(157) Normal Service...

...will be resumed as soon as possible...

****ing P.C.'s blown up!

See you when it's fixed...

(156) Radio ga-ga

Everyone's gone Radio ga-ga!

A fellow DV screenwriter , friend of this blog and talented local scribe Louise is currently writing a gripping radio drama, and, coincedently the blogosphere has exploded with radio scriptwriting info.

So, here, just for you, Louise (no peeking by anyone else!) is a collection of valuable radio links:-

BBC Commissioning briefs :- http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/commissioning_briefs.shtml

Friend of the blog Michelle Lipton's fantastic in depth guide from idea to commission:- http://michellelipton.wordpress.com/2009/07/15/radio-4-commissioning-process/

How to do it:-

BBC writersroom tips (drama):- http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/tips_radiodrama.shtml

BBC writersroom tips (comedy):- http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/writing/tips_radiocomedy.shtml

BBC worldservice tips:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/arts/features/howtowrite/radio.shtml

Danny Stack's tips:- http://dannystack.blogspot.com/2009/07/story-vault-radio.html

Bill Ash's tips:- http://www.irdp.co.uk/scripts.htm

Robin Kelly's tips:- http://www.robinkelly.btinternet.co.uk/radio.htm

Screenwriting internet radio:- http://www.screenwritersradio.com/Intro.php

http://www.screenwritersutopia.com/ScreenTalk/

and finally, H.M. Queen, radio ga-ga

(155) Bin Writing?

"No matter how fast or slow you write, the only thing that matters is that you write... and finish what you write."
W.C. Martell

Yet another handy tip from the great Bill Martell

Here's another...

"If you've got a full time job and you're writing in your spare time, you want to maximize the time you spend writing." Bill says.

So he has these bins in his office on which he tapes the titles of proposed scripts.
Go on Bill, I'll let you tell 'em the rest...

"When I get an idea for a script, I start a bin. Then, whenever I have an idea for that script (dialogue, scene, character) I write it on a card and toss it in the bin. When the bin overflows it's time to write the script."

Hey that's clever, Bill, tell us more...

"Because I've thought through much of the story and have all of my notes in one place, I can usually finish a first draft in 4-6 weeks. When I worked at the warehouse I averaged about 3 scripts a year using the "bin method".
I never wrote a script that I didn't have a whole bin full of notes on."

Get the full story from Bill's Screenwriting Tips site at:-

http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip239.htm

Me, must be half way there...

My new script's rubbish...Now where's my bin?

(154) Brain Battles - Yin - Yang, left/right

All a bit Yin - Yang, left/right side of brain battles at the mo'.

Building & Fitting the new Kitchen requires all my manly skills of strength, precise measurements, logical thinking and using a chisel to chase out the walls instead of ruining the heads of yet more screwdrivers. And actually reading the plan/instructions, before guessing where each bit goes...

My fluffy, dreamy creative side isn't left with much time to do too much, apart from jot down yet more ideas, scenes, one liners, images, etc which flash onto its mind's eye movie screen (with full Dolby digital sound surround of course)

And yet, doesn't writing a script require the Yin Yang approach?

The strength to finish it.

Precise plotting

Logical conclusion

A plan (beat sheet/outline) to follow

A chisel

Chisel, Sheiky?

Yeah, to chip away at unnecessary scenes, description, feeder characters, etc, - writing is rewriting. Keep it lean.

And of course, you need the fluffy, dreamy creative side to conjure the magic all up in the first place...

(153) Writers Opportunity

DV Mission 48hour Film Challenge 2009

From Talent Circle... Competition for Film (short)

Deadline: 01/11/2009 (call started 01/06/2009 )
Fee: FREE
Organisation: DV Mission
Contact person: Jinx Prowse

Web Site

So what is Dvmission?

Teams are given a film title, genre and one line of script at 7:00pm Friday night. Each team then have 48 hours to get their 2 minute film back for 6:00pm Sunday night. The Premier is at 8:30pm and the winners are announced at 10:00pm.

What does it cost to enter Dvmission?

It is free and you get 10 tickets per team to the premier night along with the opportunity to win a coveted 'Pompy Oscar' along with other prizes!

How to enter Dvmission

To enter the 2009 Challenge please follow the steps below:

1) go to www.dvmission.co.uk and read the rules
2) download an application form

If you are still up for taking the Challenge…

3) sign up to the Dvmission web site: www.dvmission.co.uk
4) start a group with the name of your team (include a description of your team and whether you are Pro-Tech or Lo-Tech)
5) send the application form to Jinx (Mission Director)
We are limited to 25 teams this year. Places will be given on a first come, first served basis. A reserve list will be held. Return the application form by the 2nd October 2009

Festival/Activity Information

Applications are now being accepted for the fourth annual DV Mission 48hr Film Challenge. This year we will be returning to the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth for the premier night and after party. After the introduction of the Mission Briefing in 2008 we are now running a full one day of workshops prior to the event to support challenge participants absolutely free of charge. With support from this years sponsors, Film Hampshire and Screen South we have a new website and plan to make this the best 48 hour film challenge on the south coast.

See you there!

(152) Hi Honey(s) I'm Home!

Hope you're all well, and got your CBBC scripts in on time. Sent mine in before I went off & had a great time in Espana.
Had a good trip over there in untried old banger, but hey, that's adventure for you!

Back to reality now. Fitting a new kitchen for the missus and trying to find some time to write.

Don't forget tonight's screenwriter's meet of DV city screenwriters is in the "Porters" ( a pub, Hurrah!!) Albert road, Southsea, Portsmouth.

And up for review are two shorts by the multi talented...er, gosh, it's me!

"Ambulance" &
"Night Guard" are under fire!

See y'all real soon, y'hear!

(I blame that straw cowboy hat I wore in Spain...)