Research and Reality

As I begin to research my science topics in earnest, I am presented with a question. Do I follow the fiction created by other sci-fi writers, or update to current scientific terminology.  The truth that's been revealed is that the lexicon of literature and the lexicon of reality are two different things.  I suspect that the trade off, is using the more up-to-date language will leave an air of reality to the fiction, while using the old language would make for easy short hand.

Research has been a more interesting and engaging phase than I had originally predicted. I am starting to work my way through a number of exercises espoused by Syd Fields and finding them very useful. In fact, I can see now in movies where certain exercises were not engaged.  I'll pick on a current release - The Proposal.  This was not a bad movie. I enjoyed. However, it was apparent to me that the final film did not have the influence of a fully fleshed out biography for the male assistant, Andrew Paxton.  We see his childhood home and there isn't a single book in it. He never offers any explanation as to why he wants to be an editor. All the while his father is angry that he's not following in his foot steps.  These are oversights that would have flowed effortlessly from the script and into the story had he had a fully developed back story.

It wasn't until I made this ever so clever observation about this movie that I bought into the need for a bio/backstory for characters.  So... In for a dime in for a dollar. I started with the main character's father and I'm moving from there.

A Week Later...

So I am about to finish the first of nine weeks of a "running program". It's actually quite popular and called, Couch Potato to 5K. This is a way to get from basic walking endurance to jogging for 30 minutes and finishing 3 miles. Who am I kidding, that's a 10 minute mile - that's running. 

I'm actually starting this program for the second time, as the first try was stalled out by life. It takes a few tries to create new habits and make healthy choices in reality. If only it were as easy as in the movies - you have a momentous week and suddenly you are a different person. This is more about seeing a goal and breaking it out into reasonable, achievable changes and inching forward...  And so I inch along... Hopefully at 10 minutes a mile... eventually...

Even though it's a lot of walking, the first week is just over 2 miles in 31 minutes. That's not too bad is it -- just about a 15 minute mile. A little extra effort would put me over the top -- shall I take that as a challenge?

As I develop the arc of various characters, I have become more keenly aware of the strange reality of movies. That change is trusted as permanent the power of the suspension of disbelief. Or maybe the joy of the suspension of disbelief. But that suspension yields a powerful opportunity to go on a journey and believe in change. I think that is one of the exciting things about what characters do in movies and even theater. And how the audience interacts with that character on their journey.

 

Michael versus Farrah

I don't really want to blog about Michael and Farrah, except to acknowledge they are gone.

They represent archetypes of my youth and left their imprint on the whole of my consciousness.

Ignoring the rancid drama of recent years, the success of each of these phenomenons is indisputable.

Syntax and Sin Tax

OK, I'm not sure what's happening but I've been drinking on a regular basis. This is really nothing to get startled about because I have been drinking a half a bottle of beer at a time. It's just wasteful. Don't you think? It doesn't help with writing, but it does go well with certain foods, like tacos on the back deck.

I have had an interesting evolution since being out of the office for a couple weeks due to a minor surgery. I have rested, achieved a certain kind of perspective, and mellowed out. I think I called it a passive optimism. This is good. Ultimately, I'm more focused on feeling good lately which has led to my partial beer drinking and other things that actually are good for me... like eating more fruit, hydrating, and "working out" (please take note of the quotation marks, these are air quotes, interpret as you will)

As I consider the hero(es) of my next script, it has become obvious that I haven't been sure if the hero is all hero all the time, or a reluctant hero. And I think that, finally, I have come to the conclusion that I have one of each. It won't manifest as anything like it, but consider the dynamic between Luke Skywalker and Han Solo.  

Luke: "I'm all hero all the time, just get me off this planet."  

Han Solo: "Who me? A hero? Just give me the money, alright?" 

In this case it is looking like father and son, or maybe boy and girl. I don't think it will play as interestingly if they are both reluctant heroes. There is less to play off of.  I might even add to that dynamic... Obiwan Kenobi: Failed Heroic Archetype - a Hero's Hero if you will.

No, I'm not sure that's how you spell kenobi.

