finished 1st draft of A Tainted Mind

I'm done. Well, sort of. This morning I did a passthru for my new psycho-thriller short, A TAINTED MIND. And it's off to the reviewers. Hopefully I'll get some feedback pretty quick. I'm tentatively planning to do a second draft for this one. We'll see.

Now I guess I better buckle up and work on my next full-feature script. Also a thriller, probably.

reading produced film scripts

*** Scripts I've read

BUTTERFLY EFFECT by J. Mackye Gruber & Eric Bress -- simplistic language, but makes up in weirdness. Fun read, even though the story has holes. HAVE NOT SEEN.

COLLATERAL by Stuart Beattie -- weird writing style, a bit hard to read. The concept is cool, but everything comes down to a cliche end. HAVE NOT SEEN.

ELECTION by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor -- great voice over, a fun character study; the plot could be a little more directed. I've seen it a while back.

FARGO by Ethan and Joel Coen -- read it a while back, didn't really like it. I've seen it.

HUMAN NATURE by Charlie Kaufman -- fun read and good story; could be a bit better; too bad it didn't translate to the screen too well. I've seen it.

KATE AND LEOPOLD by James Mangold and Steven Rogers -- great descriptions and dialogue; the story logic falls apart though. HAVE NOT SEEN

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio -- great descriptions, dialogue, and plot; highly respected writers; HIGHLY RECOMMEND. I've seen it.

SLEEPY HOLLOW by Andrew Kevin Walker -- good writing and a fun read, a clever little mystery; perhaps just a bit too complex for its own good.


*** Scripts I have started but haven't finished (that I remember something about)

THE SIXTH SENSE by M. Night Shyamalan -- it's OK, the writing is a bit simplistic. I've seen it.

ALMOST FAMOUS by Cameron Crowe -- reads well, I should finish this one. I've seen it.

AMERICAN BEAUTY by Alan Ball -- great dialogue and voice over; the story is a bit choppy though. The writer got lucky with this one. I've seen it.

BEING JOHN MALKOVICH by Charlie Kaufman -- fun read, too bad I've seen it several times.

CHINATOWN by Robert Towne -- started reading with my girlfriend; has long passages of description. Should read it. I've seen it.

CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND by Charlie Kaufman -- it reads OK, but the premise is ludicrous, didn't click with me. HAVE NOT SEEN.

FIGHT CLUB by Jim Uhls -- great story, but a bit heavy on the voice over; read half of it, too bad I've seen the movie too many times.

GO by John August -- straight and simple, maybe I'll read it sometime; HAVE NOT SEEN IT

THE MATRIX by Larry and Andy Wachowski -- read a little; a bit heavy on the camera directions. I've seen it.

STEPMOM by Ronald Bass -- effective, action writing; could read it. HAVE NOT SEEN IT.

last post for a while?

What my mom said was true, about figuring out what to write about.

Currently, I don't know what this blog is about.

At first my posts were free flowing and spread out -- they came straight from the unconsciousness without much cencoring or editing. However, I soon realized such posts weren't very interesting to read. They were not good writing (by my standards). Good writing requires lots of thinking and lots of revisions. Thus, my posts became smaller and smaller.

Now, I started reading a book that encourages freewriting -- writing non-stop for at least ten minutes. It's a way to stop thinking about writing while writing. So, now I'd like to spend some time with such private writing exercises. I also decided to do freewriting exercises at home using the screenplay format.

What about this blog? Will I still write here?

Probably...

I'll keep it, but I need to figure out what it's for. What am I trying to accomplish with it? As of right now, I'll probably post here once in a while about news. Like progress of my screenplays and such. Or not. We'll see.

So, that's where I am right now.

P.S. My Film Critic blog is alive and well. I'm planning to run that one for a while.

Screenwriter's TO DO LIST

By order of importance.

1. Write! work on your story.
2. Read and learn other screenplays, especially produced screenplays.
3. Watch movies.
4. Read help books and how-to books about writing.
5. Read other fiction -- examples of good/popular writing.
6. Read non-fiction -- learn about the world, learn vocabulary.
7. Play word games (i.e. Scrabble).
8. Observe the world, observe people.
9. Relax, take a nap.
10. Do something completely unrelated to writing (i.e. GYM, your real job).

