June 29, 2012

One month ago, I announced that I would be scaling down the content on The Athletic Nerd for the summer.  In doing so, I gave myself 3 months to relax, get married and write new screenplays.

Well…  It’s been a month and looking back I’m happy to report it was a worthwhile decision.    Before I decided to put my side projects on hold to write, I was still finishing scripts.  I just wasn’t finishing FEATURE length screenplays.  Banging off a couple short films every month was fun but I felt like my screenwriting journey had stalled.

28 years old.  No writing credits.  No screenplays optioned.  No agent.  Most importantly, no new screenplays to even consider submitting.

SOMETHING HAD TO CHANGE

I feel like this last month has taught me just how much screenwriting means to me.  No matter what the future holds, I love to tell stories.  Nearly every morning, I wake up and write.  It’s like I just discovered screenwriting all over again.

To think, all I had to do was ACTUALLY write screenplays.  I’ve written a TON of articles about screenwriting on this blog but I only have 1 feature in 2 years to show for it.  Granted, I also produced a bunch of short films and launched 5 websites.  Those projects were fun but writing screenplays is my passion.

Not only am I making progress on my new script, I’m also thinking ahead.  My screenwriting goals have been reorganized.  I now have specific milestones to reach and the determination to reach them.

In short, June was a fun month.

I’m now about two weeks away from completed the first draft of my new screenplay.  I know the where my story is headed and it’s just a matter of getting the work done.   If I’ve learned anything in the last month it’s this:

LOVING SCREENWRITING IS NOT THE SAME THING AS WRITING SCREENPLAYS

True, you need both to write something you can be proud of but there is a very clear difference.  I spent way too much time professing my addiction to the craft instead of practicing and improving my skills.   These are difficult things to admit to yourself but seriously…  Who was I trying to fool?  I certainly wasn’t fooling myself.  Quite the contrary.  I felt guilty about not writing yet never sat down to write anything.

I know what you’re thinking…

This guy is nearly 30 and he’s just realizing this now?

Absolutely right.  This is something I should have figured out years ago but I was preoccupied with other things.  I’m just a screenwriter now and I’m loving every minute of it.  And so, a month into my SUMMER OF SCREENWRITING, I now have a tagline to add:

SIT DOWN, SHUT UP & WRITE SCREENPLAYS

Time flies.  That first month was easily the most productive screenwriting month I’ve ever had.  The momentum has definitely continued as I’m still actively developing my next script.  I started writing certain scenes but I’ll be honest, I’m stuck.

The concept I have in mind extremely challenging to pull off as my main character is completely unlikeable and selfish.  It’s my job to redeem this awful person.  That’s the challenge I’ve set out for myself but every time I think I’ve made progress, another character reminds me of what he’s done in the past.  My character tumbles back to the lonely pit that is rock bottom.

It’s sounds like I’m frustrated but I’m actually having a lot of fun trying to create character moments that show he’s trying to make amends.

Months ago, I challenged myself to write screenplays and it worked.  I followed through with a meaningful promise to myself.  Now it’s up to me to keep this momentum going.

XTRA | Screenwriting vs Anxiety

SCREENWRITERS WRITE SCREENPLAYS

May 29th, 2012

2012 has been an evolutionary year for me creatively.  Before the calendar rolled over, I had spent years taking on way too many projects for my own good.  Towards the end of 2011, I felt an overwhelming sense of pressure to finish every project and give myself more time for my passion.  I wanted more time to write screenplays.

So I set out on a mission to finish my latest (and last) directorial effort.  A short film called The Climb.  It was a short film I wrote, directed and edited.  Not too mention the constant updates I was publishing on this blog.  That meant graphics needed to be designed and various marketing materials had to be completed.

My second mission was to redesign 17 West’s website from the ground up so it could be updated easily.  I followed up that project with a complete redesign of The Athletic Nerd.  Both of those projects included updated graphics and a ton of work fine tuning the designs.

Finally, I went through all of my old screenplays and finished them.  I had no intention of submitting many but for my own peace of mind, I wanted a true clean slate.  So I rewrote the scripts I had finished, polished others and filled in the pages of the scripts I had yet to complete.  The result was a catalog of short screenplays that I was incredibly proud of.  They range from romance to comedy, action to horror and everything in between.

I was caught up.

It had been a year since I finished my last feature length screenplay.  It was time to start something new.  I spent the next month or so developing a brand new story from the ground up and before I knew it, I had launched Final Draft and begun work on a new screenplay.

