SIMCITY CURES WRITER’S BLOCK?

Without a doubt, SimCity is my favorite game franchises of all time.  I’ve played every version and I’m still just as addicted as I was the first time I played the classic PC version long ago.

Recently, I purchased the brand new SimCity and despite some frustrating bugs, I love it.

Does this bring back memories?

SimCity was more than just a game to me.

I remember bringing paper, pencil crayons and rulers everywhere so I could plan out the cities I wanted to build.  If I wasn’t going to be home, I would simply draw them and recreate my drawings in the game later on.

I was obsessed with SimCity.

Note: I really wish I had kept some of those drawings…

What does Simcity have to do with Screenwriting?

A lot of it has to do with the creative freedom and power the game gives you.  It provides you with a set of tools and a blank canvas and it’s up to you to create your masterpiece.

In that way, starting a new city is just like staring at a blank first page.  The only difference is the medium and it’s all about creativity and letting your imagination run wild.

Build your world.

When I wrote stories as a child, I used SimCity to visualize the cities where my characters lived.

Why not?

For someone who couldn’t draw very well, it was a perfect way to figure out what these locations would look like.

• Were they next to water?
• Surrounded by trees?
• In the slums?

Truthfully, these cities not only gave me an exciting reason to play my favorite game, it allowed me the chance to think about my story.

Have you ever engaged in an activity that lets your mind wander?  You go through the motions but really your imagination is somewhere else.  Your mind is occupied but your creativity is hard at work.

It’s that trance that I fell in love with.

I may not build the cities in my screenplays anymore but SimCity was around when I began to really take an interest in screenwriting.  I would constantly quit the game to write down whatever I came up with while setting down a police station or a brand new stadium.

For me, it’s like playing Basketball.  You can shoot a hundred shots in a few hours and plan out an entire script.  A creative ignition.

SimCity has those same qualities.  I can sit back and play for hours without really thinking about what I’m building.  I’m off solving story issues and building characters.  I’m creating stories.

I’ve evolved just as Simcity has over the years.  I may not lose entire afternoons in the newest version of the game but it’s nice to know my old cure for writer’s block is back.

What sparks your creativity?

A NEW YEAR.  A NEW TALE.

Last Summer, I did something I hadn’t done in years.  I challenged myself and finished a brand new feature length screenplay called Strangers.  It was the second best decision I made in 2012. (Number 1: Marriage)  Finishing that screenplay meant an awful lot to me because I felt like I was losing my passion for the craft.  I spent so many years writing short screenplays with the hopes of filming them and slowly, the idea of a feature became daunting.

Honestly, I forgot that writing screenplays helps me deal with anxiety and stress and completing that script helped me work out some issues I had lost too much sleep over.  I’ll never forget my Summer of Screenwriting.

We live in a world of sequels so I needed to challenge myself again.  2013 will be The Year of Screenwriting!  Sounds a bit over dramatic but I couldn’t be more excited.  Last year I wrote one feature length screenplay.  This year, I hope to create two.  (At least)  I spent the remainder of 2012 developing two screenplays and last week, I finally chose one and started writing.  11 pages later (as of today) I’m absolutely obsessed again.  It’s so much fun writing action for a change.  It’s been great getting to know these new characters.

Screenwriting took on a new meaning for me in 2012.  I took the pressure off.  I no longer feel guilty about putting off my writing.  I have a career I adore and I’m a married man.  Screenwriting became my ‘quiet place’.  A time to be creative and tell stories I want to see.  I’m writing for myself now.  In the future, I may see what’s out there for these stories but for now, I’m having fun being a screenwriter again.  Even if it’s in my spare time.

XTRA | I’m not a screenwriting expert, I just love to write screenplays

This year, check in most Wednesdays for new Screenwriting posts documenting this journey.  There are thousands of writers like me out there trying to find time to write something meaningful.  I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

In the mean time, be sure to check out the complete 20 part series chronicling my Summer of Screenwriting.

How will you challenge yourself in 2013?

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IT ONLY TOOK 3 YEARS

I launched The Athletic Nerd on September 15, 2009.  Since it’s inception it’s always been about movies, screenwriting & independent film.  Today I’m thrilled to announce that I didn’t lose interest within two weeks!  Over three years later, I’m posting my 1000th article.  Time flies when you’re having fun.

