Rewriting

I'm working on the pilot rewrite today...somewhat sporadic work times, but taking on a single scene at a time helps. Having the entire episode written really helps. It has a shape, a good structure. The work now is in polishing and clarifying a few character arcs and technical points. I love working on the comedy...some of it comes naturally in the writing process, other parts come together later.

The process is enjoyable. Even fun. When things comes together, it's exciting and energizing.

Pilot first draft - done!

Today I took a break from working on the movie draft so that I could sketch out a complete draft of the 1/2 hour, single camera pilot idea I've been working on for several weeks. It feels great to have an entire first draft in the can. It's rough, but complete.

It's a rush to go from beginning to middle to end...and then what seems like a far-fetched, over-the-top ending actually ends up being the ending.Crazy fun.

It all began today with a knock on the door. That was my writing inspiration.

Screen-writing v. screen-thinking

Some people are thinkers and other people are writers. The thinkers are the kind of dreamer that never gets their ideas out of their head, they don't know how to get them out, how to put them into words on paper and communicate their ideas to others. They have this concrete wall, a skull, they can't permeate.

Writers are dreamers as well, only they have developed the skills to translate their thoughts into words. Writers write, as the saying goes. I look at the guy who struggles with the idea in his head, incapable to take pen to paper and connecting the two. I don't want to be him.

I can be intimidated by the task. I can be overwhelmed by the hard work. I can be exhausted from the long hours. I can ache from slouching in front of the computer all night. I can want to quit but I don't. The payoff is finishing the work. Finishing the work is succeeding where most everyone else fails. As long as I continue to write, I will finish. If I quit, then I'm just that guy.

The weight of words

Interesting to take an entire day off of all work. The thinking doesn't stop, but at least the mind was mostly at rest. I wasn't demanding any study, any writing...nothing creative, nothing academic. Breathing in and out, watching people, hanging out with friends and family. When my story intruded into the day, I'd give it a moment then set it aside.

I've been thinking about words this weekend. Words matter. How we say them matters. How we write them, and transmit them to others matters. We can affect people with our words. We choose to build others up or we can choose to tear them down. My characters are choosing words, some less carefully than others. My hero got his feelings crushed the other day, so he's taking a break. He's going inside now, going to a safe place to get back to that sense of security and to feel once again capable to complete his journey. Even though there's no turning back, he has choices about how to move forward.

As do we all.

Characters

My characters have been growing and coming alive for me these past few weeks. It's an interesting process since they are the works of my creation, yet it seems that I am meeting these individuals already created. They are coming to me and letting me know who they are, what they want and what they dream about. They let me know their quirks and weaknesses, and they let me in on their sense of humor and their values.

I'm getting to meet some interesting folks and I am honored that they've chosen me to tell their story. I work daily to do them justice.

My structure is coming together, most of my big scenes are outlined. I only have 17 pages written, but for right now, that's where I want to be. Getting it out of my head and onto the paper is most important right now.

The journey continues.