tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133470162024-03-13T16:03:49.926-07:00My PerspectiveThis blog represents my progress in my all out quest for success in the entertainment industry. After early success as a recurring character and writer on HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN, my career slowed down, and I took a "regular job" for a number of years. (For more info go to jimtroesh.net) Now I'm back with skills and determination that are stronger than ever! Fame and fortune here I come!Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-24772531923262526412011-03-27T16:39:00.000-07:002011-03-27T19:44:00.484-07:00My New Battle: A Battle for My Life<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">California's Governor Jerry Brown signed his budget a few days ago. It included a 10% Medi-Cal cut. That cut could potentially force me and tens of thousands of people like me who require caregivers so they can live independently at home, into nursing homes. If I was in a nursing home, I would not only be exposed on a daily basis to MRSA, I would almost certainly get a bedsore. Either one could potentially kill me, but I would probably die first because of losing my independence. It would almost certainly be a similar fate for all the others with disabilities who are now living comfortably at home because of help from Medi-Cal caregivers.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">In response, I produced a video that is now up on YouTube, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF1_3HfIBks.">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF1_3HfIBks</a></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">It was picked up by Fox 11 News who did a story on me and presented my YouTube video to the governor for a response. <a href="http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/politics/browns-office-defends-budget-cuts-after-youtube-video-20110325">http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/politics/browns-office-defends-budget-cuts-after-youtube-video-20110325</a><br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">I cannot believe that Governor Brown had the audacity to say they were sorry and asked me to encourage the Republicans to raise taxes. I realized that the best chance for me right now is to put a face on the issue. I will be producing a second YouTube video in response to the Governor's response. My goal is to have Governor Brown tell me face to face that he realizes that I may be forced into a nursing home because of the budget he just signed, and there's nothing else he could do.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">The craziest thing about this is that this "cut" is exactly the opposite. It was proven 30 years ago that it is far cheaper to allow me and others who require assistance from Medi-Cal workers to live at home. Institutionalizing us costs an exorbitant amount of money, not to mention the fact that it takes us out of our communities where many of us are contributing members, and robs us of our individuality, our independence, and our souls. </p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial;">Please contact your local legislators about this and tell them how outraged you are and encourage them to do what they can to reverse it. Future blogs will offer numerous things you can do as individuals that can save the future of thousands of our disabled citizens.</span>Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-86397635209264551642010-12-23T12:58:00.000-08:002010-12-23T17:11:44.416-08:00I'm BackFrom Beyond the Grave<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Yes, it's true! I was in the hospital on my way up a tunnel of my memories and that was swirling around me heading toward a light where I could see my dad and my dog who are both deceased. I was actually heading there very happily. Even though I'm quadriplegic, I have had a very blessed life. I've gotten to do more than most able-bodied people do and I have a family and friends who love me. What more could I possibly want out of life?</span></span> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I was in the hospital for having a blood vessel burst in my brain. Fortunately, there has been very little residual effect, and I was told by my neurologist that the chance of that happening again is about as likely as it happening to anyone else. If you have any personal stories where that is shown to be untrue, please keep them to yourself so I can stay in my blissful ignorance.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Obviously, I didn't cross over though I'm certain I died three times. Every time I was awakened by one of my friend's smiling faces. The final time, I opened my eyes to see Geri Jewell, star of<i style=""> Facts of Life</i> and <i style="">Deadwood,</i> a longtime best friend. Normally, that would be a wonderful way to wake up, but when you're expecting to see God, it's just not the same. To top it off, she was wearing a Barack Obama hat. Not being a big fan of his, you can imagine how I felt about seeing God, who looks like Geri Jewell, wearing a Barack hat. We both enjoy a good laugh over it, but I was disappointed.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Since then, I have been recovering at home and this is the second day that I am back writing on my computer. I've spent most of the time since I last entered anything in my blog in recovery. Mostly watching Netflix and Hulu.com.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Anyway, now that I am back among the living and working on projects I have something positive to talk about. I'm waiting to hear back on several projects that I submitted to various writing contests that, if I win, (when I win), would greatly enhance my career.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I am also working on a project called <i style="">Inside the G-String,</i> which is a reality series about strippers and what makes them do what they do. I interview several of them and we find out that there are many, many misconceptions.. It has been very interesting so far and I've found out a ton of stuff I never knew. I would share it with you here but I'm saving all the good stuff for my pitches to Hollywood powers that be.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >I thou</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/TRPsxcsuL2I/AAAAAAAAAEw/6ecomJ5x7Ic/s1600/stripper.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/TRPsxcsuL2I/AAAAAAAAAEw/6ecomJ5x7Ic/s200/stripper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554043099739467618" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-size:100%;" >ght I would include this sample. It is of a stripper named Tiffani I told her to imagine how she feels about what she does rather than putting on her usual smile that makes her lots of money. I would like to get some feedback about how you think she did. She is a sweetheart with a very interesting story that both of us are looking forward to sharing with the world.</span></p>Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-36971543133228714202010-07-20T14:02:00.000-07:002010-07-20T17:14:00.064-07:00I Spent the Weekend at a Cool Seminar with BattleStar Galactica Director Michael Nankin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/TEY5pxOriuI/AAAAAAAAAEY/JLUjkwzb9nk/s1600/Michael+Nankinsm3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 155px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/TEY5pxOriuI/AAAAAAAAAEY/JLUjkwzb9nk/s200/Michael+Nankinsm3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496143785004600034" border="0" /></a>Weekend before last, about 25 lucky attendees and I enjoyed a two-day seminar with famed TV director Michael Nankin. My favorite shows he's directed are multiple episodes of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, and CAPRICA, he has also directed CSI, HEROES, FLASH FORWARD, TRAUMA, and numerous others. Michael was also a showrunner (executive producer) and his credits as a writer-producer-director include CHICAGO HOPE, PICKET FENCES, LIFE GOES ON, and tons of network pilots.<br /><br />Though I have directed, most recently "The Hollywood Quad," and a short play presented at ABC in front of a group of producers, I don't consider myself a director. It is a unique talent that I don't yet possess. However, as an actor and writer I found his seminar invaluable. I learned volumes about what directors are looking for both in the casting process and during filming. It is nearly impossible for me to put what I learned into words because it is mainly experiential. You have to be there and experience it.<br /><br />For example, he showed dailies (all the film shot and printed on a particular day) and showed the edited final product that went on the air. One of the sets of dailies was from BattleStar Galactica, the other was from Caprica. The dailies from BattleStar Galactica included Edward James Almos as Admiral Adama, and Mary McDonnell as Laura Roslin. It was a scene that favored Mary McDonnell and he showed three versions of it, all of which were amazing. (She is one of my favorite actresses). He talked about why he chose which pieces of which scenes to piece together into what we saw on television. Very informative.