Screenwriter David Congalton and director Ellie Kanner
Brian Schwartz, director of the Central Coast Writers’ Conference, reached out to me last month with an intriguing proposal. He wanted to arrange a 10th anniversary showing of the movie Authors Anonymous, a rom-com/mockumentary based on my original screenplay.
Ever the creative planner, Brian suggested that the movie would be a perfect companion piece for this year’s 40th anniversary writers’ conference at Cuesta College on October 5.
After all, Authors Anonymous deals with a critique group of unpublished writers seeking fame and fortune, just like many of the attendees at the Cuesta conference. And, yes, much of the script was inspired by actual people and moments I encountered during my 12 years as conference director.
So, I’ll be showing up on Monday, September 30 at the Bay Theatre in Morro Bay to revisit the movie, back on the big screen for the first time in a decade, and do a little audience Q&A afterwards.
In truth, I could probably take an entire week to share stories of the journey of Authors Anonymous (originally entitled Scribble), a creative trek that began in September of 2005 (when the first draft literally came pouring out of me) and culminated in April of 2014 when the film finally was released.
Do the math: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 years to write a script, sell it, and see the movie made and released. That’s fairly typical for many independent films.
Along the way, there were different actors, different directors, different producers attached. We had the money and then we didn’t have the money. We were going to shoot in Iowa (tax breaks) and then Iowa fell through at the last minute (because we didn’t have the money).
The one constant through all the chaos was the rewriting. Always rewriting the script. For this investor. That investor. Keep polishing that script.
I have long believed that screenwriting is the most challenging genre for any writer to tackle. It’s not the actual writing that is so difficult—it’s getting your script produced. The stats used to be one in 5,000—as in one script produced for every 5,000 floating around Hollywood on any given day.
As I’ve shared with screenwriting students during the last decade, you must want this more than just about anything else in your life. You have to steel yourself for constant rejection and disappointment. You have to figure out a way to keep going when all the doors seem shut. Believe me, you’d probably be happier writing poetry.
There are three people specifically responsible for Authors Anonymous reaching the big screen. Cathy Henderson-Martin was a veteran casting director who first read the script in 2007. She liked it so much that Cathy started kicking doors open in Hollywood, and that eventually led us to Ellie Kanner, who would both produce and direct, and Hal Schwartz, who would also produce the movie.
I am grateful to all three. Cathy, sadly, passed away in 2014. Ellie and Hal were supportive of my work, my vision, and allowed me to be on set during the three-week filming process.
And believe me when I tell you that when I saw my name on those closing credits—”Written by David Congalton”—everything that transpired in the nine previous years—the good, the bad, and even the ugly—all seemed worthwhile.
The critics disagreed when the film was released, but I will not let them define my journey. Writing groups across the country have embraced Authors Anonymous and I continue to hear from writers who love the movie and believe we captured the envy and insecurity that often plague critique groups.
I still pull out my DVD copy and replay favorite scenes. Outside the apartment where F. Scott Fitzgerald died, as Henry (Chris Klein) realizes Hannah (Kaley Cuoco) knows nothing of his literary hero. The jealousy spouted by an envious Collette (Teri Polo) when Hannah attracts the eye of a famous author. The monologue by the literary agent (Jonathan Banks) as he guarantees a publishing future for Henry. Each scene is word for word from my script.
Ten years later, I look back on Authors Anonymous with nothing but pride and a deep sense of accomplishment.
Throw in treasured praise from Dennis Farina, a warm hug from Kaley Cuoco, and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo of me in a scene with Jonathan Banks. It is, as they say, the stuff that dreams are made of.
Authors Anonymous will be presented on Monday, September 30, at the Bay Theatre in Morro Bay. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the film begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available at the door.