Movie the Movie By Jimmy Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmel produced a very funny fake movie trailer, Movie the Movie starring academy award winning actors and directors.  It is a good primer on what makes a blockbuster.

Movie the Movie by Jimmy Kimmel parodies the summer block buster.  Note: The movie contains foul language that has been deleted.  The button scene at the end of the movie is similar to one of the last scenes in my movie screenplay: A Very Convenient Truthiness.

Top Ten Writing Rules from Famous Writers

Reverse light image Silverwood Park- photo N. Carlson

Top Ten Writing Rules: Lyra Communications -  Kim McLaughlin

1.   Writing doesn't love you.  It doesn't care. Nevertheless it can behave with remarkable generosity.  Speak well of it, encourage others, pass it on. - Al Kennedy
2.   Look at every word in a sentence and decide if they are really needed.  If not, kill them, be ruthless. - Bob Cooper
3.   Good copy equals draft minus 10% - Stephen King
4.   Honor the miraculousness of the ordinary. - Andrew Morton
5.   Recycle and read the good stuff before you write. -Pierre Berton
6.   Know your audience. - Pierre Berton
7.   Never use the passive voice when you can use the active voice. - George Orwell
8.   Never use a long word when a short one will do.  - George Orwell
9.   Read  a lot. - Stephen King
10. Write a draft. Then let it rest. - Stephen King

My additional rules:

Write everyday if possible.
Write what you love. - Skip Press
Success always starts with failure - Tim Hartford from his book Adapt.
Spend time in nature and looking at art to stimulate creativity.
Look at the world through a different lens using an IR camera or negative image camera.

What are your rules?

Big Bang theory interview Kaley Cuoco

Kaley Cuoco from Big Bang Theory being interviewed by 10 year old Piper Reese

 

 

A Very Convenient Truthiness available online

I finally posted my screenplay A Very Convenient Truthiness on the Trigger Street Labs website.  The process took a while.  After signing up, I needed to review four assigned screenplays before I was able to post mine.  After posting a review of the screenplay, I needed to pass a test to assure that I had read the whole screenplay. I was also able to review other people's reviews and I appreciated reading their perspective on the script.  My favorite script was Lessons from Grandpa   by Jeff Weber.  A Grandpa teaches his grandson to live life the right way. 

I have now received several reviews of the script and it will need a rewrite.  The comments focused on the need to use active voice when describing an action scene.   In addition, they made suggestions on punching up the dialogue, showing more then telling and suggestions about deleting scenes or adding additional characters. 

Getting critical reviews on a project wasn't easy and I needed to wait a day after reading them to allow the natural defensiveness to subside.  I realize that honest criticism is a gift that someone else is giving me and I need to use it to make the script better. I have gained wisdom from their experience and the diversity of their opinions.  I am 1/4 of the way through the rewrite.

Special thanks to K. Gore and M. Krinke for their proofreading and helpful comments on the original version.

 

Kevin Spacey's Triggerstreet Labs for writers Shutting down

After the announcement of our site shutting down, many of you have wondered where you can take your material, or what other community is similar to the one you have found here. After a few weeks of discussion, we would like to promote a unique and wonderful new forum from our friends at ScreenCraft.

ScreenCraft and WriterDuet are launching a brand new community (similar to ours), and you will have early access. ScreenCraft has established a strong track record very quickly as one of the best discovery platforms for emerging screenwriters. All of last year's ScreenCraft Fellows have signed with established literary managers and agents.

If you would like early access to the new forum when it launches, click here to sign up now!

Iron Sky to DVD and the web October 2, 2012

The Iron sky movie is coming to DVD and the web October 2, 2012 in the US.  It is a black comedy from Finland about Nazi's on the Moon. 

I will post a review of the movie after I see it.   It is available online from Amazon.

The trailer is below.

 

Sky movies James Bond Chase

http://th08.deviantart.net/fs11/PRE/i/2006/258/3/3/007_Logo_Gold_by_Wolverine080976.jpg

Sky Movies channels is promoting their series of bond movies with this edited clip of each one of the James Bond actors in an extended car chase.  It's a nice bit of editing. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2FAWb5Lch8&feature=player_embedded

 

When I get alot of time on my hands, I'd like to edit together an Austin Powers/James Bond Parody side by side film.  It will take a bit of effort because Mike Myers also included parodies of After the Fox, In Like Flint, and the first version of the Thomas Crowne Affair.

 

 

 

 





Screenwriters newsletter for August 2012

I am providing a link to the Business of Show Institute's Screenwriting Newsletter for August of 2012.  There is an article on 50 ways to spot an amateur screenwriter. 

