Saturday, 14 July 2012
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Old Art
Friday, 14 May 2010
Day 17 - Some way to go, but getting there...
13th/14th May
2:47am. Could've done more than I did today- lost discipline towards the end of the day, but getting there. Up to Chapter 4 in the Syd Field Workbook (pretty much breezed through the paradigm exercise now that I know what story I'm telling). The book isn't profound, but maybe that's the point; a simple straightforward method.
Ofcourse there's the thought at the back of my mind that says every moment working through and reading the book is a moment that could be spent writing the actual screenplay.. but I've already written four screenplays in my own very loose and haphazard way, and the major weakness in all of them is probably structure more than story. I definitely have much to learn. Even if I was an established and successful writer/director, I'd like to think I'd still be open minded enough to try new methods and continually seek to improve.. As it happens, I'm still on the starting grid, so if Syd's method helps me achieve my goals, then so much the better. If not, then at least I'll know to try a different method. Either way, I only have to gain from the process.
In terms of the little sketches that accompany my words, they're often less than an after thought. There always has to be an ulterior outcome behind any attempt at art; never just art for the sake of having fun (even in this case it's still true- I was producing art for the blog). Tonight I just played around with Painter for a few minutes- something I NEVER do- and I gotta say, I like the results. Gotta play around more often, draw & do things for fun and nothing else..!!
2:47am. Could've done more than I did today- lost discipline towards the end of the day, but getting there. Up to Chapter 4 in the Syd Field Workbook (pretty much breezed through the paradigm exercise now that I know what story I'm telling). The book isn't profound, but maybe that's the point; a simple straightforward method.
Ofcourse there's the thought at the back of my mind that says every moment working through and reading the book is a moment that could be spent writing the actual screenplay.. but I've already written four screenplays in my own very loose and haphazard way, and the major weakness in all of them is probably structure more than story. I definitely have much to learn. Even if I was an established and successful writer/director, I'd like to think I'd still be open minded enough to try new methods and continually seek to improve.. As it happens, I'm still on the starting grid, so if Syd's method helps me achieve my goals, then so much the better. If not, then at least I'll know to try a different method. Either way, I only have to gain from the process.
In terms of the little sketches that accompany my words, they're often less than an after thought. There always has to be an ulterior outcome behind any attempt at art; never just art for the sake of having fun (even in this case it's still true- I was producing art for the blog). Tonight I just played around with Painter for a few minutes- something I NEVER do- and I gotta say, I like the results. Gotta play around more often, draw & do things for fun and nothing else..!!
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Day 16 - Keep it simple.
12th/13th May
2:37am. It's not how much you write, but what you write that gives a sense of satisfaction. Finally back on track. These past two days I've been disciplined about sitting down and just doing the work, with a minimum of distraction. Often it's something that simple that kick starts your productivity. More importantly I'm happy with what I've written. Before I was getting lost in details – Again, best to keep it simple. Knowing what you DON'T want is just as important as knowing what you DO want, and sometimes the only way to know what you don't want is by writing it! It's all a necessary part of the process so I'm not gonna beat myself up about losing time. As Don Siegal is said to have said (by Clint Eastwood) 'Analysis is Paralysis', so the less time I spend analysing my efforts, the more time I spend on my efforts!
On a side note, I bought yet another art book. I'm addicted to art books; I love to know how other artists work. I find it so inspiring, and whilst I'm completely & utterly broke, I mitigate my guilt at spending money I don't have by the simple fact that inspiration is priceless! Art books are a total necessity. I received Alex Ross's 'Mythology'. It's good, but not the best art book in my collection- still, I could definitely learn from it. Jim Lee's still my favourite comic book artist though; his dynamic storytelling & sharp pencils are just awesome to behold! Not taking anything away from all the other great artist's out there though.
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Day 11 - Do or Do Not.
