Don't get me wrong, I love my computer. Or loved, because this week my laptop went kaput and stopped working, but I love my new one so lets stick with love.
The problem this catastrophe left me with was a years worth of writing stuck in limbo. Today i'll be getting the discs back rescued from my old laptop's hard drive and i'll be able to get back into it, but for a week there I was a mess.
No writing, no creativity. It almost killed me. Maybe it was the kick in the teeth I needed to show me that I need to do this. It's not something I can switch off.
The trouble is the new laptop has left me penniless and paying off my Mum for the next few months, making my job, that I hope one day the writing will lead me away from, even more essential.
At least I dont have a car that can fail on me and cost me obscene amounts of money.
OK, back to the writing, as soon as I've figured out how to re install everything.
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Monday, 13 July 2009
BBC Writers Room Roadshow July 1st Liverpool
It was July 1st; remember that far back, it was when the sun was dragging Britain into a horrible lethargic daze. Probably the last week of our summertime. Since then I have taken a week out, on holiday, hence why the write up on the BBC writers room roadshow is a little after the fact.
It doesn’t really matter I suppose it’s not like anyone was chomping at the bit to read this, but I hope if you stumble across this you’ll find it interesting. The following contains what happened at the event, and what nuggets of information I gleamed from it which may help your writing endeavours.
The presentation began with some numbers, the writers room gets over 10,000 scripts to read per year. That number is rising by around a 1,000 each year. It takes four months from submission to getting feedback on average. If your script hasn’t grabbed the reader within 10 pages it is discarded without a full read and doesn’t get feedback. Those 10 pages are essential. If you manage to get the reader’s attention in those your script will get a full read and will be sent back with feedback.
The presentation was done with a ‘common sense’ power point, which power pointed out the obvious. If they have to point out some of the errors they did in that power point I dread to think how bad some people’s scripts are.
Apart from the power point they had a clip of Simon Ashdown’s and Jeremy Dyson’s Funland. The clip was of the opening moments of the series, and was used to outline what the writers room are looking for from those opening pages of your script. If you have the DVD, watch it, take notes.
Basically my thoughts were that the opening outlined the following:-
1. Set the tone of the series
2. Bring out the mystery, or hook to grip the viewer
3. Introduce the MAIN characters
4. Beware exposition, maybe begin with an action sequence
5. Tell the story visually
6. Focus- Give the audience a focused way into the story
Following this was the usual screenwriting book rubbish about character goals and structure. Not rubbish advice, just the kind of information which is everywhere. The real interesting stuff was in the figures. So, here we go with some percentages:-
80% Do not get past the first 10 pages, so get no feedback
17% Get a full read of their script and feedback
3% get invited to send in another script
1% get forwarded to a BBC commissioner
Not heartening figures, but all screenwriters must savour that challenge...OR DIE!
The last titbit of information I picked up was that the writers room will look at short film scripts as long as they are over ten pages in length. Next few weeks I will be sending through a short film of mine for them to have a look at, to begin the fight against the 20% feedback figures.
Good luck everyone.
It doesn’t really matter I suppose it’s not like anyone was chomping at the bit to read this, but I hope if you stumble across this you’ll find it interesting. The following contains what happened at the event, and what nuggets of information I gleamed from it which may help your writing endeavours.
The presentation began with some numbers, the writers room gets over 10,000 scripts to read per year. That number is rising by around a 1,000 each year. It takes four months from submission to getting feedback on average. If your script hasn’t grabbed the reader within 10 pages it is discarded without a full read and doesn’t get feedback. Those 10 pages are essential. If you manage to get the reader’s attention in those your script will get a full read and will be sent back with feedback.
The presentation was done with a ‘common sense’ power point, which power pointed out the obvious. If they have to point out some of the errors they did in that power point I dread to think how bad some people’s scripts are.
Apart from the power point they had a clip of Simon Ashdown’s and Jeremy Dyson’s Funland. The clip was of the opening moments of the series, and was used to outline what the writers room are looking for from those opening pages of your script. If you have the DVD, watch it, take notes.
Basically my thoughts were that the opening outlined the following:-
1. Set the tone of the series
2. Bring out the mystery, or hook to grip the viewer
3. Introduce the MAIN characters
4. Beware exposition, maybe begin with an action sequence
5. Tell the story visually
6. Focus- Give the audience a focused way into the story
Following this was the usual screenwriting book rubbish about character goals and structure. Not rubbish advice, just the kind of information which is everywhere. The real interesting stuff was in the figures. So, here we go with some percentages:-
80% Do not get past the first 10 pages, so get no feedback
17% Get a full read of their script and feedback
3% get invited to send in another script
1% get forwarded to a BBC commissioner
Not heartening figures, but all screenwriters must savour that challenge...OR DIE!
The last titbit of information I picked up was that the writers room will look at short film scripts as long as they are over ten pages in length. Next few weeks I will be sending through a short film of mine for them to have a look at, to begin the fight against the 20% feedback figures.
Good luck everyone.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Busy
No good names for the blog yet, and no time either. Been stupidly busy.
In good news, am in touch with a producer who really wants to make a short film from an idea I pitched to him. Hope that works out. Have planned most of it, to the minute detail in some of the gory details, just not sure of how to end it. It'll come to me, just have to wait and keep my mind open.
There's an oppurtunity to write an episode aimed at 6 to 12 year olds for CBBC on the BBC Writers Room, which i need to get sent off by next Monday. I'm also re drafting some things as i would like to take a script with me to the BBC writers roadshow, which i am going to in Liverpool on July 1st.
There's a mini update, back to work now.
In good news, am in touch with a producer who really wants to make a short film from an idea I pitched to him. Hope that works out. Have planned most of it, to the minute detail in some of the gory details, just not sure of how to end it. It'll come to me, just have to wait and keep my mind open.
