Well the whole writing thing has held up a bit. Admittedly at the moment I'm kind converting stuff I've already written into scenes. This seems a little too easy in some regards, but in others it almost confirms my suspicion that this is what I should have been doing from the beginning.
I've always tend to think quite visually and it's easy for me to plot stuff out in my head as if I was watching it on-screen. The struggling has always come in converting that into interesting prose.
But the thing about scripts I've read is you don't really seem to need interesting prose - in fact just the opposite, it needs to be basic and clear what the action should be. You need interesting dialogue and I think I'm okay at that. Certainly whenever people have commented on my stuff over at urbis if they've mentioned my dialogue it's generally been complimentary.
Not sure if that's anything to go by, though.
Also, for the first time in a while I had something of an idea. Well it's more of a concept than a fully-fledged idea, but I think it's good that the juices seem to be flowing a bit again.
I finished off some scanning this week and I've also been watching some animu in general.
Kono Aozora ni Yakusoku wo - Youkoso Tsugumi Ryouhe was okay. This is actually an older show - well it's not that old, but it was before I started religiously dl'ing and sampling everything. I'd have probably liked it more if the animation wasn't so bad - it was really poor. The show itself seemed quite harem-like, but it seemed to be more about characters than tits-and-arse.
I've also been continuing with Blassreiter. I have to admit it's getting better, but mainly because of a particular storyline concerning a kid who's being bullied. The main plot seems very generic, but that part of it has been quite well done, I think. Not sure it's enough to boost my overall rating - especially the animation is shocking - but it suggests there's some hope.
And I started watching real-world animu DVD-age too (blimey!). I think partly it's because I've cleared so much stuff on my big to-do lists. Anyway, the show I've been watching is Trigun. Gotta say I'm relatively unimpressed so far. I've read some of the manga, and I dropped that as it was very badly written. There were a lot of great ideas, it's just the writing was quite poor - lots that didn't make sense or that contradicted itself.
The anime is better on that front, but the main character, Vash, seems to have become an annoyingly loud, idiot. I know there's deeper stuff to come, but lets' just say if I was watching this on fansub I'd have dropped it by now.
Friday, 23 January 2009
Thursday, 22 January 2009
shooter
This last weekend's DVD was Shooter, starring Mark Wahlberg.
It was okay. I'm not sure I'd go much further than that.
One thing that was really cool about it was that Wahlberg was playing a sniper and they'd clearly done a lot of research about sniping and that whole thing. I mean there was obviously a lot of pure movie stuff in it, but they'd also definitely had a good crack at making it pretty accurate.
But there seemed to be a lot of things that didn't quite work too.
One thing that was odd was everybody seemed to be growling or mumbling, which made it really difficult to hear what they were saying. I think the effect was supposed to be one of making them seem menacing and moody, but instead it just came off as a kind of disinterest.
In the commentary the director kept talking about making a movie like they had in the 70s. I've heard a few people say that of recent films and I'm kinda on the fence as to whether it's a good thing.
Certainly here it didn't really seem to work - it was like everyone was too conscious of that fact. Like they were all thinking "yeah, I'm in the 70s - gotta act like the 70s". So it seemed more like a pastiche of the 70s, rather than a subtle thing.
Another problem was that Wahlberg's character seemed very dull. I don't think this was as a result of bad acting, as such, it was just that that's how Wahlberg had chosen to play him. But because he was the central character that meant I got a little bored of him.
Another major problem was the "bad guys." The bad guys kinda devolved into a bit of a "lol capitalism is evilzors and we likes it!" thing that just didn't seem to sit well. Not that having capitalism (and capitalist pig-dogs) as the bad guys is necessarily a bad thing, it just came across as slightly too obvious, but also as a little simplistic and childish.
They didn't earn it, in other words. If there had been more of Wahlberg's character actively discovering that it was evil capitalist pigs doing it and it had come as a revelation of some sort that may have worked better. But as it was we were just told - especially at one point where you had an almost bond-like bad guy speech.
Which was contradictory - if this is meant to be a gritty 70s chase film, what's with the OTT baddy speech?
Still, as I say, the snipery/actiony bits were entertaining enough.
It was okay. I'm not sure I'd go much further than that.
One thing that was really cool about it was that Wahlberg was playing a sniper and they'd clearly done a lot of research about sniping and that whole thing. I mean there was obviously a lot of pure movie stuff in it, but they'd also definitely had a good crack at making it pretty accurate.
But there seemed to be a lot of things that didn't quite work too.
One thing that was odd was everybody seemed to be growling or mumbling, which made it really difficult to hear what they were saying. I think the effect was supposed to be one of making them seem menacing and moody, but instead it just came off as a kind of disinterest.
In the commentary the director kept talking about making a movie like they had in the 70s. I've heard a few people say that of recent films and I'm kinda on the fence as to whether it's a good thing.
Certainly here it didn't really seem to work - it was like everyone was too conscious of that fact. Like they were all thinking "yeah, I'm in the 70s - gotta act like the 70s". So it seemed more like a pastiche of the 70s, rather than a subtle thing.
