My Experience “On the Lot”

Okay, so I signed a contract that says I can’t tell too much about what happened “behind the scenes” “On the Lot,” but I can say it was one of the most challenging, rewarding, and surreal experiences of my life.   If you want “the dirt” on people I really don’t have much to share because we truly were all friends and collaborators.  For a writer like me, being able to walk out of my bungalow any time day or night and pitch an idea to one of my colleagues was like my geeky little dream come true.  Well, conjugal visits would have been nice, too.  We were pretty cut off from our loved ones.  But everyone was cool in their own freaky way, and I think most of the time, we all really enjoyed sharing this wild ride together.  If I had one complaint about being “On the Lot,” it’s that some of the other filmmakers didn’t do their frigging dishes.  (You know who you are, Shalini.)  But not Will.  He’s the clean filmmaker.

Here’s how my experience with “On the Lot” all got started….

This past January, after three years of being a stay-at-home mom, I saw an ad for “On the Lot” and entered on a whim, uploading my film one week before the deadline.  Although I’d made a living as a TV writer/director/producer up until I had my son, I hadn’t made an indie film in nearly ten years, and I missed it. Then I saw that ad for “On the Lot”.  Within two weeks time, I made the “The Staring Contest,” my first submission to the show, and from there, I just kept moving forward (a new experience for me as an indie filmmaker used to lots of rejection).

During the first audition period for “On the Lot,” (when they went from 50 filmmakers down to 18) I experienced a transformation, unleashing myself Incredible Hulk-style from stay-at-home mom who had put her dreams on hold, to a writer and director who was right back in the game.  Needless to say, it was a very meaningful experience for me. 

When I was finally selected to be a contestant on the show, it was crazy and exciting.  Plus I knew and wasn’t allowed to tell anyone, meaning I had to lie to people, which I suck at doing. Time and again the OTL folks told us that Steven Spielberg was personally involved in selecting each and every one of us, and that he was proud of the work we were making.  This “stamp of approval,” being selected among the final 18 out of 12,000 submissions, along with the judges’ reactions to my work, the esteem of my fellow of directors, convinced me that I am as talented as I always secretly thought I was.  :-)  Now, I just need to convince the gatekeepers of Hollywood that I’m the next best thing since sliced bread.  Or, perhaps something with fewer carbs.

Twice during the show, Director Garry Marshall (“Pretty Woman”, “Georgia Rule”) picked Hilary's films as his favorites of the night.

Director Mark Waters (“Mean Girls”, “Freaky Friday”) said, “Your writing is always funny. You had some great camera work—you made it exciting and visual, totally fun to watch.” 

Carrie Fisher (Screenwriter, “Postcards from the Edge,” best-selling author) said, “I’m such a fan of your work.  I really thought you did a really good job.  I’ve always thought that you have talent as a writer.”