I'm probably three-quarters away from completing an instrumental piece, "Seer," inspired by the screenplay I've been working on for a while now. I want to track at least one guitar solo and some fills and the like, and I need to make a decision about the drum-line--like, do I want to have one or not? I did record the drums but I may leave them out of the final mix. We'll see. Not bad, though, considering I just started tracking it this morning.
I've also been watching a Criminal Minds marathon on A&E most of the day today. I know, I've seen every episode, most of them multiple times, but it's kind of fun to try to remember which one it is during the teaser.
Had an idea for what a friend of mine calls a "Bitter Home Boy" novel. Yes, I may actually write it as a novel. Maybe, maybe not. Still to got some thinking to do. It'll probably turn out to be something I just need to get out of my system. Which means it'll probably suck. It'll certainly be vitriolic. And catharitic.
That's really all that's going on with me on this holiday. Haven't done anything special, which makes it one of the best kind of holidays.
Anyway, that's all from this front for now.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Let me introduce you to . . .
. . . a fantasy author named Tim Powers.
Since the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, On Stranger Tides, is based in part on one of his books, I thought I'd bring him to your attention. If you haven't already heard of him.
Powers is a master of taking actual historical events and retelling them, adding fantastic elements like voodoo and magic. I think he takes something that's always been a mystery and writes an entire, complex novel to explain it. For example, just before Blackbeard the Pirate sailed into the battle that claimed his life he shot his best friend, Israel Hands, in the knee. He said it was because, "Hell, if I didn't shoot one of you every now and then you'd forget who I am." Then he sailed into a really stupid situation that got him killed. Blackbeard was a master a naval battles, but he got himself trapped in waters too shallow to manuever, and the Royal Navy cut him to pieces. Why? I think this book was written to answer that. The short version is, Blackbeard had ulterior motives and knew exactly what he was doing. Read the book to find out more.
Then there is my personal favorite, The Stress of Her Regard. Remember that historic gathering of the romantic poets Byron and Shelly, and Shelly's wife, Mary, author of Frankenstein? A couple of movies have been based on it, along with several novels. During this meeting conversation turned to matters macabre, and everyone present agreed to write some sort of horrific story--Mary went on to write the masterpiece for which she is mostly remembered. During that meeting Byron's personal physician, Polidori (who was later personal physician to Bram Stoker--one wonders if he influenced Stoker, inspiring Dracula) had some sort of odd hallucination. He started shrieking, pointing at Mary, screaming something that sounded like "Eyes in her breast! Eyes in her breast!" He later said he'd begun hallucinating and imagined a woman with eyes where her nipples would be. He claimed he'd fallen under the spell of the conversation. (Polidori later wrote a forgettable novel, Varney the Vampyre, btw.)
Powers takes that strange moment and builds what I consider his masterpiece around it. Basically, Polidori was not saying what history says. It was actually a German phrase that sounds sort of like that but has a completely different meaning. I can't begin to elaborate, except to say it involves the origin of the vampire myth--what vampires actually are, where they came from, all that. It is absolutely breathtaking. It also contains one moment that is so heartbreaking I can't bring myself to read it again. It involves Shelly and a desperate attempt to save one of his children from becoming a vampire. Gods. I had tears in my eyes after that one. When I re-read it I had to skip those pages. Read it for yourself. You will not be able to stop.
Then, there is The Anubis Gates. Considered by many to be Powers' masterpiece, it involves magical time travel, a body-switching werewolf, and a poem that cannot possibly have an author. As a tasty, amusing tidbit, it also proposes an origin for the phrase "OK". And, in a weird sort of way, the origin of a classic Beatles tune. The story is, when Paul McCarthy wrote "Yesterday" he was convinced he'd heard the tune before. He played it for everyone he could think of and nobody could identify it. I think--and this is just me--that this is the seed that grew into this book. It's something that comes up, almost incidentally, in the plot. Read it for yourself.
Pick any of these three--or all of them. You will not be disappointed. Rocking good reads all!
