ONLINE JOURNALISM

A college course I took.  What I learned…

First, let me say that as a working class professional I spend a lot of time at my work but when the universe is being good to me (or I’m being good to myself), I get to sit and write for a stretch.  For you bonafide writers out there, you know how terrific it feels to be lost in the world you just created.  Sorry, but if you don’t know what that feels like you got no business writing – I don’t care how much money you make at it.

Anyway, being a writer is most often a solitary experience.  Especially, if you’re writing fiction, I don’t know how it can be otherwise.  My muse doesn’t play that well with others.   When he’s at his best, I like to think that he’s a rambunctious, playful little punkster prone to moments of sheer genius.  Needless to say, he likes to do things his way and most often it’s a lone wolf thing. 

But being a solo operator doesn’t always work best in today’s incredibly shrinking world.  A writer, like me for instance, might think he has terrific ideas but how does anyone else know whether he has one freaking decent thought in that over-inflated head of his?  Until a writer takes the plunge and shows the rest of the world his work, he’s the only guy in love with his own stuff.  Now, I don’t know if that means you should necessarily just give your best stuff away (especially if you’re a screenwriter guarding that almighty “high concept” you hope to cash in on someday), but I have come to believe that a writer needs to put himself out there in some little way.  You have to connect with the world and today more than ever you don’t have to wait for an editor to do it.

Putting myself out there like I am with this blog was not something I could see myself doing before.  Well, not before I took Catherine Toth’s Online Journalism course at Kapi‘olani Community College.  That’s sounds a lot like a plug for the course and I suppose it kind of is.  And you know the gal really knows her stuff, namely the current state of media communication on the web and how to become a part of it.  Being a part of it is a person’s chance to connect with the world.  What writer doesn’t relish that?  It’s the singular dream that comes from an often-solitary pursuit.  Not necessarily, anymore.

The information highway is a two-way highway.  Web-based media is not just a quick and powerful way to access the news and find out info on everything under the sun; it’s a way for the power of one to reach the many masses.  But knowing that is one thing, learning how to do it is whole other matter. 

Basically, Catherine taught me not just how to fish but why to fish.  Although, I never fancied myself that type of writer that would fall under the category of journalist, all writers have one thing in common: they tell a story (whether truth or fiction).  Being able to tell that story is what’s so terrific about being a writer.  Sure, the class taught me some of the basic nuts and bolts of how to go about writing for the web and how to navigate the world of web-based media.  But what the instructor taught me more than anything else is why I should.  And I wasn’t an easy sell.  I hadn’t really embraced the idea of starting a blog, for example.  In fact, with all my other responsibilities it was hard for me to get my bearings on the whole idea of blogging and putting myself out there, never mind how to do it.  I was hesitant about letting go with it.  Then, midway through the semester my best friend passed away… I needed time to get my bearings.

I wasn’t me at my best this fall.  But I struggled to hang in there and get the meta-message.  And I think it’s partly that we are in an age where we can choose to embrace the power of the Web and really make it work for us in so many ways or get left behind like dinosaurs.  Honestly, up until the very end, I was at risk of being a dinosaur.  Then something happened.  It’s happening to me even now.  I love doing this blog.  I love just putting it out there and seeing where it goes.  I’m just short of a 100 visitors thus far, I picked up only a couple followers and some random guy commented a simple “Thanks” in response to my Top 10 Gifts for Screenwriters.  That was just way cool to me.  It’s greatly appreciated.  

So, it’s enough of a start and now think I might be addicted to this.  Even as I write this I realize a bug has only just bit into me.  I want to keep doing this.  I just can’t wait for next time someone takes the time to just say “Thanks."

On that theme, thank you Catherine Toth.  You opened a window when another door was closed.  I owe you one. 

Btw folks.  Blatant plug, here:  Check-out Ms. Toth’s class (Kapi‘olani Community College, Journalism 297).  She’s enthusiastic and articulate, has her heart in step with the pulse of current media, and is easy on the eyes.  Hey, as I writer I have to call it like I see it : )

My interview with the Production Accountant of Hawaii 5-0: Chico Powell

Check out what the production accountant of Hawaii 5-0 has to say about what he does.

At YouTube under: Hawaii 5-O: Chico Powell


He's the guy who helps fit what creative wants into what creative can afford, even on a big budget show like Hawaii 5-0.

(I'll apologize in advance for the less than super steady video.  Still kind of interesting though.)

