Archive Sixteen
June 1, 2006 -
Flying the Mountain
Soar and shoot, soar and shoot ...
 Wow!
Double Wow!! No, Triple WOW!!! Okay, okay, I should
come down now, even if I don't wanna ...
I got to
fly around Mt. Shasta yesterday morning, and shot some fun still and
video footage. We (the pilot Vern and myself) took off from
the Montague-Yreka airport (a small uncontrolled 350' airstrip) about
8 a.m. (to avoid the winds that usually pick up around the mt. by
midday) in a Cessna 172 and headed for our destination about 15 miles to the
south. There was plenty of morning haze and cloud cover, and
I was concerned whether we'd get any decent shots. That
concern was unfounded as as I took over 150 digital stills and
about 20 minutes of HD digital video ...
We flew
around Shasta three times, each time soaring higher and higher.
By the third time we actually flew over it (14,162') and topped
out at about 15,300'. Vern was a bit surprised as he usually
safely gets between 12,000 and 14,000 ft. top altitude. We
did get hit pretty hard by some whipping winds a couple times,
shaking us both awake. But for the most part it was smooth
flying. Part of the reason we got as high as we did was the
low temperature. The higher the temperature, the more
downward pressure on the wings. The gauge read between 15
and 20 degrees most of the time, and with the window propped open
for shooting, it was a might chilly up there. In fact, at
one point I couldn't feel my hand at all when I was shooting video
and had to pull it back in to bring it back to life (got me
wondering how left-handed shooters do it as I considered using my
other hand but couldn't logistically do it). Also,
both cameras got so cold it affected how they operated.
After coming back and checking what I'd done, the video camera
dropped some frames near the end. Guess being in that cold
that long was too much for it ...
Anyway,
wow again. I'm certainly going to do that again, once it's a
bit warmer of course (maybe). Not only that, I'm checking
out some helicopters flights (maybe next week?). That ought
to put even more bang in my wows. Up, up and awaayyyy!!! ...
J-Alden
June 7, 2006 -
Following the Muse -
Out of control characters? ...
Made some
progress on the script this week, even if I had to shred it to
pieces in places and say goodbye to a few of my darling scenes.
Jeez, sometimes writing a script seems like a mix between
delivering a baby and performing an abortion. Maybe the
point is taking it to full term and making sure it's actually
ready to be born, as long as you can tell when that is. So
many developing stages of stops and starts, redoes and undoes ...
There was
one major thing I did differently in my first draft of this script
that I've never completely done in any other script I've written.
And it may have been a major mistake, or a blessing in disguise
that I haven't fully discovered yet. I allowed my characters
to run completely rampant ...
Let me
clarify. There comes a point in writing a story (for me
anyway) when the characters start talking to you, and you just
write down what they say. Now in the past I usually would
edit some of it up front and not let them control the direction of
the story. However, this time I thought what the hell, I'll
just let it go and see what happens. Well, there are five
main characters in this script, and they all fought for more
screen time. Even though I knew who the main character was
supposed to be, they all wanted to be the main character and all
became screen hogs. Needless to say, while there were some
intriguing interchanges, the plot structure suffered some, as well
as did the thematic focus and intent ...
Now I'm
stuck with picking up the pieces (or actually cutting them)
through subsequent drafts, getting closer and closer to making it
more lean and clean. Right now I'm closer than I've ever
been, but some of the scenes I'm butchering are very difficult to
let go of, considering some of them may be the better writing in
the script, and probably juicy scenes actors would love. One
positive that has come out of this is I know my characters very
well, even if they can't fully express themselves on the page, and
subsequently on the screen. Plus, that does help with the
subtext and with working with the actors once production is ready
to happen. Anyway, back to the drawing board, or uh, cutting
board ...
J-Alden
June 13, 2006 -
Following the Muse, Part 2 -
Out of control life? ...
The
creative process can be so mysterious at times. I wonder if
we really understand how it all works, or if it's important to
even know that. Maybe it's only important we know that it
can work, at times. But, when it doesn't, who do we see or
call about that? Any creativity doctors out there? I'd
be willing to bet if I do a web search there be plenty to surf
through. Anyway ...
Traveling
down the creative path is a bit like the path of life. I'll
try not to get too philosophical here, or hell why shouldn't I?
