Weekly Written Review
This week concludes another working vacation in Grand Junction, Colorado. By the end of my last trip in May, I returned a full-blown screenwriter. This time, I returned in pre-production of my autobiographical screenplay. Up until this trip, I didn't have the mindset of producing my own feature film. I have it now. Something clicked while I was in Colorado and it might not have clicked like that while I was in LA. The trip allowed me to break up my routine and think differently. Both times Colorado has been great to me and I look forward to more of CO in the near future.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
* Blogging...
* JH Picture wrap
* Headshots with Hank
Monday, November 4, 2019
* Flight back to LA
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
* Walk to the store
* Facebook Watch audition. Self-tape
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
* Basketball...
* Call from producer Katherine. Notes, notes, notes on C&B. All positive.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
* Cheetos audition
* Single parents audition (Fox)
Friday, November 8, 2019
* Tennis...
* Tehana's Improv show recording...
Saturday, November 9, 2019
* Screening of A Portrait of a Lady on Fire at the Soho House West Hollywood
* Luigi's Manson 3 pick up.
* Sprouts...
* C&B Rewrite Intensive Reloaded day 1
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
After much success and disappointment from hosting live talk shows in his hometown Tampa, FL, this seeker relocated to Los Angeles, CA on September 19, 2010 to begin an epic journey that does not consist of a plan B. Virtually unknown in the entertainment industry, this brave man is in pursuit of one goal & purpose; to become a nationally syndicated late night talk show host. This is the quest of Motown Maurice. Remember his name, for he is The Future of Late Night Television.
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Week 476: In Death There is Life
Weekly Written Review
When I got notice of Marissa's passing, it drove me to reach out to a few people that also knew her. One person didn't respond until the next day on Instagram and we've been in touch ever since. We started off texting on IG, followed by video chat, phone calls, and more texts. The last time I saw this person was in 2010. Since then, she had a very false impression of me and she eventually thought I hated her. I have no hate in my heart but I honestly had no interest in inviting her back into my life, ever again. We met approximately 23 years ago. Without revealing full details about our history, I'll just mention she didn't treat me nowhere as great as I treated her. Nonetheless, reconnecting with her has been nostalgic. Our conversations have been entertaining, fun and full of transparent admissions. Regret was mentioned by one party and appreciation by the other. As of right now, it appears this pattern is on a straight path. For how long? I have no clue. Our conversations have been cool and I'll take it. Even though it may be temporary. I assume it's all a phase based on historical patterns but I honestly have no expectations. This odd occurrence has been enjoyable and a bit flattering. The irony of this entire reconnection would've never existed if Marissa didn't pass away. Coincidentally, I found out she sent me an email to a very old email address of mine that I no longer check, 24hrs before Marissa passed. The followed day we connected. Marissa certainly blew life into our dead relationship.
Over the past year, there was even a mutual friend implicating us in off conversations. I'll conclude by saying, this situation makes life a little interesting, adds anticipation and potential excitement. Some excitement is already on the calendar. History is what makes our conversation so valuable. We're able to talk and/or joke about things with each other that we can't do with anyone else. Yet, none of it means a damn thing. In my opinion, I've become a way too complicated for nostalgia to result in anything meaningful.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
* JH workday 5. Short day.
* Fixing grammar on RAD...
Monday, October 28, 2019
* JH workday 6. Running from arrows. Fell in some cactus. Took it like a champ.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
* JH workday 7. Cold and slowed later that night.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
* Writing...
* Editing CLN. Atarah reread it and sent her rewrites.
* Rereading RAD
* Dinner at Roosters. I had a disappointing $12.00 salad.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
* Rest In Peace Marrisa Hammonds
* Screenplay submission into ScreenCraft Family and ScreenCraft Fellowship
* Really cold day
* Halloween at Hank's
Friday, November 1, 2019
* Computer work...
* Missed a chance to see the new Terminator movie
* Called and talked to Kevin B for the first time in a year. I gave him a break for particular reasons. October 29th made one year.
* Switch gaming with At
Saturday, November 2, 2019
* JH picture wrap. Today was my last day. Monday is the last shooting day.
* Reconnecting with a unique person after a very long time despite an unfortunate loss.
* Haircut
* Texting and video chat. Reconnecting with someone I met approximately 23 years ago.
