Making Too Much Of A Little Problem?

Moving through screenwriting books, I noticed almost all of them deal with feature film script writing. Hardly any discuss what to do for TV, unless it's comedy TV. I don't write comedy. I may have some good zingers in real life discussion, but never when it comes to facing a blank page. (I take that back. I can count on one hand when that's happened.) And there are some 'formatting' areas I can use for TV. 

But the frustration of looking for a TV script formatting book (not a book that goes over the business or how to structure a story plot -- TONS of books out there for that.) But an honest to goodness TV Script Formatting book -- I have found nothing.

However... that being said, I did get in touch with the author of "Your Cut To: Is Showing" T.J. Alex, via his website at: screenreads.com/formatting/ I asked him if he would be willing to write a book strictly for TV spec script formatting. He replied his book (mentioned above) is fine for TV formatting as well, with the exception of making the TV script (1-hour long) 4 Acts instead of 3. Well, my questions were a bit more detailed than that, and he did not answer them. But... he did sort of put things in perspective for me.

(BTW, his website link I gave above has answers at your fingertips from his book.) 

The perspective: Take what books I have:

"The Hollywood Standard" by Christopher Riley

"The Screenwriter's Bible" By David Trottier (6th Edition Expanded and Updated)

And: "Your Cut To: Is Showing" By T.J. Alex

(I'm also getting: "Screenplay Format Made (Stupidly) Easy" By Michael Rogan)

I also have books by Barb Doyon: Extreme Screenwriting (see my sidebar), and Extreme Screenwriting - Television Writing.

There's some more I'd like to get for the library reference shelf. I've been told by my friends, Dawn and Jennifer, that the 'Save The Cat' series gives good insight, too. Lots to learn, but... I have to remember, story plotting for my scripts has been done. I can make them better, no doubt, so the information on that angle will be valuable, but my main focus for the moment is 'formatting.' The above three books mentioned about can help. Certain detailed info. I can't find (Page counts per acts is something I've not read about, but maybe with streaming channels now, as well as cable stations who might want to take my dark material, I won't need to worry about that. I've read the 'Stranger Things' pilot. No act breaks. Literal continual 'streaming' of story.)

So... maybe I'm making too much of a little thing... maybe it's just my need to get the details down. After all, being an unknown in this business, I want to make a good first impression by at least knowing how to format a script properly. But maybe the books I've mentioned will help me and I'm too tunnel-vision-minded to see that I can simply 'transpose' the formatting tips to that of TV scripts and do the best I can with what information I've been given.

It may not be a problem at all, and I'm only turning it into one because I don't know enough about the process to 'not worry about it.' 

With that as my new plan, I went into some of those books above and marked the areas I need to work on with post-it-notes and highlighters. Today, I forget the worries of how to properly format an actual TV Pilot, Mini-Series, Stand-alone movie, or a simple episode script, and just take what I have and work from there. I'll get there.

Besides, my current spiritual path prompts me to 'think for myself.' No reason I can't utilize that philosophy in this area. 😆

Write On, People!

-Jan

The More I Learn, The More I WANT To Learn...

Poor the Coffee!!!

As I move through getting the focus for my scripts sharper, I have two friends who are working towards the same goal. One in particular is researching books I never even thought to read. Dawn is an inspiration! Our friend, Jennifer, is someone who wants to 'life-coach' people's dreams into existence! Not a small order, my friends... considering my dream and Dawn's. She's working with Dawn on creating their own series, and the three of us get together and learn from each other, inspire each other and I get so pumped when I'm around them. People of like mind who have trod the sacred grounds of research and as a result, point me in the direction I need to take.

One such situation happened the other day. We were waiting for Dawn and Jennifer's new refrigerator to show up, so we gathered around their dining table to CREATE! I needed to work on episode 4 of my fantasy mini-series (teaser, beginning of Act 1 and whatnot). I simply mentioned that I need to get what a Showrunner does. Or even a Producer, for that matter. Dawn jumped up and hurried to their back office and pulled out a book to show me. "So You Want To Be A Producer." By Lawrence Turman (released in 2005, so a bit dated, but still... the insight is better than I have now). It was endorsed by (drum roll please) David Brown who Co-Produced JAWS! One of my most favorite movies of ALL TIME! (It set me on a love-affair with sharks at the tender age of 12 years old, tyvm.) 

So You Want To Be A Producer

This was such a thrill that I purchased my own copy. Dawn has such a love for the craft of movie-making that she's expanding my horizons on how to delve into areas I didn't allow myself to even consider thinking about. Had I known back when I was in High School I would be pursuing this avenue for my life almost 40 years later I would have cracked down and chosen Film Making as my major. (Not enough family support: "Stop dreaming. Get a job that's SECURE!") You get the idea.