See, the dilemma of which one to take, and thus which one or ones
to leave behind. So many paths to take, so many forks.
Each one deciding other paths to take in the future. Which
way to go, which way to turn, or should I just sit here, watch and
enjoy the scenery? Then only observe, and not decide and
partake of the fruits life offers or tempts us with. How
much like life writing a script can be like. Except ...
Rewrites.
The glorious world of rewriting, where we get to correct (or
attempt to) the mistakes of previous drafts. Take a
different path, make a different turn, create other experiences,
come to different climaxes, resolve different conclusions.
Wow, if only life offered that. We could go back and redo
those traumatic events that affected as when we were forming who
we were to become; beat up that school bully who always picked on
you, be slicker on that first date you bungled so well, that first
kiss, that first uh, well you know, and on and on ...
Problem
is, all those past life experiences shaped who we are now, and
without them how could we go back and change them to be any
different? Could be, that's the point. It's only
through the living of them that we are who we are (and continue to
become). Going back would be like watching old TV reruns.
Maybe fun sometimes, but no mystery, no suspense. Boring ...
How does
that relate to script writing? Even though we get to go back
and rewrite the beats, scenes, sequences, progressions, and acts,
that doesn't mean it doesn't come with its own trappings.
The trick is you have to make it seem new, fresh, original, and
not a rehash of what happened in subsequent drafts. In
essence, make it seem as if you're still in the moment of first
experiencing it. The common trap screenwriters can fall into
is not to look at these scenes from a fresh perspective to see
where the story really needs to progress. They get too
attached to particular scenes that made sense when they wrote
them, but don't really fit now. Sure this is a subjective
process, but you'd better be aware of what your audience is going
to see for the first time and make them feel it all fits right and
feels right. 'Cause once it's up there on the screen,
there's no going back. Just like real life ...
For us
scripters a part of it might be that we secretly and subliminally
would like to take more control of our lives, to rewrite the
script of our own lives. And by going through the
scriptwriting process, we attain a little control and immortality
for ourselves along the way. What is
that over-used famous quote; It's the journey not destination
that's important? Seems in life, as in the creative process
of screenwriting, that if you get the journey right, the
destination takes care of itself. Just enjoy the doing of it ...
J-Alden
P.S.
Something I've been wondering; If the pen is mightier than the
sword, and a picture is worth a thousand words, does that mean a
film must be (or could be) awful mighty and worth quite a lot? ...
Comments --
Characters -- 6/14
On your June 7th entry. Yes good idea to allow
your 5 characters to free flow their dialogue without your
intervention. Perhaps this would allow the characters to learn who
they are without the scriptwriter. Now I don't know but it could
run the risk of an disassociative identity disorder.
Bill Watson
Comments --
Call for Entries for the Inaugural Third Screen Film
Festival -- 6/19
As a progressive thought leader that calls on
students to author the culture of their times, Columbia College
Chicago, the largest arts and media college in the country, and
its premiere film program Semester in L.A., the only program
located on a Hollywood studio lot, invites filmmakers to submit
entries for the inaugural Third Screen Film Festival (TSFF).
Embracing the convergence of entertainment and technology, the
college is on a global search to discover the best original film
content in wireless entertainment for mobile phones and other WiFi
and broadband-enabled devices. On board is a stellar panel of
judges from MTV, Lion Rock, Silver Pictures, and others who will
help evaluate films and choose the breakout hits in wireless
entertainment.
Grace Kim, Columbia College Chicago
www.ThirdScreenFilmFestival.com
June 20, 2006 -
Directing the Muse -
A way to see, sense, work, play and realize ...
I've
probably mentioned this before, but during the writing process I
need to 'see' the scene played out in my imagination before I can
effectively write it. Sure, at times I don't completely do
this and just let a sense of the scene affect me and I go for it.
But then I've got to tweak it to make it work in the right context
of the whole story. Anyway, in essence I do some directing
while I'm writing. Lately though, that part of the process
has been coming on more strong, and I'm sensing a more true
directorial style emerging from the material, even before I finish
this phase of my work ...