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
When I got notice of Marissa's passing, it drove me to reach out to a few people that also knew her. One person didn't respond until the next day on Instagram and we've been in touch ever since. We started off texting on IG, followed by video chat, phone calls, and more texts. The last time I saw this person was in 2010. Since then, she had a very false impression of me and she eventually thought I hated her. I have no hate in my heart but I honestly had no interest in inviting her back into my life, ever again. We met approximately 23 years ago. Without revealing full details about our history, I'll just mention she didn't treat me nowhere as great as I treated her. Nonetheless, reconnecting with her has been nostalgic. Our conversations have been entertaining, fun and full of transparent admissions. Regret was mentioned by one party and appreciation by the other. As of right now, it appears this pattern is on a straight path. For how long? I have no clue. Our conversations have been cool and I'll take it. Even though it may be temporary. I assume it's all a phase based on historical patterns but I honestly have no expectations. This odd occurrence has been enjoyable and a bit flattering. The irony of this entire reconnection would've never existed if Marissa didn't pass away. Coincidentally, I found out she sent me an email to a very old email address of mine that I no longer check, 24hrs before Marissa passed. The followed day we connected. Marissa certainly blew life into our dead relationship.
Over the past year, there was even a mutual friend implicating us in off conversations. I'll conclude by saying, this situation makes life a little interesting, adds anticipation and potential excitement. Some excitement is already on the calendar. History is what makes our conversation so valuable. We're able to talk and/or joke about things with each other that we can't do with anyone else. Yet, none of it means a damn thing. In my opinion, I've become a way too complicated for nostalgia to result in anything meaningful.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
* JH workday 5. Short day.
* Fixing grammar on RAD...
Monday, October 28, 2019
* JH workday 6. Running from arrows. Fell in some cactus. Took it like a champ.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
* JH workday 7. Cold and slowed later that night.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
* Writing...
* Editing CLN. Atarah reread it and sent her rewrites.
* Rereading RAD
* Dinner at Roosters. I had a disappointing $12.00 salad.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
* Rest In Peace Marrisa Hammonds
* Screenplay submission into ScreenCraft Family and ScreenCraft Fellowship
* Really cold day
* Halloween at Hank's
Friday, November 1, 2019
* Computer work...
* Missed a chance to see the new Terminator movie
* Called and talked to Kevin B for the first time in a year. I gave him a break for particular reasons. October 29th made one year.
* Switch gaming with At
Saturday, November 2, 2019
* JH picture wrap. Today was my last day. Monday is the last shooting day.
* Reconnecting with a unique person after a very long time despite an unfortunate loss.
* Haircut
* Texting and video chat. Reconnecting with someone I met approximately 23 years ago.
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
Monday, November 11, 2019
In Memory of Marissa Hammonds (Sunshine Freespirit)
On Wednesday, October 30th, someone I know from high school reached out to me on Facebook. I don't recall her reaching out on Facebook before, so in many ways her correspondence was random. Her first message asked if I was available. I returned asking, "Available for?" Then she gave me her phone number to call. At this time, I was in Colorado. I was there working on a new film. I wasn't on set at that moment nor was I super busy but I also wasn't settled enough to get on the phone. To be honest, I was a little skeptical about the correspondence. I requested that she input her message/question in the chat. From that point on, the conversation got weird. She wasn't sure if I was actually myself typing and I wasn't sure if that was her either. I kind of thought she got hacked and she thought a woman took over my phone.
Our communication wasn't making any sense so I left it alone. The very next day she sent me a message stating, "Marissa passed this morning. Service info will be on FB once set. Hope you're able to make." That put me in a state of shock and disbelief. I gave myself a moment to gather, then I called Marissa's sister with the number she shared the day before. Calling ensured confirmation with each other. She still wasn't sure it was me when she sent the news. We both admitted to a communication mishap which unfortunately made me miss the opportunity to talk to Marissa before she passed. She was trying to connect us because she knew we were good friends. I wish I got a chance to talk to Marissa before it happened but I appreciate the fact that her sister thought of me.
Marissa and I went to high school together. She was about two years younger than me and her unfortunate tragedy made me realize how important she was to my adolescence. Marissa was the first girl to genuinely like me. Perhaps at one point, she loved me. In return, I chose to like someone else that didn't even reciprocate an ounce of Marissa's love. On the first day of school during my senior, word got out that I had a girlfriend for the first time. The news devasted Marissa yet she remained a good friend throughout the years. We later attended Florida A&M University together and we continued to keep in touch post-college. In 2010, she assisted me with my late-night show behind the scenes. I believe she was living in Chicago at the time. Earlier this year, I sent her an invite for the upcoming 10-year reunion for The Motown Maurice Show. I had my fingers crossed hoping she would attend in January.
