This week's Norse musings

It's been a funny seven days. I started off doing very well. On Saturday, I decided to reboot an idea I had a while ago. As some of you will know, I'm a huge fan of the Classics (note the capital C meaning ancient times of Greeks and Romans). I've often considered setting a film in those times, maybe adapting Homer's The Odyssey or The Illiad. But both have been done fairly recently and it's practically impossible to do The Odyssey justice without having a 4 hour film.

So I turned my attentions to another interest of mine - Norse mythology. Most people have heard of Thor, Odin, Loki and several other Norse gods, but I think their stories are yet to be told through the world of film. So I got to work.

I read the Prose Edda online. If there was such a thing as a Norse bible, this would be it! It's not an easy read, but fortunately, once you've battled through some Old English texts, you manage. I soaked it up, making notes on everything that happened and what I thought it meant. Then I read Norse Myths: Gods of the Vikings by Kevin Crossley-Holland. For anyone interested in Norse mythology, I highly recommend his book - his writing style is poetic and he explains things clearly.

In truth, I think I'd decided before all this what story I would tell. But after reading, I was certain where to start. A quick overview for anyone unaware:

It's was prophesied that the death of Balder (Odin's son) would trigger Ragnarok (the final battle in which everyone dies and all worlds are destroyed). Loki (god of mischief) did his usual thing and stirred up trouble. He killed Balder. Ragnarok began.

Pretty basic stuff really. But as usual, the clever stuff comes in the how and why as opposed to the events themselves. Scholars have said different things about the death of Balder - what did it mean? Could it be avoided? Should it be? Who is really to blame for Ragnarok? I have my own theories, but they're secret! *

Anyway, this week I got to work planning the events leading up to Balder's death. It was easier than I thought - a case of writing what we are actually told then deciding what creative liberties to take. Add a lot of characterisation and theme and you've got a solid story.

I had originally planned to write the story in two parts. Part one would show the events leading up to Balder's death and the death itself. Part two would then detail the war that followed. But I was struggling to think of enough of a story for part two. After talking with Michelle, I decided to slam it all in one film. Granted it would come to over 3 hours, but I think it could work.

As things stand, I'm struggling. I'm trying to get everything in there and pad it all out without it seeming forced. I'm also adding a fair few original characters to give alternative perspectives on events.

I'm sure it will all click eventually but it's so hard to get my head around! After starting off so well, I've come to a grinding halt. It's frustrating but shit happens. I just need to keep attacking it and trust that I'll find my groove again.

When I'm writing and everything is working, I'm as happy as a Viking in Valhalla, but when things don't quite go as planned, it feels like I've been hit by the mighty Mjollnir! I'm sure you all know how I feel (using your own cocky metaphors).

Production-wise, it's not very practical. This is a story with frost giants, massive wolves, gods, huge landscapes, epic battles, a journey into Hel and a snake big enough to wrap itself round the world! Needless to say, a budget of millions would be needed.

I thought about computer animation. That would lower the cost but as it turns out, not considerably. One animation company I spoke to said this:

I would love to get involved in this; and as soon as I have 20 or 30 million pounds at my disposal I shall move forward on it.

But I'm not giving up. I'm still pursuing computer animation companies and if nothing comes of it, the worst case scenario is that I write it and use it as a calling card.

Anyway, I have tomorrow and Saturday to work on it because from Monday, I'll be carrying on with 'Exile'.

Happy writing, scribes!

*See the 200 page script

Update: I have now decided to go back to the original plan and make this into two scripts. It's a gamble, but worse case scenario - I have to merge them together.

Weekly Interview (10)

This is a hardcore video from Robert McKee's Story seminar. Here, he talks about the importance of setting and the limitations and possibilities of the worlds you create. To make sure you get a handle on what he's saying, make sure you watch at least three times! Listening to him talk, you learn at least one thing - do not argue with Bob McKee about story!

'EXILE' - part 1

A while ago, I talked about doing a series of posts detailing my writing methods through a feature script. Alas I got sidetracked (which is not uncommon for me). However, with the idea I'm working on at the moment, it's impossible for me to get sidetracked, because it's for uni.

