Being kidnapped by nihilists, told that I could never write a screenplay or they'd come back and urinate on my rug, forced to bowl on the sabbath, turning my head away as the slutty blonde bounced endlessly on the tramp-0-line? Did any of that happen? Or did we just get distracted briefly and forget to post anything here for six short weeks while ideas grew and blossomed elsewhere?
OK, My name is Willie and I am a slacker.
HI WILLIE.
But now it is time to return to our sheep, er, our screenplay. I am sure several more diligent people have ideas that they are ready to share, now that somebody has returned and got the lights on again. We have heard great things of a train trip by Olivia and a face-to-face with Pam. Surely some of that can be scriptulated? What about the adventures of Finn and friend, Mike? Anything about the outline that now seems badly wrong, after sitting and stewing for six weeks?
I do not know. I am here now and intend to return in the next day or so with some dialogue or at least more idears. I would appreciate it if each of our number would return this thing to the front burner and cook something up.
See youse
Willie
Friday, April 3, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Mike gets out the cattle prod.
Is there anybody out there? After that first blur of activity, it is inevitable to have some slowdown, but there hasn't been any activity in here for quite awhile. Did something happen that I missed? I ask because I know I miss things in the EYE threads. I should, but I don't, take the time to read every single response in the EYE, so I know there are things I don't know. Can anyone tell me anything?
Friday, February 6, 2009
Mike's Sorry
I've been a bit inactive for a bit here. But things have settled a little bit, and I should be able to devote some of my cerebral momentum towards this endeavour.
Crap, I think I used up all my words . . .
Crap, I think I used up all my words . . .
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Willie to John- THANKS
I would say you pulled the Sword from the Stone. Looking very good, indeed.
And I look forward to more of the same. thanks
WT
And I look forward to more of the same. thanks
WT
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Willie T from John
I'm sure you're not the only one looking at movies with this project in mind but I usually don't have any particular plan in mind when I watch them. I just strap myself in and go along for the ride while wiping off the butter on my hands from the popcorn onto my socks 'cos I forgot napkins.
John, slowly and painfully begins to pull the sword out
of his chest and get started. All I got is a character for yous guys to pick apart but its a start. If I'm too far behind, just let me know.
A disappointing realization I've stumbled over is that if "it's there", as in I've got something to say, well it just comes spewing out of me like projectile vomit. What I mean to say is, if I have an idea, there usually isn't even a caution sign posted by my vocal cords telling me to slow down, watch for falling ideas, nothing..... no interlocutor between my brain and my mouth. Being a slow keyboarder is my only hope.
On the other hand, me trying to coax an original idea out requires a very particular bait for each circumstance. Sometimes it takes a long-time to find the right lure and it seems the harder I look, the longer it takes.
With that said, I began with Willie T's idea for me, and realized I just couldn't identify with that guy (I'm speeding towards 60 this year ((I'm a square root baby if you want to guess the date)))so I changed him quite a bit and now seek your thumbs up, thumbs down or kick in the arse followed by the words "you made us wait all this time for this crap?!?.... get outa here.
Any similarities between my character and a real live boy are mere coincidences.
I'll get going on the scenes if you are ok with this.
Just so you know, none of you could possibly be more disappointed in my production than I am. I'm truly sorry. I've never allowed myself to be the last of the pack before.
Too little?, too much? too corny..... let me know if it can fit in with the rest. BTW... my character comes across much more assertive and opinionated when he joins in the daily discussions.
Here 'tis
Character: Roland Lake, is 52 and is has recently retired. He lives in a small town on the outskirts of Cleveland Ohio where he now spends his free time performing a variety of volunteer functions searching for anything that could refill the void that was created by leaving a job he loved so much. The corporation’s new strategic direction of outsourcing and focusing all its attention on the software side of the business was the writing on the wall that lead to his decision to retire early. It wasn’t that they gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse. They gave his an offer he would be foolish not to accept. He followed his head and not his heart for once.
Roland, though never considered to be anybody’s “trip to Hollywood” has been engaged to a remarkably patient and gifted woman whom he met over fifteen years ago named Donna. He had been divorced eight years prior to meeting her and is still dealing with some trust and commitment issues as a result. Donna is a tried and true entrepreneur., She created a woman’s boutique/”chick shop” from scratch over twenty years ago and it still remains her true passion, her life’s artwork. Roland assists her in the business by becoming a stakeholder and utilizing his management abilities, his very limited mechanical skills to paint walls, restore old furniture, etc. and has recently evolved into the shops graphic designer which incorporates his new found interest in digital photography.
Because he had worked with many of the same people over his career, they had become his social network, his friends. He soon realized that once the large common bond they once shared was gone, they quickly drifted apart. Although he was outgoing and assertive at work, the confidential nature of tasks combined with the small size of the town meant it was never comfortable for him to socialize outside of his circle of peers.
With a lot of freedom to wander about and do things on his own during the daytime, Roland found himself spending more and more time on-line which not only lead him to increase his communications with his family, but also resulted in his spending more and more time checking out the J.Peterman, Orvis, Filson and other similar adventure clothing sites that appealed to his fantasies.
Donna, on the other hand would spend hours on-line developing the shops “Facebook” web site which has also evolved into her ever expanding social network. Although she encouraged Roland to just try it out to see if he would enjoy such a virtual social gathering, he was never enticed to do so until he received an invitation to join the folks at www.PetermansEye.com in an email.
Right from the onset he was “meeting” quite a few new and very interesting people at the “Eye”. What began as a circle of acquaintances whose only thing in common was an appreciation of the now famous Owner’s Manual, grew into a circle of friends and interesting people that shared their true thoughts ad feelings on an endless variety of topics. There was no ‘wasting time with polite conversation” with this group. It was straight talk seasoned with sensitivity and mutual respect that is so rare in the world today that got him hooked. Life had become a bit richer for this socially challenged lad. At least so it seemed.
A disappointing realization I've stumbled over is that if "it's there", as in I've got something to say, well it just comes spewing out of me like projectile vomit. What I mean to say is, if I have an idea, there usually isn't even a caution sign posted by my vocal cords telling me to slow down, watch for falling ideas, nothing..... no interlocutor between my brain and my mouth. Being a slow keyboarder is my only hope.
On the other hand, me trying to coax an original idea out requires a very particular bait for each circumstance. Sometimes it takes a long-time to find the right lure and it seems the harder I look, the longer it takes.
With that said, I began with Willie T's idea for me, and realized I just couldn't identify with that guy (I'm speeding towards 60 this year ((I'm a square root baby if you want to guess the date)))so I changed him quite a bit and now seek your thumbs up, thumbs down or kick in the arse followed by the words "you made us wait all this time for this crap?!?.... get outa here.
Any similarities between my character and a real live boy are mere coincidences.
I'll get going on the scenes if you are ok with this.
Just so you know, none of you could possibly be more disappointed in my production than I am. I'm truly sorry. I've never allowed myself to be the last of the pack before.
Too little?, too much? too corny..... let me know if it can fit in with the rest. BTW... my character comes across much more assertive and opinionated when he joins in the daily discussions.
Here 'tis
Character: Roland Lake, is 52 and is has recently retired. He lives in a small town on the outskirts of Cleveland Ohio where he now spends his free time performing a variety of volunteer functions searching for anything that could refill the void that was created by leaving a job he loved so much. The corporation’s new strategic direction of outsourcing and focusing all its attention on the software side of the business was the writing on the wall that lead to his decision to retire early. It wasn’t that they gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse. They gave his an offer he would be foolish not to accept. He followed his head and not his heart for once.
Roland, though never considered to be anybody’s “trip to Hollywood” has been engaged to a remarkably patient and gifted woman whom he met over fifteen years ago named Donna. He had been divorced eight years prior to meeting her and is still dealing with some trust and commitment issues as a result. Donna is a tried and true entrepreneur., She created a woman’s boutique/”chick shop” from scratch over twenty years ago and it still remains her true passion, her life’s artwork. Roland assists her in the business by becoming a stakeholder and utilizing his management abilities, his very limited mechanical skills to paint walls, restore old furniture, etc. and has recently evolved into the shops graphic designer which incorporates his new found interest in digital photography.
Because he had worked with many of the same people over his career, they had become his social network, his friends. He soon realized that once the large common bond they once shared was gone, they quickly drifted apart. Although he was outgoing and assertive at work, the confidential nature of tasks combined with the small size of the town meant it was never comfortable for him to socialize outside of his circle of peers.
With a lot of freedom to wander about and do things on his own during the daytime, Roland found himself spending more and more time on-line which not only lead him to increase his communications with his family, but also resulted in his spending more and more time checking out the J.Peterman, Orvis, Filson and other similar adventure clothing sites that appealed to his fantasies.
Donna, on the other hand would spend hours on-line developing the shops “Facebook” web site which has also evolved into her ever expanding social network. Although she encouraged Roland to just try it out to see if he would enjoy such a virtual social gathering, he was never enticed to do so until he received an invitation to join the folks at www.PetermansEye.com in an email.
Right from the onset he was “meeting” quite a few new and very interesting people at the “Eye”. What began as a circle of acquaintances whose only thing in common was an appreciation of the now famous Owner’s Manual, grew into a circle of friends and interesting people that shared their true thoughts ad feelings on an endless variety of topics. There was no ‘wasting time with polite conversation” with this group. It was straight talk seasoned with sensitivity and mutual respect that is so rare in the world today that got him hooked. Life had become a bit richer for this socially challenged lad. At least so it seemed.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Ignatz-Willie
Am I the only one who now watches every movie with an eye towards "how this works"?
Of all people, Kevin Smith, the fat guy who never speaks ( as in Jay and Silent Bob) has some very interesting things to say about the kind of movie we have been talking about. He says that dialogue -driven movies ( which is what I assume we are really doing) are very different from action movies, at least from a technical view. He has made a couple of Kevin Smith Talking "concert" movies that are fun to watch and may be enlightening.
I have also recently watched Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman, from the Christopher Guest gang. They also frequently present a framework in which one or two people will tell funny things about themselves. And Best In Show is a good example of people converging.
By the way, I want to try again to sell the idea of two or more characters traveling on a private railroad train, just because it offers the privacy of a car trip with the freedom from navigation of a plane trip. And it has some unique features that could be exploited. If Pam's character has the train, she might be able to scoop in both Ive's and maybe one of the men. If she scoops in the man first and THEN Ive's, there is an opportunity for some tension as Ive wanders in and wonders what form the pair bonding has taken so far. It also allows for a rolling conversation. And I think Mr P would enjoy a trip on a private train.
Back to C Guest for a minute: Notice, if you will, how his films have "second tier" people who contribute, but fall away. These people fall somewhere between the stars and the extras. But their presence is important. I think of Ignatz's mother as being like that. She speaks, but she fades away in the light of the Five.
More soon...
Of all people, Kevin Smith, the fat guy who never speaks ( as in Jay and Silent Bob) has some very interesting things to say about the kind of movie we have been talking about. He says that dialogue -driven movies ( which is what I assume we are really doing) are very different from action movies, at least from a technical view. He has made a couple of Kevin Smith Talking "concert" movies that are fun to watch and may be enlightening.
I have also recently watched Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman, from the Christopher Guest gang. They also frequently present a framework in which one or two people will tell funny things about themselves. And Best In Show is a good example of people converging.
By the way, I want to try again to sell the idea of two or more characters traveling on a private railroad train, just because it offers the privacy of a car trip with the freedom from navigation of a plane trip. And it has some unique features that could be exploited. If Pam's character has the train, she might be able to scoop in both Ive's and maybe one of the men. If she scoops in the man first and THEN Ive's, there is an opportunity for some tension as Ive wanders in and wonders what form the pair bonding has taken so far. It also allows for a rolling conversation. And I think Mr P would enjoy a trip on a private train.
Back to C Guest for a minute: Notice, if you will, how his films have "second tier" people who contribute, but fall away. These people fall somewhere between the stars and the extras. But their presence is important. I think of Ignatz's mother as being like that. She speaks, but she fades away in the light of the Five.
More soon...
Character Briefing
Hey All. Ive here.
Was talking with Olivia and Trask about our status, and am thinking we need everyone to come on and at least try to give a very short synopsis of their two scenes. The two scenes that 1) establish their character and 2) establish how they find out about the funeral and why they would go.
The reason I bring this up, is because it turns out Olivia and I share one brain (shocking, I know!) and were writing very similar stories. The only difference being, she actually wrote hers!
So I'm headed in another direction now. Which is great and part of what collaboration is about.
Will mull and get back. But when you have a chance, pop in and give us what ya got. Even if it's two sentences. That way we can plan things, like Mike and I did below, about who and where we will all meet up, and possibly even travel together.
Happy SuperBowl Day!
Was talking with Olivia and Trask about our status, and am thinking we need everyone to come on and at least try to give a very short synopsis of their two scenes. The two scenes that 1) establish their character and 2) establish how they find out about the funeral and why they would go.
The reason I bring this up, is because it turns out Olivia and I share one brain (shocking, I know!) and were writing very similar stories. The only difference being, she actually wrote hers!
So I'm headed in another direction now. Which is great and part of what collaboration is about.
Will mull and get back. But when you have a chance, pop in and give us what ya got. Even if it's two sentences. That way we can plan things, like Mike and I did below, about who and where we will all meet up, and possibly even travel together.
Happy SuperBowl Day!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Final Post
I know, jumping ahead a bit with a title like that. But here's what I was thinking about on my drive this morning. What if Iggy has composed a final post for the site? Maybe it's a word doc saved on his desktop, and one or all of us see it when we're in the home. And maybe it's to just one of us. And maybe it's addressed to the entire community. Or maybe it's broken down into separate messages. And maybe we sit together at the end and read it. And maybe its title is The Final Post, or something of the like, and we could toy with it for the title of the film. The double entendre thing.
I'm also thinking of my two scenes. The first will be my character, a thirty-something woman, posting happily (in Michigan). But there will be a subtle conflict with her husband in the scene. The second scene will be a really big fight. Over deeper issues, but her relationships with the community members will get dragged into it. And, if everyone's comfortable with it going someplace a little darker, I think it's going to be a really ugly fight.
I'm also really into the idea of her traveling to the funeral with someone. Maybe PeterLake or CoyoteMike since their (characters) are from this neck of the woods.
Guys, let me know if you want to work that out.
200 pages of editing right now. Sorry I've been remiss. I put an 'about' link in the upper right hand of the page that links to Willie's awesome tell-all post.
Gotta run.
M.Ive
I'm also thinking of my two scenes. The first will be my character, a thirty-something woman, posting happily (in Michigan). But there will be a subtle conflict with her husband in the scene. The second scene will be a really big fight. Over deeper issues, but her relationships with the community members will get dragged into it. And, if everyone's comfortable with it going someplace a little darker, I think it's going to be a really ugly fight.
I'm also really into the idea of her traveling to the funeral with someone. Maybe PeterLake or CoyoteMike since their (characters) are from this neck of the woods.
Guys, let me know if you want to work that out.
200 pages of editing right now. Sorry I've been remiss. I put an 'about' link in the upper right hand of the page that links to Willie's awesome tell-all post.
Gotta run.
M.Ive
Monday, January 26, 2009
Pelerins, visiteurs, bienvenue - a curtain raiser
Welcome pilgrims and visitors.
Willie can't keep quiet.
SO, here we have a little summary of the story as we know it so far:
A handful of writers will attempt to create a screenplay on this site. We try to identify ourselves here, but don't always manage to. Our roles change and are subject to even more change, at a moment's notice. We like it that way. The plot is still evolving, but is likely to concern a handful of online friends who become loyal to each other through their membership in a blog- community. Like all people online, they will occasionally admit or be forced to reveal some ironic disparity between their online lives and their other lives. Contrary to some cliche's, most of their misrepresentation will be slight, harmless, and born of modesty, not self-promotion.
After the characters are introduced, including the "character" of the blog community itself, we see a little development and witness live before our eyes the bonding process, the tender moments of revelation, and the occasional joke. Also some really cool fantasy and dream sequences.
THEN, flash, a disruption occurs and a few of the more intrepid bloggistos make their way, alone and in pairs, to a central meeting point, where they have a really nice time. They mistake identities, they do road/buddy picture things, they recombine, they dine and they possibly recline. And then they go back to their own lives.
The two big themes will be the loyalty of these friends, despite their limited acquaintance, and the comic consequences of web anonymity. Or so I believe.
In the posts below, you can find false starts, bad ideas, and the germ of a collaborative effort. As things progress, much of what is here will become interesting footnotes. The ore from which our jewelry will be made is full of dross, but also the shiny stuff.
Willie can't keep quiet.
SO, here we have a little summary of the story as we know it so far:
A handful of writers will attempt to create a screenplay on this site. We try to identify ourselves here, but don't always manage to. Our roles change and are subject to even more change, at a moment's notice. We like it that way. The plot is still evolving, but is likely to concern a handful of online friends who become loyal to each other through their membership in a blog- community. Like all people online, they will occasionally admit or be forced to reveal some ironic disparity between their online lives and their other lives. Contrary to some cliche's, most of their misrepresentation will be slight, harmless, and born of modesty, not self-promotion.
After the characters are introduced, including the "character" of the blog community itself, we see a little development and witness live before our eyes the bonding process, the tender moments of revelation, and the occasional joke. Also some really cool fantasy and dream sequences.
THEN, flash, a disruption occurs and a few of the more intrepid bloggistos make their way, alone and in pairs, to a central meeting point, where they have a really nice time. They mistake identities, they do road/buddy picture things, they recombine, they dine and they possibly recline. And then they go back to their own lives.
The two big themes will be the loyalty of these friends, despite their limited acquaintance, and the comic consequences of web anonymity. Or so I believe.
In the posts below, you can find false starts, bad ideas, and the germ of a collaborative effort. As things progress, much of what is here will become interesting footnotes. The ore from which our jewelry will be made is full of dross, but also the shiny stuff.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Mike's Scriptification . . . a VERY rough draft!
