Helpful Hints: Scriptnotes Podcast

So as a budding screenwriter and word slayer, I'm always on the prowl for books and information that will give me more insight into the world of the scripted word. I've read numerous books/blogs and sat in on various lectures all centering around scripts and screenwriting.

Along my perversive journey through the scriptwriting blogitude I've stumbled across the blog of John August, screenwriter of films such as Big Fish and Corpse Bride. For the past couple of months, August and a fellow screenwriter, Craig Mazin, have come together to talk about scripts. 

The content of the podcasts range from tips and tricks for writing, to how to cash in on six figures. Script Notes is a great view on the screenwriting world from two of its residents. All in all the information in each episode is extremely informative, while still being insanely entertaining. 

Definitely a must listen for anyone interested in screenwriting. 

Story: but you fuck one goat.

I don't consider myself a script guru or a script doctor, but I have been around the proverbial script block. I've taken many classes, and have even been the teaching assistant to a spectrum of students. I've even written some shit. Ok, so they may not be award winning shit, but I know a thing or two about story and scripts.

It's a big pet peeve of mine when people denounce the value of a good story. "Story isn't everything." I should smack you upside the head for that remark. Yes, there are a lot of things that go into making a movie good, but my ideology is that if you don't start off with a great script, you might as well quit.

Good scripts have a potential that bad scripts can never reach. Yes, you can still make a bad movie from a great script, but you can't make a great movie from a bad script. Having a good script allows you the chance to have a good movie.

So it always seems a bit laughable to me when people all of a sudden decide to become writers. Anyone can write a script. That's true. But very few people can write good scripts. Scriptwriting takes time and effort. Something that many "writers" seem to lack.

I'm in no way saying that I've reached the expert status of screenwriting, but I'm trying to be get there. With each book or logline or beat sheet I come across, I'm slowly trying to get there.

This in point brings me to Andrew Stanton, and why he fucked one goat. He didn't really fuck a goat, but his imaginary friend fucked a goat. Andrew Stanton, one of Pixar's amazing writer/directors, recently did a lecture for the TED interviews. His points are extremely accurate and helpful to the green, and even the weathered, screenwriter. His lecture was all about story.

I'm a firm believer in story. I think that there are many great concepts for movies out there, but that good stories for movies fall short. So if you want a little insight on what makes a good story, and how not to be known as the goat fucker, watch Andrew Stanton's TED lecture.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/andrew_stanton_the_clues_to_a_great_story.html

50/50: I'm more than just my cancer

Title: 50/50

Director: Jonathan Levine

Writer: Will Reiser

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick

Grade: A

Synopsis: A 27-year old man struggles with the diagnosis that he has cancer.

Good Movie For: Anyone really. 

So now that you know my love of Mr. JGL it's not too surprising why I choose to watch this movie. Everyone knows that I'm slightly obsessed with him, so whenever something JGL-y pops up, my family and friends automatically send it to me. (Hence why I got 7 different messages the day he made a duet with Zooey Deschanel) So when 50/50 came out, everyone told me to watch it. I was itching to watch it in theaters, but I never got the chance. So once it came out on DVD I quickly snagged it.

Everyone told me to prepare for the waterworks. Typically I'm a pretty emotional person, so I expected to shed a couple (lot) of tears. I laughed, I cried, then sobbed uncontrollably, but overall the movie left me with an extremely big smile on my face. Not just because I got to spend 2 hours gawking at JGL, but because the movie was really that good. 

50/50 is definitely an interesting take on cancer. Yea, that's the main bulk of the journey, but the movie is so much more than just a movie dealing with a man who has cancer. It centers on the different relationships that occur between this man and the people close to him. From his seemingly uncaring best friend to his overbearing mother to his too young therapist, the relationships in this movie is what helps to propel it away from others that have touched this topic.

Probably one of the most compelling things that stood out to me production wise was the timing of the beats that were hit in the story. From the big bad news to the first indication of love, the beats of the story line helped me to continue on further. An aspect that this script nazi was quite thankful for. This is also a prime example of the screenwriting notion "Write what you know". Reiser actually was diagnosed with cancer, and Seth Rogen is one of his best friends. I'm sure that not all of the events in the movie are completely factual, but Reiser took a real instance in his life and transformed it for the big screen. Write what you're familiar about, but don't leave in all of the mundane and boring details. 

This movie is much more than just a movie about cancer. You'll weep, you'll laugh, but overall it's just a down right good movie.

Uncertainty: Make up your damn mind!

Title: Uncertainty

Director: Scott McGehee, David Seigel

Writer: Scott McGehee, David Siegel

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lynn Collins

Grade: C

Synopsis: The flip of a coin sends a couple into two extremely opposite outcomes on a hot July 4th day.

