Back in May of 2016, I came upon a Craig’s List want ad entitled “Seeking Comedy Writer for major studio venture.” It was anything but.
Dear Dan. I have a Comedy Writing Assignment for you, if would like to take. It is to write a remake of the 1984 Comedy Film "UP THE CREEK" for a all new Reboot endeavor. I have spoken with the Producer of this very film that is willing to read a reboot script for further determinations!! So Dan, for the all considering of process, I have provided below the original 1984 screenplay draft from the original writer, and along with a Veoh video link to where you can watch the original 1984 90 minute film in its entirety. The film if you may recall starred comic stars Tim Matheson and Stephen Furst (both of "Animal House"), and Dan Monahan (of "Porky's"), kindly overlook all, and upon after, let me know if you think you'd be all game to start, whether if today, or over the weekend, to initiate scripting a very fateful 90 page screenplay for a very promising Up The Creek reboot for an aimed 2017 theatrical release. This one might be well worth it too! Kindly reach out at any time. Thank you! All the Best. Christian Elias
After his last "woe is me" email, how was I supposed to say no to the guy?
I took the bait and agreed to "give it a whack." So, from August 4 to August 13, I watched the original "Up the Creek" and began working out a script. "Creek" was one of those "Animal House" rip-offs but had the advantage of featuring two of the stars of "Animal House:" Stephen Furst playing the "Blutto" part and Tim Matheson playing the Tim Matheson part. All the beats were there, underdog college, competing in a contest, handsome, stupid frat boy- bad guys, semi-clothed babes. Only here, it's a river rafting race that they have to win...to--I want to say-- save...the college..? It was a sexist, misogynistic, dated mess. Piece of cake!
To his credit, Elias was acting a bit more organized. Was in contact with the original producer. Got a release form. Didn't hound me. I sent him a very rough draft of 20 or so pages. Tried to update it while he reviewed this extended outline. The biggest change was I had made the race about competing sporting goods stores--big chain vs. little Mom & Pop store. I was actually pretty happy with it, considering. Suddenly he got stupid.
I took the bait and agreed to "give it a whack." So, from August 4 to August 13, I watched the original "Up the Creek" and began working out a script. "Creek" was one of those "Animal House" rip-offs but had the advantage of featuring two of the stars of "Animal House:" Stephen Furst playing the "Blutto" part and Tim Matheson playing the Tim Matheson part. All the beats were there, underdog college, competing in a contest, handsome, stupid frat boy- bad guys, semi-clothed babes. Only here, it's a river rafting race that they have to win...to--I want to say-- save...the college..? It was a sexist, misogynistic, dated mess. Piece of cake!
To his credit, Elias was acting a bit more organized. Was in contact with the original producer. Got a release form. Didn't hound me. I sent him a very rough draft of 20 or so pages. Tried to update it while he reviewed this extended outline. The biggest change was I had made the race about competing sporting goods stores--big chain vs. little Mom & Pop store. I was actually pretty happy with it, considering. Suddenly he got stupid.
Hi Dan, the Producer of Up The Creek called, he said he didn't find the rough draft so funny, hmmm, so, maybe do you want to go back and punch it up with funnier jokes within to win him over with a funnier rough draft first act?, he said you are talented, it just needs to be more funny to woo him over to proceed. I guess go back to work among that when you may receive this. Thank you so much for all! I do appreciate your kind support. Christian :-)
I was livid! Why did I think he'd know how to handle a first draft...a rough first draft at that? Which I only sent him because he was bugging me to know how it was coming! Which I sent him to, stupidly, get his input on!
Yes, I got your voicemail.
All I can say is this: you don't get a second chance to make a first impression and you don't make a good first impression with a first draft.
It was a very rough first draft. Almost stream of consciousness, a step above an outline. Yes, it should be funnier. Every first draft should be. They're not, that's why they're first drafts. And this wasn't even that. 20 pages of a incomplete first-draft-to-be. Heck, there's a note to me in the script that says "Put comical fight here" where Rex and Bob meet. In a draft or two later, it would have been. This is not the introduction I was looking to make. Sigh.
Having said that, I'll spend this week re-doing the pages I have typed up already. I am NOT rushing this.
All I can say is this: you don't get a second chance to make a first impression and you don't make a good first impression with a first draft.
It was a very rough first draft. Almost stream of consciousness, a step above an outline. Yes, it should be funnier. Every first draft should be. They're not, that's why they're first drafts. And this wasn't even that. 20 pages of a incomplete first-draft-to-be. Heck, there's a note to me in the script that says "Put comical fight here" where Rex and Bob meet. In a draft or two later, it would have been. This is not the introduction I was looking to make. Sigh.
Having said that, I'll spend this week re-doing the pages I have typed up already. I am NOT rushing this.
Naturally, he started rushing me to "add more jokes within."
I don't know why I though this one had a chance. Despite his idiocy, he actually did get the script to this flea-bitten producer. I was going to finish the pages I had, punch it up, smooth it out and send it to him a few days later. And I did it. I got 32 pages, the first act, up and running. Look, see, I'll post it here!
I don't know why I though this one had a chance. Despite his idiocy, he actually did get the script to this flea-bitten producer. I was going to finish the pages I had, punch it up, smooth it out and send it to him a few days later. And I did it. I got 32 pages, the first act, up and running. Look, see, I'll post it here!
But the wheels were coming off the bus now. He send me more poems. Then he started pitching his next big idea...
