A million thoughts in my head

August 16, 2009

Up at 6 a.m. this morning and can't sleep. I have (what I think are) some GREAT ideas! Funny, I don't know anything about film making and really haven't seen too many movies and have read NO scripts, but seem to have an innate sense of what I want to do. I prepare scenes in my head, camera angles, blurring, panning, tear drops falling on a hand, walking up stairs, suitcases, balconies. Inspired, for sure. Crazy, probably. Ahhh, going to church today, so writing will have to wait. I’m frustrated by that, but need to clear my head anyway.

After an uneventful day, I plop on the couch around 3 p.m. I knew that, with the frenzied past few days, I would eventually crash and burn. As soon as I close my eyes, I get a call from Dino with more wild information on screenplay writing. "Take the important steps of identifying genre, protagonist, antagonist. Complete the beat sheet." He suggests a log line. Great stuff. Again, too much to think about. I am reinvigorated. Thanks, Dino.

Beginnings

August 15, 2009

Yesterday, I went to see Julie and Julia, a true story about a modern day woman who starts a blog about her passion for cooking and admiration for Julia Child. Although I enjoyed the movie, as much as getting away for an evening with girlfriends, I left the theater thinking, “That was a simple story, really. La Mia Storia is at least as entertaining.” I wonder if I could write it. I recall an old family friend, Debbie, compelling years earlier, “You should write your story.” Could I write a screenplay? Summer vacation is over; school resumes on Monday. When will I have time?

Having already completed the memoir of La Mia Storia, I figure I have an outline. I have a good story. I’m a good writer. What I need is the basics of screenplay writing. I spend today searching the web for just that…and find a plethora of information. How to Write a Screenplay in 3 days, 10 days, 30 days. Hmmmm? Why do I want to rush? Next, the nuts and bolts. Ahhh, this is what I need…the mechanics of screenplay writing. The rules. Beat, copyright, etc. Then, suggestions for How To books. Who wrote them? Can I really rely on someone whose webpage is so poorly written that the grammar and spelling are beyond bad? I bookmark several resources and download a free screenplay writing skeleton.

I e-mail my creative brother, who responds quickly to my over-zealousness. Always encouraging, he warns me about the art of screenplay writing. Millions try it; few succeed. “But, don’t give up,” he encourages. He calls later in the evening and gives me an earful of pointers. “You have to have a protagonist…who resolves something.” I tell him my ideas. We talk at length about books to read. He’s sending me stuff to review. Good.

I come home from a birthday party and write a list of 6 things on a to-do list (no deadline):

1. Finalize memoir
2. Divide storyline into beats (thanks, Dino)
3. Read several screenplays
4. Read How To books
5. Write
6. Research copyright/title

OK, I can go to sleep now. Turn off the light. Turn on the light. I have a thought. I have paper and a pen on my side table so I start to write notes. Turn off the light. Turn on the light. More notes. It’s now 1:30 a.m. and I still can’t sleep. I’m too excited. Am I nuts? I start thinking about getting Gabriele Muccino (director of Pursuit of Happyness) to read my script. HAAAA!!! My thinking is that, in writing a movie that takes place in L’Aquila, we can bring attention to the now-destroyed city and raise money for rebuilding. Again, am I nuts? I envision a plaque with my name on it in the refurbished piazza in 10 years. Dreamer! I decide I can’t sleep anyway, so I might as well write. So, here I am. Now almost 2 a.m. and I still can’t sleep. I feel inspired. God, help me to slow down. This is craziness! I give myself a deadline of completing before I turn 50.

Before I go to sleep, I check e-mail to see what Dino or Debbie thinks of my memoirs. Good night.