Is Part Two coming soon? It was an amazing read, but all through the read I was like "yeah, that's normal Hollywood behavior..." (sadly) and waiting for the really fucked up stuff to start.
It was really nice to see someone go through it so step by step like that and be honest. I try to give aspiring TV and film writers the harsh truth about the business all the time, but this is so detailed I'm going to forward to people.
It's one of the reasons I write these stories. Some of it is probably creative exorcism, but mostly, nobody told me this stuff when I was coming up. Now that I'm established, suddenly everyone has these stories. It's backward.
Well, wow who knew the real truth of what’s it’s like to be a screenwriter?!? TY for sharing this, reading it was like a in depth version of a behind the scenes episode at the end of TWD or something. GREAT read! My hubby and I just finished watching your show not knowing it was 10 years old, my husband and I laughed, cried (me at least) and bit our nails wondering what would happen next. When Mina would realize Dracula was meant to be with HIM not Johnathan. For what it’s worth we thought the show was spectacular! BRAVO NOT too much blood, it’s a vampire show for God sales! It was sexy, scary, exciting and WE WANT MORE! To my horror I realized too late that there would be no second season. We would never get to see Mina and Dracula 🧛 in a new stage of their relationship in your adaptation. Sad, doing research on as to why is how I found this blog of sorts. You probably will never see me message bc I’m always late to the tv game as we like to binge a show (I forget and have to rewatch before a 2nd season). I was praying it was on another network (we watched it on AMC+) and I’m sorry Mr. Smiley gave you such a hard time. Just Know there’s a special place in the 6th circle of hell for him for ruining who knows how many shows we would have loved. All I can say is trust yourself! You are an incredible writer and we completely adored your version of Dracula.
Sighing and groaning and shaking my head and ruefully laughing the whole time. Yup, I'm familiar with all this. As I say about my screenwriter-for-hire career, "I've earned myself a very modest pension by getting my heart broken approximately 42 times."
It's a crazy business in every possible way. I find it creatively debilitating and yet I love the medium so much I cannot stop returning to it. By the way, I have to read the essay you shared on my John Wayne post. I haven't forgotten about it!
Would def-ly be interested in reading more after catching the 4-part version of this article on Medium. I love the work of Mr. Knauf myself but I can understand there being disagreements on such a project.
Is Part Two coming soon? It was an amazing read, but all through the read I was like "yeah, that's normal Hollywood behavior..." (sadly) and waiting for the really fucked up stuff to start.
Probably around October, around the series' ten-year anniversary. I did post a follow-up about the reaction to this piece. Do you work in Hollywood? https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/more-the-horror-of-dracula-lessons
It was really nice to see someone go through it so step by step like that and be honest. I try to give aspiring TV and film writers the harsh truth about the business all the time, but this is so detailed I'm going to forward to people.
It's one of the reasons I write these stories. Some of it is probably creative exorcism, but mostly, nobody told me this stuff when I was coming up. Now that I'm established, suddenly everyone has these stories. It's backward.
Yeah. And comics. Comics are much more fun, generally. Even with all their own problems.
But like, I knew who you were talking about, and who The Fixer was, because I had a pilot at NBC at that same time.
I now understand who you are. Is it possible to contact you off this chain? I have access to my subscribers' emails, but can't work out what yours is.
It's your most recent signup today, my name with some numbers behind it. Private email.
Well, wow who knew the real truth of what’s it’s like to be a screenwriter?!? TY for sharing this, reading it was like a in depth version of a behind the scenes episode at the end of TWD or something. GREAT read! My hubby and I just finished watching your show not knowing it was 10 years old, my husband and I laughed, cried (me at least) and bit our nails wondering what would happen next. When Mina would realize Dracula was meant to be with HIM not Johnathan. For what it’s worth we thought the show was spectacular! BRAVO NOT too much blood, it’s a vampire show for God sales! It was sexy, scary, exciting and WE WANT MORE! To my horror I realized too late that there would be no second season. We would never get to see Mina and Dracula 🧛 in a new stage of their relationship in your adaptation. Sad, doing research on as to why is how I found this blog of sorts. You probably will never see me message bc I’m always late to the tv game as we like to binge a show (I forget and have to rewatch before a 2nd season). I was praying it was on another network (we watched it on AMC+) and I’m sorry Mr. Smiley gave you such a hard time. Just Know there’s a special place in the 6th circle of hell for him for ruining who knows how many shows we would have loved. All I can say is trust yourself! You are an incredible writer and we completely adored your version of Dracula.
-Lovers of the macabre,
Brie & Chris McD.
Thank you!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the series, Brie and Chris. And that you found your way to this Substack. I hope it illuminated for you some of the reasons why the series didn't move forward. There's a lot more on here about the "DRACULA" experience, if you go digging. This is a good summary of all the articles: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/a-monthlong-celebration-of-the-complete?utm_source=publication-search
Sighing and groaning and shaking my head and ruefully laughing the whole time. Yup, I'm familiar with all this. As I say about my screenwriter-for-hire career, "I've earned myself a very modest pension by getting my heart broken approximately 42 times."
It's a crazy business in every possible way. I find it creatively debilitating and yet I love the medium so much I cannot stop returning to it. By the way, I have to read the essay you shared on my John Wayne post. I haven't forgotten about it!
Would def-ly be interested in reading more after catching the 4-part version of this article on Medium. I love the work of Mr. Knauf myself but I can understand there being disagreements on such a project.