A few weeks went by and I was making phenomenal progress.  The first act was nearly completed and it was a really fast read.  I loved it.  More and more, I found myself wondering how much I could accomplish if I stepped aside from the blog and really focused.

THE SUMMER OF SCREENWRITING

That’s when I decided to take three months away from regular blogging and finish the screenplay instead of dragging it out.  June 1st to September 15th.  As I type this, it is May 29th and I’m about to embark on a screenwriting journey unlike any I’ve ever attempted.

This post represents a challenge to myself.  A way to keep track of my goals.  What are those goals?

1. WRITE SCREENPLAYS

Note the careful selection of words I used.  I’m not looking to sell anything.  I’m not looking for an agent.  Truthfully, I’m not ready for that because I’ve only written two features in the last few years.  No, I aim to write screenplays.  Nothing more for now.  This summer, I plan to finish my new feature in addition to a couple shorts I’m excited to attempt.  These new projects are in genres I’ve never tackled and I’m nervous.  But that’s a good thing.

2. DEVELOP MY NEXT FEATURE

I’ve accomplished so much in 2012 already but I won’t consider it a successful year creatively unless I’m holding 2 feature length scripts on December 31st.

3. WRITE SCREENPLAYS

I’ve had my share of stressful moments in the last few years but screenwriting has always been there to calm me down.  I need to write more.  I need to capture the passion I have for the craft on a daily basis.  I need to write more.

XTRA | Screenwriting & Anxiety

4. MAKE A PLAN

In step 1, I mentioned that I’m not looking for producers or agents to showcase and sell my work.  That doesn’t mean I never want those things.  Just not this summer.  By the time September 15th rolls around, I want to know exactly where I stand as a screenwriter.  Do I have what it takes to write something that people will want to see?

Can I write a successful screenplay?  What kind of stories do I want to tell?  What does the future hold?

These are questions I plan to answer throughout the Summer of Screenwriting.  So today I challenge myself.  On September 15th, I’ll publish this article and relaunch The Athletic Nerd.  In the weeks that follow, you’ll be able to read all about my personal screenwriting journey.  It’s going to be an honest portrayal of an aspiring screenwriter and the emotions that accompany the need to create.  The need to tell stories.

I love movies.  I love screenplays.  I love to write.

It’s going to be a fantastic summer.

It’s hard to believe I wrote this post over three months ago.  Looking back, it’s a joy to read because I accomplished every goal I set for myself.

• I finished my feature length screenplay.
• I wrote two shorts.
• I developed a new feature and started writing it.
• I have a plan moving forward.

Honestly, it’s actually strange waking up in the morning without a giant list of tasks to complete.  I put so much unneeded pressure on myself.  The work I’m finishing now feels so much more rewarding AND I have time to watch movies again.  I can take afternoons away from it all.

I’m a much happier person thanks to my Summer of Screenwriting.

A few months ago, I spent some time at my parents house going through my old stuff.  Boxes and boxes of toys, books, school projects and more filled our basement and next to them were garbage bags and a few bins.

It was time to consolidate.  The decisions were tough as I was extremely attached my belongings.  Still, the bins that remain really paint a clear picture of how I came to be the person I am today.  They are full of seeds that grew into passions and for me and no passion was bigger than screenwriting.

Inside those boxes are action figures I used to act out my masterpieces when I was younger.  Cars chases I pictured up on the big screen.  However, what really got my eyes watering was my old notebooks.

Looking through my old books, it was easy to see how I became obsessed with movies and writing.  I still remember the day I decided that I was too lazy to write novels and decided to give screenwriting a try.  I found out pretty quickly that writing screenplays may not require as many words but forces you to choose each word carefully.

It was challenging.  It was addictive.  It was fun.

The Crash of 2011

My PC crashed recently and again I was forced to go through old files on my dying hard drive and decide what needed to be kept and what could remain backed up and packed away.

This time, I was reminded of how I became a blogger and why it has become a huge part of my life.  This blog has given me all new and exciting opportunities to be creative and write about what I love.  Movies.  Screenwriting.

As I read through my old files, I eventually went back and looked at the evolution of this site and how my writing has evolved.  In doing this, I noticed a trend.

I blog like a screenwriter.

Screenplays are made up of small paragraphs that usually represent individual thoughts or ideas.  When you read one, each paragraph tends to provide an image or a shot in your mind allowing you to SEE the movie.

My love of screenwriting has definitely influenced how I format my blog posts.  Small bursts and short paragraphs that are meant to be read quickly while still communicating my thoughts to readers.