Marissa and I shared some great high school memories. Unlike the girl I chose to like, Marissa made me an inclusive part of her life. Before my senior year, she invited me to her house several times, I knew her two sisters and her mom very well. Marissa was the first person to expose me to the West Tampa lifestyle. She made me feel wanted. A person might take for granted feeling wanted as a teenager but now as an adult, I realize how important Marissa was to me. My confidence with women probably started because of her. She might have been the first girl I drove around in my 1985 Dodge 600.
The last time I saw Marissa in person was on Tuesday, February 26, 2008. I was living in Tampa, FL at the time. She came to visit me, I took her to Jerk Hut, we ate and she performed karaoke. She sang Jill Scott's "Is It The Way You Love Me Baby." I recorded a snippet of her performance and took some photos.
VIEW VIDEO
Marissa and I shared a lot of photographic memories together from high school but I currently don't have access to them. She was born on August 2, 1982, and she passed on Thursday, October 31, 2019. She was way too young and far too perfect. I don't know a negative thing about her. She was pure, genuine, honest and beautiful. Her soul was one of a kind. She always had a glowing smile on her face. Years ago my mom told her she had a smile like Gladys Knight, in which she did but only better.
Marissa was also one of my greatest supporters. She could've dismissed me because of the girl drama during my senior year but she was too great of a person to stoop that low. After searching through a few old emails, proof of her greatness is personified in her words. She took the time to respond to a mass email I sent out on November 2, 2005. The email highlighted a news article published about me.
YOU GO BOY!!!!! I knew you would break headlines....I told you years ago you were gonna do big things and your uniqueness and entreprenueral spirit is definately taking you places. You are just a talented man and I admire your ambition and willingness to think outside the box. I am so so proud of you. You started with a dollar and a dream now look at you! I've always been behind you...from your reign as the president of HCC (which I completely made a fool of myself in the talent show...just for you), your haitian restaurant ( I learned how to make plaintains), until now. I wish we had a chance to talk more, but I know you are busy on the move and I expect to hear about more great things from you. Let me know if you ever need my help. Love ya
Ya girl forever,
Rissa
-------------------
I responded telling Marissa, "I love you." I also thanked for her for the encouragement, uplifting my spirit, always saying the right things and for seeing things in me I never saw in myself. I called her my biggest fan.
In 2011, less than a year after relocating to Los Angeles, I reached out to Marissa and another young lady about submitting to a reality competition show. Marissa was on board with no hesitation. Here's our hilarious video.
While writing this post, it dawned on me that Marissa never told me, "no." She was always there for me because she was a perfect person. The world is at a great loss without her and so is my heart. She's one of the reasons why I'm working so hard on my journey. I thrive to make a lot of people proud and Marissa is certainly on the top portion of that list. When its time to celebrate my greatest accomplishments I want Marissa to be there with me as she's always been. I know she will always be there in spirit but it's just not fair. Marissa's passing doesn't make any sense and it never will. Her funeral was on November 9, 2019, and unfortunately, I was not able to attend.
Marissa, even though you're not here with us physically, your Sunshine Freespirit still shines brightly. Rissa, please know that I won't let you down. I will continue to fight every day in your honor and in effort of making always proud of me. Marissa, we need your smile to shine from above in hopes of making the earth as great as you are. From the time we met, you've planted several seeds in me and you helped me learn things about myself I never existed. Marissa, thank you for being a messenger and gift to my life. Thank you for all the great memories and for the positive impact you've bestowed upon me. I could write for a century straight reminiscing about our good times. I recall helping her with a history project about Motown Records during my freshman year in college. From that time on, she gave me endless praise about how creative I was. That fact probably makes her one of the first people to truly acknowledge my creative abilities.
Marissa, Thank you, I love you and I look forward to meeting you again.
In Marissa's most famous signature,
Love, Peace and Hair Grease.
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
Our communication wasn't making any sense so I left it alone. The very next day she sent me a message stating, "Marissa passed this morning. Service info will be on FB once set. Hope you're able to make." That put me in a state of shock and disbelief. I gave myself a moment to gather, then I called Marissa's sister with the number she shared the day before. Calling ensured confirmation with each other. She still wasn't sure it was me when she sent the news. We both admitted to a communication mishap which unfortunately made me miss the opportunity to talk to Marissa before she passed. She was trying to connect us because she knew we were good friends. I wish I got a chance to talk to Marissa before it happened but I appreciate the fact that her sister thought of me.
