The story so far...

Engage Productions recently announced that we’ve teamed up with Michael Grant to try and bring GONE to your TV screens, and we intend on keeping you informed every step of the way…

AJ and Ian recently travelled to LA, where they’ve spent time with Michael exploring the environment in which GONE takes place, as well as working on the pilot script. Here’s a roundup of the trip.

Stepping foot on Perdido Beach

First on the agenda was a visit to the home of GONE: Pismo Beach (otherwise known as Perdido Beach)! Spiritual base of the FAYZ, Pismo offers breath-taking scenery and sea for miles: perfect for a quick surf before history class.

After a stroll along the shore and a wander down the pier to truly take in the surroundings, the team began brainstorming where each of the main characters would live, as well as looking for the Canyon where (spoiler alert!) Lana crashes.

All in all, it was a chance to truly imagine what the book would look like on screen, bringing the settings and characters to life.



Crossing the water to Perdido Nuclear Plant

Next, the team took a visit to Perdido Nuclear Power Plant, known as Diablo Canyon. Unfortunately for sea-sickness prone Michael, you can’t drive up to the Power Plant, and so the team rented a boat. Dramamine and coat intact, Michael and Engage (who soldiered on in T-shirts!) took to the water.





The team got to understand the geography and the landscape, which was another fantastic opportunity to imagine how the events would translate on screen. Big thanks to Jay, our captain, Isabel, our first mate, and the rest of Patriot Sports Fishing for getting us there safely!

Visiting Warner Bros

On Thursday, the team visited the Warner Bros backlot, to find out for sure if they would be able to use the location to film the pilot. The team really enjoyed this, and found a few locations they think could work.



From here, the team had a pit-stop at Central Perk and the Friends fountain – which Michael and Ian particularly enjoyed!



Reading of the Pilot Script

The team ended the first week of the trip with a read through of the pilot script. With the help of some fantastic actors, Michael and team were able to hear the script out loud and receive invaluable feedback that will only make the script stronger.

Fear not! Nobody has been cast yet. This is an incredible exercise that allows the team to spot things they may have missed or overlooked, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the brilliant actors who gave up their time to help them. If and when the time comes for casting, Michael and Engage will let you all know.





The feedback the team received was fantastic and only made them more excited! There was a discussion about whether the series should be set in 2008 or 2018, with the team deciding it should be set in 2008. What are your thoughts?

Universal Studios



At the start of the second week in LA, AJ and Michael headed to Universal Studios, where the pair explored the surroundings in the hope of finding some perfect spots for filming.

They had a good look around, becoming familiar with the settings and finding some great locations, such as Lana’s potential crash site. Another fabulous find was a setting that could become the Town Square… exciting! The team imagined the below image as being Sam’s house. What do you think?

This was another fantastic opportunity for Michael and AJ to envision what GONE could look like on screen, and it certainly did not disappoint.

Starting Conversations

As well as finding super spots for shooting, Michael and AJ began talks with a couple of networks, streaming services and TV studios about making GONE into a TV series.

Discussions included key points, like the expected cost to shoot the pilot, and what the team would need. This is a really exciting step, making the possibility of GONE on our TV screens feel that little bit closer.



The team also met with APA, specifically their LIT team, to continue discussions about how to make this happen, focusing on how APA could help in the process. Again, this is really exciting, and definitely a step in the right direction.



Stay Tuned!

That’s all for now! Stay tuned and keep an eye on Michael’s and Engage’s social media, where any and all updates will be posted. This blog will also be updated regularly, to keep you in the loop!

Join the conversation using #GONE and #EngageInTheFayz!

Michael’s Twitter: MichaelGrantBks

Engage’s Twitter: engageproductions