My Thoughts on...

So this was the last week in my Script Analysis and Criticism class, and you know what? I learned so much from it!

I learned that no matter the length of a script, or who wrote it, if there is no clear Act I: inciting incident, that sets off the key incident, that would then move the story to  plot point I, then the rest of the Acts would definitely not work.

Oh the ways of screenwriting.

This of course I was able to see through reading Rob Zombies script, House of 1000 Corpses. Frankly I had a very hard time reading this...

But now I am able to detect the inciting incidents, key incidents, plot point I, mid point (around page 60 or 60 minutes into the movie), plot point II, and finally the ending...

Boy... that was a mouthful.

I realize that what I now know will definitely be an advantage for me when it comes to not only reading other writer scripts, but when I write my own as well.

This new knowledge will also help me when I start writing my comic script...

Now For...


Tomorrow I begin my class on Film Screenwriting and Story Boarding...

YUP! I shall be using Toon Boom... sure I know that some of my classmates will see it as a waste of time and you know what, that's fine...

After all everyone has a right to have their own opinions on the matter...

But I see this with an open mind and also as a way to expand my skills...

Hmm...

I might just be a hungry writer that likes to learn from anything that is giving to me. 

Till Next Time

What a Class

This research course has been a tough one .


I know it's not about the grades, but about learning from it, and believe me, I've made so many mistakes that I know I have learn from it! 


I just keep telling myself that I need to work harder...


This is my last week in the class, so we are getting ready to interview and pitch our story. Meaning, I so have to know my story. I've been working on it and I have revised my main character's backstory like three times already (I know to some writers three times is nothing :laughs: ). So far so good. So it's getting there ^_^.


I am also preparing the synopsis for my comic class :D. I have a good idea and I will talk about it another day. Today, I have to go and finish some more work.


For all beginner writers, like me :'), keep working hard and don't give up.  In the end, is all about self satisfaction.


Till next time.


Happy writing,


Eva

Research Reports are no Fun

Nothing exciting has happened recently. It's just been a very, eh, class really...

This is the second research report I've done within the past two weeks, and it just keeps on coming. I know I will benefit from research and in fact, I have. For example, one thing that had completely slipped my mind were hobbies. I thought I had quite a few, but I didn't think about whether she likes museums or hiking, you know, basic information. But I have learned that basic information is what would make my story credible. :sighs: it's been an off week for me.

But in Other News

 My comic class is great! Our instructor just went over the storytelling structure, which I already know, so it was just fun to hear his perspective. He does want us to create a synopsis about our short story by next Wednesday, so I have been thinking about what to base my story on.


Now, because writers and artists are taking the class together, the short story limit is different, so since I can't draw (even if my life depended on it!) I need to make a 14 page comic script.

This, my dear readers, will be interesting. Especially since I have to juggle school, work, and now these mini-sessions. But I want to learn, so I can't complain!

Till next time.

Happy Writing,

Eva

What I'll Be Doing Every Wednesday Night

So as I mentioned in my last post, I did something last Wednesday night. And no, it wasn't bad or naughty :laughs:

As many of you know, I want to one day write and hopefully publish a comic :) and I accidentally stumbled upon this one comic store in Hollywood named Meltdown Comics. You should check their site.

Anyways! They have, what they named, Meltdown University, and they offer drawing and writing course for those interested in the comic industry. Yup! They do! So of course I was interested!

Yes, I have to pay a fee every Wednesday, but I think that in the long run, it will be worth it.

RunDown

Basically, by the end of the mini-session, we should have created a short comic. No, it won't be published, but it will give me a better understanding on comics as a whole, and THAT is worth a lot more. I want to understand the world of comics, and be able to know what exactly it is that I need, to AT LEAST have a chance out there. He will also talk about how to find an illustrator who would be willing to work with us :) so I'm looking forward to that.

But seriously, last Wednesday was hilarious because at first it was two guys and myself. So I know they felt rather awkward :laughs:  I was feeling out of place too, but later on, another lady joined, so that was pretty cool.

 A lot more women should check out comics and video games though...

And! AND!

There was this tall, dark, and handsome man, who is a professional illustrator, and a frequent customer of that store and...

Whoah!

Back to business shall we?


We didn't do much last Wednesday, so I don't want to bored my dear readers with nonsense, but the instructor made us purchased a comic that we will be studying for storytelling purposes. Here, have a look:

This here is a French comic by Jacques Tardi

Have you seen so much dialogue before???

So from what he told us, comics in France (or was it Europe in general?) are very different then American comics. Not only are the comics hardcover, but dialogue tends to be lengthier don't you agree?

I'm really looking forward to every Wednesday from now on, and I hope to share it with all of you :).

