Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Traveller Making Of Video

Follow the link and enjoy :-)

(CLICK)

Monday, May 30, 2011

Deadlines

I have deadlines. I like deadlines.

There's nothing quite like the overwhelming feeling of panic to help your breakfast make a sudden, unexpected return mid morning. The terror floods over you, slapping you in the face, poking you in the eyes and tweaking your nipples two hours before you have to email your script. Then you suddenly realise you're shit, your script's shit and most importantly someone is about to find out you're a hopeless fraud.

Overdosed on coffee you sit in front of the screen your balls sweating (or have you just wet yourself?), your heart pounding (too much coffee or the early signs of a heart attack?), stomach churning (watch out for breakfast) and your mouth dry (drink more coffee). This script is utter bollocks, the worst thing you've ever written, but it has to do because now you've only got an hour.

AN HOUR!!!!!

You type furiously changing as much as you can in the little time you have left. Maybe you can rescue this, make yourself look at least semi-professional? You probably can't! You're gonna fail miserably. You pathetic twunt!

HALF AN HOUR LEFT!!!!!! Oh fiddly funk buckets....where is the time going? Now you're typing furiously, tears flowing freely down your cheeks. There's an excruciating pain in your neck from sitting tensed up, but you can't worry about that now, because you've only got ten minutes.... OH SWEET BABY POTATOES!!!!!

Your howls of desperation have worried the neighbours, who are now enquiring through your letterbox if you're OK and if you need an ambulance, but it doesn't matter now, because there is no time left.

You press send....and wait for the inevitable, the "you really are the worst writer on the planet", response you know is coming. Your career is over, you sad sack of hamster pooh.

The email is here. You can't open it, dare not open it, but you have to....you open it and....no, that can't be right, they actually like it....they really like it....THE FOOLS!!!

And breathe!

By crikey I LOVE deadlines.

Monday, May 23, 2011

The Traveller - Set Photos


Hanging around on set.


The very talented Ibrahim Renno.


Yes, they did roll a car down the highway just for my little script.


"Stop shining that light in my eyes, I can't see where I'm driving."


"I can see my house from here."

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The Traveller Trailer Is Here

The Traveller trailer is here at last and the short film I wrote last year is also an official selection at the Cannes Short Film Corner this year... Excitos!!!

Click HERE to see it.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Review: Celtx: Open Source Screenwriting Beginner's Guide

Celtx: Open Source Screenwriting Beginner's Guide

I became aware of Celtx last year while working on a short film project I was commissioned for. It looked like a good bit of kit, but I already had an excellent piece of writing software and didn't require another one, nor did I have the time to learn how to use a new program. Then I became aware of Celtx: Open Source Screenwriting Beginner's Guide so I thought I'd give it a go.

The eBook was extremely helpful and I was able to learn as I went along. It's an easy read well laid out and it's very easy to find exactly what you're looking for. The book covers everything from your computer requirements, loading the software, the basics through to advanced use. The more I read of the book the more I discovered I could do with Celtx (even aspects of the software as a writer I will never use, but which will be extremely valuable to those looking for a complete production package). The book was so good I even recommended it to the person who first told me about Celtx and even he discovered things he never knew he could do before.

Although I only used the book to learn how to use screenwriting side of the software it does also teach you a lot more about exactly what Celtx is capable of on the production side of things and anyone who has Celtx, or is thinking of getting it, should really get the book as it will definitely help them make the most of the software.

Here are some of the features you can expect from the book.
  • An illustrative guide to writing and formatting professional scripts and screenplays in the only way acceptable to Hollywood producers and agents
  • Work with all the powerful tools of Celtx to come up with brilliant scripts for films, documentaries, stage plays, even comic book scripts
  • Master other pre-production planning features including storyboarding, scheduling, and casting
  • Maximize the power of Celtx with helpful tips about both the software and how to sell your completed work
  • Part of Packt's beginner's guide series – practical, simple, and illustrative
  • eBook available as PDF and ePub downloads
You can buy the book from here or from online book type places.

Monday, May 02, 2011

Pets In A Pickle

Some of you may know I have been working on a TV drama series adaptation of a novel. Well today I can reveal that the novel in question, Pets In A Pickle written by the talented Malcolm D. Welshman, is due for release on the 3rd of May and can be bought online at Amazon.co.uk.

For the launch of the novel Malcolm has been interviewed by the Daily Mail and the interview and extracts from his book are due to be printed in the Saturday edition of the Daily Mail one weekend this month (not sure exactly which Saturday).

The book is a fantastic and humour laden read so if you have any spare pennies please feel free to go and buy yourself a copy.