New Short Film: Halina

Halina is my new 28-page short script that is officially moving into pre-production, with a goal to shoot in early December 2014. It's this script I alluded to in this earlier entry, and the good news is it looks like it's a go! As for the plot...

Halina is a sci-fi drama about a young woman hired by a reclusive billionaire to care for a mysterious and very lifelike humanoid robot.

The exciting news is it looks like Mike LaVoie, director of photography for Purgatory Comics, is interested in taking this project on after reading the script. I love working with Mike and I really like how Purgatory Comics looks. However, if you check out his more updated demo reel, you'll see how his projects since Purgatory look even more amazing.

I'll be posting the official casting notices in the very near future. Right now I'm mostly retracing my pre-production steps for Purgatory Comics, trying to remember the order I did a few of the important things. Stay tuned for more...this blog is about to come alive again!

Some Random Updates on Writing

When I started this blog way back when, I chronicled every tiny update and movement on every project. Since then I've become more shy about it, realizing that some of the projects never got off the ground for various reasons. Like shooting my script for Inquisitive.

So don't mistake a lack of writing updates for a lack of productivity; in the last couple of years I've finished three feature length scripts (one won me an award. Yay me!) and at least four short film scripts. My intention was to remain silent on the blog until I'd actually planned to shoot something.

Two of the full length scripts are just impractical for me to shoot. The other, maybe. I feel better about the short scripts right now, especially since the latest one is getting an amazing reception from the handful of people who have read it. In fact, I've been quietly exploring pre-production on it...

-I've met with Steve Goldstein on providing the score for the project. One thing I learned from Purgatory Comics is that it's better to work on the music during the production, rather than afterwards. Steve and I discussed the script, overall vibe, and listened to sample tracks. 

-I've talked with Cheryl Martin, a professional location manager and friend. This short film requires some specific locations that exist, but may be pricey. This will be the first hurdle on this project - if Cheryl saves the day, I'm going straight into casting.

-I've already commissioned my graphic artist Lamis on some of the graphic work I need.

A couple of more points: this short film, hopefully, may become part of a larger project that may either be an anthology film or web series. That's been my dream for a few years now, but we're getting way ahead of ourselves. The short is 28 pages and I'd like to shoot it possibly this October/November.

So there you have it. This may either (1) vanish from this blog like other projects have before, or (2) actually happen, in which case I'll supply the title, premise, and every step of the journey.

In Memory of Syd Field

Syd Field

1935 - 2013

Syd Field literally wrote the book on screenwriting. He wrote quite a few books on it. There are sites that reflect on his life and achievements much better than I can (one being SydField.com), so instead I want to tell a quick personal story on how a man I never met shaped my love of writing and changed me forever.

I'd spent the greater part of my childhood with cousins and friends using old clunky video cameras to shoot skits, movies, and various other improvised (and mostly unwatchable) projects. We filmed our playtime, and it was the most magical childhood I could ask for. 

As we matured, a couple of us began taking the projects a bit more seriously. We suddenly yearned for production value! Pre-written plots and dialogue! And...brace yourself...multiple takes! Playtime gradually became work time, and striving for better quality became an end goal that still drives me to this day.

I think I was around 17 when I had a brand new story idea I wanted to write, but decided it was about time I'd learned the proper format. My mother took me to a local Borders book store and the most logical book it seemed I needed was "Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting" by Syd Field. Third edition. 

While I was prepared to simply learn things like what font size to write a script in, Mr. Field went much, much deeper. He was the first to introduce me to the "Three Act Structure" of a film, and with his paradigm model, he shined a new light on how I view my favorite movies. Back in a post I wrote in 2007, Mr. Field's book was the first I'd cited as a source of my writing education. I'd also cited the second book of his that I'd read: "The Screenwriter's Problem Solver," and I criticized them both of being a bit repetitive. This may be true, but it is still a fact that without being exposed to these two works, I would not understand the most fundamental and important lessons in shaping a story for screen.

