Got very little accomplished. Wrote 1 page of a scene, then re-wrote the same one page, and then stopped. Realized it needed a lot more work put into the context of setting things up than it currently has.
I got a little bit of stuff I liked, but overall I'm pretty bummed that I didn't get much done. Gotta work on this more, or I'll never get it finished by the end of April.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Script Blitz: April 4
Did a lot of writing today. As a matter of fact, I only wrote the standard 3 pages, which happen to be the first 3 pages of the movie. But beyond that, most of what I was writing today was not actually script pages, but other more important stuff. For one, I started outlining the film. Didn't get too far with that, but at least put a lot of thought into the story as a whole. Secondly, I made a discovery regarding the 'mythology' of the film.
I have been working through a lot of thoughts that I have had about the 'world' of the film, meaning that the story is fantastical and takes place in a world slightly different than our own. A lot of these thoughts have felt disconnected or incomplete so far, but tonight I was able to think through it and come up with some really cool stuff as to how it all fits together. It's like that moment when you are doing a puzzle, and you have put together a section here, and a section there, but then you stick them in the frame and you can suddenly see what the puzzle is going to look like. That's what this felt like, and it was cool to suddenly be able to see it in a new light that brought all those pieces together.
To tell you a little more of what I am talking about without revealing too much yet, I should say that the movie I am writing involves vampires. I knew from the start that I wanted to make this movie about vampires, because they are such interesting mythical creatures that open up possibilities to look into a lot of interesting themes that I find fascinating. I even have had a cool new way of presenting them visually and stylistically that hasn't really been done before, but I know that to make this a good movie I am going to need to re-tell the vampire myth in my own way. I want to remain as true to classical vampire lore as possible, but also delve into what that means from a new perspective.
This is major big picture stuff, and I've known for a while that I would need to get this all figured out, and tonight I made a major breakthrough. I am really excited to see where it ends up going, and what stories I'll be able to tell in this world.
I have been working through a lot of thoughts that I have had about the 'world' of the film, meaning that the story is fantastical and takes place in a world slightly different than our own. A lot of these thoughts have felt disconnected or incomplete so far, but tonight I was able to think through it and come up with some really cool stuff as to how it all fits together. It's like that moment when you are doing a puzzle, and you have put together a section here, and a section there, but then you stick them in the frame and you can suddenly see what the puzzle is going to look like. That's what this felt like, and it was cool to suddenly be able to see it in a new light that brought all those pieces together.
To tell you a little more of what I am talking about without revealing too much yet, I should say that the movie I am writing involves vampires. I knew from the start that I wanted to make this movie about vampires, because they are such interesting mythical creatures that open up possibilities to look into a lot of interesting themes that I find fascinating. I even have had a cool new way of presenting them visually and stylistically that hasn't really been done before, but I know that to make this a good movie I am going to need to re-tell the vampire myth in my own way. I want to remain as true to classical vampire lore as possible, but also delve into what that means from a new perspective.
This is major big picture stuff, and I've known for a while that I would need to get this all figured out, and tonight I made a major breakthrough. I am really excited to see where it ends up going, and what stories I'll be able to tell in this world.
Script Blitz: April 3
2 Pages this time. Didn't feel bad about not hitting the 3-page mark, because I wrote 5 the day before... and I figured out a few cool things about one of the characters, so it was a worthwhile 2 pages.
So far, my writing has been scenes that could be in this movie, but in all honesty I'm going to need to sit down and figure this out more. It becomes really difficult working without an outline, especially when there is an ensemble of characters and layers of mystery to unfold. So, I'm going to try to outline this thing. George Lucas says he usually breaks up his stories into 30 or 60 'scenes' just to get the structure right. It's very mathematical, but it gives you a new perspective, from a step back, and can be very helpful. I think I'll try it that way this time, and see where it takes me.
The neat thing about approaching it the way I have been, is that by writing random scenes for the characters, Not only does it help me get a better idea of who the characters are, but it gives me ideas for themes each character can deal with. And most likely I'll be able to use them in the final script. When they were casting for LOST, Damon Lindelof wrote sides for the auditions that weren't in the pilot (a practice I've done before), but if you watch the audition tapes, you can find those scenes in later episodes of the first season. So, it seems apparent that writing character stuff without the limitation of an outline can be very helpful. But of course, at some point, the outline needs to be written. And I plan on doing that this weekend.
So, until next time, cheerio!
