What do writing and Christmas have in common? Other than being two things I truly enjoy, not much. Really though the question is can writing and the holidays coexist? My theory on the subject...
The holidays provide a sublime time to step away from your dark corner and recharge. It's often one of the more emotional times of the year. Who knows if it's the childhood trauma of Santa not delivering the goods when you know quite well you were beyond pleasant that year, at least better than your siblings. Maybe it's the long distance travel, waiting on overweight flyers to take off their shoes and belt or maybe it's the family reunions that often lead to Grandma Tilly defending the benefits of Ensure.
Whatever the reason is, personally I find it a wonderful experience to sit back, open my ears and watch the genuine conflict arise from Susie's displeasure when Jenny gets one more pair of stockings, even if she secretly despises them.
On the writing tip I encourage you all to find your flow. Your pattern, your approach to your craft because right around the corner is a new year. And with a new year often comes new goals, new challenges ripe with opportunity to succeed.
It's also a good time to reflect. I urge everyone to take time to look back at your year. What you accomplished, what you didn't. What could you have done differently, what you did just right. Where did you find your peak of happiness and where did you wallow in despair, and why?
You should do this with not just your writing but your life. Because if you haven't learned, they go hand in hand. When you sit down and write that first word on that first page, little do you know, for the next 100 pages you're sharing a piece of yourself that's directly influenced by what you believe, your fears, your hopes, dreams, shortcomings. You have the chance to be completely honest with yourself through the words and actions of others. People who don't really exist except on the page.
And the reason you return another day to write another page is because you have something to tell. Something you have to share and with that expression comes the great responsibility of finishing what you started. As I wrap up my 2010 I can look back and say I wish I finished more, more words, more pages but I also know I told a few stories I had to get off my chest. I know I shared some things I had to share.
And as we head into 2011, plan to share again and again. Will you? Share until your breath runs short. Share until the night turns black. Share as if the world hangs on your next word, your next twist. Fulfill those promises you set up, take your worry and turn it into magic. Craft your vision into something you're proud to share. This year make a promise to your writing, finish what you started. If anything, finish what you started....
Safe writings--
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Preparation: More is more!
Yes, that would the next step in crafting your meal ticket. Lets do a quick review of last weeks post. The 5 W's. Yup, I added one.
1) Who? Protagonist. That's who.
2)What? This is his/her's goal or objective.
3) Why? Why must your hero set off toward the climax of your story. What happens if they don't get it? What is at stake?
4) Where? Be specific. The more you know about the place, the more it will let you in.
5) When. RIGHT NOW!!!! This is a constant. No one wants/likes to wait during a movie. Bring the action to your hero or bring your hero to the action.
That's a pretty simple review of what I went over last post. Moving on, after you have answered these questions your next step is to write it down. Obviously. But what are some of my options. I've been schooled in the two page movie.
This is where you write down your story in two pages, double spaced, 12-font. The purpose of this is to get a loose idea of where you're going and be able to communicate it in two pages. I don't quite agree with this.
Why? Because I don't believe in limiting yourself when you write. In fact while you're writing why not make in five, or ten. Heck if you can churn out 20 pages of ideas before you even get to outlining you're leaps ahead. Why do I stand by this? Because in pre-script prep More is more.
While many screenwriters follow the rule of less is more, in this stage you want as much creativity and information you can give yourself. Think of it like this, a first draft is like a block of ice. And your job is to pick away until you have created the ice sculpture you desire. But if you haven't thought out your sculpture thoroughly you don't really give yourself the time to think outside of your work. And well because we all know ice melts. What does he mean?
What I'm trying to say is the more work you put in pre-draft the less you will have to stick to it. As in many other areas of life, writing is no different outside of the fact you are by yourself 99% of the time, and it can be a very lonely experience, just you and the blank page. But preparation is a HUGE key to success when it comes to anything you expect to accomplish in life. How many hours did Michael Jordan put in the gym before he could make it looks so effortless? I really don't have the answer, but I can imagine a shitload.
