Road Trip: Unrated! Writers Draft

I will be heading down to Fort Myers tonight, and won't be back in Winter Park until Sunday night. So I'll be unable to update my blog. Oh no!, cried the townspeople. But maybe my Aunt and Uncle are savvy enough to have installed a cable modem on their first day in their new house. We shall see. I can feel the symptoms of withdrawal already beginning.

Everyone share a drink with me this weekend.

(Turns head violently away from monitor)

"Katie, I need a laptop!" (yelling)

There's a faint reply nestled in his ear, but it is intelligible.

"Did you hear me?"

Katie waltzes into the room and presents him with a brand new powerbook. He gazes into the 17 inch LCD widescreen, dreaming of his future creations. He sets the laptop down upon the coffee table and is instantly impressed with its heavy duty construction. As he loads Final Draft into his new machine, there's a slight tickle at his ankle. Looking down, there are a pair of grisly.....

Through The Never

A few months ago, I was asked "What do you like about writing?". My response? "Nothing."

I surprised myself with that answer, but not as much as the person who asked. Then I thought about it later. Do I actually like writing? Is it fun to type out a story, rewrite it countless times, and suffer over every little nuance until it's ready for public consumption?(which it never is)

And now I know- writing is pain. I go to a place, often for weeks at a time, and live in it. I'm not right, mentally. I'm in a masochistic haze for the length of time I'm writing the screenplay. It's a torturous exercise. Then why do I do it? Well, for one, I have a lot to say, and hundreds of stories to tell. Secondly, the feeling of finishing a draft is among the best feelings I've ever had. And the last reason is, although this will be controversial, I feel there's a certain martyrdom to being a writer. A certain honor, a code if you will. We constantly work to the perfect story, but are constantly reminded that we are not good enough. We should quit. We read something that slaps us back into reality. It blows anything we can or will write out of the water.

So then, you still pile on the effort, the suffering. We are self depreciating of your work in front of others, because, well, we've been told we're not as good. We have been told this by other writers in exactly the same position as our own. We listen to other amateurs for feedback, because that's all we have. Can you imagine being in med school, and asking your fellow classmate to sit in on your first autopsy? No, you would have a real MD there to oversee your efforts. There is very little nurturing in a writers world, because we are in a gladiators circle of self imposed competition.

So why do I do it? Is it the suffering? Is a writer always a masochist? Is there even a problem with that, anyway? Is it the martyrdom angle, taking the bullets to create something in the world, no matter what the cost? Does anyone love the actual writing, or is it all about getting to the end result?

Next time someone asks what I like about writing, I think I'll say 'Everything!' and walk away quickly.

To Whom It May Concern

In my infinite supply of questionable moves, I will finally be changing my URL to the absolutely sensible theconstipatedwriter.blogspot.com. This has now thrown a monkey wrench to those bloggers who can't get enough of my oh so important musings, as now their links for my blog will be faulty.

So, I have decided I will change it on Thursday, so that those interested will read this and make the necessary adjustments.

Sorry all, I maybe should have thought this through back at the start. But like a writer, I had the ending first....

Steroid Over reaction?

I am one of the people who blamed all those gaudy home run numbers on steroids. I still do, I think. But lo and behold, Jason Giambi, the poster boy of steroid abuse(since Bonds is out, "injured") has the same slugging percentage he had two seasons ago when he hit 41 HRs. He now has 18, even after a hideous start this season. Maybe this guy is truly a power hitter. Maybe I was over zealous in my labeling him a big bulbous headed steroid chewing nit wit. I'm beginning to think this whole issue is dead. There are players having huge seasons right now, with steroid testing being randomly applied. Maybe steroids made a slight boost in numbers to great power hitters, but huge power boosts to great contact hitters?

UPDATE 8/03/05: Since this post, Rafeal Palmiero has tested positive for steroids. He was so staunch in his own defense in front of congress, that now he looks like a big time jerk off. Now this makes me wonder. Palmeiro started the season horrendously. It's only been the past month or two that he has hit with any power. Same with Giambi, who is absolutely ripping the ball. Could they have restarted their steroid use after they were randomly tested? It seems very suspicious to me, to say the least. Giambi is now hittin as well as he ever has. Maybe he should be tested again shortly.

