(OK – I know it’s a bit of a cheat on my count – but hey! I’m tremendously excited about it!)
Many congrats to Danny Stack who actually did all the hard work though!
Remember to check out the Origin Website. It’s a brilliant short film and it’s been a really fantastic opportunity to see the whole process of how a script makes it to the screen.
So check it out!
Right now!
Currently writing some reviews for ‘The Couch Potatoe’ – a media blog I contribute to. Lots of fun and a great excuse to sit down with some DVDs waiting from the ‘To Be Watched’ pile.
I’ve also been asked to proof read and look over an exciting new RPG (Role Playing Game) that is to be released soon so I’m really looking forward to that.
After a while mulling over the problem, I decided to rearrange the furniture, taking the large computer desk (which I’d been using as a craft area in the bedroom) downstairs to the dining room freeing up my old faithful original comp desk to be used as a writing desk. My hope is to find a really nice second hand/antique one eventually however, this will do for the moment 
There’s something amazingly satisfying when you actually print off a shiny new script. Even though it’s really just for the first draft and to go over it with a big red pen. Just printed of the first draft of ‘The Journal’. I’m going to be changing that title though – I know what it will be called so I’ll change it at the end.
Its really nice to actually feel those pages – gives a real sense of achievement.
And so very annoying when the ink runs out….
A postcard from the BBC Writers Room has just this very moment arrived in the post acknowledging that they have received the script I sent! I’m all excited not, not to mention being filled with horror that I really did send it in and that someone has actually seen it!
It’s a 15 page short, light hearted horror(ish) called ‘Terms & Conditions’.
I honestly don’t expect to hear any more about it – but you know what? I feel really good that I’ve actually gone and sent something in!
I feel all proper now!
Yay! Sent off second project to the BBC Writersroom this morning. A fifteen page short film, so we’ll see how things go. To be honest, I’m not really expecting anything, however it’s good practice. I’m trying to set myself little deadlines and it’s always a good feeling to actually complete something solid.
I downloaded a really handy little book called ‘Making It As A Screenwriter’ by Adrian Mead. Really worth getting – loads of practical advice about stuff everyone expects you to know already! Totally recommend it
Pushed on yesterday and finished the little shorty project (Terms & Conditions) . Yay! Just printed it out for checking. Reading it on screen, I find I often miss glaringly obvious mistake which leap out when on an actual page!
I’ve also decided something too – I’m can officially call myself a ’screen writer’ the moment I get my first rejection letter!
EEEEEEPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!
I’ve done it! I’m not long back from a trip to the Post Office to send off the first ever thing I’ve ever sent off!!!!
I’d planned to get it off on Friday, but when I printed out the treatment and first 10 pages of the script, I noticed so many things that I hadn’t noticed on screen that I literally spent most of the morning and afternoon fixing them. I also did a few last minute changes to the script – taking out a couple scenes that suddenly didn’t seem to be needed.
One of the problems I had, was trying to figure out how to present it all. It seems to be a basic thing that everone seems to think that everyone knows already – so, I’ve sort of played it by ear by what little info I did manage to glean and just…
So, I’ve already probably annoyed people who may see it with my obviously blatant ignorance. Will most likely be a case of ‘Straight to bin you incompetant foollish wannabe!!! Begone! And never grace my desk again with your drivel!”
I need a nice cup of tea now…
…. to stop farting around and get on with it!
I’ve set myself a deadline and that deadline is tomorrow. ( May 29th)
Tomorrow I send off the Treatment and first few pages of the script.
I’m currently at an absolute loss as to what to put in the cover letter though. I have no experience, but I don’t want that to go against me right from the start…. so, I think I’m just going to keep it as brief and bare as possible.
I’m actually feeling sick at the thought of actually sending this away. It’s a really weird feeling, however, the more I whack them off the easier it’ll get I suppose. I can just imagine myself making absolutely every mistake in the book….
… oh well….
Right – stop putting it off Magz!!!! GET ON WITH IT!!!!!!
Finally finished the Treatment! YAY! Fly the flags!
Then discovered at rather excellent web site that has a whole bundle of info about how to write one! DOH!
The site in question is rather cunningly called Writing Treatments. It tells you all the basic stuff you need to know – the sort of info that everyone seems to take for granted but is a bit of a mystery to timid little new writers like myself… at least I assume that’s the case – maybe it’s just me who doesn’t know after all!!!!
I opened up the old scriptorama again the other day after leaving it for a few days, and after having a couple of new ideas and additions which came to me at around 4:30 am (as they do) I’ve been doing a few more tweaks and small changes – behold the joys of Draft 5!!!!
I also bought some scary envelopes from Tesco the other day….
I know you can email submissions and stuff in however, there’s nothing quite like the feel of the printed page, and the satisfaction that I’ve given someone, somewhere the option of chucking something solid into the bin rather than just a boring and often quite unfulfiling press of the delete button! See how generous I am?!
So – I actually felt rather nervous about buying those envelopes because they mean that I’m really going to do this and start opening myself up for countless demoralising rejections – but hey, so?
I’m working now on the treatment as required by the first place I have my eye set on for sending it to – goodness knows why I’m doing the treatment now – I’ve been sort of working on it during the whole thing…. (probably completely the wrong way of going about it mind – however, seems to work for me so far….)
I’ve also been trying to find the correct method of presenting UK scripts – I’m probably not looking in the right places, but I’m stuffed up with the cold too at the moment and so I’m not really thinking clearly… (HA! That’s a joke for anyone who knows me for the true dozey dunderhead that is my usual self!)
So far, I’ve come to a wild conclusion that it’s best to use one of those brass fold back clippy brad-type things…. I think. If anyone knows the correct way – well, I’d be grateful if you’d point me in the right direction!
Right – better get back to that Treatment now…
Time for a celebratory drink and a sandwich I think!
