The Try Hard, The Ghost I Know, Rockets and Robots

My friend Dan’s Blog, The Try Hard, is getting 60 hits an hour because  New Young Pony Club tweeted his review. He’s writing a review for each of his top 20 albums of 2010. The blog is at http://www.thetryhard.blogspot.com/

My friend Andrew Savage has a blog about songwriting called  The Ghost I Know. He writes about the background on some of the songs he’s written, his thoughts on songwriting, and all about bands and music and stuff. Check it out at http://theghostiknow.blogspot.com/

And another friend called Andy has a blog called Rockets and Robots. He does reviews of all the films he sees, and writes about the 16mm film course that we’re doing together. He’s writing reviews of all the Wellington Film Society screenings as well: perfect reading for when I’m too busy to see the films I want to or to get to the Film Society. I just read Andy’s blog. You can too, at http://rockets-and-robots.blogspot.com/

Angry URL

I have to share this.

The NZ Government passed a piece of legislation against filesharing if you’re not the copyright owner. It’ll affect people who download things like movies and the like.

You can read more by clicking on this, the most awesome URL ever!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/4882838/NZ-Government-Fucks-Over-Population-For-Corporate-Cronies-Again

Brilliant!

http://www.facebook.com/NZBlackout for more details.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/4887073/Copyright-law-Net-parodists-target-Nat-MPs

 

Related Articles

Day 13 of Script Frenzy

Cover of "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banz...
Cover via Amazon

I am catching up on old episodes of the Creative Screenwriting Podcast. I’ve just listened to a Q+A on Black Swan, and am currently listening to an interview with John Lithgow. He’s being interviewed after a screening of a film he was in, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. Movie Marathoners – this looks like a film to get for the next one!

I really enjoy listening to the Creative Screenwriting podcast whilst doing something else (filing, doing dishes or other cleaning). It’s wonderful to hear from the writers of recent and favourite films. There are also some exciting tidbits. My favourite podcast so far is a performance of new monologues by Neil LaBute. (I’ve been trying to find a link to it, but can’t. It was a super special podcast. Perhaps it’s only available from iTunes?)

Now, I must admit to know following the work of many screenwriters, but after hearing LaBute’s work, I’m going to start following him. I was especially taken with a monologue that actress Amanda Peet performed. It made me think about monologues in a new way. How important the reveal is, and how multiple reveals can create the humour of the piece and also the tempo.

Unfortunately Jeff Goldsmith, the guy behind the Creative Screenwriting Podcast, is leaving. I’m not sure if that means that it will no longer exist, or whether someone else will take over. Here’s hoping the latter – the podcast is a wonderful resource. I’m just going to say here, thanks Jeff, I enjoy the show.

Related Articles

The Bonzai Tree cancelled

I regret to advise that The Bonzai Tree has been cancelled. Those involved with the production have been advised or are being advised.

Continue reading “The Bonzai Tree cancelled”

Day 11 of Script Frenzy

I find that I write better when I’m in a cafe, away from internet access. It’s the best way to avoid emails and Facebook and just focus. So today I trotted to Blondinis after work, and spent a couple of hours typing.

Because I’m not working on one feature script, it’s harder to keep track of how many pages I’ve written. I finished one monologue today (4 pages), and started the feature.

Continue reading “Day 11 of Script Frenzy”

Day Six of Script Frenzy

By day 6 of Script Frenzy, I’m meant to be up to 20 pages.

I had an assignment due for my Scriptwriting class. A 5-10 minute script. I did work on the short film that I had planned to write and hand in for this assignment. Whilst writing it, I realised that it’s at least a 15 minute film, so not ideal for the assignment. A few pages of new scenes were incorporated into Script Frenzy.

I had written the opening scene of a short film idea as part of Script Frenzy. I knew it could be a 5-10 minute film. So I wrote that. One 7-page script done. With the other short that I started, that puts me at about 13 pages.

Continue reading “Day Six of Script Frenzy”

Day Two of Script Frenzy

I can foresee that finding the time to write is going to be fun. Day 1 of Script Frenzy was plagued with sleep deprivation. It included work, a meeting with my research supervisor, a production meeting for the films I’m producing, and finally catching the bus to where my car usually is rather than where it actually was. Damn sleep deprivation. It then involved a walk along the Old Hutt Road, a bus ride, dinner, and then trying to write. One page down, and I fell asleep. I started a new film idea. Really the 1 page script could be just that, or it could extend into a thriller/horror.

The second day of Script Frenzy has involved procrastination in many forms, and working on my short film script. Thankfully doing Script Frenzy counts as work for my Uni Scriptwriting course. Does working on a script that one has already started count for Script Frenzy? I hope so.

I’ve also gotten into the vibe by listening to Creative Screenwriting podcasts whilst doing dishes. And I’ve been listening to music, which has gotten me onto a story idea involving a rock band. Really I should stop starting short films, and focus on the ones I have to write.

Day 2 of Script Frenzy. Really I should be getting to 6 pages by now. I’ve written 1. Hmmmm.

Related Articles

Feminism v Masculinity: Why I, as a Feminist, support Men’s Rights

Symbol of the planet/Roman god Mars, also used...
Image via Wikipedia

I am a Feminist.

I’m happy to say it aloud. I’m a Feminist and proud. And, because I am a Feminist, that means that I support Male Rights.

What was that, you say?

Feminism has unfortunately been mislabelled; a Feminist works towards equality for everyone: equality regardless of gender, race, age, or sexual orientation. A Feminist isn’t a man-hater. Feminism isn’t about bringing men down, it’s raising women up. And it saddens me when people express anti-Feminist diatribes, and stating they can’t be a Feminist because they don’t hate men. Neither do I. Glad we agree.

It is with that understanding that I came across The Top 10 Issues of Men’s Rights on The Good Men Project.

Continue reading “Feminism v Masculinity: Why I, as a Feminist, support Men’s Rights”

Film, study, and assorted things

There aren’t enough hours in the day. I suppose to make my blog more interesting, I should have done more regular posts on each of the things below. I simply don’t have time. So this is what I’m working on now…

Continue reading “Film, study, and assorted things”

Race Unity Day 2011

Hi all,

I am performing with the Sirocco Middle Eastern Dancers at Race Unity Day this Saturday 19 March. 

Our set includes Spanish-Bellydance fusion, with a Spanish Gypsy Dance, a Spanish fusion dance called ‘Amayaguena’, and then a drum dance called ‘Tammerhenna’.

Come along to the Horticultural Hall in the Lower Hutt Civic Centre to take part in the Race Unity Festivities, 11am-3pm. We’ll be performing at 1pm. There are music and dance performances, stalls and food from all over the world.

Continue reading “Race Unity Day 2011”