INT: JAMES BROWNING’S HOME OFFICE LATE MORNING
A BOOK FILLED ROOM
Four hardback books by James Browning sit on a desk in front of a window. JAMES sits at a laptop, typing into a word processor. A cup of coffee sits next to the computer. FINBAR lays next to the desk.
JAMES stops typing, sighs, then highlights the page he has just written and deletes it all. JAMES stares at the screen for a moment, then opens the web browser and clicks to PETERMAN’S EYE. He reads the day’s topic, smiles, and starts to type.
JAMES
(V/O)
(insert monologue about topic)
JAMES closes the window and looks back and forth between the
computer screen and the window. He looks down at FINBAR,
who looks back up at him with one eye, as if undecided
between waking up and sleeping.
JAMES:
What do you think, Fin? Lunch? Want
to go see Nina?
FINBAR:
Woof.
JAMES:
Right.
FINBAR exits. JAMES picks up his wallet and keys from the
desk. His hand hovers over his cell phone for a moment, as
if unsure whether to take it or not, then stuffs the phone
in a pocket.
EXT: JAMES’S CABIN LATE MORNING
JAMES and FINBAR exit the house and cross the yard to a dirt
jog-path. They start to walk towards the town. Two WOMEN
in bright spandex run towards them.
WOMEN
(in unison)
Hi, James. Hi, Fin.
JAMES:
Good morning, ladies.
The two WOMEN continue down the path in the opposite
direction.
EXT: ROLAND, NH NOONISH
JAMES and FINBAR walk down the street to NINA’S CAFÉ, and
sit at one of the outdoor tables. A teenage waitress comes
out with menus and bends down to scratch FINBAR.
WAITRESS:
Hi, Fin! How’s my buddy?
FINBAR:
(enjoying the attention)
Woof.
WAITRESS:
Hi, James. Want a menu?
JAMES:
No, thanks. I’ll have one of Nina’s
special ham sandwiches and a cup of coffee.
Oh, and a bowl of water for your friend there.
WAITRESS:
(gives FINBAR one last pat)
Sure thing.
JAMES people watches until his sandwich comes. He eats it
with obvious relish. As he finishes, NINA joins him at the
table with a refill of coffee and a cup for herself.
NINA:
Haven’t seen you here for a few days.
JAMES:
Yeah, I guess I’ve been busy.
NINA:
How’s the book coming?
JAMES:
(sighing)
Slowly. I can’t get any more than five pages
in without deleting it all.
NINA:
What’s blocking you?
JAMES:
I’m not sure. It should be simple
enough: two naked men in Central Park
discuss baseball and play chess while
Fashion Week plays out around them.
Easy, right?
NINA stares at him for a moment.
NINA:
You’re kidding, right?
JAMES:
Yeah. It’s supposed to be about a man
driving across the country, but I can’t
come up with a reason that hasn’t been
done a dozen times before.
NINA:
Is it for a woman? A man? A job?
JAMES:
None of those quite feel right. It has to
be something . . . different.
NINA:
How about no reason at all?
JAMES:
What do you mean?
NINA:
I mean, he could be traveling for the sake
of traveling. Jack Kerouac, but with a cell
phone and a laptop. Driving a hybrid instead
of jumping a train. A hero for the next
generation of shiftless birks who don’t want
to get a real job.
JAMES:
You know . . . you might just have something
there. I could even do it ironically, sort
shove my foot up the asses of the fake intellectuals!
A BOOK FILLED ROOM
Four hardback books by James Browning sit on a desk in front of a window. JAMES sits at a laptop, typing into a word processor. A cup of coffee sits next to the computer. FINBAR lays next to the desk.
JAMES stops typing, sighs, then highlights the page he has just written and deletes it all. JAMES stares at the screen for a moment, then opens the web browser and clicks to PETERMAN’S EYE. He reads the day’s topic, smiles, and starts to type.
JAMES
(V/O)
(insert monologue about topic)
JAMES closes the window and looks back and forth between the
computer screen and the window. He looks down at FINBAR,
who looks back up at him with one eye, as if undecided
between waking up and sleeping.
JAMES:
What do you think, Fin? Lunch? Want
to go see Nina?
FINBAR:
Woof.
JAMES:
Right.
FINBAR exits. JAMES picks up his wallet and keys from the
desk. His hand hovers over his cell phone for a moment, as
if unsure whether to take it or not, then stuffs the phone
in a pocket.
EXT: JAMES’S CABIN LATE MORNING
JAMES and FINBAR exit the house and cross the yard to a dirt
jog-path. They start to walk towards the town. Two WOMEN
in bright spandex run towards them.
WOMEN
(in unison)
Hi, James. Hi, Fin.
JAMES:
Good morning, ladies.
The two WOMEN continue down the path in the opposite
direction.
EXT: ROLAND, NH NOONISH
JAMES and FINBAR walk down the street to NINA’S CAFÉ, and
sit at one of the outdoor tables. A teenage waitress comes
out with menus and bends down to scratch FINBAR.
WAITRESS:
Hi, Fin! How’s my buddy?
FINBAR:
(enjoying the attention)
Woof.
WAITRESS:
Hi, James. Want a menu?
JAMES:
No, thanks. I’ll have one of Nina’s
special ham sandwiches and a cup of coffee.
Oh, and a bowl of water for your friend there.
WAITRESS:
(gives FINBAR one last pat)
Sure thing.
JAMES people watches until his sandwich comes. He eats it
with obvious relish. As he finishes, NINA joins him at the
table with a refill of coffee and a cup for herself.
NINA:
Haven’t seen you here for a few days.
JAMES:
Yeah, I guess I’ve been busy.
NINA:
How’s the book coming?
JAMES:
(sighing)
Slowly. I can’t get any more than five pages
in without deleting it all.
NINA:
What’s blocking you?
JAMES:
I’m not sure. It should be simple
enough: two naked men in Central Park
discuss baseball and play chess while
Fashion Week plays out around them.
Easy, right?
NINA stares at him for a moment.
NINA:
You’re kidding, right?
JAMES:
Yeah. It’s supposed to be about a man
driving across the country, but I can’t
come up with a reason that hasn’t been
done a dozen times before.
NINA:
Is it for a woman? A man? A job?
JAMES:
None of those quite feel right. It has to
be something . . . different.
NINA:
How about no reason at all?
JAMES:
What do you mean?
NINA:
I mean, he could be traveling for the sake
of traveling. Jack Kerouac, but with a cell
phone and a laptop. Driving a hybrid instead
of jumping a train. A hero for the next
generation of shiftless birks who don’t want
to get a real job.
JAMES:
You know . . . you might just have something
there. I could even do it ironically, sort
shove my foot up the asses of the fake intellectuals!
New Gadgets
Okay, kids.
I installed a statcounter and a thesaurus to the right. That means I'll be able to see how many people come to the site daily and you all can use the thesaurus any ole' time.
I also updated our profile (click on The Whole Gang)
And I added a link to Peterman's Eye.
Thoughts?
G'Nite,
Miss Ive
I installed a statcounter and a thesaurus to the right. That means I'll be able to see how many people come to the site daily and you all can use the thesaurus any ole' time.
I also updated our profile (click on The Whole Gang)
And I added a link to Peterman's Eye.
Thoughts?
G'Nite,
Miss Ive
Jen's Pretty Sick, Kiddos
I'm green. Horrible bug. Just emailed you all. I only scanned your post, Willie, but I do think we need at least an 'about' link. Will work on it. Am planning to link my site to this one so I can have a sabbatical over there. Too much going on right now, and I want to focus more over here.
Mike,
Loved your beginning. Can we post it here?
More when I'm able to get off the floor. Very sick tummy.
P.S.
Changed the working title again. Just until we know what we're doing, don't want to drag any unwilling parties aboard, such as our gracious host at the 'other site.'
Mike,
Loved your beginning. Can we post it here?
More when I'm able to get off the floor. Very sick tummy.
P.S.
Changed the working title again. Just until we know what we're doing, don't want to drag any unwilling parties aboard, such as our gracious host at the 'other site.'
Friday, January 23, 2009
Zoom, zoom, the Profit of Doom, pushing a broom...
Willie here, doing more online housekeeping than actual for several years now. No doom as of yet, honestly. That was just to get the blood pressure up a little bit.
Sooner or later, we will need to have the script itself posted, and we can comment below it. I THINK the site will allow any of us to modify or edit a post and my hope is that once we get the thing rolling, we can comment below and periodically add ( or delete ) portions of the screenplay itself. Maybe that can be done after we individually post parts- I am sure MissI has some special MacConsolidator software that will allow her to laboriously read and transcribe our work onto a master script post. THAT will give our audience something to look at.
I have told a few friends about this site and in explaining it to them, I have been able to refine a few ideas for myself. Sooner or later, though, we will want something in the shop window, so to speak, for the less diligent visitor to examine and appreciate. Do I have that right?
Sooner or later, we will need to have the script itself posted, and we can comment below it. I THINK the site will allow any of us to modify or edit a post and my hope is that once we get the thing rolling, we can comment below and periodically add ( or delete ) portions of the screenplay itself. Maybe that can be done after we individually post parts- I am sure MissI has some special MacConsolidator software that will allow her to laboriously read and transcribe our work onto a master script post. THAT will give our audience something to look at.
I have told a few friends about this site and in explaining it to them, I have been able to refine a few ideas for myself. Sooner or later, though, we will want something in the shop window, so to speak, for the less diligent visitor to examine and appreciate. Do I have that right?
cackling in South Cackalacky
Willie here. South Cackalacky is the derisive term people who have left SC sometimes use. But it may be like Redneck in that you can use it affectionately so long as you use it yourself...
Anyway, I cackle at Jen and Pam. THIS THANG IS COMING TOGETHER.
Pam, what comes easily to me is unedited, unthought-out, not necessarily workable bits. I do like to type, apparently ( the old saying "That's not writing, that's typing" comes to mind) and, with no husband or children, I have time to do it- well, when I am not bankrupting myself at eBay.
By the way, friends, I feel like a junkie whose favorite pusher has gone to the Big House. I probably purchased 75-100 items from Primrose in 07-08 and I long for the resumption of JP's Back Door Outlet. Think of the money I am saving. And friends and relatives who do not wear the sizes I sometimes assume they do...
What I meant to say before my consumer personality jumped out was that ABSOLUTELY NOTHING I have written is set in stone, either, or even in dry concrete. My way of "helping" is just to throw things out. When it fits, we keep it. When it doesn't, we dump it. I figure disagreement is a sign you have thought about what I said or did. I figure Olivia and John are working away- thinking of this in the shower and in the car and while they run or work out and suddenly, something will appear and they will say "That is not what I had in mind" and bang, the collaborative process begins.
And Pam, I think your character is great. I do hope that the part about no friends is made up, just as I hope that the part about Jen's character leaving her husband is.
But my job is to invent these episodes, not to remake YOUR lives.
Could your character live in Grosse Point, MI, Pam? Very rich people live there with connections to Detroit and the car industry. That might account for a busy executive husband and also the means to travel with this brash young woman who is at the other end (literally and figuratively ) of Detroit. Some nice talks about loyalty and its downside, some exchange of youth and relative wisdom. Anybody see AN UNMARRIED WOMAN?
Somebody once said that a government that robs Peter to pay Paul will always be able to count on the support of Paul. Similarly, when Mike suggested that OUR Amtrak doesn't have to follow the actual AMTRAK's limits, he got my immediate agreement. In various places around the country, there are small railroad companies that run excursion trains. If Katydidn't were to, say, win a charity auction, she could take Jen on what amounts to a personal train, from Detroit to Lexington. Of course, Jen's character would be swiveling back and forth, trying not to be too awed, but desperately curious as to how this was happening. And, while it would have cost more than a bus ticket, it wouldn't really be so expensive as to be impossible. I would imagine you could win a trip anywhere on a small railroad for maybe $10K? I know that is a lot, but maybe the husband gave it to her. Maybe he has planned a different trip and can't go ( workaholism) and then, with three days left, he suggests that Katydidn't take the train somewhere. He sends her an email. ooh. She doesn't know who to invite, then Ignatz dies ( by the way, Wilie T may expire some day from lack of interest, but Willie's puppeteer is counting on about 30 more years) and she decides to invite Jen. MAYBE maybe maybe, they can pick up Peter. Won't he be impressed?
Could it happen? The train would have to take them back, but maybe it wouldn't have to take Peter back... Katydidn't's husband could be compared to JP- a little distant, hard to read sometimes, but really a generous person. But that is better with a catalogue than a spouse...
You know, we could move Jen as easily as we moved Katy- There are pockets of money everywhere and Jen's character doesn't have to work in the same business, just nearby enough to get some irony out of their only knowing each other on the web. I think Katy's husband should have a really good job, but probably shouldn't be an entrepreneur- they seem more expansive and likely to be friendly. I don't know...
I LOVE the one tree, by the way. tres cool. I'd buy that book
Anyway, I cackle at Jen and Pam. THIS THANG IS COMING TOGETHER.
Pam, what comes easily to me is unedited, unthought-out, not necessarily workable bits. I do like to type, apparently ( the old saying "That's not writing, that's typing" comes to mind) and, with no husband or children, I have time to do it- well, when I am not bankrupting myself at eBay.
By the way, friends, I feel like a junkie whose favorite pusher has gone to the Big House. I probably purchased 75-100 items from Primrose in 07-08 and I long for the resumption of JP's Back Door Outlet. Think of the money I am saving. And friends and relatives who do not wear the sizes I sometimes assume they do...
What I meant to say before my consumer personality jumped out was that ABSOLUTELY NOTHING I have written is set in stone, either, or even in dry concrete. My way of "helping" is just to throw things out. When it fits, we keep it. When it doesn't, we dump it. I figure disagreement is a sign you have thought about what I said or did. I figure Olivia and John are working away- thinking of this in the shower and in the car and while they run or work out and suddenly, something will appear and they will say "That is not what I had in mind" and bang, the collaborative process begins.
And Pam, I think your character is great. I do hope that the part about no friends is made up, just as I hope that the part about Jen's character leaving her husband is.
But my job is to invent these episodes, not to remake YOUR lives.
Could your character live in Grosse Point, MI, Pam? Very rich people live there with connections to Detroit and the car industry. That might account for a busy executive husband and also the means to travel with this brash young woman who is at the other end (literally and figuratively ) of Detroit. Some nice talks about loyalty and its downside, some exchange of youth and relative wisdom. Anybody see AN UNMARRIED WOMAN?
Somebody once said that a government that robs Peter to pay Paul will always be able to count on the support of Paul. Similarly, when Mike suggested that OUR Amtrak doesn't have to follow the actual AMTRAK's limits, he got my immediate agreement. In various places around the country, there are small railroad companies that run excursion trains. If Katydidn't were to, say, win a charity auction, she could take Jen on what amounts to a personal train, from Detroit to Lexington. Of course, Jen's character would be swiveling back and forth, trying not to be too awed, but desperately curious as to how this was happening. And, while it would have cost more than a bus ticket, it wouldn't really be so expensive as to be impossible. I would imagine you could win a trip anywhere on a small railroad for maybe $10K? I know that is a lot, but maybe the husband gave it to her. Maybe he has planned a different trip and can't go ( workaholism) and then, with three days left, he suggests that Katydidn't take the train somewhere. He sends her an email. ooh. She doesn't know who to invite, then Ignatz dies ( by the way, Wilie T may expire some day from lack of interest, but Willie's puppeteer is counting on about 30 more years) and she decides to invite Jen. MAYBE maybe maybe, they can pick up Peter. Won't he be impressed?
Could it happen? The train would have to take them back, but maybe it wouldn't have to take Peter back... Katydidn't's husband could be compared to JP- a little distant, hard to read sometimes, but really a generous person. But that is better with a catalogue than a spouse...
You know, we could move Jen as easily as we moved Katy- There are pockets of money everywhere and Jen's character doesn't have to work in the same business, just nearby enough to get some irony out of their only knowing each other on the web. I think Katy's husband should have a really good job, but probably shouldn't be an entrepreneur- they seem more expansive and likely to be friendly. I don't know...
I LOVE the one tree, by the way. tres cool. I'd buy that book
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Exuberance
From Jen
Just read Mike, Pam and Willie's posts. Can I take one moment to say how much it means to work with such amazing people?
Mike! The quiz embedding. Still laughing. HARD. Out loud. And I land on sandwiches. Yes. Never start too strong or hard, right? BTW, my character's favorite: the grilled PBJ
You're awesome, Mike. And congrats on the Honor Role. You'll have to tell us what your students said about the tie.
Pam, Pam, KatyDidn't. I LOVE THAT. KatyDidn't! I've had this struggle. Most of the themes you mentioned, the busy husband and the woman starting over, my character is experiencing, too. But not starting over. Just starting. She's lost. She needs a strong mentor. She's found one in the dead blogger. And she really liked him. Sorry, Trask. She REALLY liked him. So maybe she needs a strong female mentor. Or maybe two. Olivia? And maybe she wants to write a book about the 'one trees' as defined by the one big tree left standing in all old farm fields. Because it intrigues her that farmers would leave one tree standing to plant around. And she wants to tell the story of those trees and all that has taken place underneath them. But she needs a photographer. Like KatyDidn't. And she's leaving her husband. j
Real story: one night I slept in a hammock with a boy from, I think, Johns Hopkins. We slept at opposite ends and talked all night. We talked about a boy we both really, really liked.He admired him. I more than admired him. Best talk. Anyway. I imagine my character will spend the night of the funeral in one of those talks with another male, about the dead blogger. Ignatius (sp?).
And Trask, If you don't stop posting on PE about CK Dexter Haven, I'll like you even more and have to insist you don't die. So stop.
J
Just read Mike, Pam and Willie's posts. Can I take one moment to say how much it means to work with such amazing people?
