One of the coolest moments a screenwriter can have is finally hitting print and watching the pages stack up in front of their printer. It’s a moment of satisfaction that we all strive to achieve. You’ve finally finished something you poured your heart into. It’s a screenplay you’re proud of. The feeling is even better when it’s your final draft and you’re ready to show the world your hard work.
Writers spend a lot of time dreaming about the moment when they can finally hold a completed script in their hands. It’s a bitter sweet thought because you know how hard you have to work before reaching The Print Out. Thankfully, the work is addicting and fun.
I’ve been working on a new feature script for a few months now but the story has been in development for two years. You can imagine how excited I am to finish the script. I’m extremely close to finishing my first draft and the anticipation is killing me.
So I cheated…
How could I resist? Even though it isn’t finished yet I’m still excited about the idea of sitting outside with my script, my notebook and a pen.
When I printed it out and I was immediately reminded of the sense of pride you gain when you finish a script. It’s an inspiring thought.
Watching the pages emerge from my printer was also a terrific reminder of why I love to write. Writing a screenplay is a long process and it takes a lot of dedication to stick with a story for such a long time. Yet to those who love to write, the process is an addiction. We’re all addicted to that magical moment when the pages are full, the revisions are done and The Print Out is imminent.
However, standing between me and that wonderful moment is a story that remains untold. There are a lot of pages to cover and characters to get to know better. There are scenes to be written and dialogue to shape. There is action to describe and emotions to convey. Not to mention the hundreds of revisions and changes a script must go through before being truly complete.
Each script is a welcome challenge and I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.
And now… A quote:
“Find a job you love, never work a day in your life.”
It’s a fitting quote in this situation because reaching The Print Out is a moment that isn’t nearly as satisfying if you don’t truly love what you do.
I can’t wait to finish my new script for three reasons:
Earlier this week, a new rumor surfaced about Apple’s “Don’t ask me if it’s real” Tablet. Supposedly, they have ordered a bunch of parts and are preparing for production and a launch sometime in the Spring. Sweeeeeeeet. (You read that right… 8 e’s.)
Quite simply, if Apple were to make a Tablet like the one pictured above, I would purchase one. So would millions of other consumers out there. Isn’t it time we got a look at the real thing?
At this point, there are so many rumors pointing regarding the existence of this device. It’s not even officially announced yet and I’m absolutely giddy with excitement.
Many people have theories on how the device will work and what specifications it will have. I don’t know a lot about the rumoured Apple Tablet but I know enough that I want one.
Here’s what we know so far, sort of…
It will have a 10-12 inch screen. I measured tonight and that’s a perfect size. I have no idea why it’s the perfect size. It just is.
It will incorporate multi touch technology. There are so many benefits to work flow with multi touch technology. I love my iPhone. I want a Tablet.
It will fully embrace cloud computing. Does that mean Safari will be getting a face lift? I’m thinking a lot of web based software is on the way. Not too mention Apps.
It will have a kick ass built in web cam. Think of the benefits to businesses and communications. I’m still shocked that Apple hasn’t released an iPhone with a second camera for video calling.
It will be the best reader on the market. Amazon’s popular Kindle device has a problem once Apple hits the market. There’s already rumors that Apple is pitching ideas with publishers around the world.
It won’t have super powered specs. This device won’t need a ton of memory as most files will be handled through servers and email. Don’t expect to see a hyper advanced processor either.
It will support WiFi and potentially 3G. 3G may not happen but I’m already prepared to use my iPhone for tethering purposes.
It will be affordable when compared to traditional laptops and netbooks. I really don’t think you’ll spend more than $1000 for the Tablet. Maybe $1500 at the most. Maybe even as little as 5 or 6 hundred. Either way, it’s on my wishlist.
iTunes evolves I’ve read in a few places that iTunes will be launching web based software. This has massive implications for the Tablet. My music collection follows me everywhere? I’m in.
The next generation of Apps I’m thinking a lot of iPhone apps will translate well to Tablets. There are so many advantages to apps on the new device. However, I think the Tablet will bring new and advanced apps to the market.
