Coming Down...

Still going through the myriad of emotions of this screenplay.  Feeling it's the worst thing I've ever written. Wishing I'd gone with my other giallo concept instead.  That one had none of the sci-fi trappings, so I could've used the whole script writing what I do best--murder pieces (it's actually quite disturbing how good my set pieces are).

I spoke with another professor tonight, and he said he goes through the same emotions with every project he does.  Which makes me feel a lot better.  Now that it's turned in for good, he told me to stay away from it for 4-6 months.

So in the meantime, I'm trying to get more time at work, since I graduate in two weeks.  More time = more $$$ = less debt.

And on the side I'm actually releasing my stress through a strange endeavor.  I'm designing fabric.  On Spoonflower.com you can design your own fabric and have it made for whatever kind of project you want to do.  I can't sew (yet), but I've been making my own designs and I'm about to make my first collection available for sale.  Not giallo related, but still eye-catching and pretty, IMHO.  When this collection becomes available for sale, I'll let y'all know.

Of course I couldn't do that project and completely abandon gialli/Italian horror.  I made up a few prints for my own personal use using giallo poster art.  I plan on someday learning how to sew so I can make myself a shirt with the skull/butterfly image from the Bloodstained Butterfly poster.  And another with the poster art for AAA Massagiatrice Bella...you know the rest of that title.

And now that my second draft is turned in, I've managed to find the time to watch more movies.  Watched Open Coffin Empty Tomb on Saturday.  Really enjoyed it.  It's a slow burner, but it paid off at the end.  And I watched Death Steps in the Dark last night.  That one didn't really do anything for me.  I might just have been tired, though.

Okay.  I'm going to bed.  It's 1:12 and I've been up since 6 or so.  I'm tired.

Later.
-Justin

He merely abandons it...

No, I'm not quitting Italian Lemonade.  Just finishing a quote.  "No artist finishes his work, he merely abandons it..."

I finished my second draft of my screenplay for my independent study.

And...I...kinda...hate it.

Maybe it's just from having been involved in it all summer.  I dunno.

I rearranged a lot of it and changed the flow.  Took out some of the scenes, added new scenes.  The giallo elements are more consistent throughout.  In the previous draft, the giallo moments don't start until around page 50.  Now it starts in the 20's.  Added another death scene, too.

But I ended up cutting some of the more emotional scenes at the same time.  And where I had some scenes juxtaposed together for a specific reason, I had to separate them this time.

Maybe it's a better draft.  Maybe it isn't.  I don't know.  I think I'm just still on overload.

Downloading a couple movies I rented off iTunes.  It was storming really bad.  Now it's gotten better, but I'll have something to watch should the power go out.

Giallo tonight?

Later.
-Justin

Instead of doing what I'm SUPPOSED to be doing...

By the time I got off of work tonight, between the rain and the fatigue, I didn't get to editing Proxy/A Flash of White/Whatever it's gonna end up being called.

Instead I farted around.  And now I'm on the computer while listening to the love theme from Dracula 3D and watching Law and Order SVU.

This draft is due Friday.  Whatever am I gonna do?

Anyhow, I'm taking a mental break from that script and thinking about Orchid again.  I love the set pieces of that script.  I've been thinking about my idea to film it with Barbie dolls again.  Kind of a "if Todd Haynes did a giallo instead of Karen Carpenter's life story." thing.  Maybe a trailer.  Then maybe use that to expand to a 20 minute short (Indie Go Go?).

I've discussed it with my equally twisted sister, who has an extensive Barbie collection.  She's willing to make slutty Barbie clothes (and a trenchcoat?) for the cause.  I'd have to build a simple 1:6 scale set that could be easily redressed.  And I'd need a camera.  Which I need anyway.  And I'd have to learn how to do stop-motion.  Which was available at one point at school but now isn't (and I'm graduating anyway).

But I really kinda wanna do this.  It'd be fun.  Well, at least the end result would be fun.  I dunno.

Maybe it's just my mind wandering to avoid editing this other script.

What do you think?

Seriously, responses would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Later.
-Justin

What did I get myself into?

Trying to rearrange things in this screenplay.  It's a mess.  Why did I choose to do this script?  I could've done my romantic comedy and had it so easy.

"I know!  I'll challenge myself!  It'll be fun!"

Bugh.

Please send good vibes my way.  I need all of them.

BTW, What Have They Done To Your Daughters was great.  More dynamic than Solange, IMHO.  Solange had a better score, though.

Back to the grind.

Later.
-Justin

My brain is overheated. I think I smell bacon.

So.

Had my meeting with my professor regarding my first draft.

Still absorbing.

He said I have some good ideas with the sci-fi thing, but that I jump from one to another without a common thread or arc to unify them.  Which I totally get.  I feel the need to put in all these ideas for this expansive world in so few pages.  To put all these ideas in at once would require a novel.  Or a trilogy.

Told me to lose or completely retool the main story, which revolved around the murder of a little girl.  While I used this to initially blow up into a bigger thing, it didn't really fit.  Understandable.  But that part of the story was the emotional center for me.  I'll have to contemplate this.

Simplify the story.  Killer's motive is too complicated.  Keep it simple.

There wasn't nearly enough giallo for his liking.  It came in too late, too.  Make it more of a straight up giallo.  Said that's where I was in my element.  I totally agree with this.  I only have two giallo moments in the whole thing, and if I am to make it a sci-fi/giallo hybrid, I need more giallo.  It's like cowbell with leather gloves.

He also kind of suggested upping the sleaze factor.  Which I might do.  Though sometimes I already feel like Joe Eszterhas with nicer tits.

How am I gonna be able to do all this in two weeks?

I already came up with an idea for some of it.  I just need to sit down and think it through.

Where's my insulin pump that dispenses caffeine?

Later.
-Justin

Digesting, Decompressing, DONE...

I finished my second screenplay today.  Turned it into the professor.  Should hear back from him in the next few days.

This is the fabled sci-fi/giallo hybrid.

And my brain hurts.

This one ends on a completely different tangent than the original synopsis.  And ended up being less of a giallo than originally planned.  Really only two giallo-esque murders (both of which would turn me into the New King Of The Eyeball Gag.  FULCI LIVES!).  That said, I think it's enough of a giallo for fellow enthusiasts to catch.

A lot more dramatic than I expected.  Some really sad moments.  It's also the darkest thing I've ever written.  Like, really dark.  Who Saw Her Die looks like a comedy compared to this.

Well, now that I've turned everything in, I can now lift my "No Movie Watching" rule.  And guess what arrived yesterday...

My FREAKING AWESOME HAUL from www.cinema-de-bizarre.com

I also ordered Love and Death in the Garden of the Gods, raising my total to 102.  The Cinekult DVD was on eBay, and I HAD to have it.  Sure, it isn't English friendly, but I've wanted this movie so badly since I read about it in Blood and Black Lace.

Hmm...which one should I watch?

Anyhow, I'm gonna decompress now.  Celebrated finishing my script with a big honkin' meal at East Side Pizza.  Now I need to rest a bit before an early bedtime.  Morning meeting tomorrow, then I have the rest of the day off...and trust me, I'm relaxing all day tomorrow.

Later.
-Justin