Since the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, On Stranger Tides, is based in part on one of his books, I thought I'd bring him to your attention. If you haven't already heard of him.
Powers is a master of taking actual historical events and retelling them, adding fantastic elements like voodoo and magic. I think he takes something that's always been a mystery and writes an entire, complex novel to explain it. For example, just before Blackbeard the Pirate sailed into the battle that claimed his life he shot his best friend, Israel Hands, in the knee. He said it was because, "Hell, if I didn't shoot one of you every now and then you'd forget who I am." Then he sailed into a really stupid situation that got him killed. Blackbeard was a master a naval battles, but he got himself trapped in waters too shallow to manuever, and the Royal Navy cut him to pieces. Why? I think this book was written to answer that. The short version is, Blackbeard had ulterior motives and knew exactly what he was doing. Read the book to find out more.
Then there is my personal favorite, The Stress of Her Regard. Remember that historic gathering of the romantic poets Byron and Shelly, and Shelly's wife, Mary, author of Frankenstein? A couple of movies have been based on it, along with several novels. During this meeting conversation turned to matters macabre, and everyone present agreed to write some sort of horrific story--Mary went on to write the masterpiece for which she is mostly remembered. During that meeting Byron's personal physician, Polidori (who was later personal physician to Bram Stoker--one wonders if he influenced Stoker, inspiring Dracula) had some sort of odd hallucination. He started shrieking, pointing at Mary, screaming something that sounded like "Eyes in her breast! Eyes in her breast!" He later said he'd begun hallucinating and imagined a woman with eyes where her nipples would be. He claimed he'd fallen under the spell of the conversation. (Polidori later wrote a forgettable novel, Varney the Vampyre, btw.)
Powers takes that strange moment and builds what I consider his masterpiece around it. Basically, Polidori was not saying what history says. It was actually a German phrase that sounds sort of like that but has a completely different meaning. I can't begin to elaborate, except to say it involves the origin of the vampire myth--what vampires actually are, where they came from, all that. It is absolutely breathtaking. It also contains one moment that is so heartbreaking I can't bring myself to read it again. It involves Shelly and a desperate attempt to save one of his children from becoming a vampire. Gods. I had tears in my eyes after that one. When I re-read it I had to skip those pages. Read it for yourself. You will not be able to stop.
Then, there is The Anubis Gates. Considered by many to be Powers' masterpiece, it involves magical time travel, a body-switching werewolf, and a poem that cannot possibly have an author. As a tasty, amusing tidbit, it also proposes an origin for the phrase "OK". And, in a weird sort of way, the origin of a classic Beatles tune. The story is, when Paul McCarthy wrote "Yesterday" he was convinced he'd heard the tune before. He played it for everyone he could think of and nobody could identify it. I think--and this is just me--that this is the seed that grew into this book. It's something that comes up, almost incidentally, in the plot. Read it for yourself.
Pick any of these three--or all of them. You will not be disappointed. Rocking good reads all!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Rainy Friday afternoon randomocity
There's this new girl at work who has been making with the big smile and eye contact when I run into her.
I can't decide if she likes me, or if she's just one of those people who smiles and makes eye contact with everybody, or if she thinks I'm some sort of bigwig. I have the feeling it's the second thing, for three reasons: 1.) She's really cute. 2.) I think she's a good bit younger than me. 3.) I'm awfully ugly. So, whatever it is, I doubt it's what I'd hope it would be. Most guys in my position would have taken a shot. And probably lost their jobs. As for me, if she is interested she'll have to be a bit more obvious about her intentions.
I don't have any other news on artistic fronts. I think I'll start writing and tracking some new tunes soon while I wait to see if Seer is going to go anywhere. I feel fairly confident on that front but there are umpteen million factors involved so saying anything at all about it at the moment wouldn't be cool, other than I'm optimistic.
Work has been insane, mostly because of the big changes that are getting closer and closer. I'll be moving to another city by the end of the year--still don't know when. One of my best work friends will be moving in July to the other office in Birmingham--I'm glad she's going there because they'll need her experience, but I'll miss having her sitting across from me.