Mike! The quiz embedding. Still laughing. HARD. Out loud. And I land on sandwiches. Yes. Never start too strong or hard, right? BTW, my character's favorite: the grilled PBJ
You're awesome, Mike. And congrats on the Honor Role. You'll have to tell us what your students said about the tie.
Pam, Pam, KatyDidn't. I LOVE THAT. KatyDidn't! I've had this struggle. Most of the themes you mentioned, the busy husband and the woman starting over, my character is experiencing, too. But not starting over. Just starting. She's lost. She needs a strong mentor. She's found one in the dead blogger. And she really liked him. Sorry, Trask. She REALLY liked him. So maybe she needs a strong female mentor. Or maybe two. Olivia? And maybe she wants to write a book about the 'one trees' as defined by the one big tree left standing in all old farm fields. Because it intrigues her that farmers would leave one tree standing to plant around. And she wants to tell the story of those trees and all that has taken place underneath them. But she needs a photographer. Like KatyDidn't. And she's leaving her husband. j
Real story: one night I slept in a hammock with a boy from, I think, Johns Hopkins. We slept at opposite ends and talked all night. We talked about a boy we both really, really liked.He admired him. I more than admired him. Best talk. Anyway. I imagine my character will spend the night of the funeral in one of those talks with another male, about the dead blogger. Ignatius (sp?).
And Trask, If you don't stop posting on PE about CK Dexter Haven, I'll like you even more and have to insist you don't die. So stop.
J
synchronicity, Willie style
OK, It appears I was posting my faux-peterman sandwich essay while Mike was posting the poll. I tried to vote, but do not seem to have had my vote counted and I have never even BEEN to minnesota, afaik. Mike's point is excellent- we will need several topics, so we can use them all if we want to. I do like the sandwich, though, as a way of introducing his character. MissI, if you want to do movies, I think it would be good to do one that refers specifically to OUR movie, which I think would maybe be the modren classic The Big Chill. Though I am sure we can all talk about any movie in the world, whether we have seen it and can discuss it intelligently, or have never seen it, but want to type a little anyway.
I have been working under the assumption that "my" character is the dead guy. I like the idea of a mismatched crowd, so that we aren't all expected to pair off-Shakespearean style, but at the same time, there are enough boys AND girls that each character has the illusion of choice. No actual choice, because WE will make them do what we want them to, but still the appearance of being able to choose from several characters as potential partners- and the always popular No Partner...
Working backwards from Mike's excellent ending, I figure the hookup ends up being one of the two guys ( I vote for Mike's guy, who seems to have no other obligations at the moment ) and (surprise, surprise) one of the three women. I figure, probably the one who arrives by herself. Is that realistic? If two women arrive together, will they be more or less likely to be interested in a little out of town romance? Or does who you travel with not really affect it? Would we like a young widow? Someone who was working on a little internet crush on Ignatz before his demise?
Just for the sake of being corrected, I imagine Jen and Pam ( well, their characters, of course) arriving together. Maybe they have a chance to meet Peter before they get to the funeral, maybe not. I see the funeral as a place of several voice over monologues ( see Heathers for an example of this very idea) with maybe one brief conversation between Pam and Jen. I see a sort of wandering camera, here and there in a sparse crowd, looking at various people and wondering "Is that JP?" "Is that Peter? Wasn't that guy at the airport?" "Who all came?" that sort of thing. And the fun part would be that several of the people will ask the same questions about each other. I forget now whether I listed a scene of a pre-funeral gathering or not, but I like the idea of wandering into a graveside service cold, with no clear indication of who is friend or foe, etc, and then either a reception-ish gathering afterwards or a scene of people standing around talking at the cemetery. And then the focus narrows to our five friends in a restaurant or bar ( or one then the other) as the talking goes on, then the nominal leave taking, the flirting, the hinting, the apologetic explanations of unavailability, maybe the second thoughts, etc. And then, when it looks like everyone is going to bed alone, POW, the couple with second thoughts realize they are staying at the same hotel and the circling resumes.
Tearful reunion in the u-s-a, day by day, those memories fade away, etc.
No, not really, a sweet leave taking breakfast the next morning at Denny's or the Awful Waffle. Olivia sneaks some booze into the OJ... Jen asking Pam "Did you really have sex with a stranger?" and Pam pointing out that he is not a stranger, she has been reading his writing for months and she isn't going to say whether or not the 'slept together', since, with the possible exception of a single car trip, she and jen know each other about as well as she and Mike do... yes, no, are you kidding?
Maybe a scene where Jen calls Olivia in the middle of the night and says "You'll never believe it. Pam is still out. Do you think she is with Peter or Mike and Olivia will admit she has to be with mike, since she (O) is talking to peter. or something like that? It might also be fun for one of the characters to exude sex, but not act on it, while another one is the surprising quiet type?
As always, I am throwing ideas out in hopes of either acceptance or rejection. It could be either one. Let's just start the conversation, eh?
I have been working under the assumption that "my" character is the dead guy. I like the idea of a mismatched crowd, so that we aren't all expected to pair off-Shakespearean style, but at the same time, there are enough boys AND girls that each character has the illusion of choice. No actual choice, because WE will make them do what we want them to, but still the appearance of being able to choose from several characters as potential partners- and the always popular No Partner...
Working backwards from Mike's excellent ending, I figure the hookup ends up being one of the two guys ( I vote for Mike's guy, who seems to have no other obligations at the moment ) and (surprise, surprise) one of the three women. I figure, probably the one who arrives by herself. Is that realistic? If two women arrive together, will they be more or less likely to be interested in a little out of town romance? Or does who you travel with not really affect it? Would we like a young widow? Someone who was working on a little internet crush on Ignatz before his demise?
Just for the sake of being corrected, I imagine Jen and Pam ( well, their characters, of course) arriving together. Maybe they have a chance to meet Peter before they get to the funeral, maybe not. I see the funeral as a place of several voice over monologues ( see Heathers for an example of this very idea) with maybe one brief conversation between Pam and Jen. I see a sort of wandering camera, here and there in a sparse crowd, looking at various people and wondering "Is that JP?" "Is that Peter? Wasn't that guy at the airport?" "Who all came?" that sort of thing. And the fun part would be that several of the people will ask the same questions about each other. I forget now whether I listed a scene of a pre-funeral gathering or not, but I like the idea of wandering into a graveside service cold, with no clear indication of who is friend or foe, etc, and then either a reception-ish gathering afterwards or a scene of people standing around talking at the cemetery. And then the focus narrows to our five friends in a restaurant or bar ( or one then the other) as the talking goes on, then the nominal leave taking, the flirting, the hinting, the apologetic explanations of unavailability, maybe the second thoughts, etc. And then, when it looks like everyone is going to bed alone, POW, the couple with second thoughts realize they are staying at the same hotel and the circling resumes.
Tearful reunion in the u-s-a, day by day, those memories fade away, etc.
No, not really, a sweet leave taking breakfast the next morning at Denny's or the Awful Waffle. Olivia sneaks some booze into the OJ... Jen asking Pam "Did you really have sex with a stranger?" and Pam pointing out that he is not a stranger, she has been reading his writing for months and she isn't going to say whether or not the 'slept together', since, with the possible exception of a single car trip, she and jen know each other about as well as she and Mike do... yes, no, are you kidding?
Maybe a scene where Jen calls Olivia in the middle of the night and says "You'll never believe it. Pam is still out. Do you think she is with Peter or Mike and Olivia will admit she has to be with mike, since she (O) is talking to peter. or something like that? It might also be fun for one of the characters to exude sex, but not act on it, while another one is the surprising quiet type?
As always, I am throwing ideas out in hopes of either acceptance or rejection. It could be either one. Let's just start the conversation, eh?
What to do?...
This is a very new style of writing to me, also, but I'm still willing to try. I've been reading everyone's posts with great interest. All of this seems to come so easily to some of you. I want to make certain I come up with something new yet believable. It's still a struggle at this point but I'm attempting to not get frustrated, hoping someone will say something that will spark an idea in me.
Everything I'm throwing out here is completely changeable. So far, this has all been jotted down as little bites of info, with the intent to turn it into an outline so I have some direction in my mind.
I was leaning toward a 50ish woman named Kate Richardson. Name for posting to the Website to be Katydid (or didn't?)(Too cutesy/silly?) I wanted someone old enough to have had education, children and a career but also someone young enough to embark on a new career/adventure/change in the same 'ol life. Bored with other moms who only seem interested in gossip, eating, and American Idol, etc...kids out of school, she leaves her former identity as school teacher/mom to do what? I was actually leaning toward photography, here. Tired with taking local portraits she embarks on a photographic adventure of sorts, leading on forays out-of-town, from covered bridges to cemetery headstones...
I was leaning toward the Earl of Sandwich topic only because I thought his being a work-a-holic would translate well into Kate's husband being a Type A personality, always working, with no real friends since he's the boss. You know it's lonely at the top and spouses of his employees only want to get to know Kate so they have some sort of influence over their spouse’s career aspirations. Hubby with no time, or being too tired at the end of a day, to talk to Kate nudges her in the direction of Internet...shopping at the site, at first, but then finding people to talk to...interesting and interested...new topics...okay to quote Emerson and not get laughed at...equally okay to be playful and off topic...Then an opportunity to travel, with a friend, taking photos along the way to add to her portfolio?
Is this horrible? Am I even close to being on the right track?
I like the ending Mike came up with...it's kind of nice for me to see where we will all end up eventually. Anyway, nothing I've written is in stone. Feel free to tear it all asunder.
Pam
Everything I'm throwing out here is completely changeable. So far, this has all been jotted down as little bites of info, with the intent to turn it into an outline so I have some direction in my mind.
I was leaning toward a 50ish woman named Kate Richardson. Name for posting to the Website to be Katydid (or didn't?)(Too cutesy/silly?) I wanted someone old enough to have had education, children and a career but also someone young enough to embark on a new career/adventure/change in the same 'ol life. Bored with other moms who only seem interested in gossip, eating, and American Idol, etc...kids out of school, she leaves her former identity as school teacher/mom to do what? I was actually leaning toward photography, here. Tired with taking local portraits she embarks on a photographic adventure of sorts, leading on forays out-of-town, from covered bridges to cemetery headstones...
I was leaning toward the Earl of Sandwich topic only because I thought his being a work-a-holic would translate well into Kate's husband being a Type A personality, always working, with no real friends since he's the boss. You know it's lonely at the top and spouses of his employees only want to get to know Kate so they have some sort of influence over their spouse’s career aspirations. Hubby with no time, or being too tired at the end of a day, to talk to Kate nudges her in the direction of Internet...shopping at the site, at first, but then finding people to talk to...interesting and interested...new topics...okay to quote Emerson and not get laughed at...equally okay to be playful and off topic...Then an opportunity to travel, with a friend, taking photos along the way to add to her portfolio?
Is this horrible? Am I even close to being on the right track?
I like the ending Mike came up with...it's kind of nice for me to see where we will all end up eventually. Anyway, nothing I've written is in stone. Feel free to tear it all asunder.
Pam
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
SANDWICHES, willie's vote and a small start
The Earl of Sandwich might be able to claim the name, but meat-on-bread, bun, or pancake surely predates him by thousands of years. The ancient Babylonians ate _____ and Chinese peasants still favor a roll of _____, as they have for thousands of years. Still, we can probably agree the sandwich has to be the best thing since way before sliced bread.
In case you had not heard the story, John Montagu, the fourth Earl, (born this day) (November 3 1718) was such a gambler that he didn't want to stop for meals, instead ordering bread and meat to be served at the card table. A Modern biography doesn't completely abandon the tale, but hints that the Earl was more of a workaholic than a serious gamer.
THIS IS THE POST. We will have to write the JP essay, but I am voting with all of my pushy meddlesome strength for an initial posting on sandwiches.
In case you had not heard the story, John Montagu, the fourth Earl, (born this day) (November 3 1718) was such a gambler that he didn't want to stop for meals, instead ordering bread and meat to be served at the card table. A Modern biography doesn't completely abandon the tale, but hints that the Earl was more of a workaholic than a serious gamer.
THIS IS THE POST. We will have to write the JP essay, but I am voting with all of my pushy meddlesome strength for an initial posting on sandwiches.
Mike Polls . . . Mike's Poll . . . Polling . . . I feel dirty
There should be a 4th optiong of "Other - Spill It."
And we should all keep in mind that we can use any or all ideas at different times in the story.
And we should all keep in mind that we can use any or all ideas at different times in the story.
From Jen Re: Olivia's Third Cent
Hey. Sorry just read down further. Seriously, Olivia, John and all, if your hesitations are just disorientation, relax. It's starting to come together.
We pick a starting post topic. (please weigh in on this before anything else)
We take one day and treat it like a real topic here and all post thoughts on that topic.
Then we go write 10 pages (see below in earlier post) of dialogue (two five-minute scenes) for our character, which includes them posting to that topic.
At some point in our first scenes (not necessarily at the opening), we have our character responding to that topic.
At some point in our second scene, we find out that one of the regular contributors has died (by reading it on the blog) and that his funeral is (where Trask?) Lexington? Louisville?
We make sure that somehow our two scenes lay appropriate groundwork for making it believable that our character would attend. For whatever reason. You could even have ulterior motives.
Then, when those scenes are written, we read each others, understanding they are merely first drafts, and workshop them a bit. We talk to each other and firm them up a bit. We also get to know each others' characters this way.
Then we 'show up' at the funeral, armed (as writers) with a knowledge of these six fictional (to at least some extent) characters and we work those last 12 scenes together. As though we are actually all together in that place, at that event.
Making more sense?
I really want to encourage ya'll to embrace the disorientation. I told my mother about this project over the weekend. She responded as I thought she would, "But that's risky. What if the plan all falls apart and things go badly?"
Me: "Well, you've just described the basic trajectory of every Coen brothers' movie. A plan goes badly. And they do pretty well at this racket."
What have we got to lose? And the 'life imitating art—art imitating life' aspect of this is interesting, right?
But AGAIN, I can't stress this enough, I would much rather have you just shoot me an email letting me know this is not for you, than have you stay on board and not enjoy it. It's not for everyone. I totally get that. This project will 'project' the enthusism of the crew. If you don't got it, it won't have it. Right? And Miss Ive is way to busy to get her panties in a bunch about a changed mind. I always respect straightforwardness. Is that even a word? Bedtime!
We pick a starting post topic. (please weigh in on this before anything else)
We take one day and treat it like a real topic here and all post thoughts on that topic.
Then we go write 10 pages (see below in earlier post) of dialogue (two five-minute scenes) for our character, which includes them posting to that topic.
At some point in our first scenes (not necessarily at the opening), we have our character responding to that topic.
At some point in our second scene, we find out that one of the regular contributors has died (by reading it on the blog) and that his funeral is (where Trask?) Lexington? Louisville?
We make sure that somehow our two scenes lay appropriate groundwork for making it believable that our character would attend. For whatever reason. You could even have ulterior motives.
Then, when those scenes are written, we read each others, understanding they are merely first drafts, and workshop them a bit. We talk to each other and firm them up a bit. We also get to know each others' characters this way.
Then we 'show up' at the funeral, armed (as writers) with a knowledge of these six fictional (to at least some extent) characters and we work those last 12 scenes together. As though we are actually all together in that place, at that event.
Making more sense?
I really want to encourage ya'll to embrace the disorientation. I told my mother about this project over the weekend. She responded as I thought she would, "But that's risky. What if the plan all falls apart and things go badly?"
Me: "Well, you've just described the basic trajectory of every Coen brothers' movie. A plan goes badly. And they do pretty well at this racket."
What have we got to lose? And the 'life imitating art—art imitating life' aspect of this is interesting, right?
But AGAIN, I can't stress this enough, I would much rather have you just shoot me an email letting me know this is not for you, than have you stay on board and not enjoy it. It's not for everyone. I totally get that. This project will 'project' the enthusism of the crew. If you don't got it, it won't have it. Right? And Miss Ive is way to busy to get her panties in a bunch about a changed mind. I always respect straightforwardness. Is that even a word? Bedtime!
Willie likes the ending.
Mike, I think it is perfectly reasonable to set the ending and work towards it. And I think it would be great fun to cameo ourselves in as readers of the Great One's posts.
By the way, I learned today of the death of a man I knew slightly- apparently heart failure or stroke- at age 60 alone in his chair at home. It could happen to anyone. Certainly to Ignatz Katz, or even Ignatius.
I am eager to read your rough draft, but have not been able to crack the code. Anyone else seen it and ready to comment?
Did everybody see FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION? I do not know, but I suspect that is the kind of thing that could happen to our little movie- a transformation or alteration in ways we never imagined. There is also an interesting piece on this week's New Yorker called "The Cobra" about movie marketing. It is full of cliches, but then so is my life.
I think the Peter Lake character I sketched out will probably not mess around on his girlfriend. I think he may have some distancing disagreement with her before he goes to the funeral- maybe nothing more than "you care more about some dead guy you've never met than you do about our future," but he will want to think about the lovely women he has come to know on the Eye. And then he will probably be the one to shake hands and go to bed alone.
Pam, I asked you about being the sensible one. I do not think there really IS a sensible one in this story. I think there are only older and younger versions of women who have permission to go on a wild adventure, or what they think of as a wild adventure. It doesn't have to be really wild or dangerous, but it has to be new and unpredictable and these women, no matter what their appearance, no matter what else they say or do, I think they will be interested in the new and unpredictable for these few days.
Maybe somebody can remind everyone of a post on Absinthe, and, while they sip their way into an altered state, the stories and sharing will fly. I guess this would be part of the after the funeral drinking as I imagined it.
If MissIve and somebody (Pam?) get on a train heading somehow from Detroit to Cleveland ( A ferry? does such a thing exist?) and then, maybe a train south? Clever people actually take picnic baskets on Amtrak trains. This should be good for a fair amount of zany bonding, especially after they realize their cohort
SKRUUUNNKKK. NO Amtrak service in all of Kentucky, or nearly none.