Marissa and I went to high school together. She was about two years younger than me and her unfortunate tragedy made me realize how important she was to my adolescence. Marissa was the first girl to genuinely like me. Perhaps at one point, she loved me. In return, I chose to like someone else that didn't even reciprocate an ounce of Marissa's love. On the first day of school during my senior, word got out that I had a girlfriend for the first time. The news devasted Marissa yet she remained a good friend throughout the years. We later attended Florida A&M University together and we continued to keep in touch post-college. In 2010, she assisted me with my late-night show behind the scenes. I believe she was living in Chicago at the time. Earlier this year, I sent her an invite for the upcoming 10-year reunion for The Motown Maurice Show. I had my fingers crossed hoping she would attend in January.
Marissa and I shared some great high school memories. Unlike the girl I chose to like, Marissa made me an inclusive part of her life. Before my senior year, she invited me to her house several times, I knew her two sisters and her mom very well. Marissa was the first person to expose me to the West Tampa lifestyle. She made me feel wanted. A person might take for granted feeling wanted as a teenager but now as an adult, I realize how important Marissa was to me. My confidence with women probably started because of her. She might have been the first girl I drove around in my 1985 Dodge 600.
The last time I saw Marissa in person was on Tuesday, February 26, 2008. I was living in Tampa, FL at the time. She came to visit me, I took her to Jerk Hut, we ate and she performed karaoke. She sang Jill Scott's "Is It The Way You Love Me Baby." I recorded a snippet of her performance and took some photos.
VIEW VIDEO
 |
| Rest In Love, Marissa Hammond |
 |
| Motown & Marissa |
 |
| Motown Maurice & Marissa Hammonds |
Marissa was also one of my greatest supporters. She could've dismissed me because of the girl drama during my senior year but she was too great of a person to stoop that low. After searching through a few old emails, proof of her greatness is personified in her words. She took the time to respond to a mass email I sent out on November 2, 2005. The email highlighted a news article published about me.
YOU GO BOY!!!!! I knew you would break headlines....I told you years ago you were gonna do big things and your uniqueness and entreprenueral spirit is definately taking you places. You are just a talented man and I admire your ambition and willingness to think outside the box. I am so so proud of you. You started with a dollar and a dream now look at you! I've always been behind you...from your reign as the president of HCC (which I completely made a fool of myself in the talent show...just for you), your haitian restaurant ( I learned how to make plaintains), until now. I wish we had a chance to talk more, but I know you are busy on the move and I expect to hear about more great things from you. Let me know if you ever need my help. Love ya
Ya girl forever,
Rissa
-------------------
I responded telling Marissa, "I love you." I also thanked for her for the encouragement, uplifting my spirit, always saying the right things and for seeing things in me I never saw in myself. I called her my biggest fan.
In 2011, less than a year after relocating to Los Angeles, I reached out to Marissa and another young lady about submitting to a reality competition show. Marissa was on board with no hesitation. Here's our hilarious video.
While writing this post, it dawned on me that Marissa never told me, "no." She was always there for me because she was a perfect person. The world is at a great loss without her and so is my heart. She's one of the reasons why I'm working so hard on my journey. I thrive to make a lot of people proud and Marissa is certainly on the top portion of that list. When its time to celebrate my greatest accomplishments I want Marissa to be there with me as she's always been. I know she will always be there in spirit but it's just not fair. Marissa's passing doesn't make any sense and it never will. Her funeral was on November 9, 2019, and unfortunately, I was not able to attend.
Marissa, even though you're not here with us physically, your Sunshine Freespirit still shines brightly. Rissa, please know that I won't let you down. I will continue to fight every day in your honor and in effort of making always proud of me. Marissa, we need your smile to shine from above in hopes of making the earth as great as you are. From the time we met, you've planted several seeds in me and you helped me learn things about myself I never existed. Marissa, thank you for being a messenger and gift to my life. Thank you for all the great memories and for the positive impact you've bestowed upon me. I could write for a century straight reminiscing about our good times. I recall helping her with a history project about Motown Records during my freshman year in college. From that time on, she gave me endless praise about how creative I was. That fact probably makes her one of the first people to truly acknowledge my creative abilities.
Marissa, Thank you, I love you and I look forward to meeting you again.
In Marissa's most famous signature,
Love, Peace and Hair Grease.
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Week 475: Looming Screenplay Completed
Weekly Written Review
It's a true relief to complete another screenplay. That's exactly what I did this week. That was my third one of the year. As mentioned, several times since the month of May, I've transformed into a full-blown screenwriter. After acquiring two writing partners, I ventured upon a journey to write. With one writing partner, I successfully completed two incredible screenplays relatively quickly. The screenplay with my other writing partner started off at a good pace but it slowed down after a while. He had some planned trips that postponed a few meetings than my schedule picked up.
