mid 1990's, Chicago
The blue line states the fact of the event (I met my girlfriend's parents) The Green line across from it comments on the event (we drank our asses off)
SETTLING INTO MY NEW LIFE (starting a family - becoming an AD, then a writer/producer for the Aquanauts -- plus buying our first house in LA) Spring 1998, Summer 1998, Fall 1998, Winter 1998/1999, Spring 1999, Summer 1999, Fall 1999, Winter 1999/2000, Spring 2000, Summer 2000, Fall 2000, Winter 2000/2001,
DIGGING INTO REAL ESTATE TO SUPPORT MY FILM HABIT (being a landlord and a writer - casting director - Flash Forward - and hooking up with the Asylum - getting pretty damned well off in the process - plus travel) Spring 2001, Summer 2001, Fall 2001, Winter 2001/2002, Spring 2002, Summer 2002, Fall 2002, Winter 2002,/2003, Spring 2003, Summer 2003, Fall 2003, Winter 2003/2004, Spring 2004,
MY FIRST FEATURES AS A DIRECTOR AND WRITER ARE PRODUCED (Lola becomes an actress, Karen becomes a producer, I do Alien Abduction, Night of the Dead, Snakes on a Train, and more - but our real estate empire begins to crumble) Summer 2004, Fall 2004, Winter 2004/2005, Spring 2005, SUMMER 2005, Fall 2005, Winter 2005/2006, Spring 2006, Summer 2006,
WE SELL EVERYTHING IN LOS ANGELES AND MOVE UP THE MOUNTAIN - MY CAREER HITS A BOOM (managers, agents, and more movies - Torture Room, 30,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Monster, War of the Worlds 2 - then the strike - then a slip into the Great Recession) Fall 2006, Winter 2006/2007, Spring 2007, Summer 2007, Fall 2007, Winter 2007/2008, Spring 08 , Fall 2008,
GHOSTWRITING, GETTING A FOOTHOLD BACK IN LA, AND THE ASYLUM (working all the time, Sexpot, Second City's 50th, and Mega Piranha - as the career front rises from the waters, the real estate front evaporates around us - the sword has two edges and both are sharp) Winter 2008/2009, Spring 2009, Summer 2009, Fall 2009, Winter 2009/2010, SPRING 2010)
LEAVING AT THE PEAK OF MY CHICAGO CAREER
At the peak of my Chicago Career I was one of the top paid all around writer, director, producer, actors in Chicago. I had a regular jobs with The Chicago Symphony, The Bristol Renaissance Faire, Six Flags/Great America (the Fright Fest), JPM Productions and the Fright Fest at Navy Pier, The Second City Children’s Theater, The Player’s Workshop Children’s Theater, Performers Arena, the Goblin Theater, Mercury Video Productions, WGN TV The Bozo Show, Questar, The Second City Training Center, Players Workshop’s Corporate, Candlelight's Forum, The Body Politic Theater and The New Tuners. I moved from one project to another and one company to another with regularity. My name was mentioned in the local newspapers and magazines just about every month (either in show listings, calls for auditions or articles about me, my colleagues or a member of my family). Boy was that fun. - Then I left Chicago and Came to Los Angeles
Chicago, condo, career, new girlfriend-Kim, writing partners -- ditched them all on March 3rd at 3pm (all possessions left in storage)
1995, gold Saturn SL2 (packed to the brim) drove West 7 days, (visited old friend Ralph in Tucson briefly)
Neil Guintoli offers me his guesthouse bedroom moved in, 4pm, 3/10/97 (it is in Topanga Canyon)
Opening of Improv Olympic, Los Angeles I was in the audience (met old friends & former students)
Told Everyone I Was A Writer and Director everyone nodded and smiled
Met Jeff Foxworthy & ABC Producers contacts through my friend Neil who was a regular in the show
Told Everyone I Was A Writer and Director everyone nodded and smiled
I Joined the Improv Olympic as a student performer (it taught me a lot)
Eric Frederickson, my new sit com writing partner moves to LA we write a Foxworthy spec script and begin a 3rd Rock spec script
Meet Lou Anders, Stephenson Crossely, Nate Rotminz… friends of Eric’s
Told Everyone I Was A Writer and Director everyone nodded and smiled
SURPRISE, New Girlfriend-Kim arrives in LA to stay hootchy cootchy and arguments
New, old Girlfriend-Kim leaves romance trauma, begin to miss old-old girlfriend-Mimi
Frederickson says “it’s all for the best” we go to strip clubs and drink near-beer
Meet with Entertainment Director of Wind Dancer Productions --- he likes our 3rd Rock spec & wants to see more
See The Second City Alumni Jam, meet Julie Larson --- I feel at home. I go every week.
Shave Beard, get head shots --- discover that I have no upper lip or chin
RETURN TO CHICAGO TO PERFORM HYDEN AT THE CSO - make money, drag it to LA
Friend, Maurice McNicholas tells Chicago pals I write for 3rd Rock I explain that it was only a spec script, then I hide
Return to Los Angeles and join To The Top (meet Jay Hastings) I take on camera classes and hang out
Begin Brief Acting Career my father is happy
I am an extra on an infomercial I play the guy with the girl, fifty bucks
Do an under five for a non union commercial fifty bucks
I Join Cinex Casting me and five thousand others
“Chicago Hope” on NBC featured extra, one hundred bucks. Adam Arkin hates me
Adam Arkin hates me so I consider leaving LA I write in my journal for hours. Finally I decide, “screw him” !
Begin my first California Romance: a crush on Julie Larson I play the dreaded male who is eventually shunned
I try to patch things up with Kim No Dice
I try to patch things up with Mimi No Dice
Frederickson says “it’s all for the best” we go to strip clubs and drink near-beer
as Hyden at the Chicago Symphony, 1997
I get cast in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM I play NICK BOTTOM
RETURN TO CHICAGO TO PERFORM THE REN FAIRE I play Silas Brimfire , the Puritan (M. McNicholas is my partner)
It is a Summer of Love New Kim M., old Kim S. and finally Ann Elizabeth (AE)
Return to LA in much amor with AE Letters, music tapes and telephone recordings are exchanged
Frederickson and I write a Frasier spec script in between huge fights
Neil is Fed up with my antics I promise to be out of guest house by the end of September
Ralph Saunders moves to LA to teach at USC We decide to get an apartment together
Maurice McNicholas as Ebenezer Hellstone and Eric as Silas Brimfire at the Bristol Ren Faire
I Move from Topanga Canyon to West Hollywood with Ralph I take the big room on September 17th, 1997
Frederickson and I begin a feature film script In between even huger fights
Ann Elizabeth visits me for two weeks I buy $5000 worth of furniture
Frederickson and I type up a script for Neil we split a thousand dollars and fight
AE leaves maybe I should have bought more furniture
I cook a lot for Ralph in fact, we’re married
Spend a lot of time with Ralph, Gabby and Anthony much fun and many calories
I abandon my partnership with Frederickson my pepto bismal bill goes down but I don’t have nearly as much fun
I join PAA (production assistants association) they help me to work for free
I get Second Assistant Director on a 35mm feature I work for free
I meet Jeff Olan at Rainbow casting He loves my mother so he wants to help me
RETURN TO CHICAGO FOR CHRISTMAS I arrive on Dec. 15th
Ann Elizabeth breaks up with me on Dec. 16th, which happens to also be my birthday
I go nuts and become a sex crazed maniac
Mimi and I begin dating again she didn’t want her parents to find out
On Dec. 30th my father is hospitalized for arterial blockage I get drunk at AE’s New Years party and make a fool of myself (Sorry AE)
My father survives his angioplasty Chicago is over for me. I ship 10 boxes to LA
RETURN TO MY APT ON WILLOUGHBY It was good to be back in West Hollywood
Had visitors: first Julie Moskel, then Patti Horvath I didn’t touch ‘em, I swear
On Jan. 18th, 1998, while walking with Patti, I run into a friend Karen Goodman, a fellow theatre director from Chicago
I am an extra in a Music Video $50
I send resumes out to student productions more free work, but this time it’s behind the camera’s
I ask Karen out on a first date lots of garlic and no kissing
I get a gig, First Assistant Director for Kuang Lee more free work but I’m learning film
I ask Karen out on a second date okay, kissing
Neil brings me in for a couple of days of work as a PA fifty bucks a day as a runner for a feature, “Palmers Pickup”
I meet Paolo Durazzo we are slaves to Palmers
I ask Karen out on a third date PAY OFF
Neil’s movie hires me full time. I meet Christopher Coppola I leave for a month on the road
My father has open heart surgery but doesn’t tell me I am key set PA doing every menial thing possible
I work my way up from PA to 2nd 2nd AD 20 hour work days, it was an ass buster
I get really drunk in New Orleans who doesn’t?
