Sorry I haven't been around in a while

If I have any readers left, sorry that it looks like I abandoned you for a while there. Life got kind of hectic all of the sudden.

Just a couple of updates:

• If I haven't mentioned it already, the script for the pilot of my TV show, The Prince, is far enough along that I can start having people look at it. Submitted it to a couple of contests, so far, and will probably send it to a few more over the next few months.

Speaking of The Prince, I shot a video pitch for it to send out to potential producers and studio execs.

• I'm now working on a horror movie project I'm calling Lamia Island. I've had some false starts on it over the past few weeks--this is not unusual for me. Hopefully now, though, I'm on a track that will lead to me getting all the way to the end.
• I bought myself an Apple iPad Pro yesterday, along with an accompanying keyboard and Apple pen. This thing is sweet. I've been without a laptop for a while now and this will, I think, be an adequate replacement. Plus, it just looks so cool.

I also got the movies Ex Machina and Moonlight on Blu Ray over the last week or so. I hadn't seen either of them but I'd heard so many good things I had to check them out. Of course I've now seen them both.

Ex Machina is fascinating from a philosophical point-of-view, and the masterful screenplay accomplished something that is rare, but wonderful--you start figuring out what's happening about a half-beat ahead of the central character. You have the same thoughts he does, just before he has them, and ask yourself the same questions he asks, just before he does. Brilliant. It's beautifully shot, too, and the visual effects--namely substituting parts of Ava's (Alicia Vikander) body with robotic looking parts, or rendering them as almost completely transparent--are believable and effective. This is not a thud-and-blunder, spaceships battling science fiction story. This is more of a drama than most films in the genre.

Moonlight was one of those movies that just sort of sucked me in. The pace is a bit languid, careful, sort of lazily building this world, drawing you into it. It's a beautiful story about change, growth, and self-acceptance, among other things. The cinematography is gorgeous--there are probably hundreds of shots that would make interesting paintings or still photos. The cast is excellent, and I'm developing a serious crush on Janelle Monae. I see why it won Best Picture at the Oscars this year. I haven't heard director Barry Jenkins' commentary track yet--I'll be doing that in the next day or so. It should be interesting.

So, both of those are recommended. Check them out.

Over the next few weeks I'll be trying to hammer out a first draft for Lamia Island, and look around for more opportunities to get eyes on my script for the pilot script for The Prince.

And baseball season will be starting soon. I'm sure that will take up a lot of my time, as well.

Why Arrival may be more important than you realize . . .

. . . if you have an interest in movies, that is.

The Blu Ray edition  of Arrival just came out and of course, since this film blew me away when I saw it in the theater, I preordered it, and just saw it again.

I'm still in awe of it. Seeing it the second time around makes it even more profound. I'm watching the special features now, and when I'm done with that I'll probably watch the whole thing again.

Some people I know who are familiar with the tropes and conventions of science fiction did not care for this movie, and I think I understand why, and this is why I think it'll be so important down the road.

When you think "science fiction," or that abominable term "scifi," you probably think of Star Wars and/ or Star Trek--pointed eared aliens, space ships zipping through space shooting beams at each other, planets exploding, that sort of thing. When you hear "aliens arriving on earth" you probably think Independence Day.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with any of that, and there is a time and place for those movies, and I absolutely loved Independence Day when it first came out--it was a rocking good time. Arrival, though, doesn't really have any of that. It's most definitely not an action/adventure film.

Instead, it's a character study that at first does not appear to be a character study. The concept it's based on, neurolinguistics, is not something that's easy to explain or understand. One of the few faults with the movie is it sort of makes it a bit too much like magic in the end, though that was essential to tell the story it wanted to tell. It's a complicated but fascinating concept introduced in a way that would probably correspond pretty closely to how something like that would happen in real life. There's not a great deal of action, no battles in space, nothing like that. Instead, it's people talking to each other, and attempting to figure out how to talk to an alien life form that has appeared in our midst with no explanation and no clue as to what they want.

Here's the important part: the film made money. People went to see it. It's getting buzz from the Academy for Oscar nominations--though Amy Adams not getting nominated for her role is a travesty, I think. In short, I'm expecting to see more movies like this one--intellectually interesting, with a lot of heart, a lot of soul, but not a lot of action.

That excites me tremendously. That's what I want to see. More like this, please, Hollywood. Apparently I'm not the only person who feels this way.

If you haven't seen it yet I urge you to do so.

Post Super Bowl thoughts and randomocity

Let me answer the burning question first:

Yes, I was disappointed that the Falcons lost the Super Bowl, in a record-breaking second-half collapse. That game magnified the issues they've had all season--inconsistent defense, second-half let-downs, and bone-headed offensive play calling.