I Was To See Wedding Crashers

However, due to the sickening amount of annoying humans wading into the theatre, we turned back and instead went out to eat. Then we bought 3 movies and watched them in the comfort of our idiot-cleansed abode. And please, people, leave your F'ing cell phones, children and any other object of potential annoyance to mankind in your minivan, lest risk a man telling you, in not so kind a manner, to please shut your ignorant mouths. No wonder I have refused to go to the theatre for the past 4 or 5 years. When will we get a theatre that caters to film lovers, not Hollywood lemmings that flock to any movie because the trailer looked 'hot'.

I am also having apocalyptic nightmares recently, about a nuke being set off in Wisconsin of all places. I may touch on my semi self-inflicted paranoia, and my beliefs in my next post, which may or may not be tonight. I am afraid to do so as not to alienate my blog friends. Lets just say my beliefs run from conspiracy theorist to illuminati to ...well, you get the idea.

Just A Thought

Would anyone be interested in creating a private forum where we could post our screenplays? I could start one off this blog, and we could password protect it so that only we, or whoever you want, will have access to reading it. It's a little less daunting then submitting it to a huge site like Zoetrope, or Helium for some honest feedback. Plus, we could hold discussions for each screenplay. I don't know, maybe it's too far reaching. But we have a nice little gaggle of people here who frequent each others blogs, so I figured it could be of use. I believe the forum The Artful Writer uses is free, and I could probably use it for our little community if anyone is interested.

A Message To My Recently Finished 1ST Draft

Time - He's waiting in the wings
He speaks of senseless things
His script is you and me boys

Time - He flexes like a whore
Falls wanking to the floor
His trick is you and me, boy

Time - In Quaaludes and red wine
Demanding Billy Dolls
And other friends of mine
Take your time

The sniper in the brain, regurgitating drain
Incestuous and vain, and many other last names
I look at my watch it says 9:25 and I think "Oh God I'm still alive"

We should be on by now
We should be on by now

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (repeat)

You - are not a victim
You - just scream with boredom
You - are not evicting time

Chimes - Goddamn, you're looking old
You'll freeze and catch a cold
'Cause you've left your coat behind
Take your time

Breaking up is hard, but keeping dark is hateful
I had so many dreams, I had so many breakthroughs
But you, my love, were kind, but love has left you dreamless
The door to dreams was closed. Your park was real dreamless
Perhaps you're smiling now, smiling through this darkness
But all I had to give was the guilt for dreaming

We should be on by now (x5)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (repeat)

Yeah, time!



92 pages in 9 days. I am emotionally drained. I broke down. Literally just lost it when I wrote the last scene. This song was playing just as I started the last paragraph. I was euphoric, but also deeply depressed when it was all over. And I wept like I was going to the electric chair. Good night all.

Twisting My Last Nerve

I'm watching the tele last night, and the advertisement for "The Skeleton Key" comes on. It looks excellent to me, until I hear the announcer proclaim "With a twist so shocking...", and then proceeds to compare it to The Sixth Sense and The Other's. I am immediately pissed off. Doesn't a twist ending cease to be a twist ending once you're notified there's a twist ending? I understand the actual twist might be so hard to decipher that I may not guess it. But I will know a twist is coming, therefore, I mentally prepare for it. The problem I will have is towards the end, I will be taken out of the story, and put into the role of investigator, looking for clues for the real ending, and not the faux setup I am currently watching.

The fact that the studio deemed it necessary to announce there's a twist so shocking, frankly has me shocked. Don't they know the reason The Sixth Sense was so huge was word of mouth, and not telling anyone what to expect? Sure, they still haven't told me what to expect, exactly, only that the twist exists, but that's much too much. I want to be surprised that there is a twist ending in the first place. Now they are relying on the actual substance of the ending, but will it be strong enough to actually shock anyone, since we're expecting to be shocked? The only way to rectify this is to see the film and find out there was no twist whatsoever. Now that would be a brilliant.

