My family hacked the i off the end of our name when they emigrated to America, to pass themselves off as German in Detroit (the fact that they thought our Polish name sans i would accomplish that lives up the Polish intelligence stereotype, which I chuckle about). Despite this, for most of my life in the States, I would receive official paperwork from my school, from the state, and the federal government with an i on the end. It was like the whole US couldn't accept my family's butchered name...because it's unpronounceable without the i. I finally gave up.
I have finally got around to reading this. It’s a great piece. I love the sense of nostalgia I get from it while also feeling a sense of unease at the risks involved in pursuing your goals. I’m glad you found where you wanted to go.
A very re-assuring memoir of how careers in entertainment can start. I was reminded of how even beautiful starlets in 1930s Hollywood would have fake back-stories made up by the studios stating that they spoke 3 languages, rode horses, trained for the Olympics or whatnot. Thank you for the words of encouragement and honesty!
If you don't mind me asking, were any of the features you sold during the Dracula hijinks produced? It was one of the first TV shows I actually followed.
Unfortunately, not. I've alluded to what happened during their development in other essays, but never named them. At the end of the day, very few scripts are actually produced compared to those that are commissioned - at least in the States. They paid my bills, changed my life, earned me a career...then vanished like smoke.
Yeah, I am aware of this side of the feature market, where development hell is the norm. Still, that was an amazing run of sales for a few months' time. I remember not absolutely loving the execution of Dracula as a whole, but the conceit of him as a misunderstood guy who wasn't always bad and the setting in London made it an interesting show!
So glad I found this this morning - thank you for a great read to go with my morning coffee(s). I feel I rushed it though, so will reread later and am definitely looking forward to more!
Your narrative holds a mirror to the raw, unpolished facets of ambition and the labyrinth of self-discovery. The contours of your experiences, filled with both shadow and light, paint a vivid portrait of the complexities in pursuing one’s aspirations.
Your story not only captures the essence of what it means to chase a dream but also serves as a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s capacity for growth and transformation.
I appreciate this lovely comment, Eva. I wasn't sure if everyone would understand this story was far more about growth for me, as you say "transformation", than breaking into the film/TV business. Thank you for reading.
This piece inspired my most recent piece, though there is no resemblance. I lived in Echo Park as well, in my car! Neither here nor there, but I enjoyed reading your journey. Thank you, Mr. Haddon!
Such a great, great read. You made me remember my own entry into the world of freelance journalism. Started back in 1998, as a 16-year-old. Soon enough, I too was writing about the local new bands, covered some concerts and then moved on to other topics. The newspapers I wrote for don’t exist anymore as, I am sure, is the case with those alt-weeklies of yours back then. What an era, glad we witnessed it — each in our own corner of the world (while you were in LA, I was in Europe). Cheers.
You look so retro cool in the first photo in LA. What did those roomies know? You can't fake inner cool. Seriously though, I think we are all reinventing ourselves every day. I know I want to be a role model for my daughter and be better parent than I had and that's a constant motivation.
I can't believe you're a fellow Pole! (I should have changed my name years ago.)
My family hacked the i off the end of our name when they emigrated to America, to pass themselves off as German in Detroit (the fact that they thought our Polish name sans i would accomplish that lives up the Polish intelligence stereotype, which I chuckle about). Despite this, for most of my life in the States, I would receive official paperwork from my school, from the state, and the federal government with an i on the end. It was like the whole US couldn't accept my family's butchered name...because it's unpronounceable without the i. I finally gave up.
I have finally got around to reading this. It’s a great piece. I love the sense of nostalgia I get from it while also feeling a sense of unease at the risks involved in pursuing your goals. I’m glad you found where you wanted to go.
Thanks for reading, Lou. I'm glad I got there, too.
A very re-assuring memoir of how careers in entertainment can start. I was reminded of how even beautiful starlets in 1930s Hollywood would have fake back-stories made up by the studios stating that they spoke 3 languages, rode horses, trained for the Olympics or whatnot. Thank you for the words of encouragement and honesty!
And thank you for reading, Alan. I'm glad to hear it resonated with you at all.
If you don't mind me asking, were any of the features you sold during the Dracula hijinks produced? It was one of the first TV shows I actually followed.
Unfortunately, not. I've alluded to what happened during their development in other essays, but never named them. At the end of the day, very few scripts are actually produced compared to those that are commissioned - at least in the States. They paid my bills, changed my life, earned me a career...then vanished like smoke.
Yeah, I am aware of this side of the feature market, where development hell is the norm. Still, that was an amazing run of sales for a few months' time. I remember not absolutely loving the execution of Dracula as a whole, but the conceit of him as a misunderstood guy who wasn't always bad and the setting in London made it an interesting show!
Loved this.
I thought you might.
So glad I found this this morning - thank you for a great read to go with my morning coffee(s). I feel I rushed it though, so will reread later and am definitely looking forward to more!
I'm glad I was able to keep you company while you had your coffee. Thank you for reading!
Your narrative holds a mirror to the raw, unpolished facets of ambition and the labyrinth of self-discovery. The contours of your experiences, filled with both shadow and light, paint a vivid portrait of the complexities in pursuing one’s aspirations.
Your story not only captures the essence of what it means to chase a dream but also serves as a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s capacity for growth and transformation.
I appreciate this lovely comment, Eva. I wasn't sure if everyone would understand this story was far more about growth for me, as you say "transformation", than breaking into the film/TV business. Thank you for reading.
This piece inspired my most recent piece, though there is no resemblance. I lived in Echo Park as well, in my car! Neither here nor there, but I enjoyed reading your journey. Thank you, Mr. Haddon!
https://judsonvereen.substack.com/p/for-fucks-sake
I'm just waking up, Judson, but I've opened this piece and will try to give it a read today!
No doubt! Good morning!
Thank you for sharing do much of your journey with us on here!
And thank you for reading, as always!
Such a great, great read. You made me remember my own entry into the world of freelance journalism. Started back in 1998, as a 16-year-old. Soon enough, I too was writing about the local new bands, covered some concerts and then moved on to other topics. The newspapers I wrote for don’t exist anymore as, I am sure, is the case with those alt-weeklies of yours back then. What an era, glad we witnessed it — each in our own corner of the world (while you were in LA, I was in Europe). Cheers.
It was a wonderful time, for so many reasons. I'm sad I got to live through its twilight, but such is life, I guess.
And yet — we’ve got a whole glimpse of it while so many don’t know what we’re talking about here. So all is good, we are good.
Thanks for sharing your 1st year in LA story. Struck a chord…..no pun intended.
Thanks for reading, John. It's a crazy town.
Great stories.
It is fortunate you went with Haddon versus Howard. "Cole Haddon" contracts to "C'haddon" (chat on!) whereas "Cole Howard" contracts to "C'oward".
I've learned I prefer Haddon much more to Howard anyway.
You look so retro cool in the first photo in LA. What did those roomies know? You can't fake inner cool. Seriously though, I think we are all reinventing ourselves every day. I know I want to be a role model for my daughter and be better parent than I had and that's a constant motivation.
I do think we're reinventing ourselves ever day. It's a weird thing we do, constantly finding ourselves. Thank you for reading, Sanjida!