Monthly Archives: January 2010

Working on a Feature? Work on it Every Day…

I ended up having a tooth extracted on Monday.   And, I learned something about my writing from the experience.

The tooth-ache interfered with my creativity so instead of working on “the screenplay”, I worked on my web-site.   Yes, I was productive with my time but, I didn’t pay any attention to ”the screenplay” for a few days.

Yesterday, after I’d recovered from having the tooth pulled, I finally returned to writing “the screenplay”.  And I discovered that just being away from it for a couple of days hindered how quickly I could immerse  myself back into the plot.

So I have learned that when I write a feature … even if I don’t feel like writing … I should do something each day related to the story to keep the “flow” going.    Perhaps I could have reread the work, or reviewed the outline.  Sometime to keep it fresh in my mind.

Now, I’m sure other writers will say that  breaks are good because when you come back to the work you will see it with fresh eyes.  Yes, this is true.  But when trying to keep the “continuity” of a story that is in its first draft, I think it is best to work on the story every day.

“Churhi” Pics are Uploaded, “Bart Vader” to be Filmed

Churhi, a  short screenplay I wrote for Ubaid Seth in Houston, Texas is currently in production.  For some behind- the-scene pictures, check out “coming attractions”.

Also, I’m happy to announce that my one-page script, “Bart Vader”, is going to be produced by Margaret Ricke in Balgley, Minnesota.

I spent a few hours streamlining the site this morning.   If you find any problems with links, please let me know so I can get them fixed!

A Lot Going On…

Now that I’m working  full-time, outside my home, I’m  going to have to reduce my postings to this site.  I was trying to write three to four times a week, but I can see that this is not going to be possible.  So my commitment is to write one good post, one time per week, documenting my “journey” on a weekly basis.  If I have time, I will post more.

I got an email from Ubaid Seth last night.  He is a filmmaker in Houston who is producing a short SP I wrote for him titled “Churhi.”   (Churhi means “bracelet.” )   If all goes as planned, there will be some “behind the scene” pictures posted here this week-end.  This film will be entered in DVXUser’s “Betrayal” film contest.

I entered “Parental Betrayal” into the DVXUser “Betrayal” Scriptfest.  I plan on getting this SP uploaded here, over the week-end, too.    I hope a filmmaker picks up “Parental Betrayal” for the DVXUser “Betrayal” film contest, too.    It is a good script for a student.

Also related to the DVXUser “Betrayal” film contest… I’ve been helping Rich Johnson on his SP, “The Charl(y)ie Factor.”  I helped Rich in a previous contest and that film, “The Puppeteer” can be viewed on this web-site. 

In the meantime I’m writing “The Screenplay.”  I have a firm title but the logline keeps changing.   That’s okay, I have time…  I want to enter the title and logline in MoviePoet’s logline contest so I have until January 31st.

Dramatica Pro Update…

As mentioned in an earlier post, I now own Dramatica Pro.  Santa brought it to me because I wanted something that would help me with story development and, folks, I am hear to report that it works.  At least for me…

I’m currently writing my sixth screenplay which, right now, I refer to as “The Screenplay” since I need to keep it anonymous.   My first five screenplays were written “by the seat of my pants”.  Most had outlines which were developed “after the fact” so I could figure out what I had already written.

Dramatica  helps me refine  characters before I use them in the screenplay, their relationship to each other and the storyline, making them stronger, more unique.   Of course I developed strong characters on other screenplays but much of the work was done during the rewrite process.  With the Dramatica approach, I’m defining them more at the beginning.  I’m hoping this will change the rewriting process.

I have written the first act of “The Screenplay”.  I’m refining it right now, and Dramatica is helping me … primarily because of the work I’m doing on the characters.  

With prior screenplays, I have had to eliminate entire characters because I found out they really didn’t contribute much to the story.  Since I start to “like” my characters as I develop them, it is difficult to just “zap” them out of the story.  I’m hoping the procedureal changes I’m making this time will reduce how many characters I have to “eliminate”  in the future.

I really like the “scene list” aspect of Dramatica Pro.  I’m developing a way to make it work for me.   It is really easy to “move” scenes around to see how a move will impact other scenes.

Anyway, I’ve been using Dramatic Pro for a couple of weeks now.  Granted, I still have a lot to learn about the approach but, right now, I’m pleased…

“The Screenplay” Progress

Progress on “The Screenplay”…   Title is firm.  I think the logline is done but I still have until the end of January to tweak  it.    And, I finished the first draft of the first act.

My plan right now … smooth out some rough spots in the first act.    Then I’ll make some changes to the beat-outline,  and start the third act.  After that, back to the beat-outline and then…  the beast … the dreaded second act.

I find myself using Dramatica more and more.   It is a great tool for tracking scenes.   I began to read “Dramatica, a New Theory of Story”.  I’m fairly certain that I’m going to get a lot from this book.

Yesterday, I went to  Borders and bought “Writing to Change the World” by Mary Pipher.   I would like some of my screenplays to have redeeming social qualities in addition to being entertaining.  So, I’m hoping this book will give me some insight into how I can do that.