Ron Podell has provided a list of screenwriting resources on his blog.

One of my favorite screenplays in Wrongfully Accused by Minnesota native Pat Proft.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wrongfully-Accused-DVD/dp/B00004WCRZ

 

Yoga session using video merge

I completed filming a seated yoga video with Nancy Erickson.  We filmed this in a conference room with a camera on top of two tables.  The video merge background is from a local park in Minnesota  A light pole has been photoshoped out. 

I enjoyed working with Nancy on the project.  She did the 22 minute session in one take.

Playing around with Adobe Premiere Elements

I recently purchased the book Creating Hollywood Style Movies with Adobe Premiere Elements 7 by Paul Ekert and Carl Plummer.  It contains some fun projects involving special effects like green screens, ghosts, transporter beams, fake night vision and cloning people.   I used the backwards special effect on a fire works show in St. Anthony, MN.  It is about two minutes into the clip.

I will be posting some of the productions from the book with special effects online in the future.

Creativity

Fungal online drawing quiz

Virtual pitchfest and tentpole movies

The Virtual pitchfest website attempts to connect screenwriters with movie production companies and agents for a fee.  The site also offers advice on writing a pitch letter and offers a service for reviewing pitch letters.  The production company list is helpful.  It describes the types of scripts that each production company has an interest in producing. 

Several of the production companies were looking for a tentpole movie.  A tentpole movie is an anchor or franchise movie for a studio.  An example would be the first movie in the Harry Potter series for Warner Brothers.  The movies are big budget blockbusters.

http://booksforteens.hubpages.com/hub/The-World-of-Harry-Potter

Free online movie sites - Ad supported

These are a list of free online movie sites supported by advertising.  I will continue to add to the list as I find other locations.  I will not list sites that to my knowledge provide illegal downloading of movies out of respect to the rights of the copyright holders.

Hulu - Movies and TV programs available for free.  More content available for a fee.

Crackle - An ad supported site with a good collection of Godzilla movies and fairly recent films.

Open culture - free movies - Open Culture.com has free educational materials and movies online.

Popcornflix.com - An ad supported site with a mix of movies

Viewster - An odd collection of new and old movies on this ad supported site. 

Xfinitytv - Comcast has an ad supported and a fee for service site of movies and TV shows.

Youtube - You tube has some full movies on the website along with many short clips of the best scenes.  Some of them appear to be downloaded without the copyright holder's permission.   You Tube allows the copyright holder to object to a posting and they will remove the video at the copyright holder's request.  For best results, search for an actor or actress and include the words full movie.

My favorite movie clip from the Road to Hong Kong on You Tube.  Peter Sellers plays the neurologist.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC_YXY6HZQI

Synergy on film sets

Integral life has an interesting discussion about shared group dynamics and how they influence the quality of work on the screen.  It introduces the concept of emotional contagion that can positively or negatively influence how people work together on a scene in a movie.  I have experienced this in a meeting where a person is having a bad day and this will change everyones emotional state. 

The article also mentions coincidences where a movie and events of the times coincide like the "China Syndrome" and the Three Mile Island incident.  Another one not mentioned in the article was the timing of the movie "Wag the Dog" and Bill Clinton's initial response to terrorist attacks with cruise missles.  The response was seen as a distraction from other events as opposed to a straight forward response to terrorism.

In a positive vein, I have experienced flow when working on small video productions or stage productions. 

Wag the Dog movie poster

Scientists make Easter Island like statues walk

This is a video from an upcoming National Geographic PBS special on Easter Island.  They may have found one way for the statues to have moved from the quarry to the location on the island.  Ropes were used by a team of volunteers to walk the statues into place.  Jared Diamond in his book Collapse suggested that the statues were moved using timber logs. 

PBS - National Geographic special

Alternate theories

Stop animation from PBS National Geographic special

New title: A Very Convenient Truthiness

I am trying to redo a logline and  my movie title for my screen play with the working title of "The Singing Volcano".  The title has something to do with the movie but doesn't exactly make me want to go and see the movie.  I have been reading a screenwriting book,  Save the Cat by Blake Snyder.  He recommends getting the log line and the title down to help a producer determine what the movie is about and how much will it cost to produce. 

Logline idea:  During the presidential election of 2028, a reclusive geologist designs an experiment to cool the earth's climate. Now everyone wants to get to know him better including his high school dream girl who needs him to to fullfill her promise to change the world.