Return to Los Angeles on the 3rd of March Karen is waiting for me
I am invited to join the Directors Guild as an AD Nunzio Fazio, Christopher Coppola and Alain Silver share credit
On the Job for PALMERS PICKUP in New Orleans, Winter 1998
2nd AD on a flick at AFI (its Union) I sleep with Karen every night and go to work at 6 AM
Jeff Olan gets me a day of union extra work My first SAG voucher
Stephenson Crossley becomes a manager and reps me I begin writing immediately
I write FROGZ in two weeks based on Karen’s dog, ugly, who sounds like a frog
I begin writing HIDDEN a truly inspired suspense horror
Stephenson pulls me off of Hidden and puts me on Soul Man he sets Frederickson and I up as partners again
Soul Man is cancelled Frederickson and I finish the script
OVER ONE YEAR IN LOS ANGELES total income from LA, $4000
Even though I’m broke I decide to marry Karen that should shake up the space
I write and direct the 16mm short STIMULI it is for Paolo's project, Lyconic Visions. Karen is Art Director
Actress Karen Pellant watches me as I explain a shot to Karen Goodman
Karen is pregnant, I’ll be a dad I invite her to move in with me
Ralph is furious at me for being a bad roommate I whip out the pepto bismol again
I return to Chicago to introduce Karen to my family The first thing my mother sees is Karen’s butt
My father has his intestines removed from his hospital bed he asks Karen to produce his new play
We attend my High School Reunion I stay drunk all day long
I propose to Karen at the Buckingham Fountain It is very Romantic
My father has more intestines removed our trip is extended from 4 days to two weeks
WE GET OUT OF DODGE AND RETURN TO LA Ralph moves out. Karen and I set up house.
Karen gets Lupus and has to quit work I flip out
Karen reveals huge debts and terrible credit I flip out more
Karen has a suspended license and a lot of tickets I am wildly flipped
I decide to sell my last asset, my condo in Chicago My mother has been living in it
We begin looking for a house Our broker is Karen’s best friend’s father in law
Paolo gets me Production Coordinator for a feature I work for a month and the project folds
We look at many houses and apartments I long to write and work on films
Karen and I get Married at the Unitarian Church on Halloween She dresses as a princess, I am Bach, her father carries a gun
Honeymoon in Paris, Denmark, Stockholm and Chicago glad I brought along a heavy coat and some credit cards
Lot’s of Forsberg’s in Scandinavia, Honeymoon 1998
I sell my condo in Chicago walk away with $100,000.00
Karen’s credit card debt is worse than we thought so is mine
Her Lupus gets worse and worse the internet describes a horrible fate
We both gain weight I go from 220 to 265 in 98
I work on Hidden but I can’t get it right I often play video games
Karen cannot travel My family comes to LA for Christmas
Christmas in Los Angeles The family from Chicago spreads cheer
My first job of 1999 comes on Jan. 11th Paolo Durrazo brings me onto the Aquanauts
PA $500 a week
My wife throws a big birthday party for my mother Jan. 28th
My daughter Carlota is born Feb 1st
I take off two days from work to be with my new family Then it’s back to work 14 hours a day
I am promoted to California Coordinator Still 500 bucks per week
My wife no longer has Lupus (it was only gestational) We seriously guzzle booze to celebrate
I become writer and field producer and am sent to New Zealand Up to 1000 bucks a week plus per diem
Karen is alone with the baby Dazed
I work in New Zealand and Hawaii for nearly two months Our crew comes in under budget and with 15 segments
In mid April I am reunited with my family We celebrate with lots of eating
I travel for 1 month in California This time my wife and child visit me on the road
Karen finds the perfect house (without a broker) She comes up to Santa Barbara and I sign the papers
We tell Tim McGovern, our friends father in law and our agent He hates us to this day
Karen loves looking for houses She decides to get her real estate license
We tackle a huge loan that takes months The house is a 4 unit in the Hollywood Hills
I return from the road and continue in the Aquanauts office I miss being with my family
I am let go from the Aquanauts after nearly six months I miss eligibility for unemployment benefits by one week
We live off of credit cards We still eat well
The loan for 2111 N. Beachwood Drive comes through It is a dream house for us (we start evicting)
We start fixing up Beachwood $75,000.00
I begin teaching Players Workshop classes at To The Top It’s good to teach improv again (we live off of it)
Students at Players Workshop improvise a “Machine”
I get First AD on Bel Air, directed by Christopher Coppola I break down the script and handle all preproduction
I move to Second AD on Bel Air I work the entire union shoot as a second
my wife Karen and daughter Lola, Summer 1999
I get Second Second AD on Teachers Pet My biggest film
Promoted to First AD on the Second Unit There is a large earthquake during a night shoot
Extra work on Teachers Pet 2nd SAG voucher
I buy an XL1 digital camera boy, do I want to direct my own film
Karen gets her real estate license a two income household, yahoo
I begin writing Cannibal based on a play I wrote in 1993 to 1997
Beachwood is a show palace We entertain people and eat feasts and drink a lot
I go from 265 to 285 in 1999 (65 lbs since meeting Karen) The feasts and the debts keep piling up
Working as AD on Teacher's Pet, Summer 1999
Christmas in Chicago My mother breaks her hip. I get sick. Spend $5000.
New Years 2000 back in the hills Lame Hollywood sign special effect rings in the millennium
I meet Glenn Gainor at a DGA event he wants to do business, but on what?
First AD for Rockboy directed by Paolo Durazzo I do all preproduction. The film gets pushed. I’m out.
Head Writer for US Army Documentary Nunzio Fazio gets me the job
The Frederickson's, Lou Anders & Ginger & Mitchel move Everyone goes to San Francisco or Santa Fe
Carlota’s First birthday I pack my bags during the party for a biz trip to DC
Travel to Washington DC to research Nunzio’s partner Steve Cobb acts as field producer
I pull my father, Rolf into the Army Documentary He’s a bitch but at least he keeps all of his organs
Lola's First Christmas Card
Second City opens in Los Angeles and hires me to teach I am happy to be home
We have a big Oscar party at Beachwood Lots of my Second City Students attend
I meet Jim Wager Karen’s new favorite real estate developer buddy
Jim Wager proposes a partnership to remodel three houses We say “okay” and begin the purchase process
The Army Documentary gets me into the WGA Nunzio and my father take credit
I spend time at Fort Irwin meet a lot of top brass
Jo visits LA we all go to Mexico. I get sick again
My sister and her daughter visit for Easter they leave on Easter morning (eggs at the airport)
I work on Cannibal and The Documentary feverishly I need an agent
Ken Greenblatt at Major Clients Agency is recommended to me I pursue Greenblatt feverishly
Paolo pulls me into Sacred Journey Diaries I am to direct and DP the TV pilot in Italy
Stephenson says “let’s do a sketch show” I say, “let’s”
Sean Abley and Doug Wood recommend me to Ken I REALLY need an agent badly
I direct in Italy I haven’t held a camera for years. It feels great.
I get bit by an Italian spider it breaks the blood vessels in my leg and makes me ill
My wife and baby meet me in Rome we spend a week in Rome and Copenhagen
Return to America I am sick and Karen is pregnant
My wife rushes me to the doctor my heart is swollen (from a virus or a spider bite)
I get an Angiogram my first night in a hospital since birth
Stephenson visits, I’m on Morphine (wants a name for show) I moan the words “Violent Coffee”
Doctor #3 gives me a prognosis I should expect to die within from 3 to 25 years
I bury myself in teaching and directing I get stronger every day
My wife takes me to a specialist He does more tests and is optimistic
Stephenson, Paolo and I work on the sketch show Paolo likes the name “Violent Coffee”
We start up “Violent Coffee”: a sketch show for the Internet I am to be Head Writer, Director & one of 3 Executive Producers
United States Army, Stahelin Productions Nunzio gives the thumbs up to write the shooting script
AT THE IMPROV, main stage Director/Instructor for six sketch improv shows
STELLA ADLER THEATRE Director for one sketch comedy revue
Karen doesn’t feel well we lose the baby
The Specialist calls I have made a miracle recovery, I will have a normal lifespan
We go to Big Bear to mourn we say goodbye to our lost baby on the lake
We return to Los Angeles ready to dive into life again Karen & I pray every night
Deborah Gainor wants to produce FROGZ Just in the knick of time says the bank
The Jim Wager deals are going too slowly The agreement is that I buy the buildings and Jim fixes them up
Karen closes 2 real estate deals the night before we leave town Chicago is just 2000 miles away
We go to Chicago for a family reunion on Labor Day Martin is there. I tape everyone.