And Atari is doing about the same. It's been raining, which aggravates his arthritis, and it's been thundering, which makes him anxious, but that's over for now so he's cool.
And I'm off Monday for Memorial Day. No plans, other than I'm going to relax. Especially since I am working tomorrow, at least for a little while. The phone won't be ringing non-stop so I can put my earbuds on, crank up the iPod, and rock the day away.
That's it for me, right now. Keep your fingers crossed I have some good news regarding my film project in the near future. And maybe get
I can't decide if she likes me, or if she's just one of those people who smiles and makes eye contact with everybody, or if she thinks I'm some sort of bigwig. I have the feeling it's the second thing, for three reasons: 1.) She's really cute. 2.) I think she's a good bit younger than me. 3.) I'm awfully ugly. So, whatever it is, I doubt it's what I'd hope it would be. Most guys in my position would have taken a shot. And probably lost their jobs. As for me, if she is interested she'll have to be a bit more obvious about her intentions.
I don't have any other news on artistic fronts. I think I'll start writing and tracking some new tunes soon while I wait to see if Seer is going to go anywhere. I feel fairly confident on that front but there are umpteen million factors involved so saying anything at all about it at the moment wouldn't be cool, other than I'm optimistic.
Work has been insane, mostly because of the big changes that are getting closer and closer. I'll be moving to another city by the end of the year--still don't know when. One of my best work friends will be moving in July to the other office in Birmingham--I'm glad she's going there because they'll need her experience, but I'll miss having her sitting across from me.
And Atari is doing about the same. It's been raining, which aggravates his arthritis, and it's been thundering, which makes him anxious, but that's over for now so he's cool.
And I'm off Monday for Memorial Day. No plans, other than I'm going to relax. Especially since I am working tomorrow, at least for a little while. The phone won't be ringing non-stop so I can put my earbuds on, crank up the iPod, and rock the day away.
That's it for me, right now. Keep your fingers crossed I have some good news regarding my film project in the near future. And maybe get
Saturday, May 21, 2011
No Survivors
I see your scars so close to my own
put us together what would we spell?
We both got hard places in our heart
a longing as deep and dark as a well
It's fated that we should find each other
(you've got to give me something)
Written in stone that we should be here
(you've got to give me something)
neither of us would ever settle for less
(you've got to give me something)
a perfect understanding of who we are
(you've got to give me something)
We could go to town, we could burn it down
we could leave no survivors
I know exactly where you hurt, I see it in your eyes
where you're red and raw and bleeding
I cover your wounds I'll be your bandage
All I ask is you do the same for me
It's fated that we should find each other
(you've got to give me something)
Written in stone that we should be here
(you've got to give me something)
neither of us would ever settle for less
(you've got to give me something)
a perfect understanding of who we are
(you've got to give me something)
We could go to town, we could burn it down
we could leave no survivors
let's go on the road before we get old
who can say what we'll discover?
words and music by J Franklin Evans
Good vs evil?
I'm getting a bit tired of the perception that people sit on one side of the fence or the other. You know, evil or good.
Films are especially obsessed with this notion--so much so it's getting ridiculous. The first thing a screenwriter seems to get asked by a studio exec these days about any character is, "Is he evil?" While the contrast might make for really easy-to-write screenplays and novels, it gets sort of tedious after a while.
I had an idea in this vein for a scene--I have nowhere right now I'd actually use it, so feel free to swipe it if you want. There's an evil guy--stereotypical evil, mustache-twirling, nasty laugh, etc., etc. Our band of intrepid heroes--a group of teenagers--are fighting against his malevolent plot. Then, they encounter a group of people who are, beyond question, good--their benevolent if oblivious parents--socializing with the villian, making conversation, hanging out with him, for Chrissakes! Even planning to do business with the guy. He must have them under a spell or something. Our parents would never team up with someone so obviously evil.