I had two marathon writing sessions last night. I wrote 45 pages, which translated into 25 typed pages in Final Draft. I will have Dead Trends finished tonight, in 9 days time, at approximately 95-100 pages. How shitting awesome is that? 2 first drafts done in a months time! I think I've found my schedule for life.

Katie, if you're reading this, I won't blast Brian Eno's, "Here come the warm jets" anymore. :)

Huzzah For Florida!...And More Sarcasm Stuffed Musings

In an incredible display of mid-twentieth century sense, it is now illegal to make a lane change without signaling in Florida! Wow. What's next? Passing in left lanes, helmets for cyclists, mandatory recycling, night road construction, car pooling?!

Anyway, enough of my disdain for this urine soaked hell hole.

I have a good movie recommendation for horror fans and especially giallo fans. "What Have You Done to Solange?". A little gory, but more disturbing than straight up blood spilling. I give it 3.75 shots down the hatches out of 5.

Wrote another 10 pages of Dead Trends today, after 18 yesterday. I now stand at 69.1 pages in 7 days. I may just finish this one within my self imposed deadline of ten days. Didn't think I could do it again, especially since this script will be longer than Generator. We shall see.

Lets hear it for Ebay, and the buyers of my 6 DVD's. I wanted to get rid of some doubles, (Goodfellas, American Psycho, Casino, True Romance, From Dusk Til Dawn and Scarface) since I bought the special editions. Worked like a charm! Averaged about $9 each, including shipping.

I am waiting for word back for the three contests I entered. I find out the finalists of one the first week of August, and Scriptapalooza Quaterfinalists are announced on July 29th. The Nickelodeon Fellowship, I have no idea about. I remember reading end of August, but now I can't find anything about the winner announcements. It'll take a miracle to win anything, but I'm damn well deserving of one.

Random notes to get to know me better:

Favorite past time: Drinking with buddies in Jersey.

My most influential films: 70's: Jaws 80's: The Breakfast Club 90's: Pulp Fiction 00's: Mulholland Drive

My sense of humor is: Dry, Sarcastic, dark and sometimes goofy.

I have 5 tattoos

I drank a bear 'o beer once. ( Picture forthcoming...maybe)

My favorite Tv shows are: Cheers, Seinfeld, 24, Sopranos, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Simpson's, Hawaii 5/0

Bands I'm currently enjoying: Brian Eno, Danzig, Devo, Team Sleep, The Cure

Sleep schedule: 6AM until 1PM

Writing schedule: Writing from 10pm-12am. Typing in FD from 12am to 2am.

I have a cat, Madden.

I have a tremendous singing voice.(to me)

I have a DUI, and am shunned in society more than a murderer.

And that's all for now! Boredom has set in. For you as well, I'm sure.

It Is My Duty To Sicken You

Here are some titles and loglines of scripts which have sold recently.

Title: Untitled Heist Project
Log Line: Two ordinary blue-collar guys dream of pulling off the perfect heist.

The Pilot
Log Line: An airline pilot is charged with sexual harassment and is forced to become a cabin steward in order to learn gender sensitivity.

Title: Duck for President
Log Line: A duck is thrust into the limelight when his effort to save his farm leads him to run for U.S. President.

Title: I Know What You Did Last Summer 3
Log Line: A group of teenagers believe they accidentally killed a man only to discover that the would-be victim is now out to kill them. (isn't this the first one?)

Title: Road House 2
Log Line: A tough bouncer is hired to tame a dirty bar.

Some big hitters there! Box office records will be smashed! Now, if this doesn't make you write, nothing will. Hollywood is ripe for the picking.

My Ten Day Program

I'm 6 days into my vaunted program, and I'm 59 pages in. Not a bad pace. Although one gets the feeling it's going to become my 11 day program after this screenplay. Nevertheless, it works well. Giving myself a strict deadline really stops me from sabotaging myself with procrastination. And it feels great to finish a screenplay in such a short period of time. So, in other words, it is a success.

I was in a total daze last night as I hand wrote 18 pages, then typed them into Final Draft, revising it as I went along. It took me a good hour to get out of character.

I have nothing else to bitch or complain about, so I guess that's it for today. Tune in next time when I rail against Florida in a completely random tirade.

