My Story

Robroy said:
I've been asked in the past if I could leave Jesus out of my story...course the answer was no...and they passed.
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Robin,

There’s no fundamental reason why the point, or period, at which Jesus transformatively enters your life -- which remained faith-based thereafter -- would need to be excluded at all.

To be a successful film, you’re dealing with biopic story material that at its core almost certainly features a period of derailment of personal life and career life purposes, a transitional internal re-assessment, and ultimately the certainty of satisfactory (to yourself and general audiences) redemption.

These exact elements are entirely relatable on an inspirational human level -- regardless of the extent or nature of the viewers’ religious beliefs, or absence of personal religiosity -- and are the substance of countless feature films and made-for-TV movies dealing with depression, and any serious interactions with substance abusers (alcohol, drugs, medications) and always in the many award-winning stories dealing with redeemed criminality in political, financial, legal, or just about any societal worlds.

In my experience, the screenwriters’ time-tested key is to vividly present the challenges, effects of wrong decisions, eventual self-realization, and related positive reasons for a life re-direction in the form of new associations and an initially-resisted guiding character (or characters) who not uncommonly, are a blend of the lead character’s new supernatural and real-life “purity-personified” love/admiration/devotional interests.

Virtually all sports-related films and most other biopics contain such progressions and not least, crucial periods of self-doubt.

Audiences root for such emotional triumphs and to the degree that the challenges, downward spiral, and positive alternatives are movingly portrayed, worldwide audience can internalize them to their own lesser challenges overcome, or simply delight in escaping into (being entertained by) a well-told story about specific worlds to which they’ve never previously been exposed.

In short, intelligent directors and screenwriters can readily convey a character’s reception of reformative spirituality by providing the character with believable gestures, acts, decisions, memorable and meaningful dialogue, symbols and purposeful locations and behaviors (kneeling, praying, looking upward with new understanding, viewing and handling religious symbols and artifacts, etc.) and strictly*avoiding* stereotypical “choir sings in the background” musical background effects.

The handling of self-doubt, spiritual need, and actual religious dependence before the eventual triumph was expertly and deftly handled in “Rocky” and countless other sports-related films (a hero literally on his knees, praying, visibly acknowledging a very human and personal need for help that goes well beyond the well-intended assistance of the hero’s adviser characters in a given film.

A life now daily and totally transformed by a religious conversion (such as yours) is readily, absorbingly and potentially profitably portrayable by a sufficiently skilled writer, director, and impassioned actors. The journey, obstacles, conflicts and visible triumph are what interests audiences, regardless of the extent or nature of religion in their own lives.

Faith-based or eventual faith-exhibiting films can be very well produced -- and perhaps even more impactfully created -- by passionate, objective and talented individuals who while not necessarily faith-based themselves, are quite tolerant and admiring of the biopic's subject and her/his journey towards deep faith.

It's essentially a matter of clearly presenting your fully-informed vision of the project and successfully transferring that vision, via intermediaries, to interested developers of the project.

Arnaldo
 
arnaldo said:
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Robin,

There’s no fundamental reason why the point, or period, at which Jesus transformatively enters your life -- which remained faith-based thereafter -- would need to be excluded at all.

To be a successful film, you’re dealing with biopic story material that at its core almost certainly features a period of derailment of personal life and career life purposes, a transitional internal re-assessment, and ultimately the certainty of satisfactory (to yourself and general audiences) redemption.

These exact elements are entirely relatable on an inspirational human level -- regardless of the extent or nature of the viewers’ religious beliefs, or absence of personal religiosity -- and are the substance of countless feature films and made-for-TV movies dealing with depression, and any serious interactions with substance abusers (alcohol, drugs, medications) and always in the many award-winning stories dealing with redeemed criminality in political, financial, legal, or just about any societal worlds.

In my experience, the screenwriters’ time-tested key is to vividly present the challenges, effects of wrong decisions, eventual self-realization, and related positive reasons for a life re-direction in the form of new associations and an initially-resisted guiding character (or characters) who not uncommonly, are a blend of the lead character’s new supernatural and real-life “purity-personified” love/admiration/devotional interests.

Virtually all sports-related films and most other biopics contain such progressions and not least, crucial periods of self-doubt.

