Inside the Brain of E.C. Henry

Back to the Scene of the Crime

Sometimes life circles back around and you actually get to return to the scene of the crime.  For me going back and joining and being part of the Northwest Screenwriters Guild was a surreal experience.  Why?  Well-p, try thins on and see if it fits, about 6 years ago or so--they kicked me out of their organization.  No shit.  That really happened!  I got kicked out of a place that is SUPPOSED to be promoting its members and guiding them to careers in screenwriting.  Not in my case, bub.  They kicked my ass out!!  

Not that I'm proud of what happened.  And not that I remember it all with 100% clarity.  I think the president of the organization thought I insulted his wife in some kind of comment I made.  To be honest with you, I didn't even know the guy was married, or who his alleged wife was.  If his claim was true.  Or if he was just trying to pick a fight with me.  Still, he literally wanted me stand to stand trial before him and the rest of the Northwest Screenwriters Guild board at the time and explain myself to them.  As I remember it, I did apologize to the guy in an e-mail, taking responsibility for what he alleged happened, BUT because he took it to the extreme of wanting me to stand trial before the group's governing board internally I said, "Fuck it.  It's just not worth it."   If someone wants to make THAT big of an issue with my relatively harmless comment and shenanigans, I thought at the time I should just take my lumps and got outta Dodge.  And that's what I did.    

The crazy thing is I'm not really mad at that past Northwest Screenwriters Guild president who kicked me out of their organization.  Maybe I was a little out of line.  I'm always willing to admit my faults.  And not so prideful so as to so say, I do no wrong.  That guy is entitled to his opinion.  And I'll respect that, even if the guy doesn't respect me and bares a grudge against me.  

Like I said, THAT happened many years ago, and I don't remember the exact details of what pissed that guy off so bad, I know I was in my full-affect, half screenwriter, half jester: expanded persona get-up at the time and we were at a social event in Seattle.  Romany Malco: "Jay" from Judd Appatow's "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" was there.  At one point Romany Malco saw me and his escort ushered him away from me.  I NEVER got to met Romany Malco, which I wanted very much to do, as I was HOPING that making contact with Romany would lead to making contact with the man himself, Judd Apatow.  YES, that's how my mind works!

Needless to say that didn't work out at all.  Everything blew-up in my face.  And I ended up being forced out of the organization with my tail between my legs.  

So about two week ago or so I was SHOCKED to find in my mailbox and invitation to rejoin the Northwest Screenwriters Guild.  Seams as though that organization went on hiatus for a while, but now was attempting to start up again, and was reaching out to past members.  

Sometimes you gotta let bygones be bygones.  That said, I am PROUD to say I went to his inagural, re-boot-up event in my full expanded persona dress: Mardi Grass cape, blue and red jester cap with bells, black mask, and of course my magic wand--and Chimpy!  That's right on early Saturday night I was parading around my hometown city of Seattle, WA in FULL expanded persona wear. 

Was I trying to rub their nose in it, or make a point?  Hardly, I don't roll like that.  I wore my full expanded persona costume because THAT'S how I wanna be recognized as a screenwriter and entertainer.  Flamboyant?  MAYBE at first blush, but remember one of my tenant credos:

First make an impression, THEN worry about making that impression a good one.

I'm not afraid to take risks.  I'm not afraid to fail.  I'm more afraid of not trying, than failing.  I'm passed the point of training wheels.  I'm riding the bike now.  The bus is moving.  I wasn't fucking around when I said that.  No, I can't garantee, I'll ever "make it".  But what I can assure you, is that I'm going to be different.  I'm going to stand-out.  And I'm going to do it in a way that no one else has ever done it before.   