:made some edits to show my overall progress Sunday after having two writing sessions.

Easily Led Automatons

I am really just sickened by the amount of remakes set to deluge us in the coming months. That on top of the already "Day After Tomorrow" -worthy destruction remakes have caused in the last 5 years. Do we really need remakes? How hard is it to write an original screenplay? And how many piss poor sequels must I endure until a solid original makes it to the screen? Then, of course, are the trained monkeys who attend to the opening night of "The Longest Yard", unaware it's even a remake. And it does outstanding business. So who's to blame?

It certainly can't be the studios, as much as it pains me to say it. If these vomit inducing remakes and sequels didn't have an audience, then they would not get the funding. So, if I may borrow from Seinfeld, who are these people? Casual movie fans, just looking for a night out? Ugh. I tremble at the thought that there are that many casual movie fans. But obviously, there are, and that's the target audience. They will be the first in line to see the Gladiator sequel. (Yes, apparently there is one in the works) And what of the actual film lover's? Well, I include myself as a film lover, and the last place I'll be seen is in a theatre. And perhaps this is the problem. I can't stand the constant chattering, the inane conversations popping in and out of my ear through an entire movie. One cell phone rings, and I may commit a Valentines Day Massacre. Hell, if someone gets up to use the bathroom during an important scene, my trigger finger itches.

So could this be the divide in quality vs quantity? Is it safer to cater to the casuals, who may or may not see the movie based on a whim and a few choice advertisements, or cater to a more demanding audience, who, if they love the film, will undoubtedly raise the box office gross into the stratosphere, and if we hate it, it may crash and burn opening weekend. Now, it seems to me what they've done is chosen the middle ground. It's the smart move. It's also called the lowest common denominator theory. Make the movie as accessible to as many people as possible. Make the movie PG or at most, PG13. Then release an unrated or extended cut on DVD. That's where the hardcore film lover's come in. That's where they make the money off us. We're, in general, not nearly as finicky when buying a Dvd as opposed to actually sitting at the theatre. We own the movie. And we get special features to boot. It seems worthwhile to buy a DVD for $5 dollars more (at most) than it costs to basically rent it at the theatre.

And this all makes perfect sense, if you think about it. I have to say, the studios know what they're doing. Sadly, this leaves less slots open to writers such as myself, or the countless other's whose Blogs I read each day. And it appears there's no way to stop the shit from rolling down hill.

Get your hiking boots on, because we're going up the hill, backwards.

No Politics Here, But...

I saw a preview for a new show on ABC about a female being thrust into the role of President. Doesn't this just about reek of perfect timing? I think it's almost a guarantee Mrs. Clinton has a shot to win, especially if the show finds a male audience. I'm not necessarily against the idea of a sort of cross promotion of television and politics, and I really have no hatred for Clinton. I'm kind of 'meh' when it comes to her, as I am with most politicians. But it seems to me this is akin to releasing a show last year about a democratic nominee from the Northeast trying to fight for the presidency against the red state incumbent. I mean, maybe there should have been a show, what do I know. But when I first viewed the preview, all I thought was "Well that was subtle".

This is not a bash of either party.(I do that in private forums mostly:)) I just wanted to hear if anyone else felt the same way?

My Friend Cruise

Thought this was mildly humorous.

Dear *****,

Thank you for taking the OCA Personality Test online with us. Your test has now been processed.

I am contacting you to make an appointment so that one of our evaluators could go over the test result with you, and explain what the graph meant. It appears some aspects of your life are very unsatisfactory, and we can help you regain your focus. Please let me know which day of the week would be better for you so I could help you set up the appointment.

Please note that we are also open on the weekends as well if that makes it more convenient for you.

I look forward hearing back from you.

Best Regard,
- Paul
Scientology Testing Center
1830 E Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL. 32803

Could I be devilish enough to bring a hidden camera there for my meeting?

The Writer's Abyss

We've all been there. You just started a screenplay, or are in the planning/outlining stage. You think about the story 24 hours a day. You engage in conversation half heartedly because you're really thinking, 'How can I make the plot twist work in Act II?'. You're in a creative fog, and the real world crashes all around you. When the creative sparks are flying, it's hard to engage in intimate conversation with other people.