So far, my writing has been scenes that could be in this movie, but in all honesty I'm going to need to sit down and figure this out more. It becomes really difficult working without an outline, especially when there is an ensemble of characters and layers of mystery to unfold. So, I'm going to try to outline this thing. George Lucas says he usually breaks up his stories into 30 or 60 'scenes' just to get the structure right. It's very mathematical, but it gives you a new perspective, from a step back, and can be very helpful. I think I'll try it that way this time, and see where it takes me.
The neat thing about approaching it the way I have been, is that by writing random scenes for the characters, Not only does it help me get a better idea of who the characters are, but it gives me ideas for themes each character can deal with. And most likely I'll be able to use them in the final script. When they were casting for LOST, Damon Lindelof wrote sides for the auditions that weren't in the pilot (a practice I've done before), but if you watch the audition tapes, you can find those scenes in later episodes of the first season. So, it seems apparent that writing character stuff without the limitation of an outline can be very helpful. But of course, at some point, the outline needs to be written. And I plan on doing that this weekend.
So, until next time, cheerio!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Script Blitz: April 2
So! Last night went better.
Took a little time yesterday to write more notes about the characters and their histories, plus their relationships to each other. I didn't touch on half of the characters, but the ones I did write about, I have a much stronger grasp on. As Chris Hartwell would say, "Ganar." *
Last night went well, I was actually happy with the stuff I wrote this time. I actually wrote a 5 page scene, which was pretty cool. I don't have limits for the scenes I write, I just let the scene dictate how long it should be, with the general idea of 3 minutes is a good average length for a scene. It was actually kinda cool that I was 2 pages above par (even though that sounds bad if you are a golfer). I don't know in the long run if I want this scene to run 5 pages, it might be a little long, but I suppose I won't be able to tell that until I have written much, much more.
This scene is about the STRANGER, who is sort of a Man With No Name / Clint Eastwood type and HIP HOP, who is sort of a combo of Lando Calrissian and a black version of Sawyer from LOST. Their interactions are going to be very fun to write, I can already tell...
Well, that's all for now, overall things are looking up. This weekend I'm going to do more legwork on the outline. Right now I have this sort of amorphous muddle of scenes, arcs, and characters in my head, I think it will do some good to organize that a little.
Until next time, good afternoon, good evening, and good night.
* Yes. It's Spanish for 'win.'
Took a little time yesterday to write more notes about the characters and their histories, plus their relationships to each other. I didn't touch on half of the characters, but the ones I did write about, I have a much stronger grasp on. As Chris Hartwell would say, "Ganar." *
Last night went well, I was actually happy with the stuff I wrote this time. I actually wrote a 5 page scene, which was pretty cool. I don't have limits for the scenes I write, I just let the scene dictate how long it should be, with the general idea of 3 minutes is a good average length for a scene. It was actually kinda cool that I was 2 pages above par (even though that sounds bad if you are a golfer). I don't know in the long run if I want this scene to run 5 pages, it might be a little long, but I suppose I won't be able to tell that until I have written much, much more.
This scene is about the STRANGER, who is sort of a Man With No Name / Clint Eastwood type and HIP HOP, who is sort of a combo of Lando Calrissian and a black version of Sawyer from LOST. Their interactions are going to be very fun to write, I can already tell...
Well, that's all for now, overall things are looking up. This weekend I'm going to do more legwork on the outline. Right now I have this sort of amorphous muddle of scenes, arcs, and characters in my head, I think it will do some good to organize that a little.
Until next time, good afternoon, good evening, and good night.
* Yes. It's Spanish for 'win.'
Script Blitz: April 1
O-kay! so. I have a long month ahead of me.
About a month ago, a friend of mine told me he was going to try to write a 90 page screenplay in the month of April. Three pages a day. And I said to myself, "Clyde," (that's what I call myself) "...that sounds both fun and difficult. You should try it."
So I did. I am. I know this is technically a day late, but I actually did start off on April 1st (no joke) and began to write. I have had a concept in my mind for a while, and I have only a rough pitch and some notes to go off of, but sometimes having too clear of an idea of what your story is going to look like can be a good way to restrict the creative juices. So diving right in, I started writing.
Now I'm going to blog about my exploits. I'll try to do one post for every day I write. They may be brief, but we'll see how it goes. Please feel free to comment if you want to know more, or if you have any questions.
