THE DEBATE CONCLUDES

ONE TREK…  ONE NO TREK INTRO

ONE TREK…  ONE NO TREK ROUND ONE

ONE TREK…  ONE NO TREK ROUND TWO

ONE TREK…  ONE NO TREK ROUND THREE

The Setup:

JAY: A fan of J.J Abrams’ Star Trek Universe with little knowledge of the original series.

JOHN: Not a fan of J.J Abrams’ Star Trek Universe but a huge fan of the original series.

ROUND THREE

(JAY) The sequel is not far away and you say it’ll get your money but as a sci fi fan and not a Star Trek fan. It makes me wonder what it would take for Star Trek Into Darkness to convince you that it is a tale worthy of it’s name.

I think it’s going to be spectacular because of the approach they’ve taken with the villain. After years of ‘Kahn’ speculation, it appears as though Benedict Cumberbatch is playing an original character. I’m hoping he is an original character. I’m sure you are as well. Why recycle legends like Kahn?  Let’s see something new.

Having said that, I think ‘John Harrison’ will have a lot in common with Kahn. He’s a powerful being who appears to have serious business with the federation and Earth. It’s almost a given that things will get personal with Kirk but I think it will be a classic battle of strategic minds.  They’ve even cast Alice Eve as Dr. Carol Marcus…

Much has been written about John Harrison’s back story. (note: need to find link for this) He’s fighting for a very real and very relatable cause. We’ll have to wait to find out what that cause is but I couldn’t be more encouraged.

Beyond the villain, I’m also excited to spend time with the crew of the Enterprise without the need to establish them. A part of me believes you didn’t respond to the first because they spent a lot of time setting up relationships you already knew inside and out. For me it was new but I can see how it can be frustrating for a long time fan. Especially when you factor in the time travel element they used to ‘reset’ the universe.

Now, the Enterprise has it’s captain and the adventure can begin right away. I hope they deliver more space battles. More strategy. More science fiction concepts. Essentially… More Star Trek. (And more lens flares.)

If Star Trek Into Darkness features more of the crew doing what they do best and a formidable foe, would that be enough?

What did you think of the trailers?  Encouraged?  Discouraged?

COUNTDOWN | Top 5 Moments: Star Trek Into Darkness Trailer #1

COUNTDOWN | Top 5 Moments: Star Trek Into Darkness Final Trailer

Personally, I think the sequel will surpass the original. They worked so hard to create a new universe of sorts where they have the freedom to do whatever they want with the franchise. They’ve got a blank check. I think it’s fascinating to consider the options they had available to them.

Opening credits. Star Trek.

However, I have to admit I’m not fully versed in what that entails. I know it’s going to be more Star Trek as I know it but will they be able to include enough to please fans of old?  As we reach the end of this debate I’m more convinced that I really don’t know the subtleties that makes Star Trek work.  But I know I’m a fan of this new crew.

Maybe I’m looking forward to the same movie you are. I’m just a lot more excited to see it because I love the new versions of the characters.

As this is technically the final round, I propose we revisit this debate after we both see the sequel. A fourth round.  We can find out if they succeeded in winning you back.

(JOHN) With the new movie closely approaching, I’m rather impressed how the identity of the villain is still a mystery. If they do decide to go the original route, I’d definitely find that a welcome decision, as recreating a previous villain will naturally force me to draw comparisons and stay loyal to the original. That’s just how I roll.

Having still not seen the original series minus The Wrath of Khan, I still find it hard how one can make comparisons to the new characters if they didn’t even really get to know the original ones. In essence, there isn’t really much there to base a comparison due to lack of reference. How do you know you “love” these new characters better than the original ones if you haven’t really seen them?