Now I must digress into the need for research in a scifi script. I have to admit that it's fun to make things up in the wholly creative way that is allowed in scifi. However, you have to be careful to make things up that show you understand the current scientific thinking on the topic or you get called wrong by scientists. I know this because my parents are all scientists -- all three (gotta love a blended family). 

And, the science has to make sense - I know this because I have sat in more than one theater in which fellow viewers blurt out their incredulity at the inconsistent turn the science has taken. That is to say that it needs to be cohesive unto itself  within the work and a construct out of science as we know and expect it in the future. 

If you are making a bigger leap than that, it needs extensive support and explanation. I think this is why so many scifi works start with an extensive voice over and/or text to get the fiction straight in the heads of the viewers. 

I have been watching my scifi marathon and I still don't have a conclusion on the voice over or not to voice over conundrum, but a decision is coming soon...  watch this space... closely...

Why I didn't write today and other procrastinations

I didn't write today. Well, I'm writing right now, but it's the shallow, perfunctory kind of writing. I am going to list all of the things I have been meaning to do but haven't because this seems to be a new skill of mine. I have had kind of a downer week, mostly because the people I depend on to be even keel have been falling apart. So let's try this exercise in a fit of over zealous reverse psychology. "Things I have been meaning to do"

1. Get out of bed the first time the alarm rings, rather than after several snoozes lasting an hour more, at some point, I'm just torturing myself and should just get another hour of good sleep (written after midnight on a school night)
2. Take a flying lesson. I did give myself the whole month to get this done, but I'm just not on the path. I have excuses, but I'm not here to write excuses, I'm here to make a list.
3. Write the summary, one-pager of my next screen play. I have distracted myself with all sorts of things, but mostly I need to decide how this bad boy is going to end, before I start writing -- and I am truly itching to write.
4. Buy a desk and chair. I even know what I want to buy, but somehow feel uncertain in these economic times, and right after buying a bunch of crap last month.
5. Stop buying crap. I know that doesn't exactly flow with the others, but it is something I have been meaning to do... but haven't.
6. Find a class associated with film making to take. Get perspectives on Super 8, 16MM and digital. What is the deal? Something like that. I found some interesting work shops in Toronto, and if I weren't forced to take all my vacation this summer, I would do it this year. Besides, it's been way too long since I've been to Canada.
7. Re-sign up for eHarmony. I know this sounds off, but I've got to start dating again, and I live in a somewhat isolated community.\
8. Move to NYC or LA or possibly DC. I don't think I need to explain this one...
9. Start a company
10. Learn to program C or another object based program...This I can do at the local community college. easy peasy...
11. Find out how to start a non-profit.
12. shorten my list of things I haven't done.

So, there it is. My list of things. Things I think would be really good for me. Now to start getting these things done! I'll keep you posted.

Return to the Path

I ventured away from the path this week. This is the promise that I write everyday, either in my blog or working on something. Instead I slept, and watched parts of my movie list, and updated netflix. I came very close to cleaning the refrigerator, when I decided to sit down and write this stream of consciousness.

As I was wandering the earth like Cane from Kungfu, I stumbled across a most excellent examination of sci fi. This was by Vanda at Toadberry. S/he makes connections between scifi and westerns, film noir and comparisons among scifi films that are helpful when thinking of a scifi film. It's made me realize that I hadn't decided if this was a film set in a bright shiny future or a dark and deceptive future - or both, with clear use of this distinction. It's a well written bit of thought on the matter.

Now I return to writing and it perpetuates itself. Truly, it makes me want to write more once I start. This is like so many other things that are, ultimately, good for me. Just keep writing...

Starting Well - Action or Science

I am sitting up in bed, bleary and getting ready for another day. But am wondering a fundamental question - one that I will have to look at carefully as I review these movies - "Does a successful Sci-fi movie tend to open with an action sequence or science sequence." Ultimately, I'm looking for an idea to combine both in my third stab at an opening sequence This is leading me down a Montage path that I'm not entirely happy about. But it might be right. I've just got to work again on getting further down the path on a couple more plot questions and then start writing writing writing... I'm not quite frustrated yet with my writing, but I'm nearing a point of just having to decide. This isn't terrible, and I think that sitting down with these movies over the weekend with do me no end of good. Let's hope it does just as much for the script.