So, eventually, after failing to defeat this spell the bad guy has their parents under, or even to discover it's nature, our heroes just confront their parents while they are meeting yet again with the villian. "Don't you know he's evil?" they say. "How can it not be obvious to you?"
The parents reply is, "Of course he's evil. Duh! But he's really funny and he gives great income tax advice."
Like I said, funny (to me, anyways) but I got nowhere to use it. Feel free to use it yourself if you want. Just be sure to let people know where you got it from.
Films are especially obsessed with this notion--so much so it's getting ridiculous. The first thing a screenwriter seems to get asked by a studio exec these days about any character is, "Is he evil?" While the contrast might make for really easy-to-write screenplays and novels, it gets sort of tedious after a while.
I had an idea in this vein for a scene--I have nowhere right now I'd actually use it, so feel free to swipe it if you want. There's an evil guy--stereotypical evil, mustache-twirling, nasty laugh, etc., etc. Our band of intrepid heroes--a group of teenagers--are fighting against his malevolent plot. Then, they encounter a group of people who are, beyond question, good--their benevolent if oblivious parents--socializing with the villian, making conversation, hanging out with him, for Chrissakes! Even planning to do business with the guy. He must have them under a spell or something. Our parents would never team up with someone so obviously evil.
So, eventually, after failing to defeat this spell the bad guy has their parents under, or even to discover it's nature, our heroes just confront their parents while they are meeting yet again with the villian. "Don't you know he's evil?" they say. "How can it not be obvious to you?"
The parents reply is, "Of course he's evil. Duh! But he's really funny and he gives great income tax advice."
Like I said, funny (to me, anyways) but I got nowhere to use it. Feel free to use it yourself if you want. Just be sure to let people know where you got it from.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Post-headache randomocity
If you'll look to your right you'll see a new widget for a web series called Witchy Ways. Click on it and kick in a few bucks to help it get made. Yes, the director/screenwriter/producer is a close friend, but that means I know things about it that make me feel very sure that it'll be something really special. You need to be part of this. You'll be kicking yourself if you don't. Or you could just go to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1208894240/witchy-ways to contribute. I did.
I sent my latest rewrite of Seer to have it looked over. Finally got as much done on it as I felt like I could. I don't know when I'll hear anything about it--my industry friend has a lot on her plate right now. I'm hopeful, though, that she'll dig it. She liked the earlier draft, though she had some notes. Maybe I made it better, instead of the other thing.
Took most of the day off from work--I developed this thundering headache this morning, and my boss let me leave. I know what it is--I've been having some serious allergy issues over the past fiew days, and the headache usually sets in just before it starts getting better. Like it's the finale or something. Fortunately, I was able to nap and sit around in the dark and it's finally gone. And I do feel better.
Got some musical projects I want to work on while I'm waiting on the word about Seer--check here for news and new lyrics. I have a few more songs I want to add to the Far From The Sun song cycle. You can hear the two I've already done by visiting http://wwww.reverbnation.com/jfranklinevans and listening to the first two tunes--"Hard Rain" and "Far From The Sun." Or you could just go to http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_8483095 to hear "Hard Rain" and go to http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_8424522 for "Far From The Sun." And don't be afraid to let me know that you love them!
I sent my latest rewrite of Seer to have it looked over. Finally got as much done on it as I felt like I could. I don't know when I'll hear anything about it--my industry friend has a lot on her plate right now. I'm hopeful, though, that she'll dig it. She liked the earlier draft, though she had some notes. Maybe I made it better, instead of the other thing.
Took most of the day off from work--I developed this thundering headache this morning, and my boss let me leave. I know what it is--I've been having some serious allergy issues over the past fiew days, and the headache usually sets in just before it starts getting better. Like it's the finale or something. Fortunately, I was able to nap and sit around in the dark and it's finally gone. And I do feel better.
