A moment of your time

So as The Writers Guild pushes forward (slowly at times I will concede) there is one thing that we do always try to do and that is research on the subject of good story telling.

In everything I have read so far there is a constant, a suggestion that always comes up and that is to watch as many films as possible viewing these from the perspective of script.

Of course time only allows for so many during the course of a week and sometimes a film requires 2 viewings - if the film is that good one does tend to get lost in it and taking notes can be hard.

The aim is to watch at least 2 films a week... yeah it doesn't sound like a lot... and any suggestions that you may have would be awesome!!

I'm sure there is a film that you consider a classic, a very well told story, maybe it's even your favourite?

Let me know so we can watch it and learn.

Thank you very much!!!

Review of sessions past, Week 8

The Writers Guild took a break for a little while on account of me moving homes, which as we all know if never as simple as just packing up and shifting ones stuff. So after the weeks of prep, actually moving and getting settled in we are back and cracking on.


Moving to where I have is actually a productive step for The Writers Guild as my writing partner and I can now get together to work on the script more then just once a week. This is a must!!


With such a long break there was some re-cap which needed to be done just to make sure that all things done so far still made sense and flowed as we remembered.


Did it all flow still? Not quite. I think with the break we got a bit of perspective on a couple things. There was not much that needed sorting out or changing, but a couple things.


These are things that ironically we had changed in weeks 6 & 7, under the mistaken thought that it was better but now we see that the original worked better.


As can be seen from the little picture above our story board (wall) is up, along the left hand side of the wall are key characters, each of which will be playing a major part in the telling of this story. Then next to that is the beginning of Act 1, along with a few notes and then off to the side is what at this moment in time is our plot point between Acts 2 and 3 which would drive the story forward through to it's conclusion.


I know it doesn't look like a hell of a lot, and sorry you can't actually read what those little cards say (the picture has been taken with the intention that it can't be read for understandable reasons).


Needless to say with the hiatus there were a couple things that were planned in the last session which have yet to be done, so I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure of reading what I only imagine is going to be Mr. Nash's rather terrifying bio for our primary antagonist, hopefully this week.


I'm off to type up several notes, a scene or two that we discussed and a minor(ish) characters bio.


Thanks for reading. Have a weekend!!!


p.s. If by some miracle you have a computer with super photo enhancement capabilities, CSI type reconstructive software or Superman-like zoom... please refrain from using these awesome tools to read those tiny cards. We would really appreciate the chicken scratch not being read. THANK YOU!!

Week 6 & 7

...dary!!

Short review of recent activities this week as my writing partner gave a pretty good rundown in his blog (thesjwritersguild.blogspot.com)

First off we didn't do much on week 6 on account of it being Mr. Nash's Birthday. So once again Happy Birthday buddy... big 30. Welcome to the prestigious 30s group!! Yeah, we were celebrating a bit so our Friday weekly writers guild was put on hold.

That is not to say that nothing got done because there has been a lot of focus on reading the above book which has been an amazing read.. I say has been cuz I finished it on Sunday... But what I got out of it is going to be invaluable to the writing experience. So come on Nash, time for you to crack on with the book :)

Week 7 was great, and while we probably had one of our longest debates bordering on heated discussion about some key points it was also our best. In the end there was a HUGE point we settled on which put a whole new dimension into one of our characters and another piece fell into place. It's a great feeling when something really clicks... it just rings true, feels so right and opens up the creative process immensely!!

So from this (as Scott mentioned in his blog) we each have a profile to do for 2 supporting characters. I think his is gonna be harder to do, but more fun and is definitely the darker (maybe even darkest) character of the story. So off we go into research mode to create these characters.

I really look forward to reading what he comes up with, and a little terrified....

If you can dream it, you can achieve it... There is a dream of becoming a successful writer and this is just the beginning!!

SUIT UP!!

Week 5

What a good week!! Goals for the week that were set = met.

Mentioned in last weeks update 2 films that needed to be watched as research, one of them being American Beauty which was an amazing film (review to be posted in The Reviews of a Short Man blog) and the other was Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (review already posted).

Two completely different films, one good the other not, but that's what I wanted to do. I'll be honest I think I'm gonna watch American Beauty again as I got enthralled by the film so the things I want to be looking out for (structure, changes from Act 1 to 2 to 3, plot points, etc) I didn't even notice. Think I'll watch that on Tuesday and be taking notes frantically.

The other "assignment" was to create a particular character. Scott and I decided to both do one and then compare notes. Now, to begin with we had laid out some foundations of the character just so we had an agreed start point and I must admit as I started working on this I changed a few things, I guess the basics were the same but made what I felt was a pretty big change and had my hesitations if it would work...

