Archive for February, 2010

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Update on 2/28/10

Posted in Contests, The Writing Life with tags , , , , , , , , on February 28, 2010 by Faith Friese Nelson

The Moviepoet logline contest results will be posted tomorrow.  There are 107 entries and the top 30 will advance to the next round.   This is the logline for “The Screenplay” that I’ve been writing the past couple of months.   I’m nervous because I really want to move on to the next round.   This contest is such a wonderful opportunity to obtain valuable insight into a finished screenplay.   I want this so bad I can taste it.  I know, a really bad cliche.  But, I don’t care.  That’s how I feel.  If I don’t move on I just hope I’m not too disappointed.

I watched the finished film “Churhi” for the first time today.  I am deeply impressed and hope everyone will get a chance to view it at DVXUser.  I will post the link as soon as I have it.  I am very grateful to have been a writer on this project.  The filmmaker is Ubaid Seth.  I suspect we will continue to see many great things from him in the future.

As far as Bart Vader goes.  The filmmaker, Margaret Ricke, has reported that she will film this during her one month Florida vacation.  Keep your eyes posted for more updates!

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Dreams…

Posted in The Writing Life with tags , , , on February 25, 2010 by Faith Friese Nelson

I work full-time.  I’m a mom and a wife and I’ve got all the stuff to do that goes with those things.  Plus, I’ve got this dream of writing a succesful feature. 

To go for the dream, I’ve got to get out of bed at 4:00 in the morning.  I suppose I could write at night but I’m always too tired at night…

So, every morning this damn alarm blares in my ear.  And I slap the snooze.  Usually I get out of bed but sometimes I don’t because it’s too easy to stay wrapped in my warm blanket cocoon.  It’s tempting to keep my eyes closed and urge my brain to go “finish that dream”.

But, there are dreams and there are dreams.  And, if I don’t get out of bed, I will never achieve the dream I have to write a successful feature.  So, I get out of bed.

And I wrap myself in the cocoon warmth of my fleece robe.   And I get a cup of coffee and sit  at my computer and write…  It’s 4:00 a.m. and I’m close to my “dream state” but I’m not dreaming, I’m wide awake and chasing my dream!

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Screenplays and Social Statements

Posted in The Writing Life with tags , , , , on February 23, 2010 by Faith Friese Nelson

I’ve written a half-dozen screenplays now, and all of them need a rewrite.  At this point, I think only two of them have a chance in hell of ever being made into a movie.   Why? 

The two that I think have potential  are stories that obsessed me, stories that seemed to flow out of my heart and scream to be typed into my computer.  They are also stories that make a strong social statement.

Why did I write the others?  Different reasons.   One time I challenged myself to write a script that took place in one location.  Thought it would be easy to sell.  But I couldn’t wrap my heart around the story and because of that the story feels flat.   Doubt it’ll ever be made.  In fact, I doubt I’ll ever get around to doing another draft.  I don’t believe in the project anymore.

For me, it is much easier to write a SP if I believe in the story.  For me, the story must do more than entertain.  It must have a message and I think my  future feature projects will  contain a social message.  It’s where I’m leaning.

Most stories have messages, lessons to be learned, statements to make.  But,  my statement will be bigger than “don’t forget to lock the doors or the boogy man will get you”.  For me, it’s got to be there or I can’t immerse myself in the project, can’t believe in it enough to devote so much of my life to it.

The trick will be to make a social statement WHILE creating an entertaining script.  Now, that’s the challenge!  And I accept the challenge with all my heart! 

I think  “The Screenplay”,  my current project,  is that.  It’s a thriller with a huge social statement.   And that’s all I can tell you right now!

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