(59) WRITING UPDATE

Hope you all had a great bank holiday weekend! As I said, we had freinds to stay, so the writing had to take a back burner for a few days.
Fortunately, the passion's still there, so I couldn't wait to get back to pounding the keyboard.
Unfortunately, as "real" work takes up the day (but pays the mortgage and provides the beer tokens) this meant late night coffees and screenwriting by candlelight!

So, began with a wee tad of Spec movie and Spec TV drama rewriting to get my alcohol befuddled brain back up to "show, don't tell" speed ( it was a great weekend!).

The Spec drama rewrite is helped enormously by helpful notes from Dom, who, funnily enough has a blog about rewrites here.

Then, the drama buds suitably enticed for more, I launched into the play.
Got to beat that June deadline.
And I mean really beat it, as I'm away the week before it, so mine has to be polished and in well by then.

Still, a bit pressure eh, can't kill you, can it?

Oh, apparently it can...
Well, it makes for good drama. Hopefully.

The plays shaping up well, in m.h.o. and is like nothing I've written before.
So, that means it's good! (lol)
The begining needs a tweak or two, but sets it all up nicely, and I actually like all the characters, including the weaker one (who needs working on)and I especially like the tormented baddie.
I have the middle and end plotted and on my ideas file, but, obviously being an organic entity still in it's creative flow, reserve the right to change all this in the rewrite(s).
It's on course, it's exciting to create it, I'm learning more as I write, and above all, I'm writing!
Which has to be good news!

But now, time, once again, has caught up with the page.

Yeah, yeah, I know we just had a long weekend...
But, as Mrs S said, flights are expensive on bank holidays, and cheaper the week after...so...

...we're off for a week of cheapo Sun!
I shall take my note book, of course, and will be thinking of you all.
I might even do a bit of writing if I get a bit of a lull in between all that exploring new waterholes and resturants...

Anyway, see you when we get back.
As you can see Her Majesty's packed her clothes, so I've now I've got put my shorts and 2 t-shirts in my holdhall. Good job it's only a week...

(58) Real computer image Shakey's back!

I'm back!
I was veryily lost with the pixels in cyberspace but Sir Dave of Sheddom came up with a cunning plan to enable my return.

Thanks Dave

(57) Movie poster challenge (update)

Another great entry in the Movie poster challenge explodes into cyberspace!

Some great choices, especially “Them” - the poster was definately better than the film!
And the creature f.t.b.l. …another all time classic!

See you round the scribosphere Madely!
Regards, Sheiky


Check out Madeley's choice at:-

http://www.fractalhall.com/blog/?p=142

(56) HELP!

Help! Is there anyone "E" Clever out there? (Dave?)
Stupidly fooling around with the blog in an idle 5 mins I deleted my "Salutations" image of the "computer cartoon" Shakespeare with a computer. I copied the "properties" of the pic and swapped it with the one that's there now.

Didn't like it. Went to put the original back but the bloody machine said "that file path no longer exsists" or some such bollox!

And it's gone!

I can't recall where on the www thing I found it. Nor can google!

Did anyone copy that pic?
If you did would you have the url or what not so I can copy it back?

Anyone seen it anywhere else so I can copy it again?
Anyone any techie- but easy to follow idea how to get it back?

(55) HOORAY! IT'S FRIDAY!

They finally found a way to "Take his freedom!"




( for those who don't geddit, it's William Wallace (1272-1305)Scotland’s greatest patriot, or, Mel Gibson in that kilt film, if you'd prefer...)

Have a great weekend!

(54) Movie poster challenge (update)

Another great entry in the Movie poster challenge explodes onto a screen near you!

Well, ok, the flat screen in front of you now, if you go to Mr Rob Stickler's groovey E pad.

(53) HOORAY IT'S FRIDAY!

Well, pretend it is-it will be tomorrow. Have a great Easter!




Top Hollywood Star said success wouldn't change him...




BUT...

(52) WRITING UPDATE...p.s.

Anyone know if any of the Spec Monkeys from the Scribosphere made it through on the Pitch in Time?

(51) WRITING UPDATE

Good luck to all those from the Scribosphere who are entering a script in the BSSC, no, not the Bark Shanty Sail Club, nor the Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club or the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation, but the British Short Screenplay Competition.

I'm passing on this one, as I'm concentrating on my spec comedy film rewrite and my new venture...

Sheikspear, the playwright!
It's got a nice ring to it hasn't it?
Seems I've heard that sentance (Sheikspear, the playwright) before, can't think where...

Pardon? You what?
There's another one?
Is he any good?

Anyway, although the "serious" 20 minute play is still deafeating me, my new full length effort for the Bruntwood Playwriting Competition is cracking along, even though it's still a very serious piece.
Ok, with some humour. And songs.
Hope it's still as good in the middle ( my weak spot) and the end, not fade out this time, but curtain down. (should be a poignant ending, when I get there)

Any advice on what's the "best" length, time wise for a stage play?
90 minutes?
70 minutes?
Longer? Shorter?

I'm aiming for around the 90 minutes or just less.

The ideas monkeys
have thrown me some top bannanas for really short, "contained" play ideas which I'm also going to attempt. The idea being, I will then present them (force them on?)to a local Am Dram group at the nearby arts centres as a way in to network with some "live" writers.
Don't worry I still love you all, my "E" writer friends, but you're so far away and my car's so old and knackered .

Mind you, I met a nice, talented local lady screenwriter via the interweb, Mrs S said I could go, but we're both (as in she's) so busy the coffee has'nt been drunk yet!

Hi Carol!

So, update concluded.
I'll post the "HOORAY! IT'S FRIDAY!" later today as we've got friends down from Wales for the week end and Mrs S says I have to be socialable, so therefore am banned from the PC!

still have this though to take when we're out...

Have a great LONG weekend!

(50) Anthony Minghella dies at only 54

Sadly, top screenwriter and Oscar-winning film director Anthony Minghella died today at the age of 54. He had suffered complications following surgery last week for cancer of the tonsils and neck, his agent said.

Best remembered for the films Cold Mountain, The Talented Mr. Ripley, The English Patient, and Truly Madly Deeply, Anthony Minghella, CBE, started writing for theatre in 1975, then moved on to TV with Grange Hill, Boon, and Inspector Morse among his many credits.
He was born in Rdye, on the Isle of Wight, and suported the greatest football team in the world, Portsmouth FC, appearing in the Channel 4 documentary Hallowed Be Thy Game.
His home had two double bedrooms dedicated to the display of Portsmouth memorabilia dating back to the club's founding in 1898.

He will be surely missed. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and fans



Anthony Minghella 1954 - 2008