All the gimicks in the world aside, eventually it comes down to, can you write?  To which I say, "Fuck yeah I can write!"  I've already proven that FACT to myself over-and-over-and-over again now it's just a matter of proving it to people who don't know me yet...  Expanded persona to get their attention, THEN they read my scripts or novel and make up their own mind.  I've written more than enough to break-in.  So I'll pass every fuckin' test they thrown my way, and I'll do so with grace and style.  Sure, I may have taken my lumps in the past, but I don't live in the past.  I live in the here and now.  And in the here and now I'm going for it.  Full throttle!

So what comes next?  Easy.  I am going to reapply for membership in the Northwest Screenwriters Guild.  Not sure what script I'll submit for compendium level membership: which allows you to pitch to Hollywood big-shots they bring in.  Still, whatever tests they got, I'll pass them--and not only that but have a lot of fun along the way.  I'm not a big "networking" guy.  I'm not out to learn the craft, share scripts, and that kind of teaching thing.  I wanna get my stuff out there and get it produced.  And its not as thought I'm against my fellow screenwriting brothers having success too.  I do.  I begrudge NOBODY for the success they have. I'm not a selfish asshole, but in the same regard, I really don't feel the burning desire to teach the screenwriting craft.  There are guys out there who can do that for the newbies.  I'm not going to be that guy--ever!  Sure, I'm willing to read other people's stuff, but I'm really not into shit like script exchanges.  To me that's just kind of a waste time and energy.  I wanna break-in, now!  I've written enough, it's time.  It's my time.

If I can sell a script, the world opens up to me.  I know it will.  I'll be able to concentrate on finishing the rest of the books in my novel series, The Legend of Thars: my opus creation; the best story that's in me, what I'm most proud of the most, where it all began for me.  The thing about my scripts is that they're good, and they'll all make GREAT movies.  I love every story that is listed in my script loglines sidebar: From what SHOULD be the easy sellers with The Commune and Indians of the Ancient Plains to the more harder sells of stories such as Revenge of the Fat Chicks and The Judas Project.  I love them all.  They are my children.  I didn't just scribble these stories out on cocktail napkins or churn them out on a whim over the weekend.  I.  LABORED.  LIKE FUCK.  ON ALL OF THEM.  Gave them my best.  THAT'S what artistic screenwriters do: they pour their heart and soul into their projects with the hope that somehow, someday all their hard work will come to fruition.

And in the field of E.C. Henry, it's harvest time!

So what comes next.  Well-p, creatively I continue the work on the 2nd novel in the Legend of Thars series.  AND I get back to work on the script adaptation of the 1st movie with the goal of submitting that movie to the 2017 Nicholl's Screenwriting Competition.  I'm also going to stop drinking alcohol, get in better shape and work on my dancing--for the sake of an aspect of my expanded persona that I wanna hone and perfect--with a Taylor Swift application in mind!

Still ringing from yesterday and the surreal experience of going to Northwest Screenwriters Event after all these years.  Had a GREAT time at Terry Persun's "Befriending the Giant", PNWA class, I put a link to Terry's website on my sidebar if you're interested in checking him out.  ALSO added a link to fantasy author, Garrett Calcaterra as well.  Garrett's a writer who's looking to sell some books and broaden his platform, so check him out--and buy one of his books.  And while you're at it, buy one Terry's books as well!  Sorry, I've never been much of a pitchman for my fellow scribes.  THAT'S going to change.  I LOVE and RESPECT every author out there, because I know how hard it is to be one in today's world.

        

Girl Scout Cookie Karma

Hi miss, do you wanna buy one of E.C.'s scripts?

That's screwed up, man.

I gotta reverse my bad karma.  Gotta me an agent and sell some of stuff to Hollywood.  Lord knows I've ALREADY penned a boatload of real great stories that are worthy of being aired in multiplexes across this land of ours.  

So why hasn't it worked out for me?!

Well, it hasn't been for lack of trying.  I've gone to conferences.  Flown down to L.A.  Sent stuff queries directly to movie studios.  Cold called production companies AND agencies.  

So why hasn't it worked out for me?!!