Word of the Day

I took this Sunday off from writing and instead spend time screwing around on the web. I found several games for writers -- word games. My favorite ones so far are "Super Text Twist" and "Scrabble". I'll probably buy a Scrabble board in the near future. It's only $15 or so.

Now, I can't play any of these games at work because we use Unix systems, not Windows. So, I found other ways to improve my vocabulary -- Word of the Day. It's a service where a dictionary web site e-mails you a new word every day, along with example sentenses and history. I subscribed to several of these. And I found some "Word of the Day" sites as blogs. On the right side of the page, there're links to these blogs, like my favorite WOTD - Merriam-Webster.

free time at work

I came up with an idea about what to do with my free time at work. Yes, writing in this blog is a good use of my free time, but I wanted something more screenplay related.

I decided to start thinking about some future projects I might write. Yes, I already tried doing this using this very blog about a month ago, but I'd rather throw around ideas in my private sandbox of a text pad. I still think it's important to have several ideas to choose from, since the chosen one will be that much more powerful.

My next project will be a feature length screenplay. It'll probably be a Thriller. And there's plenty to think about. I just wish I didn't get so distracted ... writing this blog, for example.

next short -- a psycho-thriller

I was going to write something yesterday, but I didn't have time for some reason. I don't know why -- I didn't have much work to do. Or perhaps I was thinking too hard about what to write. Well, from now on I'll just write whatever is on my mind, and most of the time it's screenwriting. No more pressure!

My next short script will be a psycho-thriller, tentatively titled "A TAINTED MIND". I'm getting tired of comedy -- it's not working for me. Currently, I'm thinking up the story in my head, trying to tie up the plot holes.

Regarding my recently-finished script, "A Russian Adoption", I already have unpleasant thoughts about it. I feel I tried to pack too much stuff into too few pages (I've done this before).

For my future projects, I think I need additional feedback during my outline phase to prevent this kind of thing from happening. So, I plan to write a short outline/treatment of my next script and let my girlfriend see it. After all, she's been interested in being more involved with the writing process.

brain-dead update

I'm brain-dead today. I hope it's not contagious.

I've been brainstorming about ideas for my next 20-page short. And after this short, I plan to do another feature-length screenplay, so I need ideas for that too. My brain is tired. This is hard... and frustrating.

I came up with a list of general ideas and themes I want to write about, but I haven't committed to anything yet. I feel like a perfectionist -- there's plenty of stories to write, but I'm looking around, trying to find that perfect gem. Or at least that story that's perfect for me.

leverage my strengths

In today's world of corporate marketing, companies often talk about their "differentiating factor" -- what makes them unique? why would customers spend money on their products?

And, in today's world of marketable screenplays, writers must be different from the rest. What makes their movie different from the big pile of trash we've already seen? What makes their writing unique?

As I writer, I must know my strengths (and weaknesses). I must use my strengths to gain a unique perspective on the world, to look beyond the obvious into the hidden world of human needs, fantasies, and fears. I must leverage my strengths.

What are my strengths? One. The Russian perspective. Which is the perspective of a foreigner being able to look through the norms and customs of America. Thus, my stories should have a Russian element and/or Russian characters.

Cynicism, satire, dark comedy. This is the type of writing I lean to, although I understand it should be accompanied by farce not to be too depressing. I should not, and don't want, to write toilet humor and slapstick comedy. I don't like when I see it and there's no intelligence in it. Yet I keep throwing this garbage into my writing; probably because it's easy and funny in a childish sort of way. I must understand the humor/mood I want in the script and stick to it consistently.

I like psychology, I understand why people do many things. And I like observing and trying to "pick the brain" of interesting people. I want to develop this strength even more so I can take the human condition to the extreme. Something like the screenwriter Charlie Kaufman does in his stories.

Seems like writing if more than just cool stories. It's about finding yourself too.

football (jokes)

You know what I love about football. When your team looses, there's always next year. And when when my team finally wins, I plan to kill myself.

