What are you afraid of?

Come see FMVD grad Rory Abel when he visits campus tomorrow evening, Friday February 27th to screen his feature debut, Phobia.  Rory wrote and directed this psychological horror piece and he'll be on hand to do a Q&A afterwards.  7:00 PM, UCross Large Screening Room.

Senior Project Status

If there are any seniors who have not met with me in the past two weeks, please check in with me directly or update your own blogs so I can track progress on your scripts.  If you still owe me work, let me know how I can help you complete it.  If you're struggling with your third acts, let's talk.

Mobile Screenwriting

I don't advocate working this way, but if you do, here's a couple of apps you may want to check out.

Mobile Screenwriting Apps

Those January Blues

As I sit with my back to a window, ignoring the view of leaden grey skies and ground covered with the slushy remnants of last night's show, I find it hard to summon the creative energy to actually write.  There are so many other things suited to this kind of day: sleeping, binge-watching netflix, playing video games, baking cookies.  And yet, those pages aren't going to write themselves.  It's why writing is often referred to as a discipline.  That's what it takes, a will to focus when that's absolutely the last thing you want to do.

For students working independently, the challenge is even more pronounced, because you have other deadlines in classes that meet on a regular basis and reinforce the need for consistent effort.  I can say that one of the hardest steps to take in becoming a professional writer is keeping the discipline of writing even when you don't have to.  It won't get any easier when you leave school, when the additional pressures of life, family, day jobs, rent, and who knows what else take on so much more weight.

All of you are working on exciting pieces in various genres.  Keep your eye on that excitement, and sit down to write some pages.

Reminder - Initial Term Meeting

Our first meeting of the term will take place tomorrow, 10-12 in the seminar room, #027.  I'll be listening to pitches and discussing the goals for the term as well as Spring events.

Something to Think About

Welcome to a brand new year.  After the hats have crumpled and the confetti has been swept away and the last dregs of holiday partying have sludged down the drain of history, you may be asking yourself, what next?  Funny you should ask...

The whole year lays spread before you, a road unwalked.  Now is the time to find the path to get you to your desired destination.  If that destination is a completed script, re-commit yourself to the path, begin work afresh.

Did you know the deadline for submission to the Nicholl Fellowships is April 10?  Think about it.  I'd like to see some of you submit, if your scripts are ready.

Let's make it a great year.

End of the Line

As 2014 draws to a close, I wanted to wish you all a great holiday season.  Thanks for all the hard work so far and use the break to recharge, so that in January, you're ready to tackle even bigger challenges.

Seniors, I'll be organizing a meeting in the second week of class to recap some information, put the first term in perspective, and listen to revised pitches.  An informational e-mail will go out the first week in January.