Especially for me right now, when the subject matter for my new creation is so dark.

I told Katie I was in the abyss tonight, and I would talk to her about it after the first draft was done. Now I think she's worried that I'm writing "50 ways to murder your girlfriend and have not one soul find out about it". She asked what the story's about , but I had only a vague answer. I said I didn't know, but it was gruesome. And now I'm in a sort of dark/depressed, but high on writing, mood. Nothing seems to be happening to me in real time. It's kind of cool to talk about it while I'm actually in it.

The weird thing is, the dialogue is just flying from my pen like I know what is supposed to be said. I have a weird feeling this will be a major stepping stone for me as a screenwriter. This is around my tenth screenplay. I've finished three. (and numerous shorts) So if everything goes according to plan, this will be my fourth, and maybe that's the magic number where we grow from our humble beginnings, to actually putting it all together. Maybe structure, story and format are perfected through actually doing it.

I wonder if anyone has had that euphoric feeling. A feeling like you know you've gained something invaluable? Or if anyone has been so immersed in a screenplay, that they lose the attention span to endure the real world. And do you get caught up in the mood of the story? If it's a comedy, do you feel happy and jovial? If it's horror, do you feel on edge, or depressed?

Dazed, and somewhat adrift, I move on.....

I'm Starting To Scare Myself

In a windstorm of activity last night, I had the uncontrollable urge(I can't say that without repeating it, Devo style) to write another Horror script within my ten day program. 7 pages went from keyboard to screen in a half hour. I felt I knew the story inside and out. And it is repugnant. Where has my mind gone? Am I becoming a horror writer? Do I in fact have this much horror inside me? The situation I was thrust into last night, writing a story about something I have never experienced, and it being so difficult to digest, I just wonder where this came from. I had nightmares about it. Yet, I am enthralled, and will finish this macabre opus in my allotted ten days, or die trying.

I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly blood lust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

Quick hit review-'OPERA'

Opera (1987)
Directed by: Dario Argento
Genre: Horror/'Giallo'

Scares: Some 'jump out' jolts, good dark atmosphere
Gore: Above average. More than a normal horror movie, and it's well done.
Story: Above average. Good story with a somewhat convoluted ending sequence.
Music: Overall, it's good. Except for the speed metal-not good.
Direction: Great camera work, moody lighting and one of the best all time kill scenes.

Overall: 7/10
Not Argento's best, but probably his last very good movie.

I'm in dire straights..according to Scientologist's worldwide!

Yet another cult writes me off. My chart appears quite low in the majority of categories. I was to speed my way to the Scientology Church for help immediately. I couldn't copy the chart, so I took a picture with my trusty digital camcorder. People must be made aware of this religion biased test! (it's hard to read, I know.)

PLOT HOLE THIS!

Plot holes and twist endings. To me, the story does not have to show everything to the audience. The only time I think there's a plot hole in a story is if something happens for no imaginable reason, or something impossible occurs. But if I look back on the film as a whole, and can say, "Well that could have happened." That's all I need. Some people need to see it tie together, where I just need to know it's possible it could tie together like that in the end without my seeing it. I prefer to let the antagonists do what they would do in real life-hide in the shadows, pull some strings. If you show the audience everything that happens, what good is the story? Are hints necessary? Probably. But even without a hint it works for me, as long as it's plausible.

*********SPOILERS*********(THE USUAL SUSPECTS)


Take for instance, The Usual Suspects. After Keyser Soze is found out, we get a flashback to show how he made up all the stories in the police station. I like that. The viewer is never sure who Keyser really is until the very end. Yet, some say the major plot hole occurs in the last twenty minutes, when Verbal stays behind. They say it makes no sense that he walked onto the boat and ended the lives of those people because he was hiding when Dean Keaton was shot. People forget it's Keysor telling the b.s. story, which is why we see it in his vision-a lie.

Yet constantly, I hear people crying 'plot hole' simply because they want everything spoon fed.

And don't get me started on Mulholland Drive. The story makes sense if you work at it. And I, for one, enjoy that.

