Sunday 17 January 2010

Frozen River

By Courtney Hunt.

I decided to read this one after realising that I had the script to a film I recently added to my LoveFilm rental list. The film sounded good and was rated well, so I thought i'd go for it. But like most of the rental picks, I had forgotten what it was all about. So I went blindly into this one and with the usual deep desire and hope it would be good and inspiring. But did it deliver? The verdict is: it does, again, and again.

The story centres on a downtrodden mother, Ray, in her late-thirties, who lives with her two boys in a trailer park in Massena, New York. The father of the children has recently taken off with their savings to pursue his gambling addiction. But with Christmas approaching, rental bills to pay, food to put on the table and the remaining cost of a new larger trailer home, she finds herself in a desperate struggle to find the money before she loses everything.

The script was a compelling, moving and humbling read. Its main character jumped off the page from the outset and carried such empathy that you wanted to break the fourth wall, reach out and help her. The supporting characters were exceptionally written and carried relevant conflict, development and understanding. It moves at a somewhat fast pace, which mirrors the erratic heartbeat and mind state of the main character, as she delves deeper into a situation that's out of her control (but one that ultimately compels her). But despite the stark reality of the situation there is a subtle sense of humour that blends well with the pressing and dramatic matters of the story, and together offers a unique experience.

The story is about the lengths a mother will go to protect and take care of her children and how the line between right and wrong blurs when the well-being of your most dearest are at stake. It's about the pursuit of a better life and through means that attempt to justify the end. Desperate people do desperate things.

I am very much looking forward to the film and have faith that the material would attract those filmmakers who are only interested in being faithful to the script and its journey.

Wednesday 13 January 2010

A Paid Writer.

Yep, it's true.

And I can say that with great conviction and truth.

However, the statement does belong in the flimsy box of little white lies. As the money isn't from being a writer. I just finally have a regular job, that's all, and one that I get paid for. So, effectively, I am a paid writer!

I feel even more confident already.

I think, a 'funded writer,' is more appropriate, as 'paid writer,' could decieve a few into reading a post that has nothing to do with being paid for a commission.

However, an added bonus, besides less free time to ponder the pressure of wanting to be a real paid writer, and having money, is that the job is in an internet book store, and so i'm working with at least a few thousand books a day that pass through my vision. So in my current situation, it's the ideal job really, as it stimulates my mind whilst working and i'm constantly on the creative conveyer belt. I couldn't ask for more than that and in a time where I would have been lucky to just get any job.

But now there's less time in the day for writing, which gives rise to an even greater appreciation of the time I do have. This routine, and no choice of when I write, is what I hope will get me into a great routine and go full speed on my TV Drama Spec and The Screenwriting Craft. As well as, sister blog, Black Sands, if I am able to recover it from its descent into madness and confusion that is the mass of ideas and ambitious storytelling it has become. Maybe it was a little ambitious? - Obviously, but it's a challenge and one i'm not giving up on. However, I do hope to achieve more than one post this year!

Anyway, being a writer and getting a regular flow of money is living the dream, right?

Saturday 9 January 2010

The Watch Post #1.

Avatar has made $1.1bn in 21 days... [-]

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is a very entertaining and accomplished film... [-]

Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol is an exciting read and a worthy follow up to The Da Vinci Code... [-]

Richard Laymon's The Travelling Vampire Show is being adapted into a film... [-]

Moon is one of the most unique and moving films I have ever seen... [-]

Channel 4's Catastrophe documentary series has got me appreciating life more... [-]