Audiences root for such emotional triumphs and to the degree that the challenges, downward spiral, and positive alternatives are movingly portrayed, worldwide audience can internalize them to their own lesser challenges overcome, or simply delight in escaping into (being entertained by) a well-told story about specific worlds to which they’ve never previously been exposed.

In short, intelligent directors and screenwriters can readily convey a character’s reception of reformative spirituality by providing the character with believable gestures, acts, decisions, memorable and meaningful dialogue, symbols and purposeful locations and behaviors (kneeling, praying, looking upward with new understanding, viewing and handling religious symbols and artifacts, etc.) and strictly*avoiding* stereotypical “choir sings in the background” musical background effects.

The handling of self-doubt, spiritual need, and actual religious dependence before the eventual triumph was expertly and deftly handled in “Rocky” and countless other sports-related films (a hero literally on his knees, praying, visibly acknowledging a very human and personal need for help that goes well beyond the well-intended assistance of the hero’s adviser characters in a given film.

A life now daily and totally transformed by a religious conversion (such as yours) is readily, absorbingly and potentially profitably portrayable by a sufficiently skilled writer, director, and impassioned actors. The journey, obstacles, conflicts and visible triumph are what interests audiences, regardless of the extent or nature of religion in their own lives.

Faith-based or eventual faith-exhibiting films can be very well produced -- and perhaps even more impactfully created -- by passionate, objective and talented individuals who while not necessarily faith-based themselves, are quite tolerant and admiring of the biopic's subject and her/his journey towards deep faith.

It's essentially a matter of clearly presenting your fully-informed vision of the project and successfully transferring that vision, via intermediaries, to interested developers of the project.

Arnaldo
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Drake told me "Slow down Mom" it has to be a solid team. Guess he is right...I think for me...I just want it to be my story the way I lived it...I don't want it to be hokey... actually my life has many stories filled with ups and downs...but for every walk of life...I wasn't one to learn the easy way.
I think that's what happens when a writer wants to make a movie of my life. There is more to it than 2 hours. And I totally agree...you HAVE TO BUILD the characters around me too...Keith, Tony Banks, Dickie Renk...we were all kids in an amazing world...killer memories for sure!!!
 
Heyalex40 said:
To me, the real question is who plays McCready??? Drake perhaps?
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Keith would be a fun person to cast...and some of the times we had gone through have to be in a movie or at least in a book.

Funny story: Keith knew my life had changed (he watched the good, bad and the ugly)...and he was happy for me (on another story of Keith, I think he even knew I had something worth talking about)...but there was this one time, he wanted me to play some guy and he wanted to stake the game. But he also knew I quit gambling so he had to think it through...well kind of in the Keith manner... "Robin, I have a game for you…and Robin…I prayed…and well I seen Jesus he had 2 Thumbs Up” SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Keith…I just loved it!!! Course between Keith and I we knew it was cool that I went from who I was to who I am…enough was said. Just the old nod and smile.
 
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DoubleD said:
Turn the river had Famke in one of her only lead rolls. She is a pretty poor actress, as it turns out.

The movie was written and directed by a guy who is credited with directing exactly one movie and writing exactly one move--which he produced (total of two movies).

Suffice to say, I wouldn't put any stock into what that movie did, or did not do.

The problem with pool movies is that they are usually about pool. This isn't the case with 'The Hustler', it was about people. 'Basketball Diaries' and 'Rounders' are the same way. Make the story about people, use the activity as an interesting backdrop and you could have a winner.

Show a coked-up looking Famke wearing slutty clothing woodenly reading lines and you will lose every time.

dld
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If my story becomes a movie it would be a total shame not to show all of the players and develop their characters..(might be through my eyes)....I'm still here because I LOVE the pool players...I totally agree pool is great but it only is great because of the friendships that come from it....so much character in our sport!!!
 
great news, hope it happens for you and for pool. You need anyone to train the actors keep me in mind :)
 
an idea what do you think?

Drake wants to help on the producer side...he has many passions...one is creating. The book could say written by Drake Bell and Robin Bell Dodson and of course the ghost writer ;)

I mentioned to Drake I could go to his house pick him up...drive (in all the traffic to Hard Times) practice and then he can play in the handicap tournament on Thrusday nights.

Why: I think I need to tape my story, what better place to talk then in traffic~ Drake wants to be involved so he needs to know my story...with all the passion I have for pool, the players and the highs and lows.