Does anyone know of a sci-fi film that successfully opens with both science and action?

Mundane Sells the Man

I think that one frequently overlooked element of making characters interesting and real, is looking at the most mundane issues and habits and having them show up in our characters. The hero that's afraid of snakes, or the lawyer with a nervous nose... is this what really sells the individual, their flaws? I suspect that's what really makes them approachable and interesting, and maybe even let's us think we could fill the hero's shoes from time to time (...or heroine).

I am going to cut my post short today, so that I can get back to research and work on my script. The past few days have been really inspirational and I've had some great break throughs. I'm about half way through the story - which is a lot better than I've been for the last year, stuck at the end of the first act. I will keep moving on this and working on how to get to the end... I just need the flash, the picture that will become the final visual and I think it will fall into place a lot more quickly.

The Trouble with Timelines

The trouble with a personal timeline is, that I'm the only one tracking if I'm doing things "on time" or not. So my goal of having a step outline by now is not really gelling. It's not writers block though. I've had a number of interesting breakthroughs that definitely have me working on a story rather than a concept. It's only writers block if I'm cleaning the refridgerator to avoid writing. I'm really enjoying the creative/brainstorming process related to the story. Usually most of the step outline pops into my head fully formed. This, however, has been a really interesting and productive way to get moving without waiting for lighting to strike. I'm starting to see the process of brainstorming all the best moments and bits and then stepping back and stringing them together on note cards. I'm still not sure that will be a step for me when the time comes... I'll keep you posted.

I suspect that one of the greatest natural challenges with sci-fi is finding the story. You think of some really interesting future or fantastic vision and you translate it into a reality. But that's not enough to make it a story and still really far from a script. And it's really hard to get satisfaction when something ubiquitous like the government or the setting is your antagonist. You have to create a story. A true story that benefits from the setting, and makes your characters squirm with misery, ache with challenge, and, usually ring with triumph at some point... But I digress.

I have written half of the three paragraph version of the story. and then had another amazing brainstorming session where I'm struggling because my ending, as it is right now, is really made for TV and just not good enough yet. This is where I need to start watching my viewing list. A Video stop may be in order very soon. No waiting for Netflix... I'm going straight to Hollywood Video this time.

TV Versus Movie Versus Log Line

OK, so I have given you all the list of movies I plan to watch for my sci-fi immersion. However, in the midst of a Star Trek: The Next Generation marathon, I noted the structure of the show was a lot more like a movie than I thought. Is it enough or as good to watch good made for TV movies or just good TV shows to get a sense for the expectations of the genre.

In contrast to some other genres, Sci-fi seems to prefer the small screen over movies. I don't know if it's the audience or the nature of the quality of sci-fi in general, but it seems like most great sci-fi films are notable for something other than the science fiction.

Most recently watch feature film is Happy-go-lucky. This was nominated for a golden globe. I'm not sure why. It is called an effervescent comedy by Netflix. I mean, that's a pretty bold statement to make about a movie, that a mostly found a study in contrasts that makes you think that pretty much everyone in England has anger issues.

Beware the Netflix movie description. Even of movies that have been nominated for a major award like a Golden Globe. It makes me re-think the concept of a log line. Let's face it a log line isn't really about the movie, it's about getting people interested in reading a script or plunking down $10 to see a movie and then (here's the kicker) you don't have to ever really defend that the log line has anything to do with the movie itself.

Triangles and Ensembles

Yesterday, I had a friend in town from the big city and we met a third friend out at a local festival. The three of us had lunch and then walked around the fest and art exhibits. What was interesting to me was the way the triangle worked. Two of us would walk ahead and then one would walk back and then the three of us would converge. In scripted life, it seems that triangles are fairly equal. You never forget that George Costanza is in the room when Jerry and Elaine have a conversation on Seinfeld. However, this joining and parting and rejoining is very interesting to me. I think it offers a lot of passive action that is rarely used in movies and T.V. except possibly soap operas, which I think are a breed unto themselves.

