Xixax Film Forum

Creative Corner => Filmmakers' Workshop => Topic started by: ᾦɐļᵲʊʂ on June 15, 2004, 12:41:08 PM

Title: It really is true...
Post by: ᾦɐļᵲʊʂ on June 15, 2004, 12:41:08 PM
Xixax IS the reason I can't write my script (that or I need to blame something other than myself).

I enjoy typing here, so much so that I never type on Microsoft Word.  I need to actually write a script, I need to get out and concentrate on story, change my surroundings, become inspired, whatever.  And to the countless people (not on Xixax) who said "Just write a story aboutr not being able to write a story!" I say to you "No".

It's time to start taking it more seriously.  Of course, it's a short film, but it still needs serious attention.  I am going on a sabbatical.  I don't know when I'll be back, exactly.  But it's time I need off, and with this all, I will say Goodbye, and wish me luck (I might check this particular post for any possible good byes, but otherwise you won't see me til I'm done writing).

This isn't really a brave or noble task, and I realize typing this much (or making a thread at all about it) is a little bit much, but I guess it was just an opprotunity to ask for some encouragement on making my short film.

You've all been great and I'll see you in a few months.
Title: Re: It really is true...
Post by: ono on June 15, 2004, 03:48:44 PM
Quote from: Walrus, KookookajoobXixax IS the reason I can't write my script (that or I need to blame something other than myself).

I enjoy typing here, so much so that I never type on Microsoft Word.  I need to actually write a script, I need to get out and concentrate on story, change my surroundings, become inspired, whatever.  And to the countless people (not on Xixax) who said "Just write a story aboutr not being able to write a story!" I say to you "No".
Oh, good.  For a minute there I misread that and thought there were idiots on Xixax who would tell you that.

QuoteIt's time to start taking it more seriously.  Of course, it's a short film, but it still needs serious attention.  I am going on a sabbatical.  I don't know when I'll be back, exactly.  But it's time I need off, and with this all, I will say Goodbye, and wish me luck (I might check this particular post for any possible good byes, but otherwise you won't see me til I'm done writing).
Just unplug "teh interweb."  Simple, really.  The hardest part about writing is actually writing.  Short films are simple to write scripts for.  This, though, coming from someone who already has a few shorts done.  Nothing substantial.  Just exercises really.  But I've found that to write, you have to write.  Get a comfortable chair for your desk (I prefer an executive leather, but that may not be an option for some people).  Turn off the damn TV, and at the most, play some inspirational, feel-good music that gets the creative juices flowing.  You look at the page, and it's blank, or sparse, and it pisses you off.  It's like Aaron Sorkin (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0815070/bio), creator of Sports Night (one of my favorite shows) was quoted as saying:
Quote from: Aaron Sorkin"I love writing but hate starting. The page is awfully white and it says, 'You may have fooled some of the people some of the time but those days are over, giftless. I'm not your agent and I'm not your mommy, I'm a white piece of paper, you wanna dance with me?' and I really, really don't. I'll go peaceable-like."
Writing, then, means starting wiith one or two lines.  Those are the hardest.  And once you have those down, it's so much easier to do.  Over the past few months, I've been working on the screenplay from hell.  I was supposed to have finished it a long time ago, for a class, but couldn't.  Now it's a little over 100 pages, and the end is in sight.  It's a great feeling.

QuoteThis isn't really a brave or noble task, and I realize typing this much (or making a thread at all about it) is a little bit much, but I guess it was just an opprotunity to ask for some encouragement on making my short film.

You've all been great and I'll see you in a few months.
Good luck!  Or break a leg.  Or something.
Title: It really is true...
Post by: matt35mm on June 15, 2004, 04:03:04 PM
Yeah, bye!  Hope you come back with a great script in hand!
Title: It really is true...
Post by: Sleepless on June 25, 2004, 05:31:58 PM
Yep, the worst part of being a writer is acutally the writing. All the planning before hand, that's fine. Working out the basics of the story, developing it a bit, yada yada yada, you feel like you're creating. Then the re-writing - that's great, you have something in front of you which keeps getting better the more you polish it. It's great. But the actual *writing* i.e. the first draft sucks. I'm struggling through that on my first feature script now, and boy it's tough. That's why I'm here instead :D
Title: It really is true...
Post by: cowboykurtis on June 25, 2004, 06:05:45 PM
i dont mean to be condescending, but, if you find the process of writing difficult, maybe you shouldnt write.

i find math diffucult and as a result i dont calculate numbers.
Title: It really is true...
Post by: kotte on June 25, 2004, 08:22:23 PM
We all want to write. Everyone experiences difficulties when starting out.
If it's your first feature, don't get discouraged. It's hard and painful.  Once you get over a certain point, it's all game from there.
Title: It really is true...
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on June 25, 2004, 10:07:56 PM
Quote from: SleeplessYep, the worst part of being a writer is acutally the writing.
Try to figure out what inhibitions or pressures are making it feel difficult, and shed them.
Title: It really is true...
Post by: Outpatient_Cowboy on June 26, 2004, 01:23:16 AM
Now there's some great advice-
That's like a patient with cancer going in to see the doctor and the doctor reccomends "Find the cancer and remove it"

If you're really interested in the myth-quality "Writer's Block", you'll find a great interpretation and explanation in The New Yorker magazine. It will clear up a lot of self-conceived notions.

Cheers.
Title: It really is true...
Post by: Ghostboy on June 26, 2004, 02:46:42 AM
Which issue?
Title: It really is true...
Post by: xerxes on June 26, 2004, 03:30:03 AM
i personally find the "before you start writing" stuff to be the most difficult part.
Title: It really is true...
Post by: Sleepless on June 26, 2004, 05:22:17 AM
LOL, cheers guys, but what I meant was that writing the actual first draft was what I found the most tedious part of the whole writing deal. I much prefer the pre-writing and re-writing processes. That is all.
Title: It really is true...
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on June 26, 2004, 11:04:47 AM
Quote from: Outpatient_CowboyNow there's some great advice-
That's like a patient with cancer going in to see the doctor and the doctor reccomends "Find the cancer and remove it"
I didn't say it would be easy or even possible, but it has to be done.

Read about Andre Breton and the surrealist writers... the most successful enemies of writer's block.
Title: It really is true...
Post by: Outpatient_Cowboy on June 28, 2004, 02:19:45 AM
Ghostboy- I think it's in the May Issue, or I could be mistaken and it's in the June/July double issue. Look for the Critic at Large section.  
Sorry to throw a knot into this thread, were you in Taos Ghostboy? Or am I re-inventing history that never existed?
Title: It really is true...
Post by: Ghostboy on June 28, 2004, 12:12:32 PM
Nope, I've never been to that part of New Mexico...

...but to put the thread back on topic, here's that New Yorker article, (http://newyorker.com/fact/content/?040614fa_fact) which truly is an excellent read. Thanks for the pointer, Outpatient.