I've been a fan of Smallville the TV show for some time. I know it's not the greatest show on television, and sometimes the episodes seem a bit contrived. But the action and characters are good, as are the special effects. And Erica Durance is nice to look at too. But the most recent episode, "Roulette", written by Genevieve Sparling, was filled with an unusual amount of cheese and subpar acting. Also, the plot line was a crappy rip off of the "The Game" staring Michael Douglas. In this case the Michael Douglas role being played by the character of Oliver Queen. This season just doesn't feel like it has much drive behind it. The overall story arc doesn't feel like its going anywhere. And part of me is hoping that maybe they will throw in the towel after this season and wrap things up. Maybe Clark will finally learn how to fly. He got close in one episode, but thus far he's been unsuccessful.
The TV show heroes has a similar feel to it this season. The show doesn't seem to know where it's going. Its as though the writers never planned for the show to go past the second or third season. Although to be honest the second season wasn't very good either. I personally stuck it out in the hopes that it would get better, but that's the way I am with TV shows. It was the same with "Legend of the Seeker". A truly crappy show that if anything made me want to throw out any copies of the books I owned that it was based on. If only there was a way to send a message to the producers and writers telling them to do a better job. I guess we could all just stop watching these shows, but if you like the general story and the characters and want to see where things will go, just without the crud they sometimes put out, then turning off the show would only cause them to cancel it and not improve it.
So what am I suggesting? That the shows should take viewer complaints to heart, and work to improve things if the show starts to sag? This is an age when viewers can comment on shows even before they're done airing. There were several movies this summer that failed at the box office because of this, the Sacha Cohen movie Bruno comes to mind. People twittering as they left the theaters advised friends not to bother seeing it and the movie set a record for worst second day in its opening weekend. I'm not saying that the show's should be run by committee, but they should at least recognize it if they produce a crap show and work to do better the next time.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Entourage
I finally finished the sixth season on Entourage last night. I'd been told by friends who'd already finished it that season five and six weren't as good as the previous four seasons, but as far as I'm concerned the show is still great. The only thing that got on my nerves about this season was the character of Ashley, played by Alexis Dziena. Every scene with her character annoyed me. I'm not sure if it was her shoddy acting, irritating voice, or the fact that she looks like a twelve year old girl, but any time she kissed Kevin Connolly I wanted to call the police and report a pedophile. I couldn't wait for her to leave the show, and I cheered when she and Kevin characters broke up. Other than that I can't wait for the next season to start.
I also recently started watching a new sci-fi show, Stargate Universe, the second spin-off from Stargate SG-1. It amazes me how much of a universe the writers of the show have built. In my opinion it rivals that of Star Trek and Star Wars. The show tells the story of a group of survivors from an off world base stranded on an ancient ship millions of light years from earth. Sound familiar? It's sort of a combination of Stargate Atlantis and Star Trek Voyager. After 4 episodes it's hard to tell where the show will go. Right now they're just trying to survive and get their million year old ship working again. I'm hoping the show will get a little more interesting in the next few episodes. It would be nice to have a great Sci-fi show on TV, since at the moment there's nothing else.
That's all for today.
I also recently started watching a new sci-fi show, Stargate Universe, the second spin-off from Stargate SG-1. It amazes me how much of a universe the writers of the show have built. In my opinion it rivals that of Star Trek and Star Wars. The show tells the story of a group of survivors from an off world base stranded on an ancient ship millions of light years from earth. Sound familiar? It's sort of a combination of Stargate Atlantis and Star Trek Voyager. After 4 episodes it's hard to tell where the show will go. Right now they're just trying to survive and get their million year old ship working again. I'm hoping the show will get a little more interesting in the next few episodes. It would be nice to have a great Sci-fi show on TV, since at the moment there's nothing else.
That's all for today.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Screen Writing Class
Last night was my second screen writing class from TDSB. It should probably be called intro to screen writing, instead of just Screen Writing, but you get what you pay for. So far its been very basic stuff, terminology and formatting. I took several writing classes when I was in college, and I'm getting doubtful that I'll learn anything really new. On the other hand the writing exercises have been fun, and they are getting me to at least write something. If I manage to produce anything of worth from these exercises I'll be sure to post it here for anyone to see and comment on.
As for the story I'm working on now. I've made pretty good progress, turning out about 5 pages thus far. Considering I haven't written creatively in some time I'm happy with the progress. The trouble I'm having is getting what seems like a great and wonderfully worded idea down on paper. I can make notes in an outline form, and get the basic idea down, but turning that into pros isn't easy. I have a new found respect for my favorite authors and even for those who's work ranks as mediocre, and makes one wonder how they ever managed to get published.
But speaking of authors and books read. I just finished reading "The Lies of Locke Lamora" by Scott Lynch. The book was recommended by my favorite author George R.R. Martin, and by the blog Pat's Fantasy Hot List. It was an enjoyable read, and impressive for a first time author. The characters and setting were unique. And the world he's built shows promise for future novels. I'm not sure if I liked his use of "Interlude" chapters. The author had these interspersed throughout the book and would use them almost like flashbacks giving the reader a context for what lay ahead in the following chapter or in reference to something mentioned by one of his characters directly proceeding the interlude. It's great to have some of the back story available without having to sift through the book to put the historical pieces together, but at the same time it takes some of the fun out of the book and also takes the reader from the story. I feel that for the most part the content of these chapters could have been weaved into the story or omitted completely. But regardless, it was still a fun read, and I look forward to a sequel.