Think I can trace it back to my karma.  More specifically that BAD karma I got from dissing the girls who man the Girl Scout booths at the local grocery store in Bonney Lake.  (Sorry but out here I have yet to see a girl scout come knocking on my door trying to sell me some of their cookies)

In the grocery store I routinely pass by the girls selling girl scout cookies without giving their both so much as a look.  My rationale has been, well, even if DID want to buy some cookies, aren't there better ones in the store?  

What kind of attitude is that?!  A bad one, that's what!!  But that's gunna change.  Why?  Because tomorrow I'm going to the grocery store, and I'm going to honor those brave little souls in green skirts--and buy some girl scout cookies--for the karma of it!!

Wow, what a bunch of cuties! I think I'll buy EVERYTHING they've got

Because, like it or not, I'm a lot like those girl scouts: shouting into the wind, trying to solicit interest in those passing buy in my wares.  Okay, so my wares are all intellectual ones.  You can't even eat what I'm trying to sell.  Well, technically,  you could but that would be kinda gross.  

Going out and making cold call queries is EXACTLY like soliciting girl scout cookie.  And fuck I'm not even as cute as those girls so how can ever hope to have any success.  

Screw it!  I'm turning around my karma, I'm buy a couple boxes of girl scout cookies, and I'm going to see where that takes me!  

Sure, there have been crazier, more hair-brained, far-fetched schemes than mine, but this is MY hair-brained, far-fetched scheme.  And DAMN IT, I'm going to make it work for me!!  I deserve it.  I deserve a little success.  Being a putz gets old after a while.  So yeah, I'm going to buy some girl scout cookies tomorrow, so that the next day, my aura is alright and my stars are aligned so I can make a script sale and move out my parents basement!  And once out of my parents basement--no one is safe!!!  He-he-he-he... 

Principles of Schmoozing

Okay, so you've written it, now you want to market and sell it.  So you start meeting and interacting with people that you want to impress.  So what do you do.  You...

 

Schmooze!

 

What a work, huh?  Sounds like a word that agents, producers and big shots used when interacting with each other.  A word fitting for a casual business meeting in a bar right?  Well guess what?  As I'm finding out the hard way, pre-pro writers gotta schmooze too.  I LA-OVE that word, schmooze.  Here's the definition:

Schmooze: to talk to someone in a friendly way often to gain an advantage for yourself.  Intransitive verb: to cat in a friendly and persuasive manner especially so as to gain favor, business, or connections.

BUSTED that's me!  Guilty as changed, I've been schmoozing--but I'm not ashamed to admit it!  Why?  Because I'm one of the good guys (and hey, Riley my 3-year-old nephew says I'm a good guy so if he will vouch for me I know I'm golden).  I mean well.  AND I'm not trying to sell someone out, or play dirty in order to get my way.  RATHER I'm schmoozing just to get recognized so the people in power can make an informed decision and get good material in their possession to produce.  I don't schmooze to bamboozle the unexpecting; rather, I schmooze just so people know I'm out there with great material that I wanna get in the hands of the people who can make magic out of it.  

Knowing that schmoozing is a necessary art that I have NO CHOICE but to master to some degree, here's some principals I TRY to adhere to when I schmooze:

1. DON'T LIE.  This is something that I decided on early on.  A long time ago when I first heard of the famous screenwriter, William Goldman and heard his quote about all the lies he'd told, I decided right then and there I wasn't going to go that route to break in.  I decided early on that I wanted to have integrity and be a stand-up guy and just not lie and try to impress people that way.  I've always held to the belief that people are much smarter than you give them credit for.  IF you're a liar eventually that stuff has a way of catching up to you, and I don't ever wanna be in that spot.
2. MAKE IT ABOUT THE WORK.  When I schmooze or try to flatter someone in the industry, realize that it's because I have something for you.  A PROJECT that I want you to be involved with.  I realize that "stars" time is valuable and don't wanna waste it.  Because what it all boils down to is "the work" and supply Hollywood and entertainment industry with material.  Writers are content generators.  And I have A LOT of content I wanna supply!
3. BE RESPECTFUL.  Realize that there is a time to engage, and a time to disengage.  If you don't wanna hear my pitch I'm not going to try to cram it down your throat.  Back when I was going to Screenwriting Expo Events I heard stories of screenwriters so desperate to make a connection that they actually slipped copies of their screenplays to people who were in bathroom stalls.  I can't do that, I just can't. IF that's what it takes to break-in count me out.  You may or may not know this about me, but I'm very respectful person.  I take no's as no's.  If you say no to me, I'm not going to make you feel uncomfortable or demand that you read my stuff.  Of course I WANT you to like me, but I also realize that sometimes you just can't win.  And in these cases I don't shame people who disagree with me or don't do what I want them to.  I respect your right to say to no to me.  Just realize when you do, eventually I'm going to dust myself off and move on to the next target to schmooze.
4. SLOWLY ATTEMPT TO BUILD RAPPORT.  Go with the flow and DON'T try to do everything in one shot.  I've got A LOT of stuff for Taylor Swift.  IF I could connect with her, she's going to benefit in a big way.  BUT in attempting to connect with her, I know I can't give her everything at once.  There is so much groundwork you have to do with someone that don't know before you get to comfort level where that celebrity feels good about dealing with you.  Rome wasn't built in day, neither are friendships.  It's ALWAYS better to leave someone with a good taste in their mouth then ram-rod them with an overload of information.  IF they like you, they'll pursue you.  The trick is to get them to like you...

The funniest thing about this subject matter, is the one attempting to explain it--me, E.C. Henry!!  Something the people I'm trying to schmooze need to realize about me:

1. WRITERS ARE NOT NATURAL SCHMOOZERS.  Talking to people does NOT come easily for me.  Typically, I don't think very quickly on my feet, when pressed for an instant answer.  Usually I'm the kind of guy who's like ten minutes too late; I think of my zingers AFTER the moment has passed.  I'm kind like a social retard.  That's what got me into writing in the first place.  Typically, when I find a target I want to schmooze I like to come up with a game plan for an approach.  
2. I LIVE BY THE MANTRA, "MAKE AN IMPRESSION, THEN WORRY ABOUT MAKING THAT IMPRESSION A POSITIVE ONE."  I know I'm an unknown I don't need ANYONE to remind me of that.  Thus if I take some risks around you when I'm fumbling my way through schmoozing realize that's because I'm trying to impress you in my own screwed-up kind of rationale.  I don't like putting people on the spot.  Don't think that's a good way to business or make friends.  So if I do something outlandish, please realize that was mostly likely done so that you would remember me.  
3. WINNING ARGUMENTS MEANS NOTHING TO ME.  When I'm in schmooze mode, I could care less about getting in the last word.  Wanna get political, or talk about religion?  Well, if you do I'm going to let you get in the last word and leave feeling good about yourself.  
4. AT THE END OF DAY, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MATERIAL.  If you don't like me, I can be removed.  I guess I'm so used to being rejected, that's ALL I expect now.  Thus, in my heart, I've just kind of given up on myself, but NEVER on my material.  Those are my babies, and I wanna provide them all with good homes.  People may not like me, but thankfully it's not about me, it's about what I have to offer them. My goal is very simple: get my material in your hands so you can make an informed decision of whether or not you wanna do it.  Don't want to read my stuff, then in my mind you really haven't make a final decision on whether or not my scripts are for you or not. 

Okay, so there's what I have to say about schmoozing.  

  

 

NFL 2016 Season Preview and Predictions

Y'know the 2016 NFL regular season is about to begin, and unlike years past where I was chomping at the bit for the season to start, this year I'm just not feeling it.  Think I need to see a few of those power hits from # 31 of my beloved Seattle Seahawks to get me game-ready for the upcoming 2016 NFL regular season.