Titles: Beyond Out of Control         Hot Planet Cool Heads     Holy Crap!    World Changers

Earth Changers     Moment of Truth     Rough times on the Blue Rock  

I Only Wanted to Change the World      A Very Convenient Truthiness

These are the first set of titles Let me know what you think.  I like the last one because it contains a whimsical quality.

http://www.blakesnyder.com/

  

Multitasking at Twins Game

This is a video of a fan catching a foul ball while talking on a cell phone.  It is good to be prepared.

SB Nation Twins vs Phillis June 12, 2012

Video editing software

I first started video editing work with Windows Movie Maker. It did a good job of basic movie editing but it often crashed. I had similar issues with other software.

The movie editor with the Nero 11  works quite well.   I used it on the video below. 

Tutorials for Adobe Premiere Elements are available at this website. They cover the basics of video editing with this software. I have been playing around with the video merge and green screen effects.  The video below was shot in a hallway with white walls.  The background was a reverse field image of a loading dock.  One of the keys to making the merged shot work is holding the camera steady.  Otherwise the object in the foreground floats in space.

Ways to Market your Movie Script

Evan Marquisee has posted ten tips on marketing your screenplay.   I like his idea of doing your own movies.  He also suggests posting a logline on Inktip or working directly with a producer/director.  Another one outside the list is making a novel of the screenplay and use that to increase the likelihood that the book will become a movie. 

I have been working on the latter.  I found I like writing scripts more than writing a novel.  I am too impatient filling in the details and I want to get directly into the action.  This may change as I get older.

Skip Press also has advice for the aspiring writer of any genre.  I highly recommend his book, Write What You Want Sell What You Write.  He covers writing for magazines, fiction, nonfiction and screenwriting.

The Writerunner Blog is also full of useful tips about the process of putting a script together. 

This site by Gerald Jones has a list of contacts in the Movie Making industry.  It is a bare bones website with lots of information about contacting people in book and movie industry.

One of my favorite writers, Pat Proft wrote and directed Wrongfully Accused.  Throughout the movie he incorporates locations near his hometown of Colombia Heights, Minnesota into the script. Knowing the places adds to the fun.

http://www.impawards.com/1998/wrongfully_accused_ver1.html

Tiger Swallowtail butterfly in flight

I shot this video while watching cottonwood seeds fall from a neighbors tree.  A tiger swallowtail was flying around another tree in the neighborhood.  I slowed the video to 1/4 speed to actually see the wing beats.   

Bing Bang Theory interview

Actress Mayim Bialik from the Big Bang Theory gave a candide interview on the parallels of her TV chracter with her real life as a PhD Neuroscientist on NPRs Talk of the Nation Science Friday with Ira Flatow. 

http://ihaveapc.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Big-Bang-Theory-HD-Wallpaper-005.jpg

Her background has allowed Mayim to give depth and accuracy to her character on the show. With the filming of the show it also allows her better work life balance than she would have working strictly as a neuroscientist.

Update: The Hollywood Reporter has a very good behind the scenes look at the cast and crew of the Big Bang Theory at the end of the 2012 season.

Mayim Balik also gives an interview about nerd on nerd romances at Comic Con in 2012.

Full cast 44 min. interview at Comic Con 2012  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eazv2B04xHg
Working with a variety of people from PhD scientists to students and artists makes my job very interesting. I can relate to the characters on this show not in their mixed up relationships as much as their joy on working problems or throwing themselves fully into a project. The passionate intensity to discover new things or to make the mundane really cool makes me want to get up in the morning.

Nathan Lane and a 3D character

Logical Spiritualism has produced a list of 20 ways to develop a three dimensional character.  I have found that focusing on an actors voice or speech patterns helps me.  I used Nathan Lane's distinct mannerisms and way of speaking when I was writing the character of Gene Alidy for the Singing Volcano script.  I could hear his voice in my head while I was writing the dialogue. 

Screenwriting resources and loglines

This web link lists various film production companies that are interested in a variety of screenplays.

In order to catch the interest of a producer or director it is important to write a catchy logline.  The online resource Inktip offers ideas for creating a logline.  It suggests that the logline (a one word sentance that describes the movie) should be created with the same care as the screenplay.  The site recommends developing 10 versions of a logline and running them by people at the same age as the target audience.  Go with the line that will make most of them want to go to the movie.

http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2011/12/writing-killer-loglines.html

10 Commandments of Creativity

David Goldwich has outlined the ten commandments of creativity on his web page. They are listed below.

1. Thou art creative
2. Thou shalt get out of thy comfort zone
3. Thou shalt change thy environment
4. Thou shalt try new things
5. Thou shalt honor thy intuition
6. Thou shalt seek several options
7. Thou shalt justify thy efforts
8. Thou shalt seek input from others
9. Thou shalt believe thou will succeed
10. Thou shalt take action

I have a reference to an excellent book on the subject titled: Making Ideas Happen  by Scott Belskey in my sustainable mycology blog. 

