So, I've been holding this in for the past month or so, but now it looks like it's actually happening.  

It seems like every other week I've gotten an offer on my script "Based on a True Story".  BUT all of these offers have always fallen through in one way or another.  So, you can imagine my skepticism and decision to not really tell anyone (including friends & family) until I was positive.

Well, it's finally happened.  "Based on a True Story" is being optioned by a production company.  I want to thank everyone who read and critiqued my script.  It's come a long way from it's first draft and b/c of everyone here is now tighter (especially the first act) and more developed.  The draft they decided to go with is my newest one that's not actually posted on here, but it follows all of the critiques given to me.

As most of you know, an option isn't a guarantee, but it's a very important step, and I'm really excited.

Thank you!  

That's great man. Just a question, how did you actually go about getting your script auctioned? I read books and everything but would like to hear from someone who has actually done this personally.

In regards to your review, I'm half way through the script, got a novel named "The Handmaid's Tale" that has to be read for tomorrow but will have your Douchebag review up tomorrow night for sure.

Robert

A lot of it was just having it up on the site here.  Like I said, every other week I'd get an offer, but I really needed to be able to weed out the people who were serious.

There were a lot of people trying to screw me or they just didn't have their stuff together.  Keeping a healthy level of skepticism is always a good idea.

We've been in talks for awhile now, and while I don't have representation, I luckily have a father-in-law who's willing to have his lawyers look over all the legal stuff.

I've been working on this script for just over 4 years now, and have been through a lot with it.  It's just taken time.

Congrats!


Phil

Good luck with it.  I guess this is the first hurdle of many but still a significant one so congrats.

Four years, huh?  It's good to see hard work pay off for someone.

-Mike

Congragulations Dressel, and good luck!

~Zack~

Congrats, Dressel! Awesome news!

Hope everything works out.

Matt.

Fantastic news, well done. You are an inspiration to us all. It is so nice to be reminded that these things are possible. I have not read it but will at some point soon.

I for one vote on this thread being made sticky for a while!

Nice one, enjoy your pats on the back!

Congrats man. Shows what good work and persistence gets you.

Gabe

What!? They optioned that pile of cr*p!?! Just kidding, Matt, that's great news. Congratulations.

Adam

Thanks everyone.  I'll keep you guys updated as things move along.  I've noticed (while searching for other success stories), usually people just disappear after saying "I'm being produced!" or "I've been optioned!"  

As frustrating as it may be to admit, I'll even let you know if it completely falls apart.

Congrats man, I read it about a month ago. Very funny so good luck with everything.

Ste

So, it's been about two months since I came on here and proudly proclaimed "I've been optioned!" And while I'd like to say that from then on everything immediately kicked into gear, it has been more slow-going than I'd hoped for.

First, there was the contract period. Weeks of sending the contract back and forth, shooting it off to legal counsels, long, confusing talks on the phone, etc. Finally, a contract is signed and sent off to the UK. My God, it's expensive to send stuff over there. $20.00 for 7 sheets of paper.

Anyways, after all that was finally taken care of, we finally got down to the rewrite period.  This is the period that scared me the most.  I've heard A LOT of horror stories of people being jerked around by Producers, writing draft after draft, never quite satisfying them.  So I was worried I was going to suffer a similar fate.

As luck would have it, they only had one thing they wanted me to change about the script.  However, it was to a previous draft.  You see, they originally inquired about the second draft of "Based on a True Story" (the one that's posted here).  Since then I spent several months working on a new draft, but they weren't interested in that one.  

This kind of sucked because I was pretty proud of the new draft, but eventually I got over it, bit the bullet, and wrote a new draft with their recommendations.

So, that's where I'm currently at; awaiting approval on the newest draft.

I'm writing this update because, like I said in the past, I get annoyed when someone says "I got optioned" and then they're never heard from again.  I just figure I'll keep everyone up to speed and, hell, it might be a learning experience for people just starting out.

First tid-bit: The contract period can take a long fricken time.

That's good to hear Dressel - that things are at least moving in the right direction even if it's at a snail's pace.  Keep us updated.

Congratulations!  And thank you so much for sharing with us.

Sandra