So, what
does that mean? Hhmm, a bit complicated. Doesn't it
seem sometimes that the English language (or maybe any language)
is quite inadequate at times? Well, this is one of those
times, especially when using a left brain tool to communicate a
right brain activity. Basically, it's something I feel, not
just in my gut but my being, as if some force or direction or
vision, or heaven forbid, an actual film is starting to come alive.
I know, I know, a bit mystical, but mumble-ized words don't really
serve it well here. Maybe the only important thing is that,
that I know it's happening and I just allow it to run its cycle of
growth before I try to define and explain it from my narrow left
brain. I certainly don't want to press it and direct it.
I'll just...let it be, for now ...
Which
reminds me, guess all you baby boomer Beatle-ites saw that Paul
McCartney turned a milestone 64 this past Sunday on Father's Day.
How appropriate, when icons start to stretch the envelope of their
physical mortality, and all of us along for the ride start to
think about our own place in this life. What does this have
to do with anything? On one hand, nothing. On the
other, well, without giving too much away here, the theme of my
story has to do with our mortality, or actually our possible
immortality. Stay tuned, maybe the first couple pages of
this draft will find itself up here ...
J-Alden
June 26, 2006 -
A Screenplay Touch -
A tasty, teasing morsel of script-ness ...
FYI,
thought I'd throw out the first couple pages of the latest draft:
DREAMS AWAKE
FADE IN:
EXT. MOUNTAIN – BIRD’S EYE P.O.V. – DAY
Mellifluous flight around mountain...dances in unison with MUSIC
... orchestral
...
ethereal ... angelic ...
VOICE OVER
It has been said that in the
beginning was the Word...
Soar – roll – bank – ascend – circle in serene ecstasy ...
VOICE OVER (CONT’D)
...and that this Divine Stream of
Sound gave birth to all creation...
High RINGING TONE breaks from MUSIC – modulates spell – disrupts
flow of flight
–
smoothes back out.
VOICE OVER (CONT’D)
...being the source and force
of all manifestation, pervading all life.
MUSIC dies. RINGING TONE carries into next scene ...
INT. RESEARCH ROOM – NIGHT
Stacked books, some open – herbal remedies, metaphysical
practices, secret
societies, ancient civilizations, esoterica, religion, philosophy,
occultism ...
Mixing tools, utensils, tubes, bowls – oils, tinctures, powders,
herbs ...
Artwork, sculpture, artifacts – exotic lands ...
Maps – faraway destinations ...
VOICE OVER (CONT’D)
It has also been said that one who
can comprehend the mystery of...
Dated, framed photo – young man, young woman, small girl.
VOICE OVER (CONT’D)
...this Eternal Sound may learn the
paradox of--
MOAN interrupts, morphs from RINGING TONE.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
p.2
HOPE GRANGER, 40, in bathrobe, slumbers on antique sofa,
headphones on,
papers piled around. Open book lies over chest. She tosses,
turns.
EXT. MOUNTAIN – BIRD’S EYE P.O.V. – DAY
Another MOAN – flight sputters – dips – loses altitude ...
POV tilts - switches towards ground – dives into spin – ground
streams closer – just
before ground collision --
INT. RESEARCH ROOM – NIGHT
Hope bounces up – headphones, book soar – knock down pile. Eyes –
anguished –
galvanized. Book title exposed, ‘Escape to Immortality’.
HOPE
Aaahhh, I ... uugghh ...
She wipes sweat off brow, peers around, pulls vertical, flips off
table lamp, saunters out.
HALLWAY
Hope locks door, down hall, stops at another door, hand on knob,
glances at another
closed door, hand off knob, continues down hall, opens another
door, enters...
MASTER BEDROOM
Hope glimpses husband MARCUS, 45, sound asleep, slips off robe,
slides under
covers, glares up, wide awake.
INT. KITCHEN – MORNING
Busy breakfast SOUNDS. Marcus shuts fridge door, stuffs fruit in
mouth. TV
BLARES from den, O.S.
SOFIE, 16, with ‘attitude’, plugged to iPod, rifles through
pantry. TROY, 13, slips in
with
Gameboy, opens fridge, pulls out item, tears packaging, tosses
into microwave.
INT. MASTER BEDROOM – MORNING
Hope, pallid, meditates in easy chair. Kitchen NOISES break
concentration – opens
eyes.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know,
just a setup and probably hard to figure without any context, but
grinding it out with more to come ...
J-Alden
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