The Rewrite

I decided to go ahead with a rewrite on Generator. I was going through some post screenplay depression, and none of my other scripts sparked my interest. So tomorrow, I begin.

Had some bad storms today, but nothing uncool.

I played some Gamecube, Timesplitters 3, and lounged around the house while Katie worked on her genealogy stuff. She has over a 1,000 names in her family tree. Pretty impressive. It goes back to the early 18th century, I believe. I have no patience for that. Unless I get someone to start it up, then maybe my interest in it would keep me going. But starting from scratch..I don't think I can do it. I did get a script idea out of it, though. Cool indeed.

My truck accelerates while I'm driving. The entire time I'm driving. Without my foot on the pedal. Ever try braking when the gas is punched? Yeah, it doesn't make for smooth driving. I almost died on the way to Best Buy. But hey, it was Best Buy, so of course I made it there unscathed. Picked up The Rules of Attraction and The Talented Mr. Ripley for cheap. ($14 for both)
Plus I ordered several Italian 'Giallo/horror' movies online. I'm loving the genre so far. I recommend everyone check out a few. I'm thinking of writing one, actually. It interests me very much.

Anyone see Friday The 13th pt. 1? Well, this past week I watched the Mario Bava classic Twitch of the Death Nerve(Bay Of Blood), and every murder from Twitch was recycled in the original Friday a mere 9 years later. What a rip off.

As George Costanza once said, "That's it for me! I'm outta here!"

I, Aggravated

Being just outside Orlando for the past 18 months, one would think I'd be prepared for these hurricane warnings, and all the shit the news throws out there. I am not. Nor was I prepared last year for Charlie. Imagine my surprise when my power was out for 6 days. The water was not fit for consumption, or even for showers. No stores were open, and there was no gas available anywhere. Life became zombie-fied. Add into the equation I was in school at the time, and you really get a sense of just how ill prepared I turned out to be, and how shitty and smelly class was. I spent nights in my truck, with the A/C on. Since the truck has to be running for the air to work, I had to ration out my air service to conserve gas every couple of hours. Of course, I could have alleviated this by filling up my tank, pre-storm. My cell phone sat on the brink of death. I had to drive, again wasting precious gas, to Chick-Fil-A and plug into their outdoor power. (being in construction, I knew there would be back-up power at a place of business) But prior to Charlie hitting, and even on the first night, I smiled and laughed about it. Being from the northeast leaves you with a certain cynicism, and a been there, done that demeanor. I am a cynic/realist. But I also have an extremely dark sense of humor, so I feel this balances out my personality. I'm not a doom and gloom person. (actually, yes I am) At least, I don't bore people with my doom and gloom...

Anyway, I went as far as walking outside with my camcorder(and a pint of vodka for good measure) in the middle of the Hurricane for 2 hours. I loved it. I was the last man on earth. Besides those kids swimming in the apartment complexes pool. What were they thinking? (then again, what was I thinking?!) I crossed the 6 lane highway with ease, in total darkness as the winds and rain tried to dissuade me. The lightning crashed behind me at one point, and I believe a tree was on fire. Ha! It was going to take more than that to stop me! I couldn't see a thing, since all the street lights were out, and there was no moon visible. After gallivanting around town, mocking my very existence, tempting the sky to hit me harder, I made my way back to my apartment. As I turned into a little alcove of sorts which leads to my door, a tree was uprooted right beside me. A big tree. I did not run. I stood next to the tree as the roots ripped and twisted into the most frightening roar I ever heard. I dared it to fall on me. It didn't. It fell forward onto my neighbors car. I called my friends up in Jersey with the in depth report, in which case every one of them told me I'm crazy and to 'Get inside!' Obeying orders, I finally get into my apartment. The power has been out for 4 hours now. It'll be on at any moment, I tell myself.

