[…] One script that received a lot of attention in the 2013 Black List is “Shovel Buddies” by Jason Mark Hellerman (it garnered 22 votes). I was quite struck by the story — “Over 24 hours, four teenage friends try to complete the “Shovel List” (a will/bucket list) left for them by their best friend before he died of Leukemia” — and reached out to talk with Jason about it. We ended up talking for 90 minutes, an excellent conversation covering a lot of territory. I think aspiring screenwriters will find Jason’s insights particularly relevant as we got into quite a …read more […]

I don't know if this is covered in future parts of the interview, but when Jason says it was a "whirlwind," what does he mean? What did a typical day become like once his reps were on board? I always wondered how writers have time to write and do meetings, especially when your mind is still buzzing about the meeting or future meetings.

so for me the whirlwind was two-fold: I hadn't yet quit my day job so I was still working 9am-7pm - I'd use all my sick days and vacation days and cram all my meetings together. Usually I'd have a 9am breakfast, 11am meeting, 3pm meeting, and a 5pm meeting. Often times I'd go into the office to work and reply to emails from noon-2pm even on my off days to keep my bosses happy. I did about 50 meetings from October - March. then I quit my job and stated temping, one week on, one week for meetings. I'd write weeks I had off and edit weeks I was temping, I'm still doing the temp thing while I try to set up projects. It;s stressful and the credit card debt mounts fast but I figure while I'm young and only have myself to worry about I might as well go for broke. The best way to do it is if you;re more productive in the AM get up at 5am and write until you have to leave for work. If you're a PM person don't go home after work, go to a late night coffee house or diner and write till midnight. If you want it bad enough you'll get it done.

Sounds like it's the time of your life. Very exciting. I'm surprised your boss let you do a 9am, 11 am, 3pm and 5 pm meeting... Thanks for explaining that further. My impression is that the "what next" is the hardest thing to get done. Writing one great script is challenging enough...but thinking about the next thing and living up to the first is what I worry about.