So here I am, talking through how I go about writing a feature script. A year ago I came up with the basic idea and wrote a (very rushed and consequently poor) script. Now I've taken that idea and expanded.

I've just finished writing the synopsis for 'EXILE'. It's essentially a rough, prose version of the story, with no dialogue and very little detail. It comes to a hefty 12 pages (7500 words) which is very long for me. But it should make the scriptwriting considerably easier.

Now I'll make revisions to the story, theme and characters (I expect to remove a few) and try and work out how long (screen time) that'll be. The plan is to take the synopsis and work it into a very rough scene breakdown. Obviously, from there I'll know how many scenes I have and roughly how long each one will take on screen. If it's too much or too little, I'll get to work expanding the story.

All this might take some time because I want to get opinions before rushing on with things. Primarily I'll be getting the advice from my tutor Linda-Lee. After all, she'll be the one helping most and marking the damn thing!

Do you want over 40 hours of screenwriting lessons?

If you answered 'yes', read on!

I've spent a lot of time recently watching episodes of TV written and/or directed by Tim Minear. Most people out there will know the name - he's written loads for Joss Whedon, namely 'Angel', 'Firefly' and 'Dollhouse'. The thing you'll notice about Tim's work is how tense it is - every single scene seems to have great amounts of character tension. Sorry, the first thing you'll notice about Tim's work is his love for slo-mo - something he uses with amazing effect!

Here's one scene with semi slow motion and it works great, adding depth and emotion to the moment.

Anyway, I was listening to the commentary to 'Lullaby' ('Angel' season 3), which Minear wrote and directed. There are some great insights into the writing process and some great tips (like how rain can improve a scene). You also might want to transcribe everything he and fellow writer Mere Smith say, as it's fucking hilarious!

Joss Whedon is a fine writer. And he has an amazing ability - he finds writers just as good as himself - the best of the best. On the DVD boxsets (of 'Buffy', 'Angel' and 'Firefly') there are many commentaries from the writers and directors.

Even if vampires or spaceships aren't your thing, you should definitely buy the DVDs. If for no other reason than you're guaranteed a few hours of screenwriting lessons for every season*

So get buying! I see writer's commentaries as one of the greatest sources for information and you should too!

*Number of commentaries in Whedon's box sets:

'Buffy' season 1 = 2
'Buffy' season 2 = 4
'Buffy' season 3 = 4
'Buffy' season 4 = 6
'Buffy' season 5 = 4
'Buffy' season 6 = 6
'Buffy' season 7 = 7

'Angel' season 1 = 2
'Angel' season 2 = 2
'Angel' season 3 = 3
'Angel' season 4 = 7
'Angel' season 5 = 7

'Firefly' season 1 = 7

That comes to a grand total of 61 commentaries from three TV shows. Each commentary lasts 40 minutes (an hour and a half in the case of one) so 60 x 40 = 2400 minutes = 40 hours + 1.5 hours = 41 hours 30 minutes.

Yes, that's over 41 hours of screenwriting lessons! I think you know what to do!

Weekly Interview (9)

This week's interview features some of the best bits from a Blake Snyder Q&A. He talks about character progression and genres, including how 'Alien' and 'Jaws' are the same movie. Enjoy...

Becoming an Exile

It's been a wee bit quiet on here of late. The reason is I've been at work more than usual. I'm planning on doing a lot of work on EXILE this week, so it will probably stay quiet. I say 'planning' as I listen to a song with the lyrics - "Well there's nothing you can say to me now! And there's nothing you can do to stop me!"



Anyway, I will work a lot on EXILE this week so there won't be many posts. But I'll still find time for the weekly screenwriting interview at some point. Think I'll rummage around for something from Mr Tim Minear - he's always cool!

Happy writing, dudes!

Weekly Interview (8)

This week's interview once again comes from The Dialogue, featuring screenwriter Paul Haggis who is responsible for CRASH and the Oscar nominated script for MILLION DOLLAR BABY. As a writer, producer and director, Paul has a rounded view on screenwriting, knowing just what it takes to make a movie.

Here, he talks about his writing methods and why the next scene is always the impossible one. He also touches on the fear of failing, idea inspiration and how real life effects writing. Enjoy...