I haven’t worked on the Master of Inventions script in a few days. Ug, I hate that. It’s very important to work on your thing everyday. Even if it’s just a few minutes or so.

Working on something everyday keeps it fresh in your mind. If you can’t sit and devote major writing time to your piece everyday, try and do something related that doesn’t require hours of uninterrupted peace.

For the days I haven’t been able to write, I’ve taken a few minutes to:

• Go over note cards for unwritten scenes
• Storyboard scenes (crude drawings)
• Email anyone who will be helping, give them an update
• Think of internet campaigns / strategies for spreading the word

All of these are things I can do on the train or at work when I get a few minutes. None of these are substitutes for writing, but at least we’re doing something project related.

The Midwest Independent Film Fest was last night. Futurecop 2010 and Wheelchair Werewolf were on the bill along with Paul Thomas’s Tighty Whiteys and a bunch from Steve Delahoyde. Both incredibly nice and funny guys.

After the shorts, the directors had a little Q&A with the audience. I was asked, of course, how much did it cost? I told them $40 for the wolf mask and the wheelchair was free because I lied to a retirement home in Arlington Hts. and said it was for my grandma. This got a pretty good laugh. And it’s true! A place in my hometown called the Nurse’s Closet will lend you a wheelchair for free to anyone who needs it. Just tell them it’s for your grandma or aunt.
Wheelchairs are perfect for tracking shots, or any shot that will require movement. A desk chair works great too.
There’s your film making tip for the day: Take advantage of the charity of others. Especially the elderly.

Awesome view from the very front row.

View from the director’s Q&A.

Fellow Futurecopper Joe DeJulius

I’m almost set up in my new apartment. Waiting on AT&T so I can stop stealing my neighbor’s wireless*, and I have some furniture to get rid of. But it’s coming together!

Got an email from Matt Kubinski, and he’s confirmed Mother’s Bar for a location to shoot! Sweet. Matt runs the Indie Incubator film fest here in Chicago, and has been very good to me and my film making career. This is the fest that got us on WTTW’s Image Union. Good guy, glad to know him.

Steve at CANTV is skeptical that we could come in and shoot on his time, but mentioned that I could pursue doing it myself. Steve had previously gone out of his way to let us shoot a music video there. He’s another good guy looking out for the lil’ guys (like me).

I believe I can take a training course at CANTV, then I can sign up for hours. If it falls through, it’s not a big deal because the CANTV set is meant to be used for infomercial type shots, and I could always cheat and shoot somewhere else. So no worries.

Tonight I start pounding the keys to spit out a first draft. All the cards and notes have been organized. I’m going for speed at this point because:
a) time is of the essence and
b) no one gets it perfect the first time.

I also feel under the gun because 2 of my very talented actor/comedians will be taken away from me, possibly forever, and I want them in this film.

I’m writing a scene a night, with 2-3 on a Saturday and Sunday. That’s 9-11 scenes a week. No doubt it will be a first draft mess, but that’s OK. There will be ample time to revise and rewrite.

I’m also compiling a list of writers/film makers/actors/overall people who’s opinion I respect**, to send a draft for review/critique. It’s important to have a group like this (size of group isn’t important. Steven King writes for his wife Tabby) to share works in progress with. More on this later.

OK, I’m off to Target, then writing the first scene!

*some one in this building named their wireless signal ‘Milf Island’. Classy!
**is that the proper use of ‘who’s’?