So till next time,

Happy Writing!

Eva

Happy Belated Thanksgiving and a Long Post on Books

:waves: Hi everyone!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. I know I did! :grins:

I actually decided to just take it easy the past few days. All my deadlines for this week were moved to next Wednesday, but of course, I was diligent and did all my work.

I CAN'T get behind.

Although today, I went back to work-mode. One of my assignments was regarding dialogue.

Basically, I had to spend at least an hour in a particular place and listen to people's conversation. If a dialogue caught my attention I needed to write it down. Now, I needed five of those, and well, we as human do have short attention span, so I found my own way of sustaining those dialogues.


It was interesting and I am considering on doing this again. As a writer (and this goes especially for those trying to become writers themselves), one NEEDS to pay close attention to the way people communicate with each other. Not everyone will speak the same, there are times when the environment determines the type of dialogue. 


For example:


If you are the type of person who hasn't stepped into an Arts and Crafts store, by all means, go. Walk around for at least 30 minutes and just listen and observe. For many, this might sound like if we are stalking...but seriously... we are not. This, my fellow writer, will prep you for what is to come. It is after all, research, and every writer does this. I'm not kidding. 


So make sure you do your research.




On A Side Note


Yesterday I received:

I haven't read DeathNote or PandoraHearts v.2 but I so DID read My Girlfriend's a Geek. 


Seriously my dearies! I recommend MGG if all you need is a good laugh. 


So...what's the story about?


Glad you asked. Basically PENTABU is a guy blogger who wrote about his relationship with a geek...well I should say, a Fujoshi geek. And even though it is hiarious, there are times when his girlfriend gets me upset. I mean, yay! he accepted your hobby, but give the guy a break :shakes head: 


Oh well, who am I to judge.


But for YOU to have a good laugh there are a few prerequisites:

1. You are a fujoshi
2. You know a fujoshi
3. You know what fujoshi means
4. You are/have dated a fujoshi

Do you meet any of them?

If you did... get the book!

If you didn't...yeah...don't bother... it won't make sense. But if you want to give it a try, by all means.

But I did warn you....

Now yesterday I was browsing around...searching for BN discount coupons and I found one my friends :'D. A 30% off coupon! 30%!!!!!!!

Anyways....

So what did I get... I got this!!

I did go on a book shopping spree didn't I? :sighs: oh well. As long as I have no regrets then its a-okay!

Till next time,

Eva

Who Would've Thought!

As I mentioned previously (last post actually lol) we were all placed in three different groups to critique each others work, but with the luck I tend to have at times, I got placed in a group that has not, and I mean NOT picked up a comic before.


How Did I Find Out?


After we read all the scenes sent to us by all the group members we had to post our thoughts, suggestions, etc, on the Discussion Board. Now, my group was made of four ladies, myself included, and two guys. One didn't send his scene, the other hasn't read a comic, THAT was a shocker! I mean, how many guys don't pick up a comic, at least once?

But what sort of hit was the reality that here in the U.S not many women read comics and if a woman writes a comic scene, guys will really somehow dislike it (well, not all guys). That's something to keep in mind :).


Moving on...

But the downfall was that since no one in my group has read comics, all suggestions, were good, but there was something missing...

The opinion of someone who has actually read a comic. That was disappointing.

Now the good news is that I have a few friends, who HAVE read comics and mangas, so I sent them my scene for feedback purposes instead.

I need to revise my scene before the weekend is over for submission.


:sighs:

The things you learn in the world of screenwriting


Till next time,


Eva

Slow Start Among Other Things

Believe it or not, today was an actual slow day...weird.

Did all my reading and I'm just waiting for the rest of my team to send me one of their scenes to get critique by me.

One of the Assignments


Basically our professor split us all into 3 groups. I'm in a class of 18 students :laughs: I SO didn't know this. Anyhoo...we all had to submit one of the scenes to get critique by each and everyone in your team.

Critique is good, remember that.

Now the deadline to send the scene to everyone in your team was 11pm EST. Have I received all the scenes? Have I? Nope!
Yes, things happen but deadlines are deadlines and if you are going to work for the entertainment industry then YOU must be punctual my friend. UGH! some people.




Moving Along....

Have any of you read Understanding Comics? Whether you want to make your own comics or just want to understand comics because you appreciate them, this is a great book. I recommend it :). I'm reading this at the moment, when time permits, and believe you me(yes, I intentionally wrote it like that lol)... it makes you look at comics differently. The best part? The book is a comic of it's own, making it entertaining and informative at the same time. Best combination ever! I bought it at BN for around $17 or so, but I'm sure if you look around you might find it for less. Seriously. Check it out.

