Monday 26 December 2011

Screenwriters for TV Need To Step Into The Real World

Right, so the Christmas episode of Eastenders this year was intense, but at the same time STOOPID!!


Let me just start with the writers of the Boxing Day episode...

  1. They just allowed everything to drag way too long!
  2. They made it UNREALISTIC!
  3. They probably ended up pissing the whole of the audience that were tuning in to watch it!
I can definitely say that if I had written this episode, people would be praising me (and I ain't being big-headed - it's a FACT).

The only good thing to come out from this episode is that the devil a.k.a Yusef Khan is FINALLY DEAD!!!


Anyway, signing off until next time....


kingdomCitizen x

Saturday 24 December 2011

Critical Situation

Does anyone remember how to write a critical essay?? Cos I sure as heck DON'T!


I've finished the first half part of my screenwriting assignment, but the second half is proving difficult...
I'm supposed to write a 1500-2000 word critical essay with annotated bibliography.
First of all, I've forgotten how to write a critical essay, let alone one that has to be almost 2000 words long! Secondly, annotated bibliography?? I seriously thought I would NEVER have to do one of those again after first year.


To be fair, the major issue is that our lecturers expect us to write this big critical essay on all that we've learnt in 12 weeks (that's how long the module is by the way, 12 WEEKS!!). Please can someone tell me how on earth we're supposed to cram 12 weeks worth of seminars/workshops into our brains that easily??!!
I personally think it's ridiculous and unfair for them to ask us to do this length of an essay.


There are only two upsides to the end of this module.

  1. I've finished my script and it's FABULOUS - even if I do say so myself ;-)
  2. I'll only have to go into Uni 3 days a week from the start of next year/term :D

Anyway... I've got to try and get on with some of my other assignments.

Signing off until next time...



kingdomCitizen x

Thursday 15 December 2011

Historical Fiction (Childrens Writing)

Today's seminar was a continuation of our discussion about Historical Fiction.

Here's the writing exercise we did. It's meant to be someone coming from a past historical period to the 21st Century:

She came out of nowhere. If I believed in magic, I would've said that she was some sort of witch using magical powers - but I don't believe in magic. She did however look rather familiar... It wasn't until she spoke that I knew who she was. Standing before me was none other than Queen Elizabeth I.

"Bow before your Queen!" she demanded

"Sorry lady, but I don't have to bow before anybody," was my reply

At that I took out my phone and snapped a picture. After all, I had to have proof that would make my friends believe me when I told them later.

"What is that strange object?" she asked

"What, this?" I asked holding up my phone

"Yes."

"This, is a mobile phone," I replied

Her Majesty looked rather baffled and tried to take it from me. I pulled my arm out of reach and she stumbled.

"Woah there! Nobody touches my phone - nobody. Do you have any idea how much this baby costs?!" I said

"I thought you said it was a mobile phone..." the Queen replied confused

"It is a mobile phone, but it's my baby," I replied gently stroking it

"You mean to tell me you have birth to that ghastly thing?!" she said with a hand on her heart

I stared blankly at her for a moment before bursting into laughter

"Lady, you're crazy."

"Do not laugh at your Queen! I shall have you executed!"

This just made me laugh all the more


So... What do you think?? Leave comments please or @ me on twitter: @_Imma90sBaby

Signing off until next time....


kingdomCitizen x

Monday 12 December 2011

ACCEPTABLE IS THE ANSWER!! :-)

*Does EXTREMELY happy dance*
MY SCRIPT WAS A HIT!!
If I had known that writing about my life's experiences would've been such a success, I would have done this idea first!


I always thought that writing about MY personal experiences was bordering on the verge of TOO personal, so I always shied away from it. Well not anymore!
Now I understand why I'm writing a novel about my life already - because other people have been through something similar.


You know something? Writing is REALLY good therapy! Here I was thinking that the only type of therapy for releasing/controlling anger was ironing. Boy was I wrong!


