Notes from a filmmaker FEB. 2003

[Franklyn]

So, this is when it all really started with this film. The "short" story that was wish was now rattling around my head. I have just enrolled in my last semester at Emerson College's Grad program and was taking a screen writing class to brush up. With anything you do you can always use more practice.
I decided I wanted to continue with this story because I have never written anything that was not Fantasy/Sci-fi based.

Sometimes in your life you tap into the stream that is and supports life. This was one of those times. It was hard to keep myself at the pace of the class and I quickly realized that I would have to just write it and hand it in piece by piece. Finishing in three weeks left me a lot of time. As the class was critiquing each scene I started thinking about locations and actors.

It was becoming obvious that this was going to be the next project I shot. Although I had other screenplays that were lined up this one was happening with out me. I decided I might as well get on board.

Storyboarding this bad boy was the next step. a long three month step, lol. Please take a look at all the hand drawn storyboards that accompany the screenplay.

https://cypherproductions1.sslpowered.com/CYPHERFILMSWEBSITE/Storyboards_files/2_jpg.jpg
https://cypherproductions1.sslpowered.com/CYPHERFILMSWEBSITE/Storyboards.htm

[Grendel_Kahn]

You know I'm really thankful you posted this. My writing partner and I have made 2 short films so far and I can see the growth we have made. It's good to read and see that we aren't the only ones with the same ...........ways...about us. The problem i have been having lately is one of writing. I have the ideas but when the time comes to put it all down.......I wind up just not doing it. I don't know if it's some kind of block or not, but it really sucks. I think this weekend we are going to go out with our HD cameras and try to just shoot some poetry. Nothing fancy and nothing written down. Just trying to convey our feelings and thoughts on and in the world.

Good luck with your project and I hope to read more about it. It seems very interesting.

[Franklyn]

You know I'm really thankful you posted this. My writing partner and I have made 2 short films so far and I can see the growth we have made. It's good to read and see that we aren't the only ones with the same ...........ways...about us. The problem i have been having lately is one of writing. I have the ideas but when the time comes to put it all down.......I wind up just not doing it. I don't know if it's some kind of block or not, but it really sucks. I think this weekend we are going to go out with our HD cameras and try to just shoot some poetry. Nothing fancy and nothing written down. Just trying to convey our feelings and thoughts on and in the world.

Good luck with your project and I hope to read more about it. It seems very interesting.

Thank you so much. The appreciation goes both ways. Knowing that our experiences are helping anyone is extremely gratifying. It would suck to go through it all and just end up with a movie, lol. I'd rather make a movie without suffering. You have to treat writing like any other training of a muscle. With out practice you can't go run a marathon. No matter how much you want to. Write something everyday. Write crap. just write. Then you can go away from the script and use it as a tool or a way to convey your ideas to get the all mighty budget.

[Grendel_Kahn]

By the way a good tip.

I am a terrible artist and have neither the money to pay for storyboards, or talented friends who work for free.

What I DO have however are 3 artist models about a foot high each, and a digital camera. I pose the models and take a quick snapshot of it. I can work out lighting and depth ( sort of) that way cheap and easy. Those models are indispensable, and have full articulation.

Thought I'd pass that along.

[Franklyn]

By the way a good tip.

I am a terrible artist and have neither the money to pay for storyboards, or talented friends who work for free.

What I DO have however are 3 artist models about a foot high each, and a digital camera. I pose the models and take a quick snapshot of it. I can work out lighting and depth ( sort of) that way cheap and easy. Those models are indispensable, and have full articulation.

Thought I'd pass that along.

That's a great idea and can help you a lot with practical lighting.