Rising Stars: Meet James Goertel

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Goertel.

Hi James, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I spent twenty years working in the media doing sound mixing for the likes of ESPN, ABC 20/20, Dateline NBC, and CBS Sunday Morning among many others. During that time, I began writing screenplays–comedies, westerns, thrillers.

One of those scripts caught the attention of an L.A.-based entertainment attorney who took me under his wing and began getting my work around Hollywood. In 2019, I decided to tackle “the big book” and wrote my historical fiction novel set in North Dakota–which is where I was born. I self-published “Dakota Damned” and moved on to my next writing project. Then, in late 2021, my attorney received a call from Brillstein Entertainment Partners who let us know that one of their clients, Cole Hauser (aka Rip Wheeler of Yellowstone), had read my novel and wanted to get in touch about having me adapt “Dakota Damned” into a series for television.

I jumped on the opportunity and drafted ten episodes to comprise Season One of the series. Currently, Cole and his producing partner are shopping the property and it has been read by several A-list actors who have an interest in throwing their hats in the ring. It was even read by the iconic Robert Duvall, who loved it but felt a project of this magnitude might be too much for him at his age. But he said he’d like a cameo, which might be my ultimate Hollywood moment to date. Meanwhile, my other writing has been getting around Tinseltown fueled by the interest in the “Dakota Damned” series manuscript. At this point, I have more irons in the fire than I could have ever imagined when I wrote my first screenplay some years ago.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey from writing screenplays for fun in my spare time to this moment where my work is being read, considered, and applauded by the likes of Patrick Markey (executive producer of OZARK), Paul Zbyszewski (showrunner on LOST), Joe Pesci, Alec Baldwin, and Robert Duvall has taken twenty years.

When I started, I didn’t realize the scale of the mountain I was setting out to climb, so in a way ignorance was bliss. I simply tasked myself with producing work I sensed had an original voice and a compelling story. As my entertainment lawyer told me, “Everyone in this town is ready to say, ‘No,’ so you can’t take it personally.” I did get my fair share of that response, but it was always tempered by glowing assessments of the work from the same people who said, “No.” Confusing, huh? But it didn’t confuse me, I took it as a sign I was onto something.

I figured I only needed one “Yes” in a town that likes to say, “No.” Besides, it’s no secret that Hollywood is a tough town where dreams either come true or die hard trying. With each setback, I decided to try harder. The struggles are part of the journey and it is through them it is possible to discover the mettle in yourself to keep chipping away at the rock–day after day, year after year. And they make for the best war stories which are fun to share when I’m in L.A. sitting at some WeHo bar with folks who have their own Hollywood war stories. The struggles are real, but the struggles mean you’re still in the game and the game is half the fun of it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think one of the reasons I have found some level of creative success in one of the toughest places to do that–Hollywood–is because I have remained humble and thankful during the two-decade process. I don’t take anything for granted and realize that anyone who is willing to take the time to read my work and offer feedback is doing me an unbelievable favor.

The decision-makers and successful creatives in movies and television have access to hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of screenplays, pilots, series, and books already floating around Hollywood. So, the fact they’ve taken their valuable time to read anything I have written is a gift–one for which I have never been less than grateful. At the same time, this type of creative odyssey takes a certain hubris, temerity, and determination which is not always easy or comfortable to manage and still remain humble. Belief, faith, and dogged determination along with a talent and love for writing have served me well so far.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
The COVID-19 crisis was a reminder to some of what matters most in life. I was fortunate to not need that reminder as my family has always been that thing. For me, the period of isolation offered more time with the ones I love and to do what I love most more often–write.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amazon.com/stores/James-Goertel/author/B007RBJ2EK (Books by James Goertel on Amazon)
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jgoertel/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.goertel
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-goertel-14162423/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesGoertel