A beautiful tribute and a touching insight from John Hughes' pen pal!
http://wellknowwhenwegetthere.blogspot.com/2009/08/sincerely-john-hughes.html
Friday, August 7, 2009
A tribute to Blake Snyder
A very personal tribute to Blake Snyder, the guru of screenwriting and author of 'Save the Cat' books.
Found via Screenwriters Goldmine Blog, this piece is from the writer of 'Confessions of a Shopaholic" screenwriter and well worth a read.
In fact, after reading other articles on the blog, I'm now inspired to write a feature based purely on one of her comments...
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=234501760316&h=qmJHu&u=TPp7x&ref=nf
Found via Screenwriters Goldmine Blog, this piece is from the writer of 'Confessions of a Shopaholic" screenwriter and well worth a read.
In fact, after reading other articles on the blog, I'm now inspired to write a feature based purely on one of her comments...
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=234501760316&h=qmJHu&u=TPp7x&ref=nf
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Chlamydia Rap
One of the most fun assignment I've ever had was for our largest Hospital's Emergency Department - a series of 30 second ads to be played on the in-house TV's for waiting patients but which would appeal to the specific target audience of teenagers.
Well, I've worked with and written for teenagers quite a bit, so I guess I was a natural and although I impressed the hell out of them with my scripts (I know, I'm modest) in the end, the filmaker they chose didn't and the project was cancelled.
I was paid well and applauded for what I gave them, but I'm still disappointed my scripts weren't filmed. That's the lot of a screenwriter - you write so much which never sees the light of day for one reason or another even though, the scripts were good.
Here's an idea of what I gave them:
PRODUCT: 16/09/06
An extra advertisement has been requested in addition to the series of five advertisements already provided, to slot into the repeated 50 minute-showing of teen-appeal surfing video in the Emergency Department at ---- Hospital.
To be filmed by --- from -----, the target audience for the original ads and the longer video is youth, however, the additional ad is aimed at a slightly older and more monies 20 – 25 year olds and is deliver by a nurse, seated at a desk in a serious manner.
The first five ads generally tell the story of Chlamydia using toys as characters in a party atmosphere at the Dolls House, with soundtrack music provided by -----. Hands obviously (in shot) hold the toys as they enact the scenes: going up or down stairs, break-dancing etc. Full-sized beer cans will be scattered around the dolls house.
The humorous juxtaposition of toys with full sized items should provide a comedic edge together with the further juxtapositioning of a serious message in between the seemingly frivolous.
However, I know the ideas have been adapted and used in various ways for workshops and conferences etc, as has my "CHLAMYDIA RAP" which disolved the whole office into stitches (pardon the pun).
Remember, we're dealing with trying to get boring facts 'out there' and impress the specific teenage target audience in a different way which will resonate.
These were not your typical teenagers, these were drug users and drunks who, when inebriated practised dangerous habits, so I needed to write to the attention span (30 seconds) and employ a fun and funky (preferably American - TV/movies influence) style.
See what you think:
CHLAMYDIA RAP
Listen here! Y’all need to know
Chlam – ydd-ee-ah Trach – o –mat – is is
as common as ‘the clap’ is.
It’s spead by sex without a hat,
don’t even know when you’re got at
- s’real dangerous for bubs ‘n testies,
‘cos it’s sneaky ‘n snarly ‘n silent as
‘til your eyes go pink ‘n your bum goes red.
Before y’know it – you’re real sick in bed.
Just pee in a cup - then give it up.
We’ll tell you by text so no-one knows
–one shot anti-be, ‘n away you go.
Frances Macaulay Forde © 2006
Well, I've worked with and written for teenagers quite a bit, so I guess I was a natural and although I impressed the hell out of them with my scripts (I know, I'm modest) in the end, the filmaker they chose didn't and the project was cancelled.
I was paid well and applauded for what I gave them, but I'm still disappointed my scripts weren't filmed. That's the lot of a screenwriter - you write so much which never sees the light of day for one reason or another even though, the scripts were good.
Here's an idea of what I gave them:
PRODUCT: 16/09/06
An extra advertisement has been requested in addition to the series of five advertisements already provided, to slot into the repeated 50 minute-showing of teen-appeal surfing video in the Emergency Department at ---- Hospital.
To be filmed by --- from -----, the target audience for the original ads and the longer video is youth, however, the additional ad is aimed at a slightly older and more monies 20 – 25 year olds and is deliver by a nurse, seated at a desk in a serious manner.
The first five ads generally tell the story of Chlamydia using toys as characters in a party atmosphere at the Dolls House, with soundtrack music provided by -----. Hands obviously (in shot) hold the toys as they enact the scenes: going up or down stairs, break-dancing etc. Full-sized beer cans will be scattered around the dolls house.
The humorous juxtaposition of toys with full sized items should provide a comedic edge together with the further juxtapositioning of a serious message in between the seemingly frivolous.
However, I know the ideas have been adapted and used in various ways for workshops and conferences etc, as has my "CHLAMYDIA RAP" which disolved the whole office into stitches (pardon the pun).
Remember, we're dealing with trying to get boring facts 'out there' and impress the specific teenage target audience in a different way which will resonate.
These were not your typical teenagers, these were drug users and drunks who, when inebriated practised dangerous habits, so I needed to write to the attention span (30 seconds) and employ a fun and funky (preferably American - TV/movies influence) style.
See what you think:
CHLAMYDIA RAP
Listen here! Y’all need to know
Chlam – ydd-ee-ah Trach – o –mat – is is
as common as ‘the clap’ is.
It’s spead by sex without a hat,
don’t even know when you’re got at
- s’real dangerous for bubs ‘n testies,
‘cos it’s sneaky ‘n snarly ‘n silent as
‘til your eyes go pink ‘n your bum goes red.