Illustrator


Okay, since I can't draw I am thinking of searching for either a freelance illustrator or an art student to work on a project with me. It's not a right away project, but a it-will-definitely-happen within the next few months; after I clean it up a bit of course. Pay? Hmm...I might be able, but it's like low budget because it will be very short and it's for a personal and portfolio reasons :). Other option is credit and IF and maybe IF possible and everything works out and I know its probable then hopefully working on it as a real project later on, but I can't make any promises.

I guess this would be one of those "Hey! this can work out for both of us in the future!" type of thing. So for now, if you are a student and are trying to get something under your belt or a freelancer who would like to try a project, then definitely keep checking back.

I am also thinking of checking artists in DA. Hey, I've seen some of those works. AMAZING!

Unfortunately at the moment I can't really get into detail, like I said, I'm still working on it, but it's going to be kind of dark?

Well...that's all I have for today.

Till next time,

Eva

Comic Scene...check!

It took me the entire day to write six pages but I finally finished the scene :'). Now imagine, if it takes me a day to write six pages, how many days does it take a professional? Yeah, I started to wonder that earlier....

 :crosses fingers: Well, I hope I do okay, at least that!

Here is a glimpse of my scene :).

One thing is for sure...this was hard to do!

Well, I know it's short and probably bland...but that's all I had for tonight. .

Now before, I really, TRULLY, say bye...

Have any of you read Pandora's Heart v.1? 

I finally finished it. The reason I got it was because I've heard from quite a few that it's really good and you know what? It's just amazing! I can't wait to get v.2! ^_^

Now I will say...

Till next time,

Eva

I'm Alive!

Well....just barely... Now, as you might realize by now, I am a fan of emoticons since well, you can't see my expressions (or can you?)..... and at the moment, if an emoticons would have to say it all it would be:

 (X___X)

Yup! I'm exhausted! I have no idea why. I'm brain dead among other things....And to top it all, I received my animation scene back.... 

I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH RED BEFORE!! 



I must admit, I was a bit disappointed but at the same time, I had to keep reminding myself how I'm not going to get everything perfect right away. This is a new media for me. I've never written anything in a script format...so that's just something I have to keep in mind. I can't feel down or upset... okay, I'm lying...it CAN get me upset AND down....but all I can do is just keep on trying my very best and I WILL.

My comic scene is due this Sunday...and it took me two days--three tops to finish my backstories. I have no idea why it took so long, but they are finish. I'm proud of the character backstories. Now if you wanted to see it, well...I can't show it just now. I don't think any of you would be able to follow :laughs: Not that it's bad of course....

It's complicated?

Moving on.....

I can't draw.

So how am I suppose to visualize my scenes for each panel? Well, I tried using a blank piece of paper....didn't work. I also tried using Manga Studio Deluxe who was I kidding! Last resort...Flashcards!
:hugs flashcards: they are my friends. :'D .

I wrote five panels or less for each page in flashcards that I will transfer to a script tomorrow.

I also used  one of my mangas as a resource for two of my panels. I hope I do better this time around :crosses fingers:

Any of you read this before?

So yes, I suppose I have been busy...and will continue to do so :sighs: 

But what can I do?

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Till next time,

Eva

The Beginning...

Today my brain went into overload. EXTREME overload. There is just so much information regarding comics and video games, that it's just wow...

Writing for video games is highly unlikely for me, unless of course I had a background in game design, since to most, these two fit in the same category. I don't know game design, so getting a job is...well you get the point. I'm still considering editing though. I can do that :).

Since my scene is going to be on comics, I decided to print these:

Hmmm...it's not much but believe me, there is a difference between DC script style and Marvel script style (the two styles giving as example in the book but not THE only ones...). I have to read through them and study them, so far, I think I'll be inclining towards DC for now.

I hope to come up with my own style sometime soon :).

I must confess, writing whether for t.v, animation, comics, and video games, is becoming overwhelming... but in the long run, it will be worth it!

Now the funny thing was that after reading, reading, reading.... I had to take a break. I just had to! So what was I to do?

Well, I've been eyeing my Sailor Moon collection, so I watched the first episode...It's been ages :laughs: then I decided to watch the first episode of Mobile Suit Gundam :). Brings back memories....

...back to business....

After my very long break... I sat down and began to write one out of three backstories I am working on. I'm not turning them in, but I have come to see just how important it is to have backstories for all characters. I wanted to write Mira's backstory, but as I began to type, nothing came out. I'm just really, really sleepy.


:crosses fingers: let's hope tomorrow is better and I'll be able to finish those backstories. As long as I finish them all before Thursday I'll be good.

So now...if only I can be directed to where a thing call bed is....



Till next time,

Eva