<br /><br />The s<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/TEYxI36rQeI/AAAAAAAAAEA/91hqVeRJ56s/s1600/Jim-Esaism.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/TEYxI36rQeI/AAAAAAAAAEA/91hqVeRJ56s/s200/Jim-Esaism.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496134423771038178" border="0" /></a>econd set of dailies were from Caprica and included three actors, Esai Morales as Joseph Adama, Teryl Rothery as Evelyn Adama, and 11-year-old Sina Najafi as Young William Adama. Michael showed us with this set of dailies how he used camera angles to continue the "uncovering things that are hidden" aspect, which is such a big part of the series. Very interesting.<br /><br />It was also very cool that Esai Morales was there and answered several questions about choices he made and choices Michael made.<br /><br />I also got to enjoy dinner with Michael and others in the group where we got to know each other a little better and was an extreme pleasure.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/TEY6E2KnsuI/AAAAAAAAAEg/ux2UcfW3QTc/s1600/Michael+and+Marcsm2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/TEY6E2KnsuI/AAAAAAAAAEg/ux2UcfW3QTc/s200/Michael+and+Marcsm2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496144250186216162" border="0" /></a><br />The seminar was produced by Marc and Elaine Zicree as part of their<a href="http://zicree.com/"> SuperM</a><a href="http://zicree.com/">en</a><a href="http://zicree.com/">tors</a> series of classes and seminars. I have attended several and highly recommend you take part in one or more of them if you are at all interested in furthering your career in the entertainment business.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">Here is a shot of Marc with Michael.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-80214895260795825192010-07-20T10:46:00.000-07:002010-07-30T10:29:42.523-07:00HowTo Make It in Hollywood as a Quadriplegic Actor/Writer/Producer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/TEYLmnY6kwI/AAAAAAAAADw/WdKPcjzrB2s/s1600/hollywood-sign11.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/TEYLmnY6kwI/AAAAAAAAADw/WdKPcjzrB2s/s200/hollywood-sign11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496093153288688386" border="0" /></a>As the only quadriplegic actor/writer/producer in Hollywood, the only successful one at any rate, (by successful, I mean has made money doing this and is a member of at least two of the three unions SAG and WGA, I haven't yet made it into the PGA) I consider myself an expert. Over my many years of doing this I've come up with Jim's rules of how to make it in Hollywood if you're quadriplegic.<br />1. Forget you're quadriplegic. Nobody cares. Everybody will expect you to do an able-bodied person's amount of work plus 10% because you're quadriplegic.<br />2. Remember you're quadriplegic. It is both the aspect about you that will open doors and close them. It will make people remember you as well as scare them away from you. It is your biggest asset as well as your biggest detriment. However, if you don't make it, don't you dare blame it on the fact that you're quadriplegic. Too many people have worked much too hard getting performers with disabilities opportunities in the media for you to blame your lack of success on your disability.<br />3. You had better be talented. Not just talented, have multiple talents. So many damn talents that they can't afford not to hire you. I'm talking a three ring circus of talents. If you don't have them, develop them. I'm not saying that a young, good-looking quadriplegic guy could never make it here with no other talent than acting. I did it. The reason I didn't go any farther for many years was because I was a one trick pony. I thought acting would do it for me. I started writing projects for myself. Told producers a zillion ideas for projects that would include me as the lead. It wasn't until I started writing projects with out me that I started getting notice. I started becoming known as a writer, I stressed the actor part of me less and less.<br />4. If you are quadriplegic, think twice before you bring that up on the phone. Quadriplegic can be a very scary word. Show them your talent and get them to love you before you drop the Q bomb.<br />5. Wherever you live, try to make a name for yourself as an actor or writer or whatever it is you aspire to be. If you are an actor, do as much community theater as possible. If you're a writer, write plays, get them produced. If you're a director, direct plays. That way when you get to town here, you will have a track record. It will help you get an agent.<br />6. This is the most important rule if you are a quadriplegic with dreams of making it in Hollywood. Do not become direct competition for me. I will kill you. It will look like an accident; after all, I am a writer. You may laugh and think I am teasing... There is a reason I am the only quadriplegic actor/writer/producer in town.<br />7. This is the other most important rule. Don't forget you're quadriplegic and try to do everything. In other words, look after your health. At times in my career, I neglected mine to get ahead, and though I did edge ahead slightly, I paid for it. Get a good doctor, and stay healthy.<br />8. Forget all of these rules and make your own way. Because the truth is, there are no rules in Hollywood... except of course, rule number 6.<br /><br />Please click one or more of the links below so I can promote this blog. Also, please add your self as a follower over on the right. Thanks!Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-64472164479268440382010-06-28T15:28:00.000-07:002010-06-28T16:15:16.527-07:00Okay, So Being the Only Successful Quadriplegic Actor/Writer/Producer in Hollywood Does Occasionally Have Some Pretty Cool Perks!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/TCkjGoI8wtI/AAAAAAAAADo/pPIZvwPeC6I/s1600/Nichole+Hiltz.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/TCkjGoI8wtI/AAAAAAAAADo/pPIZvwPeC6I/s200/Nichole+Hiltz.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487956217688802002" border="0" /></a>The hot blonde on my left is Nicole Hiltz from the popular <st1:country-region><st1:place>USA</st1:place></st1:country-region> crime drama "In Plain Sight." Though I was introduced to them, I don't quite remember who the other ladies were because the event we were at was sponsored by Gray Goose Vodka, and had an open bar where the booze flowed like blood from a fresh vampire bite. We were also treated to wonderful food and outrageous desserts. <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As a voting member of the <st1:place><st1:placetype>Academy</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename>Television Arts</st1:placename></st1:place> and Sciences, the group who presents The Emmy Awards, I'm invited to a lot of meet and greets of the actors, writers and producers of television shows. Not only is it way cool, I am generally the only guy in a wheelchair, certainly the only quadriplegic guy at most of these functions. When I contact people I've met there, if they don't remember my name they certainly remember the "guy in a wheelchair." More importantly, my wheelchair makes my presence obvious and producers and writers are reminded that people with disabilities exist in all facets of society. It is a topic I bring up often to them, not only to promote myself, but to promote the idea in general. It's getting a little better, but there are still very few examples of accurate portrayals of us on television or in the movies. They could almost be counted on one hand.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As a member of the WGA, the Writers Guild of America, specifically the Writers with Disabilities Committee, former national chair of the Performers with Disabilities Committee in AFTRA, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and a former member of the SAG, Screen Actors Guild Performers with Disabilities Committee, and it is important to me to constantly remind the movers and shakers in the entertainment industry about the importance of including disabled characters on television shows and in the movies.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I was first injured, there were no people like me on television. No quadriplegics and barely any paraplegics, no one who looked like they were in the same boat I was. Occasionally, there would be a "sickness of the week" TV Movie about a quadriplegic, but generally they were pathetic characters who were victims. Yes, there are quadriplegics who are victims of crimes or whatever, but the dialogue wasn't realistic and the roles were not true to life, they were written by able-bodied people based on stereotypes. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">To tell the truth, there were no quadriplegics on television until I appeared on Highway to Heaven. Not that I'm looking for a pat on the back, I was just happy to work and just happened to be the first. I first got on television in 1984, 26 years ago. I was sure that by now there would be plenty of us on television. I was positive that roles played by disabled performers or at least about disabled characters would be prevalent.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Oh well, I guess I will have to attend a lot more </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place><span style=";font-family:";" >Hollywood</span></st1:place></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > parties and be surrounded by gorgeous women to promote positive images of people with disabilities in the media. If it must be done, it must be done...</span>Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-90658222905904180032010-05-20T15:49:00.000-07:002010-05-20T16:56:45.628-07:00Pre-Advance PublicityHopefully about this time next year you will be picking up a copy of my autobiography,"Don't Make Me Get Out Of This Chair." As you might expect, it is about my life! <br /><br />It is not my first autobiography. I finished the first one in about 1986 or 1987. It was a straightout timeline of my life from my accident in 1971, to getting on television in 1984 and ended with my divorce in 1987. It was written in the style of; this happened, then this happened, then this happened. There were plenty of long conversations that took up many pages, some timid sex scenes, and a blow-by-blow (so to speak) of my life and loves at Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center in Downey, California where I lived for almost a year after my accident. (note: details about my accident, the one that left me paralyzed, exists somewhere on this blog. I will probably repeat it the whole gruesome story in a future blog). <br /><br />That epic volume of my memoirs also included an epilogue, yes, an epilogue that somehow drew a correlation between the steps I took to become a success, and a <span style="font-style: italic;">ladder of success</span> the reader could take to improve their lives. It bore the ungodly title, Dare to Dream.<br /><br />You've never heard of it?! It wasn't on the New York Times best-seller list, you say? You never even tripped over it at the $.99 store? Probably because it was never published. Excuse me while I give a silent "thank God" that all of the publishers I sent it to turned it down. I would hate to have it out in the world as a sample of my writing. Schlock and dribble would be a compliment although my mother liked it. But then again, she was excited over my first poop. There is an analogy there somewhere.<br /><br />Anyway, "Don't Make Me Get Out Of This Chair" will, I promise, make for much better reading. It contains my guts. It contains the real me. As you may have gathered reading this blog, I have a well developed sense of humor (read warped). I honed that sense of humor in the hospital It was my defense in the face of a cornucopia of horror (sounds like a Roger Corman film). In addition to learning at 14 that I would never walk, or do any of the things I enjoyed ever again, I watched friends die and grown men plead for death.<br /><br />It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. it will make you re-examine everything you've ever thought to be true in your life. Liberals will become conservatives, Republicans will become Democrats, dogs will become cats, and the entire makeup of this planet will become disassembled and reassembled in a manner none of us could have ever conceived. (I swear to you there is absolutely no hyperbole in that paragraph)<br /><br />I promise you will enjoy it though. When it comes out, please buy enough copies that I can leave a generous inheritance to my grandchildren who have yet to be born.<br /><br />JimJim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-22955767276708912432010-05-11T15:42:00.000-07:002010-05-11T16:49:49.468-07:00Explosions vs. Emotions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/S-ntEMNH_NI/AAAAAAAAADA/d6hkqnc4X8s/s1600/explosion.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/S-ntEMNH_NI/AAAAAAAAADA/d6hkqnc4X8s/s200/explosion.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470163878669712594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A lot of my gripe with Hollywood is that there are way more explosions than there are emotions up on the screen</span>. I can only wonder how many times that sentence, or one similar to that has been written in a blog.<br /><br />I can tell you from personal experience it is because it's way easier for the writer. Knocking out explosions scripts spew out about as fast as you can type. Knocking out emotion scripts is gut-wrenchingly difficult. I am working on a script right now, a twist on the classic story of Faust, about a guy who sells his soul to the devil to further his career. My story could very easily include a lot of explosions and CGI. It might even be fodder for a summer blockbuster. A summer blockbuster that would leave you cold. You would not leave the theater having learned anything about yourself or the human condition, nor would you care if the main character won or lost whatever his goal was.<br /><br />Although it is tempting to make your audiences hearts flutter while the main character defuses a bomb, it is far more gratifying for the writer and the audience, if you make their hearts flutter over some emotional obstacle the main character has to overcome. The hard part is opening up my soul and filling a hundred pages with my joys and sorrows. The real ones, the emotions we never admit to anyone, sometimes not even ourselves.<br /><br />So, a few years from now when you are in the theater laughing and crying over the roller coaster ride that will become that year's best movie, and will garner me a multimillion dollar, multi-picture deal, and make my name a household word, remember this blog, and the angst that spilled out of Jim Troesh's blather.<br /><br />Live long and help me prosper,<br />JimJim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-41479611460638653382010-04-24T14:02:00.000-07:002010-04-24T16:50:22.719-07:00Dr. Jekyll and Mr. TroeshI often feel like there two completely different sides of me. So different are these two sides they are almos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/S9N_dswiV2I/AAAAAAAAAC4/eTmNGkXk2pQ/s1600/jim-jack+black.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/S9N_dswiV2I/AAAAAAAAAC4/eTmNGkXk2pQ/s200/jim-jack+black.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463850921138214754" border="0" /></a>t at war. One side is the public side; the Jim Troesh you see on TV, the me that schmoozes at Hollywood parties, meets with executives, hangs with famous people like Jack Black, promotes Jim Troesh, and performs on stage. The me that goes to the store, talks on the phone, pays the bills, writes the screenplays, magazines and other things like this blog.<br /><br />Then there is the quadriplegic Jim Troesh. (I was 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/S9N-LBCTy9I/AAAAAAAAACo/a905xWx3qBw/s1600/hospital+bed.jpeg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 129px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/S9N-LBCTy9I/AAAAAAAAACo/a905xWx3qBw/s200/hospital+bed.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463849500652325842" border="0" /></a>5 in this picture) That is the part no one knows too well. The part of me that deals with muscle spasms, manages caregivers and their multitude of personalities, deals with nursing registries, doctors, medications, and intense regime of morning and nighttime care, as well as depression, anger, jealousy, envy, and everything else that goes along with being paralyzed from the shoulders down. The part of me that tries to connect with a body that I cannot feel. The part of me that thinks I should have dealt with all of this years ago.<br /><br />Occasionally, these two opposing forces meet on the pages of my screenplays, and I'm able to spew out my feelings. That is when I am writing at the top of my game, writing stories that someone without my disability couldn't possibly write because I have a unique perspective. When I'm in that zone I feel that it's all been worth while. Maybe like war veterans turn screen writers must feel.<br /><br />On any given day, one or the other Jim Troesh may be in charge. Most of the time, quadriplegic Jim rides in the back seat and public Jim takes care of business. Occasionally though, quadriplegic Jim takes over because things like bladder infections, muscle spasms or a unique gift God saved for quadriplegics called autonomic dysreflexia force themselves into the forefront. On days like that, I wonder about my ability to make it in this business at all.