Hope for this project that is!
For one thing, when I get tunnel vision I can forget any other market is out there. As it turns out, there are markets that take written only submissions.
With that in mind; ONWARDS!!!
Also may start to continue these updates in video form; so look forward to that little change!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Hard Choices
This is hard for me, if just because I had such a belief in the project.
In order for me to make the funds on Kickstarter the project should be nearing completion as opposed to just getting started. Without an artist on board, that's easier said than done.
What makes things worse is that most artists won't consider without a guaranteed payment. I could do it myself, but artistically I feel the story would suffer greatly if I were to handle the entire thing. Haven't really mastered shading yet, can't really get the grasp behind how much black to use vs every other color,
So I'm lead to a very difficult choice. I'll finish the script for Blood Mutiny. Then it will rest on the shelf (or in this case in the thumb-drive) until such a time as I could find the means to hire an artist to do this.
In order for me to make the funds on Kickstarter the project should be nearing completion as opposed to just getting started. Without an artist on board, that's easier said than done.
What makes things worse is that most artists won't consider without a guaranteed payment. I could do it myself, but artistically I feel the story would suffer greatly if I were to handle the entire thing. Haven't really mastered shading yet, can't really get the grasp behind how much black to use vs every other color,
So I'm lead to a very difficult choice. I'll finish the script for Blood Mutiny. Then it will rest on the shelf (or in this case in the thumb-drive) until such a time as I could find the means to hire an artist to do this.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Never underestimate the power of
the story...
You thought I was going to say "Force", didn't you?
As it is, I think I may have...original plan is officially scrapped! I was thinking I could keep the breakdown according to the actual act and scene breakdown according to the play, but it's not going to work out. The second scene was way too short as it turns out, which may be a good thing.
The first scene was easily covered in sixteen pages, but upon looking at the second scene, I've determined that I could finish that book with the second chapter. The second book could also have two chapters, and so forth...ten chapters down from twenty five...not a bad stint of pruning if I do say so myself...
It would be far easier to sell this if it wasn't going to turn into a monstrosity the size of a certain Rowling hardback.
You thought I was going to say "Force", didn't you?
As it is, I think I may have...original plan is officially scrapped! I was thinking I could keep the breakdown according to the actual act and scene breakdown according to the play, but it's not going to work out. The second scene was way too short as it turns out, which may be a good thing.
The first scene was easily covered in sixteen pages, but upon looking at the second scene, I've determined that I could finish that book with the second chapter. The second book could also have two chapters, and so forth...ten chapters down from twenty five...not a bad stint of pruning if I do say so myself...
It would be far easier to sell this if it wasn't going to turn into a monstrosity the size of a certain Rowling hardback.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
just to offer an idea...
Now I am determined that I find someone with the skill sets and talent. I don't have the faith in my own artistic skills to even remotely hope to see this come to life. However, I do have enough skill to lend ideas as to what some of Blood Mutiny could look like.
Balthazar
A minor character, but still important. Since he's in the employ of the Capulets, the steampunk vampires, he carries that certain look about him. At least, as well as I could get to it.
a close up on the facial detail of Balthazar
N.U.R.S.E.
Another minor character, but again, still important. Even though she's always been portrayed as an older woman, I thought she was do for an upgrade...literally.
Escalus
Prince of Verona, he's never really had many appearances through the play, in fact his presence was more felt than seen in the play. In Blood Mutiny though, he will have a far more significant role to fill.
note, this is just a costume sketch...something for reference. Now how she'll actually appear will be depending on the artist involved...
But at least I hope I've shown why I'm wanting an artist on this!
Balthazar
A minor character, but still important. Since he's in the employ of the Capulets, the steampunk vampires, he carries that certain look about him. At least, as well as I could get to it.
Another minor character, but again, still important. Even though she's always been portrayed as an older woman, I thought she was do for an upgrade...literally.
Prince of Verona, he's never really had many appearances through the play, in fact his presence was more felt than seen in the play. In Blood Mutiny though, he will have a far more significant role to fill.
Costume concept; Juliet the Warrior
Ok, now I realise Juliet in the play doens't appear until Act 1 Scene 2, but I do have her showing up earlier. The scene that takes place in serves a purpose, trust me. This costume concept indicates the nature of my Juliet.
But at least I hope I've shown why I'm wanting an artist on this!
Chapter One is nearly done!
Which means dumping for chapter two is on the horizon for this week! Huzzah!