Derek Waters throws a huge Halloween Bash At the new Second City Main Stage off course
“Violent Coffee” is abandoned Web sites across the globe are failing
Money is getting terribly tight We take out a huge second mortgage
We decide to sell Beachwood It goes for a good price in a matter of days
We go up to San Francisco to seal the deal The Buyer’s name is Mary-Lynn
We begin packing We have to be out by March 2001
Martin Visits us one last time He is thin and pale
Karen works hard to close on the properties with Jim We finally close on a house at 5814 La Mirada
Wager refuses to fix La Mirada until we buy the other houses He is running out of money too
Glenn Chili Evans comes over on election night Bush steals the election
Martin returns to New York He will never leave it again
Head Shot, late 1990s (I shaved for the pic)
We go to Chicago for Christmas More money flying out of the window
We go to Lake Geneva to Recuperate from Chicago Spas and pools make things better
Back in Los Angeles for 2001 Back to packing
Our final weeks of Life in the Hollywood Hills We are sad and My medication debilitates me
Jo visits for a month She helps as our beautiful home goes into boxes
Martin is terribly sick in New York City It is touch and go
Jo and I visit Martin He is worse than I thought
Martin asks me to stay with him in New York to be his advocate I do not stay
Jo and I return to California We wait for news of Martin everyday
I begin many writing projects and web ideas But I can’t concentrate long enough to finish any of them
I am depressed by money, Martin and health woes I crawl inside various computer games like Civ II and Ultima Online
Carlota’s 2nd Birthday We have a lovely party in the back yard, our only one
Jo Leaves We need a clear path to finish our short life on Beachwood Drive
Martin’s condition worsens Patty tells me that he does not have long to live
I race to New York on a Jet Blue red-eye I arrive the day before Valentines day
Martin is alive and conscious He is glad to see me
Martin deMaat, my wonderful cousin dies I am there holding his hand when he goes
Jo arrives by train in the hours following Martin’s death We wrap things up in New York and leave
I return to Los Angeles alone Martin visits my dream for years
There is a memorial at Second City in Chicago I miss it
There is a memorial for Martin in Los Angeles I close the service with a speech
Dave Risofsky takes over Martin’s Job at Second City LA The sense of Martin’s work begins to evaporate
We meet Thor’s new Girl friend, Katie Lola loves her
Beachwood’s closing is in Jeopardy We are forced to carry $57,500.00 of the buyers debt
We close on the second house with Wager A duplex on Lexington, one house to go
I take Karen and Lola on a one week cruise We celebrate Karen’s Birthday on the water
We Close on the Third House with Wager It took almost a year but we got them
I now own 4 buildings with 8 units Gross value approx. $1,200,000.00
We close on Beachwood We have 30 days to get out
We move most of our furniture and boxes into storage Anaheim Mini storage is the cheapest
Wager pulls out of the partnership He demands $7500.00 and one of the houses
We dissolve the Partnership and retain two houses Now we must learn how to fix houses
We fix the toilets and paint the walls of the biggest house It is a 2500 sq. ft. wreck on La Mirada
We move into 5814 La Mirada on April 11th. There is no heat and it’s full of rats
Our New Life in the Flats of Hollywood All of our neighbors speak Spanish
We need to fix the house’s foundations At least $30,000.00
We look for a place to live for two months At least $2500.00 per month
All of our money is tied up in a 1031 tax deferred exchange $127,000.00 in escrow, $750.00 in checking
We find an 18 unit apartment building in Boyle Heights It is a wreck but we love it
We go into escrow on 116 S. Mathews St. The loan will take over six months to come through
Mark Ean Hires me for an AD job “Fits and Starts”, a union gig
We move to North Hollywood We live in a temporary 2 bedroom condo
We go to work on La Mirada Architects, Engineers and Inspectors galore
Jo comes into town She stays with us in North Hollywood
Rolf and Dorthy come into town They stay at the Northwoods Inn in Studio City
Thor moves in with his girlfriend, Katie They live in Van Nuys
I have more than a month of living in “The Valley” More than enough for me
Rolf leaves A tense trip
Filming Saves the Day A company wants to rent our wrecked house for a movie
We return to La Mirada Just in time for the foundation to be demolished and repoured
Return to our new Life in Hollywood Tamale carts and corn vendors pass our house daily
Alain Silver and Mark Ean Hire me as a Casting Director “Love Machine 4.0” directed by Gary Wulkow
I am a Casting Director I receive over 2000 submissions from agents and managers
We Sell the duplex on Lexington Now we have two 1031 exchanges to deal with
We take over a clients escrow on a lovely duplex on Redondo Another wreck and a half
Paolo Durazzo and Fred Parker hire me as a Casting Director “Sex, Marriage and Children”, a short
We decide to take a driving trip the coast Highway 1 passed San Simeon to San Francisco
We return to start and to finish the foundation We decided to build an addition to the house so it takes months
We move out of the house again We move into the Universal City Hilton
I set auditions for “Sex, Marriage and Children” from the hotel I work up quite a cell phone bill
Karen breaks her foot in the Hilton pool We stay an extra three weeks at the Hilton
Jo visits We rent her a room too
We return to the half finished La Mirada house It is a construction sight
We close on 116 Mathews We use hard money
We construct a Life in Hollywood Make friends with neighbors, patronize local stores
Jo returns to Chicago We should buy stock in ATA
I finish casting “Sex, Marriage and Children” I am not reimbursement for expenses (casualties of War)
I talk with Sean Ably about producing a script of his “Cannibal Beauty Queens”
We close on Redondo It’s too late to fix it and sell in 01 so we aim for early 02
I now own 3 properties with 22 units Gross Value approx. $1,350,00.00
Roger Chapman agrees to frame out the La Mirada addition He says he’ll be finished by Feb. 02
We meet Thor’s new girlfriend, Aileen She does not seem to like Lola or us very much
I see The Lord of The Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring Opening night with Thor and Schneider
We take Lola out of Ms. Huda’s day care after two good years
Karen throws a big house warming/birthday party About 100 people show up
We buy a lot of gifts and leave town We fly to Chicago
Christmas at Rolf’s house We stay at the Hilton Palmer house
New Years in Lake Geneva Snow outside, spa inside
Back to California I make many New Years Resolutions
I Go on a diet and lose 45 lbs The Lindora Diet
We enroll Lola in the Page Private School $750.00 per month
We Take Thor and his girlfriend to a Scottish Birthday Tam O Shanter’s
Carlota’s 3rd Birthday Raw fish party at Shogun Restaurant
I attend an Introduction to Flash Forward A great one day Seminar in Brentwood
Sean and I sign a partnership agreement “Cannibal Beauty Queens” is official
I create a show called “Laughing All The Way to the Bank” It’s a redo of “Violent Koffee”
I Pitch “Laughing…” to Stephenson He love’s it and we partner up
Stephenson goes out of town I move on with “Laughing…”
I Pitch “Laugh Attack” to Nate at Sokolobl He loves it and asks me to come back with more
I work on movie spec projects while Karen fixes Redondo The construction work is slow going and expensive
I breakdown and budget “Cannibal Beauty Queens” I want to do it for one hundred thousand
A full blown Flash Forward Month I organize my career and work my ass off
I meet Sheri Strain from The Asylum at Flash Forward I pitch Frogz and she asks for a script
I stir Glenn Gainor’s interest in FROGZ I rewrite it and name it CROAK
We sell Redondo We make very little money (30 K in a 1031)
Rolf visits for Memorial Day Thor is preoccupied with his demanding gal
I work a lot at Second City in LA I direct a great grad show
I meet the folks at The Asylum Sherri Strain, David Latt and David Rimawi
I pitch LAUGH ATTACK to the executives at Sokolobl Including Damon Harmon
Sokolobl wants to develop LAUGH ATTACK I am called in for pitch after pitch
I get a Jr. Agent at Writer’s and Artists, Craig Grella My first agent
Glenn wants to produce CROAK I begin rewrites as a PG13 film
A Summer trip to Chicago We stay for 4th of July
The Bristol Ren Faire I am soooo much fatter than when I worked there
The Wisconsin Dells Nothing but water parks
Life in Hollywood I work as a writer and a contractor every day
Craig Grella and Deborah Gainor have an bad conversation My first Agent
Glen Gainor drops passes on CROAK I tell David Latt that Croak is available
David Latt options CROAK for The Asylum It will be WGA
