MAY, 2019
• A New Website and Hollywood...Again
Even though I have been absent from this blog since 2016, events have been neither uneventful nor undocumented.
So, the first and most obvious thing is the new website layout. It has been completely overhauled using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). DLTolleson.com should now adapt to whatever device you use to visit the site (desktop, laptop, pad, phone, etc.).
CSS is amazing but the overhaul was such a massive undertaking that I’ll never have the time, energy or desire to personally do it again. Also, in the past the website was backward compatible with older browsers. But on this go-around it is unknown how far “backward” or with what older browsers the site is now compatible.
The only pages absent from the new site are the film review pages (and I may add them later).
I haven’t shifted my focus for the site, per se. But my absence from this site was the result of my using social media (Facebook) in lieu of this blog and the aforementioned overhaul, which was influenced by film industry interest.
Yes, once again Hollywood came knocking and this last time was—well, judge for yourself...
On February 23, 2016 an e-mail sent to the Mirabella account of this website arrived from a representative of Josephson Entertainment out of Hollywood. The relevant portion of that message read as follows (I’ve redacted names):
Feb. 23, 2016
Re: Film/TV Rights to THE GRAY STOPGAP
I hope this message finds you well. My name is *REDACTED*, I’m an assistant at Josephson Entertainment. I am writing to inquire upon the motion picture rights to your book, above. Are the rights currently available? Do you have an agent we should speak to? And, if possible, could we take a look at the manuscript?
A little more on us:
Josephson has recently produced such films as ENCHANTED and LIFE AS WE KNOW IT. We recently released DIRTY GRANDPA starring Robert De Niro and Zac Efron. We work with all the major studios and TV networks. We currently have two great shows on the air, BONES and TURN.
I think there is great potential in this piece for a film or TV show and would love to speak with you further. I look forward to hearing from you.
All the best...
*NAME REDACTED*
Well, that was certainly a bolt out of the blue. The August 2005 death of the wonderful girl who was my film agent (Cynthia Kramer of Lucky Star) kind of took the wind out of my sails and neither my publisher nor I had since solicited Hollywood. The 4
But then here was this inquiry from Hollywood. Surprise. Stunned. Shell-shocked. Take your pick and the word probably describes what everyone from the publisher on down was feeling. But stupid we were not. Mirabella responded, to wit...
Feb. 24, 2016
Re: Film/TV Rights to THE GRAY STOPGAP
Thank you for your interest in the film rights to The Gray Stopgap.
My name is Mirabella and I’m Mr. Tolleson’s assistant.
To answer your questions: Yes, film rights are available. He currently does not have an agent. While I’m not certain of all the details, the only manuscript available is the book, which is now being re-released. I’d be happy to send you a copy. To whom and where would you like it sent?
Neither a film treatment or a screen play has been written. If I recall correctly, at one time Mr. Tolleson did attempt to write a film treatment. But he quit while he still had hair on his head...
I have to tell you that I did see Dirty Grandpa with my best friend a couple of weeks ago to celebrate my birthday! It just happened to be showing right after our hibachi lunch plans. Painful belly laughs when you’re full!
Anyhow, I’m positive that Tolleson will be interested in regard to film rights for his novel. I am forwarding your message to him and his publisher, The Lighthouse Press LLC.
May I inquire how you came to hear of The Gray Stopgap?
I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Sincerely,
Mirabella
Sure, the response was a little chatty, but then no one on this end expected to be dealing with Hollywood.
At any rate, one hour and forty-one minutes later the representative responded! She was pleased Mirabella had enjoyed Dirty Grandpa and indicated they would love to review an electronic copy of The Gray Stopgap. In the alternative she provided their mailing address should we prefer to send a physical copy. She also reported that their Director of Development was the one to find the book and thus was unsure how the book was found. And finally, she wrote that her initial contact was to ensure the book was actually available and that they would read, discuss and get back to Mirabella “ASAP.”
Mirabella sent the electronic copy the next day (February 25, 2016) and just under an hour later the representative confirmed receipt of same. Leaving nothing to chance, I authorized the shipping of the finalize book, Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested on April 2
And that, dear reader, was the very last we ever heard from Josephson Entertainment. That’s right, this relative giant in the film industry never again contacted us. Zip, zero, nada.
Oh, we tried, alright. I managed to identify the Director of Development—the same person who had taken receipt of the mailed novel—and made note of this in e-mail follow-up correspondence on October 6
All to no avail.
As disappointing as that producer proved to be, the affair is what influenced my decision to again start soliciting Hollywood. And as a result of that, I figured film agents and Hollywood should be able to review the website when we start soliciting them.
Of course all of this impacted the long-awaiting Karns Gray Sequel—as in, pushed it back even further. I’m still working on it and let’s just leave it at that for now.
When I have more to report, it will show up here or on the News page. I hope you enjoy the new website layout and design.