Pretty much any recreation of anything that already appeared in The Original Series is going to discourage me. You touched on more space battles, and I will admit that is the ONE thing I am curious about and interested in seeing. It may just be the ship, an inanimate object, but the Enterprise is definitely part of the “cast” of the series and is a character in itself. Even though they made some of their own modifications to the design of the ship, that is the one thing in the new films that I can mildly accept the aesthetic changes to as it still closely resembles the original, more than anything else they have tried to re-create. That quick shot of the Enterprise diving into what looks like water sparked my attention. The ship is something that is timeless, and whether you’re seeing it in The Motion Picture from 1979, or in the upcoming Darkness, it still holds true for me. I can imagine MY crew on the newer ship, and deal with it.

As I stated before, I’ll probably go see the movie when it comes out. But I’ll be there to basically check out the effects and watch someone else mess with “my” universe.

[UPDATE] Multiply these reasons by 50 now the the trailer has been released!  Forgive the pun but Gravity just skyrocketed even higher on my 2013 must see list.

Originally posted on January 30, 2013

Gravity is the next film from director Alfonso Cuarón. (Children of Men)  It’s a thriller about two astronauts who get stranded in space after their shuttle is destroyed.  Two people floating around with little hope of setting foot on Earth again.  Where will the story go?  How will they survive?  Why has this film’s development taken so long?  These are just a few questions that make Gravity one of my most anticipated movies of 2013.

Click here for 43 more movies to look forward to in 2013.

5. THE WAIT

Original Release Date: November 21, 2012

Actual Release Date: October 18, 2013

Those who were anxiously awaiting Alfonso Cuarón’s space thriller were forced to wait another year.  A year!  It’s unclear why the film was delayed given the overwhelmingly positive early buzz but I’m over it.  The film is obviously packed with challenging special effects.  If he needed an extra year to get it right I’m more than happy to forgive the delay.

4. THE CAST

George Clooney and Sandra Bullock.  Two fantastic actors tasked with bringing these astronauts to life.  Many big names were attached to Gravity before George & Sandra took on the roles.  Names that included Robert Downey Jr., Marion Cotillard, Scarlett Johansson, Blake Lively & Natalie Portman.

Tons of interest in roles that are sure to be challenging to pull off.  With a high concept that demands a ton of screen time for few actors, the cast is crucial.  As a fan of them both, I think this movie is in good hands.

3. THE DIRECTOR

Children of Men was a phenomenal movie full of imaginative ideas and incredible visuals.  Director Alfonso Cuarón gave us a thrilling science fiction adventure that dealt with extremely tense circumstances.  I loved Children of Men.  It’s full of breathtaking long shots that pushed the limits of what you can accomplish without an edit.

Rumor has it Gravity begins with a spectacular 17 minute opening shot.  I can’t wait to see it. (If it’s true.)

2. THE PREMISE

Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone–tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

Sounds awesome doesn’t it?  For now, this is all we know BUT it’s what we don’t know that makes Gravity so intriguing.

1. THE UNKNOWN

What excites me the most is what WON’T happen.  A concept like this could easily end with some kind of space battle or an alien world.  Perhaps a ship picks them up and they must fight to survive.  I’d be okay watching a movie like that but Gravity promises to be something different.

Two characters.  Endless Space.

A while back, George Clooney did an interview and had this to say:

“It’s a two-hander with only two actors in the whole film,” he says. “It is a very odd film, really. Two people in space. No monsters. It’s more like [2001: A Space Odyssey] than an action film.” (USA Today)

No monsters?  No aliens?  Just two people stranded in space and tethered to each other?

…  What’s going to happen!? I can’t wait to find out.  What do you think?

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EPIC VILLAINS IN A SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD

If I may quote Mission Impossible 2:

“Every search for a hero must begin with something which every hero requires…  A villain.”

We all love great villains.  They are the reason our heroes are called to action in the first place.  Throughout history we have been blessed with iconic and unforgettable villains.  The Wicked Witch of the West, Hannibal Lector, Darth Vader, Auric Goldfinger, Nurse Ratched, The Joker, Norman Bates, Freddy Krueger, Verbal Kint, Biff Tannen, Bill the Butcher, Doc Ock, Tommy DeVito, Alex DeLarge…

Dramas, horror, thrillers, comedies…  Every genre has it’s classics but no group faces more scrutiny that the Summer Blockbusters.  Big franchises, sequels and the unstoppable force known as the comic book movie.

