THE ATHLETIC NERD

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.

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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!

SEASON 3 EPISODE 6
THE CLIMB

This week’s game of thrones was some how the slowest yet one of the most violent simultaneously.  I’m not sure what to make of that. It wasn’t the best episode of the season but it did offer several eye opening moments.

Poor Theon. Having to endure torture is one thing but being fed false hope like that is pretty grim. His torturer has yet to reveal his true intentions but its definitely haunting to prolong the answers this way.

The episode was very much focused on arranged marriages and their use in Westeros. So much power at stake.  I thought the scene between Olenna and Tywin was fantastic. I hope this isn’t the last time we see these two in a battle of words. Tywin may have won the first battle but the way he avoided speaking about his children’s incestuous ways was great.  It was a little disappointing to cut away as Tyrion essentially proposes to Sansa… Sort of. I suppose it made sense given the chilling final shot of Sansa crying as her escape from King’s Landing sailed away.

In the North, Robb continues to make strategic moves marrying off his uncle to pay for his own mistakes. He also offered one of my favourite lines of the episode:

“I win every battle but I’m losing the war.”

In the end, the moment I chose this week belonged not just to Jon Snow but the view atop The Wall.

WINTER IS COMING

Finally, Jon and Ygritte climb the wall. It wasn’t easy but I loved the final shot of the episode. On one side, a winter wasteland. On the other, endless possibilities for future Game of Thrones moments.  With only a few episodes left, worlds are bound to start colliding soon! I can’t wait to see it.

Another week… Still no White Walker sightings?

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CATCH UP:

Episode 1 Moment: Valar Dohaeris

Episode 2 Moment: Dark Wings, Dark Words

Episode 3 Moment: Walk of Punishment

Episode 4 Moment: And now his watch is ended

Episode 5 Moment: Kissed by fire

PHASE TWO HAS BEGUN…  SORT OF.

I stood in the concession line with my wife and two of our friends.  Iron Man 3 was set to begin in 25 minutes.  I felt anxious.  It’s not everyday you get to see a massive blockbuster movie on opening day.  I felt like I had to rush into a giant line wondering if we would score good seats.  Times are different now.  We bought our tickets online the day they went on sale and reserved our seats directly in the middle of the theater.  When I saw The Dark Knight we had to line up 2 hours before the movie began and we weren’t even close to the front of the line.  A Bigger screen, better sound, assigned seating and an eager crowd…  The perfect setting to kick off a new slate of Marvel movies.

We got our popcorn and made our way into the theater.  My anxiety quickly became excitement.  Another round of Marvel blockbusters was set to begin…

IS IRON MAN 3 THE BEST IRON MAN EVER?

The short answer is yes.  I think this might be the best movie Marvel has produced to date with the exception of The Avengers.  Honestly, there’s no way they could best the finale of Phase One.  Iron Man 3 is certainly ambitious but not on a world scale.  This is a simpler story.  This is Tony Stark’s story.

Tony is a beaten man when the movie begins and slowly things keep getting worse.  Thanks to a terrorist called The Mandarin, he finds himself alone without both his physical and emotional armor.  Half way through the movie, I began thinking about how little of Iron Man we actually see in the first two acts.  It’s a testament to the larger than life performance of Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark.  Iron Man 3 is just as funny as it is serious.  His amusing banter with a child is especially entertaining.  This series has always contained comedy but here you can tell they had a blast on set.

As Tony rebuilds himself we get reminders of what he went through in The Avengers.  Aliens invaded our planet and he fought side by side with Gods and genetically enhanced soldiers.  That’s a pretty good reason to have an anxiety attack or two.

“Gods, aliens, other dimensions?  I’m just a man in a can.”

The story’s villain was…  Surprising to say the least.  A while back, I wrote an article about the 10 things I’m looking forward to most in Marvel’s Phase Two.  #9 Iron Man vs The Mandarin.  Here’s what I said:

“The final battles in Iron Man and Iron Man 2 weren’t the greatest in my opinion.  I doubt Iron Man will fight The Mandarin in a fist fight but there’s no way the finale won’t be massive.  Just look at all the Iron Man suits in the second trailer.”

Without spoiling anything, The Mandarin is certainly not what you would expect.  (Good for you Ben Kingsley by the way) As a result, this film lacks a truly iconic comic book villain but it works here.  There is still a phenomenal final act.  Dozens of remote controlled Iron Man suites more than made up for the lack of Iron Man in the first half.  This is by far the best finale of the series.

IRON MAN 3 IS NOT A SEQUEL TO THE AVENGERS

If you go into Iron Man 3 expecting a ton of fallout from The Avengers and a setup for The Avengers 2 you’ll be disappointed.  They tried to incorporate too much into Iron Man 2 and it was a disaster so I’m glad they kept things restrained.  Still, I didn’t think we would get a Thanos appearance but I thought they would at least plant seeds for what’s to come.   We aren’t any closer to finding out where Marvel’s Cinematic Universe is heading but it’s still early.  We still have Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy to look forward to.

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A GREAT EXPERIENCE

I saw Iron Man 3 in a sold out theater full of excited fans.  There wasn’t a single idiot around us chatting or texting friends.  The movie itself is full of humor, heart and fantastic action including a breathtaking aerial rescue.  It was nice to see Tony Stark taken back to square one.  It serves as a clean slate for the franchise and it sets the stage for what will be an amazing journey to The Avengers 2.

You have to see this movie in theaters.

Click here for more reviews.

Note: Forgot to mention our little group CRUSHED that theater at Timeplay.  We finished 1,2,3.  (My wife beat me.  I love her.)