<br /><br />I guess that is why I'm here. Mine is the unique blessing of having the gifts to share this feeling, these thoughts with the world. As hard as it is to say, I guess I am thankful for all the adversities I'm given, because I've also been given many blessings. It is those qualities that I share with readers of this blog, and any and all who have ever read or seen my work.Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-44990709792913479022010-04-16T11:39:00.000-07:002010-04-16T16:43:39.498-07:00Website Building, my regular job.My "regular job," one of the beasts that drag me away from writing is building websites, and designing ads and posters. Here's a few samples. <a href="http://jggraffix.com/">jggraffix.com</a>. I've mentioned many times before that the hardest thing for me about writing is clearing everything else out of the way so I can work. Number one on that list is doing things to make money. I can't wait until I can earn my living with my writing, but until then I do what I have to do Sometimes I get pulled away so long I lose my motivation. Especially after all the hours of quadriplegic bullshit. It takes three hours for my caregiver to get me up in the morning and two to four to go to bed. Between that and all the drama that everyone has, I get burned out.<br /><br />It seems though that just when I'm at my lowest, something comes along and remotivates me. It might be seeing a movie like "Shutter Island" that is still under my skin, (how does a writer do that?), watching a well written show like "Modern Family," or I sometimes have the pleasure to meet writers whose work I genuinely admire. One of those is Vince Gilligan, the executive producer on "Breaking Bad." <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/S8jkoES0lDI/AAAAAAAAACg/sPFXZwtAYfQ/s1600/DSC01181+vince+good.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/S8jkoES0lDI/AAAAAAAAACg/sPFXZwtAYfQ/s320/DSC01181+vince+good.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460865925185311794" border="0" /></a>I am a huge fan of the show, partly because it stars Bryan Cranston, who was kind enough to guest star in my TV sitcom pilot "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi1615201561/">The Hollywood Quad</a>," but mainly because of the incredible stories he's written. I hope some of his talent rubs off on me.<br /><br />I ran into Vince Gilligan at several functions this last year and found him to be a very nice man. I've heard the same thing from a lot of people who've worked with him. By the way, I've been lucky to meet several top people in the entertainment business, most of them with names you'd recognize and was very happy to discover how nice they were. I know that goes against everything written in the tabloids, but it's still true.<br /><br />I've digressed. Vince Gilligan has inspired me not only with his writing, but with his personality. He has always taken time to answer my questions, as does his assistant Kate Powers. <span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Previous to "Breaking Bad" he was exec producer on "X Files."<span style="font-style: italic;">God, I would love to write on a show with him</span>. He has a way of making his audiences feel exactly what his main characters feel. Amazing stuff.<br /><br />Please tell your friends to visit m blog. I will update at least once a week. My hope with this blog is to inspire new writers, especially those with disabilities, and to share with you the entertainment business from my point of view.Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-35780737668652041302010-04-01T12:10:00.000-07:002010-04-07T16:09:35.783-07:00Motivation Smotivation! Writing's A Pain Sometimes!You can't really talk about writing or a career as a writer without discussing motivation. There's nothing like the fire that burns inside me when I launch into a brand new script or article. But, there are days, today for example when sparking up that kindling is next to impossible. In my head I always know I'll need to edit it, send it out for notes, rewrite it a few more times, send it out again, and start work on my next project long before I can see any money.<br /><br />Perhaps that's why this edition of "My Perspective" has been so long in coming. Sometimes, I must clear<span style="font-weight: bold;"> everything else</span> off my plate before I can start. It is very easy to <span style="font-style: italic;">think</span> you're having an active career by writing something, submitting it, then waiting for the bucks to roll in. I have found myself guilty of that many times.<br /><br />Especially as a quadriplegic writer. It takes me two to three hours to get up in the morning, so after breakfast I often go in my office and <span style="font-style: italic;">reward</span> myself for the hours of repetitive bullshit I've just gone through by diving into HULU.com and watching all the latest TV shows. I tell myself I'm keeping current on all the latest productions. After all, I've got to watch for trends and stay current. I don't want to be sending out specs of shows no longer on the air. That argument is especially powerful when I've spent all morning training a new caregiver. I have to push past my overpowering urge to procrastinate and start committing words to digital screens. I'll be honest, some days are better than others.<br /><br />I post pictures of people I've met and others I've worked with, and often forget how important it is to stay in touch with them. Sure, I post a picture of Elton John, or gloat about successes, but do I jump back into writing the next day, or spend several days basking in the afterglow?<br /><br />I've been an afterglow basker for years, which is why I'm signing off until next time. I need to write some new stuff.Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-47718650608102590832010-03-23T14:36:00.001-07:002010-03-23T18:56:13.200-07:00What's Been Happening?A bizarre medical complication happened last May and put a serious crimp in my career, but that's water under the bridge, I prefer to stay focused on the present.<br /><br />NBC recently held a showcase to promote the talents of actors and writers from diverse backgrounds. I submitted a 5 minute comedy called The GIMP and the GILF, about a guy in a wheelchair who hires a prostitute in her seventies because history turns him on. NBC diversity exec Karen Horne loved it and put in the showcase where it was performed in a huge room of TV and movie execs by an actor in a wheelchair and an African-American actress in her 70's.<br /><br />The result was two high-placed execs who emailed me, interested in reading other things I've written. Who knows what wondrous things can spring from that?<br /><br />I've learned during my nearly thirty years in show business that there is no one way to success. It is a process of keeping yourself out there all the time. I recently spoke with Peter Farrelley, (left) producer of "Som<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/S6luNJChWUI/AAAAAAAAACY/NqGYeU8l_hk/s1600-h/Photo041.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/S6luNJChWUI/AAAAAAAAACY/NqGYeU8l_hk/s320/Photo041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452009995952544066" border="0" /></a>ething About Mary", "Me, Myself, and Irene" and tons of other highly successful movies. He said that right now, the best way to be discovered is to produce projects that highlight whatever it is you do best. It is so inexpensive to produce projects these days, if you're not creating something you're falling behind.<br /><br />I agree whole-heartedly! That's why, in addition to writing a horror script, I'm in the process of producing a web-based reality show, and a short film starring me and possibly a famous actress.<br /><br />I am truly blessed. I sometimes feel like the luckiest man alive. Not always though. Sometimes I feel like that unidentifiable stuff you scrape off the bottom of your rain boots.<br /><br />Drop be here often. I'll have tips for success as well as a chronicle of my journey toward success in Tinseltown.Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-65566622505966080842010-03-14T12:04:00.000-07:002010-03-14T13:02:21.502-07:00Long Time No Blog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/S506gvmj47I/AAAAAAAAAA4/88ciHZv-mjY/s1600-h/me-elton.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E2MTQbJ0__4/S506gvmj47I/AAAAAAAAAA4/88ciHZv-mjY/s320/me-elton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448575458396595122" border="0" /></a><br />Not unlike a bear in hibernation, I've spent the last few years asleep in a cave.<br /><br />Isn't that a wonderful excuse? A shame it has no bearing on the truth. Actually, I've spent the last two years producing my own sitcom pilot, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi1615201561/">"The Hollywood Quad"</a> guest starring two time Emmy award winner Bryan Cranston, meeting multiple stars like Elton John, and highly placed entertainment executives like Peter Farrelley, working on screenplays, and writing my biography, "Don't Make Me Get Out of This Chair."