Things are continually changing I find, although the plot remains stable. Already had some major revising covering a pivotal scene in the first fight sequence.
Related to Blood Mutiny; will soon be launching as a Kickstarter project!! Hopefully this will mean that I may aquire money to find an artist good enough to do the work of bringing the script to life. Excited? Certainly. Hopeful? You bet! Nervous? Understatement of the decade.
Things are continually changing I find, although the plot remains stable. Already had some major revising covering a pivotal scene in the first fight sequence.
Related to Blood Mutiny; will soon be launching as a Kickstarter project!! Hopefully this will mean that I may aquire money to find an artist good enough to do the work of bringing the script to life. Excited? Certainly. Hopeful? You bet! Nervous? Understatement of the decade.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Not written in stone
Rather, everything is being typed rather quickly on my prized Acer Aspire. Far easier to change and edit, I can assure you.
I originally had a page goal in mind for each chapter of roughly 24 pages. Then I realised I made a critical error. I'd miscalculated the events of one scene taking place in another, which affected the page count. If I were to go on 24 pages with the actions limited to that scene of the play, there would have been roughly six pages of an emotional young man whining.
I'm not that kind of sadist.
So my new page goal now sits at sixteen pages per chapter...still makes for a lot of pages, but the story is what dictates the size after all!
I originally had a page goal in mind for each chapter of roughly 24 pages. Then I realised I made a critical error. I'd miscalculated the events of one scene taking place in another, which affected the page count. If I were to go on 24 pages with the actions limited to that scene of the play, there would have been roughly six pages of an emotional young man whining.
I'm not that kind of sadist.
So my new page goal now sits at sixteen pages per chapter...still makes for a lot of pages, but the story is what dictates the size after all!
Questionable content
Back in Shakespeare's day, it wasn't uncommon for girls as young as twelve to be considered old enough to be married. In this day and age, that raises more than a few red flags, not only with me but with most of society.
If I was leaning towards making this historically acurate, I'd be all for keeping that little issue in the script. Since I've set this in a more modern setting, I'm opting out of that and making her a little older, eighteen rather than fourteen. Still young enough to be seen as a child by her parents, yet old enough to be considered a young woman worthy of being a bride.
To be honest I wasn't much older when I got married...
If I was leaning towards making this historically acurate, I'd be all for keeping that little issue in the script. Since I've set this in a more modern setting, I'm opting out of that and making her a little older, eighteen rather than fourteen. Still young enough to be seen as a child by her parents, yet old enough to be considered a young woman worthy of being a bride.
To be honest I wasn't much older when I got married...
Supporting cast
After dealing with the complexities of figuring out who would be what, I discovered a small detail I unfortunately overlooked.
Juliet's Nurse and Romeo's man Balthazar.
Now forgive me if I'm wrong, but it would seem out of place for normal people to be working voluntarily for werewolves and vampires. However since I have certain elements of science-fiction, namely steampunk and cyberpunk, the matter solves itself.
Make them both automatons. Robots. Androids. Whatever you'd like to refer to them. Rather than flesh and blood entities, they'll be made of metal and serve a purpose.
I can get away with naming an automaton Balthazar, but not so much with "Nurse". Solution there presented itself after a few agonizing moments of thought. Nanny Utility Robotic Service Entity or N.U.R.S.E.
hows that for creativity?
Juliet's Nurse and Romeo's man Balthazar.
Now forgive me if I'm wrong, but it would seem out of place for normal people to be working voluntarily for werewolves and vampires. However since I have certain elements of science-fiction, namely steampunk and cyberpunk, the matter solves itself.
Make them both automatons. Robots. Androids. Whatever you'd like to refer to them. Rather than flesh and blood entities, they'll be made of metal and serve a purpose.
I can get away with naming an automaton Balthazar, but not so much with "Nurse". Solution there presented itself after a few agonizing moments of thought. Nanny Utility Robotic Service Entity or N.U.R.S.E.
hows that for creativity?
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Concept
I'm admitting I need to bring some life to what has so far only been words on the page. Form and function need to be happening soon so that others can see what I'm thinking of. Enter what sadly lacking artistic skills I possess. I can probably get away with sketching some art, but not a lot. I don't have the skill to really bring the thing to life. My signature is a strange sad mix of cartoonishly realistic caricatures.
However, I'm going to attempt to bring some idea of what I'm wanting to do with this lovely little tale to light.
However, I'm going to attempt to bring some idea of what I'm wanting to do with this lovely little tale to light.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Changing gears...
At least as far as my intentions are conserned.