It’s the first question we all ask when a giant blockbuster is announced.  Whether it’s a new franchise or a sequel we all want to know who our favorite heroes will fight next.  How will these villains look?  Sound?  Move?

Fans crave every detail leading up to the movies they cannot wait to see.  I remember staring at this image wondering what Christopher Nolan’s Joker would be like.

The Joker was brilliantly realized by Nolan and wonderfully portrayed by the late Heath Ledger.  However, by the time the movie arrived, we had several trailers, clips and more that took away at least a little of the mystery. Is that a bad thing?  I don’t think so.  We live in a different time.  I suppose the question is…

Can you keep a big villain secret?  Should you?

I wonder how much scrutiny Darth Vader would face if Star Wars was released today.  A world where studios preemptively release images from sets in order to beat the spies to the punch.  Every time a movie shoots an exterior scene, images shot on cell phones pop up online.  We live in an age of social media.  An era where promotion is 24/7 and fans are closer than ever to the development process.

Now, I don’t want to sound like a spoiled brat.  Here I am, discussing my relentless craving for new villain reveals while complaining that we know too much before they are unleashed.  I just appreciate the evolution of the villain reveal.

We may have 4 or 5 trailers for each big blockbuster these days but I could choose to avoid them.  I just don’t.  I simply cannot resist pressing play and envisioning the adventures that await on the silver screen.

There are filmmakers out there who work tirelessly to keep their big projects a secret.  J.J Abrams immediately comes to mind.  When he and his team produced Cloverfield, it nearly broke the internet when they unveiled the mysterious trailer.  What the hell did the Cloverfield monster look like?

Personally, it drove me nuts for months.  The director repeated this tactic when he created Super 8. It’s a proven way to generate interest in a film.   Super 8 was actually my favorite movie of 2011.

He’s doing it again with Star Trek Into Darkness.  Who is John Harrison?  Is it really Kahn?  The answers are coming.

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Honestly, I can’t decide which side I’m on.

Do I prefer the shroud of secrecy and the anticipation it ignites?  Or do I want a constant stream of updates and risk burning out before the lights dim?

WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?

In the last few weeks, we were treated to new trailers that revealed Superman’s enemy Zod and Thor’s next challenge Malekith.  Both look incredible.

COUNTDOWN | Top 5 Moments: Man of Steel Trailer #3

COUNTDOWN | Top 5 Moments: Thor The Dark World Trailer #1

We were also given a glimpse of Jamie Foxx as Electro in next summer’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2:

Would you rather wait to see the villain?

I’m not sure if you can argue one way or another which approach is better.  Secrecy is frustrating but could ramp up the hype to impossible heights.  On the other hand, transparency invites discussion online and the promotion never stops.  There are pros and cons to both.  Sometimes too much secrecy can be seen as a weakness or a lack of faith in the studio.  Sometimes, a villain is revealed and hardcore fans tear it apart in vicious blog posts, tweets and parodies.

Yet sometimes, magic can be captured in the imagination of a film fan’s curiosity.  The same blogs and tweets can also be overwhelmingly positive.  Take Electro for example.  I think he’s going to look awesome on the big screen.  I can’t wait to see what he looks like with added effects.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how or when a villain is revealed.  Whether it’s a year out or opening night, the only thing that really matters is…  The story.

The next generation of heroes and villains are coming.  Which ones will claim their place amongst the greatest of all time?  That’s a search that will never end.

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A NEW WEBSITE FOR SCREENWRITERS IS HERE!

About 6 months ago, I took some time to completely reorganize myself online.  First, I deleted a dozen accounts on various sites I never used.  You’d be surprised how great that feels to be rid of so many user IDs and passwords.  I also eliminated a website I was maintaining but rarely contributed to.

From there I focused on The Athletic Nerd.  My 4 year old blog got a complete makeover with a new theme, an updated logo and new graphics.  Behind the scenes, I deleted tons of outdated posts, updated others and spent a lot of time refocusing the content and my promotional techniques.