Good Movie For: JGL lovers

If you look at the screen saver to my phone, you will instantly know why I watched this movie. I've been a JGL-er since his long haired days as Tommy on 3rd Rock from the Sun. I really should stop picking my movie choices based on my infatuation for the lead actor, but hey, you need a little eye candy to help you get through an excruciating two hours. Not that watching this movie was excruciating. It did have many high points, but yet again it did have many low points. 

I think one of the many reason why I love JGL is the fact that he has been able to blossom from a child actor into an amazing adult actor (that kind of sounds like he's a porn star. Adult Actor). Anyway, I personally think that he strives best in romances. I mean don't get me wrong, I loved all the room tilting in Inception, but one flash of those deep set dimples and you continue to believe that he is truly in love with his co-star. The boy could make a romance with a lamp post believable. That being said, the chemistry in this movie between Gordon-Levitt and Collins just seems off. It seems extremely forced. Not necessarily an uncomfortable forced, but a let's touch and hold hands and kiss a lot so the audience remembers that we love each other.

Another nit-picky thing that I observed was the presence of a lot of filler and useless dialog. "Is he dead?" Of course he's dead. You just saw 6 bullets penetrate his back. He'll survive. Sure. At times it felt as if Gordon-Levitt was consoling a child rather than his girlfriend.

All knockdowns aside, the dual story aspect is an interesting take. While one storyline is steeped in drama, the other stenches of action. It certainly makes you think about the decisions you make in your life. What would have happened if I had taken that road, walked that path, or crossed that bridge. Overall, it was a decent movie. 

Friends with Benefits: Kriss Kross will make ya, Jump Jump.

Title: Friends With Benefits

Director: Will Gluck

Writer: Keith Merryman, David A. Newman, Will Gluck, Harley Peyton

Starring: Justin Timeberlake, Mila Kunis, Woody Harrelson

Grade: B

Synopsis: Two friends down on their luck in love decide to have a purely animalistic relationship with each other. It's just sex. But just sex soon turns into emotional bullshit. 

Good Movie For: N'syncers, That 70's show fanatics, anyone really (except maybe small children)

I wanted to watch this movie in the theaters, but I was a little skeptical when it came out. Friends With Benefits released around the same time as No Strings Attached. Ok. Two movies premiering at the same time, with basically the same story line? Yea. I'll pass. While people gave me fairly bad reviews on No Strings Attached, Friends With Benefits was the top view between theses two contenders. I'm pleased to say that I'm quite surprised how much I liked this movie. The storyline at times seems a bit predictable, but it was able to throw in some decent twists and some naked booty here and there. 

The holy grail of this film is probably the chemistry between Kunis and Timberlake. They genuinely seem as if they like each other. Gasp. But really, their relationship is what kept me watching. I did however find it a bit of a stretch to have Woody Harrelson as the gay sports writer. It's seemed like an interesting angle, but it would have been better if that character was played up a bit more. Hot people fake making love? What more could you ask for? 

Oh, and if this hasn't persuaded you. This movie has also been able to rekindle my love of Mother Fuckin' KRIS KROSS! (I probably shouldn't call them Mother Fuckin' Kris Kross. They were like 12 when they told everyone to JUMP JUMP!)

Strangers on a Train: I've realized that I'm a crazy magnet.

I always sit next to the crazy people on the train. Not the blatant, I'm about to throw my feces on you crazy, but the, I look like a normal person but my brain is off crazy.

I've been sheltered and spoiled most of my life. My parents picked me up from school everyday. I got a car when I was 16. I've only known what it feels like to drive myself places, so this whole taking the public transit thing is a completely new idea to me.

Because of my new internship, I have to take the train all the way across the city. This hour long commute every couple of days had given me a bit of anxiety at first, but now, I feel a bit on better ground with the train. But last night has thrown me for a loop.

I finally sat down around the mid-point of my ride back home. A couple stops later, a girl with a red backpack sat down next to me. Red and I did what the normal protocol for train riders is, just sit there and don't say a word until you have to move. A couple stops passed, and neither of us uttered a anything. Then Red decided to throw a wrench in the machine and asked "So, what part of the city are you from?"

I was taken back a bit. Were we really going to break tradition. I didn't want to seem rude, so I replied "I live near the school." She asked if I was a student, I am. I asked her if she was a student. She was. Awesome. End of conversation. I thought.

Then she asked me where I lived, on campus or off. I told her I lived down the street. She asked me how much rent was. How much rent was? I told her. I didn't really think much of it. Student to student. You tend to compare living arrangements. Then she asked me if I was looking for a roommate?

The hell? A Roommate? Red, I just met you on the train. You might be a Serial Killer. You might be really nice too, but I'm gonna lean towards Serial Killer on this one. I said no, and she immediately waved me off. As if she wanted to go back to being unfriendly, silent strangers.

I thought we had a good thing going Red. We broke the rules. We talked. But just because I don't want to invite you to live with me, you decided to turn the cold shoulder? Bah. Whatever.

