Dear Daniel,
I’m excited. Really,
really bursting from within excited. Missy was able to get tickets to the Kevin
Smith Event at Fandom Fest. I know this is going to sound corny and lame but as
writing partners we kind of pegged him as one of our heroes.
We came into this
screenwriting gig a few years after he hit it big with CLERKS. And if you’ve
ever worked in movie rental place or worked a stop ‘n rob (convenient store)
then you know why a certain generation kind of glommed onto him the way that
they did and made him a cult hero.
He’s actually a
talented guy and gifted storyteller. I’ve read several of his memoirs he’s
funny, empathetic, and has an incredibly strong voice as a writer. I think he’s
sorely underrated in the industry, but I think he proved his worth and guts
with Red State. An my personal favorite movie of his, Zach and Miri Make A
Porno. Which they do, but it’s actually a warm, romantic comedy wrapped up in
his signature bawdy style.
Some people are
offended by that sort of thing. I’m just not. When you’re doing something because
you have a passion for, it shows. Now, Zach and Miri isn’t actually one of his
box office successes. He’ll tell you it broke is heart opening weekend. For an
interesting take on this read his Tough Shit memoir it’s an eye opener on this
business and how the person you thought you could trust can change in devastating
heart beat.
He’s a fascinating guy
and even though I’m not going to get to actually shake his hand and meet him I’m
going to get to see him to do what he does best. The movie he will be screening
is produced with his best friend Jason Mewes.
Theirs is a long and
tested friendship, fraught with Jason’s battle with addiction and when Jason
was struggling to stay clean Kevin opened up his huge heart and they produced
this film together. At the end of each screening of the film they do a podcast
and it’s like therapy and it helps Jason stay clean. That’s love, that’s
friendship. And all the reason more to admire a man like him, and admire Jason
for travelling the path to sobriety and being clean.
I know from experience
with my best friend that the path to sanity has not always been easy, and for a
while I laid down my screenwriting and filmmaking dream and explored novels,
novellas and short stories for a while.
And then I saw his Burn
In Hell tour on youtube. He was inspiring and although I had written Bounty
Hunter with no pressure. From March to April Missy and I wrote two more
scripts. Which we promptly entered in Austin. And You’re the Reason we took a
snowball’s chance and entered it in the Sundance Screenwriter’s Lab
competition. We’re hopeful, but standing out amongst thousands is no small
task. But I’m pleased to say to say I feel inspired and like I can stand tall
where once I would have wilted. Everyone who reads this please cross their
fingers for my upcoming competition, Fright Night. If you so choose that is.
Nothing compares to the thrill of finaling. With the exception I think of
winning, which honestly is just the icing on an already delicious cake.
Sincerely,
Amy McCorkle
No comments:
Post a Comment