Got some musical projects I want to work on while I'm waiting on the word about Seer--check here for news and new lyrics. I have a few more songs I want to add to the Far From The Sun song cycle. You can hear the two I've already done by visiting http://wwww.reverbnation.com/jfranklinevans and listening to the first two tunes--"Hard Rain" and "Far From The Sun." Or you could just go to http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_8483095 to hear "Hard Rain" and go to http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_8424522 for "Far From The Sun." And don't be afraid to let me know that you love them!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Rainy Saturday afternoon randomocity
Just finished another pass through my spec script, Seer. This is after I've added some new scenes, rewrote some dialog, made some minor changes to the plot.
I'm still happy with it, though right now I think it's too long. I have no idea what to cut, though. I love the characters, and I think it's an interesting story. Hopefully it'll make it's way to the big screen and audiences will feel the same way.
Right now I'm sitting and watching a Project Runway marathon on The Style Network. Believe it or not I dig that show, though I don't watch it anymore. For one thing, I could spend most of the day staring at Heidi Klum. For another, who doesn't dig Tim Gunn? For yet another, fashion design is an art form I know almost nothing about and I'm hoping to learn. I actually think I have, too, a little. I'd never entertain thoughts of becoming a designer, but I am cultivating an appreciation of it.
As the title indicates it's drizzly this afternoon. Not raining very hard, just enough to wet the ground. I actually kinda like it lke this, as long as I'm not driving anywhere--people in this city just freak the fuck OUT when it rains a little bit and they're driving. I could understand it if it's coming down really hard, but we are talking just a little more than a mist.
Atari is doing about the same. He's not getting around all that well, because of the arthritis, but he seems to be feeling okay other than that. He's a little pissed right now because I gave him a bath but he'll get over it.
The plan is for me to be done with this rewrite by Monday, maybe. I want to have it as finished as possible before sending it off to have it read--you have to respect busy people's time and the person who is going to read this for me is doing me a huge favor. Just because she's a close friend that doesn't mean I can take advantage of her and waste her time by sending her crap.
That's my weekend. What are you up to?
I'm still happy with it, though right now I think it's too long. I have no idea what to cut, though. I love the characters, and I think it's an interesting story. Hopefully it'll make it's way to the big screen and audiences will feel the same way.
Right now I'm sitting and watching a Project Runway marathon on The Style Network. Believe it or not I dig that show, though I don't watch it anymore. For one thing, I could spend most of the day staring at Heidi Klum. For another, who doesn't dig Tim Gunn? For yet another, fashion design is an art form I know almost nothing about and I'm hoping to learn. I actually think I have, too, a little. I'd never entertain thoughts of becoming a designer, but I am cultivating an appreciation of it.
As the title indicates it's drizzly this afternoon. Not raining very hard, just enough to wet the ground. I actually kinda like it lke this, as long as I'm not driving anywhere--people in this city just freak the fuck OUT when it rains a little bit and they're driving. I could understand it if it's coming down really hard, but we are talking just a little more than a mist.
Atari is doing about the same. He's not getting around all that well, because of the arthritis, but he seems to be feeling okay other than that. He's a little pissed right now because I gave him a bath but he'll get over it.
The plan is for me to be done with this rewrite by Monday, maybe. I want to have it as finished as possible before sending it off to have it read--you have to respect busy people's time and the person who is going to read this for me is doing me a huge favor. Just because she's a close friend that doesn't mean I can take advantage of her and waste her time by sending her crap.
That's my weekend. What are you up to?
Monday, May 9, 2011
The end of the Universe is tonight
Tonight, 5/9/2011, will mark the last new episode of Stargate Universe. It'll also mark the end of the Stargate franchise on TV--no new shows or movies are in the works.
It makes me a bit sad. When Stargate SG-1 moved to Syfy (SciFi at that time) from Showtime I started watching --mostly to just sit and stare at Amanda Tapping but also because I got caught up in the story. I got the entire SG-1 run, all ten seasons, on DVD, and I've seen every episode, and listened to every commentary track. Yeah, I dug it.
Stargate Atlantis was next, and while it took me a little while I finally got into that one, too, and have all of those on DVD, as well.