So maybe no train ride if Lexington is the destination. And, believe it or not, getting from Cleveland to just about anywhere besides DC on a train is a major pain.
Can they meet in an airport, then get separated by their schedules? Bumped? That would give the women a chance to discuss the guy they had just met without being rude to him. Then they catch up later on. Or we could have one of those scenes that shows a map and shows five different paths converging in Lexington. A long drive from Deetroit and another from Cleveland, or make that a flight. Then a shorter drive for Olivia and Mike- how do you travel , Mike?
What say?
By the way, I learned today of the death of a man I knew slightly- apparently heart failure or stroke- at age 60 alone in his chair at home. It could happen to anyone. Certainly to Ignatz Katz, or even Ignatius.
I am eager to read your rough draft, but have not been able to crack the code. Anyone else seen it and ready to comment?
Did everybody see FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION? I do not know, but I suspect that is the kind of thing that could happen to our little movie- a transformation or alteration in ways we never imagined. There is also an interesting piece on this week's New Yorker called "The Cobra" about movie marketing. It is full of cliches, but then so is my life.
I think the Peter Lake character I sketched out will probably not mess around on his girlfriend. I think he may have some distancing disagreement with her before he goes to the funeral- maybe nothing more than "you care more about some dead guy you've never met than you do about our future," but he will want to think about the lovely women he has come to know on the Eye. And then he will probably be the one to shake hands and go to bed alone.
Pam, I asked you about being the sensible one. I do not think there really IS a sensible one in this story. I think there are only older and younger versions of women who have permission to go on a wild adventure, or what they think of as a wild adventure. It doesn't have to be really wild or dangerous, but it has to be new and unpredictable and these women, no matter what their appearance, no matter what else they say or do, I think they will be interested in the new and unpredictable for these few days.
Maybe somebody can remind everyone of a post on Absinthe, and, while they sip their way into an altered state, the stories and sharing will fly. I guess this would be part of the after the funeral drinking as I imagined it.
If MissIve and somebody (Pam?) get on a train heading somehow from Detroit to Cleveland ( A ferry? does such a thing exist?) and then, maybe a train south? Clever people actually take picnic baskets on Amtrak trains. This should be good for a fair amount of zany bonding, especially after they realize their cohort
SKRUUUNNKKK. NO Amtrak service in all of Kentucky, or nearly none.
So maybe no train ride if Lexington is the destination. And, believe it or not, getting from Cleveland to just about anywhere besides DC on a train is a major pain.
Can they meet in an airport, then get separated by their schedules? Bumped? That would give the women a chance to discuss the guy they had just met without being rude to him. Then they catch up later on. Or we could have one of those scenes that shows a map and shows five different paths converging in Lexington. A long drive from Deetroit and another from Cleveland, or make that a flight. Then a shorter drive for Olivia and Mike- how do you travel , Mike?
What say?
From the desk of . . . Jen
As usual, lots to say and little time. As I said I was going to be in my last post, I've been away for a few days.
First, John. I love that you wrote honestly. Please know (all of you) that if I think anything is awry, as in not enough volume in contributions, etc., I'm not a shy girl. I'll write and say something. Everyone writes differently. That said, it will not hurt my feelings one little bit if at any point (though sooner is probably better than later) anyone thinks this is not for them. Seriously. None of us know where this is going. I love that you came here and said that so everyone knows what you're thinking. That's all part of the writing process.
And as I've said often here, this project is not just about crafting a good finished product. I wanted to do this (and hope you all did, too) because I wanted to put some 'play' in my writing process. So far, it's even better than I'd expected. On days when I'm exhausted from my site, my day job and being a momma, I like that I have five reasons not to just crawl into bed and 'write tomorrow.'
Fun stuff:
Mike. Love the proposed ending. Really do.
Back to the intro post, too. You said food. Trask said The African Queen. I'm leaning toward a classic movie. Maybe something with similar tropes as ours. I considered The Natural after re-watching this weekend. The baseball theme is cool since it's a J.P. thing. It's also deeply invested in 'seeing' and how the relationships in our lives either tear us down or build us up. That works here. Anyway, I'm leaning toward the classic film because I like the idea of tangential references to it (i.e. our individual post responses) being recognizable, and something that could spark a variety of conversations (i.e. costume, food, actors, themes, etc.) So you could totally talk about food. If you've seen The Natural, one of my favorite scenes is when Hobbs is eating Italian with one of the managers his first night on the team. You could let that lead you into town to feed a craving for Italian. Right? But all of our posts, though we may not name it, would make at least one clear reference to the movie. I'm up for other film suggestions, too.
We settle on that. Then we all head off. And you can do that here or on your own. Let's focus and do that before we do anything else. Then we can all go off and work on our own 10 pages. And please don't panic about that number. It's not a term paper. Ten pages of dialogue, due to spacing, flies. You won't be able to fit what you want into it. It's roughly 10 minutes of screen time. Two scenes.
But even if you don't post your actual working script here, please stop in to comment and even ask questions, such as, Is it believable that my character would . . .?
Or, if my character said this, what do you think her mother would say?
Hearing everyone's voices is nice. Even if not in mass volume like mine. What can I say?
First, John. I love that you wrote honestly. Please know (all of you) that if I think anything is awry, as in not enough volume in contributions, etc., I'm not a shy girl. I'll write and say something. Everyone writes differently. That said, it will not hurt my feelings one little bit if at any point (though sooner is probably better than later) anyone thinks this is not for them. Seriously. None of us know where this is going. I love that you came here and said that so everyone knows what you're thinking. That's all part of the writing process.
And as I've said often here, this project is not just about crafting a good finished product. I wanted to do this (and hope you all did, too) because I wanted to put some 'play' in my writing process. So far, it's even better than I'd expected. On days when I'm exhausted from my site, my day job and being a momma, I like that I have five reasons not to just crawl into bed and 'write tomorrow.'
Fun stuff:
Mike. Love the proposed ending. Really do.
Back to the intro post, too. You said food. Trask said The African Queen. I'm leaning toward a classic movie. Maybe something with similar tropes as ours. I considered The Natural after re-watching this weekend. The baseball theme is cool since it's a J.P. thing. It's also deeply invested in 'seeing' and how the relationships in our lives either tear us down or build us up. That works here. Anyway, I'm leaning toward the classic film because I like the idea of tangential references to it (i.e. our individual post responses) being recognizable, and something that could spark a variety of conversations (i.e. costume, food, actors, themes, etc.) So you could totally talk about food. If you've seen The Natural, one of my favorite scenes is when Hobbs is eating Italian with one of the managers his first night on the team. You could let that lead you into town to feed a craving for Italian. Right? But all of our posts, though we may not name it, would make at least one clear reference to the movie. I'm up for other film suggestions, too.
We settle on that. Then we all head off. And you can do that here or on your own. Let's focus and do that before we do anything else. Then we can all go off and work on our own 10 pages. And please don't panic about that number. It's not a term paper. Ten pages of dialogue, due to spacing, flies. You won't be able to fit what you want into it. It's roughly 10 minutes of screen time. Two scenes.
But even if you don't post your actual working script here, please stop in to comment and even ask questions, such as, Is it believable that my character would . . .?
Or, if my character said this, what do you think her mother would say?
Hearing everyone's voices is nice. Even if not in mass volume like mine. What can I say?
Mike's putting the cart before the horse . . .
. . . or, in this case, putting the cart before the horse's grandparents, but anyway . . .
How does this strike anyone for a last scene.
Everyone has left the (whatever) and gone home. The memories are fresh, the feelings are still strong from (whatever happened). Scene cuts to a back view of a man in a cowboy hat, sitting at a laptop on the back veranda of a horse farm. A voice over reads as he types about (whatever). The scene flashes to a dozen or so people, not the characters, reading as he types, then typing in their reactions.
And what would be really cool would be if those unknown people were us, as ourselves, in whatever place we usually type from.
How does this strike anyone for a last scene.
Everyone has left the (whatever) and gone home. The memories are fresh, the feelings are still strong from (whatever happened). Scene cuts to a back view of a man in a cowboy hat, sitting at a laptop on the back veranda of a horse farm. A voice over reads as he types about (whatever). The scene flashes to a dozen or so people, not the characters, reading as he types, then typing in their reactions.
And what would be really cool would be if those unknown people were us, as ourselves, in whatever place we usually type from.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
BLAME IT ON THE WEATHER, sez Willie
We were supposed to have snow and as a result, I am pretending to be at loose ends.
Reading John's post, I offer this bait to his contrarian soul.
CHARACTER: Peter Lake, age 33. Lives in Cleveland, OH, (280 miles to Lexington) where he works part time as PR director for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The rest of the time, he is a musician/music producer/promoter. He runs a small concert series that plays at Unitarian churches, clubs and assorted halls, featuring singer-songwriters, mostly. He has a long term relationship with a woman who is also on the fringe of the entertainment industry. She has done stand up and some small parts in small movies (has a SAG card) but she makes a living as a photographer's assistant/art director/ stylist for print ads. She has her own place, but they sleep together several nights a week. She is almost 30 and wants to get married and have hip, alternative babies.
We first see PL in his bedroom, talking with Pippi, the girlfriend. She wears ironic glasses in bed.
She: So who is being inducted this month?
He: You know they only induct once a year. I think the selection process is still several weeks away. What we have to guard against now is being accused of only inducting old dead people or taking in a bunch of punks who were born after Rock and Roll had pretty much died.
She: So you mean the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is on its third album?
He : Hunh?
She: The first album is the one that accumulates ten or fifteen years of trying to make it. The second album is mostly songs that wouldn't fit on the first one. And the third album, the one you have to write from scratch, is songs about being on the road and missing your baby. Even though it comes third, it's the sophomore slump.
He: yeah, That's where the Hall is as far as inductions are concerned. People We turned down before are not so sure they want to come now.
She: Well, the reason I asked is I have this location opportunity. Blah magazine wants Rod to do a swimsuit feature at Erroll Flynn's house in Jamaica and he wants me to go as best boy.
He: Best BOY?
She: Well, you know who his real best boy is. I am just the one who has to do the work.
He: When?
She: sometime after Christmas, probably before Spring gets here.Rod always likes to wait until the last possible minute, you know.
He: I still say you need to write a script about Rod. Or just get some of your pals to do a short or something. You know he'd love the attention.
(Here she might do a quicky imitation of Rod the photographer, who acts like Austin Powers with a southern accent) They tussle and clench and the camera fades as they begin seriously making love.
Later, PL posts to the Eye on his laptop, using a very groovy spotlight that shines just onto his screen, while Pippi sleeps on the other side of the bed. Of course he uses a Mac. Oddly, he seldom mentions music in his postings.
OK, if you don't like that, fix it. sometimes it is easier to have something to work against.
Reading John's post, I offer this bait to his contrarian soul.
CHARACTER: Peter Lake, age 33. Lives in Cleveland, OH, (280 miles to Lexington) where he works part time as PR director for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The rest of the time, he is a musician/music producer/promoter. He runs a small concert series that plays at Unitarian churches, clubs and assorted halls, featuring singer-songwriters, mostly. He has a long term relationship with a woman who is also on the fringe of the entertainment industry. She has done stand up and some small parts in small movies (has a SAG card) but she makes a living as a photographer's assistant/art director/ stylist for print ads. She has her own place, but they sleep together several nights a week. She is almost 30 and wants to get married and have hip, alternative babies.
We first see PL in his bedroom, talking with Pippi, the girlfriend. She wears ironic glasses in bed.
She: So who is being inducted this month?
He: You know they only induct once a year. I think the selection process is still several weeks away. What we have to guard against now is being accused of only inducting old dead people or taking in a bunch of punks who were born after Rock and Roll had pretty much died.
She: So you mean the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is on its third album?
He : Hunh?
She: The first album is the one that accumulates ten or fifteen years of trying to make it. The second album is mostly songs that wouldn't fit on the first one. And the third album, the one you have to write from scratch, is songs about being on the road and missing your baby. Even though it comes third, it's the sophomore slump.
He: yeah, That's where the Hall is as far as inductions are concerned. People We turned down before are not so sure they want to come now.
She: Well, the reason I asked is I have this location opportunity. Blah magazine wants Rod to do a swimsuit feature at Erroll Flynn's house in Jamaica and he wants me to go as best boy.
He: Best BOY?
She: Well, you know who his real best boy is. I am just the one who has to do the work.
He: When?
She: sometime after Christmas, probably before Spring gets here.Rod always likes to wait until the last possible minute, you know.
He: I still say you need to write a script about Rod. Or just get some of your pals to do a short or something. You know he'd love the attention.
(Here she might do a quicky imitation of Rod the photographer, who acts like Austin Powers with a southern accent) They tussle and clench and the camera fades as they begin seriously making love.
Later, PL posts to the Eye on his laptop, using a very groovy spotlight that shines just onto his screen, while Pippi sleeps on the other side of the bed. Of course he uses a Mac. Oddly, he seldom mentions music in his postings.
OK, if you don't like that, fix it. sometimes it is easier to have something to work against.
John falls on own sword
through no ones fault but his own. Right now I'm feeling dumb as a pile of bricks 'cos I drifted away from this a bit, which I can't justify since I've been posting more than usual at the eye but mostly I feel like a deer in the headlights. For this I apologize. We all have other stuff going on but I totally lost the ball in the sun.
I think the three core contributors have done a ton of great stuff and I appreciate it so much. I'm not used to working on something asynchronously with so many folks, it just feels like too many chefs in the kitchen, and each chef has more than a little anarchist in him/her. I know I do which makes it difficult for me to contribute which is very ironic since I worked in organizational and leadership development for a few years and spearheaded self-directed (smoke and mirrors) teamwork. I still have flashbacks and post traumatic stress syndrome from it.
I guess what I'm hinting at is that I don't feel I have any value to add until the concrete hardens just a bit and promise not to try to undo anything that's been agreed upon. Give me a specific problem and I'll try to kill it for you. I might be able to work on the dead guy since his interaction is short lived.
I don't know why I'm struggling with this, but like I said I lost sight.
If you prefer to saw off my non-contributing branch I totally understand and respect you for it.
Thanks
John
I think the three core contributors have done a ton of great stuff and I appreciate it so much. I'm not used to working on something asynchronously with so many folks, it just feels like too many chefs in the kitchen, and each chef has more than a little anarchist in him/her. I know I do which makes it difficult for me to contribute which is very ironic since I worked in organizational and leadership development for a few years and spearheaded self-directed (smoke and mirrors) teamwork. I still have flashbacks and post traumatic stress syndrome from it.
I guess what I'm hinting at is that I don't feel I have any value to add until the concrete hardens just a bit and promise not to try to undo anything that's been agreed upon. Give me a specific problem and I'll try to kill it for you. I might be able to work on the dead guy since his interaction is short lived.
I don't know why I'm struggling with this, but like I said I lost sight.
If you prefer to saw off my non-contributing branch I totally understand and respect you for it.
Thanks
John
Willie , wondering
Hi , Olivia and everybody else,
I agree, the format of the Blog is a little tricky to manage, but it's not so bad once we learn where to go and how to get there. As for the screenplay format, I figure we can make somebody else do the dirty work there.
O, why don't you start by asking some questions, either of the crew or of yourself.
For instance, What about your character. Based on you? Based on somebody else? Made up entirely? Can your character live anywhere, or is something about where (s)he lives important? What age did you have in mind? Committed? Conflicted? Employed? Independent? Educated? Friendly or feisty? Politically engaged or concerned with other things? Talkative or pensive? Introvert or extrovert? Smoldering or quick to ignite? Scarred and scared, or eager for adventure? Spiritual or religious? Chocolate or Peanut Butter?
Many of those things have nothing to do with the kind of posts the character will contribute, but some of them might. And some of them could dictate the way we meet the character or the way the character wanders through life. I suspect you will be frustrated by the lack of description in a screenplay. I would say GO AHEAD , DESCRIBE ANYWAY. It might help somebody somewhere along the line.
I think we all have to know that while we get to write our own characters, at some point, the group is supposed to come in and monkey with what we have done. Some of the time, that might make it easier to start, knowing there will be another step. Some of the time, it might just be intimidating. I hope for the first one.
Can everybody at least come up with a name for a character? And then fill in with an approximate age and a little description? That might inspire another member to assist with fill -ins, dialogue, etc. Right now, I think everybody is waiting on everybody else.
I agree, the format of the Blog is a little tricky to manage, but it's not so bad once we learn where to go and how to get there. As for the screenplay format, I figure we can make somebody else do the dirty work there.
O, why don't you start by asking some questions, either of the crew or of yourself.
For instance, What about your character. Based on you? Based on somebody else? Made up entirely? Can your character live anywhere, or is something about where (s)he lives important? What age did you have in mind? Committed? Conflicted? Employed? Independent? Educated? Friendly or feisty? Politically engaged or concerned with other things? Talkative or pensive? Introvert or extrovert? Smoldering or quick to ignite? Scarred and scared, or eager for adventure? Spiritual or religious? Chocolate or Peanut Butter?
Many of those things have nothing to do with the kind of posts the character will contribute, but some of them might. And some of them could dictate the way we meet the character or the way the character wanders through life. I suspect you will be frustrated by the lack of description in a screenplay. I would say GO AHEAD , DESCRIBE ANYWAY. It might help somebody somewhere along the line.
I think we all have to know that while we get to write our own characters, at some point, the group is supposed to come in and monkey with what we have done. Some of the time, that might make it easier to start, knowing there will be another step. Some of the time, it might just be intimidating. I hope for the first one.
Can everybody at least come up with a name for a character? And then fill in with an approximate age and a little description? That might inspire another member to assist with fill -ins, dialogue, etc. Right now, I think everybody is waiting on everybody else.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Olivia's third cent
Oh, and I am so uncomfortable with this whole format. I wish it were a bit more user-friendly. I'm sure it's just me, but I am having hell with it.