I implore all ofyou to give yourself that head start before you remove that block of ice from the freezer and begin to create your masterpiece. However, I also am a firm believer that there is NO RIGHT WAY to WRITE YOUR MOVIE. It's your job to find a pattern that fits your style where you get the most out of the time you put in.
Write on:)
1) Who? Protagonist. That's who.
2)What? This is his/her's goal or objective.
3) Why? Why must your hero set off toward the climax of your story. What happens if they don't get it? What is at stake?
4) Where? Be specific. The more you know about the place, the more it will let you in.
5) When. RIGHT NOW!!!! This is a constant. No one wants/likes to wait during a movie. Bring the action to your hero or bring your hero to the action.
That's a pretty simple review of what I went over last post. Moving on, after you have answered these questions your next step is to write it down. Obviously. But what are some of my options. I've been schooled in the two page movie.
This is where you write down your story in two pages, double spaced, 12-font. The purpose of this is to get a loose idea of where you're going and be able to communicate it in two pages. I don't quite agree with this.
Why? Because I don't believe in limiting yourself when you write. In fact while you're writing why not make in five, or ten. Heck if you can churn out 20 pages of ideas before you even get to outlining you're leaps ahead. Why do I stand by this? Because in pre-script prep More is more.
While many screenwriters follow the rule of less is more, in this stage you want as much creativity and information you can give yourself. Think of it like this, a first draft is like a block of ice. And your job is to pick away until you have created the ice sculpture you desire. But if you haven't thought out your sculpture thoroughly you don't really give yourself the time to think outside of your work. And well because we all know ice melts. What does he mean?
What I'm trying to say is the more work you put in pre-draft the less you will have to stick to it. As in many other areas of life, writing is no different outside of the fact you are by yourself 99% of the time, and it can be a very lonely experience, just you and the blank page. But preparation is a HUGE key to success when it comes to anything you expect to accomplish in life. How many hours did Michael Jordan put in the gym before he could make it looks so effortless? I really don't have the answer, but I can imagine a shitload.
I implore all ofyou to give yourself that head start before you remove that block of ice from the freezer and begin to create your masterpiece. However, I also am a firm believer that there is NO RIGHT WAY to WRITE YOUR MOVIE. It's your job to find a pattern that fits your style where you get the most out of the time you put in.
Write on:)
Monday, November 29, 2010
I want to write a movie! Now what do I do?
Well first of all before you stock up on red bull and Red vines the most important thing I can behoove anyone interested in writing a movie is this..... Think about it. No, I mean really, really think about it.
Because at some point every fledgling writer and their neighbor in small town America thinks to themselves, wouldn't it be a great movie if this man comes from outer space and he has special powers, like x-ray vision and lasers that shoot out his eyes. OH, and then he also can disappear and then reappear in other dimensions and then maybe HE can have babies too! Animal babies!!!
Well this story might not sound familiar yet, but I'm sure the Hollywood wind will blow this story to a theatre near you, lets just hope it's not soon.
On a more literal note, when I suggest thinking about it, what I suggest is letting this seed have time to germinate inside your head. Rome wasn't built in a day. Nor a week. Nor a-- You get the point.
And when you DO come up with this great idea for the next Godfather, take the time to flesh out some of the most important details. Such as character, giving them names is a good first step, really take the time to get to know your protagonist. What's a protagonist?
A protagonist is the equivalent of the main character, hero, this is who this movie is about. He/She is what audience members are going to pay $50 to go see. (Popcorn, Parking, Soda, Candy, Hot dog, 3D, etc.) They want to see this person put through the ringer! No one wants to pay their hard earn $$$ to watch someone get whatever they want easily. BORING!!!!
Up and down they go, over and over, to the point of no return! Well almost no return, right when things look the bleakest this person is going to surpass all odds and hopefully, Hollywood standards, complete their objective, goal, whatever you call it. Then people will leave buzzing about what a wonderful journey this character just went on and how they can relate to it or not relate to it.