I don't think anyone could understand just how happy I am that my script was such a success.
Of course there were some ideas given from others, and if I'm being fair, majority of them WILL be incorporated in my final draft of the script. In fact, I've already started to make the amends!! :-)


So I can kinda relax now, because I know that my script will be over and done with before the end of 2011 (which was what I wanted to achieve).




Signing off until next time....






kingdomCitizen x

Karma.... Acceptable, or Unacceptable... That is the question...??

Today is the day where we workshop our scripts... *she says with an anxious look on her face*


I finally finished the writing of my script last night, now whether or not it will be accepted by my class of cynics is another kettle of fish :/


To be honest, the only opinion I care about is my lecturer's. He knows what he's talking about because he has experience. Don't get me wrong, I'm not being nasty or mean or whatever, I'm simply saying it as it is.


I'll let you know how it goes -___-


Signing off until next time...
(Well, later on today lol)




kingdomCitizen x

Sunday 11 December 2011

Short Stories for Children

I need to write a 2,000 word short story for my children's module.
The age-band I've decided to do is teen/young adult. The thing is, it's not easy writing a short story for a teen or young adult :/
When it comes to writing a short story for a child between the ages of 4 and 10, it's not so much of a big deal.
I would've chosen that age-band because it is easier I suppose, but I wanted to challenge myself, so I didn't.

The genre is going to be historical, because so far, we've looked at animal, adventure, fantasy and historical children's books.

I can't do animal genre because I don't like animals, and I'm not an animal person.
I can't do adventure because the idea that I had for the adventure genre is too long and impossible to cut down to a 2,000 word short story.
And finally, I can't do fantasy because I simply do not like fantasy.

So historical it is!

I have the idea, and I'm going to set it in 'The Swinging Sixties'. I know what you're thinking, but the 60s is historical as far as I'm concerned - haha!

Anyhoo... Back to the writing I go :-)

Signing off until next time...



kingdomCitizen x

Thursday 8 December 2011

The School Story

Oh how I wish all of you reading this could've been a fly on the wall in my fiction seminar today!!

Throughout the whole term, todays class by far has been the BEST!! Working with my fellow writers MJ, Simone, and Liam was a true experience, and one that I enjoyed thoroughly!

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie was the topic of discussion today. Although (I'm ashamed to say) I didn't read the book like I was supposed to (lack of resources), it was explained in great detail by the group who were assigned to do the presentation.

After going through the themes of the book:
Fantasy
Betrayal
Friendship
School
We divided ourselves into small groups and tried to come up with a similar story using two or more of the above themes.

I initially thought no-one was going to beat my groups idea because it was both HILARIOUS and had some form (even if slightly incomprehensible) of truth to it. However, ours was beaten by a beautiful 'Secret Garden'/'The Little Princess' idea by another group, which I have to say would make a FABULOUS children's story!

Doing this writing exercise today has urged me to read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie all the more!

Signing off until next time...



kingdomCitizen x

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Unicorns, Dragons, Magic & Portals

After that seminar, I can safely say that I DO NOT LIKE FANTASY!!

Sadly, I do have to write a 1,000 word short story on it :|

On the bright side, I know which type of fantasy I'll be writing.... Or at least I think I do -.-
It's gonna be either Portal Fantasy or Intrusive Fantasy.

Honestly I believe I can see myself writing the intrusive rather than the portal. Maybe I'll surprise myself and my lecturer lol.

Once I've thought of a more solid idea, I'll report back. Until then...

Signing off until next time...


kingdomCitizen x

Fantasy... Believable or Unbelievable??

This week, we had to read a fantasy book for the fantasy part of this module (Genre). The title was 'Anansi Boys' by Neil Gaiman.

Let me just start off with WTF?? Granted, I'm not used to reading fantasy books but still, WTF??!

I won't go into details about what the book is about because that's what Wikipedia is for. All I will say is that if you have a similar personality to me - you won't enjoy it either.