Initially I was wanting to submit to Image, with good reason. They're a good publisher, allow the creators to keep their rights and handles distribution for the creator.
Now that I think of it, the chances of getting Blood Mutiny published through Image is roughly the same odds as successfully navigating an astroid field while being pursued by enemy fighters.
I think I will wind up self-publishing. Not just for the guarantee that I will hold my work in my hands in it's completed form someday, but also knowing I did it myself, worked on getting the book distributed and finding the best sources to work with. I may also see the results of my efforts sooner, which is always good.
In the end, it would be published not because some lofty editor deemed it worthy of their attention, but because I delaired it to be worthy of everyone's attention.
Initially I was wanting to submit to Image, with good reason. They're a good publisher, allow the creators to keep their rights and handles distribution for the creator.
Now that I think of it, the chances of getting Blood Mutiny published through Image is roughly the same odds as successfully navigating an astroid field while being pursued by enemy fighters.
I think I will wind up self-publishing. Not just for the guarantee that I will hold my work in my hands in it's completed form someday, but also knowing I did it myself, worked on getting the book distributed and finding the best sources to work with. I may also see the results of my efforts sooner, which is always good.
In the end, it would be published not because some lofty editor deemed it worthy of their attention, but because I delaired it to be worthy of everyone's attention.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Dancing with myself...
Trying to learn the Tango, but getting it confused with the Cha-cha.
That is the best summary that I can come up with about writing this script. The images are coming across strongly, which is always a bonus, but finding the correct order to put them in can be time consuming.
Literally when I'm writing, I can be akin to an Arabian, fast and with plenty of stamina, but largely when I'm "dumping" words to the page, they can get jumbled. Going back, reading it over and trying to perfect what it is that I'm trying to convey is the most time consuming business. Then I'll find little gaps and holes in the action that could use filling and finally make sure the whole thing flows with ease.
Of course I have to make sure everything is perfectly clear for the artist who would be working on this. That is the most important function a script has to offer. Whereas a screenplay would offer just the barest necessities to convey the action, a graphic novel needs specifics. That's where I do the Cha-cha...whereas I've gotten the gist of the idea down already, I need to fill it in with the specifics for the artist to work with.
Also has the interesting side effect of turning what could be a 120 page screenplay into a phone book.
That is the best summary that I can come up with about writing this script. The images are coming across strongly, which is always a bonus, but finding the correct order to put them in can be time consuming.
Literally when I'm writing, I can be akin to an Arabian, fast and with plenty of stamina, but largely when I'm "dumping" words to the page, they can get jumbled. Going back, reading it over and trying to perfect what it is that I'm trying to convey is the most time consuming business. Then I'll find little gaps and holes in the action that could use filling and finally make sure the whole thing flows with ease.
Of course I have to make sure everything is perfectly clear for the artist who would be working on this. That is the most important function a script has to offer. Whereas a screenplay would offer just the barest necessities to convey the action, a graphic novel needs specifics. That's where I do the Cha-cha...whereas I've gotten the gist of the idea down already, I need to fill it in with the specifics for the artist to work with.
Also has the interesting side effect of turning what could be a 120 page screenplay into a phone book.
Breakdown
How does one step into the work of another and handle it with the respect that it's owed?
In writing this I'm discovering that the real challenges simply lie in the dialog, some I'm deliberately keeping, some is changed for a more modern setting, but holds the same meaning. Finding the balance is an interesting part. What helps is keeping the breakdown of both scripts the same.
The play is broken down to five acts, with anywhere from three to six scenes within each one. Following this plan, the breakdown become somewhat easier. Each act becomes a single book. I'm not worried about the number pages, I'm going to let the story itself tell me how big this will be, and I have a feeling it's going to be massive.
I start off just spilling words to the page, writing down the scenes and dialog as they occur in my head, which page it will occur on happens later. The point of the initial exercise is to get the bulk of the project out of my head and onto the page where I can see it. Once that process is done, it's a small matter of editing it, polishing it, finding all the little errors that occurred, then breaking the content down page by page, panel by panel, adding detail until the panel can nearly be seen in crystal clarity.
This is going to take some time.
In writing this I'm discovering that the real challenges simply lie in the dialog, some I'm deliberately keeping, some is changed for a more modern setting, but holds the same meaning. Finding the balance is an interesting part. What helps is keeping the breakdown of both scripts the same.