There's an oppurtunity to write an episode aimed at 6 to 12 year olds for CBBC on the BBC Writers Room, which i need to get sent off by next Monday. I'm also re drafting some things as i would like to take a script with me to the BBC writers roadshow, which i am going to in Liverpool on July 1st.
There's a mini update, back to work now.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Blog Needs Naming
I've had this blog for nearly six months now and i believe it is now time it had a proper name. Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Horror film pitch idea has been sent off. Keeping everything crossed i hear something back on it, i like the idea so may write it myself after i've re drafted everything i already have. Or may be writing it if the idea is taken onboard.
Come on pitch, work your magic.
Horror film pitch idea has been sent off. Keeping everything crossed i hear something back on it, i like the idea so may write it myself after i've re drafted everything i already have. Or may be writing it if the idea is taken onboard.
Come on pitch, work your magic.
Sunday, 31 May 2009
A month later
It's been a month since I completed my 100 page feature film script for http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/ It's been a busy month since then, hence the lack of blogage.
So i've started working on a script for the CBBC oppurtunity on www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom it's based on an old novel idea I had and got 40,000 words into, although a lot has changed in the new version to get the story going a lot faster. Also I'm working on a new horror feature film idea.
Add this to all the stuff i sgtill need to work on:
My TV drama idea needs its first two episodes re drafting, and also some more episodes started. There's an idea called Heartbroken, which is my favourite which i want to get perfect for The Writersroom roadshows visit to Liverpool on the 1st July. I also need to re draft my script frenzy script. andget some short film scripts going to support the one I've begun sending out entitled Susie Pepper's Teeth.
Alos need to find some paid writing work over the summer.
Busy, busy, busy. Stupid house needs loads of work on it too. I'll be dead come the end of the summer.
So i've started working on a script for the CBBC oppurtunity on www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom it's based on an old novel idea I had and got 40,000 words into, although a lot has changed in the new version to get the story going a lot faster. Also I'm working on a new horror feature film idea.
Add this to all the stuff i sgtill need to work on:
My TV drama idea needs its first two episodes re drafting, and also some more episodes started. There's an idea called Heartbroken, which is my favourite which i want to get perfect for The Writersroom roadshows visit to Liverpool on the 1st July. I also need to re draft my script frenzy script. andget some short film scripts going to support the one I've begun sending out entitled Susie Pepper's Teeth.
Alos need to find some paid writing work over the summer.
Busy, busy, busy. Stupid house needs loads of work on it too. I'll be dead come the end of the summer.
Thursday, 30 April 2009
I'm a winner
So here it is, i've worked a month for this and it was touch and go whether I'd make it, but i have. 100 page script done in 30 days. It's a nice first draft under my belt for drafting which i'll start in a couple of weeks.
I'm so proud i finished it, but don't have much time to write about it now. For one, i'm all written out, had to finish the last 13 pages today, and i have other work to do too. but now i have proved to myself I can meet deadlines.
Adrenalin is still pumping.
More thourough post on the experience coming soon, until then bask in the picture, there's one in the sidebar too. Very, very happy.
Friday, 24 April 2009
The last weekend of Script Frenzy
It's here upon us. The last weekend of Script Frenzy. My last opportunity to word blitz the days away.
Current word count is 69 pages. (69, tee hee, so childish)
So, what have i learnt from Script Frenzy.
1. That i like to procrastinate. It's amazing isn't it. I'm a professional at it.
2. I write better to music. It really gets me into the emotion. Next writing project will be fuelled by a soundtrack. The soundtrack to this project, still untitled, has been mainly the new Veils album, Sun Gangs, especially the title track.
3. Not having a plan is incredibly stupid, and means i can only write in small snippets. theni have to stop to think about what happens next. With a plan i assume the writing of the first draft could flow far more freely.
4. Doing the Frenzy has made me believe i am a good writer, as on a few occasions i have really got into the moment and felt emotions for my character. Which i never thought would happen, I always scoffed when i heard writers saying they cried when they killed off a character.
5. On the flipside of point 3. Even when not having a plan, if you write and create a world or a character if you keep writing something has to happen therefore forming a plot for yourself.
Do not fear writing.
Will i finish? Will i be a winner? These are the big questions now. I feel i have to finish to call myself a writer, i need to bring this thing in for deadline.
31 pages, one weekend and whatever spare hours i have in the evening. Shopping trip tomorrow for coffee to keep me awake and maybe some celabratory booze for when i win. Positive thinking.
Current word count is 69 pages. (69, tee hee, so childish)
So, what have i learnt from Script Frenzy.
1. That i like to procrastinate. It's amazing isn't it. I'm a professional at it.
2. I write better to music. It really gets me into the emotion. Next writing project will be fuelled by a soundtrack. The soundtrack to this project, still untitled, has been mainly the new Veils album, Sun Gangs, especially the title track.
3. Not having a plan is incredibly stupid, and means i can only write in small snippets. theni have to stop to think about what happens next. With a plan i assume the writing of the first draft could flow far more freely.
4. Doing the Frenzy has made me believe i am a good writer, as on a few occasions i have really got into the moment and felt emotions for my character. Which i never thought would happen, I always scoffed when i heard writers saying they cried when they killed off a character.
5. On the flipside of point 3. Even when not having a plan, if you write and create a world or a character if you keep writing something has to happen therefore forming a plot for yourself.
Do not fear writing.
Will i finish? Will i be a winner? These are the big questions now. I feel i have to finish to call myself a writer, i need to bring this thing in for deadline.
31 pages, one weekend and whatever spare hours i have in the evening. Shopping trip tomorrow for coffee to keep me awake and maybe some celabratory booze for when i win. Positive thinking.
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