You know what I hate about football. The professionals players make way too much money. If less people saw the games, their salaries would drop. Well, I'll show them. For the first game of next season I'm gonna use my life savings and buy up all the seats in the stadium.

politics (jokes)

You know what I love about politics. Cheering on the candidates. The media compares which schools they attended, what sports they like, how many foreign countries they've invaded. Hmm, I bet if Sadam Hussein would've attacked a couple more foreign countries, Americans might like him more than their own President.

But the system works. You know what I love about democracy. The freedom to select anyone you want to represent you. As long as that person is on the ballot. And you don't have to worry about the issues, since candidates never bring them up.

GYM trip (joke)

I went to the GYM with my wife today. Three girls work there. They're so friendly and helpful. They gave us cute little towels to wipe the sweat. And they're in top shape too -- big muscles. I tried the stairmaster, got tired after two minutes, and one of them finished my set for me. They're such nice women. My wife told me one of them rubbed her back in the shower.

Let me know how you like my jokes, stories. Thanks :)

my stapler (joke)

I'm an engineer. My work is boring and solitary.

I hang out with my stapler all day long. You know you spend way too much time with someone when you start to act like them. Last night, I awoke coughing up staples. And I had a sheet of paper stuck in my mouth. Apparently, I ate some staples for dinner and used a stack of paper as a pillow. My coughing fit ended by the morning. So, I spent the next two hours searching for a fresh staple cartridge.

To the Polls (story)

The voting polls stand in the parking lot -- a temporary structure, the same type construction workers use for their offices. It's a cheap dirty-looking thing. Makes me wonder what kind of impression America wants to make on their citizens.

I take the creaking plywood ramp up to the door. Inside -- mostly empty. Several senior citizens twiddle their fingers behind a fold-up table. What did I expect? They smile, take my name, and point me toward the voting booths.

And then it hits me. This is so stupid. Why am I voting? OK, I know why -- to tell my girlfriend's Democrat stepmother that I voted. That I proudly used my free voice as an American citizen. So then, am I spending my precious time and jumping through all these hoops just to please my girlfriend's stepmother? Yes, of course. Too bad she'll never know that.

I step up to the voting mechanism -- a cute blue touch screen panel. I touch the screen to start. Nothing. Apparently, it's not a touch screen. I notice the clumsy buttons and a scroll wheel at the bottom, like the nobs of many children's toys. I use them to log in.

Plenty of offices and people to vote for, but the names don't ring a bell. I don't have to vote for all those small offices. But I will vote for president. George Bush or John Kerry? I click the "Write-In" box. And proudly type: Mickey Mouse. Click OK. Cast the ballot. Done. My voice of apathy has now been heard.

blog metamorphosis

Writing is easy. Good writing is hard. And I'm writing right now. And it feels pretty easy to whip out a few sentences. But it's not good writing. It's crap. And one reason it's crap is because I haven't thought about what I was going to write before I started writing it. Another reason this is crap is because I'm not going to spend a considerable amount of time reviewing what I wrote and making the necessary stylistic improvements and fixes. So, I'm slightly ashamed to put this piece into the real world. After all, what's the point of writing something if it's not going to be good?

As an up and coming (or maybe not) professional writer, I should write professionally. I should use this blog to improve my writing. Or at least for improving myself as a person. Currently, I'm not sure what purpose this blog serves.

I suppose I started the blog out to improve myself as a person, to track my progress. But now I'm busy with my writing goal, so improving myself as a person seems closely tied to improving myself as a writer. So then shouldn't this blog exist to improve myself as a writer?

Perhaps I should concentrate on writing about writing? Or perhaps I should write original works on this blog? Or perhaps I should catalogue my progress with my latest script on here? What would be beneficial to me? What would take this blog up to the next level for me? What would make me come back to this blog as a reference, wishing to re-read everything I wrote? What would make other people want to read what I wrote?

The goal is clear. This blog needs a transformation and a new sense of direction because it's starting to loose my interest. I'm thinking...