However, as I said earlier, I wasn't expecting them to get that far. I would have been happy with a playoff appearance. Not even a playoff win, just an appearance. I can't go back now and say that I'm angry at them for losing, since them even being in the game meant they wildly exceeded my expectations for this season.

So, let's address the issues the game underscored, and come out next year, get back there, and win it next time. Got me? That's my expectations for next season. Next season, Falcons win it all.

I've finished the pilot script for my TV show project, The Prince. I copyrighted it and submitted it to a screenplay writing contest, and paid extra to get the judge's notes on it. I should know something in a couple of months. Hopefully, whoever the first reader is will figure out what I'm trying to do with it.

My next project, I think, is going to be a feature film. I got a basic idea for one Friday but I haven't had time to develop it yet--I'm giving myself a couple days off from creative endeavors as a reward for getting the pilot script in good enough shape to start sending out.

I think this one is going to be science fiction, maybe with some horror undertones. I won't reveal the title here because I haven't decided on it yet--that'll come when more of the story emerges. Oddly enough, the thought process that lead to the initial idea was inspired by a review I read of the movie version of Fifty Shades Darker. Though my project will have very little to do with that one. Just a random sentence in what I read got me to thinking . . .

Anyway, that'll be something to occupy me later this week.

So, no sports for me to watch over the next couple of months, until baseball gets started in April. Nothing much to distract me from getting some serious work done over the next month or so! I'll barf out this feature film screenplay in no time flat!

Hopefully.

Broken World

There is a grayness before me

as far as my mind can tell

Sky and ground merge in the distance

no difference between them now

An ancient tree before me

branches bare like skeletal hands reaching

I find the water from the wood

I drink it now and wait to die

This is what happened when we remade the world

When we ignored her agony

No place for us here, amid the death throes

Not even our pain for company

There is a city I see before me

empty parks and deserted streets

Concrete fingers prod the sky

No souls inside them

I see it now, how it happened

like an artist making art

remaking the world in our image

dead, desolate, and forgotten

This is what happened when we remade the world

when we ignored her agony

no place for us here, at the end

not even ghosts for company

An ancient tree before of me

branches bare like skeletal hands reaching

I find the water from the wood

I drink it now and want to die

(c) 2017 by J. Franklin Evans

On writing for TV and football . . .

I've finished a couple of rewrites of the pilot episode for a TV show I'm trying to develop.

I'm calling the show The Prince. Not that it has anything to do with Machiavelli, except peripherally. I tried to come up with a different title for it but The Prince is too perfect to disregard without another, even more perfect title. Because that's what it's about.

Anyway, I've gotten the rough draft of the pilot written and I'm rewriting it now. I'm pretty happy with it so far. It strikes the tone I'm looking for, and the characters seem alive to me. It still needs some work before I start showing it to people, but so far, so good. Now, in addition to fine tuning the pilot script, I'm working on the bible for the show that gives as much detail of the world it exists in as possible, and I need to fill in the map of the area, too, so I'll have an idea where everything is. The countries involved, the people and places, never actually existed, so I'm not obliged to stick to actual historical reality too much.

The main thing that concerns me about it is a practical manner: it's a period piece. It's set in a time that would roughly be the late 17th century. Those are hard to get made, with pretty good reason--they're expensive. But they're also pretty popular at the moment, so hopefully there will be some studio out there somewhere that'd be willing to give this thing a shot. We'll see.

I'm also starting to think about another idea I've had for a while now about a post-apocalyptic drama. I think I'll be working on an outline for the pilot for that one today, while I let the pilot for The Prince marinate a bit. I'm calling that one New Avalon.

I think both shows are especially relevant, given the times we live in. The Prince is about a young man discovering and developing the skills and attitudes he needs to become an effective ruler. New Avalon is about recovering from a disaster, rebuilding and starting again.

Also, both shows have a limited run, if they ever get made. The Prince would run about five or six seasons. New Avalon would go for about seven or eight. Under ideal circumstances.

Now, to football.

As you are aware if you're one of the two people who reads this, I'm an Atlanta Falcons fan. I've been a fan of the Falcons since there's been a Falcons. Over fifty years. So I'm excited about the upcoming Superbowl.

Yeah, I know they were in the Superbowl before, back in the late 90s, but nobody back then--not even me--really gave them much of a chance to win against that Denver Broncos team. Denver was fated to win that year and I think the Falcons were just happy to be there. They had a really good team that year, but Denver had an outstanding team. It wasn't much of a contest.