Another problem was that Wahlberg's character seemed very dull. I don't think this was as a result of bad acting, as such, it was just that that's how Wahlberg had chosen to play him. But because he was the central character that meant I got a little bored of him.
Another major problem was the "bad guys." The bad guys kinda devolved into a bit of a "lol capitalism is evilzors and we likes it!" thing that just didn't seem to sit well. Not that having capitalism (and capitalist pig-dogs) as the bad guys is necessarily a bad thing, it just came across as slightly too obvious, but also as a little simplistic and childish.
They didn't earn it, in other words. If there had been more of Wahlberg's character actively discovering that it was evil capitalist pigs doing it and it had come as a revelation of some sort that may have worked better. But as it was we were just told - especially at one point where you had an almost bond-like bad guy speech.
Which was contradictory - if this is meant to be a gritty 70s chase film, what's with the OTT baddy speech?
Still, as I say, the snipery/actiony bits were entertaining enough.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
a writer's tale
Last night I finished reading "Doctor Who: A Writer's Tale."
It's a big book - it's about 500 pages long and the text is tiny. To put that in context, during the course of the book we get to read several (3-ish) Doctor Who scripts. Now a Doctor Who script is going to be the best part of 50 pages long if you were to read it as a script.
Admittedly scripts have a lot of white space, but still, when you consider the text of scripts includes all sorts of rewrites and when you look at it only accounts for 20% of the words in the book, you'll get a feel for how big the book is.
Anyway, what the book is is a collection of e-mails (and a few text messages for good message) sent between the head writer and executive producer of new Doctor Who, Russell T Davies and Benjamin Cook, a young journalist and friend of Russell's.
It's a little difficult to explain the format of the book, but it's obvious when you actually read it. The e-mails last the course of year and during them Davies writes a handful of his own scripts for Dr Who, which is mainly the point of the book, so we get to see those scripts develop.
But also, because he's head writer, we see him rewriting other people's scripts. And because he's one of the Executive Producers he has to do all sorts of show-running stuff. On top of that it's like Cook is conducting an extended interview as well as being a friend.
What we mainly get, therefore, is something of an insight into the mind of a writer. Now Davies is always quick to stress that it's only his mind and how he works and this is what works for him and his own personal take on things, so the fundamental point is it's an exploration of his writing process.
And it's really warts and all.
There are literally pages dedicated to self-doubt and anguish. Davies sometimes spends ages procrastinating and avoiding writing, making himself miserable. We get to know about ideas that failed and bits that didn't work as well as stuff that did.
It's very interesting stuff and I'd highly recommend it... although with a little bit of coveting. If you don't know about new Doctor Who (or, indeed, old Doctor Who) it does try to explain stuff to you, but really you'll be struggling. If you don't like Doctor Who or Davies this won't do anything to convince you otherwise.
The other biggy is I dunno how a non-writer would take to it. I'm guessing quite well as there's plenty in it that's just generally entertaining, but it did feel more directed at those who've considered or actually tried to write, rather than just the general public.
It's a big book - it's about 500 pages long and the text is tiny. To put that in context, during the course of the book we get to read several (3-ish) Doctor Who scripts. Now a Doctor Who script is going to be the best part of 50 pages long if you were to read it as a script.
Admittedly scripts have a lot of white space, but still, when you consider the text of scripts includes all sorts of rewrites and when you look at it only accounts for 20% of the words in the book, you'll get a feel for how big the book is.
Anyway, what the book is is a collection of e-mails (and a few text messages for good message) sent between the head writer and executive producer of new Doctor Who, Russell T Davies and Benjamin Cook, a young journalist and friend of Russell's.
It's a little difficult to explain the format of the book, but it's obvious when you actually read it. The e-mails last the course of year and during them Davies writes a handful of his own scripts for Dr Who, which is mainly the point of the book, so we get to see those scripts develop.
But also, because he's head writer, we see him rewriting other people's scripts. And because he's one of the Executive Producers he has to do all sorts of show-running stuff. On top of that it's like Cook is conducting an extended interview as well as being a friend.
What we mainly get, therefore, is something of an insight into the mind of a writer. Now Davies is always quick to stress that it's only his mind and how he works and this is what works for him and his own personal take on things, so the fundamental point is it's an exploration of his writing process.
And it's really warts and all.
There are literally pages dedicated to self-doubt and anguish. Davies sometimes spends ages procrastinating and avoiding writing, making himself miserable. We get to know about ideas that failed and bits that didn't work as well as stuff that did.
It's very interesting stuff and I'd highly recommend it... although with a little bit of coveting. If you don't know about new Doctor Who (or, indeed, old Doctor Who) it does try to explain stuff to you, but really you'll be struggling. If you don't like Doctor Who or Davies this won't do anything to convince you otherwise.
The other biggy is I dunno how a non-writer would take to it. I'm guessing quite well as there's plenty in it that's just generally entertaining, but it did feel more directed at those who've considered or actually tried to write, rather than just the general public.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
mehness
I'm a bit meh today - I kinda can't really get going on anything. I even kept coming here, starting a new entry and then quitting out :/.