MOVIES

I wanted to write about the movies that inspire the aspiring filmmaker.  This section has evolved a lot since day one and now includes reviews, all time best, countdowns, 10 flicks and series like Movies That Changed Everything.

SCREENWRITING

I’m addicted to screenwriting but like many aspiring screenwriters out there, I struggle at times.  This section chronicles my own personal screenwriting journey.  A journey that now includes a 20 part series called The Summer of Screenwriting.  I challenged myself to be a better writer and finally completed a new feature length film.  The passion is back and I’m hard at work on another script.

INDEPENDENT FILM

This section began as a look behind the scenes of my own films.  I’ve directed a few over the years but that was a while ago now.  Since then, this section has evolved into one of the most popular on this site.  At the center of it all is a regular feature called: The Post.  Here you will find hundreds of independent film projects from around the world.  Short films, trailers, features, animations, documentaries and more from dedicated filmmakers.

You’ll also find exclusive interviews with some of these filmmakers as they discuss what inspired their films and the challenges they faced along the way.

1000 POSTS LATER: WHICH ONE STANDS OUT?

I love writing for this website.  After 3 years I’m still just as devoted to creating new (and better) content.  1000 posts is a lot when you factor in the graphics I’ve created, videos I’ve included & research I’ve completed.  Not too mention the constant promotion required in order to gain more readers.  Through everything, one post does stand out because it’s the most personal:

SCREENWRITING VS ANXIETY: MY LAST LINE OF DEFENSE

The post is about my anxiety and how screenwriting helps keep me calm.  It’s something I don’t talk about often but this blog has been a wonderful outlet for me and I was happy to finally write down how I felt.

WHAT’S NEXT?

I took last summer off from this blog in favor of my screenplay.  I missed it but I reached my goal and finished my script.  Once I started writing posts again, I scaled things down to 3 posts a week to give me more time to balance screenwriting and this blog.  For the first time in three years, I’m planning my posts well ahead of time.  This gives me more time to write better posts.

The next 1000 posts will definitely be better.  I feel like I just got momentum going and it took three years of hard work to get to this point.  Now it’s up to me to raise the bar even higher.  Another thousand posts will most likely take another 3 years to complete at least.  Who knows where this site will be then.  All I know is, I love this blog and I can’t wait to write another 1000 posts.

THE RICHARD PARKER SCHOOL OF LIFE

Recently, I wrote about the importance expanding your cinematic comfort zone. Especially when it comes to movies like Life of Pi. People tend to stick to certain types of movies and rarely make exceptions. Furthermore, most people can’t see every new release so they have to pick and choose. Sometimes, movies slip below the radar. They are films that people are curious about but never give them a shot.

The risk is worth the reward. True, there are disappointments but there are also movies that make you wonder why you ever considered missing them in the first place.

A movie you almost skipped could become a movie you’ll never forget.

Well… I’m happy to say that Life of Pi is EXACTLY why you should expand your comfort zone. If you’re on the fence about the film it is my hope to give you the slightest nudge you need to go and see it.

LIFE OF PI IS ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR

I caught a 3D matinee show on opening day.  There was actually quite a few people there which made me happy.  Then I began scanning the type of people in the theater and estimated that I was the youngest by minimum 30 years.  I was clearly the youngest person in the room. I actually felt a little bit out of place.

There was an adorable older couple that sat next to me. They must have been at least 80. Just before the movie began, the man began debating the pros and cons of a quick bathroom trip.

“You either have to go or you don’t… Do you have to go?”
“So so…” said the man with a wavering hand.

Eventually, they both decided to go and made it back just in time for an amazing movie.

Life of Pi is about a young man named Pi who leaves India with his family in search of a new life in Canada. After a violent storm strikes, Pi finds himself stranded on a life boat with a tiger named Richard Parker. His entire family gone.

At it’s core, Life of Pi is about survival and the search for God. It’s a truly profound tale of courage that is nothing short of breathtaking.

From the moment the movie began and I was captivated. Ang Lee directed an absolutely stunning movie. It’s one of the best looking films I’ve ever seen in my life. There’s just no way I can fully describe how many remarkable shots the director packed into the film. The visual effects in particular are amazing. Richard Parker is shockingly realistic. It makes the various confrontations between Pi and the Tiger all the more memorable. I fell in love with that tiger.