And this is where my jovial outlook took an exit, stage right. I didn't prepare. No food, water or candles. No batteries for the flashlight. I ate tuna for 4 days in a row. (My cat may have enjoyed this, but that's another story) I turned from fun lovin' storm watcher, to storm victim in 24 hours, and it was the worst experience of minimalist living I have ever encountered. It was the most horrific 6 days of my life. To add insult to injury, it was the first major hurricane to hit Orlando head on in a really long time, or ever. And it was just in time to welcome me to my new southern home. Needless to say, I flew back to Jersey and missed the other hurricane that hit Orlando. But now, it appears another horrific season awaits me. True, Dennis isn't supposed to hit here, but I know the worst is yet to come. And I won't be mocking the skies for awhile(at least until September).

Remind me to tell you about my 25 hour straight, blizzard ridden, drive from Jersey to Florida another time. The God's did not want me down here, and still may not. I can only pray for California when I move there. My girlfriend is positive the earthquake will hit as I pull into LA. Look out!

Boy, I was popular overnight

Suddenly, I got 30 hits from strange blogs overnight. These were not regulars. Don't know what the deal is, but checking my site stats, it makes little sense. All of the visitors have absolutely nothing to do with writing. Oh well, at least it'll bump my total up from it's meager level.

On the screenplay front, I'm still procrastinating on my next move. I think I want to try out my 10 day program that I had such success with on another script, and I want to start something new. But the little voice inside is saying "Finish what ya got, dead beat!" So, it appears picking from a potpourri of shit I have agonized over several times already is the way I must go.

There's the dilemma. Which enables my procrastination. I guess I'm being a little hard on myself. It's only been 3 days since I finished Generator in record time(for me). But I know not to be complacent. Got to get going onto the next project, and soon.

"My goal is to become hopeless"

Famous words of George Costanza. I think I now know what he meant. For months now, I've had a script in my agent's hands. There was a ton of interest from people that mattered. (Including having an actress committing to reprising her role) Having a busy TV schedule, I was told he'd get the script to the right person in the coming weeks. That was in May. I haven't heard back yet. I sent a new draft about a month ago, and he sent me an email telling me "Thanks. Got it.". Now I'd assume, being the sensible man that I am, that he would mention if everything fell through at that point. After all, there would be no need for a new draft if it were no longer in circulation, or if it was shot down. Yet, I can't fathom everything is okay when it's taking this long. It all started in November. Yes, only November from writing something for fun to having an agent and actress embrace the concept. Seems like so little time, doesn't it? So here I am, thinking one of two things:

"It's been two stinkin' months without a word. The dream is over."

and...

"It's only been 7 months, and since then I have acquired an agent to help me out, I have contacted an actress, and she agreed to reprise her role, and I started with little more than an idea in July last year, while in the shower."

Which thought process is correct?

"When your hopeless, you don't care. And when you don't care, that kind of indifference makes you attractive" Costanza

Idiotic

Dawn Of The Dead REMAKE-28 million budget-makes 60 million domestic

The Land Of The Dead-15 million budget-16 million made back so far

My stomach churns when a maverick director who filmed the original Dawn.. can't even compete with a remake of his own work. The Land of the Dead should have made at least double what it's taken in so far. And it should have trounced the Dawn remake.

I loathe people.

From the "No Shit.." files....

You mean to tell me I only have 6 disorders now?!

Gee who would of thought prescribing Ritalin to toddlers wasn't the answer? Kids may have energy, not adhd

Wow. What a stunning find. I can't believe they're now entertaining the possibility of parenting instead of zombie inducing meds.

In other more shocking news, it may be better to engage your kids in conversation and activities then to let them watch 12 straight hours of television. (It's okay for me though, it's obviously research when I watch 10 hours of movies)

/end sarcastic transmission

Finished her up

Generator is done! I stuck what was working-just straight up brutality. I did end up finding a twist I never thought of. And I like it. It makes so much sense, it's just perfect. And there were no PG13 moments to be had. The ending is a depressing piece of insanity, and that's the way I like my horror. So if I am remembering this correctly, it's been 10 days since I started Generator. It stands at a lean 72 pages.(plan on adding another 5-10 pages in rewrites) That's about 7 pages a day, everyday. I'm going to see if I can continue this pace on my next project, of which I haven't decided yet.

I'll give myself off tomorrow, most likely. Then dive into something else.

