The Idea That Floats Out There Somewhere

That little seed of an idea floats its way over to you-- you get a feeling, you get a character, you get a journey, you get a problem. Do you grab at it now? Do you throw it down on paper? Or do you let it grow? If you let it grow will you forget something? If you write it down will you stop the process unfolding naturally in you?

You get this strange sense that this feeling you have, that is shaped by an idea in your head and a beat in your heart; you feel this could be the script you're meant to write. But these ideas disappear so fast-- it's hard to know, are they really there? Do you really know what they mean? Do you know how to write them?

This idea in your head is perfect. It's only about seven seconds long. It's not even a film, or a script; it's not even really an idea - it's just an impulse.. but it's beautifully formed. And the minute you trap it, hold it, or grab it; something gets lost. So what to do with this wonderful idea?

I guess that's the eternal question. How, as writers, do we give them ideas space, and at the same time put them where they belong on the page? It's a lifelong challenge, and we rarely get it right.

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Three Songs

Not only is Tom Petty one of the great heroes of rock n' roll, but he's still out there doing it - and there's an energy and soul to his live songs that is so rare, especially for someone who's been doing it for so long. This song is amazing, and the way the crowd join in at the end is heavenly!

Music from New Orleans breaks my heart. Here is Davell Crawford, singing 'Louisiana 1927.' My heart is broken before he even begins singing!

This is a live version of a Counting Crows Song, 'Rain King' - filmed by an audience member at a concert a couple of weeks back. If the bad camera work bugs you - then just skip to 2:10.. when a 12 year old boy, Michael Weber, is handed an electric guitar and then goes on to steal the show. Incredible! This is what music is about! This is what life is about!! I could watch this again and again. This is a Kid In The Front Row if ever there was one. Wow wow wow.

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The Beautiful Possibilities Of The Next Rental

Is there anything more exciting than 'Awaiting Allocation' ?

The next film could change my life.

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A Way To Shoot Anywhere With No Permission - For Free!

This always works! Whether you turn up with just a camera, or with an eight person crew. Here's what you do.

1) Shoot scenes ANYWHERE YOU WANT.

2) Cheerily begin conversation with the man who comes up to you demanding you stop filming.

3) Give him this PRECISE explanation. "This is actually a test shoot. We're thinking of filming here, and paying of course, so we just want to test how it looks."

Madly enough, this explanation works! The person thinks "oh, that makes sense; you need to check if the location is appropriate," and they let you carry on. I discovered this many years ago, and it has worked for me every time. If they say "So why do you have a make-up artist and sound guy?" you just tell them "Well we need to know if the sound here is viable, and we the make-up artist needs to get an idea of the lighting."

People always buy this! So when someone asks you what you're filming; tell them you're not, you're just location scouting with your crew. Perfect.

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A Small Example Of Typecasting.

From an email conversation today.

Actor: "Looking forward to getting randomly killed. Again."

Me: "Hahahaha! I always make rom-coms but when I kill people I always call on you!"

I'm off to shoot some stuff. I'll be back after the weekend, when I will share the story of how everything went smoothly with absolutely no problems at all. That's the plan.

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