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It must be true. My business card says so.

Maximum Z analysis, blog, feedback, message boards, networking, research, salesmanship, screenwriting, script, Twitter, Uncategorized, writing
So as to remove any further doubt
So as to remove any further doubt

I got a very interesting email the other day, with the subject of “Want to get your script into shape?”.

How could I resist such a persuasive sales pitch?

What followed was a lengthy diatribe about what an almost insurmountable task it was to write not just a good script, but a great one with the potential to open all kinds of doors and really get my career going.

If I wanted any of that to happen, then I should seriously consider the services of a script consultant.  Specifically, this person.

It was a foregone conclusion I wasn’t interested, but I was intrigued to know more about them. Exactly who is this, and why should I invest the time and money to work with them? So I clicked on the link to their website.

Let’s just say it was not encouraging.

A very early-2000s look to the whole thing. Generic descriptions of what a script consultant is, how they can help me and lots of pie-in-the-sky descriptions of what could possibly happen with my script. No details about cost. Totally anonymous testimonials (which didn’t even sound true to begin with).

Did I mention this email showed up in my junk mail folder?

Just to seal the deal, I looked them up on IMDB Pro. Exactly. Nothing.

We all know this is an incredibly tough business to break into, and take all the help we can get.  Using professional feedback can really benefit your work and help develop your skills.  The tough part is figuring out who actually is a professional and gives you your money’s worth.

Utilize the tools at your disposal and do your homework. Ask questions of your peers via emails or Twitter. Check the numerous blogs and forums. There’s no reason you can’t find the information you need. And don’t be afraid to price-check and comparison shop. This is your time and money we’re talking about.

There will always be people who claim to be experts or professionals with all the answers, looking to take advantage of your desperation to succeed and ready to take your money.

Fortunately, you can go into this prepared and not let them.

Diverting your attention in a forward manner

Maximum Z anxiety, contest, creativeness, creativity, Julie Gray, Just Effing Entertain Me, Nicholl Fellowship, PAGE International, screenwriting, script, stress, TrackingB, Uncategorized, writing
Look closely and you'll see a lot of potential out there
Can you see all the potential out there?

I’ve been in contact with a few writers over the past couple of days, and several have mentioned their anticipation/nervousness over the pending announcement of the quarterfinalists in this year’s Nicholl competition.

I’m not going to lie. I’ve been occasionally thinking about it as well.

And it doesn’t help that the folks at the contest have been posting positive anonymous reader comments on Facebook over the past few months. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably read them and thought, “Whoa, that HAS to be my script!” or at least “This could be interpreted in such a way that it vaguely applies to my script.”

I think the number of entries this year was somewhere in the 7200 range, or probably higher. So maybe it is about your script, or maybe not.

The point is: There’s nothing you can do about it now. It’s out of your hands, and obsessing about it won’t do you any good.

Apart from just stepping away (or even actually going outside, where the fresh air will do you good), the best way you can counteract all this hand-wringing is to redirect your focus. Channel all that nervous energy into something more constructive, writing-wise.

How about getting your script ready for upcoming competitions? (Just Effing‘s absolutely final deadline is August 15th, TrackingB‘s late entry deadline is September 28th, and PAGE International will start accepting entries for 2014 in December.)

Or maybe take a closer look at those notes on your recent draft and see what you can do with them, or dig up that killer story concept you came up with a few months ago and fleshing it out a little.

It really doesn’t matter what you do, but it’s important you do something. Your work will be further along than it is now, which always works in your favor.

No matter what your plan is, set yourself up in your ideal writing conditions and have at it.

Still here

Maximum Z rewrite, screenwriting, The Raid: Redemption, Uncategorized, writing

Not much to report. Still hammering away at the rewrite when I can.

I’m fast approaching the end of Act Two, and most of the changes I had in mind are being implemented.

Feels pretty good so far.

While it would be great to wrap it all up by the end of the week, I’m not setting any definitive goals just yet. Got to take my time and make sure everything is rock-solid.

But between you and me? Can’t wait to start on pages.

Soon. Very soon.

-Movie of the Moment – THE RAID: REDEMPTION (2011). Wow. Only 1/3 in, and everything I was expecting. And more.  This may actually live up to the hype.

Feels oddly familiar and original at the same time. Nothing complicated, great set-ups, good establishing of characters.

Can’t help but think how different it would look if it were made in the US. I believe an unnecessary stateside remake is already in the works, but the Indonesia-based writer/director of the original said no because he’s working on the sequel. Smart move.

Darned baby steps

Maximum Z Uncategorized

Quick post this time, so no lengthy write-up about my trials and tribulations.  Just the meat of the issue.

Started a spanking new outline today.  Slightly different than the previous one, but more or less still similar.

I’ve thought about writing it all out in prose form, but realize that would result in a lot more tangents and lack of focus.  Which I don’t need right now, so instead it’s 1-2 sentences about each scene.

I also find I’m revisiting those old chestnuts of “What’s the conflict in this scene?  Does it move the story forward?  Does it adequately showcase the theme?”  Yes, a pain in the ass now, but will be totally worth it later.

I think for now I’ll be happy if I can get close to where I reached last time, and then see how far past that I can go.

 

Something ain’t right

Maximum Z Uncategorized

Good albeit brief meeting with the writing group last night, preceded by a tasty potluck dinner.

We talked about another member’s shirt script, which she filmed earlier this year. The script was a little too Twilight Zone-ish for me.

Since I had to cut out early, we spent a few minutes discussing my progress on LUCY. I explained what I was trying to do in terms of subplots and working towards the midpoint.

A few people said based on what I read last time, which was what I originally had for the first draft, it sounded more like a novel than a script. Possibly due to so much going on in each scene.

Simplify!, they said. Focus on what the hero wants besides the goal of the story. Let us get to know her. And so on and so on.

Sound advice, each one.

It was also suggested I write a sample scene that really puts Lucy on display. I may just do that.

Today I decided to try the simplification route and started the one-sentence-per-scene thing, but realized I was just copying what I already had. I wasn’t moving forward. More like changing lanes and not the direction.

I need to figure out where I want this to go and how to get there. And to keep it simple. And everything else listed above.

I already had some backstory written for some of the characters, but that focus needs to be redirected back at Lucy. It’s her story.

I’ll see what I can do.