A Little Help From My Cats, Er, Friends... :)

Russell Bolding

Hey you guys!

Been a while since I've posted. I've been spending most of my time being distracted or during the non-distracting times, I've managed to squeeze off a few pages of my script. I'm up to page 47 now and I'm not sure things are working right.

By working, I mean, I'm not sure I have my A/B stories to where they need to be, or am even sure I have my A/B stories figured out. Without going around in circles with my comments here, let me say this - Back To The Future kicked major ass. In story, in plot, in theme. Everything was clear, concise. You knew the A story going into Act 2, you knew the B story riding the fun wave through the same act and they all merged seamlessly into Act 3.

Right now, my "script" is a sheer miracle. I'm using the "Cat" method and I, myself, personally feel something's missing. Well, how can I possibly write with all of the distractions in my life. I've sort of talked to Blake in emails about this and he gave me beautiful advice. My thing is, I'm married to a selfish and controlling wife, I have WAY too many responsibilities or obligations to deal with, which takes away from my writing. In the a.m. when I have most of the "peaceful" time to write, I'm either too exhausted to be able to focus and I nap til time to go to my dead end "Joe" job or I'm distracted by something else again.

Now, I'm not writing this to whine or bitch or anything like that. We're all adults here and we should know how to deal with our personal problems to get us in a place where we can write and get it done. What I am doing is attempting to reach out for some help. By "help", I mean this. Would there be anyone here on the forum be willing to talk with me on the phone about my script? Maybe help be untangle my A and B story or figure out why it's not rolling as smoothly as the story in BTTF did. For example, I start out introducing my main characters - two sisters who are driving each other nuts, especially after the younger one ruined the career of her older, pop star singer sister (think a pop star over seas like The Hoff only with boobs and high heels). I believe that's my A story.

We're introduced to an old lady who ends up being the Obi Wan of the movie - in Act II, she tries to help the younger sister be the hero she's meant to be after a reality show pops into town (it's really being run by aliens planning to use it as a ruse for their invasion). I know plot goes into Act 2 and I assume the B story is that of the old lady and the girl - they work together to bring down the aliens and attempt to save the world.

Have I lost you so far? So, anyway, I was hoping to hook up with someone, hopefully by phone but if email is more your speed and you have the time to put into this train wreck, I'd so appreciate it. I've shown my first act to a few people and they really like it. Great notes and stuff on it. But now, I feel lost in the sauce with this second act. I think I'm doing okay but the logline IS "Evil aliens use a reality show as a ruse for their invasion and it's up to a self-absorbed teenage girl to stop them!" Thing is... so far, I'm not featuring the reality show much. Not sure it needs to be that prominent but if it's in the logline... you know? Am I overanalyzing this beast?

So, in closing, anyone interested in rolling up their sleeves and digging in to help me, I'd be so grateful to you for your time and help. That is all. I'm done yapping now. Hope to hear from you all soon. Smile

- Russ

John J. Austrian · Saber Tooth Tiger Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 465

Russ,

What is the title? Is it a "dude" or a "fleece"? Have you posted the beats? The logline?

If not you may want to do this first so people can take a look...

_________________
"There's only one kind of woman...or man, for that matter. You either believe in yourself or you don't. -- James T. Kirk (TOS: "Mudd's Women")

Russell Bolding

Definitely "dude' or as I call it... "dudette" since it's a girl. Smile

How do I post my beats? Honestly, I think I ended up writing an outline instead of making each beat a simple sentence or two or three. Here's the log...

Evil aliens use a reality show as a ruse for their invasion and it's up to a self-absorbed teenage girl to stop them!

Any way to post the beats as a text file? I could post it as is (copy/paste) but it'd take up a LOT of space. Smile

John J. Austrian · Saber Tooth Tiger Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 465

Post your Logline & 15 beats ala Blake's BS2:

PROJECT TITLE:

GENRE:

Logline:

1. Opening Image (1):

2. Theme Stated (5):

3. Set-up (1-10):

4. Catalyst (12):

5. Debate (12-25):

6. Break into 2 (25)

7. B Story (30):

8. Fun and Games (30-55):

9. Midpoint (55):

10. Bad Guys Close In (55-75):

11. All Is Lost (75):

12. Dark Night of the Soul (75-85):

13. Break into 3 (85):

14. Finale (85-110):

15. Final Image (110):

You can either post it in the "Logline/Beat sheet" area or post it here and I'll move the whole section... Tomorrow. I have to get back to my own script! Wink

