An Education

They say deals are made everyday in Hollywood. Scripts are being sold (not as many as before), and films are being produced and distributed. Sounds easy enough. At least that is what I use to think, before I got into this business of writing. I remember taking my first script writers class. At the time I was only writing short stories which became novels and poems. I was so overwhelmed, that I inadvertently shouted, "there's no way I can do this". I was so embarrassed. But the speaker was very kind to me. He asked me to explain myself. I told him that the script format does not make sense to me and that it stifles the writing process. I'm use to just writing free flow. So he told me continue to do that. Write in my free flowing format and when I am done, turn it into a screen play. That was one of many great advice I have received. And to this day I still do that. But now that I understand how to format a script, it is so much easier to just write in the screenwriting format. I found a blog, that critiques scripts and I love it because it makes you think about how you write. Scriptshadow.blogspot.com is great. Check it out.
I also learned that making a film is a business. Duh. I mean I knew that I guess, in the back of my mind. But, Dov Simens makes you think about the way you write in a new light. Particularly, when you are making that first film. I loved his 2 days film course. He keeps it real and the abundance of information and resources he provides is amazing. It makes you realize, that not only can you make a film, but you can get it distribute. It is such a waste to write or make a film only to have it sit on the shelf. Writers Unite!

Director's Cut

I directed my first short film back in 2004. I had written what I thought was a pretty good script which we shot in 2 days. What a blast. I had so much fun and I advise anyone who wants to write and direct to just do your own stuff. It's an excellent way to learn how to write and give direction. I must admit that I made a lot of embarrassing mistakes, but I would not trade that experience for the world. I so understand why Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino write and produce their own work. You can pretty much do it the way you want. What I have learned most in directing, is that you really need a well written script. You need professional actors, not necessarily well known actors. And know what you want and demand it because every kind of shot is possible if you just think outside the box. So write it, produce it and direct it. That's the easy part. What happens once it's in the can is the hard part. Keep writing.

What's a writer to do?

Have you ever felt so uninspired about writing? You're just sitting in front of the computer, staring at the screen, waiting, hoping for just a glimpse of a fantastic image of your screen play. And I am not talking about writer's block. I have the out line right in front of me. It is very detailed, filled with great action scenes and emotional scenes. But my fingers refuse to move across the key board. My brain will not spit out the character's dialogue.
It's been a rough couple of months for me in terms of writing. I've been so busy with other stuff. Life just gets in the way of creating. And now that the holidays are coming, oh my goodness. What's a writer to do? I read once, probably in Script Magazine, that you can do exercises that are related to writing. So I started writing a diary about what's going in my life. I started to do more research about my story. I've decided to go and see as many movies as possible and read as many scripts as possible. It's always inspiring to watch other people do what you are trying to do. It makes you fighting mad, actually, and more determined to finish that script. This was actually a good journey for me. So now I am ready to write, just in time for the Oscar. Thank you very much. Write On.

FINAL DRAFT

So I have been working on a script that I started back in 2004. I have shelved it on and off since that time. I feel that it is a great script. Friends and family have said so, okay with some bias. But I have also shown the script to interested parties. It is a crime story so I had to make sure it was authentic and the professionals in law enforcement think it is a good script. Okay, so I got the story down, pretty much. I have been working on character development and I know my characters pretty well. I've done the research. So then I had to format the script to hollywood standard. This is why it has taken me so long to finish it. A great writer and teacher, Ms. Nelson, recommended that I read SAVE THE CAT, by Blake Snyder. It saved my life. I always felt that screenwriting as a format destroys the creative process, and slows down the flow of just writing. But, I followed the exercises in the book, as tedious as it was and have now structured my film. I must say, it is a different script, and probably a better script. And once you understand how to format a script, it actually becomes easier to write that second and third and fourth one. I have a few scripts on the shelf. Now, I can rewrite the remaining with ease. FINAL DRAFT, love it.

Conflict

As most writers know or will learn, conflict is important when developing a story for your screenplay. The unexpected burst of of chaos is the stuff of real life. Downtown Los Angeles has always been known for its gritty life. As a writer, that is what drew me to become a member of its community. On one hand you have a bubble of new developments consisting of businesses, restaurants and lofts. On the other hand you have a bubble of homeless people who tend to venture into the new world order.
A homeless man who has a tendency to walk around without a shirt and beg for money was tending to his daily task. For whatever reason, he was running from security personnel and physically detained. Not a pleasant sight. He was arrested and his life as he knew it was disrupted. This is act one of your screenplay. Now he (the character) has some decisions to make and must figure out how to over come this obstacle. Life is not always pretty. But in life, just as in a screenplay, conflict is necessary.

Happy writing.

