A writer, reloaded

Filming Sunday went very well; despite the 27 degree temperatures and wind chill, we got some good stuff in the can. In addition to recreating the basic sequence from seven different angles–replacing prior footage discarded due to underexposure–the director set concerns for his safety aside and perched himself inside the fury. It took some adjustments but was worth the extra consideration for his positioning; he captured some truly unique shots.

After nailing the shots, we did some unplanned runs in the midst of a Project Adventure type rope climbing course. The spontaneous bits may or may not be in the final version. Regardless, they were fun filming.

The director plans a December 2 drop date. Near perfect timing, because the artist finished up the graphic yesterday morning. Now the graphic can be integrated into the multimedia piece, where it will provide additional context. Initially I had planned the graphic would serve another purpose, but there’s value in “recycling”. Chalk it to a happy accident.

Slowly the legs of the marketing plan are gelling into a more coherent package. There’s still two big pieces left, but I have complete control over the first deliverable, and a lot of influence over the second. Which means after next week, pending tweaks to the film, effectively I am the bottleneck to the project. Obstacles that arise are solely mine to resolve.

Even the ones I create.

The following entry was supposed to be on November 20, but life and head congestion had other intentions.

In honor of World Toilet Day, please direct your attention to the swooshing sound in the background. No, it’s not the inner workings of a commode fashioned by one Sir Thomas Crapper in the dark days following the Civil War. Rather it’s the sound of the economy–and what’s left of my 403B, Roth and IRA, whatever else account once had a bigger balance last year–down the drain.

Ah, cheers!

On a more sanguine front, the oft-mentioned graphic is almost ready. Also, this Sunday marks the last day of shooting. A mixed blessing really, because everyone involved–read, everyone’s spouses and girlfriends–is happy about the heavy lifting nearing completion. Unfortunately one spouse in particular must deal with a few nights of her husband editing footage. My condolences to Leslie in advance. But the drop dead date for the multimedia piece is December 3, so there is a definitive end to her suffering.

And she will not toil wholly alone.

According to weather forecasts, the high temperature for Sunday is 37 degrees and a 15 mph wind; that makes for some frosty outdoor filming. Secretly, I think the video guy finds this prospect hysterical, since he’ll be in a thick coat holding the camera, whilst I and my cohorts pretend it’s comfortable in long sleeve shirts and jeans. Often I have suspected he rather fashions himself a more comical Rob Zombie–a man notorious for filming in the freezing climes at the consternation of his actors.

Unfortunately all this fun(!) comes at a price. Between being sick still and the fact there is only one day to get everything in the can and rest up, I had to opt out of visiting an old friend. He has a two-year old son I have never met, a new house I have never seen, and the perfect wife I have not spoken to since their wedding.

Yeah, I’m feeling neglectful now. And old.

As promised a few months ago, here’s a few stills from the marketing project. Due to lighting issues and other considerations, neither of these will appear in the finished product; however, the final work may contain some material in a similar vein.

Been awhile since revisiting the 2008 writing resolutions, so it seemed a good time to review my actions versus my intentions.

My goals for 2008:

Intention: Write 14 hours a week.

In practice, worked out to about half of the plan, on average. Some weeks went very well, others quite badly. While there were a number of non-recurring external factors, such as the divorce, a regime shift at work, and dating ( lots of dating! ), my failure to reach this goal rests entirely with me.

Intention: Complete the first draft of The Confession by July 1, 2008.

Still in progress. Long way to go. I’d like to have it by the holidays 2008. Not sure, yet.

Intention: Finish the screenplay started last summer by September 1, 2008.

Unfortunately, still in the same place.

Intention: Resume whole scale querying for The Last Track.

So done. Contacted a substantial number of high quality agents about this project. One final blast within the next two weeks.

Intention: Follow the Abs Diet for 6 weeks–the initial length of the program. If the results are good, continue.

After many months, began losing a bit too much weight, so I changed up the regimen, adding more calories. Still searching for the most sustainable eating plan. On the plus side, my weight remains stable and well south of the danger zone where joints complain.

Intention: Review my progress with these above goals every eight weeks.

Checked in thee times so far. Let’s call that one a push.

Since this is the third go-round of drafting writing resolutions, one trend that clearly needs addressing is a tendency towards drafting a large number of goals, that often proves to be too many. Whether or not anyone could reach those goals, or if they were realistic, hardly matters. What I actually get done matters; that’s what carries me closer to where I want to be.

Every year, I complete one-half of the resolutions, flub one entirely, and have mixed results with all the rest. While the intentions are deliberately synergistic in construction–working towards one goal often involves some investment into another–it’s time to move to an even shorter list.

Therefore in 2009, there will be two–three at maximum–resolutions. With that kind of mix, odds might prove better for getting what I want.