Case in point: there are two things I do before I attempt to write a screenplay. Without doing both of these things, it is a fact that my script will never be finished (I've tried. I usually get to page 50 before it falls apart). These two things are proven to be the elements that get me to the finish line.

One, I write a complete biography of my main protagonist. Even if I never incorporate most of the details into the script, it helps me understand who this person is, and what their dramatic need is. Two, I use index cards to storyboard the entire film. This amazingly useful technique allows me to visualize the entire movie at once: one scene equals one card, and there's incredible freedom to arrange, rearrange, delete and add scenes until the story is right. After these two things, I write my screenplay. And honestly, I'm usually able to finish the first draft in a week or two.

With these two things, I wrote that first full screenplay at age 17. And at 33, I still go through the exact same process to reach the words "Fade Out" on the last page.

I give full credit of these ideas to Syd Field. He didn't just teach me how to write a screenplay. He taught me how to finish a screenplay. For the rest of my writing life, his guidance will live in my technique and writing style, and for that, I am forever grateful.

LIIFE 2013 Script Writing Competition Finalist

Just a cool thing I thought I'd share: last year I had started on a new full length screenplay. It was a drama I'd never intended to shoot myself and also something I didn't share with many people. Earlier this year, I figured why not enter it into the Long Island International Film Expo's Script Writing Contest. And wouldn't you know it - the script won a certificate as the Finalist.

See the complete winner's list here.

This was a real big honor of course, but also a very special win for me personally. It was nice to be recognized for my writing this time (in contrast to directing and producing), since writing is my true love. Moreover, the script was an extremely personal story, so it was an extra special achievement to communicate such strong feelings in a way that resonated with the judges.

Back to the keyboard for me . . . I've got some stories in mind that might be more likely candidates for shooting. I'll let you know how it goes!

The Original Bree Scene Discovered!

As I mentioned in the previous post, I did some spring cleaning today. Another thing I found were some handwritten scenes from Purgatory Comics, including the scene below (which I just typed up for the first time). This scene was the original Evan fantasy segment that would later become the infamous Bree Olson scene. As you'll see, originally the scene went in a much different direction, but ended exactly the same.

iNT. bedroom - night

BREE, in a sexy nightie, screams as she stands by her bed.

bree

Won’t somebody come and save me?

EVAN (OC)

I’ll save you!

Over by the open window, a mysterious costumed figure tries to enter. It’s Evan in a superhero suit complete with cape. He stumbles as he tries to climb in, until he eventually falls back outside completely.

Bree watches in awe. Suddenly there’s a knock on her bedroom door.

bree

Come in?

The door flings open. Evan enters with leaves and twigs stuck to his costume.

evan

Hey.

bree

Who are you?

evan

I’m Evan-is-the-Man Man. I have the power of awesome. And I have a red cape. What’s the problem ma’am?

bree

Well I was sleeping, and suddenly I felt a spider on me! I don’t know where it went! It could still be somewhere crawling on my hot, perfect body.

evan

Then I’d better check with my x-ray vision.

Beams come out of his eyes and hit her body, causing her clothes to somehow completely vanish.

evan

Whoops. Haven’t perfected this power yet—

They awkwardly stare at each other.

evan

I can keep this up all night.

bree

I guess I should at least dance then.

She snaps her fingers and sexy music begins playing. She dances around Evan.

evan

This is why I’m awesome.

bree

You have to dance too!

evan

Oh, sorry.

He poorly dances next to her.

There were a few reasons I had to ditch this original concept. One, the schedule just wasn't working out for a night shoot - so I had to write a new scene that took place during the day. And two, I wanted a slightly longer scene that was more centered around Bree . . . and something that gave her a chance to be the center of the humor rather than Evan. 

Also of note: I found this scene scribbled in a Blue's Clues notepad. Yup.