We developed a good treatment, built a lot of great momentum but it eventually got put to the side. After completing my second screenplay of the year in September, I knew it was time to complete the other. I did not want to go into the holiday season with a screenplay looming over my head. I had to get it done. First, I deserved a break and I needed it. I allowed myself to relax with sports and gaming because it was really hard returning to the mindset of writing again. I completed one day of rewriting but that's about it. I honestly didn't want to write. Nonetheless, I decided to maintain relaxing and resume writing during my Colorado trip and it worked.
Getting away from my routine environment was imperative in returning to a creative state of mind. I arrived in Colorado with maybe 20 good pages. I had some pages from my writing partner but I rewrote most of it. It was very difficult getting started. I did almost everything to avoid initiating. Often I kept telling myself, "One more game, then start writing." Finally, I dove in and it was smooth sailing from thereon. Initiating is always the hardest part. It's a big process for me to begin. I got back into writing last week (474) Wed, Nov 16th. Exactly a week later I was at 70 pages. By the end of the week, I completed my draft with 100 pages. It's such a relief to get it done. There's an indescribable freeness soaring through my body and I love it. Still a lot of work ahead with edits, grammatical checks, and rewrites but there's no longer a pending pressure to write new pages and produce ideas. I need a true break from that. This also prepares me to fully embrace preproduction of you know what. Wink. Wink.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
* JH workday 3. Rough shoot. A lot of time on the ground.
* Writing RAD
Monday, October 21, 2019
* Off shooting day for everybody
* Blogging...
* Group screening of Dragon Soldiers
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
* Writing RAD
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
* Washing clothes
* Writing RAD (70 pages)
* Acquired a production advisor for my autobiographical
Thursday, October 24, 2019
* JH workday 4. Shot a really good scene. A good combination of physical acting and dialogue.
Friday, October 25, 2019
* Writing RAD
Saturday, October 26, 2019
* First draft of RAd completed (100 pages)
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
It's a true relief to complete another screenplay. That's exactly what I did this week. That was my third one of the year. As mentioned, several times since the month of May, I've transformed into a full-blown screenwriter. After acquiring two writing partners, I ventured upon a journey to write. With one writing partner, I successfully completed two incredible screenplays relatively quickly. The screenplay with my other writing partner started off at a good pace but it slowed down after a while. He had some planned trips that postponed a few meetings than my schedule picked up.
We developed a good treatment, built a lot of great momentum but it eventually got put to the side. After completing my second screenplay of the year in September, I knew it was time to complete the other. I did not want to go into the holiday season with a screenplay looming over my head. I had to get it done. First, I deserved a break and I needed it. I allowed myself to relax with sports and gaming because it was really hard returning to the mindset of writing again. I completed one day of rewriting but that's about it. I honestly didn't want to write. Nonetheless, I decided to maintain relaxing and resume writing during my Colorado trip and it worked.
Getting away from my routine environment was imperative in returning to a creative state of mind. I arrived in Colorado with maybe 20 good pages. I had some pages from my writing partner but I rewrote most of it. It was very difficult getting started. I did almost everything to avoid initiating. Often I kept telling myself, "One more game, then start writing." Finally, I dove in and it was smooth sailing from thereon. Initiating is always the hardest part. It's a big process for me to begin. I got back into writing last week (474) Wed, Nov 16th. Exactly a week later I was at 70 pages. By the end of the week, I completed my draft with 100 pages. It's such a relief to get it done. There's an indescribable freeness soaring through my body and I love it. Still a lot of work ahead with edits, grammatical checks, and rewrites but there's no longer a pending pressure to write new pages and produce ideas. I need a true break from that. This also prepares me to fully embrace preproduction of you know what. Wink. Wink.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
* JH workday 3. Rough shoot. A lot of time on the ground.
* Writing RAD
Monday, October 21, 2019
* Off shooting day for everybody
* Blogging...
* Group screening of Dragon Soldiers
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
* Writing RAD
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
* Washing clothes
* Writing RAD (70 pages)
* Acquired a production advisor for my autobiographical
Thursday, October 24, 2019
* JH workday 4. Shot a really good scene. A good combination of physical acting and dialogue.
Friday, October 25, 2019
* Writing RAD
Saturday, October 26, 2019
* First draft of RAd completed (100 pages)
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
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