Zach and I have worked together quite a bit over the last few seasons. I did not know his work (nor did he know mine -- the infamous "Landlady" notwithstanding) when I met him. We were about to start shooting "Homecoming" and he was to be seen for the first time. (If my memory is faulty, I expect one of you intrepid readers will point it out.)

As we talked in his trailer about the part of Sylar and the audition process, I could tell that he was going to be wonderful in the part. Rather than physically imposing and obvious, Zach has an intelligence that makes Sylar's love of his work creepy and yet funny ("Claire, that's disgusting"). He can also give you a compelling Portrait of Gabriel Gray, a poor, unfortunate soul desperately trying to find his way. You will see more of that side of his character this season.

But enough about Zach! Does he ever blog about me this way? I doubt it!

Here's what I love about our writers. We shot the scenes in the bank first even though they happen last. By the time we went outside to shoot, it had occurred to me how futile my bulletproof vest would be against super-powered beings, and, more importantly, that HRG would never bother with useless attempts at safety. I mentioned this to Joe Pokaski, our writer/producer on set, and Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, our director. We then worked in the line I say to Sylar that the vest was "just for show." As I recall, we reworked the entire scene on its feet to better serve the scenes we had already shot. Sergio was open to it, Joe had no proprietary need to see his words remain exactly intact, and Zach and I had a great time essentially improvising until Joe and Sergio were happy that the scene worked and we hadn't gone crazy.

Our writers are usually open to input unless it's a major story point we're messing with or being just plain indulgent. And for the record, their solutions are better than ours 98% of the time. Handing Sylar my HRGs, though, was my idea and even though I haven't seen the episode yet (I usually don't see an episode until it airs) I thought that was a tasty little moment.

Amusing actor-changing-lines anecdote: Years ago, a well-known actor went to David Milch, the brilliant writer/producer, to complain about a line. The actor used the shopworn expression, "But my character wouldn't say that." Milch just stared at him and replied, "What the hell makes you think it's your character?"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 2: My Movie. Is It Is or Is It Ain't?

"Can't Help Falling is a comedic drama about a young man with a talent for seducing older women who meets his match when he falls for his uncle's fiancée."

That's the log line. A log line is one sentence that describes the entire movie. It ain't easy to describe an entire movie in an one sentence. Check out your cable or satellite provider's log lines of some of your favorite movies. Would you watch that movie based on the log line? And yet, that's its purpose. Hook an audience (or a producer, or a studio) with one sentence. I'm not sure I love my log line and we experiment with it from time to time, but for right now, that's it.

We have our financing -- theoretically. We have our lead actors -- theoretically. We have a location -- in theory. And we have a budget -- in theory. Why so cryptic? Because until you are shooting the movie and it is bonded so that it will be completed even if your financiers drop out, it just isn't a movie. It is a miracle that anything gets made. Every single movie made is a miracle, even if it's stink bomb. Dude, Where's My Saw? A miracle.

I started writing this script after a year in which I lost my mother, my sister, and my cousin. I know -- a laugh riot, right? Like Sarah Palin trying to outsmart Putin. That is why it is not about a middle-aged man who lost his family. It is instead about "a young man with a talent for seducing older women who meets his match when he falls for his uncle's fiancée." It happens to take place against a backdrop of a dysfunctional family (is there any other kind?) and a funeral or two. The Graduate meets The Big Chill. (That's a pitch line but doesn't constitute a log line.)

Can you find my part in this story? That's right, the uncle. The third lead. I am not crazy enough to try to make myself the lead of any movie. Leads in movies are not 50 years old unless they are Tom Hanks. I have a few favorite actors who would be great in my part but I'm not going to tell you who -- because you might agree with me.

I wrote it and my buddy, Tom Verica, will direct it. Tom is also an actor though lately he has been directing lots of television, such as Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Boston Legal, etc. An episode Tom directed last year won Boston Legal an Emmy nomination for Best Drama (against Heroes) and was the same episode that James Spader submitted for Best Actor. As you may recall, Mr. Spader won the Emmy last year. (Ep. was entitled "Angel of Death.")

Our producer is Scott Rosenfelt, who is from my hometown of Easton, Pa., where the movie is set. Scott and I used to play basketball together during the Civil War. Scott was executive producer of Home Alone (still one of the highest grossing movies) among many others. Scott's job is to take words on paper and turn them into images on film using other people's money. Sound easy? Sure is! Especially in today's climate. It's impossible to borrow money at interest, let alone get people to actually spend it on your hair-brained idea, but that is the task.

As of now, we believe the money is in place, pending legal documents that everyone can agree on. But, as I said, until you're shooting a bonded film, you've got doodley-squat. So, this may or may not happen. I believe it will. But then again, I believe Zach Quinto can open people's craniums merely by lifting his finger.

Does this movie talk interest y'all? If not, I'll stop.

Note: The press commitments of premiere week combined with a busy work schedule resulted in a dearth of blog hours. And then, there's that pesky family that always seem to need something. Therefore, indulge me as I skip my segment on the publicity machine. That will wait.

Teaser: Oh, the lead actors for my movie? Because we don't have anyone legally committed yet it's probably better that I don't mention names. But you know 'em.

Watch full episodes of Heroes at NBC.com