.
7. Get at least one short made.
8. Take another run at finally getting Bad Fish right.
9. Something unexpected. Good unexpected. I'm open. (Might I suggest to the universe: get a manager?)

Guess I'm off to a better start than last year. Wrote a 5 pager for someone today. He might not like it, but I wrote it and that's a good start.  

Good for you, Pia!

No Goals for me. I made great strides in 2019 in improving my writing, but it came at the expense of my career - so 2020 will have to focus on that since it makes me money and at the moment, writing makes me zero.

I suppose I could do with a friend for my crappy mug - yeah, that's my goal - another crappy mug

I would also quite like to see the only script I have optioned out made, but since I haven't heard from the creator in a while and he appears to be working on other things, I won't hold my breath.

Well it's the middle of a year like no other and I thought it time to update my goals. Has anybody come close to achieving their goals?

My year has been pretty woeful in terms of writing, but the few things I have achieved have been amazing in their own right.

How is everyone going?

Quoted from Warren Okay, time to set some goals... 1) Crowd fund the first 3 issues of the Shaka comic. Issue #1 set to hit Kickstarter in March. 3 was ambitious especially with COVID, but it looks like issue 1 will fund which means issue 2 will happen and we should get it up before the end of the year. 2) Enter all 2020 OWC's. Zero entered to date, actually entered one but pulled the script on the first day because I couldn't commit to reading. 3) Finish at least one feature, be it one in progress or a new one completely. Not even close 4) Write my first pilot ever. Nope 5) Have one short produced.  Completed!! A New Present was filmed and looks amazing, even if I say so myself. It even had a song written specifically for it by Dutch musician Alain Clark. I have it stuck in my head constantly. Pretty similar goals to last year but I think they cover most bases in terms of writing and content creation. I'm super excited about what this year might hold. Good luck everyone, hopefully it's a productive 2020.

Quoted from Warren Well it's the middle of a year like no other and I thought it time to update my goals. Has anybody come close to achieving their goals? My year has been pretty woeful in terms of writing, but the few things I have achieved have been amazing in their own right. How is everyone going?

I've just completed my fourth feature for the year as well as four shorts.  So on the content side, things went well.

I have done ZERO on the production side other than I signed a shopping agreement for one feature and have a short being produced in an animated format. But zero query letters and things of that sort - got to start working that.

Quoted from eldave1 I've just completed my fourth feature for the year as well as four shorts.  So on the content side, things went well.

Four features in one year!? Damn. You're a beast, Dude.  

Quoted from Zack Four features in one year!? Damn. You're a beast, Dude.

Just simple math, mate.

Covid lockdown +  retirement = time to spare.

Quoted from eldave1 Just simple math, mate. Covid lockdown +  retirement = time to spare.

So, I need to retire and quarantine myself. I'm picking up what you're putting down.  

Quoted from Zack So, I need to retire and quarantine myself. I'm picking up what you're putting down.

LOL

Quoted from PKCardinal I'll play! Nothing like putting a little heat on yourself by publicly proclaiming goals. 1. Stop eating at my computer. 2. If not 1, then stop spilling food on me while eating at my computer. 3. Get into Imagine Impact. If 3, then go where it takes me. If not 3, then... 4. Finish current feature rewrite project. 5. Start and finish one new existing feature idea. Also, start developing another existing idea. (Dammit! Number 1 and 2 are out. Stupid mayonnaise!) 6. Enter all OWCs. 7. Get at least one short made. 8. Take another run at finally getting Bad Fish right. 9. Something unexpected. Good unexpected. I'm open. (Might I suggest to the universe: get a manager?)

1. Nope
2. Nope
3. There currently is no Imagine Impact.
4. Done
5. Started. No words on the page, yet. But, pre-work has begun.
6. I think I'm still good there. Though, not sure my entry in this one should actually count.
7. Done. Woohoo!
8. Not yet.
9. Plenty of bad unexpected. Some small good unexpected, but nothing of consequence yet.

Quoted from PKCardinal 1. Nope 2. Nope 3. There currently is no Imagine Impact. 4. Done 5. Started. No words on the page, yet. But, pre-work has begun. 6. I think I'm still good there. Though, not sure my entry in this one should actually count. 7. Done. Woohoo! 8. Not yet. 9. Plenty of bad unexpected. Some small good unexpected, but nothing of consequence yet.

Sounds to me like you've had a pretty good year, Dude.  

Quoted from eldave1 I've just completed my fourth feature for the year as well as four shorts.  So on the content side, things went well. I have done ZERO on the production side other than I signed a shopping agreement for one feature and have a short being produced in an animated format. But zero query letters and things of that sort - got to start working that.

Four features even with COVID and retirement is quite the accomplishment. I wish I could get one down.

