Moving Forward Little by Little

I got a lot done with the first half of Madness yesterday. I made it all the way to the midpoint, YAY!!

I'd been debating for a while if I should have the entire thing take place in the Asylum or only half of the 2-hour pilot. If not, then what half shouldn't and what would be that half's main focus. I decided I'd lead into the Asylum, since that's supposed to be the main part of the story, though I'm not sure exactly what's going to happen in the second half yet. Just that they meet Ash and Emily dies, putting them at odds with Governor Kane (named for Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks).

I'm gonna have this all planned out soon. I will!!

REPOST - $#*! My Dad Says

%@^* Blogger!! Since it deleted this section of my page somehow. It was there and then I tried to upload my Hawaii Five-0 post; and it was gone.

So, I tried to rewrite from memory what I originally wrote. It's not as great as the first time around (#*!!, what do I know, it's probably better). But, I think it still gets the same points across.

This was the fourth in a series of posts on this year's new shows. To see this review, go to the TV Tab.

Sleep Deprivation = Creativity

I'm really beginning to think that I should write only when I've had less than 5 hours of sleep and way too much caffeine/sugar.

I've been feeling there's something missing in my story lately, and I had begun to realize it was because I needed another character. One to replace MAX, because he was suddenly no longer filling the role I had originally designed. So, I needed a new character. But, if I created a new character, how was he going to fit into the group and where would that leave MAX, since I didn't want to completely get rid of him? I didn't know until today.

I went shopping after work at the mall, which essentially meant I was awake for a whole 24 hours in the end. Right now, I'm working, but I get off tomorrow--which equals sleep, more shopping, and cookie baking. Anyway, sitting here in the super quiet, trying not to fall asleep at my desk, I suddenly realized in the middle of counting money what to do. One of those "AH! HA!" moments, which I haven't had in a while.

Looking at a number of established group dynamics on TV (Firefly, Buffy, Angel, Dexter, Outlaw Star, Leverage, Chuck, etc.), I've come to this conclusion. There are two categories for characters: function and personality. And most groups have this kind of a set up.

Function
Main Character

Brains
(Willow)

Muscle
(Adam Baldwin)

Mechanic
(not sure what to call this but it's basically Parker or Kylee or Jim)

Femme Fatal
(Inara, Sophie)

Wise One
(Shepherd, Loren)

Character that Drives the Story
(usually, but not always the main character - ex. River in Firefly)


Personality
Leader
Naive
Nag
Wild Card/Anger Management
Comedic Element
Confidant
Romantic Interest

As I was trying to go further in the story, I realized I needed a mechanic character. So, I created Luca and used him to fulfill MAX's original role. So, where does that leave MAX, in the much needed role as the Wise One and Confidant, of course. How else are you going to pursue your Plot Point 1 and Plot Point 3?

Anyway, I'm excited to get back to the story now, after a little creative lull. Plus, I have a new character to fill out. Finally, my sister seems to have corrupted me, because I've decided to name most my characters in Madness after hockey players.

Hawaii Five-0

So, I really wanted to do a Thanksgiving post, but of course that didn't happen. Plus, I'm having writer's block again. Ugh!!

Well, we're halfway through the 2010-2011 TV season. A lot of shows are getting to go on hiatus. And surprisingly, most of the shows have made it through fall, save Lonestar, The Undercovers, Outlaw, and The Whole Truth. (I'm leaving out My Generation and a few others because I'm only dealing with fall premiered shows that lasted less than a season.) And, considering only two of those were axed in less than 10 episodes, I'd say it was a good year in television.

Anyway, on to the main course, this post is going to be about my second favorite premiere this season, Hawaii Five-0. Okay, so unlike The Defenders, I really thought this show would die off after six episodes, at most. However, I have a secret love for Alex O'Loughlin, so I decided to watch anyway, and I have to say I was unexpectedly impressed.

This is the fifth in a series of posts on this year's new shows; stay tuned for a few more. To see this review, go to the TV Tab.

Simplify...Don't Think Too Much

I'm beginning to think part of the problem with TV and Movies today is that they try too hard. They go for these big, elaborate plots that go nowhere, don't make any sense, and throw the character completely out of whack so that we say "WTF are they doing?!".

Break it down to the basics. Many times the simplest ideas work the best.

This has become my mantra lately. I've had a ton of writer's block while working on Madness. I've gone back and forth, doubting my plot points, rearranging them, trying to come up with better ones, and I've come to the conclusion that the best way to fix this is to quit thinking so damn hard!

Often times my biggest problem is that I'm thinking too much. Or maybe I should say I'm thinking too much in the wrong direction. Instead of flitting around, trying to come up with a good idea to fix this and realizing it contradicts that, I decided to just dive right into the story.

By placing myself inside my character's mind, I can calm down and think rationally. What would they do given this situation? What resources do they have available? If they needed to do this, what options are available?

Hopefully, with my new bit of realization, I can finally finish up the plot points problems and get to writing the script.

$#*! My Dad Says

Work, Work, Work...I'm a busy little bee. Just, not a writing bee. After my vacation, I had to put in extra time, so I've been a bit tuckered out. Plus, there was the time change.

However, I did find the time to restart HP7. More than halfway through, and I'm beginning to realize how much I've forgotten. At least now I'm ready for the first movie here in about 2 weeks. (Can't do the midnight show, so I'll probably wait til it's been out a few days.)

Anywho, $#*! My Dad Says, is a great new comedy to check out, especially for families. And, it's William Shatner!!