Last year, for me, ended when my beloved Seattle Seahawks went into Carolina for a 2nd round playoff game and got absolutely DESTROYED by the Panthers in the 1st half.  Marshawn Lynch was acting up, can't remember if he played in that game or not, but he's gone now.  Self-imposed retirement to save the franchise from having to cut him. And though I didn't like Marshawn's "me first" attitude at the end of his tenure in Seattle; mark my works, the 2016 Seattle Seahawks are going to miss him, dearly.  Why?  Because in Marshawn's absence the Seahawks are relying on Tomas Rawls and Christine Micheal to carry the rock in Marshawn's absence.  When healthy and actually trying, Marshawn Lynch was the best back in the NFL, hands down.  When hit he would REGULARLY carry defenders two to three yard up-field with him.  Tomas Rawls had a few bright spots in the 2015 season before he got hurt, and a lot of Seahawks fan are DILUSIONAL in their belief that he's the undisputed answer at running back for the Seahawks.  They are all wrong, in my opinion.  I view Tomas Rawls as a substandard running back, not worthy of being a starter in the NFL.  And though Christine Micheal was a high draft pick, up to now he has proven to be NOTHING other that a bust and an attempted reclamation project, again in my opinion. The short of it, the 2016 Seattle Seahawks ARE NOT going to be able to run the ball like they did when Marshawn Lynch was doing his thing, and that could end being their achilles heel in 2016 like it was in the Super Bowl game against the Patriots when they decided to pass on the New England 2 yard line instead of giving the ball to Marshawn and let him plow it on in.  The Seahawks' offensive line was bad in 2015 and earlier, and to be honest they actually look worse now then they did at the end of the 2015 season.  

So are their any reasons for optimism for the 2016 NFL season if you're a fan of the Seattle Seahawks?  YES!  And the ray of light begins and ends with Kam Chancellor.  IF he can play like he did in our Superbowl winning season in 2013, the Seattle Seahawks are going to be good and a force to be reckoned with.  I LOVE Kam Chancellor. He is my favorite player on the Seattle Seahawks 2016 roster.  When healthy and playing his "A game" Kam Chancellor is a game-changer and probably the best defensive player in the entire NFL.  Sorry J.J. Watts, but when Kam is on his game and hitting people hard, he is the best, better than even you.  

IF Kam Chancellor plays at an all-star, elite level, which he's capable of, I believe his presence alone can make up for some glaring weaknesses on the Seahawks' roster: offensive line and the running back position.  Kam Chancellor is what I'm hanging my hard hat on--that and Russell Wilson staying healthy on the football field for all the regular season games.  Those TWO things are my great hope for the 2016 NFL season.  

So how do I see the rest of the NFL shaking out...

The worst teams in the league should be: the Cleveland Browns, the New Orleans Saints, the Philedelphia Eagles, and the San Franisco 49ers.  Cleveland and New Orleans were bad last year, look for that trend to continue.  Really don't buy the Eagles this year, and the 49ers have let their once great defense go to shit, and Colin Kapernick looks like the biggest distraction--to his own team, no less--in the NFL.  O, how the once mighty have fallen.

(What a disgrace!  Take a seat Collin--just not during the national anthem!)

Teams that could be good, but I doubt it: the Houston Texans, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Denver Broncos.  Wow, even with Payton Manning's diminished play, the Broncos defense was clearly the best in the NFL last year, in my opinion--and no, I'm NOT a Broncos fan, just a stater of what I believe to be true.  I also don't think Houston is going to put all together and be a good team.  J.J. Watts is hurting, and I don't buy Brock Osweiller as an eliete NFL talent.  Is rookie Dax Prescott the answer in Dallas?  Well, they JUST signed Mark Sanchez, who is a proven loser.

Teams headed for the worst win-loss turnaround 2015-to-2016: the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals.  The Carolina defense won't be as good this year, nor with Cam Newton, and honestly do you think Carson Palmer will be on the field for all of 2016 season?  I don't.  And because of that I don't think Arizona will be the same team, with the same results as they were in 2015.