Who broke into Hollywood with a spec script.

(Sorry, I meant to post this much earlier.  It's a draft I thought I lost.)

If your wondering what a spec script is, it's a script (or screenplay) for a new movie from an aspiring screenwriter who has not previously sold a script to a Hollywood production company.  "Spec" is short for speculative.  In other words, this is your speculative hope that your script is possibly just worth something in the eyes of a production company that actually has the money to make this dream into a living and breathing movie.

It's akin to breaking the bank.  Although I don't think that's a fair analogy.  In my opinion, if you're a good writer, screenwriter in this case... if you build it right, they will come.  Not too long ago, it was estimated that only about 1 in 20 screenplays ever get purchased (and less of those actually make it off the dusty shelves where they wait to be born someday).  But hey, I think those are actually pretty darn good odds.  I'm sure hoping so anyway.

But enough about that for now.  Who sold what to whom?

Andrew Will sold his spec script Archangel to New Regency and Scott Free Productions.  It's the story of a group of covert agents who battle aliens secretly living among humans.  It's being hailed as "a Bourne-style tale with a science-fiction twist."  Okay, well see... kind sounds familiar.

AND

Colin Trevorrow sold his spec script World War X to Warner Brothers to set up with Silver Pictures.  It's the story of a man who is recruited by government agents in order to stop a terrorist from the future who has the ability to time travel in order to reshape history.  Hmm.. I think I might like this one a little better.

Well, just have to wait and see won't we.  Remember, you can have a great idea and blow it in the making (or the writing for that matter) and you can have a very basic idea and make it terrific in the writing of it.

As the saying goes "It's how you say it."  For us writers out there, to be more specific "It's how you write it."

Top 10 Gifts for Screenwriters

1.)  Final Draft 8
The premiere screenwriting software for both novice and pro.  Screenplays follow a standard format.  You can't change that and it's a pain in the butt to format it yourself.  It takes away from your flow.  And when your muse is in high gear who needs sand in your wheels?  Put simply, Final Draft formats and paginates to Industry standard as you type!  It also has a number of tools to help you do what your trying to do-- create that stellar movie.   There are other programs out there, but this is the most popular one among industry pros.
Starts at $89.95.  The complete program costs $250 but for the ease at which it lets you work it's money well spent.

2.) Making A Good Script Great - by Linda Seger
A screenwriter, Hollywood consultant, and frequent keynote speaker, Dr. Seger has put out one of the best books on screenwriting ever.  She tells you what you need to know to write that winning screenplay and she does it an easy to understand way.  She has other great books that follow, but it all starts here.
Cost $14.95

3.) The Screenwriter's Bible - by David Trottier
The most practical book on screenwriting out there.  As it says, 6 books in one:
  A screenwriting how to
  A step-by-step workbork
  The industry-standard formatting guide
  A spec writing guide
  A marketing plan for today's market
  A resource directory and index

All for $19.95.  I can't recommend it enough


4.) The Screenplay Workbook -  by Jeremy Robinson and Tom Mungovan

Self-proclaimed as "the writing before the writing," the authors are pretty much on the money.  It's full of useful worksheets to help you with detailed character and story development.  Easy to use, very practical, and very helpful for getting into your characters and your movie.
Cost $18.95


5.) Save the Cat - by Blake Snyder
This book gives you the quick and dirty on what needs to happen on page 5, page 15, page 30, etc... It is a book on formula, but if you do it right its seamless.  And seamless makes it okay.  A must have as a quick reference.
Cost $19.95

6.) Movie Outline 3.1
This software is also for developing and formatting your screenplay to Industry standard.  This program also uses step-outlining to build your story scene-by-scene.  It also allows you to compare the pace of your script with the outlines of successful Hollywood films.  Timing really is everything.
Starting at $89.95

7.) Visual Thesaurus
Interactive dictionary and thesaurus software program.  It creates word maps with related words and meanings.  "Works like your brain, not a paper-bound book."  If your stuck for words look no further.
Cost $29.95

8.) Narrator for Macintosh
Of course, you need to have a Mac computer.  But if you do, this text-to-speech program allows say it instead of write it.  Additionally, it lets your hear text read aloud in different voices.  How cool is it to hear your story (works for novel writing and short-story writing as well) being told in voices other than your own?  What's more it has options to export to iTunes and AAC sound files for use with other sound playing software.
Cost $34.95

9.) A subscription to Script magazine or Creativescreenwriting.

