Another post about nothing

You're so lucky! A second post in one week, which I think three of you will enjoy… you're welcome MOM.

I am blogging today not to report any earth-shattering news, discoveries or addictions – but instead to keep me busy until it's quitting time… time has started to roll backwards here at the old ad agency. I normally don't blog about my personal life – but I have decided to whore myself out for more viewers! Mom, if you're reading… just ignore this post.

I have started reading Save the Cat: a guide of a cat at the movies, or something to that nature. It's a great read… it basically goes through several different movie genres and breaks out the pivotal info into an outline of sorts. So far, I have made it through the Monster in the House. It's your basic horror, suspense, thriller, alien movie. Some of the movies that Blake listed were Aliens, Fatal Attraction…. And I can't seem to remember any more! Thanks brain. But, I like the book so far. Since I am on a budget, I had to check out the book at the library and they didn't have the first one – I know! I need to get my hands on that one. And, I will… it's just all monies are being saved for my Paris trip, which I leave for in less than 2 weeks!

So, my itinerary for Paris will include the Louvre, Norte Dame, the Catacombs, Eiffel Tower, Musee D'Orsay, Opera Garnier, and a whole truck-load of cheese, wine and baguette bread! I can't wait.

Since Paris will be grand! I will move onto my next topic in this ADD post-a-hog! I watched Bored to Death on HBO – and I gotta write that I loved it! Jason Schwartzman… funny man. I have only seen the pilot but I think that it looks promising.

Well, that has burned up about 20 minutes! Thanks for the time escape.

 

 

 

 

Emmy’s!

Since I love the TV and want to be a part of that magic – I watched the 61^st Emmy's last night…. There were some good moments, like when Kristin Chenoweth won Best Supporting Actress for the now canceled Pushing Daisies and Tracy Morgan looking utterly confused reading a teleprompter. But, I have to say that my favorite moment went to Matthew Weiner. He's the creator of Mad Men, unfortunately a show I don't watch, and when he won for Outstanding Drama Series, he gave writers a nice little shout out! Basically, he stated that writers need to keep on their track and keep trying to reach their goals. He even referenced writers at Starbucks, something I have been guilty of! So, I want to thank Matthew Weiner for still believing in aspiring writers, and I hope one day to meet him and thank him personally for giving me even more motivation to stay on track!

FORGOT: And, I have to say that I love NPH as the host of the Emmy's... I thought that he did a great job!

Almost defeated

So – if you can tell it's been way too long since I actually had anything to post! I haven't been too on-track with the writing and researching, but I have been reading scripts… not as many as I want – it's something, right? I haven't breathed my last breath… I feel that I am currently being resuscitated by several blogs that I frequent – like Script Shadow and Mystery Man, which I just stumbled upon.

Script Shadow really has me more focused than before – the site is putting together a screenwriting contest, which is free and a little different than most! It starts with a logline than progresses into a full script by several different phases. It sounds like fun, and I will be participating but I doubt that I will make it past the first phase, the logline. I have never written one – but since this contest doesn't start for a couple of months, I am going to be trying out several different loglines for the first part of the contest. So, like a favorite part of the movie where we think that the hero is defeated and can take no more – there's a new life that is breathed into him, in this case, her! It's the final act; do I have what it takes to overcome the obstacles that I have set up for myself? Tune for the finale next week:) (not literally – I plan on writing longer than a week)

Crapsticks!

Well, I've been as motivated as a sloth when it comes to writing or doing anything goal-oriented. The only goals I have been on track for are my job – which I believe is sucking my soul slowly out for the past 2 years. Why all the complaining? I don't have anything better to do! I guess I have entered into one of those moods where I feel all is lost or I will forever be the loser who doesn't do anything or accomplish anything I set out to do!!!!

Okay – I feel a little bit now! Sometimes you just have to one pity party for yourself to gain some perspective! I hope that I can get back on track! I wonder how many exclamation points I have put in this one blog – I should keep track. I don't want to get into the 'tween-expressing-love-for-Twilightly-things' mode. That's exactly what I don't want to do – I didn't go to college and earn my Journalism degree just to shout and exclaim my hatred/love with all sentences! Oops. I mean, period.