April 1
The first day was pretty difficult. I had a lot of loose ideas of scenes, and not enough detail about the backstories to really feel like I knew the characters yet. I realized I'm going to need more of an outline before I go much further. But, struggled through it, and wrote 3 pages. Not too proud of it. But it felt good to have accomplished the 3 page quota, and I started to get a better idea of who one of the characters is.
This scene was about one of the leads, ETHAN. He's a small town kid who is tired of a small town life and wants to go out and do something BIG, go on an adventure or something. He's going to be easy to write, because I had more than a little of that in me when I was growing up.
Anyhow. I'm pleased with myself for accomplishing the first day of writing. Huzzah.
About a month ago, a friend of mine told me he was going to try to write a 90 page screenplay in the month of April. Three pages a day. And I said to myself, "Clyde," (that's what I call myself) "...that sounds both fun and difficult. You should try it."
So I did. I am. I know this is technically a day late, but I actually did start off on April 1st (no joke) and began to write. I have had a concept in my mind for a while, and I have only a rough pitch and some notes to go off of, but sometimes having too clear of an idea of what your story is going to look like can be a good way to restrict the creative juices. So diving right in, I started writing.
Now I'm going to blog about my exploits. I'll try to do one post for every day I write. They may be brief, but we'll see how it goes. Please feel free to comment if you want to know more, or if you have any questions.
April 1
The first day was pretty difficult. I had a lot of loose ideas of scenes, and not enough detail about the backstories to really feel like I knew the characters yet. I realized I'm going to need more of an outline before I go much further. But, struggled through it, and wrote 3 pages. Not too proud of it. But it felt good to have accomplished the 3 page quota, and I started to get a better idea of who one of the characters is.
This scene was about one of the leads, ETHAN. He's a small town kid who is tired of a small town life and wants to go out and do something BIG, go on an adventure or something. He's going to be easy to write, because I had more than a little of that in me when I was growing up.
Anyhow. I'm pleased with myself for accomplishing the first day of writing. Huzzah.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Best Films of 2008
Okay... So the Academy has just recently released their Oscar nominations for 2008, and as usual, they have selected a whole bunch of boring, depressing, and well, predictable Oscar fodder films in their lineup.
And sure, they're entitled to their own opinions, but heck, so am I, right? So here's the REAL list of best films that came out in 2008. And by best I mean my favorite.
...Or do I...?
But seriously, on with the list:
(btw - click on these images to attain full effect in Hi-Res)
(Honorable Mentions: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Iron Man, Baghead, The Dark Knight, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Be Kind Rewind, Rambo, The Pineapple Express, and The Happening.)
Okay, I also feel like I should mention the worst films I saw this year. Just as a way of warning any of you who may be still thinking about watching them.
First of all, the Runner-Up Movie Fail award goes to...
The Quantum of Solace!!!
Yes. They replaced James Bond with Jason Bourne, and the result? it sucked!!!
I think I gagged on this movie taking itself too seriously. And where did all this cheese come from?
Everything about this movie screams angst and immaturity. Oh yeah, and they REALLY wanted to be as cool as Fight Club. Was this directed by a college student?
'First worst' doesn't even begin to describe how bad this was. Try 'Worst movie ever made' and you will get close. Hopefully after this they won't allow Frank Miller to urinate all over the Buck Rogers franchise. (Gag)
There you go. Watch the movies on the first list. Avoid like the plague the ones on the second list. It's just that easy.
Ciao.
And sure, they're entitled to their own opinions, but heck, so am I, right? So here's the REAL list of best films that came out in 2008. And by best I mean my favorite.
...Or do I...?
But seriously, on with the list:
(btw - click on these images to attain full effect in Hi-Res)
10. Cloverfield
What? This movie came out this year? Oh yeah, in JANUARY. It was awesome! Bringing the moster movie genre back from the dead! ROAR!
What? This movie came out this year? Oh yeah, in JANUARY. It was awesome! Bringing the moster movie genre back from the dead! ROAR!9. My Blueberry Nights
No words can describe this film. Just watch it and prepare to fall in love.
No words can describe this film. Just watch it and prepare to fall in love.8. City of Ember
Grossly underrated and no one saw this movie. But it is teh aw3s0m3.
Grossly underrated and no one saw this movie. But it is teh aw3s0m3.7. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
A lot of people hate on this movie, but I find it oddly inspiring. And beautiful.
A lot of people hate on this movie, but I find it oddly inspiring. And beautiful.6. Burn After Reading
I don't know what's funnier, the movie or that moment after the movie when you realize this movie is about nothing actually happening. At all.
