Its been a few weeks now since I sent Requiem off to the Emmy script competition... and I did accidentally but completely compulsively read my script back... and I found a few typos, a word missing from the dialogue, and an extra word in an action line. Yeah rather annoying as I was really pleased with it and syked up about sending it in. Plus i put the date on the front cover, which i recently found out you're not supposed to do.
So, ok.
I also know that Requiem may not be completely what they're looking for. But like it was for the assignment, it was a complete gamble and looking back, with some shocking errors in that version, I still received a very good grade. So I'm not taking the competition to to heart. Not anymore.
But overall, it just makes me want to do better and be as close to perfect next time. So I'm not bothered about it all now, not even dreaming on the off chance they'll overlook the mistakes. But the most important thing is that i've got my script to the best point possible at the moment, and so the future is with the script and not the competition.
Although that's not completely true... the statement is right but not together. The script is the future but the competition with a different script, is also the future.
As I'm already thinking to next year's entry and writing a script that's more catered to their criteria and centred around what they're looking for and what I think would impress them. And I didn't have to look far, as its a script I already have planned out.
Its a story I came up with after ditching Requiem last August. I worked on a new one hour drama for a month and managed to write a scene breakdown. It actually topped Requiem in terms of character drama and tragic circumstance. The Requiem at the time that is - but even now it still has the potential to rocket past it. But the main thing is that it's more commercial and I'm sure what the Emmy panel are looking for and will be impressed by. But the story also goes beyond that and hopefully will deliver more than expected. I think it may just be the perfect formula, it may be the wrong way to think about it but its certainly a great contender for next year.
So other than my university assignments and developing two awesome tv shows, that will be the main script i'll be working on. It doesn't actually give me much time but i'm going to give it some time this summer and see how far I get with it. There's also about a month or so before I finish university next year and the competition deadline. So that time may prove very useful.
'You have to believe that life is more than the sum of its parts kiddo.'
-The Untited States Of Leland
Showing posts with label Summer 08. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Summer 08. Show all posts
Friday, 1 August 2008
Friday, 25 July 2008
That Novice Feeling...
If it’s true that it takes an average ten years to carve out a career in screenwriting then next June when I graduate from university, will officially mark the beginning of year one.
A scary! and exciting thought!
I think I’m going go and lie down for a bit...
(cue tumble weed)
Time passing...
Ok I’m back.
Hopefully the following are some familiar feelings with some of you and are just a part of developing and things I’ll grow out of:
‘Time is running out.’
‘I’m taking on too much and looking for that overnight success.’
‘I’m trying too hard to succeed and then being disheartened even though my goals were unrealistic in the first place.’
‘I’m constantly worried that a similar idea will be released and kill my babies. So everything needs to be written straight away!’
‘I pile on loads of unnecessary pressure and as a result question my ability and staying power.’
‘I constantly put myself down by others apparent confidence because of my lack of.’
What I should be thinking is:
‘I’m not superman and need to relax!! It’s for the long term and so enjoy it.’
‘I need to do more writing than worrying.’
‘Being negative will get me nowhere.’
I’m hungry for this and often worry I won’t be tough enough in the long run. So I feel like if it doesn’t happen soon then it won’t happen. So I’m trying to do everything.
Being at university adds to that pressure and the desire is transformed into a sudden need to succeed and quick!! The course from the outside is seen as a quick way into the industry and being a great writer. But for most they’re forgetting the all important journey of learning and how high those expectations of you really are. And for me being around that denial and negative attitude slowly had me thinking the same thing and not truly understanding how hard it really is to succeed and how good you really have to be.
I just need to chill out about it all and find some solid ground to sit down on and build those steps one by one.
Oh that novice feeling…
Knowing when to stop talking :) and saying goodbye to that quick solution and secret door in. Amongst other things...
It’s going to be a long ride and I’m in.
A scary! and exciting thought!
I think I’m going go and lie down for a bit...
(cue tumble weed)
Time passing...
Ok I’m back.
Hopefully the following are some familiar feelings with some of you and are just a part of developing and things I’ll grow out of:
‘Time is running out.’
‘I’m taking on too much and looking for that overnight success.’
‘I’m trying too hard to succeed and then being disheartened even though my goals were unrealistic in the first place.’
‘I’m constantly worried that a similar idea will be released and kill my babies. So everything needs to be written straight away!’
‘I pile on loads of unnecessary pressure and as a result question my ability and staying power.’