Man this was fun, I had such a blast doing loads of research regarding the era, what was going on, major events and how these events would have had an effect on his life. After hours of research and re-writes I felt I had a great character, that made sense and even more importantly complimented our main character perfectly fitting with the story that we're creating.

After completion I fired a message to my writing buddy with a pretty bold statement that I think he will really like what I've done with the character and that the changes I made were really good. A bold statement I say because it's a little cocky of me to assume, but what's done is done.

It's meeting time, and we chat about loads of things, some completely unrelated to our script - but a catch up was in order. As we are chatting I occasionally think to myself I am really looking forward to the critique but that's not to come for a little while. A couple drinks and 2 pools games, something to eat and a bit more chatting (some story related) it's time to get to work and Scott says its time to read, he's been building it up in his head. Oh crap!!

So I sit there is silence, answering the occasional question about the time period or historical events, or just clarifying things due to to my chicken scratch but all signs say things look good. As the review takes place there are a couple pauses to see how some things have an impact on our story.

There's a few comments while reading to the tune of "I like that" or "Yeah, that works". Another page of reading and then... review complete, we talk about a couple things and then Scott says "Man, I just wanted to continue reading.. What was the rest of his story?"

Now don't forget this is the creation of a character leading into our main story so when we write him his actions, reactions, emotions, goals, etc., feel real and flow on the page, making sense and don't feel forced. So I only took it so far, but maybe some day there's a story to be told on it's own.

Good start to the nights work. Sadly, I don't get to read Scott's character creation as he had been working on during breaks at work which is where it was - but that's OK, we go over the similarities and the differences and decide to incorporate some stuff rounding out the character and making one thing in particular flow better, I did have a pretty big decision rushed and it made more sense to time it out better with small actions or decisions leading to the big one.

From there we did a quick review of things done over the past 5 weeks and then move forward, laying out Act 1 of the story and this is where things start to really fall into place. There is a lot of discussion on an opening scene, how does this play out and does it set things up well. As there should be both of us are throwing out idea after idea, changing some of what each other has just said, moving events around, visualising the scene and then we come to a scene we like. Awesome.

Scott notes this down short hand for later reference, and then we look over it a bit more, and make some more changes heavily focused on how this moves the story forward and find ourselves into the next scene, and a little bit further into the following scene...

It's taking shape!!! And as we are setting up a 3rd scene, something changes slightly with the 1st scene and it completely clicks!! I said before we came to a scene that we liked to open... Now we have THE scene and everything about it works perfectly!!

Back to the 3rd scene and now because of how much we like the opening scene, how well it works, there's a small tweak making this scene amazing as well, and I throw something out there as a link to which I get "Holy crap, that's really dark!! Man... dude... that's DARK!" followed by some pretty serious laughter. I think maybe he's laughing mostly out of surprise.

That then takes us to scene 4 and what looks like the end of act 1, with the introduction of... No I can't give anything away. Let's just say our story started with a particular idea and grew from there, evolving as it should and all of what we have done is ground work leading up to where we are in this scene.

All of this might sound like it's quick, but this is hours of discussion, changes, reviewing, taking notes because every time there is a change or a doubt, or something new which we decide would better move the story along the whole picture has to be taken into account. It's awesomely fun!!!!!

So we have Act 1 laid out. Not a bad nights work.

It was legen...

Weeks 1 - 4

So I'm playing a bit of catch up here as the writers guild has been going for several weeks now, but...

Hey you all know how life goes, there are things that come up, people to see, places to go, movies to watch, work to be done, etc. So I will have to settle for just one post about weeks 1 - 4 otherwise I'll never catch .

As mentioned in my drawn out intro there have been several ideas bounced back and forth, and I firmly believe that 2 of them would make awesome TV shows, but that is an experience to embark upon once we are slightly more proficient writers. We bounced some more ideas and then something pops, an ending for a story which made complete sense.

In Syd Fields The Definitive Guide to Screenwriting he says, "KNOW YOUR ENDING!" and goes on to explain how many don't believe this opting instead to write under the belief that their story will dictate the ending, or your character will determine the ending and so write and write with no end goal in mind. So yes, know your ending. The fact that naturally we had our ending was pretty cool.

We got an ending, and from there the basic story line forms, our main character, one or two supporting characters, a scene or 2 here and there... but wait we're getting a head of ourselves a bit. As reading of the above mentioned book is taking place as we write, there is a other key thing that is recommended and this we then delve into....

