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

Congrats on making it this far, Dressel.

Everything seems to be going in the right direction. Hope it stays that way.

Quite the adventure! Good for you, and hope it keeps pressing forward while it transforms from an idea in your head to a picture up on the screen...

Congrats, Dressel!

Hopefully things will work out for the best. Just keep at it.

Man, I haven't been on SimplyScripts for awhile, but things have been pretty hectic.  I thought I'd shoot out an update (for anyone who cares), and also because I said I would.

First off, the option has been converted into a purchase; so that's exciting!   For the longest time, I would tell people "My script has been optioned!" and they'd just stare back at me, perplexed.  It's a lot easier to just say that it's been sold.

Second, the budget has been upgraded.  Originally, the producers wanted it to be $1 million, but that has since changed.  The budget they're aiming for now is £4 million!  They have 30% left of the budget to raise, so I'm keepin' my fingers crossed.

So, that's basically it.  I'm getting really pumped, but I'm also not trying to get myself too excited; we still have a long ways to go.  But I can't help but smile when I think about it.  

I am smiling with you! How many evolutions of draft did this one go through?

Did you have it germinating for over five years? Or was this a gem that took
less time?

You must be walking on clouds!

Sandra

Congrats dressel! I just seen this thread or i would have posted sooner! Whta percentage of the budget  did get for a 1st time sell?

Do you still own the rights?

I'd like to congratulate you! I haven't read your script but I'm going to shoot on over now and do it!

Let us know if it actually get s a green light so we can celebrate with you.

Jerry

Okay, I just finished reading it. One of the things I liked about your script is the flow. It's excellent! The formatting is spot on and the story is original!

My favorite character would have to be Plasma Phil. I was wondering why he was called Plasma Phil until it was revealed that he sells his plasma. That's great stuff!

Dialogue is another thing that grabs my attention. This script had some good one liners. The dialogue that I busted a stitch on was "hey, he just cheated on his retarded, homosexual lover!" You can't beat that. It's classic!

Here's what I liked:
1). Good flow
2). Originality
3). Great dialogue

Very good job indeed!

Jerry

Quoted from JD_OK Congrats dressel! I just seen this thread or i would have posted sooner! Whta percentage of the budget  did get for a 1st time sell? Do you still own the rights?

I sold away the merchandising/licensing rights.  I'm not sure if I'm really allowed to talk about what I'm getting in return because there's a confidentiality clause in the contract, and I'm not exactly sure what that encompasses. (I would assume it's the whole Agreement)

At first I thought that was weird, but I was working on another film, and they had a Confidentiality clause in that contract too.  Depends on the company, I suppose.

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. I am smiling with you! How many evolutions of draft did this one go through? Did you have it germinating for over five years? Or was this a gem that took less time? Sandra

I remember telling my parents about my idea for BOTS at the dinner table back when I was in 11th grade (7 years ago).  When I got to college, I wrote the first draft and it was atrocious.  Looking back, I can't believe I thought any of it was good.  Then I re-wrote it, and put the second draft up on SimplyScripts.  That's the draft they were interested in.  I wrote a third draft, but it didn't really interest them much.  It incorporated a lot more wacky elements that I think they just weren't interested in.

They did have me write another draft though, mainly because they had a problem with one of the characters.  But yeah, it's been a bit of a long road, but I never really gave up on BOTS.

Quoted from screenplay_novice Okay, I just finished reading it. One of the things I liked about your script is the flow. It's excellent! The formatting is spot on and the story is original! My favorite character would have to be Plasma Phil. I was wondering why he was called Plasma Phil until it was revealed that he sells his plasma. That's great stuff! Dialogue is another thing that grabs my attention. This script had some good one liners. The dialogue that I busted a stitch on was "hey, he just cheated on his retarded, homosexual lover!" You can't beat that. It's classic! Here's what I liked: 1). Good flow 2). Originality 3). Great dialogue Very good job indeed!

Wow, thanks!  I'm glad you enjoyed the script.  The one posted on SimplyScripts is basically the one they're using, with a few minor adjustments.  For example, I expanded Plasma Phil's role, mainly because I got a lot of reviews saying I should do so.

Sad to say though, the Cardigan character (the fake cop) was ax'd.  I ended up swapping him out with a character I actually liked more, so it didn't bug me too much in the end.

Thanks again for the great compliments!

Hi. Congrats and thanks for updating this post. It is helpful to us who are learning and trying to reach the point you are at and beyond. Its cool to read about others succeeding because it reminds us that there is hope. There is no guarantee that the time spent creating this stuff will ever see the light of day. I hope to sell something and see it produced even though I'm not even sure that I am a serious writer. I'm sure once my stuff gets posted on here, the feedback I will get from this community will let me know.

Anyway, keep posting. You help inspire me to keep plugging and to work to become a serious writer.

Thanks,

Brad

Quoted from dresseme I remember telling my parents about my idea for BOTS at the dinner table back when I was in 11th grade (7 years ago).  When I got to college, I wrote the first draft and it was atrocious.  Looking back, I can't believe I thought any of it was good.  Then I re-wrote it, and put the second draft up on SimplyScripts.  That's the draft they were interested in.  I wrote a third draft, but it didn't really interest them much... But yeah, it's been a bit of a long road, but I never really gave up on BOTS.

This is just such a wonderful story!!! And a true life one!!!!

As we struggle at whatever level we're at, we can appreciate to hear a story like this: where the will outweighs the reason-- because it often doesn't seem reasonable to be working on something that seems "pie in the sky" and yet many of us plough through anyways and we want to smack ourselves as to why.

Congratulations and send some of that good karma our way!!!!

Blessings,

Sandra

Hey everyone!  There have been some recent updates, so I thought I'd pass them along.

First off, the company making "Based on a True Story" released a press release that details the company and it's connection to BOTS.

http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200810/1222889528.html

Second, some other exciting news is that the budget has been raised to £8 million!  Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that BOTS would be made for that much!

There are some other developments, but the main exciting thing they're talking about is that they're currently searching for studios to partner up with.  

This is so much to take in and nothing is concrete, but it's still very exciting!

As usual, I'll keep you guys posted to any successes or failures in regards to the film.

That's great news, Matt.

Definitely keep us posted as new developments, uh...develop.

£8 million! Wow that's awesome news mate.

Damn, £8Mill? Thats pretty sweet mate. But yeah, as the budget is in Pound Sterling, will it be an English film? Congrats though mate!

Hey Dressel, congratulations this is great news. I wish you all the best! make sure you keep us posted.

Kacy