OK. I came up with two things -- two types of blog posts I could write. I'd like to dramatize a real life event that happened to me or around me recently. Also, I'd like to note down some new ideas I learned about writing. And all this must be done with my creative writing style.

my bio

I updated my bio on the script trading websites. Hopefully, a better bio encourages other writers to read and review my work.

What do you think? Do I sound like a decent guy? A writer who knows a thing or two?

MY BIO:

An engineer by profession, I picked up writing because I believe people need original, exciting, and thought-provoking stories.

I published a couple essays in my high-school/college journals. Also, I published two professional articles.

I fooled around with short story format a bit. But now, I'm a screenwriter. I've written a few full-features and shorts -- nothing I felt proud enough to send out to contests. Yet.

I'm a student of the craft, always eager to learn and open to ideas. I have read and continue to read numerous scriptwriting books. And regularly attend a local screenplay writers' group.

When I read a screenplay or watch a movie, I concentrate on problematic areas and think of possible solutions. I shoot for a good amount of constructive criticism for a feature-length screenplay.

I'll give feedback on the whole script -- plot beats, character depth, dialogue, and specific notes throughout the story. I appreciate if other readers give my work the same amount of attention I give theirs.

I'm an active member of two script trading sites -- Helium Feedback and Zoetrope.

many thoughts

OK, I think my priorities are screwed up. Last couple of days I had a difficult time working on my next short script. Yes, I had doubts and uneasiness about the story, but that's not the major problem. The big problem is I'm thinking about too many things at the same time.

I submitted my latest short script, "Short Changed", online. However, didn't get the number or the quality of reviews I'd like. So, I can't help but think about this script. I struggle to resist the urge to go online and check what's going on -- if someone posted a new review. What's the deal? I should put that one behind me for a little while. Later, I'll come back to it with a fresh mind.

And then there's all the usual stuff. I think about movies I'll watch, about movies coming from Netflix, and about movies I should put on my queue. I think about the books I'm reading, and plan the time I'll read them.

I try not to think about Halloween and the eternal question: "What big party or event is gonna happen at the end of the week? Shouldn't I plan something." What about Christmas presents -- those are in the back of my mind as well. What about saving money, and work?

And next month I'm gonna look for new tenants for my house up north. And I doubt many people will like the house -- the current tenants keep it pretty dirty and stinky.

Geez. So many problems and issues! Why can't they all go away? Please, leave me alone so I can write. When I write, I must quit thinking about all the garbage in my hand and concentrate on the task at hand.

home alone

My girlfriend will be out of town this weekend. Wow, this is so weird. And kinda cool. I don't remember the last time I was home alone for this long. Must have been a couple years ago. I used to have roommates living with me. Now a girlfriend.

I'm kind of excited. I'm thinking of all the stuff I will do, but I'm worried I won't have enough home alone time to do it all. Writing, reading, watching movies, starving... Oh, the fun...

And it's Friday. I can't wait to get out of work. I'm gonna go home and party. By party, I mean I'll curl up with a good long book, of course. Maybe I'll pour myself a nice big glass of stout ice tea, too :)

even more busy busy

Don't have time to think up of stuff to write here. Or time to write, for that matter.

I'm spending my free time trading script reviews with online people. I take a look at their script, they take a look at mine. I'm using them, as well as my girlfriend, as guinea pigs -- first readers. I'm planning to make any obvious changes in my new short script, SHORT CHANGED, this weekend. Then, I'll send it out to everyone.

busy busy

I'm kinda busy at work, but I wanted to say Hi. It's one of those thing where I'm so very close to completing a task, but every time I take a step forward, I get pushed two steps back. I've been trying to finish up one work task for the last three days.

Netflix doesn't seem to be receiving my movies as fast as they used to. Perhaps it's a conspiracy? Or perhaps my postman is unreliable? I'll try to drop them off at a different mailbox and see what happens. But then again, I don't have time to watch movies tonight, I'm going to a screenwriter's meeting. Hooray!

I'm getting a headache. It's one of those headaches you get when you've been doing too much stuff during the day.

At least I got a draft of my new short completed. I should send it to my parents sometime soon.