encouragement

And not one moving box in sight

Maximum Z action, comedy, determination, development, encouragement, ideas, perseverance, persistence, screenplay, screenwriting, script, setting, spec, story, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

After much frustration with figuring out the outline of the action-comedy spec, a startling realization developed:

where the majority of the story takes place was wrong

I’d been so obsessed with trying to make the setting work within the context of the story that I ignored the question of whether it was the right setting in the first place.

As it turns out – nope.

There was also the detail that the original location idea was way too similar to one of its comps. I was more focused on how to make mine different, when it should have been “how can I make this similar, but VERY different?”

This is a specific kind of story, so I needed a location that was the most appropriate AND that offered the most opportunities for scenes and sequences in Acts 2 and 3. Several options were weighed. And since this is action AND comedy, I needed somewhere where both could be adequately accommodated.

I wasn’t concerned with logistics or how realistic it would be, and wanted somewhere that would feel like the perfect fit. The primary question was: what works best for this story?

More options explored. Which offered the most opportunity to not only tell this story, but the most fun way/ways to do so?

Cue the light bulb.

A location that’s very unique, holds what seems like a vast selection of potential scenes and sequences, and definitely checks off the action and comedy aspects.

A lot of my ideas for what could happen in the previous location were tailored to that location. This new one is very different, so many of those were scrapped (while keeping the concepts in reserve, just in case). A new list is still being assembled, with many feeling right for the story and having a strong “haven’t seen that before” kind of vibe.

This was also beneficial because I’d been having trouble figuring out the specifics of the ending, and the new location offered up a few ideas – many of which would also not have worked before.

It’s still a work in progress, but coming up with this new wrinkle has really made a difference. Confidence levels continue to climb.

Happy Halloween and have a great weekend.

No rush -OR- Pumpin’ the brakes!

Maximum Z community, crowdfunding, determination, development, encouragement, filmmaking, ideas, outlines, patience, perseverance, persistence, screenplay, screenwriting, script, story, time, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Between my attempts at brainstorming ideas for this new spec, I’ve been getting a real kick out of reading scripts from other writers. After completing one from a longtime associate, I asked about what inspired them to write it.

Paraphrasing their response to “This was something I’ve always to try. This is the script I mentioned a year or two ago, but took my time with the notes. Once I decided to write it, I had it written out in about two weeks.”

That may be part of my problem with mine. I’m too focused on trying to get it done that I’m ignoring the part about taking the time to make it right first.

It feels like it’s getting there, but also like a few important pieces are still missing. Once I can figure those out, I’m fairly certain more details will fall into place.

I’ve discussed this story with a few other writers, many of whom are familiar with my work. The responses have been more or less “You’ll figure it out. Just give yourself the time to do it.”

That’s the plan. Sometimes the best ideas come when I’m not thinking about them.

My self-imposed deadline of having a semi-respectable outline by the end of the month is still possible, but I’m not going to obsess about it. A majority of the story is in place; it’s the rest of it that needs figuring out. If it takes a little longer, that’s cool too.

–

A few filmmaker friends have launched crowdfunding campaigns for their respective projects:

Alicia McClendon’s THE WOMAN WHO KNOWS

Kaia Alexander’s BLEED

Check ’em both out and donate if you can!

Creativity activated

Maximum Z Austin Film Festival, contest, creativity, determination, encouragement, frustration, perseverance, persistence, screenplay, screenwriting, script, spec , , , , , , , , , , ,

Super-shorty post today.

Not happy with the development and what feels like a lack of progress on the new spec, so taking some time to see what I can do to rectify that. I’ve got ideas.

Wish me luck, and have a good weekend.

-quick contest update – my fantasy-comedy didn’t make Second Round for Austin. Was hoping it would, but that’s the way it goes. Back to the spec.

Even just a few steps is still good

Maximum Z determination, draft, encouragement, outlines, perseverance, persistence, plot points, screenplay, screenwriting, script, spec , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s the onset of a holiday weekend here in the US, so file this post under “short, but relevant”.

The good news is I hit the midpoint for the outline of my current spec. The not-so-good news is that I’m still figuring out the rest of Act Two and most of Act Three. Plot points (such as they are) are in place, and the filling in between them continues.

Daunting as that may be, I’m just happy to have gotten this far. Current mindset is “just get it written and fine-tune it later.”

I know I’ll figure things out, but count on lots of ruminating in my near future.

Speaking of which…

As if by divine intervention by the writing gods, a friend posted online that the upcoming month is being labeled “Spectember” in that a writer could complete a spec script by month’s end. Pretty certain I couldn’t complete an actual spec, but the outline? That’s a definite possibility – or as mighty close as I can get.

Enjoyment levels and overall excitement for this project remain strong and steady, which always help.

Easiest screenwriting contest ever! No, really. And it’s free

Maximum Z community, contests, determination, encouragement, perseverance, persistence, screenplay, screenwriting, script , , , , , , , ,

After seeing several recent big screenwriting contest announcements, I couldn’t help but notice that the number of entries they get usually average in the thousands. Those numbers are then drastically reduced to the respective finalist tiers, continuously being whittled down to single digits and the final GRAND PRIZE WINNER.

(Said winner most likely goes on to fame, fortune, glory, and sudden anonymity.)

But I digress.

All the scripts entered means there are a shit-ton of writers who got the email that began with phrasing along the lines of “Thanks for entering (CONTEST)! We got X entries, and unfortunately, (YOUR SCRIPT) was not selected to advance.”

It’s heartbreaking. And I’ve gotten my fair share of them.

So in a valiant but most likely ultimately futile effort, I humbly present

The Maximum Z Screenwriting Contest.

It’s the only contest of which I’m aware that requires the barest, leastest, most minimal effort one can possibly make to claim victory in a contest.

What makes it so easy? Here’s how it works:

-You wrote a script? Fantastic! You get a set of laurels to shamelessly promote yourself as A GENUINE WINNER.

That’s it.

And as you may have noticed in the title of this post – IT’S FREE

Why am I doing this? Because the fact that anybody who wrote a script should be properly acknowledged for such an important accomplishment. You know it ain’t easy, so why should only a select few get all the glory?

Hence: laurels.

And who’d say no to being offered what amounts to a totally worthless but still-validating award?

So if you’d like to claim this meaningless yet quite meaningful symbol of recognition for yourself and all your hard work, then just click/right-click on the image below and save it to the appropriate page on your computer or wherever you keep that sort of thing. You can even print it out to proudly display above your designated writing area or hold up in the coffee shop where you’ve spent so much time working on said script.

A very hearty congratulations on your well-earned and well-deserved victory!

And it would be awesome if you could so a shoutout on social media – @maximum_z on X/Twitter, @pezscreenwriting on Instagram and Blue Sky, along with photos of you and/or your laurels.