3:59am. Man, time's running out and yet another day's slipped through my fingers with no real outcome or effort to produce an outcome. Did go Salsa though; thinking about quitting. I lack patience, and I hate committing myself to something (I've had a rolling 30-day mobile phone contract for years!!). I'm not making much progress with the Salsa, and the guys who are good say it takes years to get there! A friend told me that I should be going at least 2-3 times a week for the first few months.. I enjoy dancing, but not sure if I can commit that much to it. If I'm gonna do it, I wanna do it properly (like anything). I've got more pressing priorities. Sure, there are good looking chicks there, but there are good looking chicks everywhere. Besides, all you do is watch them dance with guys that can spin 'em around and all the rest of it. Chicks at these places are like gold diggers, only it's not money they're after, but a guy that can dance! I can dance.. when I'm by myself and there's no one around! When I ask a girl to dance the first thing I tell her is that I'm no good (a disclaimer if you will!!). If you think you're bad, you will be!! Simple. Need self belief!! You can if you think you can!!
I've gone through life merely trying. Not giving 100%, but not giving zero either. If you're gonna attempt something, anything, throw you're all into it. Do it!! OR don't do it! If I'm gonna stay at home, quit dreaming about being outdoors- make the most of being at home. If I'm out & about, need to stop being passive and grab life by the balls!! Instead of just hoping that somehow my life will take a turn just because I've changed the scenery. Finally understand what Yoda was talking about. Need to nail all aspects of my life!! Work hard, play hard!! 100% commitment to what I'm doing, whatever I'm doing... I'm losing the point of this blog; it's to chart my progress with my film career, not a diary of my life!! Less gratuitous details form here on in.
Friday, 7 May 2010
Day 10 - NOT an Historic day..!
3:36am. Story-wise, I did Jack, infact I did Jacksh!t whichever way you look at it. I did do some much needed exercise though, and I did vote. I ALWAYS vote. So many people fought and died so that the common man could have his say, that it would be an insult to their valiant efforts not to vote!
Britain is a pretty doom 'n gloom type of place. All we hear are about are scaremongering stories from the media about how we'll soon go the way of Greece and how tough it's going to be, etc. etc. Don't get me wrong, I think the generations of people that have lived excessive lives and ruined our planet with pollution, greed and selfishness have a lot to answer for, especially as it's subsequent generations that will have to pay the price and clean up. But! You forget that this is the country that made it through the rationing era of the war years. And! Having lived an austere life myself (being under a constant cloud of debt since Uni), I can say that austerity is not as bad as it seems. The things that truly make you happy; family, friends, a sunny disposition- don't rely on you being rich! It's the simple and small pleasures in life that put a smile on your face, and whether the future is one of wealth or poverty, I think an appreciation of life's simple pleasures is what will help us all get through the constant struggles. 'Cos whether you're rich, or poor, there's always gonna be something worth getting stressed about!! Don't sweat it. Go for a walk, chat to some friends, hang with the family.. So whilst I'm moving slowly, and there's no guaranteed outcome even when I do finish, I'm just gonna keep going anyway.
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Day 9 - One small step...
2:52 am. Forcing the story out. Spent a few hours today writing story notes. The story is progressing, it's moving forward, but I'm not sure if I like it. I set out to write a specific film (I see it in my head) and to be honest, the story I'm writing isn't it. Better, worse, it's not relevant at the moment.. It's just not the film I had in mind. I guess the point is to finish what I'm writing and then go back and sculpt it into what I want it to be. I just don't have time to sit around and wait for it to form perfectly in my mind before I start putting pen to paper.
So far, I've been spending 5minutes a day on the doodles that accompany these posts, but that's not good enough. This is a serious exercise and it deserves my full attention. So today I set myself half an hour and began. 50 odd minutes later, I wasn't best pleased with the results but had to draw the line and stop. The piece is totally from my imagination, thus the whole thing doesn't look very 'realistic' (colours, pose, etc.). Might start copying from photographs.. I've got much to learn. As far as the day goes, it was an improvement, but still could've done more. Really needed to exercise but got distracted surfing the net, as ever.
Still some way to go, but getting there.
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