I'm pretty low-key. I like hanging out with friends and family. Going to the movies, to a coffee shop/ pub for a chat, occasionally getting out to a club and making a fool of myself on the dance floor. I'd also like to get out to see a play or something equally high-brow, but it's hard to do out in Smiths Falls. I dig museums. They are great places to soak up knowledge, and I'm a sucker for knowledge. Science (various aspects), history, mythology, meteorology, astronomy, ancient civilization, etc, etc. Whatever catches my interest, I'm there.
In my private time, I like to read, go for walks, take cat naps, watch some TV and work on story ideas.
Here are a few thoughts I enjoy from seemingly smart and interesting people...
"It's none of my business what people say of me or think of me. I am what I am, and I do what I do for fun, and it's all in the game. The wonderful game, the play of life upon life, nothing to win, nothing to lose, nothing to win, nothing to prove. No sweat, no big deal, because of myself I am nothing, and of myself I've been nothing."
"We play roles in our behaviour, emotional games with ourselves. If we act as if we're depressed, then we'll be depressed and if we act as if we're troubled, then we'll be troubled."
"Too much thinking can wreck you. All of my problems have always come from an argument with myself."
Anthony Hopkins
"Don't listen to any advice, that's what I'd say. Write only what you want to write. Please yourself. YOU are the genius, they're not. Especially don't listen to people (such as publishers) who think that you need to write what readers say they want. Readers don't always know what they want. I don't know what I want to read until I go into a bookshop and look around at the books other people have written, and the books I enjoy reading most are books I would never in a million years have thought of myself. So the only thing you need to do is forget about pleasing other people, and aim to please yourself alone. That way, you'll have a chance of writing something that other people WILL want to read, because it'll take them by surprise. It's also much more fun writing to please yourself."
- Philip Pullman, writer of the His Dark Materials Trilogy, on advice for anyone who wants to write.
Music
I like a lot of different types of music. I have over 500 CDs, plus a few mixed CDs downloaded. Here's some...
I also dig these guys and gals too...
AC/DC, Moist (David Usher too), Bryan Adams, Buddy Holly, Aerosmith, Fort Minor, Gordon Lightfoot, Alice In Chains, Jet, Alabama, K-os, Apollo 440, Rob/ White Zombie, Audioslave, Van Halen, Barstool Prophets, My Chemical Romance, Traveling Wilburys, Beastie Boys, Tragically Hip, Beatles, Tea Party, Evanescence, Black Crowes, H.I.M., Swollen Members, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Vangelis, Stone Temple Pilots, Blue Rodeo, Smashing Pumpkins, David Bowie, The Wallflowers, silverchair, Sarah Brightman, Billy Idol, Rush, Johnny Cash, Queen, Collective Soul, The Prodigy, The Cranberries, Pink Floyd, The Cult, Tom Petty, Crystal Method, Avril Lavigne, Roy Orbison, VNV Nation, Def Leppard, Offspring, Delerium, Moby, Dire Straits, Paul Oakenfold, Glenn Miller, Steve Earle, Metallica, Enya, Sarah McLachlan, Fatboy Slim, Linkin Park, Georgia Satellites, Flobots, Huey Lewis & The News, Green Day, Kentucky Headhunters, GnR, Waylon Jennings, The Headstones, U2, INXS... my heads hurts now...
Plus I have a bunch of soundtracks from LOTR, Gladiator, the Crow, Transformers (animated and live-action!), The Punisher, various Star Wars movies, Twister, Highlander, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, T2, 300, Fantasia, Blade 2, Mortal Kombat, Footloose, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, M:I-2, and a bunch more. Plus, I'm up for anything new and cool.
Movies
I also have a bunch of movies too, on the ancient VHS as well as DVD.