Olivia's two cents
For the record, I feel totally incompetent here. I can just go on a tear, writing stuff, but I'm kinda lost in this format. I apologize for being so clueless and noncontributory. I like all of your ideas, and I keep trying to figure out what to do with them. I just think of starting off with me sitting at the keyboard, posting my thoughts as I often do. Oddly, though, family ghosts keep looking over my shoulder. Sometimes the results are ok, sometimes funny (at least to me), and sometimes terrifying or emotionally wrenching. Still striving to figure how to fit in here in some productive way. I so want to, but I feel rather inadequate to the task. Of course, that's never stopped me before, just saying...
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Mike's Peterman's idea
Since we're throwing ideas into the ring, here's what I came up with, mostly because it fits with an idea I have for intro-ing my character.
A history of sandwiches! Discussion about the concept, the creation, and variations, from the simple to the dagwood and everything in-between.
The reason behind this idea is, I want the discussion to make my character hungry, which will give him a reason to take his dog for a walk to town, where he can sit at an outdoor cafe (suddenly, he's not from Nebraska) and talk to a few people about being frustrated with his latest story and mention how he's distracting himself.
Ideas?
A history of sandwiches! Discussion about the concept, the creation, and variations, from the simple to the dagwood and everything in-between.
The reason behind this idea is, I want the discussion to make my character hungry, which will give him a reason to take his dog for a walk to town, where he can sit at an outdoor cafe (suddenly, he's not from Nebraska) and talk to a few people about being frustrated with his latest story and mention how he's distracting himself.
Ideas?
Willie suggests
For the first Topic, some variation on THE AFRICAN QUEEN.
It looks like an Eye topic, it has the potential to go all over the place- Bogart and Bacall, Africa, Queens, ( the place) queens ( plural of a monarch )boats, movies, etc.
For all I know, there may have been an African Queen topic one day and I am too stupid to remember. and too lazy to go back and check. I, too, will be hiding out much of this Long Weekend and look forward to seeing several people's Better Ideas up here when I get back.
Stay warm. It is about 15 degrees in SC.
It looks like an Eye topic, it has the potential to go all over the place- Bogart and Bacall, Africa, Queens, ( the place) queens ( plural of a monarch )boats, movies, etc.
For all I know, there may have been an African Queen topic one day and I am too stupid to remember. and too lazy to go back and check. I, too, will be hiding out much of this Long Weekend and look forward to seeing several people's Better Ideas up here when I get back.
Stay warm. It is about 15 degrees in SC.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Willie's Outline Good By Me
From the desk of . . . Jen
Just read your outline, Trask. Love the roman numerals.
I think it's rock solid. A good working line. I commented more specifically on the post.
And, for the record, I think you throw a pretty provocative pasta—Pollack would be proud.
And how's that for alliteration.
Must windex my monitor now.
Ga'night.
Just read your outline, Trask. Love the roman numerals.
I think it's rock solid. A good working line. I commented more specifically on the post.
And, for the record, I think you throw a pretty provocative pasta—Pollack would be proud.
And how's that for alliteration.
Must windex my monitor now.
Ga'night.
Re: Mike's topic request
(Jen here)
Yes. We all need to be posting on the same topic in the opening scene. That way people get a feeling for the unity between the characters, caused by the site.
I think it should be travel/adventure related. But something specific.
My mind hurts now. Someone else pick something random. How about we all post one and then we vote?
J
Yes. We all need to be posting on the same topic in the opening scene. That way people get a feeling for the unity between the characters, caused by the site.
I think it should be travel/adventure related. But something specific.
My mind hurts now. Someone else pick something random. How about we all post one and then we vote?
J
Mike looks for words . . .
Ok, I'm working on intro-ing my character, but I'm missing something a tad vital . . . a Peterman topic to write about, for the voice over. Without it, all he has are two lines (and the dog has one). Any thoughts? Do we all want to start off on the same topic when we're introducing our characters, or have them pop up at different times?
Focus, Trask!
Miss Ive is too sentimental for any real writing today, as you've seen at the 'other site,' as Trask said.
(And, Trask—(slapping you across face) focus, man!)
I want you to do what you did with the bricks today over here. It was brilliant.
I have something personal to deal with for the next few days, so I'm leaving you in charge, as crazy as that sounds.
That's probably a horrible idea.
But you know what they say, all great writing is born from horrible ideas.
And see? My dark side returns.
(And, Trask—(slapping you across face) focus, man!)
I want you to do what you did with the bricks today over here. It was brilliant.
I have something personal to deal with for the next few days, so I'm leaving you in charge, as crazy as that sounds.
That's probably a horrible idea.
But you know what they say, all great writing is born from horrible ideas.
And see? My dark side returns.
lead us not into temptation
Over on that other site, MissIve said "And everybody remembers when they were laid"
It's been so long for me, I'm having more and more trouble...
sorry.
It's been so long for me, I'm having more and more trouble...
sorry.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
willie, late to the dance ( again)
So nice to hear from you Olivia. I am sure that you and ALL of the less frequent posters are working elsewhere, ready to spring the whole thing on those of us who fret and fumble more publicly. I look forward to seeing what percolates.
I see Jen has altered our name. Sooner or later, we will have to think about a title fpor the script. Maybe we will be lucky and it will survive to filming.
JP is a public figure, meaning we can refer to him without his permission. The Eye itself is his property and we will need his permission to use its name and something that looks like it on film. I certainly hope the publicity will be sufficiently good to make him grant us that permission. That is someone else's worry later on.
So, how about what makes us come down right? What is right as we see it?
Mike, John, what say you? Pam? So much of what I have posted is like someone else said- spaghetti thrown up to see if it will stick. Are we producing an attractive arrangement of noodles, or is there a puddle on the floor?
Here is a revised outline, still pretty vague:
Sc 1: Introduce female character I
Sc II Introduce the Eye
Sc III, introduce male character I
Sc IV introduce Katz
Sc V more Eye
Sc VI, more characters, introduced via Eye and otherwise ( 2d male, 2d female?)
Sc VII Katz and Lisa visit.
Sc VIII any last characters introduced. (3rd female)
Sc IX Death of Katz
Sc X, Lisa visits Katz family
Sc XI Katz Death announced
Sc XII Eyesters begin plotting funeral visit
Sc XIII Two women begin trek
Sc XIV One man joins them
Sc XV Funeral visitation? Who all is here from the Eye
Sc XVI Hotel?
SC XVII Funeral- first connection of all five together
SC XVIII Drinking and talking
Sc XIX Some stay on
Sc XX Some slip away to sleep and blog
Sc XXI Hooking up or not
Sc XXII Well, hooking up anyway
Sc XXIII The next day
SC XXIV farewell
Sc XXV Blogging again
Roll Credits
PLEASE tell me what is wrong- offer better ideas when they come up. Help flesh out the gaps, make some sense where it is missing.
We will need to write our own posts, to figure out how long the time runs ( I think Thanksgiving to Easter, more or less ) Where the characters live, what they drive, how to keep them sorted, how to make them mesh quickly, etc. There is work to be done, but time and space to do it.
I wish you all a pleasant and productive weekend
And goodnight to all of you in Over The Shoulder land, too..
Willie
I see Jen has altered our name. Sooner or later, we will have to think about a title fpor the script. Maybe we will be lucky and it will survive to filming.
JP is a public figure, meaning we can refer to him without his permission. The Eye itself is his property and we will need his permission to use its name and something that looks like it on film. I certainly hope the publicity will be sufficiently good to make him grant us that permission. That is someone else's worry later on.
So, how about what makes us come down right? What is right as we see it?
Mike, John, what say you? Pam? So much of what I have posted is like someone else said- spaghetti thrown up to see if it will stick. Are we producing an attractive arrangement of noodles, or is there a puddle on the floor?
Here is a revised outline, still pretty vague:
Sc 1: Introduce female character I
Sc II Introduce the Eye
Sc III, introduce male character I
Sc IV introduce Katz
Sc V more Eye
Sc VI, more characters, introduced via Eye and otherwise ( 2d male, 2d female?)
Sc VII Katz and Lisa visit.
Sc VIII any last characters introduced. (3rd female)
Sc IX Death of Katz
Sc X, Lisa visits Katz family
Sc XI Katz Death announced
Sc XII Eyesters begin plotting funeral visit
Sc XIII Two women begin trek
Sc XIV One man joins them
Sc XV Funeral visitation? Who all is here from the Eye
Sc XVI Hotel?
SC XVII Funeral- first connection of all five together
SC XVIII Drinking and talking
Sc XIX Some stay on
Sc XX Some slip away to sleep and blog
Sc XXI Hooking up or not
Sc XXII Well, hooking up anyway
Sc XXIII The next day
SC XXIV farewell
Sc XXV Blogging again
Roll Credits
PLEASE tell me what is wrong- offer better ideas when they come up. Help flesh out the gaps, make some sense where it is missing.
We will need to write our own posts, to figure out how long the time runs ( I think Thanksgiving to Easter, more or less ) Where the characters live, what they drive, how to keep them sorted, how to make them mesh quickly, etc. There is work to be done, but time and space to do it.
I wish you all a pleasant and productive weekend
And goodnight to all of you in Over The Shoulder land, too..
Willie
Olivia intones...
I'm not slacking, guys. I'm just thinking about this. I have to percolate a bit sometimes. I'll splatter some foolishness all round sometime soon, promise.
New Blog Title
(Miss Ive here)
What think? Yes? No? I was thinking that people may start stopping in and the title should reflect the trope of the play. My only hesitation is that Mr. Peterman will feel we're appropriating his name. Obviously Seinfeld already did that.
I'm uber-sensitive about appropriating someone's real life and making it a figment of our imagination. I think that because at no point do we plan to have him (even fictionally) appear in the play, or plan to suggest he has any agency in the play, such as planning a party, giving the characters gifts, etc, I feel fine with it. It's about the characters and their quests in their own lives, not him.
Thoughts? Suggestions for title. Keeping in mind I want it to be easy and searchable, always the marketer.
When we get a little further, I plan to spread this url to people who do film full-time, and see if anything happens.
So title matters. Not screenplay title necessarily, but project title. Make sense?
If we agree on something, I'll build a new blog with a matching url, and export this blog to that one. All will be retained.
Okay.
Jen is going to her mattress to dissolve into it. So bloody tired.
Trask, the list sounded like you. But I never know. Ya know?
I read the first part of your post. Will finish soon. If I don't rest, nothing creative will come this way.
P.S. I watched the Women remake even though I was warned. Was, hands down, the worst writing/film I've ever seen. And she wrote Something's Gotta Give, one of my all-time favorites. Just goes to show, when you hit it, you hit it.
What think? Yes? No? I was thinking that people may start stopping in and the title should reflect the trope of the play. My only hesitation is that Mr. Peterman will feel we're appropriating his name. Obviously Seinfeld already did that.
I'm uber-sensitive about appropriating someone's real life and making it a figment of our imagination. I think that because at no point do we plan to have him (even fictionally) appear in the play, or plan to suggest he has any agency in the play, such as planning a party, giving the characters gifts, etc, I feel fine with it. It's about the characters and their quests in their own lives, not him.
Thoughts? Suggestions for title. Keeping in mind I want it to be easy and searchable, always the marketer.
When we get a little further, I plan to spread this url to people who do film full-time, and see if anything happens.
So title matters. Not screenplay title necessarily, but project title. Make sense?
If we agree on something, I'll build a new blog with a matching url, and export this blog to that one. All will be retained.
Okay.
Jen is going to her mattress to dissolve into it. So bloody tired.
Trask, the list sounded like you. But I never know. Ya know?
I read the first part of your post. Will finish soon. If I don't rest, nothing creative will come this way.
P.S. I watched the Women remake even though I was warned. Was, hands down, the worst writing/film I've ever seen. And she wrote Something's Gotta Give, one of my all-time favorites. Just goes to show, when you hit it, you hit it.
tone, or tony or anthony to my mom
(willie)
Sorry, Jen says Tone and I think of A. Soprano, waist management consultant.
Jen, who do you WANT to have written the funeral list? We can be whoever you want.
I think you may be underestimating how long it takes to get to the funeral, but I could be wrong. If it is a 100 minute movie ( a little short) I like getting there to take, say, 30-35 minutes, the funeral itself to take 15, the wake and after-wake to take 30 and the kiss-off to get what scraps are left.
When I go to tell someone else about a movie,( usually with Arseburger-like need to tell details, but ADD-like recollection of them,) I like to get in both the plot/story and the structure. As we all know, most movies these days do not tell the story in the most direct fashion. I bring this up because Love Actually has a very different tone and pace, but is not really that different from the Guy Ritchie movies in structure. Many many many plots seem to be all over the place except they link up with a cute little girl singing.
Maybe that is what is missing from SNATCH, a cute girl singing, or, come to that, any female characters to speak of in either Snatch or Lock Stock. Sure little get-along parts like the diamond merchant's daughters and the Gypsy mom, but not much else- in either one.
Sorry, it just hit me. Kind of like no big male stars in The Women, nark nark. I really didn't like the Women remake.
But back to OUR movie. Let's try not to be Seven plots woven into one tapestry of love and fulfillment, like Love Actually. Let's just introduce our people, make them real, make them have lives offline, but concentrate on the online thing. Then the death and its revelation, some reason and way to go to the funeral ( I vote for two women travel together, pick up one guy all before they get there, so the meeting and mixing isn't too general, then they can also speak aloud the confusion over who is and who isn't an eyester. Voice over is good ( see THE RACHEL PAPERS, where he just talks to the camera now and then) but good old dialogue is better. You know, don't tell me, show me...
So anyway, I return to, ooops, what have I got in my pocket?
Sorry.
Anyway, I return to my thought about that early-middle structure: Jen and Pam meet to travel together, immediately friends, no need for a lot of bonding experiences. Maybe they are on a train (Somebody has to have a laptop. Can you get the internet on a train?) . Trains are better because nobody has to navigate. Then Mike joins them before they get to the funeral, but he needs more back and forth. First of all, he keeps thinking "Pam is even hotter than Jen. Who knew" And then our Three Eye-keteers hit the funeral together where they scan the horizon and eventually find Peter-John and Olivia. Hilarity ensues, or at least serious drinkage. And then, either Peter-John hooks up with Pam or Jen, or Mike does with Olivia. And the couple that doesn't hook up sweetly and earnestly talks into the night. And the hook up isn't immediate or obvious, but it starts there. And one person goes off to bed early, posting one more time before they go to sleep.
And there is a breakfast buffet scene at the hotel the next morning. Sheepish grins, hands held, maybe, laptop on the table a New Day a New Topic. Lots of discussion of hangover cures, toothpicks to hold my eyes open, etc.
By the way, when I have a chance, I like to tell really complicated stories using the salt and pepper shakers and the silverware as characters, maybe even the sugar packets. Can somebody do that in the movie? You know, circles and arrows-style, only using ordinary tableware, as found in homes across America. Mike? Peter-John? Olivia?
Sorry, Jen says Tone and I think of A. Soprano, waist management consultant.
Jen, who do you WANT to have written the funeral list? We can be whoever you want.
I think you may be underestimating how long it takes to get to the funeral, but I could be wrong. If it is a 100 minute movie ( a little short) I like getting there to take, say, 30-35 minutes, the funeral itself to take 15, the wake and after-wake to take 30 and the kiss-off to get what scraps are left.
When I go to tell someone else about a movie,( usually with Arseburger-like need to tell details, but ADD-like recollection of them,) I like to get in both the plot/story and the structure. As we all know, most movies these days do not tell the story in the most direct fashion. I bring this up because Love Actually has a very different tone and pace, but is not really that different from the Guy Ritchie movies in structure. Many many many plots seem to be all over the place except they link up with a cute little girl singing.
Maybe that is what is missing from SNATCH, a cute girl singing, or, come to that, any female characters to speak of in either Snatch or Lock Stock. Sure little get-along parts like the diamond merchant's daughters and the Gypsy mom, but not much else- in either one.
Sorry, it just hit me. Kind of like no big male stars in The Women, nark nark. I really didn't like the Women remake.
But back to OUR movie. Let's try not to be Seven plots woven into one tapestry of love and fulfillment, like Love Actually. Let's just introduce our people, make them real, make them have lives offline, but concentrate on the online thing. Then the death and its revelation, some reason and way to go to the funeral ( I vote for two women travel together, pick up one guy all before they get there, so the meeting and mixing isn't too general, then they can also speak aloud the confusion over who is and who isn't an eyester. Voice over is good ( see THE RACHEL PAPERS, where he just talks to the camera now and then) but good old dialogue is better. You know, don't tell me, show me...
So anyway, I return to, ooops, what have I got in my pocket?
Sorry.
Anyway, I return to my thought about that early-middle structure: Jen and Pam meet to travel together, immediately friends, no need for a lot of bonding experiences. Maybe they are on a train (Somebody has to have a laptop. Can you get the internet on a train?) . Trains are better because nobody has to navigate. Then Mike joins them before they get to the funeral, but he needs more back and forth. First of all, he keeps thinking "Pam is even hotter than Jen. Who knew" And then our Three Eye-keteers hit the funeral together where they scan the horizon and eventually find Peter-John and Olivia. Hilarity ensues, or at least serious drinkage. And then, either Peter-John hooks up with Pam or Jen, or Mike does with Olivia. And the couple that doesn't hook up sweetly and earnestly talks into the night. And the hook up isn't immediate or obvious, but it starts there. And one person goes off to bed early, posting one more time before they go to sleep.
And there is a breakfast buffet scene at the hotel the next morning. Sheepish grins, hands held, maybe, laptop on the table a New Day a New Topic. Lots of discussion of hangover cures, toothpicks to hold my eyes open, etc.
By the way, when I have a chance, I like to tell really complicated stories using the salt and pepper shakers and the silverware as characters, maybe even the sugar packets. Can somebody do that in the movie? You know, circles and arrows-style, only using ordinary tableware, as found in homes across America. Mike? Peter-John? Olivia?