I pitch LAUGH ATTACK with Sokolobl at CAA to Peter Maceli CAA is a palace of intimidation
Peter Maceli recommends that Sokolobl pass on my show They Pass and Damon Harmon is pissed
I go off my diet and gain 55 lbs I also play video games (bad move)
Damon Harmon picks up the option on LAUGH ATTACK I am fat and happy
I enjoy my family every day
Life in Hollywood We decide to swallow hard and go to Europe
We leave for Chicago on Dec. 13th Uncle Harry’s funeral is the next day
My Birthday is Celebrated in Tivoli in Copenhagen We drink Aquavit and eat a Danish Jul Bord
It’s a big, family Christmas in Sweden We drink Aquavit and eat a Swedish Jul Bord
in front of our Von Estenberg family crest in the RidderHusset (noble house) in Stockholm
It’s a small family New Years in Italy We drink wine and eat the best clams and pasta
Back to Denmark in a snow storm Our Bags are Lost
It’s on to California via Seattle with much delay Our bags are still lost
We are on our way to another year of being Hilton Diamond and it only cost us &7500.00 worth of stays
Damon Harmon pitches LAUGH ATTACK all over town pass, pass, pass, pass, pass
I commission Charles Schneider to paint a triptych $2000.00
I go on a diet and lose 25 lbs New Years resolution
Jo comes into town the house feels full
Carlota’s 4th Birthday, it’s a Barbie Party face painting, snow cones. Bounce toys
Karen’s birthday party at Burt and Sunny’s
Jo leaves town the house feels empty
Craig Grella leaves Writer’s and Artists Agency Again, I have no agent
After three months of waiting our house is finally refinanced We almost go broke waiting
I take the family on a 3 night Mexican Cruise for Easter All you can eat, just what I need
I pitch LAUGH ATTACK with Damon at NBC We both wear the same cool shoes
Damon begins his own company, Chameleon He is splitting from Sokolobl, partly due to me
Life in Hollywood I am caught between Video games, Contracting and writing
Paul Silver’s company contracts me to write a script I become a full member of the WGA
I go off my diet and gain 35 lbs Whoops
We attend the California Ren Faire I want to work there
Rolf and Jo come into town for the big family event A full house
Lola is Baptized at St. Brendon’s Catholic Church Burt and Sunny disown us
A Family Voyage to Las Vegas Rolf is grumpy
Rolf leaves Los Angeles All in all a nice visit
As a Father’s Day gift, Karen buys me Camping Gear She promises to rough it for a week
We make reservations at Yosemite for Labor Day week I am so excited that I want to try out the equipment
We test the camping gear on a 4 day run to Big Bear My heart rate rests at 99 bpm due to elevation
Life in Hollywood It is crowded in half a house
Jo suffers from a heart problem and is Hospitalized in Glendale, CA We visit every day
Jo is stabilized and returns to Chicago What a scare
We spend the 4th of July in San Diego Karen schmoozes a producer at the pool
We rush to Chicago to be with Jo for her heart procedure Jo is terrified but the procedure is simple
The Bristol Ren Faire I am even fatter than last year
A quick trip to Door County Wisconsin We buy a great Swedish CD for Lola
Return to Los Angeles Nothing Stolen
Go into escrow on Mathews Thank God
Charles Schneider has surgery I visit almost everyday
I check into a hotel and write “Hunted” The first draft takes me 2 weeks
Pitch meeting for “Laugh Attack” with Dick Clark It’s Damon’s last shot at the show
We wash away the dust of Summer with a trip to San Francisco I revise Hunted overlooking the bay
We close on the sale of Mathews 300 K in a 1031
We fix the walls and the floors in the La Mirada addition We finally have a bedroom
I tell Karen that I need to focus on writing and directing She offers to take over all of my Contracting work
I need to unload more burdens Karen takes over all the bills and the taxes
I begin to focus on writing
my wife, Karen soaking up her new responsibilities
Looking for properties to buy in Phoenix and Tucson It is an ugly city but we have to buy something
Life in Hollywood It is a better place now that the building on Van Ness is fixed
Dick Clark passes on “Laugh Attack” Damon gives up on the project
A Little trip to Nashville A wonderful reunion with Charlie Silliman
Lou Ander’s Wedding in Alabama He marries a Chinese girl names Xin
We go into escrow on 2 apartment buildings in Phoenix Both cost around 1.5 million
My High School Reunion in Chicago Three days and two nights in Chi
A Bigger Little Trip to Paris It is my favorite city (Lola loves it too)
We close on the sale of Van Ness 20 K in a 1031
I join Flash Forward again My goal is to think of and write an entire screenplay in one month
I check into a hotel and work on “Alien Abduction” I finish it in three weeks
Jo arrives Time has been hard on her legs
Goodman family Thanksgiving reunion at our house the first of three big parties
I check into a hotel to work on “Cerebral Experiment #6” I only write 15 pages in four days
Launching the Future Karen joins me for this flash forward seminar
The first apartment building in Phoenix falls through At least we still have the second building
The second apartment building in Phoenix falls through Now we are in trouble
Karen finds a 4 unit in Hollywood that will work We open escrow in the nick of time
We only own 2 buildings with 2 units Gross worth of property: $600,000.00
Rolf Arrives I stop all work
Our Huge Holiday Party at La Mirada (200 people attend) Tarot readers, belly dancers, live music and a Magician
Linnea and Erica arrive The day after our party
My whole family is in Hollywood We all go se The Lord of the Rings at the Cineramadome
Family Christmas in California. “God Jul”! Karen cooks the best Skinka that I have ever tasted
Rolf and I have a terrible fight on Christmas Eve He insults me and threatens to leave (we think he is jealous of my success)
Jo, Rolf, Linnea & Erica leave for on the morning of Dec. 29th I am sad
Karen, Lola and I drive to Mexico for New Years Drive out of town on the afternoon of the 29th
I loose 10 lbs in the first week of the New Year Resolutions yet again
David Latt gives me a pile of rewrites on Alien Abduction If I rewrite it the The Asylum will produce it
I get a job Producing another movie for Alain Silver Christopher is Executive Producer
I loose another 10 lbs by the end of Jan. Just 155 more to go
I work on Casting Alain's film I work with David Glanzer
I work on rewriting Alien Abduction It is torture
I go to Pitchfest and meet David Freedman He becomes my new agent
We go to Catalina Island for Karen's B-Day It is soooo dull there
We shoot Alain's movie (White Nights) I meet many fine actors including Jilon Ghai
Alain writes a role for Lola in the Movie Lola wants to be an actress
The Hollywood reporter lists me and Lola We get lots of calls and invites
We get Lola an agent Jackie Lewis at Diverse
I finish all of the paper work on Alain's movie Editing it is a world away
Karen buys her first building (a 3 unit in Glendale) We now own 5 buildings (gross worth approx. 2.8 million)
We go to Hawaii Karen’s dream come true
Lola at Hunnama Bay, Hawaii, 2004
Pearl Harbor
Jo is scheduled to get a life time achievement award I want Harold Ramis to introduce her
I hire a publicist to help out She is not the watchdog I had hoped for
We go to Chicago Jo did not get Harold Ramis
I return to Los Angeles and write and write Many drafts of Alien Abduction
We put Romaine up for sale It has sat there, untouched for a year
We go to Norway,Sweden and Denmark Amazing trip
David Latt calls me in Sweden. My movie is a go
We return to the states Prep begins immediately
Three weeks of Prep Rewrite, auditions, storyboards, crewing up
I direct Alien Abduction in 11 days Lola has a big role and Schneider does my 2nd unit
Lola wants to have a big Halloween party she invites the entire cast and crew to it
As soon as we wrap Karen takes me to Las Vegas no relaxation but I win $2000.00
We are supposed to start editing the film in a few weeks weeks turn into months. I work with Peter (who is in Chicago) on the movie score
Directing a shot on the set of ALIEN ABDUCTION
After 6 months in escrow we finally close on Romaine $35,000.00 in a 1031
Karen is invited to an Ed Debevicks reunion in Chicago we plan to go for a long weekend (editing has been postponed again)
We visit Chicago the reunion is fun. Karen finds a lump that night
Karen needs surgery Three weeks recouping in Chicago. I work with Peter Saltzman on the Alien Abduction score
We return to Los Angeles on Sat. Six days left to prep for the party
Jo arrives on Wed. Three days to prep for the party
We have a huge party with a hunted house on Sat About 75 people show up (200 do not)
We go up to Big Bear to buy a house on Sun 24 hours left on our 1031 (happy 6th anniversary)
I begin a new diet: Lindora (goal: loose 145 lbs)) I weigh 336 (116 lbs since I got together with Karen the chef)
Editing is postponed again. It is pushed two weeks and then another two and then to Jan 05.