It was time for a new project.  For years, I wanted to launch a screenwriting website.  I write about screenwriting on this blog all the time but I didn’t want this new site to be a blog.  I wanted to create a place that would inspire me to write more and in doing so, hopefully, inspire others.

The Screenwriting Spark was born!

This new screenwriting website was built around a simple idea: Screenwriters Inspire Screenwriters.

There are so many wonderful writers out there sharing their experiences using websites, blogs and social media. These unique stories are full of insight. I’ve learned so much about myself and my hobby of choice thanks to dedicated people who love screenwriting too!  I decided to collect all of these resources in one place.  (Screenwriting Spark)

The site is home to hundreds of links to amazing screenwriting websites.  Beyond that, it’s also home to blog posts, videos, tips, resources, interviews and much more.

Here’s a quick guide on getting started:

• Explore hundreds of screenwriting websites
• Resources, tips and more on the blog
• Tons of screenwriting videos
• 25 amazing screenwriting blogs
• Exclusive interviews with screenwriters
• A complete guide to screenwriting on Twitter

Among the highlights is an exclusive section where screenwriters share why they love writing screenplays, the obstacles they face and what keeps them coming back.  You can add your own story by answering 6 screenwriting questions found here.

The Screenwriting Spark began as a hobby and quickly became a passion of mine.  I had so much fun researching and gathering resources to pull it off.  I’m thrilled with how it turned out and I sincerely hope people enjoy the content there.  Subscribe for all the latest Sparks and happy writing!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SCREENWRITING SPARK!

INSPIRE THE ASPIRING

THE SCREENWRITING SPARK IS HERE BUT WHAT ABOUT MY NEW SCREENPLAY?

Last summer, I challenged myself to put this blog aside and finish a new feature length screenplay.  I did.  It was an amazing experience that ended a year of doubt when it came to screenwriting.  I had spent so long thinking only of shorts I could produce I lost confidence that I could create enough content to fill the pages of a feature.

When I finished that script, I immediately began developing a new screenplay that would become my take on the superhero genre.  Towards the end of 2012, I gathered all my notes and script pages and began writing.  I made it through the first act and ran into a little bit of trouble.

Around this time, I got an idea for a new screenwriting website and decided it would become a hobby project.  I also stopped writing my superhero tale in favor of more development time.  Months passed and I continued working on both project in addition to regular posts on this job.  If there’s one thing my Summer of Screenwriting taught me, it was how to budget my time.  About a month ago, I had a big breakthrough in my screenplay.  It was a wonderfully inspiring moment as I was getting frustrated.  I didn’t know if I would ever crack the story and truly immerse myself in the world.  Thankfully, that wasn’t the case and I couldn’t wait to get started.

However, I was nearly finished building The Screenwriting Spark and I wanted to launch it before diving into a screenplay again.  Today is that day.  It took a while to finish the site but I hope screenwriters will find a creative spark there if they need it.  It certainly sparked my need to get back to writing.

Launch day is finally here.  Yesterday I woke up and my to-do list was empty. Over the last few months, I completely reorganized my online life.  I redesigned and simplified The Athletic Nerd, eliminated some of the creative clutter on my desk and designed a brand new site.  I’m all caught up.

What did I do with my free time before my shift?  I fired up the first act of my superhero screenplay, read it and began a brand new first draft.  I always say I missed screenwriting after a long lay off but that’s just a cop out.  I could have been writing all along.  I know it.  When I first started this screenplay, I thought I would have it finished before 2013 began.  I was wrong but I care more about the story now than I did in the Fall.  That’s more important to me.  Screenwriting is my escape from stress.  An activity that’s just for me.  If I don’t care about a story, it’s tough to keep my mind occupied and I wind up getting stuck.

Creating The Screenwriting Spark was just another challenge but it did the trick.  I created a website I hope will inspire screenwriters.  It certainly inspired me.  I don’t know when I’ll finish my latest screenplay but I’m just taking things one day at a time now.  No pressure.  Just writing.

Check out The Screenwriting Spark and let me know what you think!