Teams I think is headed for a bounce-back year: the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants.  

Most stable team and one that is the EASIEST bet to make the playoffs at the end of the 2016 NFL season: the New England Patriots.  BIll Belichek has built a juggernaut up there in Foxburro.  Love 'em or hate 'em, look for the Patriots to once again be the top team in the AFC and have home field advantage throughout the playoffs

My pick for NFL MVP: Aarron Rodgers.  Safe pick I know, but I just believe he is the best quarterback in the NFL right now and will prove that again over the course of the 2016 NFL season.

Bounce-back player of the year: Joe Flacco.  #5 for the Baltimore Ravens throws the best ball in the NFL.  I LOVE watching him pass.  Not a huge Baltimore Raven fan, per se, BUT their no denying Joe Falcco's talent.

(Superman, Kam Chancellor saves the day by punching the ball out of Calvin Johnson's arms)

My pick for top defender in the NFL for the 2016 season: Kam Chancellor.  I THINK Kam has the hunger again.  And IF he does--lookout!  He's the best in the game.  And I think in the end Kam Chancellor is going to push Aarron Rodgers for MVP vote.

By the end of the year, here's how I predict the playoffs going:

AFC Wildcard: (#6) Baltimore Ravens, (#3) Cincinatti Bengals, (#5) Kansas City Chiefs, (#4) Indianapolis Colts

NFC Wildcard: (#6) Washington Redskins, (#3) Atlanta Falcons, (#5) Carolina Panthers, (#4) New York Giants

AFC Divisional Round: (#6) Baltimore Ravens, (#1) New England, (#5) Kansas City Chiefs, (#2) Oakland Raiders

NFC Divisional Round: (#3) Atlanta Falcons, (#2) Green Bay Packers, (#5) Carolina Panthers, (#1) Seattle Seahawks

Championship Games: Baltimore Ravens: 33, Kansas City Chiefs: 19.  Green Bay Packers: 27. Seattle Seahawks: 30

2017 Superbowl: Baltimore Ravens: 15, Seattle Seahawks: 36.

 

Though I'm kinda down on my Seattle Seahawks at the beginning of the 2016 regular season, I THINK they are going to put it together and be a force to be reckoned with by the end of the year.  Anyway, that's what my heart tells me, I guess now they just gotta play the games to prove me right...  

At the Throne Room of the Wizard of Oz

What would YOU ask for?

When I make it to to the wizard I ask the wizard to take my script and make it into a movie.  When I make it to the wizard I ask the wizard to take my book and mass produce it so the whole world can enjoy what I've been working on for YEARS!!

The wizard is either a movie studio, OR a national publishing house.  They are the ultimate destination if you're an aspiring screenwriter and novelist such as I am.  

So how does Taylor Swift, Ryan Reynolds, Matt Damon, Judd Apatow, Tom Hiddleston, and William Morris Endeavor factor into this analogy?  They are the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion that I, the beautiful and dashing Dorothy am TRYING to take to Oz with me so I get get what I want?  To go home?  FUCK THAT!!  I've spent enough time at home.  I'm ready to breakout and entertain THE WORLD!!  And I wanna take my posse: Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow along for the ride!

Yeah, I'm pretentious as all fuck.  I'm a dreamer.  Writers are the BIGGEST dreamers on the planet.  But guess what?  This dreamer doesn't want to go it alone anymore.  This dreamer is looking for some company.

Now I'm not going to kid you.  I don't have it all figured out.  So many things can go wrong along the way and derail a person.  Take my brother's current circumstance for instance.  Did you know that my younger brother got hit by a driver under the influence of marijuana this summer and has been out of work on account of that.  Currently he's facing a neck surgery to relieve the compression on five discs of his neck.  He has tingling in his fingers, and were DAMN LUCKY he is paralyzed right now.  THAT'S the mercy of God.  BUT right now my brother needs help and I need to be available for him both financially and to  help out with whatever he needs done, as he's severely limited in what he can and can't pick up.  I'm never going to abandon my brother, his wife or two kids.  If they need me, I'll ALWAYS be there for them, that's what older brothers do.  It's just I have a higher ambition that I don't think ANYONE in my family understands.