Leon The Professional is one of my favs, along with Fantasia, Serenity, the X-Men movies (and most comic book-based movies), JFK, Bowling for Colombine, Hustle & Flow, The Transporter movies, North By Northwest, Dogma, The Iron Giant, Crash, Godzilla (and his sequels, even the American one!), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Wanted, Clint Eastwood's Man With No Name trilogy, Heist, LXG, The Mist (and any Stephen King book adapted by Frank Darabont), Equlibrium, Twister, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Boondock Saints, L.A. Confidential, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, Cloverfield, Get Carter, Devil's Rejects, Donnie Darko, Jet Li movies, John Woo movies, sci-fi movies, etc. etc... lol
The Movie Of Your Life Is An Indie Flick
You do things your own way - and it's made for colorful times.
Your life hasn't turned out how anyone expected, thank goodness!
Your best movie matches: Clerks, Garden State, Napoleon Dynamite
Funny thing is... I tend to think of myself as a more mainstream movie type O' guy. I dig all kinds of movies, but if it has at least 3 improbable things it in, I'm there. BTW, I really dug these two movies this summer...
You Should Be a Film Writer
You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind.
You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life.
Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling.
And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!
I used to dig Saturday morning cartoons (Teen Titans, Fantastic Four, Spongebob, Justice Leaque Unlimited). But now they all suck. I miss the Justice League *sniff*.
I like Family Guy, Drawn Together, The Daily News with Jon Stewart, the Colbert Report, Distraction and the Jon Dore Television Show when I get a chance to see them. Shows I don't want to miss are...
Heroes. If the first episode of Volume 4 is any indication, things are gonna improve!
Veronica Mars (she's smart, cute and the witty banter would make former Sunnydale residents proud... *sniff* I miss her). Let's hope those rumors of a movie come true!
Bones (another smart, sexy woman with witty dialogue, plus heroic male equal and cool friends/sidekicks. Like CSI with actual character development. Plus, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons was on the show!).
But my fav shows of all time are still Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Along with Angel and Firefly. All Hail Whedon! I eagerly await his new show, Dollhouse!!!
Your results: You are Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)
Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)
65%
Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic)
55%
Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command)
50%
Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic)
50%
Jayne Cobb (Mercenary)
45%
Derrial Book (Shepherd)
45%
Wash (Ship Pilot)
35%
Alliance
30%
Inara Serra (Companion)
20%
River (Stowaway)
20%
A Reaver (Cannibal)
15%
Honest and a defender of the innocent. You sometimes make mistakes in judgment but you are generally good and would protect your crew from harm.
Stephen King books... a lot of them. I started "From a Buick 8" and already, it's mysterious and interesting. Sorry Homer, but your Illiad was too much for me. I've also started reading the Watchmen... finally! I feel less of a geek for not reading it. lol
I recently enjoyed Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein", as well as books from H. G. Wells. Douglas Adams is hilarious. I'm looking forward to reading some William Gibson and Arthur C. Clarke.
I've read all the comic books I own, which is plenty. I've also been checking out collections of Astonishing X-Men and I'm hoping to pick up others. Any suggestions?
Heroes
Hmm, heroes...
To me, heroes can be people who do stuff selflessly for others, or who's job it is to risk their lives for others. Heroes can also be people you grew up with, who were always there for you no matter what. Heroes are those who were there for you when you needed it the most. Heroes are people who stood up for something, against the majority, against fear of retaliation, for something they believed in.
And my Brother, Sister, Mom, and Dad. If I can be as cool, brave, compassionate, and experienced as them, I'd be a greater man than I am now.
A good definition of hero can be found in the song "Nobody's Hero" by Rush. Check it out!
Greetings and salutations fellow creative types, freaks and geeks... hell, even a hearty hello to all the norms who are passing by.
I'm a scriptwriter who has been pounding the keyboard for what seems like forever. In truth, it's only been about ten years. In that time, I've worked on various scripts and ideas ranging from comedy to sci-fi to action to thriller. Although my focus has been on creating and developing my own, original comic book-styled characters (more on that later), I'm finally getting back to what started it all, my preferred medium of writing, feature film scripts.
I dislike rambling on about myself, yet I enjoy rambling, go fig! The loyal few who read my blogs will know of my rambling rants. But generally, I'm pretty shy, especially in person. But in this 21st Century version of reality, I'm much more out-spoken, which, over the years, has carried over to the old fashioned "real world".