Until Death Do We Part

Have you ever wonder how some couples manage to stay together through hell and high water. I'm referring to any two people who navigate through life together. Take Thelma and Louise. They didn't ditch one another when things got rough. They made a commitment to one another and continued on their journey to the bitter end. Bonnie and Clyde were determined to live out their lives in a blaze of glory and their is this homeless couple that i see on most days. They work together collecting card board boxes. They laugh together and take care of one another. I'm rooting for them. But what keeps them together. Is it love loytalty a necessity? What? Well whatever it is makes a beautiful and compelling story. Write on and on and on.

Live on and write.

While walking my dogs, downtown in the fashion district, this surfer looking dude comes across the street to meet me. He asked for money and proceeded to raise the left sleeve of his red jacket, to his elbow. The first thing I noticed was the beautiful tattoos. As i looked down his arm, I noticed this bloody, gaping hole that traveled horizontally. It looked as someone took a knife and dug a crater in his arm. For a minute i thought i was watching an episode from house. I was shocked. He said he had just come from the hospital and needed $9 for antibiotics. I remained calm and cool and expressed how sorry i was and that i didn't even have a $1 to give him. I told him to take care and I quickly walked away. I don't think i can even make this up in a script. It's sad and sometimes horrifying to see such human suffering and degradation. My heart goes out to him. In terms of a writer I am convinced that you have to experience life, whether good or bad in order to write about it.

Richly developed characters.

So I was reading the calendar section in sundays paper and came across the article about "Saving Grace" staring Holly Hunter. And i was surprise to hear that the show had been cancelled. She explained that she did not want the character grace to be born again or have her lose her essence. It seems to me that grace was having these wonderful experiences but was unaffected by them. I mean some people really don't change even by life threatening experiences. Or they change for a minute then change back to who they really are. I get that. Thats real. Thats grace. Although i liked grace, I did not understand her. I kept asking myself, why does she continue to behave this way, what's going on with her. There was no real connection. I wanted to see a different side of grace not a changed side, just more of what makes her tick. Instead of this is who I am, Take it or leave it. I guess folks decided to leave it.

Animation

I hate cartoons. I hate animation even as a kid I resented the fact that my brother loved cartoonsand forced me to watch the rediculous antics of a cartoon character but "Caroline" changed that for me. Its about a girl who is unhappy with her life. Her parents are too busy for her. Her mother never cooks, and will only spend a few minutes with her if she promises not to bother her again. Her father gives her random assignments to do like count the windows in the house rather than talk to her. So she finds this portal into a perfect world where her parents address her. Her mother cooks and her father paints a garden in her honor. Of course nothing is what it appears to be and there is no such thing as a perfect world. So Caroline fights the forces of evil in order to save her real parents and the life she knows. She learns to appreciate the life she has.

The Human Condition

i think the greatest art comes out of human suffering. You have to feel very deeply in order to bring out the emotions of your characters. These are real stories. Now they may not translate well on the screen.That is where mastering the craft comes into play check out scriptmag.com, I also like the Tnt show Southland. Its a cop show about characters who are suffering. I love Regina King.

Southland

Check out this episode of the new hit drama southland

scriptmag.com

check out this website for all you screen writers.

A New Day: Learning how to be grateful.

I've been keeping a diary for the past year and i have never gone back to review it until now. Have you ever wrote a story, gone back to review it and found yourself shocked by the content. I could not believe what a whining person i had become. I mean I complained about everything, even the good things because circumstances were not perfect. Now to my offense it had been a tough year, not just for me but for everyone. The problem is i never took the time to appreciate the small things. So I have incorporated this attribute to my character in my current script. She is real. She has issues. And the great thing about writing (and in real life if you work at it) your character can change. She can grow into a better person. A person that the audience cares about. In writing I have learned to appreciate what I have and where I am. For that I am grateful.

How do you keep life from interfering with your art?

We are all familiar with the saying sh_t happens. How do you keep the trials and tribulations from interfering with your creativity? Sometimes I'm so drained with whats going on in my life, I can't focus on writing or editing a film. But, then I focus on my characters, I start to think about what would they do if they were having a life crises. How would they act?
Writing is my salvation. It's a gift from God. It's what keeps me sane. Ain't life grand?

There's nothing new under the sun

Have you ever written or thought of a story and felt that it was a brilliant and original idea? Then you're watching a movie that you have never seen before and your story or idea plays right before your eyes. So goes the saying there is nothing new under the sun. The best your can do is take your story and make it your own. Add a twist, reveal it in an unusual location change the characters or better yet continue to write the story just as you planed it. On the bright side at least you know you're on the right track.
Peace

The New Year

Happy New Year. I hope all is well with you and that everyone made it to the new year a little less jaded. My new years resolution is create more to write more, to produce more. I am really interested in finding other writers, producers, actors, singers, musician's to work with on a web series/web episode. I want to develop a crime series (Because thats what i know.)With a comedic edge. Crime dramas do not always have to be serious.
I want to explore what all this new media hype is about with social networking (yes i know)I'm on the late train. I want to work with individuals who are developing their art, I want this to be a fun and positive experience for everyone. So who's in. If any one is interested let me know either on facebook or twitter or myspace, and if you have any ideas to share, please do.
peace