I'm not quite as big a fan of Stargate Universe--the basic premise seems to be a little too complicated to work very well, to me--but the cast is great, and it is exceptionally well done, production-wise. Sort of amazing that a TV show can be shot with that sort of quality.
Still, though, I'm going to miss it, and the Stargate franchise. I've become attached to those characters and wish them well.
It makes me a bit sad. When Stargate SG-1 moved to Syfy (SciFi at that time) from Showtime I started watching --mostly to just sit and stare at Amanda Tapping but also because I got caught up in the story. I got the entire SG-1 run, all ten seasons, on DVD, and I've seen every episode, and listened to every commentary track. Yeah, I dug it.
Stargate Atlantis was next, and while it took me a little while I finally got into that one, too, and have all of those on DVD, as well.
I'm not quite as big a fan of Stargate Universe--the basic premise seems to be a little too complicated to work very well, to me--but the cast is great, and it is exceptionally well done, production-wise. Sort of amazing that a TV show can be shot with that sort of quality.
Still, though, I'm going to miss it, and the Stargate franchise. I've become attached to those characters and wish them well.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Great rewriting
I've said it myself--great writers are, really, great rewriters. A great rewriter can take a mediocre or tired old story and breathe new life into it.
Of course, it helps to have someone you can trust to read over your stuff and give you feedback. Finding someone to really, honestly do that is rare. People worry that they may hurt your feelings if they don't like your stuff, or if they think it could be better, so they just tell you it's great. Finding someone to give constructive, useful feedback is rare. I'm fortunate in that I have somebody who knows what she's doing to look over my draft of Seer and give me some feedback that I can use and that'll improve the story. If you aren't a writer you hav eno idea how exciting that is, because it doesn't happen very often.
Anyways, real-life this week has been brutal and I've been just too worn out when I got home from work to do much more than walk Atari and stare at the TV. It was my week to work late and it's been really busy and I just didn't have anything left in the tank when I got home. Fortunately, that's over for now, so I'll be back on my usual schedule for the next little while.
Plus, I deliberately left my personal schedule free this weekend, after working a little while this morning, to work on it. I've already gotten quite a bit done. Got some more to do, though--adding scenes, reworking some dialog, that sort of thing. It's stufff that needs to be done, though, stuff that'll make it better, and I'm actually enjoying it.
If you're a writer and you find someone like that--someone you can trust, who knows what he or she is doing, and will give you honest, constructive feedback--treasure that person.
I know--better than just about anybody--there just ain't all that many people like that out there.
Of course, it helps to have someone you can trust to read over your stuff and give you feedback. Finding someone to really, honestly do that is rare. People worry that they may hurt your feelings if they don't like your stuff, or if they think it could be better, so they just tell you it's great. Finding someone to give constructive, useful feedback is rare. I'm fortunate in that I have somebody who knows what she's doing to look over my draft of Seer and give me some feedback that I can use and that'll improve the story. If you aren't a writer you hav eno idea how exciting that is, because it doesn't happen very often.
Anyways, real-life this week has been brutal and I've been just too worn out when I got home from work to do much more than walk Atari and stare at the TV. It was my week to work late and it's been really busy and I just didn't have anything left in the tank when I got home. Fortunately, that's over for now, so I'll be back on my usual schedule for the next little while.
Plus, I deliberately left my personal schedule free this weekend, after working a little while this morning, to work on it. I've already gotten quite a bit done. Got some more to do, though--adding scenes, reworking some dialog, that sort of thing. It's stufff that needs to be done, though, stuff that'll make it better, and I'm actually enjoying it.
If you're a writer and you find someone like that--someone you can trust, who knows what he or she is doing, and will give you honest, constructive feedback--treasure that person.
I know--better than just about anybody--there just ain't all that many people like that out there.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Hard Rain - available for your pleasure
Just uploaded a new tune in the Far From The Sun song cycle, "Hard Rain." Sort of a bluesy metal thing that is kinda my thing. Check it out! Go to http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_8483095 to give it a listen, let me know what you think. Become a fan to download it!
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