I think when a creative person latches onto their medium of choice, it’s hard to break free and enter a new arena.  I’m not sure if that’s a positive or negative when it comes to Screenwriting vs Blogging but I think getting better at one makes me better at the other.

I write everyday because it makes me happy.  Whether it’s this site or my latest screenplay I find writing to be my ticket to freedom and I’m excited every time I sit down at my computer. (The one that still works at least.)

Moving forward, I’m still committed to becoming a better writer and blogger but more than that, I’m looking forward to the future.

I’m looking forward to looking back at this time in my life.  I can’t wait to find out how the decisions and creative choices I make today will ultimately affect the person I become tomorrow.

I feel like watching a movie writing.

Any other screenwriters out there have a list like this?

Now, a list of your 10 favorite movies would fit as well but I’m talking about specific movies that light the creative fire inside.

The list I came up with may seem random at first but each an every one of them share two things in common.  The first is the effect they have on my creative ignition and the second is how they all involve creativity in some way. I will now elaborate.

Antitrust

Computer programming

When I was in university, I accidently got myself into a core Java introductory course and ended up loving it.  I wound up staying for the entire year and learned a ton about object oriented programming and the Java language.  It’s really nerdy but interesting stuff.

The idea of structuring a program reminds me a lot of the screenplay format.  Writing a script is one thing but learning when to separate paragraphs and strategic use of white space are invaluable tools to master.

So when I watch Milo (Ryan Phillipe) talking about bottlenecks, start-ups and adaptors, I want to load up Final Draft and work on slugs, transitions and plot twists.

PS: This is a pretty awful trailer.

Sideways

Novels

Paul Giamatti is a struggling novelist who is in a rut and wants nothing more than to be a published author among other romantic and wine related desires.  It’s the scenes that involve his writing that interests me the most.

I’ve never really wanted to tackle a novel but I’m passionate about screenwriting and so I can relate. Sideaways is a fantastic movie with an equally impressive screenplay.

As Good As It Gets

Novels

Awesome movie.  I love original dramas like this.  It’s such an interesting story and Jack Nicholson’s Melvin is a phenominal character.  I’m a huge fan of his workspace and how he basically narrates what he is writing as he writes it. I’m an even bigger fan of his discipline, churning out the novels and making it look easy.

Dangerous Minds

Poetry

The school fight in this movie is among my all time favorites.  It’s such a scary thought to know you have to fight.  Thankfully I’ve never had to face that situation.  There’s something about the classroom scenes that inspires me to hit the keyboard. I can’t really explain it but I’m happy it has that effect on me.

8 Mile

Rap/Writing

Rap may seem slightly off topic but it’s the passion to succeed that inspires me.  B-Rabbit is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his dream.  Who doesn’t find themes like that inspiring?

Good Will Hunting

Mathematics

The amount of research that must have gone into this screenplay is amazing.  I don’t understand half of the math good’ ol Will is talking about and quite frankly I don’t want to.  There are so many conversations that I love about working hard to solve problems. It is easy to translate that into solving story problems within a script I’m working on.

I don’t know math but I’m willing to work on a description or a line of dialogue until it’s perfect.

The Prestige

Magic

Two competing magicians constantly trying to gain an edge and become the better performer.

Christopher Nolan can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned.  The Prestige is an amazing film.  There’s just something about people who are passionate about their crafts that inspires me.

PS: This is an awesome trailer.  Take that Antitrust!

Adaptation

Screenwriting

It’s a movie about screenwriting!  It’s such a weird story but I love the originality of it.  I like to think that many people saw this movie on my list instantly understood why it’s here. So much talk about story and structure.  I love it!

Proof

Mathematics

Again the theme of problem solving serves as my inspiration to be creative.  Proof is a movie that very little people I’ve talked to have seen.  I just decided that my new goal for this post is to directly cause someone to watch this movie. (Or at the very least consider it.  Feel free to comment if I succeeded.  Don’t leave me hanging.)

A Beautiful Mind

Mathematics

“Find a truly original idea.”

There’s a lot of math films on this list.  This movie is just as inspiring to me.

The characters care so deeply about their field that it’s hard stop that dedication from infecting my brain with creativity.  I think out of all the films on this list, A Beautiful Mind is the only one batting 1.000 for getting me in the mood to write.  The others come close but this flick his the perfect notes on every single viewing.

Along with the other films on this list, it is one of my go-to cures for writer’s block.