Jen's Vote Re: Mike
"Dead Poster: the funeral from 4 Weddings and a Funeral meets either Little Miss Sunshine, Thelma and Louise, or Smokey and the Bandit."
I dig. And I love the tone of Little Miss Sunshine. Poignant, dark, gooooood.
(And I'm sticking out my tongue at you, Mike. Take this. See if you can get this out of your head all night.)
I dig. And I love the tone of Little Miss Sunshine. Poignant, dark, gooooood.
(And I'm sticking out my tongue at you, Mike. Take this. See if you can get this out of your head all night.)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Mike looks at why . . .
I'm trying to look at the various scenarios from an outside point of view, and here's what I've come up with:
Peterman Party Winners: Grown up version of Willy Wonka meets the Wizard of Oz.
Dead Poster: the funeral from 4 Weddings and a Funeral meets either Little Miss Sunshine, Thelma and Louise, or Smokey and the Bandit.
either of which would make for interesting film.
Maybe I'm looking at things weird . . .
Oh, and Jen . . . nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah :P
Peterman Party Winners: Grown up version of Willy Wonka meets the Wizard of Oz.
Dead Poster: the funeral from 4 Weddings and a Funeral meets either Little Miss Sunshine, Thelma and Louise, or Smokey and the Bandit.
either of which would make for interesting film.
Maybe I'm looking at things weird . . .
Oh, and Jen . . . nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah :P
Tone
Trask. You crack me up. (Jen here)
"Even if he says it to all three women."
Do you smile or laugh out loud when you write? Just how deadpan is your humor? It's so strange to be friends with people and not know these things. I wonder that about many of you. Some voices I can hear better. I think we all know Olivia laughs (and cries, dear girl) when she posts. These are the interesting things that will come out when the characters meet.
Thanks for summarizing, too, Trask. Yes. Six characters bond online. They all meet, each with their own reason for attending the funeral. I'm sticking with funeral.
So now we all find our way there in about ten pages. About 10 minutes onscreen. Two nice scenes. And as far as the plot questions you were asking about, Trask, I think we have to keep them character-driven rather than plot-driven. So no unsolvable murders to explore, etc. Just a snap shot or two into the life. Explore the theme of online life weaving together with offline friends. Then use that interaction to create a natural arc that points toward taking the trip. A death, a divorce, a pregnancy, a curiosity about someone else going. But I really think the focus here is the relationships in each character's life and within the six, not JP. He's just the beacon/ending point, just as the Eye is now. Not that he's irrelevant, as it is his passions/aesthetic to which we are all drawn. They are the common bond that we all bring even upon entering the Eye.
As far as scene length and editing, think Love Actually. But as far as tone, which to some extent should be consistent, I'm thinking more like Sideways. A dark, character-driven story, heavy dialogue, mixed with dark, deadpan humor. That doesn't mean everyone has to use that tone when they're in their own scenes. Some might just be drama. But I don't see sitcom-style humor. And when we all mix, things will play out how they should.
So who wrote the reasons for attending the funeral list?
"Even if he says it to all three women."
Do you smile or laugh out loud when you write? Just how deadpan is your humor? It's so strange to be friends with people and not know these things. I wonder that about many of you. Some voices I can hear better. I think we all know Olivia laughs (and cries, dear girl) when she posts. These are the interesting things that will come out when the characters meet.
Thanks for summarizing, too, Trask. Yes. Six characters bond online. They all meet, each with their own reason for attending the funeral. I'm sticking with funeral.
So now we all find our way there in about ten pages. About 10 minutes onscreen. Two nice scenes. And as far as the plot questions you were asking about, Trask, I think we have to keep them character-driven rather than plot-driven. So no unsolvable murders to explore, etc. Just a snap shot or two into the life. Explore the theme of online life weaving together with offline friends. Then use that interaction to create a natural arc that points toward taking the trip. A death, a divorce, a pregnancy, a curiosity about someone else going. But I really think the focus here is the relationships in each character's life and within the six, not JP. He's just the beacon/ending point, just as the Eye is now. Not that he's irrelevant, as it is his passions/aesthetic to which we are all drawn. They are the common bond that we all bring even upon entering the Eye.
As far as scene length and editing, think Love Actually. But as far as tone, which to some extent should be consistent, I'm thinking more like Sideways. A dark, character-driven story, heavy dialogue, mixed with dark, deadpan humor. That doesn't mean everyone has to use that tone when they're in their own scenes. Some might just be drama. But I don't see sitcom-style humor. And when we all mix, things will play out how they should.
So who wrote the reasons for attending the funeral list?
The Bloody Who
And Mike, I've had that song in my head ever since this afternoon. I'm gonna get you back. Thinking. . .
P.S. PeterLake, are you out there? Have we scared you away with mad rantings?
-Jen
P.S. PeterLake, are you out there? Have we scared you away with mad rantings?
-Jen
another way of looking at it
Willie, once again,
Maybe this picture is the Wizard of Oz. If ever a whiz of a wiz there was, Peterman is, because because...
I think we are well served by discussing the various avenues that might bring our pilgrims together. There are good reasons for a picnic and good reasons for a funeral. In some ways, we don't have to decide, or our decision doesn't always matter. To first expose the character, we don't need to know. AND, once the characters DO meet, how and why is less important than what they do while they are together. But that middle, the part where we are deciding how much we need to know about various characters- like if we want him to shoot somebody, we have to give him the gun in advance- THAT certainly colors the other parts.
So, a Vote? a debate? right now we can afford to throw around ideas that may not survive, like the Honor Roll checks or the gay brother. This may be like setting the table with forks and spoons that won't be used, or it may be like going ahead and getting a few extra napkins.
So , who likes what and why? Is our theme the relationships between posters, or do we all really want to see Oz? Is the face to face the real thing or is that just the logical extension of the posts? What about the much discussed I Katz? Is he the glue or the wood?
Me, I talk too much, but I like the idea of enough relating before the meeting that the hook has been set- seeing each other face to face already HAS to work because these people, well, they love each other already. It may not be kiss kiss love, but it is deep attachment. It may include longing that won't work out or it may be just what Ig never had the chance to enjoy - a relationship built on other attractions than the physical that culminates In the physical, because they are too far gone to care about looks by now.
And any man who meets a woman he is already in love with and DOESN'T SAY "You are much prettier than I thought or wished or had any right to hope for..." well, that man deserves to go home alone. Even if he says it to all three women.
Isn't this the pitch?
Five or six people meet online and are drawn together first by their love for the community, then thrown together by circumstances and they have a good time.
Do you reckon that's it? So we have to make that first bond and its sources obvious, then think of a force to create the second bond, then come up with some way to make the two bonds either work together or at least not negate each other. And then we have to do something to let it end.
Cause let's face it, drawing the lines between chapters is half of the battle,.
I may not have told everybody but I am a lawyer, a criminal defense lawyer. A smarter guy than I am said that any story of an assault is really a story of self-defense. You just have to know where to start the story.
And where to start and end the story determines whether it is a story of anticipating something, the story of getting what you worked hard for, the story of being disappointed when your life didn't change after you got the thing you worked so hard for, or what. Will our six people climb the mountain and attain enlightenment? Will they all reach decisions? Will they get lucky? I suggest that we need to figure out what will make us say "My character ended up in a good place"
I talk too much, but who likes what and why and what is your character's ideal end-place?
To bow and to bend, we shan't be ashamed. To turn, turn will be our delight, til by turning turning, we come down right.
Maybe this picture is the Wizard of Oz. If ever a whiz of a wiz there was, Peterman is, because because...
I think we are well served by discussing the various avenues that might bring our pilgrims together. There are good reasons for a picnic and good reasons for a funeral. In some ways, we don't have to decide, or our decision doesn't always matter. To first expose the character, we don't need to know. AND, once the characters DO meet, how and why is less important than what they do while they are together. But that middle, the part where we are deciding how much we need to know about various characters- like if we want him to shoot somebody, we have to give him the gun in advance- THAT certainly colors the other parts.
So, a Vote? a debate? right now we can afford to throw around ideas that may not survive, like the Honor Roll checks or the gay brother. This may be like setting the table with forks and spoons that won't be used, or it may be like going ahead and getting a few extra napkins.
So , who likes what and why? Is our theme the relationships between posters, or do we all really want to see Oz? Is the face to face the real thing or is that just the logical extension of the posts? What about the much discussed I Katz? Is he the glue or the wood?
Me, I talk too much, but I like the idea of enough relating before the meeting that the hook has been set- seeing each other face to face already HAS to work because these people, well, they love each other already. It may not be kiss kiss love, but it is deep attachment. It may include longing that won't work out or it may be just what Ig never had the chance to enjoy - a relationship built on other attractions than the physical that culminates In the physical, because they are too far gone to care about looks by now.
And any man who meets a woman he is already in love with and DOESN'T SAY "You are much prettier than I thought or wished or had any right to hope for..." well, that man deserves to go home alone. Even if he says it to all three women.
Isn't this the pitch?
Five or six people meet online and are drawn together first by their love for the community, then thrown together by circumstances and they have a good time.
Do you reckon that's it? So we have to make that first bond and its sources obvious, then think of a force to create the second bond, then come up with some way to make the two bonds either work together or at least not negate each other. And then we have to do something to let it end.
Cause let's face it, drawing the lines between chapters is half of the battle,.
I may not have told everybody but I am a lawyer, a criminal defense lawyer. A smarter guy than I am said that any story of an assault is really a story of self-defense. You just have to know where to start the story.
And where to start and end the story determines whether it is a story of anticipating something, the story of getting what you worked hard for, the story of being disappointed when your life didn't change after you got the thing you worked so hard for, or what. Will our six people climb the mountain and attain enlightenment? Will they all reach decisions? Will they get lucky? I suggest that we need to figure out what will make us say "My character ended up in a good place"
I talk too much, but who likes what and why and what is your character's ideal end-place?
To bow and to bend, we shan't be ashamed. To turn, turn will be our delight, til by turning turning, we come down right.
Number 16!!!
First, WELCOME PAM!!! And I think the note on the door of the party, cancelled is good plot-wise. Just one thing. I really, really, (Pam you may not have been here for this) want Mr. P to remain an enigma, as he is now on the site. Almost as though we're not even sure he exists. Like the Almighty Oz. If he throws a party, even if it's cancelled, we lose that. Make sense?
I know this all feels fuzzy right now, but I am trying to embrace a bit of the ebb and flow rather than rush to a concrete plan. Let's enjoy doing this for a while. Keep putting things out there. That's why I wanted to work with a big bunch, just to see the process. We're fine on our deadline. I'll keep us where we have to be there.
This is awesome stuff so far. Not all of it matches and aligns perfectly, but that's fine. Now where's our Olivia? Psssst. . .
Trask, loved the cigar. Scotch? Cheers, man. I think we'll have to execute a real meeting with this gang after all is said and done.
I don't know who wrote the 'why I went to the funeral' post, but please, please, please let me have number 16. Seriously. I want that. That's so perfect. I was thinking I wanted my character's marriage to be on the rocks. Maybe she goes down seriously to get the nekkid, or at least suggestive, jpegs! I love it.
I also loved the 'I got fired and three months pay.' That works. It also answers for the time off and the desire to shake things up a bit. This would obviously be the guy who gets plastered and tries to do karaoke into his snifter at the wake. Right? Maybe Mike's publisher ends their contract with severence? Anyone see Sideways? Wine from a styrofoam cup? Awesome.
Pam, choose whoever you want to be. Really. Think about it. I'm sure all of us have seen that good writing comes from someplace real, not necessarily real to this world in detail and fact, but a place that moves you.
Night kids.
I know this all feels fuzzy right now, but I am trying to embrace a bit of the ebb and flow rather than rush to a concrete plan. Let's enjoy doing this for a while. Keep putting things out there. That's why I wanted to work with a big bunch, just to see the process. We're fine on our deadline. I'll keep us where we have to be there.
This is awesome stuff so far. Not all of it matches and aligns perfectly, but that's fine. Now where's our Olivia? Psssst. . .
Trask, loved the cigar. Scotch? Cheers, man. I think we'll have to execute a real meeting with this gang after all is said and done.
I don't know who wrote the 'why I went to the funeral' post, but please, please, please let me have number 16. Seriously. I want that. That's so perfect. I was thinking I wanted my character's marriage to be on the rocks. Maybe she goes down seriously to get the nekkid, or at least suggestive, jpegs! I love it.
I also loved the 'I got fired and three months pay.' That works. It also answers for the time off and the desire to shake things up a bit. This would obviously be the guy who gets plastered and tries to do karaoke into his snifter at the wake. Right? Maybe Mike's publisher ends their contract with severence? Anyone see Sideways? Wine from a styrofoam cup? Awesome.
Pam, choose whoever you want to be. Really. Think about it. I'm sure all of us have seen that good writing comes from someplace real, not necessarily real to this world in detail and fact, but a place that moves you.
Night kids.
How I got to this funeral
1) My pal____ called me and we decided to make a road trip
2) I just sold a short story and it reminded me of Katz.
3) I found a diamond ring in my parking lot at work and the owner was so overjoyed they gave me a thousand bucks.
4) I cashed in my frequent flyer miles
5) I called the trustee and asked him to send me an extra $5000 this week.
6) I sold my screenplay
7) I sold my blood
8) I sold my grandmother's wheelchair
9) I LIVE here.
10) He is my distant cousin.
11) I won $500 on powerball
12) I got fired from work, but they gave me three months salary.
13) My loving spouse gave me the money and insisted that I come
14) I broke up with my sweetheart and needed a lift.
15) I am hoping to hook up with a rich person and slowly bleed them dry
16) I am hoping to acquire the deceased's computer, since he has JPGs of me naked.
17) What business is that of yours?
18) I am hoping to acquire the deceased's computer, because he promised to send me the JPGs he has of this woman we both know and he never sent them.
19) No lie, I bought this chest of drawers and taped to the bottom of one of the drawers was an envelope full of money. Confederate money.
20) I had this gold coin that my ex gave me and I thought it was worth like $100 and I took it to a coin place and it turned out to be worth $1000. I hated that guy anyway.
21) I just really really really want to meet Peterman.
22) I got a dividend check in today- my first one ever.
23) I got a ROYALTY check today. My first one ever. OK, it was only $17, but I was so excited...
24) I am a part time artist and sold a painting today, or got a commission, or finally got paid for something that sold last year...
25) I got a new credit card in the mail and figured Why Not?
2) I just sold a short story and it reminded me of Katz.
3) I found a diamond ring in my parking lot at work and the owner was so overjoyed they gave me a thousand bucks.
4) I cashed in my frequent flyer miles
5) I called the trustee and asked him to send me an extra $5000 this week.
6) I sold my screenplay
7) I sold my blood
8) I sold my grandmother's wheelchair
9) I LIVE here.
10) He is my distant cousin.
11) I won $500 on powerball
12) I got fired from work, but they gave me three months salary.
13) My loving spouse gave me the money and insisted that I come
14) I broke up with my sweetheart and needed a lift.
15) I am hoping to hook up with a rich person and slowly bleed them dry
16) I am hoping to acquire the deceased's computer, since he has JPGs of me naked.
17) What business is that of yours?
18) I am hoping to acquire the deceased's computer, because he promised to send me the JPGs he has of this woman we both know and he never sent them.
19) No lie, I bought this chest of drawers and taped to the bottom of one of the drawers was an envelope full of money. Confederate money.
20) I had this gold coin that my ex gave me and I thought it was worth like $100 and I took it to a coin place and it turned out to be worth $1000. I hated that guy anyway.
21) I just really really really want to meet Peterman.
22) I got a dividend check in today- my first one ever.
23) I got a ROYALTY check today. My first one ever. OK, it was only $17, but I was so excited...
24) I am a part time artist and sold a painting today, or got a commission, or finally got paid for something that sold last year...
25) I got a new credit card in the mail and figured Why Not?
Acting like this stuff is free
(Willie)
OK, I realize I just made a three line post, but I am excited. I also just posted a comment on Pam's suggestion. And now, as if this stuff didn't COST MONEY, here I am again.
Here are my scenes, as I see them:
1) Ignatius/Jeff, in his room, bent over the computer, the Eye is visible over his shoulder. His mother calls from somewhere else in the house.
(M's voice) JEFF, it's Lisa Fouche' on the telephone.
(J) OK, Mom, I'm coming.
(takes phone from mother) Oh, hi, Lisa. haven't heard from you in a while. No, I moved back in with my folks a while ago. It just seemed easier. Yeah, my father is slowing down some, too. Sorry to hear about your mother. Hunh? Yeah, sure, you can come here or we can meet somewhere. OK. OK. OK, fine.
(hangs up) I guess I should have called her when her mother died.
(M) Well, that's OK. What happened to her husband? Are you going out on a date? You know Jeff, she always liked you, but I don't think you should be committing adultery with her.
(J) (sarcastically) Thanks for the advice, Mom. If the opportunity comes up, I'll be sure to tell her you think that's a bad idea. We're just going to have a coke down at the Stupid Shop.
(M) The Stupid Shop?
(J) You know, they call it the snak hut now, but remember it used to be the Smart Shop and we always called it the Stupid Shop.
(M) I never knew any of that.
(Jeff goes back downstairs, sniffs his own armpits, changes his shirt, puts on a jacket- camera lingers on the JP label and the big white writing underneath SAMPLE.
(cut to other character)
2) The Stupid Shak and after
Horn honks and Jeff/Ig walks out of his parents' front door and gets into a volvo wagon with Lisa. They will go to the Stupid Shak and drink a coke, but their conversation is about how her mother has died, how she travels back and forth from Lexington to here to check on her father fairly often, how Jeff is not worried about being unemployed, how he doesn't mind living at home...Lisa is married and has two small boys, (car seats) but they are at their other grandparents with their father. Jeff gets a chance to tell a little about how he didn't really care about a college degree, etc. Then she takes him home.
