John Wilkes Booth

Researching John Wilkes Booth, one of Louise Wooster's love interests before the assassination of Lincoln. He was her inspiration to become an actress.

Obsessed with Storyville & New Orleans Brothels

OK. I am totally going in a new direction now. Going to base my script on Lou Wooster' life, and while doing that taking a peek into 19th Century prostitution in the southeast: Mobile, New Orleans, Birmingham & Montgomery. While researching, I came across Storyville. Completely obsessed with it. Also, check out this website if this topic interests you.

I am also researching grants for filmmakers & writers. There is a class at a local college on Grantwriting 101 (and possibly an advanced class following) that I am going to take in June.

19th Century Fashion Studies

Louise Wooster, change in plans?

I went to the Birmingham Public Library tonight, and made friends with the librarian with whom I share a good friend. I told her I was looking for dialect studies of 19th century Alabama... especially autobiographies. She brought over several books, but one I had heard about before caught my immediate attention. It was the autobiography of Louise Wooster... famous Birmingham Madam from the 19th Century. I had read short stories of her before, especially of her work during the cholera outbreak. She seemed like a colorful character.

I picked up her book and started to read... and couldn't put it down until the library kicked me out (well, not really... they just closed). :)

There is some speculation as to whether or not some of the events she accounted for actually happened (as she was one to embellish), but most of it is fascinating fact after fact. The elements of her story had all of the ones I had been searching for... drama, tragedy, love, hate, sex, historical fact, controversy, fantasy... it's all there! Even with a little bit of New Orleans, Mobile & Montgomery sprinkled in. The great cholera epidemic is another thing that has always fascinated me about Birmingham's early beginnings, and she was there front and center.

So am I changing my idea? Maybe. Gonna sleep on it. ;)

Poppy

The drug of choice for 19th century women.

Committed

I have been doing some planning, and here is a preliminary timeline for "Mad Woman":

2009
February-April: Research & rough script outline. Start blog.

May-June: Complete first draft of screenplay.

June-July: Complete second & third drafts.

August: Polish, 4th draft. Submit for coverage and feedback. Incorporate & make business plan (with budget). Set up LLC for film. Preparations for investor packets & presentations.

September: Raise starting funds. More script polishes and rewrites.

October: Submit script for coverage and review again, make changes accordingly.

November-December: Complete shooting script. Create preliminary production schedule based on progress with fund raising.

2010
Finish raising starting funds. Production schedule & casting TBA depending on financials.

Mad Woman

The working title for my screenplay: Mad Woman