I've printed out a copy of The Night Nurse. This may not seem like a big deal, and in the grand scheme of things, it's not. But it's important right now because I want to make a short version of it first, before I make the feature.

What I'm going to do is pretty simple: I'm going to read the script, and figure out what I want to go into the short. I figure I'm actually going to have to take scenes and do some major re-writing before I get what I want. And then, if I can say what I want in 20 minutes or so, does that mean it's not a viable feature? Well, no, I don't think so. But it does beg the question.

I'm also going to let my best friend read the feature script. She's read the first draft, and wanted me to write a business plan to get funding. I want her to read the latest draft - the 5th - so she can see where I've gone with the story. Once I get an OK from her, I think I'll start on getting the money together for the short.

I started writing a screenplay entitled The Night Nurse in mid-January, 2005. I've been working on it since then, on and off, and I'm on the fifth draft. It's a simple story, a night in the life of kind of thing. If I had to compare it, I guess I'd say it's like a cross between Before Sunrise and Wings of Desire, but that's not entirely the case.

The story (in logline-ish format): Eddie Vance spends the last night of his life with a woman named Marten Fisher, roaming the city, and coming to grips with his life.

Eddie's in his early 30s, as is Marten. It's kind of sad, kind of hopeful at the end. It's a pretty basic story.

Anyway, what I want to do with this blog is post updates about the script, and then later, updates about production. My plan is to hone the full length script to perfection (or as close to it as I can get), create a short version from that full length script, and then film the short version. I eventually want to shoot the full version, but I have to prove to producers that I can handle myself behind a camera.

Not only will I write about The Night Nurse, but I'll write about what it's like to be a frustrated wannabe filmmaker. My ups, my downs, my in betweens and all that junk. And you get to come along for the ride.

So, hang on to your hat. We could end up miles from here.