<br /><br />I'm back in the blogosphere and over the near future will be updating my blog at least weekly writing about all the cool and not so cool stuff going on with my life.<br /><br />Since I have the picture here to refer to, meeting Elton was awesome! I was at the back of the Leonard H. Goldenson Theater at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood where Elton was talking about Speckle, a TV series he is producing starring Elvis Costello. After it was over he heard I wanted to meet him but couldn't get down the stairs where was, he hurried up the stairs to meet me. We spoke for a few minutes, during which he listened to me pitch my new sitcom and directed me to follow up with his associate.<br /><br />When it came time for the picture, my friend Linda couldn't get my camera to work. I was freaking until Elton said "guys" to one of the entourage he came up with and the guy took my camera, fixed it, and took this picture. I was shaking the whole way home.<br /><br />My beard and long hair are gone BTW. I'm back to my normal look.<br /><br />Come back soon for more blogs about my exploits in my journey toward success in show biz!Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-1173753185146253792007-03-12T20:33:00.000-07:002007-03-12T20:33:05.153-07:00Hollywood Quad - Sex and the Single Quad (Episode 6)<center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=172466&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=flv&player_width=&player_height="></script><div id="blip_movie_content_172466"><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-HollywoodQuadSexAndTheSingleQuadEpisode6197.mov" onclick="play_blip_movie_172466(); return false;"><img src="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-HollywoodQuadSexAndTheSingleQuadEpisode6197.mov.jpg" border="0" title="Click to Play" /></a><br /><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-HollywoodQuadSexAndTheSingleQuadEpisode6197.mov" onclick="play_blip_movie_172466(); return false;">Click to Play</a></div> </center><div class="blip_description">Episode 6 - Sex and the Single Quad - Actor/Writer/Producer, Jim Troesh tells all about quadriplegics and sex. You'll learn everything you always wanted to know, but were afraid to ask. Adult oriented. <br /></div><br />Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-1173752306500778782007-03-12T20:18:00.000-07:002007-03-12T20:18:26.550-07:00The Hollywood Quad - Promo<center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=172459&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=flv&player_width=&player_height="></script><div id="blip_movie_content_172459"><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-TheHollywoodQuadPromo722.mov" onclick="play_blip_movie_172459(); return false;"><img src="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-TheHollywoodQuadPromo722.mov.jpg" border="0" title="Click to Play" /></a><br /><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-TheHollywoodQuadPromo722.mov" onclick="play_blip_movie_172459(); return false;">Click to Play</a></div> </center><div class="blip_description">The upbeat, fast-moving promo for "The Hollywood Quad"</div><br />Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-1170470132152000272007-02-02T18:35:00.000-08:002007-02-02T18:35:37.363-08:00Hollywood Quad - Perception is Reality (Episode 5)<center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=146174&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=flv&player_width=&player_height="></script><div id="blip_movie_content_146174"><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-HollywoodQuadPerceptionIsRealityEpisode5549.mov" onclick="play_blip_movie_146174(); return false;"><img src="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-HollywoodQuadPerceptionIsRealityEpisode5549.mov.jpg" border="0" title="Click to Play" /></a><br /><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-HollywoodQuadPerceptionIsRealityEpisode5549.mov" onclick="play_blip_movie_146174(); return false;">Click to Play</a></div> </center><div class="blip_description">Episode 5 - Perception is Reality - Actor/writer/producer Jim Troesh takes a funny look at perception and how big a part it plays in casting performers with disabilities and in reality. <br /></div><br />Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-1169081875274965052007-01-17T16:57:00.000-08:002007-01-17T16:57:55.336-08:00Hollywood Quad - Color of the Cross (episode 4)<center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=137460&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=flv&player_width=&player_height="></script><div id="blip_movie_content_137460"><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-HollywoodQuadColorOfTheCrossEpisode4815.mov" onclick="play_blip_movie_137460(); return false;"><img src="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-HollywoodQuadColorOfTheCrossEpisode4815.mov.jpg" border="0" title="Click to Play" /></a><br /><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-HollywoodQuadColorOfTheCrossEpisode4815.mov" onclick="play_blip_movie_137460(); return false;">Click to Play</a></div> </center><div class="blip_description">Episode 4 - Color of the Cross is a very funny look inside the writing of the most recent movie Jim Troesh has written, "Color of the Cross" recently released on video. <br /></div><br />Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-1167604619286096192006-12-31T14:36:00.000-08:002006-12-31T14:36:59.336-08:00Hollywood Quad - Landon Tribute (episode 3)<center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=127896&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=flv&player_width=&player_height="></script><div id="blip_movie_content_127896"><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-HollywoodQuadLandonTributeEpisode3443.mov" onclick="play_blip_movie_127896(); return false;"><img src="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-HollywoodQuadLandonTributeEpisode3443.mov.jpg" border="0" title="Click to Play" /></a><br /><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Hollywoodquad-HollywoodQuadLandonTributeEpisode3443.mov" onclick="play_blip_movie_127896(); return false;">Click to Play</a></div> </center><div class="blip_description">Episode 3 - Michael Landon Tribute - Jim Troesh, who acted for three years as the quadriplegic attorney on Highway to Heaven, talks candidly about TV icon Michael Landon. <br /></div><br />Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-1167257508802596022006-12-27T13:48:00.000-08:002006-12-27T14:51:56.976-08:00PODCASTING<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LzFCb_iGWnY"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LzFCb_iGWnY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Last weekend I released Episode 2 "The Hollywood Quad - The Q Word." (just click to check it out) It's about navigating in Hollywood as a quadriplegic guy and how executive producers react to me. This weekend I will release the third webisode "The Hollywood Quad - Michael Landon Tribute." I'm sure you can guess what it's about, but it's a side to him I'm sure you never heard about. I haven't done any publicity on the series yet but so far I have gotten close to two thousand downloads. I'll be doing a big publicity push right after the first of the year when I have about four episodes floating around out there on the Internet highway. <br /><br />I really enjoy doing these and I get a terrific reaction from my industry friends who have seen them, but it takes two days and sometimes three to get them produced and distributed throughout the Internet. I am getting the speed down, but I wish I had more time to work on my screenplays. Oh well, the best I can do is the best I can to. <br /><br />My Christmas Day was uneventful. I spent the day with my family back on December 9th. We do Christmas early. That way we avoid the Christmas rush. If you are interested, check back to this blog in a couple weeks and there should be a Link to a video I'm editing that I will mail out to my family who couldn't make it. <br /><br />Its always rough around holidays for me because my caregivers want to spend time with their families. We do the best we can to work through the holidays but I am usually stuck with people I don't know well a lot at this time of year. I hesitate to complain because there are a lot of people out there with no care givers. I'm not really complaining anyway, I thank God for these people. If it wasn't for them and people who gone before them, there would be no "The Hollywood Quad", or career for me.<br /><br />Future podcasts will focus on my struggle to move from playing hospital patients to playing doctors. I will also talk about how being quadriplegic helps me to overcome certain obstacles that able-bodied people struggle with. and, yes, there will even be a podcast about my sex life. I've heard for years it's something everybody wants to know, but no one wants to ask. <br /> <br />Sorry it's such a short blog this week, I'm really backed up with work (it's a good thing). Until next time ... thanks for checking in!Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-1165622131881528972006-12-08T15:36:00.000-08:002006-12-27T14:14:30.093-08:00"The Hollywood Quad"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3027/1169/1600/748381/hollywood%20quad%20logo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3027/1169/320/483641/hollywood%20quad%20logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>That's right, I am <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMv0iEK7NfU">"The Hollywood Quad.</a>" I went to a seminar about the future of television at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences a few weeks ago. Among other things, I learned all about podcasts, how to create them and how to distribute them on the Internet. <br /><br />I came up with the title and the concept of the show pretty quickly. The pilot is a little over seven minutes, but future episodes will probably be three to four minutes. Each one will have some insight into me or my journey toward success in the entertainment business. There may also be interviews with celebrities. The difference between my interviews and the interviews you can see everywhere else is that on the "The Hollywood Quad" the celebrities will be interviewing me. <br /><br />I really love doing the show because I get to be the producer, director, writer, performer, editor, and distributor. I control all the content and it comes out exactly the way I want it to. I look forward to hearing what you think of my vision. <br /><br />I did it mainly to promote Jim Troesh, but during the process of the pilot episode I realized it was an excellent way of addressing the elephant in the room. The biggest obstacle I face is the attitude, and the preconceived notions that are in the minds of the people who hire me. If I can put my persona out there in a place where they can see what I'm about without actually having to meet me, I am one step ahead. It's almost as if they get to know me before they meet me.<br /><br />I purposely shot it so you see all the moving parts of me and none of the things I can't move. That way, they focused on me and not my disability. I don't try to hide it, there are several shots of me in my wheelchair, but it's not a focal point in most of the episode. I also joke around and deliver my message with humor so hopefully people are enlightened rather than be co-head with an idea. <br /><br />I released it last week and it has had about 1500 Hits at the time of this writing. In about two weeks when I have more episodes I'm going to put it up on iTunes where people can subscribe to it for free and it will automatically go on to your computer every time you open iTunes. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dMv0iEK7NfU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dMv0iEK7NfU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>I encourage you to take a look at and share it with as many of your friends says would be interested and when it gets on iTunes or one of the other places you can subscribe to it, please do. The more downloads it gets the higher it moves on YouTube and thereby generates even more downloads. <br /><br />Other than that, I've just been writing. Thanks for reading this ...Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-1162249345642016262006-10-30T14:11:00.000-08:002006-10-30T19:56:12.836-08:00Movie Premiere/Star Trek/Other StuffIt has been an exciting week, I was excited to be on the set of the newest Star Trek episode, and the movie I wrote "Color of the Cross" premiered Saturday night at the WGA Theater in Beverly Hills.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/1600/StarTrek2Zicree.1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/200/StarTrek2Zicree.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>If you haven't heard, there are new episodes of the original Star Trek series, with Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and all the characters you love available online as free downloads from the Star Trek New Voyages website at www.newvoyages.com. These are brand new, skillfully produced episodes with great music and outstanding graphics, some of them starring members of the original Star Star Trek cast! The most recent is still in production and stars George Takei, the original Mr. Sulu. It is directed and co-written by my friend and mentor Marc Zicree.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/1600/Startrek2Cali.6.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/200/Startrek2Cali.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> On the left, I'm on the actual Star Trek set with one of the production crew actress/writer/producer Cali Ross. In the photo above you can see the huge "green screen" where, during the post-production they can insert the landscape of some strange new world.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/1600/startrekzicree.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/200/startrekzicree.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> A crowd of special effects people, hairdressers, make-up artists, costume designers and others swarm around the set. In the photo on the right, director Marc Zicree discusses an upcoming scene with some of the crew. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/1600/COTC%20PREMIER.0.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/200/COTC%20PREMIER.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> This is me outside the WGA Theater taking a photo with my first feature film credit! Lots of well-dressed men and very attractive women packed the theater. My problem was that I thought it was a screening, and dressed like I was just going to a movie rather than dressing for a premier which is why I'm dressed the way I am in the picture. Other than that, it was very exciting although I was waiting in the lobby to talk to the producer and missed the beginning of the movie so I didn't get to see my credit as co-writer on the screen! <br /><br />It was pretty cool to watch people on the big screen saying words I had written. I have a different take on why Judas betrayed Jesus and I created a relationship between Mary and Mary Magdalene that I hope you find interesting when you see it when it is released across the country on November 10th. <br /><br />Other than that, I have been busy rewriting my script Area 52 after getting some terrific notes on it from two excellent script consultants. Writing is rewriting and it's never finished until you're watching it at home on TV. <br /><br />Things are about to start heating up for me again. Periodically, I take a super mentor class with Marc and Elaine Zicree that super motivates me into getting the most out of every day. Marc And Elaine are former show runners (executive producers) and have written over a hundred scripts for television. Their list of credits is astounding. In addition, they are well-connected within the industry and point me in the direction of the right people and give terrific career advice. Every time I take a class with them my career kicks into hyper drive. <br /><br />I just finished building a website for my good friend, actress/comedienne Geri Jewell. Deadwood fans know her as <span style="font-style:italic;">Jewell</span>, the disabled girl who works in the whore house, and millions know her as <span style="font-style:italic;">Cousin Geri</span> on the classic 80's sitcom "Facts of Life". You might want to check out her website at gerijewell.com. <br /><br />That's about it for now, thanks for readingJim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-1160432220623469442006-10-09T15:07:00.000-07:002006-10-11T20:54:56.546-07:00The Upside of Writing Entertainment Magazine ArticlesNot long ago, I pitched Emmy Magazine, an entertainment industry trade magazine, on the idea of writing a story about three TV actors and their moves into other areas such as writing, directing, or producing. The actors I chose were Laura Innes, Dr. Kerry Weaver from <span style="font-style:italic;">ER</span>, Bryan Cranston, the dad from <span style="font-style:italic;">Malcolm in the Middle</span>, and Michael Chiklis, Detective Vic Mackey from <span style="font-style:italic;">The Shield.