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Contradictions

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I have been having some trouble as of late. I read a book not to long ago called “Save the Cat”. A book on screen writing (no doubt), which gave specific examples and even a structured beat sheet as to how to write a screenplay. There it was in black and white, what page to put what scene on, what genres are out there and their meanings, it was a nice thing to read, made things clear.

Then along comes a video with Robert Mckee, (The script writing “guru”) telling me that having things listed out on pages (what save the cat does for you) is a bad idea. Not only is it a bad idea, it can, and this is his exact words: “ruin a young screen writers career”.

This is everywhere in the world of screen writing, and I am starting to think writing in general. You’ll have one person say, THIS! THIS is the way you need to do it! While another person will go on about something else entirely. It’s led me to believe that NO ONE knows what he or she is doing in this field. I don’t think anyone really knows how to write a screenplay, I think there are just those that get lucky, or know the right people.

It is something I will have to put up with I suppose, but it is still very frustrating.

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The Start of Something New

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It’s an odd journey this thing I started doing some year ago now. It’s been exciting, engaging, frustrating, and down right infuriating. Let’s face it; writing is a tough thing to do. I don’t think anyone can understand the inner struggle, the conflict between ones conscious and their subconscious better than a writer. But I do go on.

I am still shocked by the start of something new. Like a tidal wave ideas smash into my brain, crushing down on me, flowing from me, it can be a little bewildering. Through it all however I must stay anchored, not get lost in a cacophony of swirling meaningless images and characters, and realize I am doing this for one reason, tons of money…no wait, the story.

It is easy to get lost in your head, easy to sit and think about cool scenes, snappy lines of dialogue, but when you get to FADE IN: (the first line of any script) and you really get into the meat of it, stare the beast in the face as it is, you find you get lost yet again. All of the sudden those scenes you thought were so great are driving the story off a cliff; you have forgotten why you are doing this.

So something has to happen that I dread as a writer. You have to have to have to PLAN. Draw it out, give it bones, what have you. This for me is torture. As I do it, however I keep one thing in my mind, I keep one constant, that the pain of writing without a plan far outweighs the pain of planning in and of itself.

So I have come to a place where all writers find themselves, where you turn to your work, take a step back and say: “This is crap.” It is in that fleeting moment I dust myself off, and go back to square one. Well, not always, sometimes things can be hashed out. Sometimes, you can hammer through a rewrite to the end, and that is what you want to do all the time. You don’t want to admit to yourself that the thing you have created is a steaming pile of shit. Just like a steaming pile of shit, however, the crap is needed. It may be foul now, but like fertilizer it can be used to create something useful. (How’s THAT for poetic!..?) That, dear reader is where I am today.

I have my crap, and now I have to make it useful, and it’s going to be tough; but part of being a writer is pushing yourself where you don’t want to go, outside of that comfort zone and into new territory. So! With my head held high and a large pot of coffee brewing (oh coffee..) I start a new story as yet untitled. Although I would love to call it:

A MAN AND HIS AXE

More on that later.

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Who is Collin McDuff?

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“That’s McDuff to you, mac.”

What is a man but the summation of the demons of his past? McDuff is a solider, a cop, a father and a husband. Well, at least he was. That is ’till his world was turned on its head, twice. (that would put him on his feet…right?)  The first time he lost his wife and son in the shift to the Sprine, when half of the worlds population went to another dimension and were replaced by Spriners.  This coupled with Mcduff’s experience’s in battle have left the man slightly jaded. Those around him will tell you he has his jagged edges, but he gets the job done. (sorry for the crude drawing, just something I whipped up)

INT. BAR – NIGHT
McDuff sits at a long bar, only a few patrons join him. Behind the bar is a large TROLL cleaning a glass.

TROLL
What’s got you down Detective?

McDuff runs his fingers along the edge of his glass.

MCDUFF
You ever feel like you’re whole life is about to take a turn for the worst?

TROLL
How ‘bout another round?

MCDUFF
Nah don’t feel like it. Need a clear head.

McDuff swirls his drink.

MCDUFF (CONT’D)
I try to do the right things. Try to keep a level head, keep my morality intact no matter what.

He takes a sip.

MCDUFF (CONT’D)
But it seems like everyone around me doesn’t seem to give a shit about any of that.

The troll digs in his ear, squinting his eye as he does.

TROLL
Yeah that’s life for ya. I guess.

He goes for another dirty glass and cleans it with his dirty finger.
McDuff finishes his drink.

MCDUFF
You need to work on your bar side manner.

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THE I.S.T.F. WANTS YOU!

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The International Spriner Task Force is looking for quality people, in the fight against the oppression of the Spriners. If you love this country with all you heart you will put your money where your mouth is and join immediately! Sign ups are on going at the down town head quarters.

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The Nicholl Fellowship

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This past Saturday evening I turned in the screenplay After The Bomb©. Set in 1958 Chicago, this story centers around detective Collin McDuff, and his quest to save a kidnapped child. Set in a backdrop with goblins, elves, and giant trolls (yes you read that right) this story is a mash up of ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’, ‘The Lord of the Rings’, and ‘L.A. confidential’. It is a zany story and is one I have been working on for months (excerpt to come). After more revisions than I can count, and sleepless nights at my computer typing furiously away I have finally gotten to a point where I can look at the script and say it is ‘satisfactory’.

I was elated to turn in this screenplay, but did so with some trepidation. I am my harshest critic after all. Originally I had intended to submit three screenplays but as time marched on I realized it was better to turn in one that I thought was the best, then turn in three that were mediocre.

So what happens now? Well, don’t hold your breath. If I read the competition rules right (and they are kind of confusing), I will not find out anything until…wait for it…February of next year!! In that time I very much plan to continue to write. My next script, already completed is going onto the chopping block for some good ol rehashing.

Comming soon:

An excerpt from After The Bomb. Character Bios for: Collin Mcduff, Aleanna, and Patrick! Also, a short story or two featuring some of my favorite characters in the screenplay.

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First Post

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Hello and welcome to my brand new always updating, and still a work in progress blog. This is a place for me to let others know what I am about and what kind of things I am working on, here is what is going on as of today!

  • Submitted my script to the Nicol Fellowship screenwriting competition. (big sigh of relief, more on this later)
  • Finally! Finished with the first real version of AFTER THE BOMB. A script I am very proud of, excerpt to come!
  • Going back to my first script to ‘reduex’ it! Expect Character bios! Illustrations! This is going to be one hell of a ride people.

That’s it for now folks. As I said there will be a post with more on my competition experience and the weeks leading up to it.