This is the fourth in a series of posts on this year's new shows, stay tuned for No Ordinary Family, Undercovers, Hawaii 5-0 and more.

To see this review, go to the TV Tab.

RED

While I was on vacation, my friends (one of which works in a theater) wanted me to go see something with them. Well, in my opinion, there's not a lot in theaters right now worth watching.

I mean come on, Saw or Paranormal Activity 2!? Those are the kinds of movies my friends and I rent and then make fun of the entire time, laughing hysterically when people get body parts chopped off.

So, we went to see this one, for free I might add.

To see this review, go to the Movies Tab.

Lonestar

Went on vacation for a few days in Philly. Got to visit some friends, go shopping, catch a show, and all around have a good time. Now, that I'm back, I'm gonna try to work hard on my screenwriting.

Plus, I need to reread HP7 before the next movie. Simply because there's so much stuff that happens in that book. I know I don't remember even a fraction of it all, so I may be totally lost during the movie (which sometimes happens anyway due to directors "taking liberties").

Anyways, here is a review (such as it is) on the-now defunct-show, Lonestar. This is the third in a series of posts on this year's new shows, stay tuned for No Ordinary Family, $#*! My Dad Says, Undercovers, Hawaii 5-0 and more.

To see this review, go to the TV Tab.

The Defenders

My apologies for the 2 week absence. RL is crazy. I haven't even gotten the chance to do any writing. Thinking, but no writing. Hopefully, I can finish up my beat sheet and start on my outline this week. Anyway, on to an entry in my fall premieres, which I have been neglecting.

In my opinion, this probably the best show to premiere this season. This is the second in a series of posts on this year's new shows, stay tuned for Lonestar, Chase, $#*! My Dad Says, Undercovers, Hawaii 5-0 and more.

To see this review, go to the TV Tab.

Second Pinch/Reversal

I've been working on beats these past couple weeks for the first half of my 2-hour pilot, Madness, and it's been proven yet again that for me the second Pinch/Reversal is the hardest. Most other plot points fall into place, and even though some may need some work, they're pretty solid. I can fill out every other main beat and tons of smaller ones while staring at the blank space where the second Pinch/Reversal goes, wishing it would just write itself.

I think it's hardest for me because of the emotional component behind it. While there are other plot points with emotional components, they're usually more potent. The second reversal is powerful, but subtle. A major complication in the story that just seems to sneak up and bit you, like a snake poisoning the story.

On a somewhat happier note, I added another character to the pilot. Her name's Emily. I want to make her a character that people will like, but I think I'm gonna kill her and use it to screw over the group for most of the season. It'll be like the last episode I saw of No Ordinary Family where they killed off the police woman. I was upset to see her leave the show after only 2 episodes. I blame them for my desire to kill Emily.

Laziness (and Bleach) Provides

I've been a bit lazy lately. Spent yesterday and today watching tv and reading manga. Sounds a pointless way to whittle away one's time. Usually it is, however, I find that if I let my mind wander for a while I often discover the answers to some of my writing blocks.

During the planning stages before I write a script, which for me clearly maps out the character's voice and personality, I will usually find a character or two in another work (written or visual) who resembles my character. It helps me define them and gage their reactions to situations. After writing the script, that resemblance fades as the character grows into their own person, and I'm left with my own character, not defined as a carbon copy of someone else's work.

So, for a while now I've been having trouble defining one of my main characters in a pilot I'm working on. The others are pretty much pinned down, but every time I think I have him, he slips out of my grasp. Anyway, point being, as I was watching Bleach yesterday, I realized Uryuu Ishida was about the closest thing to a role model for Ash as I have been able to get. So, under the guise of doing research, I am going to continue my Bleach obsession for a few more days.

To see a review on Bleach, go to the Books and Manga Tab.

Mike and Molly

A good-but unfortunately, not great-start to the fall line up. I enjoyed it, but it feels like there's something missing. Though, I'll place a fair wager that it's gonna get better. Chuck Lorre doesn't usually disappoint.

This is the first in a series of posts on this year's new shows, stay tuned for Lonestar, Chase, The Event, $#*! My Dad Says, Undercovers, and more.

To see this review, go to the TV Tab.

Fall Season Premieres

It's Fall Premiere Season! So I'm going to try and watch all the new series pilots and give you the lowdown on what to watch and what not.

Stay Tuned!

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Like my The Last Airbender post, this was also something I transfered from my LJ page.
(PS - I also wrote this in July)

Not a bad movie. Not a great movie. But, a good family movie. Rent it for your kids or the kid in you.

To see this review, go to the Movies Tab.

The Last Airbender

This is a review I actually posted to my LJ account back on July 12th. I decided to go back and pull it because I think it's one people should really look at if they're contemplating seeing the movie or (like my friend Jordan) walked out on it early. It's no Harry Potter, but it's really worth a watch some time.

To see this review, go to the Movies Tab.

Past, Present, and Future

Well, I'll start out by telling you right now I've been a bit lax on my writing this year. After college I was burnt out and didn't want to touch anything. Plus, there was a death in my family and an almost death. So, I chilled for a few months. I got a job, which had hectic hours at first. When things finally settled down about the beginning of the year, I did some script analysis for a friend, which prompted me to go back to my own work.

Right now I'm in the planning process for about five television series, three movies, and waiting for some coverage on a couple of second drafts. On top of that, I've been applying to jobs in LA and NY. Ad agencies, productions companies, networks, publishing houses, etc.

So, I'm doing better, and I have a plan to finish the first draft of my post-apocalyptic series by New Year's. Things are looking up. Lets hope they continue to stay that way.