Finally, a whole bunch of other stuff I don’t even know about yet.
A Creative Perspective
If it delivers on half of it’s potential, I believe it will be an industry changing achievement. Personally, the idea of loading some screenwriting software onto it brings an enormous smile to my face. I’ve never owned a laptop but I’ve always wanted to have the power to truly write wherever I am.
Currently, I have a few screenwriting apps for my iPhone and I’m always writing but it’s no substitute for a full keyboard. Just thinking about using the device to write is mind blowing. Not to mention having more tools available to promote my company and my films. My social networking will definitely get a huge jolt when this device surfaces. There are so many possibilities to ponder. All I need to know is that this product will definitely be released someday. That’s all I ask.
Using my iPhone and the Tablet and fully synching them to my iMac at home is one of the nerdiest dreams I’ve ever had in my life. My writing, designing and company will surely benefit from such a device. Not to mention I’m a huge tech geek and I love my gadgets.
A few days ago, I got home from work, watched an episode of Seinfeld then prepared myself for a thousand hours of sleep. As I laid there in the dark, I started thinking about my new screenplay. I was thinking about the scene I was going to write next. It involves a pretty good ‘trailer’ moment and I was excited to finally see it on the page. Before I knew it, I was wide awake again and working out the scene in my head. I felt inspired. This burst of creativity was ignited by… the ceiling.
My actual ceiling.
It was like a light went off in my head. (Get it? See what I did there? It makes sense because the light in the picture is on… Never mind.) I continued to think about the scene but soon I found myself moving beyond to the rest of the story. There’s nothing like a blank ceiling to picture a movie. I wanted to get up but it was 3am so I reached for my phone to write a few notes. Once I finished, I thought the burst was over. I closed my eyes.
It wasn’t over.
My heart races and I get way too excited to sleep once I’ve reached that point. I had no other choice. 3am or not it was time to fire up the computer. These moments are amongst my favorites as a writer. The moments when you can’t even sleep because you just have to write. We’ve all been there. Anyone in a creative medium has felt this at some point. I probably could have slept eventually but I would have risked forgetting some of the material I was coming up with. Sleeping wasn’t an option. It was time to write.
I got out of bed and put on pajama pants and a giant hooded sweater. I entered my office, sat down at my desk and wrote for almost 2 hours. There it was, trailer moment and all. A scene I’m proud to say I wrote in the middle of the night.
It rarely happens but when I get inspired like that, I love knowing that I seized it. It’s an advantage for 2 reasons. The first is because of the rush you feel when you’re typing. The second is because when you finally do get to sleep and wake up the next morning, you’re greeted with a sense of pride and accomplishment. It’s a phenominal way to start your day. (I’ll admit it helps that my earliest shift begins at 2pm so I still had plenty of time to sleep.)
There are so many places people feel inspired. Some are intimiate like an ordinary ceiling in your room. Others can be stunning locations or a favorite park bench. We all have places we go to be inspired. Locations where we can think clearly. An environment that ignites creativity and keeps you up all night with an overwhelming sense of excitement. Whatever your ignition is, I recommend heading there as much as possible. The results aren’t in the pages you write, the canvases you paint or the songs you create. It’s in the satisfaction that you felt inspired to write, paint and play.
What’s your creative ignition?
Some day, I'll put pictures on my walls. It'll happen.
I consider myself lucky to have a career that I love. It really is a dream job is you are a fan of sports and want to work in Television. It’s been nearly 4 years now and I still love it just as much as my first day. Yet I’m still trying to find time to write. I’m always thinking about scenes or characters but you can’t call yourself a writer unless you’re in front of a blank screen typing words and sentences.
Over the last few months, I’ve been reorganizing my entire life. Everything from finances to scheduling to working out more. I’m in a better position overall now yet I’m still trying to find time to write.
I think it’s different for every writer out there. Those of us who need to write but can’t find time end up feeling guilty and unproductive. Or at least, that’s been my experience. I’ve read every book I can find on screenwriting and nearly every one of them discusses procrastination and how hard it is to find balance. I think the difference between successful and non-successful writers is the amount of time they are able to find to get the work done. You have to assess your time and prioritize. I’m currently assessing and prioritizing.
