First response to Red Star? POSITIVE! Hopefully some exciting news to follow that, which is a great way to start the day. What next? Sequestration Manor is in the safe hands of Phil and there's sod all on the IT front, so I'm left with itchy fingers. I'm tempted by the Industry Insider Screenwriting Contest: "After a storm destroys her small farm, killing her mother and father, an adolescent girl is sent off on a journey of survival." I like it. I like it a lot! First 15 pages brewing... Meanwhile, the hoo-ha about horse-meat. Naughty Tescos - a hilarious mix of dusted off old jokes and brand new spoofs.
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I'm going for broke with Philip Sheldon and Philip Gladwin! Mr S is re-reviewing Sequestration Manor, hopefully for the final time before I submit to... Blue Cat screenplay competition I think. Meanwhile, I have enrolled on their seminar
Raindance are excellent - their courses, their reviews and their support and the opportunities they create, but I'm dabbling with alternatives. The first SQ review was really helpful, and it was sent early in the writing process, out of frustration when I couldn't get it together. I'm dubious about too many reviews on a script - for goodness sake, just get on and finish it!!! BUT I've gone for a second critique as there is still a long way to go. Progress of a sort! Otherwise, January is a bit dull and depressing. Diets, no booze and limited socialising. I am hoping we get a nice dump of snow and a day off work and school! I have a new sled for Christmas that me and The Moo are itching to try out Red Star is finished!
And Sequestration Manor so very, very nearly finished! Polishing off my synopsis and log line for Red Star and it's up and away on InkTip. As a two-parter, I can't find any competitions to enter it into because it's too long! Things are looking very hopeful with agencies though, and a distant relative with friends in high places is making some moves for me. The networking begins and Red Star enters the world. Meanwhile I have a choice... Screenwriting Goldmine runs an excellent course in London in March, which I'm very tempted by... BUT, some friends are having a weekend at Butlins for the exact same price! Haha - work or play? Think I'll go with the work, as I can't afford both, and save the celebrations for when I get something sold and if that doesn't happen quickly, save the commiserations for when I have more money! Oh sad day, my jury service is over. I have a final extract before the prosecution rested: Defendant: I didn't hear anything, I wasn't even home. Now back to the grindstone. Have some IT work this morning, but that is followed by lunch at The National theatre, which is rather exciting! Then, I have my critique of Sequestration Manor back from Philip Shelley. On the first read, he isn't as brutal as Raindance! Haven't digested it fully yet, but there are a lot of changes. LOTS and lots! After a full read, I shall decide if I prefer the cut and thrust of Raindance over Screenwriting Goldmine's softer approach, but I suspect they're are actually both as brutal! Does that change? As one gets better, do the Draft 1 critiques get less abrasive? I'm going to have to do it - it's solid gold!
Today's extracts (which can't be discussed for fear of influencing me, but can surely be mentioned?) Prosecution: You didn't know there were illegal items in your flat? Defendant: Yes Prosecution: You did know? Defendant: No Prosecution: You didn't know? Defendant: Yes Prosecution: Do you mean No? Defendant: Yes Prosecution: Yes or No? Defendant: No The judge interrupted at that point - AND told off Mr Barrister off for having his hands in his pockets So, strictly confidential these next couple of weeks - and rather nice it is too. I can't work, I have to move into court and listen, get sent outside to chat or read, then be fetched back in again. It is a lovely opportunity to step away from writing (and computers) completely. A chance to let new ideas germinate and distance myself from old ideas before my final edit of Red Star and its voyage to Agents requesting a view of my work. Meanwhile, I'm relishing the experience. Courts in the UK, at least Crown Courts, still seem to be frightfully smart. The case (NO DETAILS!) is full of video footage and statements, the latter read out by the terribly upper class: Defense Barrister: ".Fuck you" Judge: "What did you say?" DB: "I said, Fuck you, My Lord." Judge: "I see, thank you." I shall be sad to get back to the real world. I love Christmas, but isn't it a bit early? Yesterday, had 3 kids for tea, singing vaguely recognisable Christmas carols, with alternate wording, whilst drawing vampire-cyclops-bats. Had the local turning on of the Christmas lights last week - complete with local schools and lanterns - and my daughter is nagging me to put up decorations. The only thing is to give in, and enjoy the moment... hours ... weeks - whatever. That also justifies opening some port, in my opinion, a truly seasonal drink. That should help me tackle Red Star too. Got back the review from Raindance and it isn't pretty. A HELL of a lot needed changing as I have to agree with all the comments. Minus writing groups or impartial friends who work with scripts for a living (!), getting a critique is crucial - to me anyway. The PROBLEM is again I've left it too late! I submitted the script to the Channel 4 program before the review, and I've gotta say it's highly unlikely to impress in that version! Hey-ho, there's always next year and I'm nearly done with the re-writes. I've also sent Sequestration Manor for a review, trying a new source - Phillip Shelley at The Script Consultant. Will he be as surgical? I get VEX man with all da tex-talk And, although I like all sorts of music, I'd be in the Indie box if I had to pick one. So, I did a comparison to vindicate my Language and Music snobbery - randomly selecting two artists from the mainstream charts and alternate charts. So; Conner Maynard versus Mumford & Sons - YouTube comments accompanying their toons:
What does this prove?
NOTHING! It's my petty revenge for the effort to decipher this crap when I can't avoid it. Innit Got the review of Red Star back from Raindance... Ouch! My Aston aspirations are on hold for a while based on this critique, at least if I hope to buy one from selling a script. The first reaction is a bit like a punch in the gut - Oomph. Next, a creeping feeling of actually being really crap, especially on a re-read where the comments all make sense. This is followed by: "been here before, surely I can salvage it?" Which vies with "What are you even thinking of? You're rubbish". Eventually, my optimistic nature kicks in and my sub-conscious starts processing the comments in a positive way, working out how to incorporate them into the story. Thing is, without a good reading circle to bat ideas off, and without friends or relatives (in the industry and prepared to be on hand for edits) the professional critique process is invaluable and really helpful. Bless Raindance, their comments are spot-on, and they NEVER actually say "You're rubbish", AND they point out all the bits they like at the beginning ...in quite a short paragraph. Cuppa and fags on hand now, ready for the re-write. After winning first place in PAGE sci-fi round, and the flurry of requests to see my script COLLIDER - and other scripts, it feels a bit flat - this period of waiting. I guess it's an early dance of show me what you have, and I'll show you mine.
It is lovely having Prod Co's, literary and managing agents (still got to get my head around what that means?) actually contacting me, rather than the other way around. Still, after writing for so many years, there's a huge part of me that's not ... not jaded, that's the wrong adjective! Just... realistic? Stoic? It all takes so very long! I would love someone to buy Collider, wouldn't that be amazing? I do like the script, and I can imagine it on the Big Screen, but will it happen as a result of this competition? I'm not sure. I was also convinced it wouldn't win though! I think I'm probably gearing myself up rationally, for another steep climb before selling something - although emotionally I am, in truth, mentally composing my response to IT-World, with an out of office: "Thank you for getting in touch. I am unavailable for IT work for the next 'X' months, and will be in touch if/when I've run out of income from writing." |
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