This balance required on T.V. where does it come from? I know there is some balance in threes and fours that helps story along and offers different balance than you can achieve with two people. When it's two people they tend to be more counterbalance and contrary like our main characters on Moonlighting or Remington Steel. Whereas the balance on ensemble shows allows for people to evolve and shift, and still keep a balance and keep it interesting. Think Sex in the City or ensemble shows like ER.

I think there are other issues with respect to balance in a specific scene, relating to the influence of cost. You don't want to have someone in a scene and have them have no real contribution to the plot or story or scene. That's waste and would tend to be edited out in re-writes etc. This all makes me wonder - what other kinds of influences are due to cost, even in this age of $100M movies?

June Restaurant in Peoria, Illinois

June Restaurant is a charming and wonderful spot to eat at if you've got the money. I think dinner for two with five drinks, three courses, dessert, and a big city tip ran about $200. Be ready. The menu is constantly changing and the food as fresh and organic as possible - and it makes a difference. I have to say that the appetizers made the meal on my visit. I really should have requested a meal sized lamb meatball and gnocchi. I suspect they would be happy to accommodate such a request.

The Menu gets a little pretentious, just ask what they really mean by mentholated mint and everything will be fine. But be aware that mostly the extra description is really about flavors in the dish, not big amounts of ingredients. For example, the English Peas in my dish, there were maybe ten peas. It's about what it added to the dish, not a true side.

I must warn you though, that if you are a steak lover - go to a steakhouse! Come to June to eat fish and vegetables and duck and other rarities in the Midwestern diet. That's where they excel. And, that's what you should be in the mood for. The courses are small so you can actually enjoy three courses and still have room for dessert... or at least be interested in dessert.

The flour less chocolate cake was phenomenal and you can tell the ice cream must be made from real ingredients in the kitchen. Just delicious.

When being seated there are two rooms that are options. There is the main room, from which you can actually see the kitchen in action. This is fun and you may want to consider the ease of view when selecting a table. There is also, however, a back room with just three tables. This is a great space for a quieter or romantic dinner - or just to be able to speak a little more easily as the music is softer back there.

Overall, this was probably some of the best food I've had in Central Illinois.

Rub It and Then Smell It

Yes, I know, it sounds wrong. Terribly terribly wrong. In point of fact it was a perfectly normal part of conversation over dinner at a very nice restaurant. It was in reference to mint leaves on top of a mojito. It was perfectly OK to touch the mint leaves, crush them between the fingers, smell them appreciatively and then eagerly coo "Oooh rub it and then smell it". It was perfectly OK... in context.

This got me thinking about the dramatic power of context. The strength of action, atmosphere and attitude. As I review the dinner conversation, it was rife with comments that in a different context, might have gotten us thrown out or at least a finger wag from the manager. And yet, there were no comments or looks or anything. Our attitude was one of innocent celebration and that was all that was really seen or heard.

I know that dialogue is a key skill for the screen writer and some shows, e.g. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, set themselves apart with their dialogue quirks. And there are always incredibly quotable lines that you don't want to lose, e.g. Go Ahead Make My Day... However what you remember at the end of the day tend to be images and story. Without this backbone, I wonder, would a quirky dialogue style or fabulous one-liner make its way into our memory? Can anyone think of examples where dialogue or a one-liner overtakes the importance of story telling?

The Vagaries of the Rom Com and Web Series Support

OK, I met a writer from England and stumbled on this abbreviation. "Romcom" for Romantic Comedy. I'm still not sure I like it, but it will probably catch on. Or maybe it's already caught on and I'm just behind the times. I have recently been distracted by an old concept of mine. I'm not sure if it's really ready to be written or just a way for me to procrastinate from writing more of the sci-fi piece I've been working on. I still have a rough outline due this weekend. I think I need to keep this deadline.