(Sitting in her car)
(L) Wait, you mean Peterman like J Peterman? Remember when we both worked there that summer? You stayed on after that, didn't you? I went back to school.
(J) Yeah, I stayed for a couple of years, driving a forklift and thinking about writing my novel. Course I never did. Peterman was a good guy to work for. I'm glad to see him back on top.
(L) So this blog has something to do with Peterman's?
(J) Yeah, sort of. He sets out a topic each day and then this school of ravenous blog posters bat it around and then bite off chunks of it. It's a lot of fun.
(L) And what is it called? How does he make money with it?
(J) Peterman's eye. You should check it out. I don't know if he does.
(L) Can we get that with AOL?
(J) sure
(L) I'll try to do that sometime. You take care Jeff.
(J) You, too. Thanks
(gets out of car, walks into house)
3) Lisa at Jeff's parents' door. Gee Mrs. Miller. I'm SO sorry. I was in town to check on my father and I hadn't talked with Jeff since that day around Thanksgiving. I had no idea.
(She walks in)
(M)Well, Jeff had been diagnosed with ALS- you know Lou Gherig's disease and he knew he didn't have long. It happened yesterday and we are still figuring out what to do.
(L) I thought that took years, though.
(M) It does. In fact, it wasn't the ALS that killed him. It was his heart, but he knew his time was coming. I think the heart attack still took him by surprise, though. His computer was on and he was just slumped over his desk when we found him.
Can you help me with something?
(L) sure.
(She follows his mother downstairs and there is the computer still on)
(M) We don't know how to turn it off and I didn't want to damage anything. He was always talking about writing a novel, you know.
(L) I don't know much about them, either, but we have one.
(wiggles mouse and screensaver fades to Eye)
(M) What is that?
(L)Oh. He told me about this. This is a weblog that the J Peterman company has.
(M) A Web-o-log? Is that like a catalogue?
(L) No, it's more like a bulletin board. People post their ideas and opinions. It looks like the people on this one are looking for someone named Ignatius Katz
tbc
OK, I realize I just made a three line post, but I am excited. I also just posted a comment on Pam's suggestion. And now, as if this stuff didn't COST MONEY, here I am again.
Here are my scenes, as I see them:
1) Ignatius/Jeff, in his room, bent over the computer, the Eye is visible over his shoulder. His mother calls from somewhere else in the house.
(M's voice) JEFF, it's Lisa Fouche' on the telephone.
(J) OK, Mom, I'm coming.
(takes phone from mother) Oh, hi, Lisa. haven't heard from you in a while. No, I moved back in with my folks a while ago. It just seemed easier. Yeah, my father is slowing down some, too. Sorry to hear about your mother. Hunh? Yeah, sure, you can come here or we can meet somewhere. OK. OK. OK, fine.
(hangs up) I guess I should have called her when her mother died.
(M) Well, that's OK. What happened to her husband? Are you going out on a date? You know Jeff, she always liked you, but I don't think you should be committing adultery with her.
(J) (sarcastically) Thanks for the advice, Mom. If the opportunity comes up, I'll be sure to tell her you think that's a bad idea. We're just going to have a coke down at the Stupid Shop.
(M) The Stupid Shop?
(J) You know, they call it the snak hut now, but remember it used to be the Smart Shop and we always called it the Stupid Shop.
(M) I never knew any of that.
(Jeff goes back downstairs, sniffs his own armpits, changes his shirt, puts on a jacket- camera lingers on the JP label and the big white writing underneath SAMPLE.
(cut to other character)
2) The Stupid Shak and after
Horn honks and Jeff/Ig walks out of his parents' front door and gets into a volvo wagon with Lisa. They will go to the Stupid Shak and drink a coke, but their conversation is about how her mother has died, how she travels back and forth from Lexington to here to check on her father fairly often, how Jeff is not worried about being unemployed, how he doesn't mind living at home...Lisa is married and has two small boys, (car seats) but they are at their other grandparents with their father. Jeff gets a chance to tell a little about how he didn't really care about a college degree, etc. Then she takes him home.
(Sitting in her car)
(L) Wait, you mean Peterman like J Peterman? Remember when we both worked there that summer? You stayed on after that, didn't you? I went back to school.
(J) Yeah, I stayed for a couple of years, driving a forklift and thinking about writing my novel. Course I never did. Peterman was a good guy to work for. I'm glad to see him back on top.
(L) So this blog has something to do with Peterman's?
(J) Yeah, sort of. He sets out a topic each day and then this school of ravenous blog posters bat it around and then bite off chunks of it. It's a lot of fun.
(L) And what is it called? How does he make money with it?
(J) Peterman's eye. You should check it out. I don't know if he does.
(L) Can we get that with AOL?
(J) sure
(L) I'll try to do that sometime. You take care Jeff.
(J) You, too. Thanks
(gets out of car, walks into house)
3) Lisa at Jeff's parents' door. Gee Mrs. Miller. I'm SO sorry. I was in town to check on my father and I hadn't talked with Jeff since that day around Thanksgiving. I had no idea.
(She walks in)
(M)Well, Jeff had been diagnosed with ALS- you know Lou Gherig's disease and he knew he didn't have long. It happened yesterday and we are still figuring out what to do.
(L) I thought that took years, though.
(M) It does. In fact, it wasn't the ALS that killed him. It was his heart, but he knew his time was coming. I think the heart attack still took him by surprise, though. His computer was on and he was just slumped over his desk when we found him.
Can you help me with something?
(L) sure.
(She follows his mother downstairs and there is the computer still on)
(M) We don't know how to turn it off and I didn't want to damage anything. He was always talking about writing a novel, you know.
(L) I don't know much about them, either, but we have one.
(wiggles mouse and screensaver fades to Eye)
(M) What is that?
(L)Oh. He told me about this. This is a weblog that the J Peterman company has.
(M) A Web-o-log? Is that like a catalogue?
(L) No, it's more like a bulletin board. People post their ideas and opinions. It looks like the people on this one are looking for someone named Ignatius Katz
tbc
willie lights his cigar
Back before Hannibal Lecter there was Hannibal Smith, as in the A Team.
I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER
I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER
Pam here
I wondered if the problem of how we all find out about the death and the travel issue could be solved if all of us went to the Homecoming Picnic in Kentucky, only to be informed by JP upon our arrival that Ig just died and will not be able to attend. The group of us could decide to make the trip to the wake/funeral, for various reasons, and travel there together. I know that would take away the mystery of trying to figure out who is from the Eye at the wake - I'm not sure we want to do that. But it would give all of our characters much more time together to develop a "real life" relationship during the journey to wherever Ig has died. Perhaps we could go by train and spend time in the bar car...
Really, whatever you think will work...
I don't mind being the "sensible one" or whomever...
Really, whatever you think will work...
I don't mind being the "sensible one" or whomever...
Ignatius
(Jen here)
Trask,
I like. So if I read you, we get to see him develope just like the others, then he dies, then we meet. I like. I like the JP clothing at the funeral, especially if he worked there and gave them as gifts. It would be weird and funny to for all the Eyesters trying to figure out who is who, especially if they didn't know he worked for JP. Maybe all the women are wearing the black 1947.
As far as the brother coming out, that's totally up to you and your three scenes, what you want people to know about your character's life. Sounds interesting.
And as far as ALS, I think it's perfect. Our dear family friend passed last week from it and the day before he died he was painting a picture for his daughter, so it is possible that Ignatius would post up until the end. I think it's perfect.
And I totally agree that the funeral should be very darkly awkward and funny. I love that sh@#.
Mike asked about season. Trask suggested opening on fall. If we're going for awkward funeral, it should not be the typical fall or winter death. I like spring or fall. Muddy ground or bees. So open in fall and end in spring? A nine-month-ish span?
Let's be more specific. We're a foody group, so let's open on a food post about prepping for Thanksgiving. Remember the post about family coming to visit? Something like that. So we open on the same day.
More later.
Trask,
I like. So if I read you, we get to see him develope just like the others, then he dies, then we meet. I like. I like the JP clothing at the funeral, especially if he worked there and gave them as gifts. It would be weird and funny to for all the Eyesters trying to figure out who is who, especially if they didn't know he worked for JP. Maybe all the women are wearing the black 1947.
As far as the brother coming out, that's totally up to you and your three scenes, what you want people to know about your character's life. Sounds interesting.
And as far as ALS, I think it's perfect. Our dear family friend passed last week from it and the day before he died he was painting a picture for his daughter, so it is possible that Ignatius would post up until the end. I think it's perfect.
And I totally agree that the funeral should be very darkly awkward and funny. I love that sh@#.
Mike asked about season. Trask suggested opening on fall. If we're going for awkward funeral, it should not be the typical fall or winter death. I like spring or fall. Muddy ground or bees. So open in fall and end in spring? A nine-month-ish span?
Let's be more specific. We're a foody group, so let's open on a food post about prepping for Thanksgiving. Remember the post about family coming to visit? Something like that. So we open on the same day.
More later.
Weaving stories
(Jen here) This is another thought. I think we attempt to weave each others' voices/stories loosly together by putting voice overs of one character's post over another's real life. Does that make sense? So if each character writes three scenes, maybe at some point we see them typing and we hear their voice as voice over saying what they're typing:
Ex. The end of Jen's first scene. She's sitting at computer typing. . .and we hear her voice saying. . .
"If you haven't tried melon wrapped in prosciutto, then you haven't lived. . ."
Then we cut to the opening of PeterLake's first scene and he's awkwardly attempting to wrap a piece of prosciutto around a piece of melon, as though he's never done it before, and the voice over from Jen ends while he does so. It will be a nice blending from scene to scene and illustrate how we are weaving our ways into each other's lives.
These transitions could be written at the end. We look everyone's three scenes, lay them out in a strategic order, then write posts and tiny scene directions to overlap them a bit. Nothing plot-changing, just snipits.
Yes? No?
Ex. The end of Jen's first scene. She's sitting at computer typing. . .and we hear her voice saying. . .
"If you haven't tried melon wrapped in prosciutto, then you haven't lived. . ."
Then we cut to the opening of PeterLake's first scene and he's awkwardly attempting to wrap a piece of prosciutto around a piece of melon, as though he's never done it before, and the voice over from Jen ends while he does so. It will be a nice blending from scene to scene and illustrate how we are weaving our ways into each other's lives.
These transitions could be written at the end. We look everyone's three scenes, lay them out in a strategic order, then write posts and tiny scene directions to overlap them a bit. Nothing plot-changing, just snipits.
Yes? No?
like a super ball in a small room
Willie here, probably one glass of tea over the warning line, yet again.
I think we ought to allow some real time for the characters, including Ignatius, to develop before the death. We might still want to put things all in retrospect- Maybe Jen's character is telling the whole story after the fact.
Jen, I think you are more likely to travel in relation to the Eye than, oh 99 percent of the population. It is what makes you great, but many lesser souls would not do so.
Let's each try to come up with a unique, plausible reason for our character to go to the funeral. Better, come up with two, in case somebody else thought of your first choice. Impulsiveness is acceptable, if your character can afford impulsive behavior.
I believe my primary character is Ignatius Katz, aka Jeff Miller. Ignatius the poster is decribed a little bit elsewhere. Jeff is probably in his forties. Could he have late-stage ALS? I don't think he'd be able to post independently. I do not think he commits suicide per se, but he should die with the mouse in his hand, which kind of eliminates auto-erotic strangulation, I guess. Anybody know of a disease or ailment that will kill you in six months, won't make you too weak or crazy to work a computer, and when it works, really works? THAT is what Jeff has. Jeff did moderately well in High school- solid 1200 SAT stuff, but his father, who was a factory guy, was ambivalent about college. Jeff fell in with the wrong crowd early- philosophy and literature majors and figured out, if the education he wanted wouldn't get him a job, he really didn't need to pay to read books. So he worked at a place that was opening up- a guy named J. Peterman and his relatives, mostly, selling these cowboy coats and boots and stuff in the mail. Jeff never cared much about clothes, but when the company began selling women's stuff, he took advantage of the emp discount and bought some things for his mother. He left when X happened, but he remembers JP personally and liked him. He has a younger brother who is gay. Gay is not so bad. It beats complete social and occupational immobility, which is what Jeff recognizes he has. He does not see himself as abnormal or mentally ill, and before the diagnosis, had no notion that he was sick. He is just unlucky and lacks confidence. When somebody sent him a copy of the 40 year old virgin, he realized that his life was a little like that- only without the part about getting laid. He is aware that women do not find him physically attractive and circumstances have prevented him from the kind of long term exposure that allows you to overcome the physical. Maybe he confides to one girl who he was close to earlier in life about his postings on the Eye and she conveniently visits his family the day after his death and remembers. Because he is not paranoid, he has his eye password saved in his browser, or on a card tacked to his bulletin board. That could be his introductory scene. She might still think he is cool (because he is) but she forgets about the Eye until she goes to visit his mother.
The funeral gets delayed a little while, by the way, because his parents have to figure out about the gay brother, whom things have been a little strained with. That stretches the usual into-the-ground-in-two-days into dead on monday, buried on Friday or saturday- JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR FIVE WACKY FRIENDS TO HAVE AN ADVENTURE.
Ignatius Katz, a reference definitely to Ignatius Reilly of A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES, but also to Katz as in Krazy Kat- I just googled Ignatz Katz and was gratified to see the squeeze (i.e., us) in the top three entries. Krazy Kat had Ignatz Mouse, but I still think Ignatius is better. Maybe he starts as Ignatz and becomes Ignatius, like Shibboleth did. Maybe someone praises his "saintly" behavior and he changes his name in gratitude.
So Ig-Jeff has a scene in his parents' basement, where he computes all day, a scene at some coffee place where he tells his old high school friend that he is not likely to get another job ( doesn't tell her why) but also tells her how much fun he is having at the Eye. which she promptly forgets. And he has several postings that he reads aloud. Since he is smart, he probably flirts with Olivia and Jen and he returns KindLee's generous praise with warmth. Any one or all of them might turn that into a reason for a small crush, or just a nice feeling about him and a hope that he has a good life.
Which he doesn't tell them that he lacks.
And he has the scene where he conks, looking at the words
"Ignatius Katz, what do you think"
What does everybody think of the honor roll gift certificates? Necessary? Distracting? I think we need to get as much humor into the funeral scenes as possible. If a lot of unknown people are wearing Peterman clothes it might help. Of course, maybe they all bought at the liquidation sale. This is good material for the women I think. You know
MissIve and Kindlee approaching the cemetary.
M "Okay, so who is going to be here from the eye?"
K "I don't know. Olivia, maybe? Who can say?"
M "Well, it would have been good if we had some recognition signal, you know, like that nose thing they do in The Sting. I guess it would be too much to ask for all fo the Eye people to wear dusters."
And then they walk up and it looks like a lot of people ARE wearing dusters, but it is just a canvas tent.
I don't know...
See youse
WT
I think we ought to allow some real time for the characters, including Ignatius, to develop before the death. We might still want to put things all in retrospect- Maybe Jen's character is telling the whole story after the fact.
Jen, I think you are more likely to travel in relation to the Eye than, oh 99 percent of the population. It is what makes you great, but many lesser souls would not do so.
Let's each try to come up with a unique, plausible reason for our character to go to the funeral. Better, come up with two, in case somebody else thought of your first choice. Impulsiveness is acceptable, if your character can afford impulsive behavior.
I believe my primary character is Ignatius Katz, aka Jeff Miller. Ignatius the poster is decribed a little bit elsewhere. Jeff is probably in his forties. Could he have late-stage ALS? I don't think he'd be able to post independently. I do not think he commits suicide per se, but he should die with the mouse in his hand, which kind of eliminates auto-erotic strangulation, I guess. Anybody know of a disease or ailment that will kill you in six months, won't make you too weak or crazy to work a computer, and when it works, really works? THAT is what Jeff has. Jeff did moderately well in High school- solid 1200 SAT stuff, but his father, who was a factory guy, was ambivalent about college. Jeff fell in with the wrong crowd early- philosophy and literature majors and figured out, if the education he wanted wouldn't get him a job, he really didn't need to pay to read books. So he worked at a place that was opening up- a guy named J. Peterman and his relatives, mostly, selling these cowboy coats and boots and stuff in the mail. Jeff never cared much about clothes, but when the company began selling women's stuff, he took advantage of the emp discount and bought some things for his mother. He left when X happened, but he remembers JP personally and liked him. He has a younger brother who is gay. Gay is not so bad. It beats complete social and occupational immobility, which is what Jeff recognizes he has. He does not see himself as abnormal or mentally ill, and before the diagnosis, had no notion that he was sick. He is just unlucky and lacks confidence. When somebody sent him a copy of the 40 year old virgin, he realized that his life was a little like that- only without the part about getting laid. He is aware that women do not find him physically attractive and circumstances have prevented him from the kind of long term exposure that allows you to overcome the physical. Maybe he confides to one girl who he was close to earlier in life about his postings on the Eye and she conveniently visits his family the day after his death and remembers. Because he is not paranoid, he has his eye password saved in his browser, or on a card tacked to his bulletin board. That could be his introductory scene. She might still think he is cool (because he is) but she forgets about the Eye until she goes to visit his mother.
The funeral gets delayed a little while, by the way, because his parents have to figure out about the gay brother, whom things have been a little strained with. That stretches the usual into-the-ground-in-two-days into dead on monday, buried on Friday or saturday- JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR FIVE WACKY FRIENDS TO HAVE AN ADVENTURE.
Ignatius Katz, a reference definitely to Ignatius Reilly of A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES, but also to Katz as in Krazy Kat- I just googled Ignatz Katz and was gratified to see the squeeze (i.e., us) in the top three entries. Krazy Kat had Ignatz Mouse, but I still think Ignatius is better. Maybe he starts as Ignatz and becomes Ignatius, like Shibboleth did. Maybe someone praises his "saintly" behavior and he changes his name in gratitude.
