Born in 1953 in Jacksonville, FL., Tom attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Advertising Design. Theere he met his wife, Susan Paris, whom he married upon graduation (literally - it was her graduation day).
Freelancing in advertising and design for several years, Tom soon found his ambitions aimed towards the comics industry. 1984 saw appointments with editors from Marvel resulting in one assignment, and in 1986, Tom landed his first regular assignment on SKYWOLF back-ups in AIRBOY. Two years later Tom broke in at DC drawing STARMAN for DC, getting in on the ground floor, designing the characters and drawing the first 25 issues. Work followed on the revolutionary set of ROBIN mini-series, as well as three issues of BATMAN and six issues of DETECTIVE COMICS.
Moving to Marvel, Tom found a dream come true, drawing SPIDER-MAN for two years. While at Marvel he also worked on the PUNISHER, wrote and drew a WARLOCK mini-series, and was artist on the X-MEN spin-off book, MUTANT X.
In 1996 Tom bought an ARRIFLEX SB 16mm camera, which leadhim to direct two short films, THE NOT-SO-GREAT ESCAPE and BUBBAS IN THE MIST, both comedies. His most recent project, DOUGIE'S ROOM, is a psychological thriller detailing the last day in prison for Douglas Hemmings. DOUGIE'S ROOM was accepted into the SILVER SPROCKET INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST for 2002.
All right, so I admit that I’m not a master of perfect timing. While relaying to you my efforts to move into the world of film from the world of comics, here I was trying to build up suspense about the project that I’ve optioned for a motion picture. So what do I do? I send out the press release announcing the project and it’s name the day my weekly column comes out at SBC.
So, sue me.
For those of you who didn’t read the news item in Silver Bulletins last week, here’s the deal. The project that I’ve optioned is THE TALE OF ONE BAD RAT by British artist/writer Bryan Talbot. If you haven’t read it, go out and buy a copy now. It’s one of the most well thought-out and sensitive stories about a tough subject that I’ve ever read.
That subject: child abuse. In this instance, sexual child abuse. A very tough topic, but one made powerful and palatable by Bryan’s handling of it all. As an interesting aside, Bryan also worked a terrific fantasy element into the story. Not an easy job, but he did it.
No, Bryan’s not paying me to say all of these things. I really do think it’s the most powerful use of the comics medium that I’ve ever read and I want to turn it into a motion picture. I’ve been blessed with that opportunity by being able to option the graphic novel from him. Now, the tough part for me is writing a screenplay that is as compelling as Bryan’s original story. Not an easy task, but … one made much easier with such solid work by him. A good foundation is not always easy to find. I have one here.
Another person who would like to see this story turned into a film is Connie Zastoupil … Quentin’s mom. She’s been a big fan of the story since it originally came out and she also knows Bryan quite well. Bryan is how I got in touch with her. Connie is in the early growth stages of her own production company. I am, at this point, talking to her about many things to see if we can help each other. Networking. It works in comics and it’s totally necessary in film.
I’m not banking my whole career in film on Connie, but she is at the very least one person that I believe I would love to work with. She’s honest, forthright and decent. Not only that, but she likes the projects we’ve pitched at her. Better than a poke in the eye any day.
I do need to start networking more, though. Being at the right place and calling the right person at the right time can get your project greenlighted (okayed to shoot.) Doing things like this column helps that goal.
I know I’ve been shamelessly namedropping and maybe even riding the coattails of Quentin Tarantino’s fame by mentioning his and Connie Zastoupil’s name so much. I’ll tell you, self-promotion is as important as networking. Unless they believe you’ve got something, there’s no reason for them to pay attention to you. Well, I do have something and I’m not going to be shy about shouting it out. I have two great stories that I’m ready to do something with right now and I know I have the skills to put them up on the screen as great films. I also have a bunch of other ideas that are ready to be put on the burner as well.
You kind of have to keep throwing things up against the wall until one of them sticks. That’s the one that works … for now.
I have no idea where any of my current efforts in regards to CLEANSING and THE TALE OF ONE BAD RAT will end up going. Every time I have a distinct path in mind, I find a different one that achieves the same goal or better than I had been working towards. It’s a pleasure to meet people like Bryan Talbot, Connie Zastoupil and Charles Vess who are what they are: nice people. They’re the types of people who make pursuing your goals an easier task. That’s always nice.
For those of you trying to achieve goals of any sort, I wish to offer some advice. Don’t give up. Believe in yourself. Feel free to make mistakes (it’s the only way you can learn and get better). Be persistent. Last of all, just try. Not trying for your dreams is worse than trying and failing. The hardest thing about what I’m doing now is keeping focused. I have everyone telling me what I should be doing. “Give it up.” “Find a regular job.” “What if you never make it?” Screw them all.
I know I can do this and I’m going to do whatever I can to help make that a reality. Even shamelessly namedrop.