Going back and forth to Hard Times might just stir my brain up too by being back in the pool room.

Drake told one of his friends...my mom talks different in the pool room. I guess I do...I LOVE the stories..and Drake needs to be around the pool room too.

So before my story gets handed over to anyone at least my voice can be heard and felt? I'm in no hurry...so what do you think.

1. I think talking about a pool player each week can build the character too.
 
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Leave no stone unturned.

Robroy said:
It looks like it’s getting a little traction again...since Drake started playing pool and coming into my world...he found out his mom was once a hot shot herself.

Long story short, Drake met with developers for a movie, they like him for the part. They closed the meeting started chatting sports...Drake naturally (loving pool now) turned the conversation towards pool...and a little about me. When the meeting was over Drake called said "Mom their mouths were wide open" I think your story is going to be a movie. Course that made me smile hearing it from him, but I have to admit its not the first time I heard that.

Well a few days later I went to see Drake...he showed me a text....from the developers, they told him...nice meeting they can’t wait to work with him blah, blah, blah...and BTW we "LOVE" your moms story.

They are RIGHT NOW looking for the right writer...anyone here write? They may need a technical writer...I would love to have one ready?
Do you have work in print already? Who knows...it could happen :)
Hollywood is looking for Faith Based stories...I do have one of them ;)
3 cups of coffee ;) and a little excited...thanks for letting me share!
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You may want to take a look at this young lady's work if you have not already. http://massiveunderstatement.com/ I think she lives in your part of the country. Good luck. :smile:
 
DoubleD said:
Turn the river had Famke in one of her only lead rolls. She is a pretty poor actress, as it turns out.

The movie was written and directed by a guy who is credited with directing exactly one movie and writing exactly one move--which he produced (total of two movies).

Suffice to say, I wouldn't put any stock into what that movie did, or did not do.

The problem with pool movies is that they are usually about pool. This isn't the case with 'The Hustler', it was about people. 'Basketball Diaries' and 'Rounders' are the same way. Make the story about people, use the activity as an interesting backdrop and you could have a winner.

Show a coked-up looking Famke wearing slutty clothing woodenly reading lines and you will lose every time.

dld
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Turn The River- Man that was a horrible movie. I Already know Robbin's going to be better. Famke has done way better in just about anything else. So I know it wasn't her acting. Just crap for plot, there was no way to improve the direction of that poor thing.
I'm excited to see this one come out. Woo hoo!

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
 
Movement

Drake called last night....very excited!!! He said "Mom, its gone from the hmmmm forget who (the first people I said)...boy I'm going to stink at this... anyway it has been passed around in Hollywood and its getting the kind of traction that all of us would love to hear about"!!! Hows that...boy I have to listen better.

He said, book first...an agent of a writer loved it...the writer has not seen it yet but the agent of the writer thinks he will love the story.
Drake Bell and Robin Bell Dodson will be on the book with a Ghost writer .... as a mom I want Drake close to the project because...well because I'm his mom and I want to hang out with my kid ;)

So Hard Times on Thursdays at least 2 times a month...Drake and I will be taping my story...

Drake did say it could take time...but he wants my story to be handled right... lots of sweet things...but in case he reads this one day I'll just say...awww cool kid!

Anyway that's the latest update its not sitting idle... YAY!!!
 
Robroy said:
:) Not sure...but I like "Clean Slate"

Drake said that's been done before...bummer!
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Talked to Drake again...he said the process is slow...maybe even 5 years slow...I sure hope he's wrong!
He did say everyone is excited and they have not dropped the ball...so who knows...
Still waiting on the writer/writers....praying for the right ones too...
 
Robroy said:
Talked to Drake again...he said the process is slow...maybe even 5 years slow...I sure hope he's wrong!
He did say everyone is excited and they have not dropped the ball...so who knows...
Still waiting on the writer/writers....praying for the right ones too...
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An update: The developers that have interest in my story contacted the agent of the writer they want to pursue it... the agent loved the story...but had not heard back from the writer UNTIL Thursday....the writer or his agent contacted the developers and would like to have a sit down meeting with them in 2 weeks to discuss my story...praying!!!
Sorry Drake told me its not cool to say who's who at this stage of the game....but it is in the hands of some BIG guys.... how FUN!!! Dreaming over here in sunny CA!!! I love AZ and you guys...thanks for being here to share with :)
 
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