I loose 25 lbs by Thanksgiving (I'm 311) Rolf flies in for Thanksgiving. Karen makes it a huge reunion for her family
Thanksgiving at our wonderful house on La Mirada in Hollywood
Karen throws me a wonderful birthday party We go to her father's (and Lola's) favorite restaurant
My Birthday Party at Chosan Galbee in Korea Town. It was great fun.
Lola gets some big comercials Mercedes, Ameriquest & some Cascade. (more money for college)
Borrow more money and plan for Christmas It's off to Florida to meet Jo, Linnea, Erica, Patti, Guy and Michelle
I decide to go to Industry Xmas parties to schmooze I run into Mary Ann Skweres (she was in my first Musical). She's a film editor
Xmas vacation: Fun at Disney World Epcot makes us Long for Norway and China. We plan more trips.
New Years in NEW ORLEANS, "I guarantee" Food food food, art, and architecture for a week (I'm back up to 328)
On Jan 1st I begin working out at the Hilton Gym Lola and I play racquet ball. I loose 10 pounds in three days.
We return to California broke but inspired I go to 24 hour Fitness in Hollywood, waiting to edit the film. The Asylum won't use Mary Ann
After waiting since September we finally start editing We use Mary Ann after all, editing it two weeks. Latt says it's the best first cut they've ever seen
Confident, Mary Ann's husband Bob adds sound I have a pretty damned good director's cut (Sherri Strain doesn't like it)
We cut and chop 15 minutes from the film Some of it doesn't make sense anymore but it is tighter (some campy shots are removed)
Sherri takes over the project. She hates me She strips out all of the sound and makes Peter rewrite the score. YIKES!!!!!
Sherri says she'll fix everything but she doesn't have time The picture is sent out with a lot of sound missing and a lot of music not in (I cry when I see it)
Poster Art for Alien Abduction: An Eric Forsberg Film
I write a new Horror script more suited for the low budget It's called LEBEN TOD. David Rimawi loves it (he also loves Alien Abduction)
Blockbuster is very Happy with Alien Abduction It is the 126 most popular film in the world according to IMDB
Lena and Dagmar, my relatives from Sweden come to visit Karen pulls workers off Glendale and spends our savings to fix our house
We take the Swedes to Disneyland, Las Vegas & Big Bear It is expense.
We have to start selling and refinancing properties The Big Bear refi is 40K less than expected the duplex sale is 150K less
I meet with the Asylum to get another movie Sherri Strain does not like me and says that she doesn't trust me
I beg my agent to get me some work, any work He hurts his back in a diving accident and does nothing for months
Alien Abduction gets great reviews Still I can't get a movie through the Asylum or a sale through my agent
I write my ass off Graduating Eros, Cerebral Experiment #6 and Night Walker come to life
Karen's father, Burt gets sick Karen stops working on the Glendale property and focuses on her dad.
I go with Lola to Big Bear It is like Shangri-La, away from the trials of life
We start running out of money We have no choice but high interest hard money loans. My credit is shot.
Burt dies It devastates my wife.
Everything falls apart We put all of our properties up for sale.
I go to Chicago This time I am by myself, a rare occurance
My father moves from his home of 20 years We ship 15 boxes of his films and art to California for me to store.
Hurricane Katrina Hits The market in LA tanks. Our properties are listed too high. Nothing sells.
We start getting phone calls from creditors. We lower our asking prices by $350,000.00 total.
Our 4 unit in Hollywood is bought by our lender He pays 25,000 more than we owe. It was our only money making property.
David Latt from the Asylum wants Leben Tod He offers a negative pick up for 35K if we produce it ourselves.
I go to a huge Pitch Fest Eric Frederickson flies in for it. It is a big success.
Things seem to be going in a good film direction I begin writing AZTEC HUMAN SACRIFICE.
Lola's teacher gives Lola the flu. It spreads to me. I have 105 fevers and the virus goes into my heart again. Fuck!
My entire family comes to spend Xmas with us Our last dollars are spent on the holiday. When they leave, we are broke.
My credit is bad & we have no cash to make the film. Selling everything a year earlier would have made us a million dollars.
Cerebral Experiment (productions) is formed It will produce Leben Tod.
A gay couple offers us 805 for our house (listed at 950) We take it. I begin to crew up the show.
Paul Silver comes on as the line producer for Leben Tod. He quits for a bigger show after two days. I take to job over.
We get a great cast and a great Location Shooting begins two weeks after we have to leave our house.
We decide to move to the Glendale property. I check it out. After 2 years of rehab it still needs a ton of work.
We throw our last resources into Glendale Toilets go in. Light fixtures. Carpets. Showers. Floors.
Tom Devlin (FX make-up) has to shoot 2 week sooner The start date is now the day after we move.
We close on 5814 La Mirada, the house that we rebuilt We move to Glendale, a house half the size. It is sad. Lola is sad.
We start shooting It goes well but a little rough with the DP.
Eleven days of shooting. Everyone gets sick but me.
A collage of photos from Night of the Leben Tod
The edit begins. Mary Ann and Bob are back on board.
Latt gives me a job to do. I give him Snakes on a Train.
We are going broke again We lower the asking price on Glendale. It sells for 775 (originally 950).
I edit on and off (with interruptions) from April to July We leave Glendale and move to Big Bear for the Summer (our last hold out).
Ralph Saunders loans me his place in LA So now I have an apartment in Marina Del Rey and a House in the Mountains.
Leben Tod is hot. Many companies want it including, New Line, Anchor Bay & the Asylum.
My Career gets hotter too. As we move the movie angels descend & good things begin to happen.
My Agent, David Freedman sends an e-mail His father died so he will close his office for two months. I need a new agent.
The Pitt group calls. They want to option Cerebral Experiment #6 and represent me as a manager.
The Asylum calls. They want to up their offer for Leben Tod
I live in LA my wife & daughter live in Big Bear I drive up and down and up and down.
Stephenson Crossly let's me live at his condo Sometimes I house sit and sometimes we are roommates. It saves my ass.
We meet David Vaughn of Kissing Violets by accident We get to talking. He wants to write a song for Leben Tod.
The Pitt group wants to develop Huzzah It is a comedy about the Ren Faire. I ask for money but they say "SPECK".
Snakes on a Train is released It's not even on IMDB, nobody can find out who wrote it
Poster for Snakes
Kissing Violets hands us "Feel the Disease": it's great Mary Ann and Bob get pissed and threaten to drop the project
I have to write but everything is in the way I owe, Huzzah, Cerebral Experiment, Cannibal, Thin Air & Leben Tod 2
The Asylum does not return calls or e-mails for 6 weeks We start running low on money again. Only one house left.
Spotlight Pictures sees Leben Tod on the Shriekfest site they want to buy it and offer way more than the Asylum, Yikes!
I warn David Latt to act NOW Rimawi and Latt want to meet: Sherri not so much
Chuck Simon from S Pictures wants CANNIBAL He offers 5 grand against a WGA purchase with me attached as Director
Donald Randals from LACY STREET STUDIOS calls He wants me to write and direct a feature
THE ASYLUM buys LEBEN TOD After a bidding war with 3 other companies (it will be released in NOV)
LEBEN TOD is in the Big Bear Film Festival The festival was so so!
Peter Green wants to do a project He offers to help me get an agent
Things are looking up... Or so it seems.
LEBEN TOD is renamed NIGHT OF THE DEAD I hope that the Asylum knows what they're doing
NIGHT OF THE DEAD wins at Shriekfest Best Make Up Effects. But my films are always going to be sited for effects.
Lola and I go to Chicago We see family. It is her first time there in two years. We stay at Michelle's.
NIGHT OF THE DEAD wins at Chicago Horror Fest Make up again. Kudos to Tom & gain. Hope I win for something else soon.
Karen meets us in Florida My cousin can't even see us. We go to Freak Show and Disneyworld.
Don Randles at Lacy Street offers us 3 movies 600K for all three, our lives are saved
We return to LA and jump right into preproduction I sublet a place in Korea Town. It's a whole new world.
I live in Los Angeles and Karen and Lola live in Big Bear Me no like. I hassle my wife everyday to come down.
We hire Scott Brown as Production Coordinator He hooked me up with Randles so it's the least I can do.
Halloween in Big Bear. The whole village is a trick or treat party. By Nov. 1st its a ghost town.
The Pitt group wants Huzzah Lou Pitt is in my corner and wants it fast
The Asylum wants to hire me to write "Apocalypse" I will make money and get a big action feature. I want it.