As for the story I'm working on now. I've made pretty good progress, turning out about 5 pages thus far. Considering I haven't written creatively in some time I'm happy with the progress. The trouble I'm having is getting what seems like a great and wonderfully worded idea down on paper. I can make notes in an outline form, and get the basic idea down, but turning that into pros isn't easy. I have a new found respect for my favorite authors and even for those who's work ranks as mediocre, and makes one wonder how they ever managed to get published.
But speaking of authors and books read. I just finished reading "The Lies of Locke Lamora" by Scott Lynch. The book was recommended by my favorite author George R.R. Martin, and by the blog Pat's Fantasy Hot List. It was an enjoyable read, and impressive for a first time author. The characters and setting were unique. And the world he's built shows promise for future novels. I'm not sure if I liked his use of "Interlude" chapters. The author had these interspersed throughout the book and would use them almost like flashbacks giving the reader a context for what lay ahead in the following chapter or in reference to something mentioned by one of his characters directly proceeding the interlude. It's great to have some of the back story available without having to sift through the book to put the historical pieces together, but at the same time it takes some of the fun out of the book and also takes the reader from the story. I feel that for the most part the content of these chapters could have been weaved into the story or omitted completely. But regardless, it was still a fun read, and I look forward to a sequel.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
My First Post
I'll try and keep this brief. This is my first real attempt at a blog, and I'm going to do my best to keep it up to date with whatever happens to be in my head that day. In all likelihood I'll keep it to reviewing movies, tv shows, or books. But occasionally I may need this as a forum to rant about whatever may be bothering me.
I'm currently unemployed, but my last professional job was as a Webcast Producer for corporate webcasting company. Before that I worked freelance in the film and television industry filling various rolls on set and off. I've worked as a PA, Audio technician, Camera Operator, Assistant Producer, and Director and probably a few others things as well. What I would like to do next, aside from getting a regular paying job again, is to write, produce, and direct my own production. Something small that I can submit to festivals and maybe, if I'm lucky, make a half decent show.
But saying that and making that are two different things. First I need to finish the script. I'm working on a few ideas, most notably my writing partner and I are working on a coming of age story based in a retail store. The story idea is great, and its been a great experience writing it. Second, I've got another story burning a whole in my brain that I'm trying to get down on paper as soon as possible. I don't think it would work as a short but as a story itself, I'm hoping it will come together. Third, I'd like to an old project out of mothballs.
About two years ago, I was working with a friend of mine on a 15 minute film about first dates and how perspective can change depending on who you are. It was an ambition project from the start. It was our first piece since graduating from school, and we only had a weekend to shoot it in. We managed to finish the shoot by the skin of our teeth, but we had to sacrifice quality along the way to get there. As a result some of the audio didn't work out, and due to transfer errors we lost some covering footage. However, after a painful editing process we were able to piece a coherent film together, that although isn't the best movie ever produced it certainly isn't the worst. The only thing hold it back now though are some serious audio problems that would need to be corrected before I'd feel comfortable sending it out to festivals. To that end, I'm going to follow a few leads and try and track down a Post-Audio technician who'd be willing to work on it for very little in the way of compensation except a hope of future (paying) work.
Well, that's all for now. I'll keep you posted as time goes.
I'm currently unemployed, but my last professional job was as a Webcast Producer for corporate webcasting company. Before that I worked freelance in the film and television industry filling various rolls on set and off. I've worked as a PA, Audio technician, Camera Operator, Assistant Producer, and Director and probably a few others things as well. What I would like to do next, aside from getting a regular paying job again, is to write, produce, and direct my own production. Something small that I can submit to festivals and maybe, if I'm lucky, make a half decent show.
But saying that and making that are two different things. First I need to finish the script. I'm working on a few ideas, most notably my writing partner and I are working on a coming of age story based in a retail store. The story idea is great, and its been a great experience writing it. Second, I've got another story burning a whole in my brain that I'm trying to get down on paper as soon as possible. I don't think it would work as a short but as a story itself, I'm hoping it will come together. Third, I'd like to an old project out of mothballs.
About two years ago, I was working with a friend of mine on a 15 minute film about first dates and how perspective can change depending on who you are. It was an ambition project from the start. It was our first piece since graduating from school, and we only had a weekend to shoot it in. We managed to finish the shoot by the skin of our teeth, but we had to sacrifice quality along the way to get there. As a result some of the audio didn't work out, and due to transfer errors we lost some covering footage. However, after a painful editing process we were able to piece a coherent film together, that although isn't the best movie ever produced it certainly isn't the worst. The only thing hold it back now though are some serious audio problems that would need to be corrected before I'd feel comfortable sending it out to festivals. To that end, I'm going to follow a few leads and try and track down a Post-Audio technician who'd be willing to work on it for very little in the way of compensation except a hope of future (paying) work.
Well, that's all for now. I'll keep you posted as time goes.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
