The Rules Are Meant To Be Broken-Except For These!

Rule #1: Do not use voice over
Reason?: Show don't tell.

This one always pissed me off. Other writers will take you out behind the woodshed for this one, even before reading it. And I quote: "So many beginners use it wrong, it's best just to forego it all together. The risk isn't worth it." To which I say, "Beginning writers do almost everything wrong. Formatting, structure and transitions are often just obliterated in the first few or even 10 screenplays. They'll learn how to do it properly through practice, like anything else". Besides, some of the greatest movies of all time use Vo extensively. Goodfellas, Citizen Kane and Taxi Driver, among countless others. You can show, and accent with voice over. Obviously, saying what's happening on the screen, well that's just stupid. But who does that, except someone who can't write, or has just begun, anyway? If a man is walking very deliberately in a downpour, without an umbrella, you know he has some sort of problem, or dilemma on his mind. Now say I comment on something else entirely? Like this:

Roslo Bogolog tenderly steps through the river of water that streams by his feet. He stops at the corner, glares at the Do Not Cross sign, and sets his gaze back to the river amongst his toes. The rain pounds his shoulders relentlessly as he studies his sloshed shoes with dismay.

Roslo(VO)
I wonder if she's with him right now? How much time can one spend with a urologist without it sending them into fits, anyway?

The light turns red, and he is allowed to cross. He kicks at a rather deep sea set in a pot hole on the street, sending a wave of water briefly into the air.

Roslo(VO)
I mean, I've met urologists, and they're boring as hell. Urinary track this, urinary track that.

He approaches the glass double doors of the law offices in which he practices. He walks in, takes his jacket off, and shakes it dry. He stands in front of the gaudy gold elevators, silently staring at the numbers as they slowly count down to ground level.

Roslo(VO)
Then again, I've met many lawyers in my day, and we're no Swiss picnic, either.

End horrible example/

So what's wrong with using VO in that situation? To me, using voice over in this way shows and tells, without being redundant. He is not telling anything of what he's doing at the present time, which is walking sheepishly to work, not caring about the rain soaking him. We see that. But the VO does give us some insight to what he is thinking, without going overboard. So, was this example incorrect? Obviously, it's not necessary for this scene, but I think it adds a layer, and doesn't hurt it. I would really like to know, because I have a hard time believing this is a detriment to the story. But if I'm wrong, tell me so.

Tune in next time when I hit on fantasy and dream sequences.

They Deserve It!

Here's my all time If the academy weren't so stuck up, these actors would have been nominated list. These are some of my favorite performances, personally speaking.

1. Jack Nicholson-The Shining
2. Al Pacino-Scarface
3. Donald Pleasance-Halloween
4. Adam Sandler-Punch Drunk Love
5. Steve Buscemi- Reservoir Dogs
6. Tom Cruise-Interview With a Vampire
7. Tim Curry-Clue
8. Jack Black-High Fidelity
9. Robert Deniro-Taxi Driver
10. Robert Deniro-Goodfellas

Any others?

Dirty Black Summer

*Time to get back in the flow. That vacation to FT. Myers was the death of me. So I'm going to re-start Dirt. tonight. It's at 31 pages, so I figure my 10 day program will be fine. Although, I do anticipate this epic being, well, epic. Which to me means over 120 pages. We shall see how it goes. I'm kind of forcing myself to do something. My cloud of depression is darkening daily, so basically I must begin a new project. *

*Over at The Moviequill, there's a blog about character names. I never realized the amount of thought that goes into things like that. Then I wondered why I haven't had those marathon sessions of "This name sucks!", tossing it for another and another. Then it occurred to me as I went over my scripts. I'm damn good at naming things. Really, this is not to brag, because I don't consider it brag-worthy. But I have always named my scripts, characters, poems and songs without much hassle.

It's really a stupid thing to say, but I have a weird ability to see into the core of what or who I'm writing, and the name just pops out at me. For instance, I was writing dialogue for a barber. I thought, I better name him before I get too far in. Banks MCgovern appears in my head. And it was perfect for that character. In my screenplay, Killer Is Me(named after a song, of course), the serial killer is Seth Panski. In fact, I've personally used that name since. Only when I'm on a murdering spree. Just kidding. I think. Yes, of course I am. I guess the moral of this self congratulatory post is, everyone has a different base skill set when they begin. I consider mine naming things and dialogue.(yippee fucking yay) Others may be description and perfect format. Timing and structure. And that's interesting to me, I guess. Nobody else gives a damn, but that's fine too, because my other skill is entertaining myself.*

*Hell's Kitchen was awesome, by the by. I don't know if anyone watched it, but I really was intrigued by the contests, and by Chef Ramsey, of course. Him and I have the same approach to the world, I think. Wouldn't mind having a pint with him at the local pub. Not that Florida knows what a pub is, mind you. This brings me to my dream actors for my yet to be written gangster movie-Russell Crow and Collin Farrell. What a time to be had by all! I would get along royally with them. And probably engage in a few fist a cuffs after drinking too long. But hey, it'll all be in good fun.*

*And now back to stifling reality. Thank you, come again.*

Time To Get ill?