I did however feel sorry for the protagonist Charlie, especially since he had a prick of a brother.

I guess my reason for not liking fantasy, especially this one is because I don't find it believable. I know, your probably thinking "But it's fantasy, it's not meant to be believable". Well to that I say that's your opinion. Anytime I read a book, I normally am able to visualise everything as its happening. With this book, it didn't happen. Therefore I resolved myself to immediately not liking it! :-)

Signing off until next time...

kingdomCitizen x

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Blog Content...?

Right so I'm in my screenwriting workshop and our lecturer is showing us examples of 1st year students' blogs. Can I just say OMG! I didnt realise exactly how much detail we were supposed to pt into it! :/ Looks like I'm gonna have to 'go back in time' so to speak and talk about practically everything we've talked about since we started the module :( God help me!! Signing off until next time... kingdomCitizen x

Rejection Makes You Stronger!

So I had my screenwriting seminar yesterday and during the class, our lecturer told us to sit in a circle and go around, each person saying what their idea for their 10 minute short film was. In smaller words, he wanted to hear our pitches.


First of all, I would just like to point out that our Monday screenwriting class is meant to be a SEMINAR, where we talk about things like scene, sequence etc. Our Tuesday screenwriting class is meant to be the WORKSHOP where we bring our ideas, discuss among ourselves and receive feedback - be it positive or negative.


So we got into this circle right, and we went around saying our ideas. Then it got to my turn. (Now I would also like to point out that 2 weeks before, I had taken this idea to the workshop class and my lecturer had said it was a good idea, BUT I would have to cut it back so that it incorporates the short film criteria. Fair enough). I said my idea and what happened...?


NEGATIVE
NEGATIVE
NEGATIVE


That's all I was hearing. It got to a point where I just wanted to curl up into an invincible ball. My class is a bunch of CYNICS! Who says that bad people always get away with things they've done wrong?? It's not always the case. The idea for my short film as far as I'm concerned is for those who have FAITH! (And don't go thinking, "Oh no, she's going religious")


Yes I am a religious person. I'm a Christian and damn proud of it!! And if I want to incorporate bits of my belief into my writing, then I will jolly well do so!


I must admit though, I did feel disheartened and I did start to panic because my mind was completely blank (apart from that idea obviously). I want to write this script before the new year because this is the one I'm most worried about, AND I've got other assignments that are due around the same time.


My motto for coursework/assignments is: "Do the hardest or most challenging ones first, then you can sort of relax with the more easier ones"


Anyway, after talking to my mum, I've realized that I'm NOT going to throw the idea out the window. I'm gonna keep it, and when it gets made into an award-winning short film or whatever, I'm gonna have the last laugh! ;-)


The good news is: I've come up with a new idea - thank God!


Signing off until next time....


kingdomCitizen x

Sunday 4 December 2011

New Idea :-)

Right I think I've finally come up with the idea I need for my short film
*dougies*
It WAS originally sort of a 60 minute episode (as I was told), but thank God I've been able to cut it down.

....

Now all I have to do is to write the flipping thing!
YIKES!!

Signing off until next time....


kingdomCitizen x

Saturday 3 December 2011

Mini Rant :/

Okay so I have to come up with an idea for a 10 minute short film for my screenwriting module.
Granted I was supposed to have thought of this idea by now, but it's been really hard!! :( Whoever said screenwriting is easy was talking a load of bollocks!

Anyway, back to the whole 'idea for short film' situation...
We've gone over quite a few things in our seminars/workshops, and I've heard quite a lot of ideas from other people. The problem is how do I make the ideas my own?? How do I incorporate everything we've been told into this script??

Honestly, I don't know where the idea is gonna come from, but I know it has to come QUICK TIME!! [Especially since its due by the 9th of January...]

If you do have any ideas (that you don't mind sharing), then please let me know. If it's a raging success, I'll even mention you ;-) haha.

Signing off until next time...


P.S. My very first blog post!! How did it go?? :-)