LIFE OF PI IS A BEAUTIFUL MOVIE

Besides the unbelievable visuals, Life of Pi also delivers a phenomenal story. I fully understand why the book is so popular now. (I also understand the scene with the ‘flying’ fish.)  It all comes together in one of the most enjoyable films I’ve seen this year.

THE GREAT ONES STICK WITH YOU LONG AFTER THE CREDITS ROLL

There is another reason why Life of Pi resonated with me. As I sat there watching Pi struggle to stay alive, I was thinking about the audience. Could I write a movie that would appeal to this demographic?

I began to think about my newest screenplay and whether or not anyone in the room would enjoy it. I don’t think they would like it. I thought about it more once the movie ended. My new script is a drama about being young parents. What was it that didn’t appeal to people over 60? It was interesting to weigh the options and potential changes I could make.  I’m not saying I will be implementing those changes but Life of Pi got me thinking about my screenplay in a new way. It was exciting.

There was also a woman two seats away from me who was constantly taking notes during the movie. What was she up to? Was she a reviewer? Did she write for a website? Was she a massive fan of the book?  Regardless, Life of Pi made me feel like writing screenplays, it made me think about writing this review and it made me feel creative.

Not bad for a quick trip outside my cinematic comfort zone.

Be sure to check out Life of Pi & The Cinematic Comfort Zone Part 1.

Click here for more reviews.

Aug 9, 2012

I’ve had a copy of Strangers beside my bed for a few weeks now.  Every few mornings, I pick it up and skim through it.  I’ve completed my rewrites.  I’m happy with it.  It’s such a great feeling to finally finish a feature length screenplay.  Especially after challenging myself to finish it months ago.

Strangers represents around 6 months of development and writing.  But it also represents a big leap forward when it comes to confidence in my work.  I love the story.  It tackles themes that scare me and centers on stress and anxiety I’ve felt for a long time.

It’s done…

So what now?  What will I do with my screenplay now that it’s finished?

My first instinct was competitions but I’m still hesitant to put myself out there.  The whole point to this summer was to prove to myself that I could finish a script.  But that’s all I’ve got.  ONE script.  Or is it?  I’ve also got a seed for a tale I hope will be infinitely better than Strangers.

So my latest script will be on the bench for the foreseeable future.  At least until I finish another screenplay I can be proud of.  If Strangers is the best thing I’ve ever written than I have to challenge myself to top it.  I still have to get better.

I started developing a brand new script about a week ago.  My main character has a name and a brief history.  I’m getting to know the world I want to create.  I’m having fun.  Hopefully, this new project will be ready in the fall as I want a first draft by the end of 2012.

Then it’s my goal to put these two scripts side by side.  Can I write something better?  I want to answer the following question confidently:

“Have you got any other screenplays?”

Perhaps, I’m just delaying putting myself out there?  Perhaps…  I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to wondering if this script has what it takes to become a successful film.  It’s even more tempting knowing that some answers are easily attainable whether they are good or bad.  I just don’t think I’m ready for that yet.

Regardless, I set out to prove something to myself and I’ve done that.  Strangers is finished and I’m on to the next challenge.

The journey continues.

And so…  The Summer of Screenwriting series has come to an end.  What a journey it was.  It’s been 3 months since I officially completed the final draft of Strangers and I’m still proud.  But the sense of accomplishment stretches far beyond FADE OUT.  I laid down the gauntlet.  If I hadn’t taken time away from everything to focus solely on writing, I would still be struggling through my screenplay.

The summer of screenwriting taught me to prioritize.  That’s why I only post 2-3 articles a week on this blog.  It leaves me more time to write.  I’m still working on the same script I mentioned in the post.  It has transformed into an intense drama but also a touching romance and I can’t wait to finish it.

But I’m in no hurry.  I mentioned above that I wanted to have a first draft finished by the end of 2012.  That won’t happen.  This new project has been extremely difficult to develop and I’m not going to rush things.  Maybe I’ll be finished in the Spring.  Regardless, I’m excited about the journey.  I’m happy when I write.  I’m curious to find out what comes next for my screenplay and for myself.

I want to be a better writer.  Someday, I’ll look back on this little summer experiment as a turning point.  The moment when I decided to be a screenwriter again.

Mission Accomplished.

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