It was around 10:00 on Tuesday night and I was returning to my car from a dinner meeting at Flemings in Radnor, Pennsylvania. I had spent an enjoyable time in a private dining room with the partners and fellow advisors of NewSpring Capital. The wine was wonderful, the food delicious, and the conversation informative and humorous which elevated my normally ebullient disposition to the next level.
But what happened next spiked my mood to a NBA Finals Game 1 win-like level!
As I was exiting the restaurant I habitually checked my Blackberry for any messages. I noticed both the orange envelop email icon and the smiley face instant message icon at the header notifying me that my workday had not yet ended. I first clicked on the text messaging service – where only a few individuals have access to me – to appease my curiosity.
I read the name Barry with the message: Call me. Good news. I had been hoping, wishing, and praying that I’d receive some correspondence from Barry Josephson relative to our movie pitches to the Hollywood studios the previous week. (See: Blackbeard Pitch)
Immediately, I stopped in my tracks and dialed Barry’s office number. It was only 7:00 in LA and I knew that the Josephson Entertainment crew usually burned the midnight oil. By the way, Barry has a cool little building on the Fox lot directly next to Shirley Temple’s old mansion. I always enjoy walking through the studio acreage to get to his offices while I gaze at the monster-size portraits of faded movie stars, fake facades, and dozens of passionate people engaged in the production of Hollywood fantasies.
After a subdued “hello” all I heard Barry say was, “Spielberg bought it!” Then my phone left my ear as I struck a Rocky pose with both fists punched high into the air accompanied by my vocal chords involuntarily letting loose a scream of “Yes!” The valets in the restaurant parking lot turned to see who won the lottery.
Need I describe to you the pleasure I’m feeling knowing that the movie maker who’s magical touch brought us ET, The Color Purple, Gladiator, Amistad, Saving Private Ryan, and Schindler’s List among dozens of other great movies will have a hand in making my dream movie come true.
I think Steven will be surprised when he discovers in this movie that there’s a stowaway in the hold of Blackbeard’s ship…with a goatee and sunglasses!
I was thinking about your success with Spielberg all weekend. You prove again, when you want something bad enough, you can will it to happen with hard work and perseverance.
Joe Says:
May 19th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
All hail, King Pat! Super-duper congrats!!!
The ending to your adventures in pitching is the feel-good story of the year.
May 19th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Pat, CONGRATULATIONS!!
BOb Fry
May 19th, 2008 at 8:23 am
I was thinking about your success with Spielberg all weekend. You prove again, when you want something bad enough, you can will it to happen with hard work and perseverance.
May 19th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
All hail, King Pat! Super-duper congrats!!!
The ending to your adventures in pitching is the feel-good story of the year.
Joe
May 19th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Thanks for the shout out guys!!!!
May 21st, 2008 at 6:43 am
Buggar!..That’s good news, mate!…Glad to hear ‘ole Teach may get a decent shake for once! Call us if you need a seasoned Pyrate Ship!…