What's another good step you ask? How bout an equally impressive villain. Someone who is going to do EVERYTHING and more in their power to stop your Protagonist from reaching their goal. Now doesn't that sound easy? Let's put this really fantastic Hero in a movie, wait, what if I were to put his equal in the same movie to oppose his every desire. Good, now we're greasin' the minds of the $$$.
So now you have two great characters who are diametrically opposed in the most important part of the story. That being? The hero's goal! Yepureno. This oscar worthy script is only going to fetch you that gold IF you create something that this hero MUST have/do. Save the world? That's a good one. Why not aim big? How bout a hero who needs to solve a string of murders before the killer strikes again? Okay, not bad. But what if the killer is the hero himself? Whoa, now how do you stop that? OR how bout a starving young romantic who dreams of finding her beau? What if she does but this man is three steps from the alter? Does she let him go even if the man is marrying her best friend?
What I'm trying to get at is give your Protagonist a goal, something that he has to HAVE/DO and make it be RIGHT NOW. Why does he/she have to do this right now? Well, that's not my job to to tell you, that comes in during the germination station. You need to decide what, why, how and when? Once you can answer those four simple questions, you're almost on your way...
Now, I'm not the type to deliver edicts but if you trust me on this I guarantee your story will be better
So I've got a great character, an even greater Villain and a really great goal? Now what do I do???
.
Because at some point every fledgling writer and their neighbor in small town America thinks to themselves, wouldn't it be a great movie if this man comes from outer space and he has special powers, like x-ray vision and lasers that shoot out his eyes. OH, and then he also can disappear and then reappear in other dimensions and then maybe HE can have babies too! Animal babies!!!
Well this story might not sound familiar yet, but I'm sure the Hollywood wind will blow this story to a theatre near you, lets just hope it's not soon.
On a more literal note, when I suggest thinking about it, what I suggest is letting this seed have time to germinate inside your head. Rome wasn't built in a day. Nor a week. Nor a-- You get the point.
And when you DO come up with this great idea for the next Godfather, take the time to flesh out some of the most important details. Such as character, giving them names is a good first step, really take the time to get to know your protagonist. What's a protagonist?
A protagonist is the equivalent of the main character, hero, this is who this movie is about. He/She is what audience members are going to pay $50 to go see. (Popcorn, Parking, Soda, Candy, Hot dog, 3D, etc.) They want to see this person put through the ringer! No one wants to pay their hard earn $$$ to watch someone get whatever they want easily. BORING!!!!
Up and down they go, over and over, to the point of no return! Well almost no return, right when things look the bleakest this person is going to surpass all odds and hopefully, Hollywood standards, complete their objective, goal, whatever you call it. Then people will leave buzzing about what a wonderful journey this character just went on and how they can relate to it or not relate to it.
What's another good step you ask? How bout an equally impressive villain. Someone who is going to do EVERYTHING and more in their power to stop your Protagonist from reaching their goal. Now doesn't that sound easy? Let's put this really fantastic Hero in a movie, wait, what if I were to put his equal in the same movie to oppose his every desire. Good, now we're greasin' the minds of the $$$.
So now you have two great characters who are diametrically opposed in the most important part of the story. That being? The hero's goal! Yepureno. This oscar worthy script is only going to fetch you that gold IF you create something that this hero MUST have/do. Save the world? That's a good one. Why not aim big? How bout a hero who needs to solve a string of murders before the killer strikes again? Okay, not bad. But what if the killer is the hero himself? Whoa, now how do you stop that? OR how bout a starving young romantic who dreams of finding her beau? What if she does but this man is three steps from the alter? Does she let him go even if the man is marrying her best friend?
What I'm trying to get at is give your Protagonist a goal, something that he has to HAVE/DO and make it be RIGHT NOW. Why does he/she have to do this right now? Well, that's not my job to to tell you, that comes in during the germination station. You need to decide what, why, how and when? Once you can answer those four simple questions, you're almost on your way...
Now, I'm not the type to deliver edicts but if you trust me on this I guarantee your story will be better
So I've got a great character, an even greater Villain and a really great goal? Now what do I do???
.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Welcome!
"Everything you need to know from someone who knows nothing!"
That's my first promise.
