I'm late, I'm late, I know. Of course I had the time around other committments and happenings, but I was quite decided against posting a blog the last few days. I didn't think I had accomplished much written work. Although I think about stories and characters constantly - I tell you, constantly - I was stuck in my tracks, stuck in my head, stuck in a funk.
Development
I met with a good fellow and discussed Project Hostage. Bringing a partner to a project previously solo, wholly thought up by you thus far, isn't an easy transition for either party. Despite my whimsical intentions, I'm sure I was clinging to ideas in our meeting and wasn't clear painting the full (yet incomplete) picture for the show. It was still a very valuable brainstorm and I hope he isn't scared or indifferent at the proposition of similar meetings in the future. Good fellow linked me Community creator Dan Harmon's model for TV/web/story structure. I've experimented with that of my pilot accordingly, and to meet this model's criteria some characters have changed. As in, the decisions made by characters have shifted to others and I now find a better defined protagonist - now quite likeable!
To mention also, in preparation for this brainstorm - I took on an exercise TV Wet Nurse Matt Hill recommended. I got out my address book and plucked the identities of the people I find most unique and fascinating. Breaking down their personalities (in a nice, friendly, non-stalker way) I saw the pattern of inherent contradictions about these people. Such deductive work proved inspirational as well as spookily relevant tying in with another exercise I was attempting from Rib Davis' book to do with adding contradictions to realise interesting characters.
Writing
So since last week and chiefly in the last eighteen hours I have produced a new draft of the pilot episode. Today also, I had an idea for a sketch - I have no understanding where it came from or at what point it occurred to me. Did I sit down and start typing? Surely not. The obscure idea was somehow implanted. Cobb.... Anyhow, I rather like it and showed a couple of people. They weren't too excited but the reception was generally positive. I shall endeavour to find a producer with an offbeat sense of humour, or in the least, a 'what the hell' attitude, so I can film this pretty.
Improv
This is a new and wonderfully fun thing I do on the weekend. This Sunday just past, I had a moment during a couple of scenes. Rather, I was in the moment. I didn't even realise I was in the moment during the moment. Wowwww. I wasn't like that the previous week or whenever I've performed in front of an audience, and one had indeed gathered for these two scenes. Some good laughs, surprised myself, gave a high-five.
Watched
Mark Duplass movies. Because his eyes are deep wells of beauty and truth and humour. The movies were pretty decent: the first being Safety Not Guaranteed (2012) with the first shared scene between Aubrey Plaza's Darius and Duplass' Kenneth being the highlight; the second one a mumblecore, The Puffy Chair (2005 - written, produced by Duplass, and co-directed with brother Jay).
Last few weeks I've been tuning into Josh Thomas' series Please Like Me. Whilst not great or rapid-fire comedy, I appreciate the honesty behind the writing. I do rather like the father's performance as well.
The last few episodes of Girls has certainly confirmed my love-hate relationship with the second season. I'm quite intrigued by Adam's storyline at present and also Hannah's OCD development - I'm now wary about my tendency to count my steps in a 1-2-3-4 pattern. But I'm leaning towards the rationale that this is to do with my daily running to music with a 4-4 key signature, as opposed to an undiagnosed mental obsession.
Sat through two hours of a DVD explaining the origins, accessibility and fulfilling capabilties of Scientology. Its followers seem to belong to diverse races, ages and classes of people. Beside stabilising their lives through Scientology courses, they all have in common confidence and good looks. Quality casting or the physical manifestation of bodies that have reconnected with the beauty and power that is their Theta? The line between writer research and my actual search for enlightenment has become blurry, and I recognise Scientology is a kind of worrying institution to be flirting with. Never fear readers, their country-club-esque, sauna-loving Church requires its members to invest money, and I am fresh out.
Read
Although highly engrossing, I did not finish Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in time for book club. I've been loaned Tim Costello's Tips from a Travelling Soul-Searcher in which Costello has proffered the challenge, competition and point of life is to collect the most and best stories and after skimming through his personal anecdotes, inspired musings and thought-provoking philosophies, I think it's fair to say Costello's won life. I'm recording many notes for scriptwork. I'm reading another excellent buzz-word book on spirital growth - informing one of my characters to fairly humorous results.
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