If I was forced to, at gun point, or threatened with forced viewings of American Idol, Survivor: WhoCares, or some equally craptacular "reality" show, I'd describe myself as being thoughtful and chock fulla compassion. I'm witty when I least expect it, intelligent about some things, and completely clueless about others. I'm occasionally opinionated, which tends to happen around people who don't want their little version of reality messed with... which is kind of the reason to speak out, isn't it? lol Did I mention I can be a sh*t disturber?
I'm a geek for knowledge. From science to mythology and anything else in between. All of it helps form ideas for stories I've yet to write.
Speaking of stories I write...
Below are some taglines, loglines, pitches and personal notes on my completed scripts. Feel free to read through them and let me know what you think.
Psi-Storm
Tagline: “A storm is coming.”
Logline: A girl with incredible mental powers, on the run from those who created her, seeks out people she accidentally endowed with their own latent mental powers.
Pitch: Psi-Storm is a superhero-styled action/ drama about a girl named Amaranth, who wields incredible mental abilities. While escaping those that created her, she accidentally unleashed the psionic potential within nearly two hundred people on a passenger jet. Years later, a low-life thug, Shep McQuade, is sent to kill a woman, but stumbles across Amaranth and a small group of people from the jet. Upon meeting, Shep and Amaranth share a connection, one that affects them both deeply. Both needs answers and perhaps a chance at redemption. Together, they become unlikely allies, seeking out other passengers and staying ahead of the secret consortium and their agents, the Advocates.
Personal Notes: Originally, this was an idea I wanted to develop into a comic book that would fit in with the rest of my comic book-styled characters in the Infinatum. It featured all Japanese characters and was very heavily influenced by Anime. But I then had the thought of adding the character Shep McQuade, which sort of threw the whole dynamic of the story towards something different. A sci-fi/comic book style story with a vigillante thrown in. It was also a way to introduce this work of Psionic powered people through the eyes of a normal person. It's an excellent starting off point for these characters (I smell sequel/ series!)
Cloaks
Tagline: “What if everything you knew was a lie. Your life. Your past. Your humanity."
Logline: A computer hacker, along with awakened cybernetic sleeper agents, seek the answers to their past, while pursued by the organization they are trying to get their information from.
Pitch: Cloaks is a sci-fi adventure about discovering the truth and whether it defines us. While searching for her father, Amy Grudowski found Cloaks. Cybernetic sleeper assassins living seemingly normal lives among the population, waiting for activation. Although controlled by the mysterious Silent Man and his organization, three have slipped their leashes, thanks to Amy. Together, they want answers about who they truly are and where they came from. It is a story of what the truth really means to people, how it can effect us and if it can define who we are.
Personal Notes: This was also an idea I wanted to develop into a comic book. But having a lot of characters in there already, I figured this might be better served as a feature film. I was partly inspired by the Anime "Ghost in the Shell", as well as the Terminator (obviously), but I wanted to add a basic, average human element. It's also one of my shorter scripts and, I believe, lean and tight. Like Psi Storm, I could see sequels to this, or a series. But, one step at a time eh? lol
Dauntless
Tagline 1: “For family. For Honor. For Vengeance. Ren MacCallum will be... Dauntless.”
Logline: An estranged son learns of his father’s betrayal at the hands of his close, underworld friend and decides to his own skills as an hitman to seek vengeance.
Pitch: Dauntless is an action movie about the power of loyalty and family. Ren MacCallum is a miner by day and assassin by night, a profession unintentionally passed down from his father. Estranged from his family, he is called to his father’s death-bed and reminded of his duty to them. He also learns of his father's betrayal at the hands of Montague, his father's supposed close friend. Ren goes to New York City and, despite overwhelming odds, fights to regain his father's name and honor, even if it means facing down some of the worlds most infamous assassins.
