For some reason, I feel like I should apologize for the lack of more skits. These are cut down from longer versions, and sadly, was unable to reshoot because of time and restraints (because of other people and school), but at least I can fix it up one more time before week ten. It just means no more sleep.

Every year this sort of thing happens. Don’t get me wrong, I work amazingly well in groups, but if its one thing I’ve learned THIS year especially, its that productions are best left up to the people with amazing confidence, or with people who are actually in your class, and understand the crunch you are oh-so-often in. I’m going to go ahead and put this out there; I didn’t do as well as I could have this quarter. Yes, I did work. I did planning. I wrote scripts (for class and not), attempted to inspire my so-called renegade crew that would make Cecil B. jealous, but I didn’t do as much as I could have.

And I’m disgusted with it.

Not the project mind you–in fact, I had an amazing time fooling around with ideas. the best ideas come when you don’t expect them. When you’re at a restaurant with friends and you’re giggling about some episode of The Simpsons, and suddenly you crack a joke that makes the pal next to you spit out their burger and go “Man, that would be a hilarious skit.” I think what my problem was, was that I was envisioning such a large scale project and getting ahead of myself, without focusing on the basics first. Yes I took, so I know more than the average joe, but the skills only pertained to what project was currently on my mind. I really didn’t get to think about how it could help me, because I was thinking how it could help whatever group I was in.

Before I can be expected to write scripts, I need to learn the fundamentals. I need to research what makes something funny. Before I go out and beg my friends to act in my so-called films, I need to learn how to direct. Yes, I took care of my actors (How much bling bling did I put into this project? There’s only so much time I can dedicate to Pizza Time..), I made sure they knew they were appreciated. After shooting, we all thought it was funny, we all had a great time, but I failed to remember the one crucial rule of ANYTHING comedy. Whats funny to some, is usually never funny to others. In other words–inside jokes are a no-no. I got ahead of myself–skill wise and project wise. I felt like a heel making these small skits when all  my peers around me were making works of art…literally. In a sense, it was an eye opener for me to realize that perhaps I’m not mature enough to handle film. I love it so, and in a sense would die for it (like…internally…no sleep…all-nighters and the like), but I have so far to go, so much to learn.

Next year is my final year at Evergreen. Well, considering this year could have been my final but I’m hesitant to job hunt in this current market so I decided to stay, but I really need to take the time to work on my own skills. When I saw my name on the list of students accepted into Ready Camera One!, I could hardly believe it. In fact, I had one hell of a backup plan, since I assumed I wouldn’t get in. I was going to take Art Of Conversation for Fall quarter, use the know-how from that to work on dialogue for scripts, and in Winter Quarter, write another feature length script as an independent contract. Then in Spring I was going to take Chico’s music class (storytelling AND music from the 1960s’ and back? Can you SAY awesome?). It was going to be the one year where I wasn’t taking media intensive classes. To see and to judge whether or not film or perhaps writing was my thing. I didn’t want to be one of those failed directors who ended up becoming a manager of a McDonalds somewhere. I wanted to have a grasp on what I knew I could handle doing for the rest of my life.

When I saw I got in; 1) I was thankful to Sally for giving me another chance (I’m not exactly a star pupil with the blogs and such), and 2) that WOW, I needed to straighten up and fly right. I needed to realize that these loans are going to have to be paid back. I better make the most of it and REALLY, REALLY, REAAAAAALY get it into my head that life isn’t fun and games anymore. That I’ve been through too much in my academic career to just poo-poo it off. I need experience.

Not even film related, but maturity wise. I always thought of myself as the mature one in my friends group. Common sense is usually my forte. But, I’m about as immature as a elementary school kid who wants to go out and play instead of doing long division. I had fun with my project, but its like one of those things that I know I’m going to keep coming back to. I know if I redid it, it could be better (and compared to MediaWorks, was). I’m growing, but about as fast as a Maple. I may start out slow, deal with all sorts of unexpected weather that may threaten to tear me apart, but eventually, something strong steams from something so small. In a couple of days, I’m going to show three episodes of skits that when looking them over now (I’m my own harshest critic), wonder if they really show all of what I can do. I know I have potential…its just I wonder in all honesty, if I realize it yet. I’m holding myself back, and what for, I have no idea. Immaturity? Laziness? Lack of discipline? For my ego’s sake, I’ll say its not due to those traits, but just due to my own dense self.

If anyone is still reading this, just know that I seriously look up to a lot of you. I mean, we have so many skilled people in our class, and not only am I intimidated, its nice to know I took a class with people I know are going to make it somewhere someday. Its inspiring. I can’t say what next year holds for me, or even later this week with the cuts. Its just nice to know that I can come up with such poetic sentiments–well, poetic sentiments when its week nine. I work well under pressure it seems.

And now for something completely different:

Working on the program, I’m pretty much going to have to pull it off this weekend. I’d like to take a few minutes of the class time to ask what people would like to see. I think a lot of things look good, but I really, really want this program to look good. Not only is it a reflection of my skills as a graphic designer, but because its something that so  many are going to see. I’m anal when it comes to stuff like this. I don’t know why, but damn you Adobe, you have created a monster!

P.S. All of this was three pages in word. Dizzam!

Too Much?

I love the image for Tommy’s photo, but something about it only showing one project bothered me. Not so much as in not being mentioned, but in terms of I feel as if a poster that covers all bases–a poster that encompasses all the projects rather than just one, and doing it without being too blunt (some horrible gradient of everyones stuff).

