Danielmedley.com

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Off And Running

Man, I’ve been pounding out this script like nobody’s business. I’ve been thinking about this story in various forms off and on for about three years. I’ve thought about the characters, their actions, mannerisms, interactions with each other. I’ve written several scenes down in no particular order because they’ve kept coming back to me. For the longest time I had intentions of writing this story as a prose piece, but after starting off as an experiment in script form it really began to take shape.

Now it’s off and running almost of its own volition.

Granted, when this first draft is finished it will mostly resemble a glorified story outline, but that’s what rewrites are for. My biggest difficulty now is to not get ahead of myself. I’m already thinking of ways to beef up a couple of subplots, maybe moving a scene, or thinking of scenes I’m going to scrap, scenes I want to add. There’s one particular problem that I can barely wait to get my hands on, but I’ll force myself to wait until I get this first draft finished.

Now, if this damn thing would just let me sleep.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

I’ve Been Dabbling

With Sophocles 2007 beta. I’ve used the 2005-2006 beta for a couple of years and have been very happy with it. I’m not exactly sure what the differences are with the 2007 version because I didn’t use the previous versions very much.

Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time working on a script with the 2007 beta and I must say that it’s been great. Of course, I can’t compare it to programs like Final Draft because I don’t feel like forking over 230 bones. The one obvious drawback I do see for Sophocles is the fact that it is PC only, so Mac users are SOL.

I’m about halfway through a first draft and I’ve found the scene, sequence, and step features to by way useful. At first I was thinking that a feature in which you could generate and manipulate scene cards would be handy, but now that I’ve gotten used to using the sequence and step features, I’ve found that I don’t need a scene card feature. That said, I still use the old fashioned real scene cards. I like to sit in bed before falling asleep and experiment; mixing and matching them. When I come across something especially nifty, I simply transfer the idea to Sophocles’s sequence, scene, and step feature.

Anyway, from my admittedly limited experience, I recommend you go download the beta and have a go. 

Come West!

Well, I suppose I should touch base here. After all, I do pay to host this site, right?

The visit with the stepbrother and his family was quite enjoyable. They are planning to move out West and we managed to do a passable job of pointing out the plus side of living in Salt Lake City. Yes, there are plus sides: largest city in the Intermountain West, lowest unemployment rate in the nation, booming economy, one of the healthiest cities in the nation, an education system that although ranks among the lowest in per pupal spending, regularly ranks among the top five in SAT-ACT scores, low crime rate, mountains, desert, and everything in between with the exception of the ocean, family near by--both blood and step--clean, and still reasonable home prices compared to other places they are considering. Hell, you can buy a house here in the Salt Lake valley for $250,000 that would easily put you back at least a cool million in Kalifornia California or the West Coastal region of Oregon. For us it would be a wonderful thing because it’s always pleasant to have people you like close by.

Anyway, we’ll see what happens.

I can see that the one aspect that would take getting used to for someone who has spent most of their life in the North East--Boston--area would be the general culture difference of the Intermountain West. It’s difficult to describe, but there is a difference.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Beating The Snow Storm Out Of Boston

Tonight, my stepbrother and his Bulgarian babe wife will be coming in from Boston. He’s informed us that they are leaving Boston just before a snowstorm from hell is due to arrive. Although we are certainly having very April-like weather here in the City of Salt—varying from spring to winter in the span of just a few hours—I’m thinking we’ll get lucky with the weather. There is no snow in the immediate forecast.

My stepsister is due in tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll get in at least one evening of good food, drink, and conversation.

My son, the little bilingual bundle of joy, is particularly looking forward to this visit because he will finally be able to meet his cousin, Jean Michael, from Bulgaria. His not related in the blood sense, but I don’t know what else to call him. Step cousin? There is a couple of years difference in their ages, but I’m thinking it’ll still be a bunch of fun.

Anyway, we’ve pulled out the extra beds, blankets, pillows, food, drink, etc and I think we’re ready.