Instant Applications

This is now the home of my current goings-on in the film world. I will be taking notes about the things that I am writing as I try to work out the kinks and tie up the loose ends. Get ready for possible boredom.

Recently we have been working on a new 'Halloween' project, which we only call by that name because we have a premiere deadline of October 30th (Which isn't Halloween, but it's close). When I say 'we,' I mean the same ol' group, Jarren, John, Colton, Mike, and myself. Most of you don't know them, but we are the collective cinematic superhero.

So I've been heading up the writing on this new project. We don't have a whole lot of time to get it all done, and it's pretty challenging, but I enjoy it a whole lot. I really enjoy these kinds of challenges; it seems to be the only time I really improve.

Writing this film coupled with my two film related classes has really created something special. I go to school everyday and sharpen my techniques and writing tricks, then I get to take that straight to the pages I'm writing. There's nothing quite like instant application.

The project so far is in such an infant stage that I hesitate even bringing it up until we have something more concrete. I wrote out a synopsis for the story and have begun character descriptions.

One of the major problems I have had in the past is having the ability to structure my thoughts and fit the things I want to say into the organized layout for which it is intended. I've also had trying times attempting to justly describe a certain character. I am fortunate enough, however, to be where I am today.

My classes and my friends have helped me begin to cross these barriers. Just the other day, Mike helped me finally see why I could never correctly describe a character. He said something to the effect of:

"When you describe a character, you tend to use adjectives. 'This guy is awkward. This guy is quirky.' Don't tell me he's awkward, show me."

I may or may not have polished his words up a bit, but that doesn't matter. Essentially, that is what I understood from what he said, and it made perfect sense. It seems like common sense, but for some reason I just couldn't see it until now.

Therefore, I have instantly applied this revelation to my writing and have used situations and settings to show who my characters are. For example, in working on my lead character for the 'Halloween' project, I described his morning routine, answering basic questions:

Where does he live?
How well is it kept?
What is his home decor like?
What is his strategy for getting ready in the morning?
What does he eat for breakfast?
What kind of car does he drive?
How does he interact with random people that cross his path?

Any question I had about him had a specific answer. If I came up with one thing, and it didn't feel right, I would try another answer until it fit. It was much easier than to say, "His apartment is clean and nice. He likes eggs." There's no clarity in those statements. How is his apartment clean? How does he like his eggs? How does he prepare them?

It's been amazing having this kind of progress because of a simple change in perspective. It's a true key in bringing your characters to life.

Small Updates...

It has been far too long since I have posted anything here. Some of you may know, I recently began writing for a local online magazine called Rhombus. I write for the film column. You can go there to see some of my articles about random things.

Otherwise, I have felt very strong about something else and it has to do with my other blog.

Some of you started reading my stories at www.sms-writings.blogspot.com. Many of you didn't. Well, either way, I stopped writing. It just wasn't in my best interest. There is something else now that is in my best interest, and I'm going to post it on the other blog.

So follow the link here in the next day or two and you'll get to read some stuff. Feel free to comment or whatever.

Thanks!

Mckay