Because of this, and other incidences, I have deduced that I am in fact, a Crazy Magnet. I try to be cordially and respectable, but apparently in this city, cordially and respectable gets you unwanted roommate offerings.

The Film School Lecture: Research - "I need to watch Jersey Shore, for research purposes."

I'm always amazed when my fellow film school friends talk to me about the new/old movie that they just watched. Their eager eyes look for some sort of recognition in my expression. But sadly, I always have to follow their inquiry with a "No. I'm sorry. I don't have time to watch movies." This is then followed by a cloud of grief that washes over their being. They hope to discuss their favorite parts of the film, but I am not the right audience for this debate.

Whenever I get asked the question of "Have you watched this..." or "Have you watched that..." I'm always left wondering. How in the hell do they have the time to sit down and watch a movie everyday? I can barely find time to eat in between classes, let alone taking two hours to sit down and focus on a screen. I used to be called the film student who never watches movies. People would joke that I would think of this great idea of a man trying to implant an idea into another man's dream. I've watched Inception bitch. I know that movie. Now, I actually watch around 5 movies a week. Ok, I am actually forced to watch them movies because of class, but hey, I'm still watching them.

But this brings up a more important topic. Film students and people in the industry NEED to watch things. Whether it's a movie, a television show, or a short. You need to be able to know the industry you are getting into in order to help you succeed.

I would always feel bad when I would sit down in front of the television and spend 3 hours just watching the shows that have been piling up on my DVR. I felt unaccomplished for some reason. But somewhere between making films as a hobby and actually trying to make a career out of this, my watching habits went from things to do in my spare time to doing research for my future. This is what helps me justify the hours I spend in front of the television.

"It's research." I tell my mother, as she asks me why I'm watching the newest episode of Jersey Shore.

So if a career in the film industry is your end game, don't feel bad about missing your sister's Quinceanara because you need to watch Transformers 4. Alright, she would probably be mad at you for that, but you shouldn't feel bad about watching movies.

If you ever see me in front of a television screen from now on, don't bother me. I'm doing research.

KONY 2012

Ok, so this isn't really a political blog. It's just me talking about movies, but this is an issue that I've been wanting to address since I watched this video last night.

If you aren't one of the presently 10 million people who have viewed this, then here you go.

http://vimeo.com/37119711

At first, my instinct was to post this all over the social networks, but people wouldn't really take note of the impact of this 30 min short at 3 o'clock in the morning. So I decided to wait. Upon waiting, many of my friends decided to post this video too, and others also posted their concerns about it.

The concern brought up is mainly in part due to an article written by a second year Political Science major in Canada. (Visiblechildren.tumblr.com)

He brings up some extremely valid points.

1. Invisible Children is using more money towards ad campaigns and traveling, then they are to actually funding a tangible resolution to this problem.

2. After Joseph Kony is caught, then what is there to do?

3. There are other contributing organizations that actually physically help the child soldiers rather than spreading awareness of them. Why don't you help these other organizations out?

All of these are true, but what the writer didn't take into account is the atmosphere of the public. Yes, there are other organizations that are helping rather than advertising, but those other organizations have not been able to reach the scale that the KONY2012 campaign has reached in the last few days.

Sad to say this, but the campaign for change has now become the campaign for advertising.

A good idea cannot truly denote a large impact on society unless it is publicized.

The political institution of the United States is a prime example of this. California's state education deficit is about $28 billion. Governor Jerry Brown spent $25 million dollars on his campaign to beat the Governator in the last election race. Although the two numbers are far from identical, there's still a correlation. Brown could have instead used that money to assure the job safety of a couple public school teachers. But instead, he used that money to campaign for votes. Votes that ultimately won him the election.

You need money to gain influence. This is the idea that many lobbyists in Washington DC walk down the corridors thinking. Money brings advertisement. Advertisement garners influence. Influence makes changes.

The race for political office now has changed from who has the most riveting speech to who has the most followers on twitter. Everyone and their mother wanted to Obama-ize their facebook profile pictures in 2008.

We have become a world centered on visuals. Striking images and videos are more of an impact that words and speeches.

Bottom line, the more money you spend on getting yourself in the public eye, the more influence and impact you can have.

Within two days, the KONY 2012 video has skyrocketed across various media networks. Sure, the funds of the Invisible Children organization may be put towards advocacy rather than activism, but in reality, would we be having this discussion if it weren't for the viral video? Would Joseph Kony's name be as prominent as it is without the advertisement?

The Invisible Children organization is set on shining a light on what is occurring across the world from us. They've taken tactics used by politicians to broadcast their images everywhere.

You don't have to support the organization, but do support the cause. Instead of scrutinizing the people who bring this topic to light, applaud them, and investigate how to help in other ways.

You don't have to buy the t-shirt or bracelet, but do help in some way. It may not be through Invisible Children, but somehow, someway, Kony needs to be stopped.

This is an issue that effects us all, not as a nation, not as individuals, but an issue that threatens us as moral human beings.