Turning a Page

I was digging through old backup CDs today in search of something from years ago, and I stumbled upon a very early draft of Purgatory Comics, titled "Turning a Page." This clearly pre-dates the original working title "Bagged and Boarded." This draft of the script was when Cola was a guy named Cole, which I've mentioned before on this blog. Other than the gender switch, a lot of scenes and elements remained the same. However there is one scene that was cut entirely, and I'd like to share it.

Forgive how Blogger will butcher the format a little. This is a very early scene in the script. In fact it's scene 2, and the first scene after the beginning credits.

ext. SUBURBAN HOME - day – “THREE months later”

A beautiful day greets a quiet, welcoming home.

inside the basement

The room is filled with cardboard boxes of all shapes and sizes.

MRS. ROGERS enters. She is an older, motherly figure.

mrs. Rogers

Cole? Are you home?

She looks around but finds no signs of life.

The woman steps toward a larger box and feels it to judge its firmness. She has a seat on the top. The box immediately caves in and Cole shouts. She falls into the box, on top of her son.

The mother is frightened. She bats at him as she struggles to stand.

mrs. rogers

(shoutng)

Ahhh! Jesus cart-wheeling Christ!

cole

Mom! Mom! It’s me! It’s Cole!

mrs. rogers

Huh?

cole

Cole!

mrs. rogers

Cole?

She stands and tries to catch her breath.

Cole emerges from the box.

cole

What are you doing? You never come down here!

mrs.rogers

What the hell are you doing in that box?

cole

I needed a place to sleep. I never bothered putting my bed back together.

mrs. rogers

It’s been three months. Are you going to unpack or are you going to move back out? Huh? Which one is it?

cole

Ma, I’m not staying, so there’s no point in unpacking.

mrs. rogers

Then when are you leaving?

cole

No rush.

Cole reaches into a nearby box and pulls out a clock.

cole

Shit, I’m late.

mrs. rogers

No cussing in my basement.

cole

I gotta get to the store.

mrs. rogers

Cole, I don’t understand what you’re doing. You had such a nice apartment, and I know you have enough money to stay there a few more months until you got back on your feet.

Cole reaches into another box and pulls out some clothes. He changes into a pair of jeans while he talks.

cole

I told you, ma. I’m trying to stretch out those savings as long as I can.

mrs. Rogers

Here’s an idea. Why not get a new job? I know you needed some time off but like I said, it’s been three months.

cole

Why are you complaining, ma? It’s good for you to have a man around the house. So remember the drill. If anyone calls looking for me, you haven’t seen me.

mrs. rogers

What about Alexis?

cole

I told you a hundred times. She won’t call. I have to get going. I love you.

mrs. rogers

I love you too. And I am glad you’re here. I just—

cole

Thanks. You’re the best.

Cole kisses her on the forehead and rushes out.

cole (OC)

I’ll be home for dinner!

The mother stands amongst the boxes and sighs. She randomly reaches into one and feels around. She pulls out a beer bong.

mrs. rogers

(to beer bong)

What are you?

She scrutinizes it and even goes as far as to put her nose directly on it.

And from there, we go to scene 3 where Cole arrives at the comic book store where Evan is, and the movie continues as you (better) know it.

Obvious reasons why this scene was never shot: I felt it was too blatantly spelling out Cole's situation, whereas I preferred it to be revealed through the course of the film instead. Also I felt like it was pointless to introduce this mother character so early, and then never have her return or mentioned again.

Even the final draft of Purgatory Comics says "Scene 2 - Omit" and then skips to scene 3. The missing second scene went through two more drafts before being cut completely. One was Cole and his mom having this same conversation, but at a breakfast table. The other is Cole in an apartment alone, in the bathroom realizing he was balding. I think an answering machine message was also playing, which is a device I've grown to hate in movies.

Hope you liked it! Or didn't like it. Since I never made it.

Some Random Updates

"I can haz brains?"