Ryan Vernon/Station 12 wants Cerebral Experiment #6 I am ready to sign
Don wants to move on the first movie, HUNTED I give up Huzzah, Station 12 & the Asylum to focus on the Lacy deal
Steve Hirsch joins Don Randles at Lacy Street He was working when Don made the deal to do the three films
Don & Steve want a rewrite before we start shooting. I move to Big Bear to write. We will clear 37K per picture so it's worth it
Karen has to quit her job at Help U Sell to help me She moves down to Korea Town to take over preproduction while I write
Karen Hits it off with Steve. They eat Chinese everyday Don is ready to sign the Hunted deal. Thank God.
We have auditions for HUNTED and get a great cast We crew up and are ready to shoot in three weeks. Don has his check book open.
Mark Wheeler and Lou Pitt tell me not to do the Don deal I tell him that I have to feed my family and I can't write Huzzah yet because Don will pay us
I tell the Asylum that I have no time to write Apocalypse It fills me with guilt but I can't risk losing the deal with Don.
My mother has to have surgery. She wants me in Chicago I buy 3 tickets for January, after the film is done.
It takes me until Thanksgiving to rewrite Hunted Karen and Don decide to push to January. I don't like it.
My mother changes the surgery to Dec. I don't want to leave the project but we have to. We go to Chi town
The Tension starts to ware on me I get sick
Don Randles postpones Hunted to make later Now we have to pull together another film for him. No money yet
We give up our place in Korea Town Gold turns to coal over night. Welcome to Hollywood
I have to write all through January. We give up our airline tickets: no Chicago, no refunds.
I hurt myself and go into the hospital Karen pitches projects to Don and he bites on Cerebral Experiment #6
I have to pull Cerebral Experiment from Station 12 After five months of negotiations, now I have to pull it. Ryan is not happy.
I ask Mark Wheeler to help me find a new backer for Hunted Mark and Lou only want Huzzah: the Lacy deal is too small for them
I turn my attention to rewriting Cerebral Experiment #6 Don & Steve are impatient.
The Pitt Group is tired of waiting for Huzzah Mark Wheeler steps out of the deal
Our budget decreased for the next film at Lacy We must dig deep and push forward!
I do preliminary budgets from my recovery bed Karen holds onto the deal with her teeth while I write
Cerebral Experiment #6 becomes TORTURE ROOM It is a great script.
Don and Steve have another script they want to do Cheerleaders in Zombie Hell
Don wants us to bring him the distributor Karen brings in Morris Ruskin from Shoreline.
Ruskin likes Torture Room Don green lights it.
Karen looks for a new place to live in LA She sleeps on a couch while she works in LA and I work in Big Bear
I write INFERNO for the Asylum Eric Frederickson helps so it won't conflict with Lacy Street.
Steve Hirsch asks for a second script right away. Good, we need back to back productions to make it worth while.
I write BLOOD FREAKS This is Morris Ruskin's third favorite script after Torture Room and Hunted
We get a great cast for Torture Room John Forgeham of Footballers wives walks in and we cast him.
John Forgeham, Lena Bookall, Barry Ratcliffe & Chad Nell Just some of the great people in the cast.
Karen moves us into an extended stay hotel in Glendale I actually miss our old place on Maryland
We move back to the big city on March 1st Shooting begins on March 17th
A dear friend of mine wants a job so badly that he threatens me I am hounded by him through out the entire shoot
8 days before filming Karen has an infection and collapses The doctors wrongly diagnose it as Appendicitis
SPRING 2007
The shoot begins and it goes well We push for our second film but no green light until they see footage
I feel great So I smoke and drink until I'm sick
We wrap. We are happy. It's tainted by my angry friend who now threatens to slander me and ruin me
Funding is stalled on the film. Again, welcome to Hollywood
The next movie project (not ours) moves into our office We have three days to get our stuff together and scram
Mary Ann edits. She finds many tech problems Our DP, Nick hated the camera so much that he sold it right after wrap
The Asylum hires me for 30,000 Leagues Under the Sea I have tons of fun writing the first draft and agony with the next four drafts
I live alone in LA for four months editing Karen and Lola visit every two weeks to keep me sane.
We finally have a good rough mix and cut in early June We use it to get meetings with good companies.
Steve and Don say they want to make another film with us We pitch and pitch to them, but no bites
I move towards a summer of writing Huzzah, Thin Air and another script for Lacy are on the table
Summer 2007
We borrow money and get a cut We have a screening at AFI on June 26th
Karen sets up great meetings for us Stacy Jade Smart at STARZ wants me to flesh out four TV show pitches
Chuck Simon wants THIN AIR My plate is getting full again - all spec scripts - shit!
Morris Ruskin calls me Ruskin wants the 1st act as a flash back. I must rewrite that script too
The editor is very patient Ford credit is not so patient
We run out of Cash for the film so we have a Yard Sale We use the money for gas and editing
We do a flash back cut for Ruskin I must put the STARZ project and THIN AIR on hold for the Ruskin cut
Don makes an offer to buy him out of Torture Room 250 K is the price tag: So the plot thickens.
We look for a new investor It's actually quite exciting to have a new beginning on things
We make it to the the last round at the Toronto Film Festival It means the film is good
All the tension gives me back problems It turns to sciatica needing drugs; my Summer of working is ruined
The bright note is that my heart test was good The echo shows a normal 65 ejection fraction.
I am accepted into the Bariatric Surgery Program at Kaiser The process leading up to surgery could take over a year
Jo Spends much of the Summer with us We eat breakfast at the kitchen table every morning. It's Paradise.
Lola Starts 3rd Grade up in Big Bear (She Loves it.) I feel Isolated in the mountains. My dad had the same issue in Sierra Madre.
Cash is low so we Have Another Yard Sale I use the money to Edit, but I foolishly sell treasures that I cannot replace
There is talk about a WGA strike I hope not. We have at least three big deals pending
We settle in for the long haul up in the mountains. Fires keep us on edge all Summer and Fall.
We are Evacuated from Fawnskin. A friend puts us u We sit by the lake shore every day and watch the fires approach our house
The Butler 2 fire at the edge of Fawnskin forced us to evacuate for a week
Fall 2007
Karen becomes my Manager She sets up projects with STARZ, S-Pictures and more.
I get a call from David Latt. It's another project I am to add 43 pages to the film TOKYO, which is in the can.
Karen gets the taxes done while I write I am longing for another movie. A real one, all my own, that pays.
Night of the Dead gets into the Big Bear Horror Fest I focus on getting some press out
I write War of the Worlds 2 It's a race to get it done before the WGA strike hits
Some people are upset that I talk about them in my blog Sounds like censorship to me (but I still cut a lot out, (Sorry)
Jeff Katz calls us from 20th Century Fox He has someone who wants to do a genre deal with us
THE STRIKE BEGINS SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!
Cerebral Experiment wants me to write 2 scripts We don't get the deal signed before the strike so "no dice"
I put out a press release about new projects I include info about Knat Scatt Private Eye, with Steve Carell
Knat Scatt takes off Now I need to pull together the tech and the press and upload it all
We go back into negotiations with Don for the film he wants the film again: A LOT!
Karen deals with Steve to finish the deal Cerebral Experiment signs with Don at the end of Nov.
We sign a non-disclosure agreement the details of our deal will be kept private (so much for my journal)
The snow comes to big bear After a summer of fires the snow is like a perfect sanctuary of white
We start looking for another film deal we may have to produce a non union script, just to keep working
We prepare to go to Chicago for Christmas Again, it costs as much as a trip to Europe, but I need to see my folks
I am ready for a new project I work on things on my own, but I need to know what I am doing next for $
Karen throws a wonderful birthday party for me I am 37 years old, AGAIN!
The WGA strike drags on I turn my attentions to "A Short Magical History", my only real novel.
We leave for Chicago on the 20th It is our first real trip in over a year
Winter 2007/2008
We visit Chicago and Have a great time I gain 10 lbs. Yum!
We see a lot of great theater, finally Hunchback at Red Bone & Snow Queen at Victory Gardens are great
Christmas at my father's in Lake Forest Family tensions with my dad taints things a bit
My sister Linnea and I hit it off after years It's wonderful to have my sister back
My mom is old But she sure is feisty
Karen, Lola and I spend our last few days in Wisconsin The Kalahari water park is 85 inside and 5 degrees outside
We spend our last night with Tim Furguson, Patty and Emma Lola and Emma hit it off
We return to California on Jan 3rd I miss Chicago already
After a few days of depression I get back to work A Short Magical History is my focus until the strike ends
Monster comes out and my name is all over it Erik Estenberg is supposed to get the credit
I post a link to my rough draft of "A Short Magical History" Karen is worried because of the defamation law suit threat last year
I 'm concerned the censorship of my journal jeopardizes truth I have over 50,000 pages of diary that I fear might be censored
The strike sucks! The strike sucks!