From there for the most part each session is pretty similar, and while someone might think that's a bit boring it really isn't!! There is a lot of character development that MUST be done before writing begins. This means building a complete person, from birth through their childhood, education, meaningful relationships, events that affected their lives, dreams and aspirations, effects of others on this person... all the way the way through to the present.

This has to be done so that when something takes place in the story our main characters reaction makes sense, and his/her reaction would be different from, let's say yours. You, me, Scott, Denzel Washington or George Lucas would all react to the same situation differently based on our life... so why not the same of ones character. It makes for a more fluid writing experience.

So for the first two weeks this is what we did, developed our main character and there was a lot of back & forth, as there should be. We need to find a person that we both agree on and each experience should make sense, leading to how that person is going to deal with what we as the story tellers throw at them. It's quite a fun creative process and it's awesome to bring ones own experiences into the mix (which is unavoidable) and to be brutally honest with oneself on how I would react to something - no posturing, just a true this is what I would really do not what I wish I would do.

Of course while this is going on, unavoidably we do take notes on plot points, directions the story could go based on what we are adding to our character. Some really good plot points are coming to the forefront and I'm really looking forward to revisiting this as the story unfolds.

By the end of week 2 I think we have a pretty rounded character and know this person well. And through this process have a basic story line from which we can build on. Of course things will come up that might alter that story line, but that's writing... things change and we adapt.

Now, reading the fore mentioned book is quite an experience and there is a definite structure to a script which I did not know. I had a basic idea but as with any new endeavour there are things that must be learned, so in line with learning about this structure arm. Mr. Field recommends watching at least 2 films a week, from the point of view of structure, how each act breaks down, plot points and other key points.

This brings us to week 3. In the book he refers to the Shawshank Redemption a lot, and why not, this is a great film. Granted I haven't seen it in a long time but to this day it remains top of my list, but this time I'm gonna watch it from a different point of view. What a watch, of course I enjoyed the film again and am again reminded of the incredible dialogue, moved again by the story and this incredible friendship of Tim Robbins' and Morgan Freeman's characters but as I am watching with specific things in mind I notice so much more particularly the use of plot points timed with pin point accuracy moving this story along and keeping the viewer engaged. I know this is based on Stephen asking book, but the translation into script is amazing.

While watching this film we also have the script to hand (well on the computer) for reference to see how certain things are written, and this makes for an even more illuminating experience. Again I have to say what a film!!!!

Next is film number 2 of the night, 13 Days, and although it is one neither of us had seen again, we watch from the perspective of script and structure pausing for discussion on plot points and where certain this take place to keep the story moving forward (see my Reviews Of A Short Man blog for my review of the film). Watching a film from this point of view is such a useful tool while writing.

Week 4 I would say was a night of reviewing what we had, which was really good. Scott had a very good question about a specific point (sorry I'm a bit vague but there will be no specifics mentioned about the script we are writing) and this does get us thinking about a few things we have done, why we had done them and do they really make sense. This prompts some back and forth, which in the end results in 2 or 3 changes which make the story flow even better, makes our central character more rounded and then leads us on to what needs to be done this week.

The completion of creating one character then opens the door to those that surround him or her, how they affect the story line and our main characters goal, why they are there and how do they also affect other characters. So we go over some of the basics of this character so there is a starting point, but decide to complete the development of this character individually, over the course of this week and then compare notes. It's a creative exercise, a good idea I think to develop this person and see what each other comes up with. We can then choose what works from each creation and combine them. Maybe this doesn't work, we after all created the central character together but part of this writing experience is finding what doesn't work and learning from each step.

This review also brings about a change in a particular scene (for the better), which in turn doesn't change the direction of the story but does focus it more. We also talk about how this could affect our ending which amazingly it doesn't and the introduction of a plot point which does need more discussion but could possibly add a pretty cool dimension to the story. A pretty good night I feel!!

And then to end we discuss a film or 2 to watch this week for research. I've never seen American Beauty so borrow this from Scott, I do hope I find it lives up to the hype. I do enjoy Kevin Spacey's work so I think I will. So assignment for the week is set and one of my movies to watch has been selected (maybe for number 2 I'll watch something crap to see how it shouldn't be done).

Check in after week 5.

'nuff said.

Introduction (cont.)

(back to the tangent)

I started this this with saying "A few words to say how and why I got into writing, and why with Scott Nash" and we should probably get back to that.

Why writing, it's simple really... Behind every great piece of entertainment (theatre production, movie, TV, song, musical, etc) there was an idea and this was written down, in one form or another, read by another and then made into something that we as an audience got taken in by, thoroughly enjoying the experience.