I don't know what's funnier, the movie or that moment after the movie when you realize this movie is about nothing actually happening. At all.5. Slumdog Millionaire
Ever since ruining the zombie genre with 28 Days Later, Danny Boyle makes movies For The Win!!!
Ever since ruining the zombie genre with 28 Days Later, Danny Boyle makes movies For The Win!!!4. Australia
Baz Luhrman making an epic romance tale... and with style!
Baz Luhrman making an epic romance tale... and with style!3. Hancock
Nobody saw this, but it is actually one of the most excellent Superhero stories of all time.
Nobody saw this, but it is actually one of the most excellent Superhero stories of all time.2. WALL-E
I identified more with this robot than any other film character this year. WALL-E for Best Actor!
I identified more with this robot than any other film character this year. WALL-E for Best Actor!1. Speed Racer
Fast, fun, beautifully shot, and turbocharged by the Wachowsky brothers. It's escapism at it's best and it took me back to my childhood... and then blew me away with an awesome story. Go Speed Racer GO!!!
Fast, fun, beautifully shot, and turbocharged by the Wachowsky brothers. It's escapism at it's best and it took me back to my childhood... and then blew me away with an awesome story. Go Speed Racer GO!!!(Honorable Mentions: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Iron Man, Baghead, The Dark Knight, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Be Kind Rewind, Rambo, The Pineapple Express, and The Happening.)
Okay, I also feel like I should mention the worst films I saw this year. Just as a way of warning any of you who may be still thinking about watching them.
First of all, the Runner-Up Movie Fail award goes to...
The Quantum of Solace!!!
Yes. They replaced James Bond with Jason Bourne, and the result? it sucked!!!
3rd worst: Vantage Point
I think I gagged on this movie taking itself too seriously. And where did all this cheese come from?2nd worst: Wanted
Everything about this movie screams angst and immaturity. Oh yeah, and they REALLY wanted to be as cool as Fight Club. Was this directed by a college student?1st worst: The Spirit
'First worst' doesn't even begin to describe how bad this was. Try 'Worst movie ever made' and you will get close. Hopefully after this they won't allow Frank Miller to urinate all over the Buck Rogers franchise. (Gag)There you go. Watch the movies on the first list. Avoid like the plague the ones on the second list. It's just that easy.
Ciao.
Friday, January 2, 2009
The New Year
I guess I'm learning, I must be warmer now
I'll soon be turning, round the corner now
Outside the dawn is breaking
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free
The show must go on.
-Queen
I'm not much one for new years resolutions.
I just never felt the need. In all the new years celebrations I've been to, even though everyone cheers at the extremely anti-climactic shiny ball dropping in Times Square, and toasts with their respective champagne and sparkling cider, I have never felt like anything new was really coming. I always felt the same mixture of hope, dread, and uncertainty that I always feel about the future. And since I always forget about the last New Year and everyone's resolutions after about a week into January, I see resolutions as being rather pointless exercises to make one feel better about oneself for the new year.
But this year has been different. Not dramatically, not even substantially, but I've felt something coherent about this new year nonetheless. Perhaps it's because since graduating college, my slightly less chaotic routine during the year has made it easier to have a more holistic view of the passing years. But I think mostly it's just a sense that I've been getting of where we are and where we've been as a culture.
I really can't express where this feeling has come from, but I just feel it in my gut that we are stagnating, that we are caught in some sort of downward spiral, that we really, really need something fresh to take us out of our current slump. Somehow, the never-ending grind of life is wearing on us, I've seen it in the people I know, the people I see around me, I see it in people through the online portal we call the internet, I see it in our music and movies, and worst of all is when I see it in myself.
I mean, obviously no one is perfect. And life IS hard, it's a fact that everyone has to deal with. our lives are full of challenges and hardships, and it can often feel unfair. But in the 1930s, when people's lives were exceptionally bad because of the great depression, entertainers and movies helped pick their lives back up again. People would go to adventure movies like King Kong, or comedies by the likes of Charlie Chaplain or the Marx Brothers.