I’m not sure of what exactly I’m trying to say, but here is just one version of a poster I’m working on for the cover. Any suggestions are welcome. I’m not sure what to make it say exactly, but this is only a work-in progress. I’m not sure what people want the cloud to say, so any important information, please let me know. Although I’m trying to get the skinny down still on what the layout of the program is going to be, realistically, I can’t do much on it until I have EVERYTHING. This includes blurbs, order of the screenings (are they going to be the same as in class?), and if there’s going to be color printing or not. Plus, do we want some sort of prelude to the program? Perhaps a small sentiment by Sally describing the class or the year or something to that effect? Do we want contact information shown? Ect, ect.

I was supposed to shoot another skit today, but thanks to the weather, I’m pretty sure I wont be able to, and have it look any good. Editing is underway, and its not looking too bad. I still have an opportunity to shoot tomorrow, but I’m worried I wont be able to. The skit in particular I want to shoot is the singer outside the coffee house one. But, since the actor had a busy schedule with school I had to keep pushing it back. He’s off this week, and when I can finally shoot him, the weather has been crappy as all heck. Its totally inconsistent. Nice one moment, and then pouring rain the next.

Thing is, I have old skits initially set aside for TGP, but I decided against them, thinking that I should just use new material. These were at least done way before when the idea of TGP being a skit series was still in process. As I’ve mentioned, I’ve been working with the ESP group to help me with my shoots and for crew, so at the moment, I’m thinking about brushing off those old chestnuts and using them again. But I don’t want to use them just to have fodder, but then I wonder, why hide them?

I’ll have two to show, but I’m hoping I can get the third.

===

In other news, I’ve begun the program. Its not difficult at all, but its only text at the moment. I would lvoe to use the fliers that Tasha and co. are making for the cover, so until they get that done, the only thing left will be the rest of the blurbs. The website for TGP is hosted on a wordpress blog. I’m just waiting a couple of days ( money woes ) so I can buy the domain and have it be http://www.tgptheseries.com. Until then, its tgptheseries.wordpress.com.

The repsective pagesare up, I alerady have the design of how each episode will be listed. I don’t mean to publicise it until week ten when everything is working smoothly and its looking perfect. Of course to the MAS group, you all can see it whenever, I mean putting it out there for the web to be aware of.

I find that the biggest problem with running a production is the one thing I cannot work around. Crew. Not just any crew, crew that is made up of fellow college students. Mainly friends. My biggest problem with production is having to push back shoots. I HATE doing it. Yet, because my actors and crew are friends and lazy students; I personally can be ready to go, but five minutes before shooting do they call and say ‘Oh, I feel sick. I can’t shoot today.’

I know I could have so many more shoots done, but dammit if I’m not held back by people. Not to say its all their fault. By any means it isn’t. But its irritating when I rely so much on others, but I can’t do what I need to do because of forces I can’t control. There should be more shooting today; if not, tomorrow. Lets pray to God at least.

Anyway, there are a few things up with the project: The episodes I decided are going to start off on a blog. I’m not sure if TGP will make it big (lets hope), but until it proves to me that the episodes get enough traffic, I’m going to have a paid wordpress blog. I would feel better to spend money and the time on my own domain and all that jazz when the episodes actually warrant having it. For example, when I showed DerrickComedy, that site wasn’t always hosted on its own sever. The website was just a makeshift black with links on the side. It was simple. Until they got publicity is when they redesigned the site. The final blog hosting layout will be out Monday, so I’ll be presenting a few episodes straight from the website.

As mentioned before, there’s a certain ascetic with webcomedy. They’re never longer than two minutes (not all, but most), they’re simple gags. I’m confident that certain people will think they’re funny, even if the rest of the class doesn’t. I’m sure my friends and I are funny enough to make sure the gags at least get a snicker out of you all. I mean, we DID win the People’s Choice Awards at Shot to the Face this year. If THAT movie won, then by golly, whatever we come up with later is sure to get sniggers.

So, keep in mind that the class blog is different from this new GP blog. This is the production blog. The official webspace for the episodes will be on this new one.

P.S. I’m starting on the program too, although I’m having a little trouble with ideas for the layout. Whenever the people get the fliers, I’ll probably base a design off that. Otherwise, I’m not too worried about it. InDesign is an easy program. I can knock one out in a little bit.

Also, everyone’s blubs…I’d prefer them to be done by Friday week 3. I want to start planning the layout since it’ll be a lot of work. It wont be as hard if I have all the materials by then.

Anyway, I started writing an original screenplay called ‘Oreo.’ It’s off to a great start. Just now I’ve finished the first act (its about 37 pages) and thats only in a matter of a couple of days. I’ve been purusing it again and again adding small details and dialogue. It’s getting there, and is becoming more solid. I’m going to be a bit focused on this for the weekend, but I am still thinking of episodes. As I get ideas for scenes in my script, I get ideas for skits.

Anyway, I’m not sure if I want to put this out there to everyone (upload it as I go along) online, but anyone who is willing to read a giant script at some point, let me know and I’ll email it to you. For those of you (including you Sally) who have already read so far, its changed much since you last seen it. I might try and sell the script, who knows. Although that could quite possible be a pipe dream, its the pipe dreams that make filmmaking great. This damn well better be a stepping stone to my film career (although I would find it slightly awkward if I became a writer? Instead of a filmmaker? We should have a scriptwriting class at TESC. That would be uber).