I have a crap-load of scripts to read, which I didn't think that I could fall into that trap since my one of fav blogs had to stop posting links to recently or not so recently sold spec scripts. But, there are still scripts to be had! (CRAP). A lot of the scripts are from represented writers but none of them have sold a script. I am so glad that I only work half a day today… I just need to email all those scripts to my gmail account, so after I get drunk at lunch, I will have something to do this afternoon instead of going on a 5-hour mini Buffy watching marathon. I am currently working through season 5, which I think might be a favorite of mine. I can't remember since it's been a while since I've seen the show. Who I kidding? I will probably watch Buffy instead of working on honing my craft. Well, that's the writer's life, right?

Homework – have a couple of beers and read scripts… and when I say read scripts, I mean watch Buffy.

Combination posts of the insane

I got in the mail just today my spec script for the WB Writer's Workshop! So, that's done… now what? I really didn't think that I would make it this far – I have a problem with starting things and never finishing them. But, I have been all about the writing for TV. I just need to start working on multiple projects at once. I have several ideas for features but who knows how many will actually make the cut to paper. I still need to hone this craft – I know that I am not very good. I have only written 3 scripts so I there's need to some polishing on my part. I have been able to pick up on some things from reading scripts as well as reading my books about screenwriting. I just need to start writing more! That is where it will be at.

Now, I just need to find some first/second seasons of TV, break them down and start writing some specs… written July 22

Editor's note – I started this blog a week ago, and didn't finish. So instead of posting this half finished post, I will combine it with what I was going to do today!

So, I did get my spec in the mail to WB on time. And I have started to break down True Blood and Better Off Ted. I needed a 30-minute show for Nickelodeon's Writing fellowship and picked Ted. I haven't seen it yet, but I know that it got good reviews and is in the first season, which was just picked up for a second one. I hope that not a lot of people will pick Ted because it was up in the air if it would be canceled or not. But I have the most of the first season and hope to like it enough that I can write an episode about it. From some peeps that I talked who watched the show said it should be easy because I already work in an office, and we normally have some kind of shenanigan going ons to incorporate as a funky episode.

I have also picked True Blood, which will be more of an exercise since the series is based off a book series, which I read. But, I hope that it will give me some more writing experience, and let's face it – I need all the writing exercises I can get these days!

Homework: watch True Blood and Better Off Ted and deconstruct some episodes, finish reading Syd's book.

Another one bites the dust

Alright! I got my spec finished for the WB Writer's Workshop – that was easy. I think that I did a better on the statement of interest this time around…let's just hope that it goes well. Don't forget aspiring writers – deadline for WB workshop is July 25 – so get your scripts in.

On a different note – I have in my in hands, or rather on the ole hard drive, I script written by Ted from How I Met Your Mother. I love that show – so much I wrote my first spec off its series for the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship program. Boy, that seemed like ages ago. I am really interested in this script… not only because of Ted, but it seems like good things are coming out of HIMYM and if half the cast keeps moving to the big screen, does that mean we will finally meet the mother?! I haven't read the script yet but it got a nice review from Script Shadow, so I want to give it a go. Maybe I will even give it a mutant three thumbs up or down- let's see shall we.

Homework: read Syd, and find another show to start working on more specs.

Harry potter and TV watchin!

So, I have been on track with what I set out to do: reading scripts and books about screenwriting! I have read a few screenplays and started watching pilots. This is definitely hard work: watching TV and reading movies. I need to start re-working my Leverage spec script for WB Writers Workshop. I have heard this one is easier to accepted, if there's such a thing. I applied to ABC/Disney fellowship as well as Nickelodeon's but those are diversity programs, and I don't know if I fit the bill. I am just a white girl from the Midwest – and I am sure that they get plenty of thoseJ But I applied anyways. I need to work on my essays and personal statements. I wasn't sure what they were wanting and I don't think that I explained myself the best, especially on the angle of diversity! Oh well… learning experience learned.

I am a little upset – I wanted to read 500 Nights of Summer, but it has been taken down! Probably because the movie was actually made, and is out in theaters. I should also being reading up on some TV scripts. I am sure they differ just enough for me to start reading them. I have found a great place to find them: TV Scripts and Bibles. So, that is on the agenda this week; read both TV and movie scripts, work on the spec and Harry Potter! Yes, I am that person and already have my tickets!!! I can't wait.

Homework: read, read, read, write, write, write!