My experiences in the first part of this "Introduction" however incomplete the memories are made this quite clear to me, and I'm sure many can agree that this is true. Someone had to write down the idea to begin - even in dance (maybe to a lesser degree) there is a choreographer, and he or she, is the writer of the dance.

So why script writing, well I love a good film and TV show, and those that wrote that script I find creatively fascinating!! I have no desire for the lime light, only a desire to create something that just might entertain you for a moment or two in your life. And of course there is the matter of choice, script writing appeals to me.

Simple.

And why with Scott Nash... Since that odd day many years ago when we met at work, had a drink and a chat finding that there was a mutual respect for a well made moving picture, on both the small and big screen, we have been exchanging ideas, comparing our thoughts on things viewed and despite life's barriers always re-visited the idea of writing a script. And the time for "let's do this bro" or "dude, that could have been done better" has now come to an end.

He has ideas different to my own, we don't agree on all the same films or TV shows - some that I thoroughly enjoy he loathes and likewise, we have wildly different upbringings so bring interesting (and sometimes scary) points of view to an idea and yet in the end what is left works.

And so we begin, and I hope the adventure is as fulfilling as I expect it to be!!

Coming to a screen near you....


(Oh and my blog as is evident in the title is a companion to... thenashchronicals.blogspot.com  Check out his blogs on The Writers Guild)

Introduction

To begin with a few words to say how and why I have gotten into writing, and why with Scott Nash.

Many years ago (we're talking 25+) as a young lad I was living in South Africa and for a brief time I went to a performing arts school of which my memories are few and far, but what I do remember I am fond of. What classes did I take - I honestly don't remember it was that long ago!! I do know that for a time I did Tap Dancing, and according to my oldest brother could put on quite a show at one time entertaining an auditorium full of people...

Sometimes I wonder what happened to that very confident 6 year old kid, not a worry in the world...

Anyway, yes I tap danced but don't ask me to do so now :) I also did break dancing and although older now I still have a move or two in me and on occasion if my friends are lucky enough (or get my liquored up just enough) they might just get a "worm" out of me. Again, if stories are true at it's peak this once very creative individual participated in a break dancing show, on stage in front of hundreds of on lookers. This I do have some memory of, although as a child the number of faces out there looked like thousands!!! Hey I probably couldn't yet count to a thousand, but it's my memory so I'm gonna stick with that :)

Drumming, I took lessons as a drummer! Now, I probably picked drums cuz I could just make a load of noise and get out some sort of innate desire to just smash the shit out of something!! But as it turned out I did enjoy this quite a lot, and even had some skill culminating in a TV commercial for something or another. Yeah I know that's very specific but that's what I got. Many years later I tried drumming again but the flare was gone. It's OK, I leave it to the pros and am glad at that - hearing a truly outstanding drum solo is an awesome thing.

And there was acting which I took some classes in. Again not much memory here, not of the classes, my fellow students, teachers... But I did get cast in another commercial as... dressed as a cowboy tormenting my on-screen grandma while pictures were being taken with a Kodak camera. Yes the commercial was for Kodak and I hope to one day find that commercial if only for nostalgic viewing.

Come to think of I not too long ago bought a Kodak printer. I wonder if I could have gotten some sort of discount....

And then I dropped out of the school, a personal choice because of some self-conscious decision that I didn't wanna take ballet... Partially because I really didn't wanna take ballet and also because at the time the schedule of the class conflicted with my favourite TV show as a kid, so I dropped out. In hind sight maybe not the smartest thing to do, and I have for the briefest moment (now and again) wondered what the road less travelled would have brought.

Again, it's OK cuz a couple years later I moved from South Africa to Florida, USA where a whole different adventure began (a story for another day, maybe).

Jump many, many years down the line, many film viewings later, many great TV shows later and we get to the decision to write!!

I have wanted to do this for years now, and for whatever reasons (of which I refuse to bore anyone with) haven't yet.
It's now time!!!

So after many discussions with my good friend Scott, I pick up a book I've had for years, dust it off and start reading learning the basics of script writing. And I discuss this with Scott during which an idea comes up, and then another, and again another.

We have several discussions, throwing around many ideas for both film and TV. At one time the writing team looks to possibly be a trio but there are creative plans in place beyond that of writing... He's a musician and a great one at that! My hopes are that "The Horn" will do a music score or 2 for one of our projects!

And then we settle on the first one, the one idea that has both our interest to begin with, a common ground to begin creating on. And we begin...

(Ok I've gone off on a bit of a tangent here and I have to get ready for work, so this will be completed tomorrow)