Quoted from PKCardinal 1. Nope 2. Nope 3. There currently is no Imagine Impact. 4. Done 5. Started. No words on the page, yet. But, pre-work has begun. 6. I think I'm still good there. Though, not sure my entry in this one should actually count. 7. Done. Woohoo! 8. Not yet. 9. Plenty of bad unexpected. Some small good unexpected, but nothing of consequence yet.

I'm glad you got the short film in the bag, I know it's the first of many.

Reviewing my progress.

1 -  Cyborn novel published and an agent. - So far I've queried over 200 agents and publishers. Lots of rejections and plenty of no replies at all.  However, I'm pleased to say I've had full manuscript read requests from 2 literary agents and a publisher. This all happened just before lockdown so I'm hoping this doesn't stop anything from happening. Fingers crossed, one of them makes me an offer.

If not, I've identified another 60 agents to approach.  I'm also in the finals of Tracking Boards Launch Pad Manuscript competition with this novel, so maybe that will give me new leads.

2 - Continue with writing screenplays. - I've written a feature screenplay. Just editing it now. Then I will write a new TV pilot. I have an idea and I've begun exploring the possibility of forming a virtual Zoom writers room with a few writing friends to develop it.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw Reviewing my progress. 1 -  Cyborn novel published and an agent. - So far I've queried over 200 agents and publishers. Lots of rejections and plenty of no replies at all.  However, I'm pleased to say I've had full manuscript read requests from 2 literary agents and a publisher. This all happened just before lockdown so I'm hoping this doesn't stop anything from happening. Fingers crossed, one of them makes me an offer. If not, I've identified another 60 agents to approach.  I'm also in the finals of Tracking Boards Launch Pad Manuscript competition with this novel, so maybe that will give me new leads. 2 - Continue with writing screenplays. - I've written a feature screenplay. Just editing it now. Then I will write a new TV pilot. I have an idea and I've begun exploring the possibility of forming a virtual Zoom writers room with a few writing friends to develop it.

Cool on the literary requests - keeping fingers crossed for you.

My only goal this year is to get to next year in better mental shape.  This has been a shit year, and it's taken its toll.

But as my dad always used to tell me, "Better days are ahead."  

Quoted from Gary in Houston My only goal this year is to get to next year in better mental shape.  This has been a shit year, and it's taken its toll. But as my dad always used to tell me, "Better days are ahead."

Rooting for you, mate

Figured I’d bump this to see where everyone was at, goal wise.

My 2020 goal to sell two features started off great with a bang in February. I found a production company that really liked a script I’d written, signed a writers agreement to develop the script further then...

Fucking COVID.  Things were put on hold, but slowly things started to progress. I was asked to do several rewrites until we felt we had a great script. They sent it off to their foreign partners and that’s where we hit the snag. They wanted more rewrites. Then another and another until we changed things so much I was progressively losing the story and it showed.

So, that went down the drain. However, they still like my writing. My foot is still in that door. They want to see something else. Another spec. So, I need to get cracking.

So, yeah, goals not met but hopeful nonetheless.

Steve

I felt bad for not participating in 2020 goal setting. Now that we're almost through with the year, I'm damn glad!

I come from a long line of underachievers. Our family motto: "When good enough, is good enough."

I make sure to set that bar low enough so every day is a success. Check!

Quoted from JEStaats I felt bad for not participating in 2020 goal setting. Now that we're almost through with the year, I'm damn glad! I come from a long line of underachievers. Our family motto: "When good enough, is good enough." I make sure to set that bar low enough so every day is a success. Check!

You’re a wise man, John.

Very funny, John, and I agree!

I try to stay off these threads cause promises, promises...

Mine is simple :

To write a feature length screenplay. Finally.
That'd be nice.

P.S. Just noticed Gary's comment from June (above).
Hope you're doing okay, mate. Thinking of you.

I don't think anything has changed since I reviewed these halfway through the year...

Quoted Text Okay, time to set some goals... 1) Crowd fund the first 3 issues of the Shaka comic. Issue #1 set to hit Kickstarter in March. 3 was ambitious especially with COVID, but it looks like issue 1 will fund which means issue 2 will happen and we should get it up before the end of the year. 2) Enter all 2020 OWC's. Zero entered to date, actually entered one but pulled the script on the first day because I couldn't commit to reading. 3) Finish at least one feature, be it one in progress or a new one completely. Not even close 4) Write my first pilot ever. Nope 5) Have one short produced.  Completed!! A New Present was filmed and looks amazing, even if I say so myself. It even had a song written specifically for it by Dutch musician Alain Clark. I have it stuck in my head constantly. Also had The Painter produced. Pretty similar goals to last year but I think they cover most bases in terms of writing and content creation. I'm super excited about what this year might hold. Good luck everyone, hopefully it's a productive 2020.

I actually had another short produced, The Painter, but God damn it was bad.

Also had two shorts filmed in Nigeria, still yet to see the finished products.