Over the last few weeks, I finally returned to screenwriting after nearly a year away. While I definitely missed it, I don’t think it was as bad because my career and my company are both creative endeavors so I still had outlets to express myself everyday.
Two weeks ago, I wrote non stop for 2 full days. I was on fire again. It was like I never stopped. Have you ever written so much so fast that you feel like your fingers can’t keep up? There were so many moments when I actually stood up from my chair because I was too pumped up. Now, I’m not saying what I’m writing is going to change the world. I’m just saying writing makes me happy.
Since that day, I’ve been having trouble finding time to write. Finally, I started really examining why I’m not writing pages everyday. Normally, I don’t work until at least 2pm so I could be writing every morning. Some weeks I don’t work until 5 or 6 in the evening. That’s practically a day off with the amount of work I do beyond my career. So why can’t I find time? I have a theory.
INT. APARTMENT BEDROOM - MORNING
9:59am.
A young man in his mid twenties is sleeping soundly until 10 o’clock arrives and the alarm blasts music into the room. The young man, JASON, flies out of bed and across the room to turn the music off. Just as quickly, he slides back into bed and closes his eyes.
INT. APARTMENT BEDROOM – LATER
12:23pm.
Jason’s eyes open slowly. This is a well rested individual. He casually turns his head to look at the clock then lowers it in shame. He slept in again.
The Screenwriter
That little skit above is an example of what happens when you work until 2 or 3 in the morning. Sometimes, you just need to sleep.
I’ve learned that I have a unique list of requisites to check off before I feel like I can write effectively. In the past, the most important factor was having a day off. For some reason, I find it very hard to sit down and write knowing I only have an hour or two before another part of my life takes over again. When I have a day off with no plans, I usually get a lot accomplished. I just have to accept the fact that I have a full time job and it’s not going anywhere. So why not write for a few hours? It certainly doesn’t make my life worse.
I believe that’s my single biggest problem. Being unable to write because I have to work later that day sounds more like an excuse to me now. Those 2 days of writing a few weeks ago taught me that even if I can only write for an hour a day, I’d still be happier than not writing at all. I think I’ll still struggle with being on a roll and having to leave my desk but perhaps that will make it easier to sit down again once my shift is over.
Every writer with a job has to deal with these problems but finding that balance is the difference maker. I’m no longer a writer because I’ve written a few scripts here and there. I’m a writer because I sit down in front of a computer screen and type words and sentences. Doing so causes extreme levels of happiness and satisfaction. This is what being a writer means to me.
PS: It has occurred to me that writing this post took up some potential screenwriting time. I don’t feel guilty because I’ve found that balance. I’ll have some time before my shift tonight.
2009 was a groundbreaking year for 17 West Productions.
We finished two short films, launched three websites and planted a few seeds for a pretty amazing 2010. Over at 17west.ca, I’ve posted the top 5 stories of 2009 as well as a look ahead at our upcoming slate of productions. That’s the official company perspective. I’d also like to offer my personal opinions on the last year.
2009 was both productive and frustrating for me. Productive because of the movies we finished and the sites we launched but frustrating because of the length of time it took to accomplish these goals.
I’m a workaholic at heart. Everything about my career and my company inspires me to be creative. Editing sports and producing movies is as good as it gets as far as I’m concerned. I just wish I had more time to do both. Balancing what essentially amounts to two separate careers leaves little room for extra projects. Directing and handling the post-production process for Playing Through nearly wore me out. (Let alone teaching myself web design.)
It hard to organize a team of people who all have different schedules around my limited number of days off. It meant a lot of long days and a massive commitment on my part. I was also lucky to work with people who were just as dedicated and that in itself is inspiring to me. It’s one of the many reasons why Playing Through was my favorite part of 2009…
Playing Through
John Steptoe and Michael Clarke
This film was easily our most ambitious yet. We shot it in June 2008 at Clear Springs Golf Course just outside of North Bay, Ontario. With an amazing cast and crew in place it was easily one of the coolest weeks of my life. (Even though it was extremely hot and we spent twelve hours a day in the sun. Actually, I was a fan of that too.)
