ideas

Muscle memory kicking in

Maximum Z determination, draft, frustration, ideas, patience, perseverance, persistence, plot points, progress, screenplay, screenwriting, script, writing , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s been a while since I’ve worked on a new project, so there was the initial sensation of feeling overwhelmed and constant thoughts of “Is this going to work?”

I’d spent so much time rewriting and revising the previous script, so sitting down and having that blank page staring back brought back that all-too-familiar sensation. You know the one – you’re so used to working on a script that’s around 97 or 98 percent complete, and now you’re back to one that’s in single number territory, or at least low double digits.

Fortunately, I’ve been down this road before, and like with writing at any point in the process, the only way to get it done and move things forward is to put that ass in the chair and get to it.

Which is what I’ve been doing.

Plot points are in place – some a bit on the vague side or primarily functioning as a placeholder (“____ defeats _____”), so now it’s about filling in all those blanks that connect them.

Some have been created easily, others took multiple attempts, and some are still very vague. Notebook pages are filling up as I write down everything and anything that comes to mind, no matter how crazy or wild it might seem. Ideas and inspiration can come from anywhere, so why not hang on to all of it?

They don’t call it a work in progress for nothin’.

Very important – the first draft is going to be a big flaming mess, so don’t stress about it. Just get the damned thing written.

This has been the experience with previous scripts, so there’s no reason to have it happen again. It’s all about taking the time to figure things out. Also like usual, there’ll be a lot of stuff that will most likely end up not being used, but that’s how it goes.

It’s been a while since I last went through this part of the process. I’ve missed it, and am just as eager this time around to take it on.

That’s one out of the way…

Maximum Z animation, comedy, determination, draft, fantasy, ideas, networking, perseverance, persistence, podcasts, reading, rewrite, San Francisco, screenplay, screenwriting, script, short films, spec, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hard as it is to believe, I can honestly say that my work on the animated fantasy-comedy has come to an end. I got some great notes from a new batch of readers (and one previous one), did a few passes on it, and there you have it.

I think it’s a very strong piece of work and at the very least makes for a fantastic sample/calling card.

Bonus – one reader really enjoyed it and offered to put out feelers for potential interest within their network of industry connections. There was no hesitation to say yes (and thanks).

When the year started, I had plans of what I wanted to accomplish in terms of writing and the writing-adjacent. With this rewrite officially in the books, I feel totally unencumbered to do that.

Things feel different this time around, like the air is rife with possibilities. It’s up to me to take advantage of that and be productive while also enjoying the ride.

A few more ideas jotted down for the new spec, work continues on getting things ready for the short film, lining up guests (and reading their work) for the podcast, and putting the finishing touches on the panels for the Writing For Hollywood track at the upcoming San Francisco Writers Conference.

And when I can find the time, reading scripts – both produced and specs.

There’s a lot going on. So far, so good.

Narrowing things down

Maximum Z acts, antagonist, ideas, protagonist, scenes, screenplay, screenwriting, script, spec, writing, writing process , , , , , , , , , ,

Sometime in the fall of 2024, I started working on this new script. As is my standard practice, I came up with the main plot points and then started filling in the blanks.

Made some good progress – to a point. Act One came together pretty quickly, so now it’s all about Acts Two and Three. Those are proving to be a bit more challenging, so work has slowed a bit. But not stalled, which is important.

Part of this stems from not wanting to have things come across as too similar to the films that inspired the idea (so much that they’re the comps). Obsessing about finding the perfect solution won’t help, so I’ve opted to write down any and all ideas, see which ones are the best fit, and then figure out a way to put that “familiar but different” spin on them.

As is usually the case, there will probably be a ton of ideas that end up unused, but better to have a lot of those rather than fall short.

I already had a list of possible scenes/ideas, and have started expanding on each one while also considering how it could involve or affect the protagonist, the antagonist, or possibly both.