So Ig-Jeff has a scene in his parents' basement, where he computes all day, a scene at some coffee place where he tells his old high school friend that he is not likely to get another job ( doesn't tell her why) but also tells her how much fun he is having at the Eye. which she promptly forgets. And he has several postings that he reads aloud. Since he is smart, he probably flirts with Olivia and Jen and he returns KindLee's generous praise with warmth. Any one or all of them might turn that into a reason for a small crush, or just a nice feeling about him and a hope that he has a good life.
Which he doesn't tell them that he lacks.
And he has the scene where he conks, looking at the words
"Ignatius Katz, what do you think"
What does everybody think of the honor roll gift certificates? Necessary? Distracting? I think we need to get as much humor into the funeral scenes as possible. If a lot of unknown people are wearing Peterman clothes it might help. Of course, maybe they all bought at the liquidation sale. This is good material for the women I think. You know
MissIve and Kindlee approaching the cemetary.
M "Okay, so who is going to be here from the eye?"
K "I don't know. Olivia, maybe? Who can say?"
M "Well, it would have been good if we had some recognition signal, you know, like that nose thing they do in The Sting. I guess it would be too much to ask for all fo the Eye people to wear dusters."
And then they walk up and it looks like a lot of people ARE wearing dusters, but it is just a canvas tent.
I don't know...
See youse
WT
Jen Again
Sounds good Mike.
I'm not sure about my character quite yet. I keep trying to think about the meeting, and develope a character that works there, but I'm changing back to my original idea of all of us just developing a character that works for us, getting to know them, and when we 'meet' in the story, we'll let it play out. Also, what we may do when we get to the meeting point is each develope a non-Eye character to write for the wake/funeral. And that's how we'll craft the civilians and their dialogue. So I'm still thinking, but will introduce her (I am sure I want it to be a female).
The timeline sounds good, too. We definitely DO need the drinking scene, and the wake could work for that, too. And as far as romance, I totally think we have time.
I think it may help us all to agree on theme, so we're on the same wavelength as we write. I really want to use this to tease out the difference between online relationships vs. real life. I personally love stories that don't have an opinion and don't privelege one over the other. The just tease out the interesting differences and also where they overlap. The universal qualities of bonds, on or offline.
That said, obviously I don't plan on my character or anyone in her life 'stating' these things explicitly. I like the idea of the opening for all characters exposing and introducing their online time at PE, what it means to them, and how it fits into their online relationships (as Mike does with the dog, the book-lined wall, and the procrastinating his own writing—is that what you meant, mike?) That very simply and subtly hits on the theme of how we use online time. I love it.
I also like the idea of opening on a picture of a typical day or night at the Eye. Nothing about the death right away. Just to firmly establish WHY we're all there, which will help establish why we would go to the funeral. Does that make sense? The two will work together. If, for example, my character is at the Eye because she's going through a divorce and appreciates that she can talk about it anonymously there, perhaps the thing that will convince her to go is a big, finale-type fight just before she learns of the death.
And how will we all learn of the death? I personally like the idea of it being someone he knew in real life who jumps on and tells. Like Houseguest did with Stoney yesterday. I think that's perfect.
Thanks, Mike. Good starting points.
J
I'm not sure about my character quite yet. I keep trying to think about the meeting, and develope a character that works there, but I'm changing back to my original idea of all of us just developing a character that works for us, getting to know them, and when we 'meet' in the story, we'll let it play out. Also, what we may do when we get to the meeting point is each develope a non-Eye character to write for the wake/funeral. And that's how we'll craft the civilians and their dialogue. So I'm still thinking, but will introduce her (I am sure I want it to be a female).
The timeline sounds good, too. We definitely DO need the drinking scene, and the wake could work for that, too. And as far as romance, I totally think we have time.
I think it may help us all to agree on theme, so we're on the same wavelength as we write. I really want to use this to tease out the difference between online relationships vs. real life. I personally love stories that don't have an opinion and don't privelege one over the other. The just tease out the interesting differences and also where they overlap. The universal qualities of bonds, on or offline.
That said, obviously I don't plan on my character or anyone in her life 'stating' these things explicitly. I like the idea of the opening for all characters exposing and introducing their online time at PE, what it means to them, and how it fits into their online relationships (as Mike does with the dog, the book-lined wall, and the procrastinating his own writing—is that what you meant, mike?) That very simply and subtly hits on the theme of how we use online time. I love it.
I also like the idea of opening on a picture of a typical day or night at the Eye. Nothing about the death right away. Just to firmly establish WHY we're all there, which will help establish why we would go to the funeral. Does that make sense? The two will work together. If, for example, my character is at the Eye because she's going through a divorce and appreciates that she can talk about it anonymously there, perhaps the thing that will convince her to go is a big, finale-type fight just before she learns of the death.
And how will we all learn of the death? I personally like the idea of it being someone he knew in real life who jumps on and tells. Like Houseguest did with Stoney yesterday. I think that's perfect.
Thanks, Mike. Good starting points.
J
Mike Again!
Sorry for posting again, but anyway. I thought I would start a list of things we need to get started. Here are what I've thought of:
1. Character info (see post below)
2. Eye-topics & a Peterman-esque figure(since the characters are going to V/O on a topic, we need a starting place)
3. A contact tree (who contacts who about the death)
I'm sure there are other things, but I can't think of them at the moment. Ideas?
1. Character info (see post below)
2. Eye-topics & a Peterman-esque figure(since the characters are going to V/O on a topic, we need a starting place)
3. A contact tree (who contacts who about the death)
I'm sure there are other things, but I can't think of them at the moment. Ideas?
Whooooooooo are you? Who, who . . .who who?
In the hope of not stepping on toes, I (Mike) have a suggestion. We need to know each other. By "we" I mean the writers, and by "each other" I mean everyone else's character. I don't know if everyone else is planning to base their person on themselves. I am not (at least, not fully). So, I thought it might work if we all share a sort of character sheet (no, I've never played Dungeons and Dragons). And, since this is my idea, I'll start.
Character Name: James Browning
Job: Writer, 4 published novels (here is where he is not me :P)
Eye-name: Pensmith
Family Status: Single, no kids, 1 elderly Irish Setter named Finbar
Location: Nebraska (medium-sized college town)
How Introduced: (Sort of the intro scene)
Sitting in a book lined room, laptop on a desk next to a coffee cup, dog on top of feet. Types on a word processor for a bit, hits a snag, deletes everything, goes online to check Eye and email. Gets email from ___________________ about death.
I'm suggesting we all do this for one simple reason: When writing a character, it is best to know everything about that person. With a screenplay, we don't need to know things like age, size, or outfits, because those things will be up to other people. But we do need to know everything that has happened to our characters, because that will shape how they act in life.
So, meet James . . . mildly successful, mildly lonely, might meet Ms. Right along the way.
ADDITIONAL!!!
What is the timeline? I haven't quite got it figured out, but in my mind I've been working on something like this:
Day One: Death and notification sequence. Travel plans and communications
Day Two: Travel sequences (Planes, trains, and automobiles)
Day Three: Arrivals and first meetings. Wake
Day Four: Funeral (We could spread it out to 10 days if we wanted, but that would end up with several dozen 2 minutes scenes to get everyone there)
Day Five: Memorial toasts (we need a bar scene)
Day Six: Partings and afterwards.
Is that too tight? Too loose? Is there enough time for romance?
Character Name: James Browning
Job: Writer, 4 published novels (here is where he is not me :P)
Eye-name: Pensmith
Family Status: Single, no kids, 1 elderly Irish Setter named Finbar
Location: Nebraska (medium-sized college town)
How Introduced: (Sort of the intro scene)
Sitting in a book lined room, laptop on a desk next to a coffee cup, dog on top of feet. Types on a word processor for a bit, hits a snag, deletes everything, goes online to check Eye and email. Gets email from ___________________ about death.
I'm suggesting we all do this for one simple reason: When writing a character, it is best to know everything about that person. With a screenplay, we don't need to know things like age, size, or outfits, because those things will be up to other people. But we do need to know everything that has happened to our characters, because that will shape how they act in life.
So, meet James . . . mildly successful, mildly lonely, might meet Ms. Right along the way.
ADDITIONAL!!!
What is the timeline? I haven't quite got it figured out, but in my mind I've been working on something like this:
Day One: Death and notification sequence. Travel plans and communications
Day Two: Travel sequences (Planes, trains, and automobiles)
Day Three: Arrivals and first meetings. Wake
Day Four: Funeral (We could spread it out to 10 days if we wanted, but that would end up with several dozen 2 minutes scenes to get everyone there)
Day Five: Memorial toasts (we need a bar scene)
Day Six: Partings and afterwards.
Is that too tight? Too loose? Is there enough time for romance?
More Housekeeping
Willie brought up two points that kept me awake last night. I get manic during 'setting the stage' mode, so brace yourselves.
First, the time between a death and a funeral. How will we be notified, make travel plans, get there, etc. It can be done, but my road trip idea doesn't work if it's more than a few hundred miles or so.
And then the overlap between emails and the blog. I'm with Willie. Anything more than a quick question, let's do it in here. Not that the finished product won't be itself interesting, but the fact that six people who have never actually met are writing, live on a blog, about six people who have never actually met, is interesting. So I promise, no more long emails. I'll put it all here.
Willie,
I was also thinking last night that one of us will be the dead guy. I was trying to figure out how he would have dialogue. We could do one of two things, we could do voice overs with words he said in his posts, or we could do flashbacks. I guess we could do both. But I like him being a character.
I also thought it would be interesting if it turns out he died of a long-term illness, so we all learn that all the while he was uplifting and inspiring people on the blog, he knew he was dying. If we went with the idea that one of the women attending really thought 'they'd had something special,' that would be interesting to see her react to him never telling her.
I love the mother critique of her son's weight after his death. That's good stuff.
I agree that we have to make it plausible that the 5 would come. But is it just me and my impetuous nature that I really do think I would go if this happened? Regardless, we can establish credibility. A wealthy poster who can fly. A few who live close enough for a day trip in the car. I still like the idea of one of the characters coming for personal gain of some sort. Curiosity about maybe meeting JP. Maybe a character that was banned at some point but still follows along and learns of the gathering. That could be interesting. And scary!
More later.
Jen
First, the time between a death and a funeral. How will we be notified, make travel plans, get there, etc. It can be done, but my road trip idea doesn't work if it's more than a few hundred miles or so.
And then the overlap between emails and the blog. I'm with Willie. Anything more than a quick question, let's do it in here. Not that the finished product won't be itself interesting, but the fact that six people who have never actually met are writing, live on a blog, about six people who have never actually met, is interesting. So I promise, no more long emails. I'll put it all here.
Willie,
I was also thinking last night that one of us will be the dead guy. I was trying to figure out how he would have dialogue. We could do one of two things, we could do voice overs with words he said in his posts, or we could do flashbacks. I guess we could do both. But I like him being a character.
I also thought it would be interesting if it turns out he died of a long-term illness, so we all learn that all the while he was uplifting and inspiring people on the blog, he knew he was dying. If we went with the idea that one of the women attending really thought 'they'd had something special,' that would be interesting to see her react to him never telling her.
I love the mother critique of her son's weight after his death. That's good stuff.
I agree that we have to make it plausible that the 5 would come. But is it just me and my impetuous nature that I really do think I would go if this happened? Regardless, we can establish credibility. A wealthy poster who can fly. A few who live close enough for a day trip in the car. I still like the idea of one of the characters coming for personal gain of some sort. Curiosity about maybe meeting JP. Maybe a character that was banned at some point but still follows along and learns of the gathering. That could be interesting. And scary!
More later.
Jen
willie pushing a broom- housekeeping
OK, housekeeping matters.
1)I just ran into the confusion of being om the blog site without being signed in and thus had to comment as Mr Pink. I will warn all and sundry to be sure you are signed in, or else be sure you have some way to get your comments and brilliant contributions onto the blog. Do check now and then for comments from non-members. I think Nachista added something recently. WE have to post those comments if we want them to be seen by non-members.
2) I apologize for running this thing in two channels sometimes- email is so immediate, but we will always need to make sure the blog reflects the current state of the script.
3) This is more structure than housekeeping, but here I come:
I see 5 living main Eyester characters, those being the other five squeezers. I see the dead guy, Ignatius Katz ( I wanted Ignatz, but there could be copyright issues and Ignatius brings to mind JK Toole's Confederacy of Dunces). Suddenly, I interrupt MYSELF - I have already interupted everybody else. THIS IS A WES ANDERSON MOVIE. This is the Royal Tenenbaums go to a funeral. This is the life aquatic of J Peterman.
GOLLY.
Now, where were we. I am the dead guy. 5 living eyesters, some with the capability to communicate off the Eye, some with only the Eye to work with. Mike is right. You have to make it plausible and practical that they will all go to the funeral. Put the funeral on the train line, so Mike can come from NYC. Put the other characters either close enough to drive ( on a wild hair) or devoted enough to spend the time and money. Heck, set the thing at or near a long weekend. As I say, one of us can be rich enough that the three day weekend is no big deal- a gift from an indulgent spouse. At least one (more) eyester shows up completely unexpectedly- he or she can be out of the core group, but has to at least pop up and say the magic Eye High Sign. There isn't one, which is where much of the comedy comes in. Katz, having worked at JP, has relatives who wear JP clothes. We keep thinking they are Eyesters. I still like somebody mistaking Katz's gay brother's boyfriend for Peterman, somehow. Katz's family are very nice, normal people, but like most of our families, they seem a little less cool than the Fabulous Eyesters from bigger places.
SO, we introduce the five. We hint at the existence of Katz, through others' comments mostly, and occasionally through his postings. I think he can be fat enough to die of a hear attack. That doesn't take much. Congenital defect. It takes one sentence to explain and then the explainer goes on to say that he was too much of a loser to do what he had to do- ironically , to lose weight. Gee, my son was such a loser, why couldn't he lose what he needed to? Fifteen or twenty pounds would have been enough. I hate to sound , I don't know, ungrateful, but he really didn't do very well with his life, you know. And now the fat loser is gone. And I miss the hell out of him.
Unlike Willie, Katz will post on all sorts of things, but just often enough to show his brilliance. He will write little poems. He will tell stories like Stoney, He will be incredibly inspiring and even encouraging now and then. He will never fail to welcome new eyesters on their first post. And then he will die. The family will quickly get in touch ( the next day?) and the funeral will conveniently wait until the weekend.
I think somebody- probably Olivia and MissI will also talk on cell phones. MissI, don't you have a real sister on the Eye? Pam, do you mind being the Sensible One?
Our Movie Eye will have a Super Honor Roll, where once a week, Peterman awards a $100 gift certificate. Katz will have several, which may be how his MOTHER ends up in such great JP Clothes. ?
The movie starts in the fall, but the death and funeral come in early spring?
Just rambling again.
See you, bye
Willie
1)I just ran into the confusion of being om the blog site without being signed in and thus had to comment as Mr Pink. I will warn all and sundry to be sure you are signed in, or else be sure you have some way to get your comments and brilliant contributions onto the blog. Do check now and then for comments from non-members. I think Nachista added something recently. WE have to post those comments if we want them to be seen by non-members.
2) I apologize for running this thing in two channels sometimes- email is so immediate, but we will always need to make sure the blog reflects the current state of the script.
3) This is more structure than housekeeping, but here I come:
I see 5 living main Eyester characters, those being the other five squeezers. I see the dead guy, Ignatius Katz ( I wanted Ignatz, but there could be copyright issues and Ignatius brings to mind JK Toole's Confederacy of Dunces). Suddenly, I interrupt MYSELF - I have already interupted everybody else. THIS IS A WES ANDERSON MOVIE. This is the Royal Tenenbaums go to a funeral. This is the life aquatic of J Peterman.
GOLLY.
Now, where were we. I am the dead guy. 5 living eyesters, some with the capability to communicate off the Eye, some with only the Eye to work with. Mike is right. You have to make it plausible and practical that they will all go to the funeral. Put the funeral on the train line, so Mike can come from NYC. Put the other characters either close enough to drive ( on a wild hair) or devoted enough to spend the time and money. Heck, set the thing at or near a long weekend. As I say, one of us can be rich enough that the three day weekend is no big deal- a gift from an indulgent spouse. At least one (more) eyester shows up completely unexpectedly- he or she can be out of the core group, but has to at least pop up and say the magic Eye High Sign. There isn't one, which is where much of the comedy comes in. Katz, having worked at JP, has relatives who wear JP clothes. We keep thinking they are Eyesters. I still like somebody mistaking Katz's gay brother's boyfriend for Peterman, somehow. Katz's family are very nice, normal people, but like most of our families, they seem a little less cool than the Fabulous Eyesters from bigger places.
SO, we introduce the five. We hint at the existence of Katz, through others' comments mostly, and occasionally through his postings. I think he can be fat enough to die of a hear attack. That doesn't take much. Congenital defect. It takes one sentence to explain and then the explainer goes on to say that he was too much of a loser to do what he had to do- ironically , to lose weight. Gee, my son was such a loser, why couldn't he lose what he needed to? Fifteen or twenty pounds would have been enough. I hate to sound , I don't know, ungrateful, but he really didn't do very well with his life, you know. And now the fat loser is gone. And I miss the hell out of him.
Unlike Willie, Katz will post on all sorts of things, but just often enough to show his brilliance. He will write little poems. He will tell stories like Stoney, He will be incredibly inspiring and even encouraging now and then. He will never fail to welcome new eyesters on their first post. And then he will die. The family will quickly get in touch ( the next day?) and the funeral will conveniently wait until the weekend.
I think somebody- probably Olivia and MissI will also talk on cell phones. MissI, don't you have a real sister on the Eye? Pam, do you mind being the Sensible One?
Our Movie Eye will have a Super Honor Roll, where once a week, Peterman awards a $100 gift certificate. Katz will have several, which may be how his MOTHER ends up in such great JP Clothes. ?
The movie starts in the fall, but the death and funeral come in early spring?
Just rambling again.
See you, bye
Willie
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