_________________
"There's only one kind of woman...or man, for that matter. You either believe in yourself or you don't. -- James T. Kirk (TOS: "Mudd's Women")

Russell Bolding · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:03 pm Post subject:

So does it really matter how long each beat it? The finale isn't really set in stone but it's close. I'll get that up on the logline/BS2 section tonight. Smile

Thanks John. Smile

brianna · Siberian Tiger Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 457

mine was long too. Its allright Very Happy

Russell Bolding · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:56 pm Post subject: BS2 of HTCPE(I5ES)

Okay, I'm posting the whole shebang right now in the Logline/BS2 section. Ignore the finale for right now. I'm still working out a few details. I was just playing Destroy All Humans on the PS2 (I know, sorry excuse... I need to be writing!) and it gave me so many great ideas but I need to figure out a few other things first. Mostly, I'm posting this to maybe figure out why I'm having such a hard time with A/B story. So, off I go to post this thing. Smile

Thanks, guys!

GHarris · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:22 pm Post subject:

Haven't checked the other forum yet for your beat sheet, but at a glance it sounds to me like your A story is the relationship between the two sisters, and the B story would be thwarting the alien invasion.

The Old Lady, to me, sounds like she helps the girl throughout the invasion just like Obi Wan did for Luke. So she (and that relationship) would be part of the B story.

Then A and B merge when the older sister somehow becomes involved, either by helping, or being kidnapped, or whatever. Then their relationship is tested even more AND is affected directly by the invasion. And maybe the Old Lady bites it at the All is Lost/Whiff of Death, or maybe not. I dunno. Just throwing stuff out there.

That's just off the top of my head, though.

Russell Bolding · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject: Dannnnng...

I was pretty on the money after all. Just doubting my talents and abilities again. The thing of the sisters, though is that part is in the first 10-12 pages, then the story goes to the younger sister and her boyfriend. You really don't see the older sister until the start of the second act. That's kinda why I was wondering what the A story was. Seemed like big sis wasn't in there long enough to really be the A story.

You're right about the old lady - dead on right. As for merging the two stories, I never thought of it the way you did. Actually, she is kidnapped, come to think of it. So after discovering her "boyfriend" has been abducted and deciding he's the only reason to get involved with this whole thing in the first place, she'll eventually discover he's in love with someone else. She leaves him behind - oh wait, the Old Lady bites it as you mentioned as well as the big sis getting kidnapped as well. Now after this, she's captured and forced to stay on the ship with big sis. They work out their differences and band together to finish off the aliensa dn save the world.

Lesson learned by little sis, sacrifice herself for the greater good. I've even outlined a bit where they discuss Wrath of Khan and the line about the needs of the many... blah blah blah. So you think I have a handle on my A/B story here? Smile

Thanks, G, for your insight. I might be able to get this ball rolling again.

macmike · Leopard Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 40

About the writing:

I feel strongly you need to have your BS2 and your 40 scene cards down cold before you begin to write. Then everything becomes easier. I used to get as frustrated as you about the whole life, family, responsibility thing. I never had a big enough block of time to get going. With the Save the Cat software helping me lay it all out, I can actually write in 45 minute to 1 hr blocks and still get something done! One page a day and that first draft is done in 3 1/2 months.

In doing this, I discovered another neat thing. Writing in smaller chunks allows things to percolate. I'll go for a run and "find" the dialogue I was couldn't quite get while writing or I'll think of a fantastic way to do the next scene just driving to work. Try turning off the radio on your commute and just think about your script. So much comes to you in those quiet moments. Bring a notepad for the red lights. If you take mass transit that's even better- you can write all the time.

My 2 cents:

"My thing is, I'm married to a selfish and controlling wife"

I've lived through the controlling wife thing too. They worry...about everything. Anything you try to do just for you is viewed as a threat. The bottom line is you should be able to write as your hobby. Everyone needs to do something for themselves. Set aside time to write and just stick to your guns. If she loves you and you love her then she will learn to live with it.

An Assignment:

Though I don't advocate Lester's approach entirely , I must highly recommend American Beauty as your homework assignment. If you want to see a landmark film where the husband takes back his life watch this movie. Watch it WITH your wife for an even more adventurous time. Smile

_________________
Just once I'd like my "Interest" and "Occupation" to switch places, though I think my wife would not be amused.

	Save the Cat Community Forum Index » Save the Cat	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1