I just bought a couple of sets of these 100 Record cards.
When I revise for things I tend to try and condense everything into tiny bite-sized chunks of information and cram as many notes as I can onto these cards; as I believe the act of writing something down helps me remember things. Repetition is key. Not losing them is also key. Getting them cheap is recommended. To me, these ones that already come with a ring binder are a brilliant and simple yet effective idea!
When I am writing in an ‘old school’ fashion, needing to hide away from my machine and the evil lure of the unfiltered Web, I often break my scenes or plot points down on Index Cards. then, in trying to follow Syd Field, or Blake Snyder, I attach them to my corkboard in order to visualise all of the elements of my story and then see if I need to reorder them in order to shake things up and keep the structure fresh.
Obviously using software tools like Final Draft, Celtx or Scrivener I can do this virtually without a need to kill a tree or needing to be wary of battery power or being near a plug socket. But sometimes that tactile element is incredibly important - to move something and be able to still see the entire structure in one go, and not have to keep scrolling. Currently no software package can do that for you. It’s old school brainstorming or mind mapping.
With these great cards you can carry them around, make oodles of notes and do some healthy planning and then later if you need to take the binder away and start arranging them on your carpet floor or stick them to your corkboard. Pin them to the 4 corners of your mind and then write!
That reminds me. I have a feature to get back to work on! Soon my board will be full of ideas and not a distracting picture. ;0)
I’ve just stumbled across a very promising innovative finance website which is already being utilised by grass-roots filmmakers - KICKSTARTER (http://www.kickstarter.com/) - where people post ‘projects’ which contain weblinks and info in order to convince prospective supporters that the venture has worth, and then tracks the amount of money pledged in support, to help realise those projects. It’s basically just like raising sponsorship for running a race for charity - only you, the filmmaker, are the charity.
From the FAQ - “Kickstarter is powered by a unique all-or-nothing funding method where projects must be fully-funded or no money changes hands. … If people want to see a project come to life, they’re going to spread the word…. Project creators keep 100% ownership…. If the project you’re backing is successfully funded, your card will be charged when the project reaches its funding deadline. If the project does not reach its funding goal, your card is never charged. … it’s up to the project creator to create, price, and fulfill their rewards.” The only downside appears to be having to do it through Amazon.
It obviously requires more research. But the possibilities are quite attractive for serious ventures. Check out the blog for more info on the kind of projects they feature: http://blog.kickstarter.com/
Yes, I have been quiet for a while. Apologies, working too many hours and not sleeping enough. Disappointing really as I have watched some blinding films recently, that I’d like to mention to you, short mentions / reviews below.
Screenwriter Don Roos has an interesting technique for ensuring that he gets the job done - by using a Kitchen Egg Timer and a series of handy tips behind the method to ensure that he sticks to the time allotted. But why do we have to go to these lengths?
Many writing tools offer you the ability to write - distraction free, ie in full screen mode; but they can’t make you stick to it. Read the rest of this entry »
The best ones will most likely be given a theatrical exhibition in theaters equipped to show digital movies, enabling a lower cost distribution model than the expense of producing multiple film prints; and marketed without costly television commercials, print ads etc, instead relying on word-of-mouth. At the moment one will assume that the new initiative will be aimed at established talent, but there’s no reason why more breakthrough talent can’t make it. So dust off those Micro budget ideas folks!
Until I started teaching myself about screenwriting, he was just a name on a poster. I mean I didn’t even really realise that people wrote screenplays; before I was first told that in order to make a film I needed a screenplay. I mean you just went to the cinema and the films just magically happen. Right? They all just show up on set and make it up as they go along. Right? At least that is what Hollywood often wants us to believe, with the cult of the Director and the purported talent of certain actors. God forbid, the stories are crafted by artisans…
I knew he had something to do with ALIEN and RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, DARK STAR and LIFEFORCE but I had no clue as to what contribution he made, or how much of a difference he made; how significant was he?
And then one day I read the screenplay to ALIEN. For me it was a life changing experience. I can’t really describe it, but the economic, unflowery and effective prose really spoke to me. Again, I wasn’t sure who (of all of the people involved in that screenplay) really was responsible, but I took notice and I read a few more screenplays that he had a hand in. Each one, was its own piece of work, but each had a unique power and economy that really spoke to me, even if the end film didn’t really have the same effect. Inspired by that, by the power of his prose, I tore the hell out of two feature screenplays trying to cut each one down to its purest and most economic form. But they were pale imitations at best, when compared to this man’s work. It is something I find myself continually revisiting and constantly chasing - an elusive muse.
It will be a crime if others do not mourn his passing. I know I have lost an unofficial mentor. I will still revisit his scripts and chase a fraction of their power.
I’ve just stumbled across a very promising innovative finance website which is already being utilised by grass-roots filmmakers - 
Screenwriter Don Roos
