Sorry it’s been a minute since the last normal issue. A lot has happened!
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new in life & work.
A Writing Exercise I’m Trying Out
Toni and I have been re-watching Mad Men. As usual, I’m struck by the quality of the writing -it’s at a level that I aspire to, yet always feel so far away from.
In order to close that gap, I’m trying out a new writing exercise (for me) – typing out scenes from the show.
I just watch, wait for a particularly strong scene, and then go back and type it out in screenplay format, action for action and word for word.
At the end of the exercise, I know how it FEELS to type out such a nuanced, dramatic scene. And I can read it back and get a sense of how much of the scene’s power came from the page vs the performances & execution.
I think it’s a great way to sharpen my eyes & ears for writing, especially with dialogue. I plan on doing the same thing with other genres that are really strong in one aspect (like 30 Rock for jokes).
Next, I may take it a step further and try to first write the scene from memory, then write it out exactly following the scene.
New short film
I’m accompanying my final class of Wrapped in 30 Days, and shooting a low-budget short film this month.
I’ve written a script I’m happy with, and fortunately, it takes place in my living room, has a cast of 1 (which I may just play myself), and still has opportunities to challenge myself with practical FX that I’m not quite sure how I’ll pull off yet.
More to come!
Something Long Overdue
After 6 amazing years together, I finally proposed to Toni.
…Fortunately, she said yes!
And I couldn’t be happier 🙂
Honestly, I’d been sitting on the ring for months, but it was hard figuring out a way to pop the Q. I knew I wanted a photo of the moment I asked her, but bending a knee in front of a waterfall wasn’t going to feel “us.”
Then I found out LA has a disproportionate number of old analogue film photo booths (there’s apparently only 200 or so still operating in the world). And wouldn’t you know it, a dive bar near us had 2 of them.
Then just a couple days later, we stepped into one of those booths as a couple… and stepped out as fiancés.
Favorites this week:
📹 Video: Nor Gather Into Barns (his whole YouTube channel)
Follow along in the life of a modern day drifter.
I’ve been binging through these raw but tastefully curated slice of life videos. They’re addicting, and an antidote to the chipper, presentational style of most YouTube content. It’s lonely, melancholy, but beautiful at the same time. And a reminder of our own free will.
I recommend watching it in order from oldest to newest (I linked to his first video above). He starts in the states, but quickly ends up on an impulsive European adventure.
Let’s make some movies.
–Kent
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