Friday, May 8, 2009

CURRENT PROJECTS = ?

For those of you interested, I'm going to take the opportunity of this blog post to talk about stuff I'm writing and thinking about writing. Maybe it'll give me some inspiration along the way.

SCRIPT:

I'm currently engaged in a co-writing venture with a friend in Philadelphia. It's hard to do it long distance, and I find it a struggle creatively to brainstorm through instant messages. The trading off and on of written stuff isn't so bad, except it is hard to find time with both our schedules to promptly respond to one another. I should be reading and writing notes on the bit he's sent me right now.

- The script itself is an anti-hero story, reminiscent of
Robin Hood and A History of Violence.
- Set in modern day, in and around a large city.
- The main character is a likable bad-guy, and he's a blast to write.
- It is being written with sequels in mind: hopefully, if we get it sold eventually and people like it, it will bloom into the trilogy as I've imagined it. The sequels and threads are written into the structure of the first installment, even if it goes nowhere. Just in case.

PROSE:

P1: One thing I've got solidly locked down is very early in it's development stages. We've got our seed idea and broad concept. Our characters, though, have yet to even be named. This project is a secret with a very definite deadline. I can't say any more for fear that the wrong people will catch wind.

I can say, however, that it is another collaboration. Different writer, and one I've been eager to work with since the beginning of my love affair with making shit up. Let's just say that they are hella rad and extremely talented. I'm lucky.

P2: I've got a ghost story haunting my head (huzzah!). I'm not sure how many projects I can take on, but this one just wont go into the light (zing!) and will probably have to be released soon. I'm thinking it will be a novella, if not a short. I think the character and the situation is extremely interesting (a closing down retirement home and it's final living inhabitant), so we'll see how much story flows out before I've finished doing them justice.

P3: A short that I started writing back in 2007 has resurfaced in my brain. I may have to do something about that as well. A bizarre tale about a group stuck on a subway car in a very unusual place.

OTHER:

I have an idea for a TV series. Love. Zombies. Dark Comedy.

MASTERPIECE:

At least I hope it will be. It will be my most serious attempt at something profound and meaningful through script. The timing isn't right for it, and I thought earlier this year that someone came out with a too similar of an idea for me to even keep it around. I have to write it though, because of a deep love for part of the inspiration: Blade Runner.


I'm a jerk for saying "masterpiece" and implying that I think it is one. Confidence is one thing, but that is just ridiculous. I only said that word because when I think "masterpiece" I think "greatest struggle towards the end result, and the only reason it was ever finished was because of some unchecked passion for it."

That begs the question, however, "Can a 'masterpiece' be accidental?"

Maybe I'll tackle that in the next episode.


CURRENT PROJECTS = SCRATCHING "LET US OUT" IN MORSE CODE ON THE WALLS OF MY BRAIN

... even though I don't know morse code.

5 comments:

  1. I like where you're going with a few of these ideas. One thing you must always remember is to commit strongly to your ideas, and never miss an opportunity to listen to feedback. One might say it is impossible to enjoy the grandeur and scale of a mansion whilst standing in the parlor.

    I believe you have potential to do great things.

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  2. Feedback is awesome, I never shy away from it. I was always the one, my professors claimed, most open to it and most ready to let go of things that didn't work but hold on to the things I felt the strongest about. I was the easy kid, I think. My parents claim that too.

    I give strong feedback to others too, because it helps. Not listening doesn't help. I listen. Everyone should listen. Hurray!

    So critique and feedback away, Dustin, I'm ready.

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  3. Trick yourself into thinking that you're writing something you don't intend anyone to read. Then have someone read it.

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  4. Yay, more posts!

    Your projects sound exciting. I can't wait to read them!

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  5. I think a masterpiece necessarily happens accidentally, because of that unchecked passion.

    Also, I made the animation out of pieces of the YAH illustration, if that's what you meant.

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