I recently received a mass request to help a crew that wanted to make a 10 to 20 episode web series. No Pay. With episodes from 1 to 10 minutes. I've seen these and they tend to feel like series pilots to me, or the cuts are too small and I lose interest.

A great example of this is Stream with Whoopi Goldberg and a couple of other less well known faces. It's available on hulu. This series seems to have good potential to be a regular T.V. series. I'm not enough in the know to know if a web series has ever made the leap to TV - or if you'd even want a web series to do that. It seems like a great compromise between doing a short and something a little longer. Still really just a one beat story, but break it up and challenge each scene to have a really strong hook. These things tend to seem a little overly amped in terms of pace and can get a little gimmicky as a result.

I wonder what the real upside to a writer would be, except that query letters could reference your "amazing" web series. It would be something that had been produced, but it's a little sketchy that they have no budget for a script. This reeks of student project. Or recent grad. Though, in point of fact, if you had a concept that was good enough - you'd own it if someone else got interested.

Can anyone think of a good reason to do something like this for free?

For My Viewing Pleasure

I need to come up with my list of sci-fi films to watch prior to writing this script... The rule of thumb I've hears is 8 good and 2 bad. I was struggling to get a list together and then found the list of the 50 best and worst sci-fi flims by IMDB. So my viewing list is below.

• Blade Runner
• Equilibrium
• Star Wars Episode IV
• Twelve Monkeys
• Terminator 2
• Donnie Darko
• Children of Men
• Matrix
• Serenity

Ok that's more than eight, but I was on a roll.

Two Terrible Films...

• Magus
• Zaat

These really sound bad... I will let you know how bad they truly are.

Today is the Last Day of the Life You've Lived

Well, today is the last day before I go back to work full-time. I've been out on medical leave after some relatively minor surgery. And, I am definitely not fully back to 100%, but I'm going to start working full time tomorrow. I have already been working part-time for a week and that has been a good transition. Yesterday, however, was the first part-time day I had at work - rather than from home. It was hard. I was very tired by the end of the day. But that means I slept pretty well last night.

I finally set up a wine tasting at my house. It's nice to have plan to have people over, get them drunk, and watch what they do -- but we're all friends here. In truth, it will just be nice to have people around. After a few weeks of relative isolation, it's so very nice to think that the house will be full of people. Too bad I have to get all the food together - but that's what high-end deli's are for right?

So many have been fascinated by stories/movies/tv focused on terrorism for the last several years. This has been a long time coming, but I think we are moving away from those stories. We are tired of being afraid. This is exciting and scary for a writer. I've said it often, it's always easiest to write about fear. But this fear fatigue is exciting because I think that escapism will follow. That intense creativity will be appealing to mass audiences. A great atmosphere for movies like Star Trek and Terminator 2. Star Trek is already showing it's ability to appeal to both the die hard sci-fi geek and the mainstream person just looking for a couple hours of entertainment. I hope this is good timing then, for the next script being sci-fi.

I need to finalize a first draft of my step outline this weekend. I think the story is coming together and it's time for a little discipline, deadline, and doing! We'll see how it goes - I do have a wedding I might attend this weekend if I'm not destroyed by working full time. But, that's the deadline so...

The Aviatrix and the Storage Center

Driving through town I realized that I have been more open to unique life activities as of late. I think it's a sign that I'm looking for a story I can understand and embrace.

First, I'm looking into learning to fly a plane. No I'm not going to pitch the next "Wings" TV show. But, it was a strange experience going to a small, regional air field. I talked to a "Mom and Pop" aviation company that taught as well as provided flight services. The "Pop" was half asleep with a chubby and extremely cute baby on his lap. It was so contrary to what I was expecting. I don't think it was the economy - I think it was just a different world. I am looking to schedule my first flight this June.

Second, the storage center. I have long had some fascination with storage lockers. I recently read about storage locker auctions. These auctions have increased in frequency and level of value in recent months. I guess a lot of people store things, but that more and more people are just sort of walking away from their lives. I have been thinking seriously of trying to interview someone who owns or works at a storage center.

The great thing about both of these experiences is how visual and unique they are. I think that many people could be made interested in stories related to these experiences.