I love writing and have focused my attention on penning screenplays since 1984. I've sold em, optioned 'em, given 'em away...and have even had some actually been produced for television. (Next stop: the big screen!) Although I enjoy working by myself, I also dig collaborating. Often with comedians — I've worked with Dana Carvey, Rick Overton, Brian Haley, Franklyn Ajaye, Matt Weinhold and Brant von Hoffman, just to name a few...)
HOT PROJECTS
THE BOOK
It's very exciting to have my first book just coming on the market. Written with Jonathan Littman (for whom this is not his first book...), "I Hate People!" is a business book with attitude. Published by Little, Brown & Co. in New York, it debuts on Amazon, in bookstores and as an audiobook on Audible.com and iTunes on June 10, 2009!
THE MOVIES
I have several feature film scripts in that have all just finished first draft completion and are in development. One's a solo effort, a screwball con man comedy. The other two are joint efforts: a sci-fi action film based on a soon-to-be-released graphic novel that I'm partnering on with David Stieve; and a comedy/horror movie that I'm writing with Dana Carvey. Love to tell you more about them but Hollywood being the nest of snakes it is, I'm going to keep mum about them for now.
THE WEB
On the internet front, I'm working with Matt Weinhold and producer Eric Young to bring a suspense series to your computer. The concept is fresh and really creepy. Hopefully I'll be able to reveal more soon!
IN THE PAST
I've written five scripts for the Hallmark Channel, three of which have been produced to date. In reverse chronological order, they are...
Wedding Daze
Not to be confused with the feature film that came out a couple years after, my Wedding Daze is a romantic comedy in the vein of "Father of The Bride". Starring John Larroquette and Karen Valentine as parents of three daughters who return to the nest after having moved out. Each of the trio falls in love and hold Dad to his word that he'd pay for their wedding. French Stewart plays the wedding planner who helps to try to keep things together as chaos and poverty ensue when all three girls decide to combine forces and combine their weddings into one big blowout.
Monster Makers
A Halloween story, Monster Makers is the story of a kid who finds an old black & white monster movie from the 50's. When he watches it one Halloween night, a power surge caused by a bolt of lightning allows the three monsters and the movie sheriff to get out of the film. Starring Linda Blair, George Kennedy, and Adam Baldwin.
Santa Jr.
My very first movie produced and aired on the Hallmark Channel (in 2002) was Santa Jr., the story of Chris Kringle, Jr. The 20-something slacker son of Santa Claus, reluctant to take over the family business, doesn't quite get the whole whole Christmas spirit thing. He learns his lesson when he gets assigned to deliver presents to the West Coast, only to get arrested for breaking and entering while on the job. The movie features Lauren Holly, Judd Nelson, George Wallace, Nick Stabile, and Ed Gale.
(All three titles are available on DVD online through Amazon.com and other locations!)
JOKE WRITING
I also write jokes -- in addition to working with Dana Carvey to help create material for his live standup comedy, I was among the legion of freelance joke writers who submitted material to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Some of the material I generate ends up not getting bought. Which means I can pass the savings -- and the jokes -- onto YOU, if you're a disk jockey, comedian or columnist looking for a piece of wit to tag onto your bit. I call it "comedy shareware" and you can check out what's available at The Daily Grill, my blog that I supply regularly with topical jokes and "phodoodles" -- editorial cartoons created via photo manipulated images.
I have also created scripts and other content for everything from corporate & industrial videos to websites & tradeshows. Feel free to use the link to the left to email me if you're interested in having similar work created for your company...
MANAGEMENT
My manager is the fabulous Wendy Winks at A Wink And A Nod Productions -- feel free to click on her name to contact her if you're interested in my writing availability these days!