Question for my visitors: Do you usually jump right into your next project? Or do you wait until your buzz from the prior script wears off? I'd be interested to know what other writers do.

Have a happy July 4th.

It was the butler?! WTF?!

I am stuck at page 60 with Generator. I know my last few pages, but am having doubts on how I was going to get there. I have come up with a twist ending that is pretty cool, however it slows the story down towards the end at it begs some kind of explanation. Part of me thinks it's really spectacular, but another part of me thinks this story should just end as the original concept intended-in a blood soaked, no apologies fashion. No twist, everything is as it seems, people get butchered because they deserve to, 70's style. The twist is something I incorporate a lot, so I think I'll go with carnage this time around. I can always change it in the rewrite.

In other more interesting news, the stories in the news lately, about kids being murdered or disappearing has left me with an idea for a script. It's something I think about often(as I touched on in one of my first blogs) and always get this sinister, overwhelming feeling. I think I may write what I always imagine. But maybe I should finish my other projects, don't you think?

On the April Fool's Day 2 front, still no word on if Frank Mancuso JR requested to read it, or if a reader at his production company has it already. Last I heard, my agent was enthused, and he would get it to him. So the waiting game continues.

I will find out how AFD2 did in Scriptapalooza and the Eerie Horror screenplay contests by the end of July.

Now, time to finish this damn script!

Pink Floyd

Just watched Pink Floyd, live from London. Incredible show. For those 30 minutes, everything was right in the world. And yes, I can see the huge tour being planned at this very moment which will rake in a billion dollars for them. But I can't help wondering if the personal problems of 3 men can be resolved even after 20 years of combat in a mere 30 minutes, maybe the rest of the world has a chance to reconcile as well.

After all, every country was friendly with each other at one point. It's purely pie in the sky thinking, but it's my only hopeful thought for the world this year, I promise. No more sappiness.

And, by the way, Pink Floyd were Gods today, and I would pay $1000 to see them live.

Phantom Lord Generator

Yes, this is getting tiresome. Coming on here to say, 'hey, another seven pages tonight!'. But anyway, I did add another seven pages tonight. And that brings the grand total to 60 1/2 pages. 15-20 to go. There are some plot holes to tighten up, since I started with one plot, and midway had a great idea and just kind of pushed it in that direction. Well, I didn't, my character's did. They really like some gruesome shit. This is not your PG 13 horror, kids.

Now I'm exhausted, so maybe tomorrow I'll have something of importance to spew.

Retraction

Katie does not love the celebrity dance show on ABC. She thinks it's okay. I also did not mean to infer I would slay her. I love her very much and would never harm her. She is to me what Final Draft is to screenwriting. (A flawed program that has so much promise you hold onto it anyway) Love you Katie! :)

That oughta hold her.....

That is all.

THE FINAL CUT

I put down yet another 7 1/2 pages tonight to bring the total for Generator up to 53 1/2. Almost finished the first draft. Around 25 more pages!

By the by, I will slay anyone who thinks that the stupid ABC celebrity dance off program is worth watching. Katie loves it, and I suffer excruciating nausea as a result. I have no time to view nitwits prancing around just to see which 'famous' person can learn to prance the best. Now, say if they were trying to figure out which of those so called famous folk can learn to work a construction job making $12 an hour, I may tune in. Or who can drink the most JD without throwing up or acting like a jackass. Anything else would do.

And one more thing- Now admittedly, I'm no R Kelly fan, but this guy has finally done it. I've snapped. Katie made me listen to something she described as horrible. Horrible was not the word. The song, which thankfully I don't know the name of, has one full minute of this:

"I'm in the closet
He walks in the bathroom
Still I'm in the closet
Closet
Closet!
He checks the shower
still I'm in the closet
with my berretta
but I'm a christian man
He approaches the closet
and I'm in the closet
He opens the closet
and there I am
In the closet
closet
closet!"

I assure you, it's worse hearing it. Now I know people that like his music. And I can deal with mindless R&B, the "same beat recycled since Jodeci was hot" crap as well as the next guy. But anyone who likes this song is good must be put to death....or given a good talking to. And I'm sure the album/song is 7 times platinum. How infuriating.