</span> All three of them are very nice people. <br /><br />The upside of interviewing them, in addition to getting to meet them, is that I get to ask things I want to know because I'm transitioning from acting to writing myself. I also get access to them that I can't get by going through their agents or managers. For example, I talked with Bryan Cranston about the mockumentary I'm writing about the first quadriplegic mime. He thought it was a very funny concept and offered to read it when I finish writing it in December. (I'm really hoping he likes it because there is an excellent part for him in it.) The other upside is that I get to write for a prestigious trade magazine and get a blurb about myself in it, and of course, they pay me. <br /><br />All I seem to do lately is write, it's a good thing I love doing it. I met twice with a terrific script consultant, Julie Marsh Nelson about "Hip-Hop Zombies". The writing is coming along very well and I hope to have the first draft done before the end of October. I want to write an excellent script that will draw big-name talent. I could probably make a cheesy version of it to release on DVD, but I wouldn't be happy with what I had created. I always strive to make everything I write the best it can possibly be. <br /><br />I'm currently having my dramady pilot "Area 52" read by top script consultants, Marc and Elaine Zicree, and I will probably rewrite based on their input and start shopping it around production companies within ABC/Disney. (Because I wrote "Area 52" while in the ABC/Disney Scholarship Program, ABC/Disney has an option on it for a year so I can only show it to production companies who have a deal with ABC/Disney. I learned a lot in that program and its totally worth it.) <br /><br />Having a successful writing career looks easy from the outside, but it's a very tough business. It's tough to get the job, tough doing the job, and tough to keep the job. But, it's my dream and I intend to persevere. In truth, the fact that it's tough motivates me to work that much harder. <br /><br />The pilot for Comedy Central that I appeared in and creative consulted on "Special Unit" is still in play according to Bryan Cranston who directed it, but that's about as much as I know. <br /><br />My acting career is also moving along fairly well. I'm going to a callback (a second audition) on Thursday for a part in a very exciting project that I will talk more about when I land the role. (notice I said when and not if). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/1600/post2.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/400/post2.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Don't forget to mark your calendars for October 27th! <span style="font-style:italic;">Color of the Cross</span> the feature film I co-wrote is coming to theaters. (if you look real close at this poster you'll see my name on the bottom line as co-writer ... BOOYAH!) It is the story of Jesus' last forty-eight hours and Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and several of the disciples will be played by African Americans. Please check out the trailer at <a href="http://colorofthecross.com">colorothecross.com</a><br /><br />Thanks for reading, that's all until next timeJim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-1158260458391654892006-09-14T11:49:00.000-07:002006-09-14T14:38:40.456-07:00A Blast From the PastMy mom had her 80th birthday celebration a few weeks back. My entire family was up at her home in Reno, all except me, because, for various reasons I was unable to attend. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/1600/jim%2C%20ida%2C%20debby3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/320/jim%2C%20ida%2C%20debby3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Anyway, one of the projects my family was doing while they were there was to separate the pictures. I thought this one was particularly poignant. I was home from hospital that day on a visit to see if my family would be able to take of me. The girl to my right is Ida, my first girlfriend. There is a long story there (which will be a chapter in my autobiography) about how having her as a girlfriend while I was in hospital kept me from having a mental block about my wheelchair being a wall between me and the opposite sex. The girl in a miniskirt is Debbie, a neighbor from across the street. That was 1972. Although I'm smiling in that picture I was in a very, very bad place. My hands had been taken away from me and all I had aspired to do for most of my life was to work in electronics. I loved building stuff. <br /><br />The reason I include that picture today, is because it's a hell of a lot easier to look back after thirty-five years, than it was looking forward from that skinny fifteen-year-old perspective I had. Believe me, I never thought in a million years I'd be where I am today. So, to all of those people out there reading this who are newly quadriplegic, or know someone who is, or even those who are trapped in a position that they don't want to be in, I hope that this picture will give you some hope. There is life after a spinal cord injury, there is life after tragedy. Wow, I don't usually get into that part of my past, it's not a good place for me for the most part. I much prefer living in the present and future. <br /><br />Speaking of the present, I graduated from the Disney scholarship two weeks back and pitched my "Outsiders" script, which is now called "Area 52" and it was well received but no one as yet has asked to read it. That's pretty much how Hollywood works. Lots of smiles, encouragement, compliments, and other glad handling, but no sales. If they're interested in buying your work, you'll know it because they won't glad hand you most of the time. As with everything though, there are exceptions. Michael Landon told me how terrific my audition was then hired me three hours later. Larry David went on and on about how terrific my audition was, but have you ever seen me on "Curb Your Enthusiasm?"<br /><br />I am mostly occupied with writing, it's about all I do. I got feedback from a script consultant on my zombie script last week which was very helpful. Most people write in a vacuum and if you don't have input from informed outside sources your script has a strong possibility of being jam packed with holes, two dimensional characters, and an ending that comes out of nowhere. I'm sure you've seen movies that are examples of all of those and more. <br /><br />So, that's enough for me for today. Thank you all for reading and following my career. As for all of the other projects I have, other scripts, my autobiography, and others, they are all coming along well. Until next time ...Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-1155834165965799362006-08-17T09:50:00.000-07:002006-08-18T18:38:13.953-07:00Things Are Picking UpI haven't added anything new here in a while because I've been so busy writing. The good news is, I have a veritable cornucopia of new projects I'm anxious to talk about. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/1600/jim-jack%20black.0.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/200/jim-jack%20black.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Before I tell you about all my new projects, I've got to tell you about a performance of "Jesus Christ Superstar" I saw a few nights back at the Ricardo Montalban Theater. It starred Ted Neely and many other stars from the original movie. It also starred Ben Vareen, and, in a very cool bit of casting, Jack Black as King Herod. I would say he stole the show except the other performances were so extraordinary that everyone stole the show. I ran into Jack Black out front, we spoke for a moment and he was nice enough to pose with me for this picture. (double-click the picture to view a larger version) <br /><br />First, an update regarding "The Outsiders," my TV pilot about an alien from outer space who comes to earth and becomes immediately famous only to lose it all to a second Antonio Banderas of aliens who turns him into yesterday's news. It is all but done. I'm very happy with it, and I will be pitching it to ABC and promoting myself to them as a writer during the last week of August. If they turn it down, I will take it to the other networks including FX. <br /><br />"Hip-Hop Zombies" has its own website now (hip-hopzombies.com, see the link on the right) and soon there will be a trailer for it up there as well as a promotional poster. It's moving along quite well when it's done I think it will be a movie that several types of people will enjoy. In addition to zombies, it is laugh out loud funny and has strong characters and strong relationships. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/1600/post1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/200/post1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Keep an eye out for the movie I wrote, "Color Of The Cross," it's coming out in theaters October 13th. "Color Of The Cross" (see link on the right) is the story of Holy Thursday, the day before Jesus was crucified. He knew he was going to die the next day so it was important to him to say goodbye to his friends and his mother. The real twist in this story is that Jesus, Mary, and several of the disciples will be played by African American actors and the story is written to include the prejudice that was prevalent in those days and rarely talked about. <br /><br />I have also embarked on three new projects I'm anxious to talk about. I'm resurrecting a script I wrote years ago called "In Their Own World," a futuristic story about a team of Space explorers who land on a planet inhabited only by people with Down syndrome. It's a touching, romantic tale, that if all goes right will be part of a trilogy of science fiction short films called "Strange Matter" that will be available on DVD. There will definitely be lots of notice here when that comes out.