I think this is because I pushed myself a bit hard to get a report done and I've sort of burnt my brain out a bit.
The reason I wanted to get it done is there's the potential I may be working on a contract over the next month or so up in London. Problem is it's all a bit p in the air. I've never seen such twoddling about in all my life :/.
Not much else to say, really. Well, there is, but I can't be arsed to type any of it out - that's kinda my point.
I think this is because I pushed myself a bit hard to get a report done and I've sort of burnt my brain out a bit.
The reason I wanted to get it done is there's the potential I may be working on a contract over the next month or so up in London. Problem is it's all a bit p in the air. I've never seen such twoddling about in all my life :/.
Not much else to say, really. Well, there is, but I can't be arsed to type any of it out - that's kinda my point.
Monday, 19 January 2009
clean-cleany
Well I did all of that cleaning I mentioned on Friday, including the car.
I was kinda lucky to some degree, as there was rain on Saturday morning which looked like it was going to confirm the less good forecasts. But it brightened up for the afternoon and the rain held off until the evening, when it was properly stormy.
Sunday actually turned out to be a pleasant day, so I could have done cleaned the car then, but all the forecasts were terrible for Sunday so I got it done Saturday. Sunday I was knackered, obviously, but all I needed to do was a bit of tidying up.
I also watched quite a few telly shows I'd recorded. One was Derren Brown's latest. I like Derren - he does tend to do "psychic" stuff, which is a bit low rent, but he does it freely admitting (even outright telling you) it's all bunk and it's just a magic trick.
One thing I did notice though is he seems to have a bit of a nervous tick, where he nods his head. I'd seen it before, but in this last show he was doing it a heck of a lot.
On Sunday I did more scanning and obviously watched some anime as I was doing it. It was a bit of a random selection though as I've now pretty much finished all the fansubs for previous season. Since I normally like to wait until I have 3 or 4 shows I can watch it'll be a while before the new January shows are options, so it was all odds and sods.
Here are my thoughts:
I was kinda lucky to some degree, as there was rain on Saturday morning which looked like it was going to confirm the less good forecasts. But it brightened up for the afternoon and the rain held off until the evening, when it was properly stormy.
Sunday actually turned out to be a pleasant day, so I could have done cleaned the car then, but all the forecasts were terrible for Sunday so I got it done Saturday. Sunday I was knackered, obviously, but all I needed to do was a bit of tidying up.
I also watched quite a few telly shows I'd recorded. One was Derren Brown's latest. I like Derren - he does tend to do "psychic" stuff, which is a bit low rent, but he does it freely admitting (even outright telling you) it's all bunk and it's just a magic trick.
One thing I did notice though is he seems to have a bit of a nervous tick, where he nods his head. I'd seen it before, but in this last show he was doing it a heck of a lot.
On Sunday I did more scanning and obviously watched some anime as I was doing it. It was a bit of a random selection though as I've now pretty much finished all the fansubs for previous season. Since I normally like to wait until I have 3 or 4 shows I can watch it'll be a while before the new January shows are options, so it was all odds and sods.
Here are my thoughts:
- Blassreiter was okay. This is one of the shows I've bought on Bost TV, so I'll end up watching all of it eventually. It was okay, but I dunno that anything about it really grabbed me. The main problem was the animation was really poor - there's a lot of CG stuff that looks like it's absorbed the budget, so the rest of it is really clunky.
- Zettai Shougeki ~Platonic Heart~ was okay. IT comes from the Ikki Tousen school, where girls fight and when they punch each other their clothes explode. So it's fan-service heavy in other words. Problem is that appears to be all it is - there's nothing else to really recommend it.
- Strike Witches (OVA) was all right. I downloaded this as a sampler, but didn't watch it before buying on Bost, but I thought I'd clear it out before starting on Strike Witches proper. I'm kinda hoping this OAV is like a sampler/trailer to the series as it didn't make a whole lot of sense and seemed to jump big stretches of the plot. Hopefully the series is a lot better. Animation was good, though.
clean cleanliness
Well I did all of that cleaning I mentioned on Friday, including the car.
I was kinda lucky to some degree, as there was rain on Saturday morning which looked like it was going to confirm the less good forecasts. But it brightened up for the afternoon and the rain held off until the evening, when it was properly stormy.
Sunday actually turned out to be a pleasant day, so I could have done cleaned the car then, but all the forecasts were terrible for Sunday so I got it done Saturday. Sunday I was knackered, obviously
Blassreiter http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=9069 ???
I was kinda lucky to some degree, as there was rain on Saturday morning which looked like it was going to confirm the less good forecasts. But it brightened up for the afternoon and the rain held off until the evening, when it was properly stormy.
Sunday actually turned out to be a pleasant day, so I could have done cleaned the car then, but all the forecasts were terrible for Sunday so I got it done Saturday. Sunday I was knackered, obviously
Blassreiter http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=9069 ???
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