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A "Come to Jesus" meeting today between me and the director of The Nazarene. He called and gave me his final say on the matter: while he liked what I wrote, he's going to pass on my Act II. Keeping my Act I (with some significant changes), but the rest is his pen, his vision.

This was troubling news.

I grew very frank with him very quickly. I told him I was sorry to hear that because, speaking candidly, his scripting was lacking in depth, subtlety, and professionalism. I told him that it was very obviously his first attempt at writing. I told him that he'd handicapped himself by only asking the opinions of friends, family, and those under him. I told him that, should he insist on using his script as it stands now, I'd prefer it if he'd take my name off of it, because I'd rather not attach myself to anything below a certain caliber.

I know. Ouch.

He suggested I rewrite a few lines here and there that he wasn't happy with. "No," I said, "no offense meant, but I've ceased to believe in this project. I've invested enormous amounts of time and energy at this point and I think it's time to cut my losses and move on." I told him that I wish him well (and I do) and that I'll be happy to attend the premiere in December (and I will). No hard feelings. Hope his personal vision is realized.

And blah blah blah.

Believe it or not, though, it was a very civil conversation. No yelling or growling or arguing or any of that. I just laid it out very frankly and, at the end of my discourse, he simply said, "I understand."

Yeah, I feel like a prick. I hate prima donnas and it seems I've become one. All I can say in my own defense is that I think there's a definite value in trusting the opinion of someone more seasoned than yourself in a certain area. I've written and produced many different scripts... I'm no genius and I certainly don't support my family by the pen, but I think it's safe to say that I'd become a better storyteller on my twentieth attempt than I was on my first. Aside from all that, I believe in editorial input. I believe in taking criticism constructively. I believe in eating crow when enough folks say, "I'm sorry, I don't like it and I don't get it." It's part of the game. I don't, however, believe in this.

So, anyhow. I'm very bummed out. I guess that's how the cookie crumbles sometimes. I'd have really liked to have seen that second Act performed.

Sorry, Mo. Hope it's all you'd ever dreamed and more... but, man, I'm out.
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Andy Jewett, a friend from college wrote me yesterday, answering a question I asked in my last entry. He said:

Eric Hiler went to Grace with us (he was couple years ahead of us). He is also the director and star of the musical I will be performing in this weekend… You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

Ah ha! I thought I knew that name from somewhere.

Well, whatever the case, good luck playing Schroeder in YAGMCB, Andy. Tickle those ivories like you mean it!
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The winter film blitz is on its way, hard and heavy. I've been nearly film-absent for the last few months, but I intend to catch up soon.

The final Lord of the Rings chapter is beginning to buzz, which is very exciting. Matrix: Revolutions has its trailer up and it looks as though we'll be treated to more of what Matrix: Reloaded gave us: a spectacular piece of cinema with a sub-par script. Some other cool stuff coming out and, man, I do love living in California because it's not hard to find a good indie theater.

But what's up with Star Wars? Does anyone believe in this rubbish anymore? Checked in at the Official Star Wars Website and it seems that you need to buy a $20 subscription to view the news on Star Wars: Episode III, coming out in 2005. Is this a joke? Billion-dollar-movie-franchise-meister George Lucas is asking us to pay him for the privilege of watching him hype his own film? Sorry, George, you've officially ruined everything associated with these movies I loved so much as a kid. Apparently, the only thing more powerful than The Force is cockiness.
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Okay, so this isn't entertainment-related, but a bit of good news/bad news for Carey.

The Good News: she's actually going to get her 5-day work week. Her general manager has promised her Sundays and Mondays off, which is a huge relief. Maybe now she can enjoy a little sanity.

The Bad News: her sane work week comes with a slight demotion. Her responsibilities will remain largely the same, but she's back to being the Banquet and Catering Manager, rather than the Food and Beverage Manager. No pay cuts or anything, but the Powers That Be have decided that they'd rather hire in someone with years of F&B experience.

While Carey's glad, it's a little disappointing. Me, I'm just gald to see her more often, but I'm no stranger to career gut-punches. Anyway, it's their loss. She really would've been great at it.