So I finally finished the first draft of The Remorseless Rise of Man. It took a while, almost a year in fact, but I am happy to have it finished. I do need a couple trustworthy people willing to give me their thoughts on the script; so if you are interested in reading it please let me know. My goal is to get it rewritten and into the festival/contest circut by January so time is of the essense.
I recently read two amazing books on filmmaking. The first was Fast Cheap and Written that way and the other wasThe Power of Movies. It took me a while to get through them because every few pages I would have to put them down as ideas ran rampant through my mind. They were the most insightful and inspiring books on writing and filmmaking I have ever read and I would highly recommend them to anyone who is interested in the craft.
The point really is that they inspired me and out of the dredges of my mind came an idea that has taken hold of me quite tightly. Two things are critical 1) that the script be written in a way that the movie will be poignant and powerful and 2) that it will be cheap and easy to shoot and edit. That means a small cast and few locations. It also means that it has to be super tight. The idea is this:
What would happen if a father knew he was dying and left a set of rules or “Codes of Manhood” for his young son? What would happen if the son only had the first half of the code?
The working title for this script is The Man Code. I am really excited about this project and can’t wait to get into the meat of it.
For those of you who don’t know what a writer goes through, let me give you a little primer:
1. Staring out windows or into space for hours on end.
2. Writing down snippets of ideas.
3. Refer to number 1.
4. Talking incessantly to those around them about number 2.
5. Asking questions and doing research (this includes watching people at the mall and asking FB friends for experiences they have had).
6. Repeat the process of 1 to 5 maybe a couple dozen times (or more).
7. Write the first draft.
8. Throw a tantrum.
9. Swear you will never look at that story again.
10. Put the script down and let others read it.
11. Start the process over again with the comments in mind.
Anyway, I think you get the idea. It differs a little for everyone, but the concepts are the same. I, as you may have guessed, am currently on steps one and two. It is the fun and exciting stage before the work of spilling a story onto the page begins. Now you know that if I am a raving lunatic with bloodshot eyes and nuerotic questions it is really only normal and a part of the beautiful process of writing.
When I disappear from the world mentally for months at a time you will now understand that I am only partially crazed because I am a writer.
Chris
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You know I would be willing to read it
I’d love to read it too! And thanks for your recommendations and advise. I’ve got a couple stories id love to write as a screenplay, just not sure where to begin. I appreciate your info!
Ok, Julie it is a deal. I will email you a copy of the script.
I’d love to read it! I’m on stages 1-6 for two different ideas I’ve got going as well. Haven’t gotten far though since its my first! So thanks for the inspiration and recommendation!
Alright, Wendy, you are on the list. You are winner number two. Expect an email soon.
me too!
Are you sure mom? This is the one you may not like content wise, but if you are sure then you are winner number three.
I am interested in reading it. If your willing…. just let me know.
Looks like you are the next one! Expect an email soon!
If you need one more count me in!!
Whitney