Before y’know it – you’re real sick in bed.
Just pee in a cup - then give it up.
We’ll tell you by text so no-one knows
–one shot anti-be, ‘n away you go.
Frances Macaulay Forde © 2006
Tropfest and Wine
Was asked to come up with a short script for Tropfest: the theme is 'dice'and it needs to be shot soon to fit in with the time-line. So I did and sent it off last night...
It's a deceptively simple idea with a very basic theme of life and death, two characters, one location for interiors and exteriors. Very low - in fact ZERO budget.
Hope David & Matt like it and decide to go with it. They're pretty quick at deciding once they're read the script, so I should know today if it's clicked with them, or not.
A little while ago I was asked to come up with an idea for a US wine competition no more than 7 min (but they wanted 3min), no copyright material and totally original - not just a basic ad, but something a little different. It was for a South Australian Winery.
As is my want, I stewed on the idea for a while then arrived at two scripts for them:
The first idea is a short film (promo) for a reality TV series idea I've come up with. It's doable in the future but whether this company would take it any further is a big question. However, the short 'promo' film for it, is a stand-alone 3 min short film, very low budget and easily shot in-house.
The second script (also low budget) is a dramatised 3 min advert specifically for their wines but done in (I hope) a subtle and sophisticated way, oozing the monied life-style which suits their brand.
So, the ideas are being taken to the board and now I wait for a decision...
Wish me luck!
It's a deceptively simple idea with a very basic theme of life and death, two characters, one location for interiors and exteriors. Very low - in fact ZERO budget.
Hope David & Matt like it and decide to go with it. They're pretty quick at deciding once they're read the script, so I should know today if it's clicked with them, or not.
A little while ago I was asked to come up with an idea for a US wine competition no more than 7 min (but they wanted 3min), no copyright material and totally original - not just a basic ad, but something a little different. It was for a South Australian Winery.
As is my want, I stewed on the idea for a while then arrived at two scripts for them:
The first idea is a short film (promo) for a reality TV series idea I've come up with. It's doable in the future but whether this company would take it any further is a big question. However, the short 'promo' film for it, is a stand-alone 3 min short film, very low budget and easily shot in-house.
The second script (also low budget) is a dramatised 3 min advert specifically for their wines but done in (I hope) a subtle and sophisticated way, oozing the monied life-style which suits their brand.
So, the ideas are being taken to the board and now I wait for a decision...
Wish me luck!
R I P John Hughes
Another hero: the amazing John Hughes dead at 59.
"Sixteen candles", "Pretty in Pink", "Ferris Beuller's Day Off", "Home Alone" series...
Very, very scary - I'm the same age!
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-john-hughes7-2009aug07,0,6413498.story
"Sixteen candles", "Pretty in Pink", "Ferris Beuller's Day Off", "Home Alone" series...
Very, very scary - I'm the same age!
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-john-hughes7-2009aug07,0,6413498.story
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
RIP Blake Snyder
Sad news - the author of my favourite screenwriting bible 'Save the Cat' died of a sudden heart attack, yesterday. His shared wisdom means he will never die.
http://www.blakesnyder.com/2009/08/blake-snyder-1952-2009/
http://www.blakesnyder.com/2009/08/blake-snyder-1952-2009/
Introducing THIS screenwriter in Western Australia...
Sorry - my previous post seems to have confused people: this blog is where I will post my personal views on being a screenwriter living in Western Australia... So, it's all about me!
At the moment I'm working on a few projects - small projects which I hope will lead to bigger.
Like all serious writers, I spend a lot of time rattling out scripts which producers ask for but which go no-where! Not because the script is bad - it may not even have been read but because the very subjective nature of our industry means many a script or project gets a lot of time and energy invested by all involved, for absolutely no return - except the experience.
For example, I wrote a couple of shorts scripts for a Wine company in the Eastern States to consider. They needed a short film script to make quickly for a competition which would give them a lot of exposure in the US. In the process I came up with a TV Series Idea which I really like and hope they run with... but we'll see. I'm waiting patiently for them to get back to me...
Meanwhile I'm jotting down a couple of ideas for an award-winning crew I've worked with before to make the next short which hopefully will lead to a feature or an on-going larger project.
(They're also waiting on my script for the next Tropfest which I have open in another screen right now!)
Of course the spector of my unfinished 'No Strings' draft (number - I don't know, I've done so many) stays in the background. I need to get to finish that one because I can't go any further without a producer or director and need to start sending it out to my list of preferables.
So I'm up to page 59 on this rewrite and need a good 2 weeks clearance to get into the last half but just can't find the time!
So - back to it...
At the moment I'm working on a few projects - small projects which I hope will lead to bigger.
Like all serious writers, I spend a lot of time rattling out scripts which producers ask for but which go no-where! Not because the script is bad - it may not even have been read but because the very subjective nature of our industry means many a script or project gets a lot of time and energy invested by all involved, for absolutely no return - except the experience.
For example, I wrote a couple of shorts scripts for a Wine company in the Eastern States to consider. They needed a short film script to make quickly for a competition which would give them a lot of exposure in the US. In the process I came up with a TV Series Idea which I really like and hope they run with... but we'll see. I'm waiting patiently for them to get back to me...
Meanwhile I'm jotting down a couple of ideas for an award-winning crew I've worked with before to make the next short which hopefully will lead to a feature or an on-going larger project.
(They're also waiting on my script for the next Tropfest which I have open in another screen right now!)
Of course the spector of my unfinished 'No Strings' draft (number - I don't know, I've done so many) stays in the background. I need to get to finish that one because I can't go any further without a producer or director and need to start sending it out to my list of preferables.
So I'm up to page 59 on this rewrite and need a good 2 weeks clearance to get into the last half but just can't find the time!
So - back to it...
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