Part of my problem the past few days has been a combination of agonizing over each scene, hoping it works in the grand scheme of the overall script, and reading some of the selections for the past few weeks on ScriptShadow.
Despite how that last part may sound, I really enjoyed it.
Some were okay, while others were just jaw-on-the-floor amazing. Reading them reminds me of what I should be aspiring to, especially when it comes to making not only the story interesting, but the actual reading as well.
As always, I’m putting too much pressure on myself to try and make this current draft absolutely perfect. Which is a foolish endeavor, to say the least. It’s better to punch my way through, THEN go back and fix where necessary.
I get so caught up in trying to perfect what I’ve already done that I waste time looking back when I really should be charging ahead.
I’m around page 18 now and plan to get to the end of Act One early next week. Self-imposed deadline activated!
Writing this week has been even less than the bare minimum due to all those split shifts. But I’m back to my regular schedule this coming week, and hope to get a lot done.
I did manage to finish fine-tuning the first half of the LUCY outline, but now look at the next 16-18 scenes and think “wow, this is kind of dull.” It just doesn’t have the same level of thrills or action of what came before, and that’s really annoying.
While I’d like to fix it now, I think I’ll work on making progress on DREAMSHIP. That way I can move ahead on that, AND see if I can figure out how to make the next section of LUCY better.
Yet again, progress is slow, but steady.
Oops. Just realized. I’m doing the midday shift on Monday, so that will be designated idea time. See how it goes.
Movie of the Moment – GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD KNIGHTS, an animated anthology of sorts about the GL Corps. This was released earlier this summer in connection with the live-action feature. This was worlds better. Interesting stories, good (albeit short) character development, and an overall sense of fun and adventure. All of which the Ryan Reynolds fiasco was sorely lacking.
Warner Brothers and the rest of the studios should wake up and realize that the best people to write comic book movies are comic book writers. They know the material and how to make it work.
Now I’ll take off my fanboy hat and put on my writer hat and get back to work.
This has been a very busy week, but unfortunately not in terms of writing. The school year is in full swing, which means helping V with all kinds of stuff, including homework (which includes reading), assorted sports (hockey & soccer), and next week marks the addition of Hebrew school. Add to that I’m working a split shift all this week and you have one pooped writer.
Not to say I haven’t tried. I’ve been able to get some work done, but not on what I was planning. Since a lot of the aforementioned activities are outside, using the computer isn’t an option. Which means pen, paper and the LUCY outline. Happy to say I’ve been able to trim the first half down so it moves much more smoothly.
However. Two things now concern me:
1. whether or not I need to do the occasional cutaway to keep the reader/audience updated regarding what the villain is up to. Still not sure if this is necessary.
2. whether or not the third quarter of Act Two is too boring. Maybe boring is too strong, but it feels like not enough is happening to up the stakes. A little more analysis and evaluation are in order.
Hoping to make progress on all fronts in the next couple of days.
-Movie of the Moment – EXPORTING RAYMOND (2010), a documentary about Phil Rosenthal, who created EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, going to Russia to help develop a version of the show.
Honestly, I thought it would be funnier, but that was based on the trailer.
There were a lot of situations best described as ‘uncomfortable’ or ‘awkward’, mostly Phil dealing with culture clash from assorted behind-the-scenes staffers. The out-there costume designer thinks the clothes should be high-end to show how fashionable the family is. The writers don’t get why the main character (re-named ‘Kostya’) is such a pushover. Since they couldn’t get their first choice for the lead, they go with the guy who played the Larry Hagman role on the Russian IDREAM OF JEANNIE, who turns out to be a terrible comedy actor.
It’s interesting if you want to see how a TV show is put together, but if you’re expecting a big laughfest, prepare to be disappointed.
Maximum Z 