Edward DeBono also has several very good books on structural ways to produce creative thoughts.  There is a brief video clip below. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjSjZOjNIJg

John Cleese recommends that you sleep on an idea when you get stuck  He also has found that you need an oasis for creativity.  He notes that people who have no idea what they are doing do not know they have no idea what they are doing.  I refer to this as unconscious incompetence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMpdPrm6Ul4&feature=related



Tips for a screenplay presentation

Prasenjit Biswas offers advice on delilvering a pitch for a screenplay.  A couple points appear to be very important.  When you tell a story leave some parts to the imagination.  You are selling yourself along with the screenplay.  Don't rush the description.  Add an air of mystery and don't be afraid to use pauses.

I have not done a formal pitch for my screenplay yet.  I have had conversations with people in the business.  It appears that there are many routes to getting the screenplay to film. 

http://www.paullawrenceproductions.com/script/index.shtml
Paul is the man in the blue T-shirt on the set of "Cruel World"

Paul Lawrence offers sound advice on  script marketing.  He activates forming a marketing strategy, cultivating relationships and getting representation.

Su-City Pictures East, LLC blog

Susan Kouguell provides motion picture consulting services.  This is a link to her blog.   Below is a brief video with some of her tips on screenwriting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5rlxg06IUQ

Robot quadrorotors play James Bond Theme

Very cool video of Robot Helicoptors playing the James Bond theme.

revised volcano trailer with score

The Singing Volcano - updated trailer

I've revised my trailer for the Singing Volcano Screenplay.  You can view it below.

Official Iron Sky Trailer

No US release date yet.  Here is the official trailer for Iron Sky released today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Py_IndUbcxc

Iron Sky releases promotional poster

The makers of Iron Sky have released the promotional poster for their upcoming movie. 

http://www.ironsky.net/site/

The we come in peace logo reminds me of Tim Burton's Movie "When Mars Attacks"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMdC45S79uQ

Script format guides

Screenplays have specific guidelines for format.  For example: the 12 point Courier font with specified margins allows an estimation of thelenght of film.  One page of script with roughly equal one minute of film. 

These are some available guides on the web:

http://www.vcu.edu/arts/playwringing/screenformatpg.html

http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/files/scriptfrenzy-main/format_sheetv2.pdf

http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/howtoformatascreenplay

Negative image of Trees - N. Carlson

Books are available to assist with the process of producing a play or screenplay

Email typo leads to marriage half way around the world

Mr. R.P. Salazar from Waco, Texas met Ms R.P. Salazar  from Bangkok, Thailand when an email was sent in error to Mr. Salazar.  MPR news has a report on the events that eventually led to marriage.

The Salazars' story is included in StoryCorps new book, All There Is: Love Stories from StoryCorps, which hits shelves on Feb. 2.  It can be preordered at storycorps.org.   The above video is also at the website.

Iron Sky to to premiere in Germany

From the Finnish group that produced Star Wreck the Pirkinning, there is a new movie about Nazi's on the the dark side of the moon. The action comedy is set in the year 2018.  It will have its world premiere in the Berlin international Film Festival on February 11, 2012.   Here a a couple trailers.

Very short trailer for my screenplay

I have completed a 91 minute screenplay.  It is a romance, dark comedy and action adventure film about people taking the commencement speech admonition, "change the world" to the extreme.  

Online selling of screenplays

I have discovered several online services that offer help selling scripts.  I don't claim to have personal experience with any one of these but offer them up for individuals to explore. 

For a fee, Inktip will allow a full screenplay to be posted online.  Shorter screen plays of 45 pages or less can be posted for free.  Please read the conditions before signing up.  You are restricted from contacting anyone who reads your script for 3 to 6 weeks.  They don't want the script readers to be bothered.

If you want to learn about writing a screenplay ScreenwritingU has some helpful  hints.  It is sponsored by Inktip. 

Nollywood Scripts also will offer to post scripts on line.  The fee structure for this services was a little less clear.  They do not operate on commission.

http://www.amazon.com/Screenwriters-Bible-Complete-Writing-Formatting/dp/1935247026

This book may also provide help.

Helpful hints on screenwriting

The Script Writer's Digest Blog provides careful analysis of various screenwriting techniques and holds them up to actual movies.  The current preferred template follows the Save the Cat technique by the late Blake Snyder. Make a character go through 15 specific mini acts and this will result in a well structured screenplay and a well rounded character.

Save the Cat by Blake Snyder - Book Cover