I’m extremely proud of Playing Through. I learned an enormous amount about running a production. Most of that comes from my business partner Eric who handled most of the business side of things because I was clueless. What I’ll take away from the experience is how much work I’m willing to put in to make a movie I’m happy to show off. That dedication will easily spill over into 2010 where I’m planning my second short film, The Climb.
Web Design
If you asked me two years ago, if I would be able to teach myself photoshop, web design and create 3 websites I would have told you that I wouldn’t quit until I accomplished those goals. That doesn’t mean I thought I would actually pull it off but I wasn’t going to quit until I figured it out.
These three sites are the result of well over a year’s worth of research and development. Yet even now, I still consider myself a beginner with a lot to learn and nothing but commitment to get better. I really love the fact that I now have enough knowledge to completely redesign the sites whenever I want. I’m not sure if I will in the near future but I love design, I love marketing and I love Photoshop so who knows. Web design has given me another creative outlet which has become my second favorite past time outside of writing.
Next year, my plan is to learn a lot more about WordPress and improve the look of this blog. (A plan I’ve already begun.)
Writing
I’ve been writing screenplays since highschool. Yet I’ve never experienced a year quite like 2009. I pretty much stopped calling myself a writer. I thought about it all the time but I could never seem to find the time to sit down and do what I love the most about this industry.
That changed a few weeks ago when I finished Eric’s website. I keep a running list of projects and tasks I have to finish. For the last 2 years it’s been insurmountable. Every time I finished something, another 3 would pop up. I suppose it was my fault that writing wasn’t high on that list. However, after finishing ericgamache.com, my list was blank for the first time in years. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. I was literally staring at a blank Microsoft Word document wondering what’s next.
So I started a new list. At the top? Finally finishing the feature script I’ve been working on for the last 3 years. Many who know me well, know this particular story is extremely personal and important to me as a writer and yes, I’m calling myself a writer again.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve felt rejuvenated as a screenwriter. A part of me was afraid I would never get it back. I’m happy when I’m writing and it’s the biggest lesson I learned this year. Make time to write.
Bring on 2010
I now consider 2009 a building year. I spent a lot of time creating a space on the web for our films and even more time on Playing Through. Essentially, 2009 was about finishing projects and catching up. It was about tying up loose ends and completing plans I’ve had for years.
Now that 2010 is almost here, it’s time to shift my focus to new projects.
Writing is back in a big way and I’ve already got a list of stories I can’t wait to write. Among those projects are 3 feature scripts I couldn’t be more excited to work on. I’ve got several shorts that are going to be extremely challenging to pull off as well. What’s important to me now is finally feeling like a writer again. I’m back to rushing home after work to finish a scene. Actually, thanks to my new phone, I don’t even have to wait that long anymore. I love this stuff!
Beyond that, I now have The Athletic Nerd which keeps me writing daily. I’m finally able to say that I write every day no matter what and I’m planning on taking this site to a whole new level next year. There are a ton of new features planned and even some guest bloggers on standby as I continue to expand this brand. (Is it weird that I’m calling it a brand? It’s a nerdy thing to state but I’m comfortable with it. Read my blog about Self Branding to find out even more about what a geek I am.)
A big feature coming to this blog is updates from my next directorial effort. Beginning in January, I’ll be updating constantly with details on pre-production and more. The script for The Climb has always been one of my favorites. We’ve been thinking about filming this movie for years and I can’t wait until the Spring. We already have a talented cast in place and rehearsals are set to begin early next year.
From a directing stand point, the movie is infinitely more complex than Playing Through. I’m going to be using a completely different visual style that will also create a fun and unique editing challenge once shooting is complete.
Just writing about all these projects has my heart racing and I haven’t even mentioned 17 West’s other projects yet. Between Strings and a few others we are developping, 2010 has all the makings of an amazing year.