Folks, I want to LEARN! I don't just mean how to write a script. I want to learn EVERYTHING I CAN about how to get a story from script to screen and all things in between! It's exciting and challenging and, for me, now that I'm retired from the day job, WORTH MY TIME! I know it's not all glory and rewards, I get that. It's HARD WORK! But... it's a passion I cannot ignore. Bring it on, Cupcakes! 

Creativity awaits and the studying will commence! The book is on its way and I am on the lookout for more books. Hey, Dawn... let me check out your library! Heeeeeee!

Write On!

-Jan

Past Wounds Coming To The Surface...

Am reading The Bible of The Adversary by Michael W. Ford and though I am soaking it in bit by bit this bit really struck home, because blind faith means we have no idea WHAT or WHO we are putting our faith in. "Reject anything calling on blind faith! EXPERIENCE AND VALIDATE (emphasis his), use the talents you already possess to motivate your imagination and begin gaining power. Only once you validate the spirit can your success become 'faith.'" After reading and underlining this I wondered how I began to question the Bible five years before actually allowing myself permission to acknowledge those questions. It led me to some painful memories of how I had manipulated others into 'accepting Jesus.' It was yet another emotional breakthrough for me this morning and the tears are still flowing. I had no right to play 'god' to anyone! It was not right to religiously manipulate them into going to church and feeling guilty so they would go up and say the 'sinner's prayer.' I wanted them saved. I know now whatever path they chose to take, I had no business taking them off their course. Yes, they ultimately made the choice, but I was the one who pointed the way through manipulation. Looking back on it now it really drove home how I'd felt manipulated over my life in certain areas and with certain people. I would stop at nothing to get those I loved into church and get them 'saved.' If they've been hurt by my walking away from Christianity, I get it, but damn if I'm not feeling that pain, too, but in reverse. I'm sorry. Your paths were your own and to coerce you into submitting to 'blind faith', man... that's a pain that I have to come to terms with. This is all part of the Left-Hand Path, owning up to responsibility for actions past and present. I see where the energies moved in my life as a result. I was judgmental. Then when I left Christianity, I was judged. It struck home hard this morning. I'm okay now, but the light of realization flummoxed me. I'm able to move beyond it now, but this is the third emotional breakthrough I've had since I began walking this path. I was told this would happen... and I'm okay with it. It means it's working, cleaning up past wounds to heal them and move forward. Ave' Lucifer! -Jan

It's PRIDE Month... just some Non-Binary musings...

Howdy to all who are celebrating PRIDE this month! 

This month has given me an opportunity to truly embrace who and what I am. Under the Non-Binary umbrella I am 'Agender.' This means I do not associate with feminine or masculine genders. I have no gender. I am biologically female, but that's where such identification stops. I have chosen the pronouns: They/Them/Their. 

A friend asked what to call me as in the term 'Sistermine.' She was wonderful in asking because she showed her desire to be respectful. It took me a few minutes to consider the question. I had learned that the initials NB for Non-Binary are spelled out as 'Enbie.' So I came up with 'Enbiemine.' Of which she and I both loved that term, and she now uses it when addressing me. 

I belong to a few groups on Facebook such as:
Aces, Aros and Enbies
As well as 
Non-Binary Friends & Support

They post quite a few amusing memes and some wonderful news and information.

It was only within the last two weeks that I chose the all-encompassing 'They/Them/Their' pronouns. I figure it's what I feel about myself so why not just go all the way? I even got my hair cut to celebrate and to also get rid of the burden in taking care of my once lengthy hair. (Seriously I'd gotten tired of it and needed it short.) It's not more masculine nor is it more feminine... it just is, but it has helped me to embrace my lack of gender easier. 

A friend mentioned she could get me a referral for top surgery if I chose to go through with that. As much as I despise my breasts, I'm 56 years old now and I doubt seriously I'll go that route at this stage in life. Not to mention it's elective surgery, if I understand it correctly, and I would probably have to pay out of pocket. Yeah, I'll just ignore the pests for now and save a huge chunk of change, tyvm. 😉 However, I did purchase a breast binder as I can't stand wearing bras and without them it's a bit uncomfortable, jiggly-wise. (Sorry, but it's the best description I can do for the moment.)

So, this is the new news from the Non-Binary front regarding yours truly. As for the Asexual and Aromantic areas, Still Ace and Aro. (Yeah, no... not a phase.) Also, some Redbubble designs I found that are really cute, such as Triple A batteries: Asexual, Aromantic, and Agender. and another 'The A Team'. 😁 It feels good to realize I'm not alone. 

Check out Redbubble, they've got a lot to offer! And no, no one paid me to say that. 😋

Once again, Happy Pride and catch you all when next I have something to share! 

-Jan