Saturday's Workload

In between the usual workload of answering email, filing, staying out of the maid's way and planning my schedule for next week,  I've also been doing my homework and testing how and the best way to convert InDesign files from one format to another so you can have BROTHER BLOOD in print or on your mobile phone or Kindle. That plus the building of some sort of internal records keeping system and work flow schedule  and I'm sort of pooped.  Brain-fried with no added bacon.

So when that happens I call a halt and let my brain play for awhile in a task entirely unrelated to what I've been doing - in this case, I jumped into Photoshop and threw together a rough idea.  Kind of fun doing this with AVATAR playing in the background screen on my computer.  It cleared out the cobwebs and allowed me to relax my brain enough so that tomorrow I can actually get some - ya know - real writing done.

It may be a form of procrastination, but at least it's creative and productive.  At this age, I need to try and keep the tools as sharp as I possibly can...

A Rough Pulp Sketch...

You never know where an idea will come from. In this particular instance it came from  pal Jim Henshaw bustin' my balls over my cap and goggles seen here.

So I sketched out this rough idea, and I'll get back to it when time allows.

But I realize now as I look at it that the character needs a 1920-30's Indian motorcycle and a raygun of some sort...

More on that after I let my subconscious play for awhile.

This Weekend Is Dedicated To:

1. Finishing all my edits for FLY BY NIGHT and get to the actual re-typing.

(My process includes lots of red pens that bleed all over the first draft of the script making no sense to anyone but me taught in the arcane ways of pulp screenwriting)

2. Finishing this issue of THE PULP LEGION ELECTROGRAM.

3. Polishing the press release for THE KNIGHTMARE.

I had wanted to throw up a contest on the Fans of the Knightmare Facebook page, but it looks like I won't have time. May have to come up with something special for next week.

Support New Pulp Media.

Edit Red = Completed.

Netflix Announces Indie Film Contest ala 'Project Greenlight'

From Video Business:

JAN. 8 | LOS ANGELES—Netflix, actor Josh Brolin and Los Angeles-based nonprofit Film Independent (FIND) today announced a film competition that this summer will award $350,000 in cash and film services to an aspiring filmmaker.

The largest U.S. movie-rental service via mail, Netflix will contribute $150,000 to the "Netflix FIND Your Voice Competition," while companies such as Eastman Kodak, Deluxe Entertainment Service and Panavision will contribute the rest in products and services, the companies and actor announced in a press conference at the W Hotel here today. Netflix will distribute the winning film on both DVD and in video-streaming form.

Not a bad gig if you can get it, but here's my one problem with it:

They are using film (from Kodak), film processing (from Deluxe - Hi Steve!) and transfer, and a DI (Digital Intermediate courtesy EFilm). Read more details here.
So that means you have $150K for production and edit, and $250K for camera package and post-processing.

If only you could eliminate the need for the film stock processing, transfer and DI color grading so you could streamline the whole process taking dailies direct to edit. You could take the time saved as well as the moolah and put it back onscreen.

But I guess you can't do that.

Oh wait. You can.

Gee, you would think that Hollywood indie folk would be all about innovation, and cutting costs, and putting the value up on the screen where it belongs... but I guess they're not.

Then again.

Kids, always always put your dollars onscreen. Think smart, not with your pocketbook. Learn to question things after you've studied them.

I wish the person who wins this contest the best of luck. Go get 'em, and show them your story. This is a great opportunity for someone to get in there with a fresh perspective and tell a whopper of a yarn.

I just wish you didn't have to use film to do it.

Edit to add: I realize I'm being the "my beer is half-empty guy" here. I apologize for that. No one wants to be that guy. Again, I wish everyone who participates in this the best of luck. Make it the best opportunity you can.