Martin Eden Script is Destined for the Big Screen!

Now, as far as my experience goes in selling a screenplay or even getting one optioned is yet to be determined. One of the reasons that I began the Arkenstone blog is to gain exposure for my work, the script adaptation of Jack London's Martin Eden. I also thought it would be interesting to share the journey as it unfolds in relatively real time.

I have no doubt in my mind that Martin Eden will one day be optioned and eventually sold and released on either the big screen or in a television format. I can actually see this work easily adapted into a short mini series, maybe 2-3 parts.

You might say: Well doesn't everybody who ever wrote a screenplay think it has the potential to sell? After all why invest all that time and energy for something that you expect to sit around and gather dust? You don't have to be a professional reader or a Hollywood professional to know that the majority of scripts that are written are garbage and I'm guessing that if your job was to read scripts all day for potential commercial value, that you can quickly identify a piece of crap within the first couple of pages.

Sadly, there are way too many people with great ideas who don't have the first inkling how to convey that concept effectively in script form. I think a person has to have a writers mind...a writers passion...a creative voice. These are not things that you can gain from reading a book about writing scripts. Sure you can buy software, like Final Draft 8,9 10 or whatever the version is at this time, but that will only take you so far. I believe you have to have the soul of a writer to begin with. I believe one can have some of the fundamental foundation that can be honed over time and with patience.

This is why I believe the screenplay contest is a great testing ground to quickly test your meatal as a writer--this is a good way to weed out the mounds of garbage that come in with the few precious gems. Martin Eden has placed in four screenplay competitions and took 2nd place in the first one where I entered. This is impressive...this is potential and I have had at least a half dozen legitamate producers who have recently requested Martin Eden in response to my query. In my next post I will share with you the contests that I entered, the ones that are most noteable and the next steps to getting those script requests.