‘I constantly put myself down by others apparent confidence because of my lack of.’
What I should be thinking is:
‘I’m not superman and need to relax!! It’s for the long term and so enjoy it.’
‘I need to do more writing than worrying.’
‘Being negative will get me nowhere.’
I’m hungry for this and often worry I won’t be tough enough in the long run. So I feel like if it doesn’t happen soon then it won’t happen. So I’m trying to do everything.
Being at university adds to that pressure and the desire is transformed into a sudden need to succeed and quick!! The course from the outside is seen as a quick way into the industry and being a great writer. But for most they’re forgetting the all important journey of learning and how high those expectations of you really are. And for me being around that denial and negative attitude slowly had me thinking the same thing and not truly understanding how hard it really is to succeed and how good you really have to be.
I just need to chill out about it all and find some solid ground to sit down on and build those steps one by one.
Oh that novice feeling…
Knowing when to stop talking :) and saying goodbye to that quick solution and secret door in. Amongst other things...
It’s going to be a long ride and I’m in.
Friday, 27 June 2008
Back Home. The Summer. Pt.1
I've been home for two weeks now and things aren't progressing as well as I thought they would. I have lots to do and can't wait to do it all. But i'm in a weird limbo due to still not having the full six weeks for the placement.
Plus we still don't have our last assignment results and I'm waiting for four assignment marks. Two, I know are going to be pretty low (worringly low), which are essays and the the other two I think will be high, which are my one hour drama and professional studies. The one hour drama mark is the only one really i'm waiting for. It's the best script i've written and whatever the mark is destined to have a big impact.
I'm still applying to companies for placements. It's insane how many companies there actually are especially the smaller and obscure ones that you can only find on certain searches. Some of them are very impressive for their quality and output and some of them are about thirty-minutes from where i live. Most of them are factual production companies but work experience is work experience and i'd be happy to work there. So fingers are crossed for one of those.
I have about ten different covering letters which include general, script reading, runner, animation studios, factual and company specific ones and i'm beginning to lose track of them. It's also annoying how every time after I send a CV and Covering Letter out I get an idea on how to improve it.
I also need to sort out some system of getting a hold on motivation and getting things done throughout the summer and to regular deadlines. The plan, workwise for the summer is to make progress with the third year work. But mainly completing WWII Drama and Dark Comedy treatments. Continuing with the production log for WWII Drama plus research for it going to the location and all that. I aim to have a good draft of Steph's minor project also. Plus other scripts and animations that were started awhile ago.
I think the main thing is to try and not to do too much like last summer. I planned to do a whole lot at the beginning and it all seemed like it was going to happen. But like i mentioned before; mood, lack of motivation and external factors got in the way. Although, a nice pilot script was written so some good did come out of it. But hopefully this summer i can keep the momentum and confidence going through to the new term so I can get everything done.
Plus we still don't have our last assignment results and I'm waiting for four assignment marks. Two, I know are going to be pretty low (worringly low), which are essays and the the other two I think will be high, which are my one hour drama and professional studies. The one hour drama mark is the only one really i'm waiting for. It's the best script i've written and whatever the mark is destined to have a big impact.
I'm still applying to companies for placements. It's insane how many companies there actually are especially the smaller and obscure ones that you can only find on certain searches. Some of them are very impressive for their quality and output and some of them are about thirty-minutes from where i live. Most of them are factual production companies but work experience is work experience and i'd be happy to work there. So fingers are crossed for one of those.
I have about ten different covering letters which include general, script reading, runner, animation studios, factual and company specific ones and i'm beginning to lose track of them. It's also annoying how every time after I send a CV and Covering Letter out I get an idea on how to improve it.
I also need to sort out some system of getting a hold on motivation and getting things done throughout the summer and to regular deadlines. The plan, workwise for the summer is to make progress with the third year work. But mainly completing WWII Drama and Dark Comedy treatments. Continuing with the production log for WWII Drama plus research for it going to the location and all that. I aim to have a good draft of Steph's minor project also. Plus other scripts and animations that were started awhile ago.
I think the main thing is to try and not to do too much like last summer. I planned to do a whole lot at the beginning and it all seemed like it was going to happen. But like i mentioned before; mood, lack of motivation and external factors got in the way. Although, a nice pilot script was written so some good did come out of it. But hopefully this summer i can keep the momentum and confidence going through to the new term so I can get everything done.
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