It’s also very important to not get frustrated about how long this is taking. It’s better to spend time figuring things out now while still in the early stages rather than have them cause problems later. Also good – not having everything locked in. Flexibility is a good element to work with.

And by coming up with a lot of ideas, if something doesn’t work in one spot, maybe there’s somewhere else in the story that might be a better fit. Wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened.

I’m making a deliberate effort to really take my time with this one, and am confident it’ll all pay off.

Time unintentionally taken

Maximum Z community, confidence, determination, development, frustration, ideas, originality, perseverance, persistence, rewriting, running, screenplay, screenwriting, script, story, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When I started working on the new spec a few months ago, I was hoping to have a solid outline done by the end of the year.

But the story is proving to be more complicated than I originally thought, and I’ve come up with some ideas that would help not only the story but to also showcase the “different” in the Familiar But Different aspect when it comes to the films that inspired it.

And on top of that, I’ve been busy with other stuff, so development on this project has really slowed down. I’m still working on it, but slightly annoyed that this is happening in the first place.

Part of it is my strong desire to get this thing written. I’m really psyched about it, but I also want to do as much outlining and figuring stuff out before moving onto pages.

There’s also the previously-alluded-to going for “familiar but different”. There are scenes and sequences in this story that require a strong sense of originality so as to avoid being interpreted as me being a lazy writer and just ripping off stuff from those other films. That is something I definitely want to avoid.

Thus, my continuing struggle to put this one together.

I initially felt embarrassed and a little ashamed about being so far behind schedule, but this is what putting this story together requires. When I expressed this to other writers, I was reminded that everybody makes progress at their own pace (“As a runner, you know how true that is.”), and it was also pointed out that several other writers in our community spend a lot of time writing and even more time rewriting their stuff.

I was told I shouldn’t feel bad about not being as productive or prolific. I’m doing the work at the pace that works best for me, and that’s the important part.

I also have to keep in mind that my animated script began several years ago as just jotting down ideas, and then gradually evolved into what it is today – including countless rewrites and polishes. Even today I’m still waiting on notes that will be applied to the next draft.

I know I’ll get this one done, and of course wish it wasn’t taking so long, but that’s just the way it is. I’m still enjoying putting it together, and confident I’ll be happy with the end result (and all the subsequent drafts that follow it).

From the archives: Because ‘Journal of the Whills’ just doesn’t cut it*

Maximum Z animation, Back to the Future, Chinatown, comedy, determination, Die Hard, encouragement, fantasy, Harry Potter, ideas, perseverance, persistence, rewriting, screenplay, screenwriting, script, Star Wars, swashbuckler, title, writing , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
How DOES it look on a marquee?

As part of the ongoing rewrite of the animated fantasy-comedy, there have been more than a few suggestions to come up with a title of stronger significance and impact. While I struggle with that latest wrinkle, here’s a post from waaaay back in February of 2013 about the same situation with an earlier script. I eventually did come up with one, and am confident I can do the same this time around.

In the meantime, enjoy this blast from the past.

*the original title George Lucas had for STAR WARS. Not as good, right?

After reading countless spec titles in places such as The Black List and Done Deal Pro, I’ve come to the conclusion that my script really needs to undergo a name change.

DREAMSHIP

It sort of just…sits there, when instead it should be grabbing your attention and making you think, “Cool! I’ve gotta see this!”

Examples: BACK TO THE FUTURE. CHINATOWN. DIE HARD. See what I mean? Solid. Succinct. To the point.

I may go back to the original title – THE AMAZING DREAMSHIP ADVENTURE. It feels like it does a better job of conveying what the story’s about and what kind of ride you’re in for, but I wouldn’t put it past me to try and tweak it a little more.

It was also suggested that since this is more of a family-oriented kind of story, I should go the HARRY POTTER route and include the main character’s name. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

Having a good, strong title is key because it and the logline create the first impression. Do an effective job with that and you’ve got their attention. Just make sure the script/story can hold onto it.