Thanks for visiting! Here at Adventures in Reel Writing I believe in Free Speech, Free Music, Free Parking and most importantly Free Knowledge (of the screen kind) because no one should be forced to pay $$$$$ (five figures) for an education when everything you need is already in your head and at your fingertips.
My other promises to you are--
1) To be opinionated and passionate.
2) Thorough yet forgetful.
3) Open minded and fair
And no this is not Politics. About me--
I don't have a single spec sale under my belt, I've never been commisioned beyond a childhood allowance, never won a prize nor do I have a Masters from any one of those expensive film schools to boot.
However I do have the ability to form an educated critique, possibly even the same insight as those readers from Warner's/Universal, the so-called gate keepers to that elusive pot at the end of the rainbow. I drive the same streets as the Spielbergs and the Cruises, maybe in an older model but we share the road. I rub shoulders(not literally, well sometime yes) with the young and ambitious and I hold firmly the belief everyone is given the same chance it's just the effort you are willing to give.
What I hope to achieve in this blog is to provide any/all information that I can/have from my experiences. Sure I've read all the books, taken courses, worked some of those Hollywood gates, I've even written a few (18) scripts myself. This number will change as time changes. But what do I REALLY know? I'm just as blind as the others hoping something will be mint after it's all said and done.
Because you have to have a ton of courage, you can't be shy on confidence and a little bit of crazy doesn't hurt to willingly invest your time and self in the craft of screen writing. You might as well consider yourself a fool among fools to even try your hand at this.
Because if you want the important people to invest millions upon millions of dollars into a stack of ink and paper then you better be first, ready to hear the word No! Pass! Not for us! Doesn't work! No way! Never! Are you crazy? It's terrible. Awful! This sucks. Give up! Do you understand this is the ride you're about to take?
Still Interested?
Good! We can be crazy together.
I assure you if you're willing to read and continue to believe in the dreams of your youth, you might be surprised with what you can accomplish.
Thanks again for visiting and Pleaseeeeee...... Take what you like and forget the rest 8 )
That's my first promise.
Thanks for visiting! Here at Adventures in Reel Writing I believe in Free Speech, Free Music, Free Parking and most importantly Free Knowledge (of the screen kind) because no one should be forced to pay $$$$$ (five figures) for an education when everything you need is already in your head and at your fingertips.
My other promises to you are--
1) To be opinionated and passionate.
2) Thorough yet forgetful.
3) Open minded and fair
And no this is not Politics. About me--
I don't have a single spec sale under my belt, I've never been commisioned beyond a childhood allowance, never won a prize nor do I have a Masters from any one of those expensive film schools to boot.
However I do have the ability to form an educated critique, possibly even the same insight as those readers from Warner's/Universal, the so-called gate keepers to that elusive pot at the end of the rainbow. I drive the same streets as the Spielbergs and the Cruises, maybe in an older model but we share the road. I rub shoulders(not literally, well sometime yes) with the young and ambitious and I hold firmly the belief everyone is given the same chance it's just the effort you are willing to give.
What I hope to achieve in this blog is to provide any/all information that I can/have from my experiences. Sure I've read all the books, taken courses, worked some of those Hollywood gates, I've even written a few (18) scripts myself. This number will change as time changes. But what do I REALLY know? I'm just as blind as the others hoping something will be mint after it's all said and done.
Because you have to have a ton of courage, you can't be shy on confidence and a little bit of crazy doesn't hurt to willingly invest your time and self in the craft of screen writing. You might as well consider yourself a fool among fools to even try your hand at this.
Because if you want the important people to invest millions upon millions of dollars into a stack of ink and paper then you better be first, ready to hear the word No! Pass! Not for us! Doesn't work! No way! Never! Are you crazy? It's terrible. Awful! This sucks. Give up! Do you understand this is the ride you're about to take?
Still Interested?
Good! We can be crazy together.
I assure you if you're willing to read and continue to believe in the dreams of your youth, you might be surprised with what you can accomplish.
Thanks again for visiting and Pleaseeeeee...... Take what you like and forget the rest 8 )
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