Not this time. The Falcons offense is record setting and there is no one individual--outside of the quarterback, Matt Ryan--who is the central focus. Yes, wide receiver Julio Jones is incredible, but he's only one player, and Ryan won't try to force the ball to him if he's not open. He's got so many other options to go to this time--two other receivers, Samu and Gabriel, who are lightning quick, as well as a great tandem of running backs, Coleman and Freeman. The offensive line is playing as well as they've ever played. Offensively I think they're set.

Defensively, who knows? That's been a bit of a weakness all season. There are four rookies who play key positions, and the earlier part of the season they played like rookies. Later on they seemed to gel a bit but there were still a few lapses. That can't happen against the Patriots--Brady will take advantage of any mistakes he sees.

I'm also a bit worried about special teams. I think they got exposed a bit in the game against Seattle where Devin Hester lit them up. Granted, Hester is a one-of-a-kind kick/punt returner (Falcons should know since he played for them a while) but still, it was concerning. As long as Bosher  can force fair catches or kick it out of the end zone we should be okay. If not--please please please stay in your lanes, guys, and make a freakin' tackle!

So, if the defense can put pressure on Brady without having to blitz (I'm looking at you, Vic Beasley, Jr.) then I think the Falcons have a really good chance at winning this game.

I'm still trying to get my head around the idea of a Superbowl where I actually really, really care who wins. If they win it, I'm not sure if I can handle it.

Let's find out if I can, shall we?

Atlanta Falcons - end-of-season performance review

It's that time again, Coach Quinn and company.

I said before the season started, after you managed to get above a .500 winning percentage last season, that I'd be happy with a playoff appearance this season.

So, considering that the team went 11 - 5, won the NFC South, is the #2 seed in the NFL playoffs, and has a first round bye, I have to say that you have exceeded expectations. I would have been happy with a simple appearance in the Wild Card Round.

The offense is a monster. Whoever makes decisions about personnel needs to be high-fived, especially for acquiring Alex Mack at center. The offensive line has never been better, Ryan seems to be comfortable in the system, and the offense is running the ball and passing the ball effectively. Ryan's distributing the ball to whoever is open, instead of trying to force it to Julio Jones on every play, which has proven to be critical. Opposing defenses don't know who to cover. As far as the offense goes, I'm not really seeing any glaring weaknesses there that need to be addressed for next season.

Defensively, it's not quite as sunny. The defense has been inconsistent all season, though it played better over the last few games. But it still seems to go into a funk for extended periods.

Take, for example, last week's game against New Orleans. In the first half the defense dominated the Saints. Second half, not so much. The Saints were able to get back into the game and were within striking distance of winning it, because the Falcon pass rush disappeared, as did coverage of the Saints receivers. Brees had plenty of time to throw the ball and when he did his receiver would be wide open. They almost managed to overcome a pretty steep deficit to take the lead in the fourth quarter.

I recognize that defense. That's the same one from a couple of seasons ago when the team only won four games. I thought we'd moved on from that. That defense will not advance in the playoffs.

My nickname for that style of defense is "let-'em-do-anything-they-want."

Needless to say, I have concerns with that defense. While there are some standout players, such as Vic Beasley, we still need help when it comes to rushing the passer. Someone to play in the middle, either as a lineman or as a linebacker, who is effective at clogging things up, would be a big help, I think.

I realize the defense has a lot of young players and a many of the problems have been because of their inexperience. Hopefully, now that they have a season under their belts, they'll figure out how to play an NFL-level defense.

Next season? Expectations are to maintain the offensive excellence you've established this season. Bring the defense up to the same level as the offense. Win at least eleven games. Advance in the playoffs.

Congratulations on a great season! I'm looking forward to seeing you against Seattle in the game next Saturday, and hopefully in Houston in a few weeks!

Go, Falcons!

Elegy # 1

In my dreams sometimes I forget that you're gone

that you're not there

you're not there

Waking up in the dark all alone

it's not fair

it's just not fair

I can't believe that you are dead

I won't believe it

I try to remember all the good times we had

but I don't care

I just don't care

Maybe one day I won't feel so bad

but I'm not there

no, I'm not there

I can't believe that you are dead

I won't believe that you are dead

It was years ago but recent in my head

I can't believe that you are dead

One day they tell me, I'll only remember the joy, the light you brought into my life

I can't wait much longer for that day

until that time it'll stab me like a knife

Over and over, come what may

I'll try to remember all the good times we had

maybe I'll care

I hope I'll care

The sadness will be replaced by your love

I think that's fair

I know that's fair

Because I don't believe that you're dead

I never believed that you are dead . . .

words and music by J. Franklin Evans (c) 2017