And the script is... a Western?!?

Howdy, pardner!

I took a break from my feature script, They Come in Darkness, to work on a short film script. The reason for this was that I talked to an independent filmmaker a few weeks ago and he suggested that if I want to direct my own movies, I should try making my own shorts.

I believe the guy is right, so I decided to do some research. At first I thought that I would have had to make a huge investment, buying equipment. After asking a whole lot of questions, I found out that most of the equipment I may need could be rented. I still want to get my own camera, like the Panasonic DVX100B (aprox. $3,500) a new PC for editing (aprox. $5,000) and Sony Vegas +DVD movie editing software and FXHome EffectsLab software (aprox. $800). With this, I could be able to experiment, and start shooting my own shorts films.

I think that I can try to apply for some grants to be able to get this, and to make a budget for my script. Donations wouldn't be a bad idea either! So if you happen to be a millionaire and have a couple of spare thousands...

The script that I wrote is eight pages long. I'm not going into too much details at the moment, until I can get closer to pre-production. I can, at least, say that it will be a fan film and it is a western. Why a western? Well, it is a setting that you don't get to see that often. It can be a fascinating theme... especially if you add a touch of... wierdness.

OK! I've said enough! I just hope this doesn't get hexed!

See y'all soon, compadres!

The first ten pages and some other stuff...

Well, here's another day in my life. I'm currently doing the re-write to my script, They Come From Darkness, and it's going smoothly. I made changes to the first 10 minutes, which start with more action and hopefully it has the hook neededfor the first 10 pages of the script. I decided that the story needed to start with the menace and then introduce my hero in page 8.

Keep in mind, in the theory of screenwriting the first 10 minutes of your script are the most critical, since you have to be able to gain the interest of not just your audience, but also of your possible buyer/producer or agent. Something has to happen by page 10.

Take for example Dawn of the Dead 2004. The first 10 minutes of the movie before the title sequence happens to be a very effective way to use this rule. The movie starts in a hospital, where it seems to be a normal day in a nurse's life. There are some the latest talk is about some bite victims in a fight. Ana, the nurse, goes home, talk to het neighbor's kid on the skates, turn off the radio when there is a news report coming in. She makes love with her husband on the shower while the tv runs a national emergency news report. They're sleeping and it's 6 in the morning. The neighbor's kid happens to be inside the house. She rips the husband's throat! Ana pushes zombie kid out of the room, closes the door and tries to save the hubby. She was not a good nurse, husband croaks and comes back as a flesh eating zombie. Ana escape the house, the whole neighborhood... nay, the whole world is in chaos! She takes the car, drives out the suburb amid the violence and ends up going off the road. Once the nurses' car hits the tree and the title starts you're hooked to the story. That is an efective first ten pages!

In other things, I'm looking forward to Dissension, the third set in the Magic The Gathering Ravnica's block. It looks very sweet! Talking about Magic, I created this card. Being a huge fan of Joe Madureira I was inspired to do this... Enjoy!


For last, but not least, it's 2 days till my wife is back home. Looking forward to have her with me!

In a lonely room

Well, today's my first night alone without my wife. After five years of marriage, you get used to have that other person with you. You get used to have that significant other around. You can feel that person's precense near you. You don't feel alone.

Today I took my wife to the airport. She's off to visit a friend of her and this morning was the last time I saw her. The next time I'll have her back will be in 2 weeks. In the meantime, it sure feels lonely over here.


In the meantime, I'll be waiting for her to call me just to know if she made it ok. Bad thing is that I hate to wait. probably as much as I hate roaches and bridges.

I hope to hear from you soon, honey.

UPDATE

A few minutes after posting this I received a phonecall from my wife. She made it safe and sound! I can sleep well tonight!