Saturday, June 28, 2014

Animated Halloween Script done (again) and Brochure update

The latest draft is now completed.  This might be it for a while.  I've incorporated all that I've learned since the last draft (which is actually quite a bit), so there is a better flow to it.  The biggest difference was taking out a huge scene.  I've read that scripts need to be between 90 to 120 pages with the sweet spot at 110.  Anything over is an automatic strike against it.  It was a little over 120 (but when we read it out loud it moved very quickly), so I took out a big scene.  My wife was a little apprehensive at first, but when I explained it didn't really move the plot forward or add anything to the characters, she realized it needed to go too.  Now it just squeaks by.

I made a few minor changes on my Pyramid Horror screenplay based off of some feedback, so I think that one is ready to go now too.

I'm making some good headway on the brochure.  I added some shadowing to some of the images which really make them stand out more, I got a better copy of their logo added, I got a QR code for them and added on, and worked a little on changing the colors to a CMYK format.  I read when using Photoshop that it's best to use CMYK for colors because it will more accurately represent what a printer can print, unlike RGB, which are brighter and best suited for a computer screen.


Saturday, June 21, 2014

Globe Trotting Action Film done, more work on Animated Halloween Movie, and Brochure update

Yes, another draft of my action movie is done.  It's amazing to see how much has changed from the initial idea to the first draft to this latest draft.  It keeps getting better (I think) and I keep getting stronger as a writer (I think).  It's nice to put into practice all that I've been learning the last several years and especially the last year or two.  I'll do another read-through at some point in the future, but it's time to move on to something else.

And that something else is more work on my Animated Halloween screenplay.  Since this is one of my stronger pieces and I think it has great potential with a solid theme that a lot of people can identify with, I decided to go back and do more work on it.

One issue I've noticed is that I had scene headings that were way too long.  I never changed it because I knew how much time it was going to take to fix it (it ended up taking four days).  But I'm glad I took the time to fix it because it looks a lot better now, and it's all about making this look the best it can.  I made some notes on some changes I noticed that needed to be done as well.

I've started on another draft of this one.  I tweaked the opening a bit to be a little more attention grabbing.  There is such an emphasis on capturing your reader's attention in the first ten pages, first five pages, first page, first line, that it becomes a little annoying watching other great movies and seeing the very first scene not a whiz bang opening.  Everything can't be started with an action scene or a 'grab-you-by-the-collar-and-shake-you-silly.'  It's a rough business and art form trying to find that balance.


The majority of the work on the tri-fold brochure has been getting the images Photoshoped.  I found a great template from the Staples website that had all the dimensions and safe area for a tri-fold brochure. I'm trying to get as many of them on as possible so showcase what they have without over crowding it.  The worst part of this is that the images of all their doughnuts and pastries are so delicious looking, it's making me hungry.

I've also done the bulk of the copy writing done.  They wanted to focus on their Saturday morning fresh fare, so I've been pumping up those products.  It's starting to take shape and it looks like a brochure now.


Monday, June 16, 2014

R.I.P. Casey Kasem


I learned that radio legend Casey Kasem died yesterday.  My first introduction to him, like many of my generation, was through the cartoon voice of Shaggy on "Scooby-Doo Where Are You!"  It was my favorite cartoon as a kid, and it still is.  It remarkably still holds up well.

Of course, he is most well known for his "American Top 40" radio show which he hosted from 1970 to 2004.  I remember listening to him in the 80's and turning my clock radio down low as I should have been sleeping, but I wanted to stay up late just so I could hear what that number one song was.

He provided many great memories in my childhood and he will be missed.

I pulled out my copy of the Ben Stiller show, where Casey Kasem was a guest on a sketch and did Shaggy's voice.  I had my family watch it so they knew the man behind the voice.  My kids love Scooby-Doo and it's great to see them as into it as I was (am).



Saturday, June 14, 2014

Globe Trotting Action Film and a new marketing project

I'm close to completing another draft of this screenplay.  That's really about it this week, I'll have more next week when it's done.

An old work friend owns a gluten free bakery called, "Deby's Gluten Free."  I had done a marketing analysis on their website a while ago on some changes that I thought would make it work better and some social media sites they should be on.

With better marketing in mind, they decided to be a sponsor for the Gluten Free Food Fair on August 17th.  They get to have a flyer in everyone's goody bag, but instead of just putting a copy of their grocery list, they wanted a full color tri-fold brochure.

I went to their store this morning to get a ton of pictures of the products they wanted to feature.  I brought my video light kit and a gold reflector which I thought gave the pastries an 'early morning glow' to them.  I have a basic idea for it and now a bunch of pictures to go through.

Once this is done, it will be another image for my portfolio, and this time one that is commissioned for!


Saturday, June 07, 2014

Pyramid and Work on Globe Trotting Action Film

This latest draft works a lot better than before.  I've gone through the whole thing again making improvements with the character and the writing.  The beginning has been edited down, but I wonder if it needs a little more tweaking.  I'll put it down for a while and get some opinions on it and take another look at it.

I started another draft of my Globe Trotting Action Film.  I've been focusing so far on the first 10 pages, which is very important in a screenplay.  Most readers surmise how good the script will be based on the first 10 pages.  The fist scene takes place years ago, so the main protagonist wasn't introduced until later.  I added him in for a revised opening.  I decided I needed him to be included more so I revised the opening again.  It's a much stronger piece and I added some moments that tie into his weakness later on.

It's rough going doing a rewrite, but it's fun to see the script reading much better.