I've been feeling like shit lately, and I think it's because I'm not writing. I'm told when I'm writing I'm nowhere near as hostile or depressed. Maybe it's the mark of a real writer-writing is the only undertaking that makes me whole. At any rate, whatever it is, I best embark on a new project soon. I'm thinking my grungy epic, DIRT. to be the next in line. It really deserves to be finished. A lot of people are waiting to read it. Anyway, that's the way I'm leaning.







QUICK HIT REVIEW: BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974)
Directed by: Bob Clark (A Christmas Story, Deathdream, Porky's)

Overall, a damn fine stalker/slasher pic. A lot of Carpenter's Halloween was ripped directly from this film. And you'll know it. There are some spine tingling scenes, especially during the last half hour that are really effective. Another film ripped this one off badly, but I won't mention which. If you saw that movie, then the main twist is easy to spot in B.C. It's really a shame. I saw this 'other' movie many years ago, but it almost ruined Black Christmas for me. At any rate, you will still be entertained, as I was, even if you know the deal.

GORE: Less is more approach. Works well. 7/10
STORY: Very well done. Too bad it's been done several times since, dampening the overall effect. 6.5/10
ACTING: Very low key, and real. No melodrama here. 8/10
MUSIC/SCORE: Also low key. Some kind of distorted piano. Works pretty well. 8/10
SCARE FACTOR: There are more freaky moments than outright scares. The end gets intense though. 7.5/10
OVERALL: Cool little horror movie ahead of its time. Worthy of any film addicts collection. 7.4/10

Long Way Back From Hell

I'm finally back, and just in time to see that I did not make the quaterfinals for Scriptapalooza. Hogwash! Actually, I knew damn well a horror script like mine wouldn't get very far in that contest. Oh well, I still have the Eerie horror contest, which I think I will do much better in. Winners will be announced this week, and I could really use a win here.

As to my previous post, no, I didn't really get a new laptop. I was trying to finish the post while Katie was getting ready, when my mind started to drift into dreamland. I thought, wouldn't it be cool if she came over and gave a new powerbook? But alas, my little story took a grisly turn when she came up behind me and notified me it was time to leave. And she was empty handed. So that's why it read like it did.

I have to start a new script this week. Being in Fort Myers for a few days cleared out all the clutter that can invade a mind that's been much too stimulated, pumping out two screenplays in 3 1/2 weeks. I thought about a lot of my ideas, and also about screenplays I have yet to finish, and a new idea seems to be taking precedent over my old unfinished stories. I hate it when that happens.

Everything is coming together for Generator, the movie. I have just about every role filled, sound guys, producers and locations. All for free. Now I have to get up there and do it. I'm thinking over the Christmas holiday. But the date is TBD. I'm just going to make my own DVDs and sell my movie the old fashioned way, through good old word of mouth. Maybe use the internet to my advantage. I'm going to kick this thing in the ass. Hollywood's not knocking down my door, so maybe I'll just kick theirs down instead.

My Mother wishes I would write short stories instead of screenplays. Like Stephen King. Everyone has an opinion, huh?

I recently purchased a Cyberhome 300 DVD player. There's an easy hack that allows it to play all region dvds. It's a little player, but has progressive scan support, and the all region hack makes it worth the $30 I spent on it. If anyone wants to know the hack, just ask, or Google it, and I'm sure there's a big community that discusses these sorts of things.

If I order a senior citizens meal because I like the platter, shouldn't I be able to get it, even though I'm not a senior? It's the same amount of food either way, so it's not like they would charge more or less. Same with the kids meal. Why can't I order it? They get the same amount of cash either way, and the platter is what I want. Bah! Anyway, that always angers me. It's not like they're cheaper. I don't want the senior discount, just the damn meal!

Picked up Black Christmas yesterday. Will watch it tonight. I can't wait.

And, to reiterate, I hate talking politics, especially on a blog, because it just turns into a debacle everytime. But can these Hollywood shmoes stop bitching and complaining about everything here in America? Just because we are able to speak our minds freely, doesn't necessarily mean we should absolutely fucking do so whenever a camera is shoved in your mug. It gets real tiresome hearing Tim Robbins, or Sean Penn, or Janeane Garafalo just spout what essentially is a company line at this point. Alright already! Everyone knows your stance! Who are you trying to impress? You sound like damn fools. You're spoiled fucking rotten, and yet you complain and whine ten times more than the single parent who is working 80 hour weeks to make ends meet for their children. Go make I Am Sam, Too and leave me be.

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.....