The ultimate wizard is God.  

But for right now, I'm make a push to turn one of my most marketable screenplay into a green-lit move.  WTF does "greenlit" mean?!  Quite simply, that means a screenplay has the backing of a major studio to fund the project, cast it and see it to completion to a mass release in the theaters.  

Why "The Commune"?  Well, it's very high concept, and if done right will be as good and favorably compared to "The Matrix".  "The Commune" is a dark sci-fi with some bite.  It's not a safe movie.  It has edge.  It is a horror sci-fi.  And because it is well written and has GREAT roles in it, I think it's going to attract major, big name talent.  Right now those talent targets are: Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Swift, Matt Damon, Tom Hiddleston, and William Morris Endeavor.  Now the first four names you've probably heard of before, the fifth is a talent agency.  THAT'S who I really want to connect with, because if I can win them over, THEY then can distribute my script for "The Commune" to their clients as they see fit and then I get what any writer worth his salt wants: a read from a buyer with an open mind.  

Unfortunately along the way of the yellow brick road their are many obstacles that I have to overcome.  Like the entertainment industries nearly universal policy of NOT accepting unsolicited material.  That's a stopping point folks.  When people throw that flag up what they're doing is shutting you down.  It's like when a girl scout comes to your door and you politely turn them away.  

But that's what I'm doing now.  I put my skirt on and I'm going door-to-door with my batch of cookies and seeing if I can find any takers.  

The first wizard I visited was 20th Century Fox.  Yeah, when I reached their door, it hit me, this was the wizard whose favor I was seeking. They are the gateway to that greater life I've been dreaming of for over ten years now.  The crazy thing about THIS wizard is that I've been there before.  O yeah, about 13 years ago I knocked on their door and sought their copyright permission to sell a script I'd written that was based on "The Planet of the Apes", of which they held the rights to.  Needless to say, I got a cease and desist letters from one of 20th Century Fox's VPs.  It was nice and none threatening, but I got the intent: I was acting outside of their blessing and did not have their permission to sell that "Planet of the Apes" script that I'd written.  And you know what, I honored their denial.  To my credit, NO ONE has seen that script I penned.  It was the 2nd script I ever did.  I worked did my "Planet of the Apes" script AFTER I penned "Give It Up for Chimpy".  

Why bring that up?  Well-p, I just knocked on the door of the wizard, and queried that wizard and their vast network and resources if they would be interested in pursuing "The Commune" as a script they would turn into a movie.  Did it over the Internet at a Fox site that accepted initial inquires.  And guess what I already got a response that received my initial inquiry and would get back to me.  Doesn't mean I'm going to get that coveted, YES send the script.  BUT it does show that I'm trying and that I want to be discovered by a wizard.  A wizard that is skilled at taking scripts and making them into feature-length films that are mass released across the country and the world.

I'm not afraid of facing the wizard.  No, these days I find myself getting more and more angry that I haven't broken through and gotten discovered.  This anger fuels me and drives me to put myself out there and take some risks.  No, it is not in my nature to be a hype man, but if I don't do it, there is no one else who will.  So I'm putting myself out there and seeing what happens.  

I'm going to "break in" with "The Commune".  I think Hollywood IS looking for the next "Matrix", and guess what--I got it!  Actually penned it a few years back, and even wrote its sequel.  

So look-out!  E.C. Henry is out there, and he ain't afraid to knock on the door of the wizard of Oz and tell him EXACTLY what he wants him to do. 

I, E.C. Henry, am the worker of magic.  I carry the magic with me.  And I'm coming to you Hollywood with that magic that you so desperately need.