The play is broken down to five acts, with anywhere from three to six scenes within each one. Following this plan, the breakdown become somewhat easier. Each act becomes a single book. I'm not worried about the number pages, I'm going to let the story itself tell me how big this will be, and I have a feeling it's going to be massive.
I start off just spilling words to the page, writing down the scenes and dialog as they occur in my head, which page it will occur on happens later. The point of the initial exercise is to get the bulk of the project out of my head and onto the page where I can see it. Once that process is done, it's a small matter of editing it, polishing it, finding all the little errors that occurred, then breaking the content down page by page, panel by panel, adding detail until the panel can nearly be seen in crystal clarity.
This is going to take some time.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Solve one problem...
There is a special problem within Blood Mutiny that I don't believe has happened with any other version of Romeo and Juliet.
A lot of times, someone would change the names to suit the setting. Not me. I'm trying to be faithful to the heart of the script, but I'm also trying to be faithful to the names of the characters.
The twist is Romeo just happens to be a vampire in Blood Mutiny.
There's a reason for this. I've read stories and seen movies of romance between vampires and werewolves and the guy is always and I do mean always the werewolf. I wanted to stand out from that mish-mosh of standardized ideals, so Romeo is now a vampire. Montague, lets face it, just does not make a good vampire name. Capulet, with obvious connections to the word capillary, a sort of blood vessel, does.
So Romeo is now a Capulet and Juliet is a Montague.
This is going to butcher Juliet's balcony monologue like nothing else. But the plot is going to hold up.
A lot of times, someone would change the names to suit the setting. Not me. I'm trying to be faithful to the heart of the script, but I'm also trying to be faithful to the names of the characters.
The twist is Romeo just happens to be a vampire in Blood Mutiny.
There's a reason for this. I've read stories and seen movies of romance between vampires and werewolves and the guy is always and I do mean always the werewolf. I wanted to stand out from that mish-mosh of standardized ideals, so Romeo is now a vampire. Montague, lets face it, just does not make a good vampire name. Capulet, with obvious connections to the word capillary, a sort of blood vessel, does.
So Romeo is now a Capulet and Juliet is a Montague.
This is going to butcher Juliet's balcony monologue like nothing else. But the plot is going to hold up.
Working an issue
As a writer I like solving problems.
It can be something to do with the characters, the plot, making a twist work or something about the setting.
The thing that bugged me about Romeo and Juliet was the simple fact that everything just was happenstance. No real subplots going on. Happy seridipidy that the stars lined up and the illiterate messenger just happened to run into Romeo and Benvolio when Romeo was in dire need of lifted spirits.
That little thing called "fate" was bugging me like you wouldn't believe.
I put a supernatural twist into Blood Mutiny mostly because it was an interest of mine. Now it serves a deeper purpose. It gives a reason why the things happened the way they did.
Am I trying to improve on something? No. I am trying to tell the story my way, which is the only thing a writer could ever hope to do.
It can be something to do with the characters, the plot, making a twist work or something about the setting.
The thing that bugged me about Romeo and Juliet was the simple fact that everything just was happenstance. No real subplots going on. Happy seridipidy that the stars lined up and the illiterate messenger just happened to run into Romeo and Benvolio when Romeo was in dire need of lifted spirits.
That little thing called "fate" was bugging me like you wouldn't believe.
I put a supernatural twist into Blood Mutiny mostly because it was an interest of mine. Now it serves a deeper purpose. It gives a reason why the things happened the way they did.
Am I trying to improve on something? No. I am trying to tell the story my way, which is the only thing a writer could ever hope to do.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Title trouble
How does one tell what is going to happen in a story?
Mostly in the title.
Mixing a little horror into a romantic tragedy is something of a burden to be honest. You have to be careful to not have the wrong connotations otherwise the wrong impression will be made.
That said I can assure you that Blood Mutiny was not the original title of this particular work. In fact the original title is so embarrassing I'm not even about to mention it. Literally it gave me nightmares, haunted me, tormented me. Why? Simply because it was grade "A" ridiculous.
Thank heavens for the sudden brainstorm that came up with Blood Mutiny
Mostly in the title.
Mixing a little horror into a romantic tragedy is something of a burden to be honest. You have to be careful to not have the wrong connotations otherwise the wrong impression will be made.
That said I can assure you that Blood Mutiny was not the original title of this particular work. In fact the original title is so embarrassing I'm not even about to mention it. Literally it gave me nightmares, haunted me, tormented me. Why? Simply because it was grade "A" ridiculous.
Thank heavens for the sudden brainstorm that came up with Blood Mutiny
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