But we don't seem to have a modern-day equivalent to those things. Instead we seek out dark and depressing films, we look for the morally ambiguous, and praise how well they reflect 'reality'. Now, these films can be good and artistic, and I am not knocking them in any way, but where are the films about fun, and goodness? Where are the films about the good things in life, about hope? Oh, that's right. We rated them the worst movies of the year. (see: Speed Racer. Honestly, it is a great film, yet everyone bashes on it, often before they've even seen it.) If we refuse to go to films, or bash them simply because they are fun, and don't reflect our ideas about 'reality', we are cheating ourselves from a good and healthy view of life, and we will merely continue to sink into a stagnation. I really hope that doesn't happen, but I fear that may be the path we're on.
I wish I could do something. I wish I could create something that would help us as a culture, as a people. But I suffer from the same problems as everyone else, I'm stuck in the same hamster wheel, and I seem to be powerless to do anything about it. But I will not give up. I am not going to make any new years resolutions, but I am going to try and live to the best of my ability. I am going to try to read more books, spread my horizons, I want to engage in creativity more, with drawing, filmmaking, music making, singing at the top of my lungs if I have to. I refuse to be dragged down and cower before the oblivion. I will strive against my shackles to be free until the day I die. The show must go on.
My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
Fairytales of yesterday will grow but never die
I can fly - my friends
The show must go on
The show must go on
I'll face it with a grin
I'm never giving in
On - with the show -
I'll top the bill, I'll overkill
I have to find the will to carry on
On with the -
On with the show -
The show must go on...
I'll soon be turning, round the corner now
Outside the dawn is breaking
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free
The show must go on.
-Queen
I'm not much one for new years resolutions.
I just never felt the need. In all the new years celebrations I've been to, even though everyone cheers at the extremely anti-climactic shiny ball dropping in Times Square, and toasts with their respective champagne and sparkling cider, I have never felt like anything new was really coming. I always felt the same mixture of hope, dread, and uncertainty that I always feel about the future. And since I always forget about the last New Year and everyone's resolutions after about a week into January, I see resolutions as being rather pointless exercises to make one feel better about oneself for the new year.But this year has been different. Not dramatically, not even substantially, but I've felt something coherent about this new year nonetheless. Perhaps it's because since graduating college, my slightly less chaotic routine during the year has made it easier to have a more holistic view of the passing years. But I think mostly it's just a sense that I've been getting of where we are and where we've been as a culture.
I really can't express where this feeling has come from, but I just feel it in my gut that we are stagnating, that we are caught in some sort of downward spiral, that we really, really need something fresh to take us out of our current slump. Somehow, the never-ending grind of life is wearing on us, I've seen it in the people I know, the people I see around me, I see it in people through the online portal we call the internet, I see it in our music and movies, and worst of all is when I see it in myself.
I mean, obviously no one is perfect. And life IS hard, it's a fact that everyone has to deal with. our lives are full of challenges and hardships, and it can often feel unfair. But in the 1930s, when people's lives were exceptionally bad because of the great depression, entertainers and movies helped pick their lives back up again. People would go to adventure movies like King Kong, or comedies by the likes of Charlie Chaplain or the Marx Brothers.
But we don't seem to have a modern-day equivalent to those things. Instead we seek out dark and depressing films, we look for the morally ambiguous, and praise how well they reflect 'reality'. Now, these films can be good and artistic, and I am not knocking them in any way, but where are the films about fun, and goodness? Where are the films about the good things in life, about hope? Oh, that's right. We rated them the worst movies of the year. (see: Speed Racer. Honestly, it is a great film, yet everyone bashes on it, often before they've even seen it.) If we refuse to go to films, or bash them simply because they are fun, and don't reflect our ideas about 'reality', we are cheating ourselves from a good and healthy view of life, and we will merely continue to sink into a stagnation. I really hope that doesn't happen, but I fear that may be the path we're on.I wish I could do something. I wish I could create something that would help us as a culture, as a people. But I suffer from the same problems as everyone else, I'm stuck in the same hamster wheel, and I seem to be powerless to do anything about it. But I will not give up. I am not going to make any new years resolutions, but I am going to try and live to the best of my ability. I am going to try to read more books, spread my horizons, I want to engage in creativity more, with drawing, filmmaking, music making, singing at the top of my lungs if I have to. I refuse to be dragged down and cower before the oblivion. I will strive against my shackles to be free until the day I die. The show must go on.
* * *
My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
Fairytales of yesterday will grow but never die
I can fly - my friends
The show must go on
The show must go on
I'll face it with a grin
I'm never giving in
On - with the show -
I'll top the bill, I'll overkill
I have to find the will to carry on
On with the -
On with the show -
The show must go on...
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