Both these magazine run neck-in-neck in giving the latest screenwriting tips by industry screenwriters, directors, and moviemakers.  The gems are the advice from writers who are out there selling scripts and working in the Hollywood trenches themselves.  In other words, you get the lowdown from people who live it.  Enough said.
Subscription for one is just about $28 for the year.

10.) The Hollywood Creative Directory

In a nutshell, this is the largest address book for the film, television, and new media industry out there.  It puts over 11,000 producers and executives at your fingertips.  It's been the insiders guide for the past 20 years.  If you've got something to sell, here's where to find the people to sell it to.
Cost $59.95

So, there you have it.  In my humble opinion, the top 10 things an aspiring screenwriting could use to break into the business and hopefully stay there.  As an aspiring screenwriting myself, I'll keep you posted.   Of course,  Joe Esterhaus once said all a screenwriter really needs is a pencil and paper.

My RANT about the Tourist and others like it.

December 11, 2010

RANT

Just saw the movie the Tourist… One critic had it summed up perfectly by saying “Pretty people… pretty lame.”  It was pretty unimaginative.  I guess when you’re Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp you can bring people into the theatre on the strength of your looks alone.  Never mind a story that’s sub-par.  At least, the backdrop for every scene was also pretty nice to look at.  Primarily Venice.  Can’t argue with Venice.

So that’s what you got: Jolie.  Depp.  Venice.  Throw in some Russian mobsters and some law enforcement officers all looking for the same guy and you’ve got a movie.  Not really. 

Let me first remind you that I have an aversion to simple movies.  I have an aversion to formulaic movies that are so blatantly formula that my brain gets zero exercise.   Yet again, it seems 98% of the movies that are ever made (the one’s that make it to the local Cineplex, anyway) are like eating plain oatmeal for breakfast every morn with no sugar and no fruit.  But at least with the oatmeal there are some health benefits from it.  I get nothing from a simple plot with a predictable outcome.   I don’t find that entertaining.  And entertaining is what I paid my 11 dollars for.

Other than what I described earlier, I really don’t know how to say what this story is about what giving the one main “twist” away.   Yes, I put it in quotes because I’m not sure it’s really much of a twist.  But please, go see it – if you like eye candy, you don’t mind predictable, don’t care to be intrigued, and like fluff with no substance (I actually like the main actors, especially Angelina).  Every once and awhile I also like cotton candy, but when you have it a couple times a year versus every weekend you don’t mind it so much.

21 days down... screenplay not done.

Well, a lot has happened over the past couple weeks to veer me off my course.  Some of it good some of it not so much… Some of it my fault, some of it less so.

My good friend passed away last month.  I was his only family here.  In short, this month I had to go to the mainland to take care of stuff.  I’m not really ready or willing to talk about it all here.  I will say that it was difficult to take care of everything I needed to take care of before heading out and difficult to sit down at the computer while I was gone… well, and I am only now getting back into the swing of things. 

I could say a lot more but what I need to do is get the fire burning.  I passed my initial deadline.  But I still have 80 plus pages already done and I’m close.  Somewhere between 20 and 40 pages is the end of this screenplay.  It has to be because it can’t be more than 120 pages and still be a two-hour movie.  Remember, one-page equals one minute.

The one positive thing I can say is that in that time I was away from home I found a lot more of myself, my old self, the guy I need to finish this thing.

So, lets kick some tires and light some fires…

Phil's Top 10 Reasons to go to the Movies.

                                                                                                                                  November 3, 2010

1.) For a brief moment in time you could forget about your bills, the rent, your quarrelsome girlfriend, your shyster boss, or the fact that you could stand to lose ten pounds or any other psychological issue you might have (action movies are great distraction for these very reasons).

2.) You might learn something about a person, place, or culture you didn’t know much about before you saw that particular movie (i.e. documentaries or even fiction depicting a different place or culture is a good example of this).

3.) You get to sit in a comfortable seat with nice cool air condition, while it might be 90 plus degrees outside or raining for that matter.  I myself never owned an umbrella in my life.

4.) If you get into an argument with your girlfriend coming home with a ticket stub from the movies is generally better than coming home drunk with a stamp on your hand from the nightclub where you were trying to hook up with the village skank!  Just don’t see a movie you’re girl’s dying to see.  It’ll just be more trouble.