<br /><br />I'm in the process of writing my memoirs titled, "Don't Make Me Get Out Of This Chair". Like me, my memoirs will be jam packed with irony, touching moments, and above all biting wit. Some of the chapter titles include; "A Husband and His Money are Soon Parted," "Oops! Or Was It Destiny?" and "God Bless Quadriphiles." <br /><br />My third new project is an untitled half-hour comedy/drama written by and starring me about my life. I've been fortunate to have an adventurous life and I will be dramatizing, or should I say comedy-tizing various moments of my life with the goal of making people laugh so hard milk squirts out their nose.Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-1152721625597454812006-07-12T09:02:00.000-07:002006-07-12T16:19:52.823-07:00Writing by the Light of My FireplaceWell, not really. Especially since my apartment doesn't have a fireplace and the temperature will be in the hundreds today. But it's a nice image anyway. <br /><br />But, that's about all I've been doing is writing. Industry-wise anyway. I have been doing a few normal things like shopping for clothes, getting new glasses, and getting my teeth fixed, but nobody wants to read about how many cavities I have or the new bifocals I am trying to get used to. <br /><br />I have been meeting with my new mentor at ABC/Disney, Fernando A. Torres who is helping me get my script "The Outsiders" in shape to pitch to the ABC development executives at the end of August. Development executives are the people who make decisions about what new pilots to buy with the goal of turning them into a series. The best of all worlds would be that "The Outsiders" is picked up as a TV series. The more likely outcome is that it will be a terrific writing sample I can use to get a staff writing job on a show. <br /><br />When I'm not working on "The Outsiders," I am writing my feature film, "Hip-Hop Zombies," a very tongue-in-cheek horror flick that is a cross between Napoleon Dynamite, Michael Jackson's Thriller, and Airplane. I'm hoping to have it completed in the next few months and my involvement with it will probably be as a writer/producer. <br /><br />Also, during the last few weeks I have been busy with the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. They're the people who give out the Emmy Awards. I have been a member of the TV Academy for nine years and have voted in the Emmys every year. It is a great honor that I don't take lightly. I especially enjoy judging on the Blue Ribbon panel that narrows the top vote-getters to the final five who receive the nomination. It is a terrific feeling sitting with other industry professionals to judge our fellow performers' work and its measure of excellence which is the standard of the Academy of Television Arts and Science. In the next few weeks I'll be viewing performances in two categories by the five nominees to vote for the ones I'd consider Emmy worthy. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/1600/Teardrop2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/320/Teardrop2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Thought you might be interested to see a picture of me a few years back with my horse Teardrop. Actually she was not my horse, but my dad made deal with her owner who kept her on our property, that if I fed her and cleaned up after her, I could ride her and treat her like she was my own. And since the owner rarely came to see her, I was the only owner she ever knew. (trivia: I named an episode of "Without A Trace" I wrote as a spec script after her). I was just reminiscing with my sister last night about how we were blessed with terrific childhoods that I think back on often.Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13347016.post-1148679947100745762006-05-26T14:28:00.000-07:002006-05-26T18:01:04.750-07:00Ups and Downs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/1600/Michael%20Chiklis.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/200/Michael%20Chiklis.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Boy, talk about the ups and downs of life for a disabled guy in the entertainment business. Last night, I was at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, talking to Shawn Ryan, the executive producer of "The Shield", one of the stars of this season, Forest Whitaker, and I set up an interview with the star of the show Michael Chiklis (doing a hard-ass Vic Mackey face) that I'll be writing for Emmy Magazine. There were a lot of Hollywood celebrities around and the food was terrific. When I went to bed last night, I was looking forward to spending Memorial Day with my family at a reunion in Bakersfield. This morning, when I went to pick up the rental van that I would be using to get up there, I found out they no longer provide insurance. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/1600/ForrestWhitaker.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3027/1169/200/ForrestWhitaker.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>It's up to the Insurance Company of whoever drives me. My friend who was going to drive me has insurance that doesn't cover a rental van if it's set up with a wheelchair ramp and other necessary adaptive devices. I called around to other insurance companies, to other van rental companies and everyone else I could think of. The fact that it's a holiday weekend makes finding an answer impossible. The bottom line is I'm out of luck. Rather than let it irritate me to the point of not being able to function, which it could have easily done, I've been focusing on working that much harder to finish scripts and make vital industry connections that will result with me working on a show and able to afford my own van. <br /><br />I have an opening day now for "Color of the Cross;" October 13th, in four or five hundred theaters nationwide. If all goes well, I will be embarking on a publicity campaign for it in the next few weeks. In the meantime, I meet next week with ABC/Disney to decide the next step with my pilot script for "The Outsiders," and I am planning to attend the Fangoria convention, a horror convention next weekend to promote my script "Hip-Hop Zombies". <br /><br />My advice to anyone thinking about getting into the entertainment business is, "Don't do it!" It is a suffering profession. I have been warned by several longtime entertainers that success comes at a very, very high price. If you're not willing to pay that price, to put aside everything else, often including a family, you may not ever make it. And, even if you do sacrifice all those things, chances are you still won't make it. But, if your belief in yourself is incredibly strong, and you will give up anything, within reason of course, then by all means do it. At least try it. The last thing you ever want is to look back ffrom the end of your life and wonder what if ... <br /><br />It's weird. Here I am whining about how my plans for my weekend were dashed by an insurance company's policy when there are people out there, people with exactly the same disability I have, who are stuck in nursing homes, stuck inside homes with abusive relatives, or trapped in some similar situation. I understand what they are going through because at various times in my life I have been in exactly that same position. I had a physically and emotionally abusive wife, I spent a year and half in a rehabilitation hospital with nearly every aspect of my care out of my control. I lived with people who took advantage of me and stole from me on a daily basis. I can honestly say I have lived through a lot in my almost fifty years. I can only hope that what I have gone through floats around out there and maybe encourages somebody else to get themselves into a better situation. Believe me, when I was fifteen years old and the therapist told me that I would never walk again or be able to use my arms or hands again, I never in a million years thought I would be in the position I'm in today. A position where my biggest complaint is that I'm not going to be able to attend my family reunion. I thank God I'm in this position. It's funny how the sudden onset of a disability can completely change your perspective on life. <br /><br />My ultimate goal is to dramatize some of the situations I've been in, and that others people are currently in. I want to let the world know the daily plight of a large number of our population. It is my hope that people with disabilities will become increasingly empowered in the very near future. We have lived at the whim of others for far too many years.Jim Troeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13099586417182708879noreply@blogger.com3