And Issue 2 of the Shaka comic will be out in 2021.

That's all, not overly productive but still had some good things happening.

Quoted from MarkRenshaw My main focus is to get the Cyborn novel published and an agent. I'm gathering lists (checking them twice) and sending out query letters. I'll also be looking for network/pitching sessions I can go to. I will continue with writing screenplays. I'm prepping The Broken Kingdom TV pilot and Bible for pitching at the London Screenwriting Festival in April.

Well, what a year. Despite COVID I did try with all my heart to do this above. I spent months querying around 300 literary agents and publishers. Lots of rejections, even more no replies and then suddenly I had three requests for the full manuscript. Several months and a lockdown passed with me biting my nails, but ultimately they turned it down saying they loved the book, they just didn't think they could sell it. Sci-fi comedies are just not popular it seems. I may look into self-publishing next year. Vanity, yes, but I've spent over three years now writing Cyborn (the short, the feature, the novel and then trying to get it published) so even if no-one buys it, it's going out there somehow!

Despite everything, I had a good year. I sold three options for actual cash, two shorts have been filmed. One in Mexico, the other (Atoll's Edge) in New Jersey. Both directors have been quiet in post-production, which isn't usually a good sign, but I will reach out to them in the New year and see how they are getting on.

I wrote loads of shorts, a feature and I'm just finishing off a one-hour TV pilot. I got an email yesterday from a guy who claims he's been working on The Batman and Mission Impossible this year and he's interested in a few of my short scripts. I haven't had time to check this out (and of course I'm dubious about his claims) but a lead is a lead.

And today, got an email letting me know my short comedy Geriatricks (which is on this site) won 2nd place in The Red Script competition, which includes a cash prize and promotion. I'll take that!

Whatever you managed to do or not to do this year, it was enough. Give yourselves a pat on the back for making it in one piece and here's to a better, brighter new year my friends.

Quoted from Warren And Issue 2 of the Shaka comic will be out in 2021.

Where can I pick up a signed copy of issue #1?

Quoted from AnthonyCawood My goals are same as Libby and Pia's... as outside of a few shorts I was pretty unproductive last year and made a bunch of crap excuses as to why. Oh and be more regular on here in terms of contribution and on the Opportunity posts which have been somewhat Ad Hoc of late

2020 started awfully, lockdown completely f*cked me up mentally and I couldn't find any motivation to write... then an OWC and Challenge turned that on it's head and I think I've finished the year with 20 new shorts and 1 feature completed this year.

Have sold/optioned about 6 shorts this year so far, though don't think any have been completed in 2020, perhaps not that surprising.

I've added a few more to the Opportunities posts, done 5 more interviews, reviewed a script and re-written half my screenwriting Articles too - so productive on that front too.

2021 I'd like to finish my WW1 Horror feature, complete one other and finish my kids TV pilot.

All the best to all for the new year!

I don't even want to read what my goals were for this year. Whatever they were, I'm sure it didn't involve not writing and instead paint the house and build, Tiki bar, isolate myself, and not seeing my family.

I did option a handful of shorts but have not kept contact with them, so have no clue what the status is on those. I have two directors waiting for Desert Tears, but I still couldn't muster up the energy to finish the rewrite.

Conclusion: I have poor self-discipline and when under stress, I like to paint?  

Quoted from Grandma Bear I don't even want to read what my goals were for this year. Whatever they were, I'm sure it didn't involve not writing and instead paint the house and build, Tiki bar, isolate myself, and not seeing my family. I did option a handful of shorts but have not kept contact with them, so have no clue what the status is on those. I have two directors waiting for Desert Tears, but I still couldn't muster up the energy to finish the rewrite. Conclusion: I have poor self-discipline and when under stress, I like to paint?

From my read - I thought you were at least 80% there - BRING IT HOME!

Even though I didn't set any goals for 2020, I look back and it really wasn't such a bad year:
- 4 Comics illustrated (Fibre of Being, Badman 3, Astral Plane, and In the Red) and another (Saints and Sinners) in the works;
- Off Grid produced as a podcast; and
- I was contacted by a high school English teacher in Dade County, FL, to do a ZOOM read of 'An Occurrence on Owl Street' with her students. That was a very interesting and fulfilling experience to openly discuss the subject matter and how it related to George Floyd where I was the only white person in 'the room.'

Yeah, not a bad year at all.

Quoted from JEStaats ... I was contacted by a high school English teacher in Dade County, FL, to do a ZOOM read of 'An Occurrence on Owl Street' with her students. That was a very interesting and fulfilling experience to openly discuss the subject matter and how it related to George Floyd where I was the only white person in 'the room.'..

Wow, John! That's something different.

Quoted from LC Wow, John! That's something different.

Yeah, it was pretty cool. I was able to steer the discussion away from racial to humanity as a whole. I won't lie, I was nervous as hell and had no idea what to expect. Loved it.