Been a little bit since a nice update post, so here goes. Let's start with a film review! FilmBizzarro.com reviewed a DVD of Purgatory Comics. The reviewer wasn't really into it as it wasn't his cup of tea (he prefers his movies with lots of blood and guts and honestly, I can't blame 'em). But rather than rip it apart, he reaffirms he's just not the right audience which was cool, and if he took the time to write and plug it, I'll take the time to plug 'em. Be warned though, nsfw image of Bree Olson at the site. Read the review here.

DP Mike updated his demo reel over at his site. There's some glimpses of Purgatory Comics in there, so check it out. He has gained so many new capabilities since shooting my movie that I'm itching to work on a new project with him. In the meantime he's exploring some cool new Bluray authoring capabilities. I'll keep you posted on that. Also he made himself a top-notch editing suite so if you're in the tristate area and you're looking for a good editor, check out his site.

Angela's still at it with the youtubin' from London. Here's her latest vid:

And last: I've got two scripts in the works. Both have been in my head for nearly a year and they're both in different stages of development. A relationship movie is trickling onto paper very slowly, and a thriller is completely outlined and 30 pages of script are done. Even though the latter is further along, my passion for the former is much stronger. I'll keep you posted.

Happy Belated New Years! Resolutions coming soon...

Facebook, etc.

Item one: Be a fan of Purgatory Comics on facebook by going here and clicking "become a fan!" Do it!!!

Item two: My run in the NYC Midnight Screenwriting competition has sadly ended, as they whittled all of the contestants down to just a few. I did a good showing, although I don't think it's a contest I'd do again personally. My favorite script scored low points, and my least favorite did awesome.

Item three: Self-induced sensory deprivation. Try it out. You cut a ping pong ball in half and tape each part over each eye. Then put a radio onto a static station. Lay out in dim lighting and enjoy the hallucinations. It's called the Ganzfeld Procedure and it's the result of your mind being addicted to sensations.

Merry Christmas from Warm Milk Productions!!!

Here's a little video Christmas card I whipped up over the weekend to wish everyone a good holiday season. It's in the style of the old skits we used to do . . . cheap, minidv, and no crew. I hope you like it.

Some other news bits:

• I'm brainstorming a project where myself and some other writers I know will write a series of monologues, and then I'll have actors I know perform them. Not for distribution or anything, but just for all-around practice, minor 'net exposure, and fun. I don't plan to spend a dime on this project, which right now I'm just calling "Monologues."
  
• I got the results of the second round of the NYC Midnight Screenwriting competition. I didn't do nearly as well as round one, where I did awesome. But since I still have a lot of points, I progressed to the third round which I wrote tonight. I had to write a fantasy that took place in an opera house and involved a bathtub.
  
• Right after the holidays I'm really going to dive into making a decent Purgatory Comics DVD. The DVD case work is almost done and it looks great. At the same time I'm trying to secure a screening.

Also, yesterday was this blog's two year anniversary! I just realized that this moment. That's really cool. Happy holidays, everybody.

Screenwriting Championships

I mentioned a few blogs back that I'm in a screenwriting contest. They give you a genre, location, and item, and you have a very short amount of time to write a 5-page script that works in all of those elements. You then win anywhere between 0-25 points, and you progress to the next round. For the first go, I had to write a political satire that took place in a tattoo parlor, and incorporated and construction hat. Yikes. That was a month ago, but Friday the scores came in and I got 22 points. Woohoo!

I had a week to write that first script, but on Friday they gave us the second assignment, and only two days to do it. So today I wrote some historical fiction that took place at a waterfall, and incorporated a tablecloth. I have to say I wasn't thrilled with my script for the first round, but I'm excited about the one I wrote today. Maybe I'll post it in the future. We'll see what the judges think about it . . . if they like it and I get enough points, I progress again in December. If not, I'm out.

I bought some materials this weekend to make "press kits" for the movie, which I'm halfway through with my "final viewing." So expect the next blog to be titled, "Finished!"