5.) Isn’t it just so cool being able to disappear from the world for a couple hours? Who’s likely to find you sitting there in the dark like a loner?  Not your boss that’s for sure.  Take an extra hour or so for a matinee lunch and a hot dog.  Lord knows the work will be waiting for you when you get back.

6.) If you’re on a date isn’t a scary movie the perfect icebreaker? Don’t you just want her to reach out and grab you in the dark for comfort?  Ice… broken.

7.) Everyone is talking about the latest movie.  What kind of jackass are you for not knowing what they’re talking about?  Much less a movie from a month ago? Maybe you’re getting old. 

8.) Movies are still cheap entertainment.  Look at how much you spend on a dinner for two at decent restaurant?  Or how about going out club hopping for two?  Unless you’re a sandbagger, you’re going to thrown down some serious scripts.  Unless you’d rather take her to the zoo, Rocko. 

9.) If you’re like my brother, who hates reading books or just reading in general, you can see the movie adaptation of the book that everyone was talking about it.  Okay, it’s not the same as the book.  That’s a given but what the hell do you care?  You don’t read much anyway.

10.) If you’re an aspiring screenwriter like I am, then you’ve simply got to go to the movies to see what a good movie is all about.  It’s how you study your craft.  Well that, and reading screenplays and actually writing.  You can’t spend all your time in the theater you lazy bum.

Making a movie. Getting started?

21DayScreenplay

Have you ever spent your hard-earned recession money on a movie only to walk out of there thinking – “I could’ve wrote a better damn movie!” but then you didn’t really know what the hell you were talking about?  Duh, what do you know about writing movies? Well, Viki King’s book “How to write a screenplay in 21 days” just might be the answer. 

At least, I’m banking it is.  I paid 12.99 (used) for the book.  So my friends, for those of us who wonder if you can package and sell that great idea for a movie into a full-fledged screenplay and maybe even do it in 21 days, I’m here just to do that… Write a screenplay in 21 days.  I’m going to put my money where my mouth is… all 12.99 of it.

But hey, this is going to take some planning isn’t it?  What the hell do I know about planning?  Okay, I did somehow earn a few college degrees along life’s highway, but that’s only because I needed to stay in school to keep getting those student loans, getting those student loans, getting those student loans… Now, they call me doctor.

Anyway, this thing… It’s a freaking big commitment of sorts… It’s going to take managing what time I have and the big “C” word.  Two things I’m not really known for (friends and ex-girlfriends don’t bother commenting on that one).  Okay, but I’ve been wanting to finish one of my half-finished screenplays for years… I’m tired of d!@&ng around with it!  Enough talking about it!  Time to make it happen jack!

Lord, help me, if I don’t finish one of these babies I don’t deserve to live! Seriously, seriously... Okay, I take that back Jesus.  But I just have to do this.  Don’t I?  It’s in me.  Really it is.  If anyone else out there has ever felt similarly then please pray for me.  I’m kind of apprehensive.  Putting myself out there before you folks like this... Sheesh.  What if I fail? 

Anyway, I’m hoping the pressure of putting myself before you good people might just be what it takes to motivate me to finally finish this thing!  Please, God.

And I cordially invite you along on my journey, to witness the trials and tribulations of the process, the laughter the tears (just don’t judge me, please.  I’m thinking of videoing this)… but most of all I hope to inspire you to complete your very own screenplay.  Well, second of all anyway.  I’d like to be able to finish my own freaking screenplay first, if you don’t mind.

I just need to figure out when I want to start this thing… Maybe next weekend… No not this weekend I was going to go out with friends… next weekend.  But then, I think there’s a concert coming into town… who the hell was it?  I have to check… Anyway, maybe in two weeks… when’s Halloween?  I don’t know yet what the hell I want to be for Halloween.  Damn.  After I figure out what I’m going to be for Halloween then I can really move on this thing.  Seriously.  I’ll get back to you guys on a bonafide start date. 

Bonafide I tell you! Uhh… uhh…

Bio

My name is Phillip and I am a wannabe screenwriter.  I have a day job.  I love my work (don’t ask) and it pays the bills.  The only thing I love more than what I do now is writing.  Ever since I was a kid I loved telling stories.  When I got a little older I loved writing them.  Right now, so help me…  my goal is to finish a screenplay in 21 days.  Hopefully, the thing I love more will someday pay me better.