The strike sucks! The strike sucks!
Karen works on signed the WGA interim agreement It if happens I will instantly have contracts for two scripts
The strike sucks! The strike sucks!
I miss my pal Charles I haven't seen him in over a year. Too bad we don't mesh anymore.
Now another Friend that I gave a job to wants more money He threatens my project. Its pal #2who sees me as a cash cow. Shit!
The strike sucks! The strike sucks!
The strike sucks! The strike sucks!
We are struggling to survive - the strike is hurting us We apply for the WGA loan but they don't give it to us
The strike sucks! The strike sucks!
I work hard on my occult autobiography Karen Gives me notes, which sends me back to a third rewrite
THE STRIKE IS OVER I have to move from A Short Magical History to something that pays
Lola gets a leading role in her School Play She also gets a big audition for a lead in a feature film
Karen scrapes together a lovely Luau B-Day for Lola It is her ninth. I am so happy at how many good friends she has now
I go to my first Bariatric surgery intro meeting for Q&A They'll cut out my stomach so I can only eat 700 calories a day. Yuk!
I debate about continuing with the Bariatric surgery My wife is a chef and I love food. How can I lose my ability to eat?
I am brought onto a TV show package as a producer/director It is like a living Haunted House game show - COOL
Night of the Dead wins at Gem City Film Festival! BEST HORROR FEATURE OF THE YEAR!
I need to go back to writing screenplays now I start turning my attention away from the novel
Karen works hard as my manager and producer She is good at it and gets a ton of meetings and screeners lined up
I revise Eros and begin rewriting Night Walker We have interest from Lions Gate, and 20th Century Fox
The pending SAG strike threatens Hollywood All deals are on hold until it is resolved
War of the Worlds 2 comes out My second film of 2008. I'm getting hot, just in time for Fox!
Karen gets a call from The Wyndam Corporation It is for a job she applied for a year ago
Karen takes a test, does an interview and gets the job Her training begins in May
Karen beings to study for her new job She drops managing me and dumps all of our pending deals
I need for Karen to push my deals through She says she will as soon as she finishes her training
I decide to focus on adding square footage to our house I can do it while I wait for the meetings to come through
I draw up plans and get permits for an additional 1300 sq ft I begin clearing the garage - this will add lots of value
Karen's new job is a good one It includes benefits, online college tuition, bonuses and perks
I find two workers to help me with the garage conversion I figure that some new, extra equity in the house will help
The garage conversion is a bigger job than I thought! I don't write or direct or producer. Just construct, for months
Karen lines up a construction loan (high interest/short term) A cash hit at the onset of construction, and one in the middle
Karen loves her job and puts 100% into learning it We take the construction loan and move forward
I begin bariatric surgery prep classes It's just another way for skinny people to mutilate fat people
Karen's new job is going slow It is peak season and sales are down from last summer by 75%
The Garage construction costs more and more Every penny goes into that. I just want to make movies: DAMN!
My brother Thor gets married Bachelor party in Vegas, wedding in Cambria. Expensive!
We get another construction loan but it goes quickly The project looks great even though one worker is in and out of jail
My mother goes in for surgery I can't afford to take off the time and go to Chicago
My father goes in for surgery If I stop construction and go to Chicago it will jeopardize everything
Both of my parents are dying I go to Chicago (my friend Maurice helps me out)
My mother needs constant care Lola and I stay 10 days, then Karen comes for another week
My parents live but my dad loses his house in Lake Forest He has to be out by October (his girlfriend's son-in-law says)
We return to California and everything has fallen apart The Chicago trip really kicked our butts, but we had to go
Karen's new job is in jeopardy Summer sales are down and she's the new guy who just took time off
Lola and I go to church and pray for a miracle Karen sells two big packages, her job is saved
Time for another construction loan Karen works on it during her spare time but comps are difficult
We slow construction until we have the loan We now have four mortgages and just enough equity to cover them
I can't make movies in Big Bear so I turn my attention to my novel I write more of A Short Magical History again. Its good.
The Economy Tanks Karen loses her job in Big Bear - we are in trouble
Karen has a chance to transfer to the Woodland Hills office We decided she'll move to LA, live on her mom's couch, and work
Our Lincoln breaks down and is towed off - only one car left Karen moves to LA anyway, and takes the bus to work
Karen makes zero money - I remain in Big Bear raising Lola We are stuck - slowly our bills stack up
Karen can't seem to make any money - she cries and cries I find a jobsite called ELANCE. I write web copy for $5 an hour
A Separated Family - we go for weeks and months apart We keep a smile on our face for Lola - Linnea pays for her Karate
My father is officially evicted by his girlfriend He will come to LA to start a new life at 85 years old
I meet MISTER X on Elance - he wants me to ghostwrite I begin work on a very funny screenplay - then - PAYCHECK
I prepare for my High School Reunion in Chicago It is in October (Rolf will pay my air if I help him move)
My stalker attacks again This time he targets my visit to Chicago. I cancel the trip
The Stock Market Plunges Guess it will be a while before we get our final construction loan
Separated Family - It is wearing on us hard I start working on the final construction by myself (tool belt Diva)
We must get the construction done so we can refi My friend Scott Brown helps me put in the back floor joists
Pledge of Allegiance gets distribution with Quantum Releasing They put out a decent trailer, but no substantial results otherwise
It seems like everywhere we turn is a barrier to overcome We hope that Obama will be elected and set things right
Lola and I hit rock bottom in the mountains I change bulbs to fluorescents and burn wood for heat
I seek temporary assistance with our food and utilities It feels like the great depression (I wonder about living in the car)
MISTER X sends another check. The ghost writing is working out This marks a turning point - I can feel it
Angels are watching us A notice from the state comptroller says they owe me 11k
Things begin to turn around Karen even begins to sell some time-shares. We visit her in LA
Lola at the Getty Museum next to a picture she drew
OBAMA IS ELECTED Everything is new - and not a moment too soon
My father's girlfriend ships Rolf to California, weak and confused His bandages from his last surgery are still on - it's criminal
We get put on a loan modification program with our lender We are told to stop paying our mortgage
My ghostwriting is going well - I'm ready to write more Karen's optimistic about her job too - for now, I'm stuck in Fawnskin
Karen becomes the top producer (top seller) at her office For five minutes we feel like her job will save us
Wyndam decides to close Karen's office in Woodland Hills We will lose income and health insurance at the end of January
Karen and I discuss turning our attentions back to my career Thank God! I have been out of the business for 8 months
Christmas is at Thor's and Maureen's We stay at an apt in LA for two weeks - it's great
The 11 K saves our butts We eat good food and fill the cars up with gas and life is good
MISTER X has another ghost job for me I write and get money - write and get money - it's great
Karen agrees to manage me again - at least a little I also decide to make a couple of moves myself
I contact Steve Carell (not as easy as it sounds) Steve E-mails me back right away - our dialogue has begun
I contact Ed Asner, Chuck Simon, and David Latt All respond favorably
Karen lines me up with a couple of agents They are not a good fit
Karen starts making extra money selling our things on Ebay She sells her unused clothes and shoes. I try to sell my things
offered on Ebay - my XL1 Camera the SS jacket the I bought from Josias Kumpf first editions of Oliver Twist
I contact Jeff Katz (no longer at FOX) Jeff wants to meet for coffee but it takes three months to nail him down
Our mortgage lender comes in with the modification They raise our monthly payment by $600. What the fuck!!???!!
David Latt from the Asylum contacts me about a script It's for a pot/boob movie in 3 D called Sexpot. I say I want to direct.
I write a kick ass script and go in for auditions I do not know if I am directing until we shoot it
Jeff Katz finally meets with me (he is so busy with Wolverine) Jeff wants Graduating Eros. He puts it into development
The Sexpot shoot goes great - great crew - great cast I live in LA for 5 weeks during the shoot. I love it. I want to stay.
I write a great part for Lola as a 10 year old dealer She does an amazing job. I'm am her biggest fan
Lola in SEX POT
Principle photography wraps - I am a director again Everyone at the Asylum is pleased. They say - more films to come -
Eric on the set of Sex Pot
My father goes into the hospital I drive down to take him home from the hospital and stay for 3 weeks
Sleep on my dad's couch - ghost write at night, edit during day I feel like I'm a player again - except for the couch part
We go through three editors Mark Morrison, Jennifer, and Mary Ann Skweres I give notes and go write. The edit looks good
MISTER X likes the second script. he gives me a third to write My office is a cafe in Sierra Madre called "Bean Town"
Between mid March and early July I am only at home 11 nights My father's house has a basement apartment. I stay there after May 15th
Jeff Katz gives me notes on Graduating Eros (in development for him) He tells no rush --- I wish he had said "hurry up"
Just as we run out of money again I get another writing job #4 from MISTER X. I have to do it. Graduating Eros is pushed aside.
We put our house in Fawnskin up for sale - cross your fingers We are living on ghost writing and E-Bay this month
I spend more time at home with my wife and daughter I do lots of home-school with Lola. I want her to have an edge
4th of July is great - my wife's cooking is great - being with Lola is great But no houses are selling. We lower the price again and again
Sex Pot will be released soon - Now is the hour of truth My career is getting good. We must move back to LA, together. We must!
Karen gets a great private chef gig for a rich Russian fellow And I MEAN RICH! He comes to Big Bear with his son for 8 days
Between my ghost writing and Karen's cooking we pay for a trip to Chicago Lola and I visit my mother - Jo is sick the entire time
Lola and I see a lot of great theater in Chicago 1001 Arabian Knights at Lookingglass, plus museums and more
Joyce Sloane at Second City tells me she will invite us to the 50th SC turns 50 on Dec 16th - my birthday - an it is a huge event
Joyce gives me a "history of Second City" book for the 50th I am in it, under a nice picture of me and other teachers
Karen works hard, cooking for the Russian Lola and I return to Cali after ten days in Chi
Karen auditions for The Next Food Network Star Karen is happier than I have seen her in a long time -- cooking suits her
Lola goes back to school in early August I want to go to a private school - I begin applying for Buckley
I finish another ghost writing job and begin another the next day This is ghost script #4 in less than a year
My sister visits us in California as my brother and his wife have a baby the baby's name is Moira, after Thor's mother
My bariatric surgery date approaches I plan to get the lap band - but the doctor pushes hard for the sleeve, which I hate
No one even bites to buy our house We lower the price - still no bites - we lower it again - things are getting tight
I work my but off on treatments for The Asylum Al Capone, action, comedy, MILFs, Mega Piranha - all for the future
Karen works hard on the Big Bear Horror Film Festival She is one of the producers - it is a great success - but not a lot of money
Karen helps open a little gourmet shop on main street She builds displays - helps create the store - cooks soups - loves it
My surgery is upon us when Karen gets another job cooking Her Russian again - this time in Newport Beach - she is elated
I postpone the surgery, write, and tutor Lola while Karen is away We visit her in Newport Beach for Halloween (our anniversary)
I finish ghost script #4 and begin ghost script #5 I need to rewrite Graduating Eros for Jeff Katz but I have no time
We get invited to Second City for the 50th - officially Even our airfare is taken care of - it's going to be great
Mega Piranha gets the green light from the Asylum I write it as I finish ghost script#5 due in early Dec
Too much going on to have my surgery I postpone again - maybe indefinitely - hope its not a mistake
We get good news about our house loan we are almost approved for a remodification - and it only cost thousands in lawyers fees
Things look good to go to Chicago Rich Russian is rumored to be in LA for Xmas, and ghost writer client owes a payment
Karen works at the gourmet shop day and night until we leave for Chicago she loves working there - cooking and designing displays
The night before we fly I get great news I'm going to direct Mega Piranha - shooting begins Jan 9th - I just have to finish the script
We fly to Chicago on an amazing trip of a life time An entire plane just for we Second City folk living in LA - it is fun
See many old friends and coworkers on flight Jeff Michelski, Francis & Angella (Frangella), Ken Campbell, Ian Gomez, Jill Tally, Jane Morris, Nia Vardalos, Fred Kaz, Michael McCarthy, Miriam Flynn, Eric Boardman, John Michelski, Ira Miller, and more
Private hanger for champagne greeting with the Governor I am so happy that I can give this experience to my daughter
Private busses shuttle us to the posh hotel I call David Latt, buzzed off my ass, attempting to cast MILFS with my SC pals
We stay at my mothers small apartment we take her with us everywhere - she is a guest of honor - everyone is glad to see her
At Second City Jo holds court first by the red carpet then at a table Her old students stop by to greet her and hug her and talk - Harold Ramis, Bonnie Hunt, Tim Kazurinski, Peter Burns, George Wendt, Dan Castalaneta, Betty Thomas, -- it went on all night
Many days follow of parties - shows - buffets Steve Carell stops by to visit - also Dave Pasquesi and reconnect with many others that I worked with - Stephen Colbert, Amy Sederis, Aaron Freeman, David Koechner, Mick Napier --- more and more - it was amazing.
At the show on the 16th my mother and I are announced it is my birthday - Joyce was a doll to toast me in front of everyone
After ten days we return home for holidays Moira is Christened. In a few days -Jul Afton at my brother's, then Xmas
Karen's returns to the gourmet shop but they can't afford her she is heartbroken - bye bye free Serrano ham - and extra money
Finish Mega Piranha script Christmas eve I wrote all through the Chicago trip - no museums, nothing - only Second City & Piranhas
Our house remodification falls through Karen scrambles for plan B, C, & D, rolled into one - we are in a pinch
Finances are grim Ghost writer client hasn't paid - house hasn't sold - rich Russian hasn't returned to America - & no gourmet shop job
The day after Christmas I move back to LA Karen tries to fix the house issue while I do preproduction on Mega Piranha
Tiffany is set to play the female lead I am happy - our team is shaping up great - locations are not set but we're getting there
Auditions go well on new years eve I race to Big Bear after to ring in 2010 with Karen & Lola -- it's cold and isolated at 7000 ft
Happy New Year - 2010 Karen and I pray for her Russian to ride to the rescue while I'm on the film
New Years Resolution Make Movies - Make Money -- And move my wife and daughter back down to sea level
Jan 2010 offers hope All action on our house is put on hold - we are gliding safe - I focus on my film
People begin to return from vacation Finally we can staff the show and line up locations - we shoot in a few days
I get Nikki again for my first, and Marisa for Production design My team is shaping up - but I need a schedule and locations
I break down the script with the help of 2nd AD Alex There are 475 slug lines - it is crazy - I have no time to focus on story boards
We have our first production meeting on Jan 7th We start shooting on the 9th -- it is a crazy scramble - still no time for boards
Our cast is not locked even as we begin shooting Writing notes still come in from the execs even as we shoot our first week
Brian Olinger is my DP - we speak for ten minutes and then shoot Not enough time - we improvise and scout fresh locals daily
We shoot our interiors first with now cover locations left for week two Week two is set for all exteriors
I have some story boards for week two but no shot lists (still no time - no sleep) Then the rains come - 5 day predicted torrential
After one day of sitting in the studio shooting nothing (we had no rain gear set up) Latt sends us to Belize We leave the next morning
Nikki comes too - this makes me happy I scout locals - do story boards - and finally get a few minutes to prepare as a director
Belize is great but our camera is broken I am happy that Anthony Fankhauser is my Producer down there - it's just like Sex Pot
Five days in Belize seems like two weeks My favorite person down there is Pulu - everybody knows Pulu - he's a fixer
Return to the States and shoot the last two days Mega Piranha was the toughest shoot I have ever done - post has already started
I live in Sierra Madre and conduct post I have been away from home since early Dec. --- almost 3 months by the time I return
During post I write MILF, DOUBLE DEUCE, AND ULTIMATE WARRIOR treatments I'll only get paid when they green light the scripts
Still no sign of the Russian My wife and I are getting nervous - will he ever come back
Sudden shocking news - the bank wants to "buy" our house from us They give us an offer we can't refuse -- Grrrrr!
I want out of Fawnskin - so we take the bank deal - it is a relief We will walk away with a small wad of cash - but we must move quickly
I go back up the mountain to help pack - it is sad - my wife is sad We gave it a damned good shot -- but the economy sucks
Good news - the Russian is coming the Russian is coming This helps --- A LOT -- I am happy - things are looking up
Finally I get another job from MR. X - to ghost write That helps too - - now all I need is MILF to get the green light
I have a discount coupon for a spa hotel that I must use before we move I take my wife and Lola off on a nice weekend
It turns Spring while we are soaking in a hot tub Just a last shot of normalcy before we become gypsies
Karen, Lola, and I continue packing the second we get home We move in five days - it will be a whole new chapter soon -- in LA
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SMUU Santa Monica Unitarian Universalist Church
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SCA Society for Creative Anachronism
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Last edited 03/22/2010