Personal Notes: This script came out of a song by Great Big Sea called "The Chemical Worker's Song (Process Man)". The feel of the song and the lyrics got this idea in my head of miners and the hell they go through and how it could parallel the life of an assassin. The parallel also works with the family as well. They may not like the work, but they are still proud. Honor and loyalty play an important part in this story, not just between the family but others in an otherwise unseemly business. I envisioned Ewen MacGregor as Ren. The action in the script was inspired by John Woo's films.
Tagline 1: “A new species of hero.”
Tagline 2: “To fight for and protect those who can’t.”
Tagline 3: “Irregulars. Humans. Together, they will fight for those who can’t.”
Logline: A former government agent, with the aid of animal/human hybrids and stolen technology, goes to save two allies from powerful clutches of the Cat Clan.
Pitch: The Regulators is an sci-fi/superhero story about an unusual, but close-knit family of humans and “irregulars” (animal/human hybrids) rising to a challenge that has been a long time coming. When patriarch James Wallace learns of two allies being threatened by the mysterious Cat Clan, he knows he can’t remain idle, nor can his family. Together, using spirited-away advanced technology, they will put their years of unity and training to the test. It is a story of courage and sacrifice, amid humor and heart-break, set in the world of fantastical characters and incredible action.
Personal Note: This is the script I really wanted to write since I first came up with the idea of the Regulators as a team. At the time, I was trying to think of a script that would be small, low budget and hopefully, easy to sell. But that "easy-to-sell" script is STILL sitting idle. I wanted to have fun and finally tell these characters' origins. Writing this script also made me realize I really enjoyed writing sci-fi/comic book-style stories. It also motivated me to continue working on the Regulator's universe, the Infinatum. The rest is history... and on my Geocities website... and always in my head. lol
Through the Never
Tagline 1: “Fear the Future.”
Tagline 2: “They never feared the future. Now, they do.”
Tagline 3: “He never thought he’d have revenge. Now he does.”
Logline: In the high security wing of a medical campus, a seemingly close-knit group of six students are hunted by a mysterious killer who seems to know more about them and their future then they do.
Pitch: Through the Never is a moralistic sci-fi thiller that looks at the classic concept of what is good and evil. As six bright and affable, medical students are on the eve of revealing a possible medical break-though, they are stalked through the corridors of their high-tech, high security campus by a seemingly unstoppable killer. In the course of night, truths are revealed about the "friends" and their motivation, as is the purpose of the killer. In the end, it's how one perceives good or evil that will decide which side is right or wrong.
Personal Note: With Through the Never, I wanted to do my version of the Terminator. This seemingly unstoppable force going after unknowing victims. But that's where the similarities end. I also wanted to question the notions of good and evil and what is perceived as such. Both sides are painted with defined colors at first. But as the story progresses, those colors bleed and become grey. In these times, the line between good and evil, or on a global/politicial scale, freedom fighter or terrorist all depends on who you are and where you came from. I think that is the basic theme of this script.
Unsound
Taglines:
“For redemption or for honor. Either choice will be his last.”
“The killer who ruined her life might be her only salvation.”
“Their parallel lives will cross in a hail of bullets.”
Logline:
An infamous hitman is called out of his twenty-year “retirement” by an old friend to repay a debt by killing a young woman, who was the reason for the hitman’s exile.
Pitch:
Unsound is an action-packed drama that tells the story of two very different people, brought together by violence and death. William the Black, a retired assassin hiding from his past, and Jenn, a young woman drifting through her own life, still dealing with her past. Thanks to their chance encounter twenty years before, both have become solitary, lonely people. Now, with a contract out on Jenn and William brought back for one last kill, each has a chance to change their lives, to finally reach out for someone, even if it's the person they’d least expect.
Personal Note: Unsound was inspired by some of my favorite actions movies. Leon (The Professional) and Hard-Boiled were probably the biggest. But I know it has some major flaws, like the actions scenes. I read somewhere that most actions are written as "They fight." I thought that was pretty lame. But having John Woo's stylized action stuck in my head, I probably went overboard on the detail. But at it's core, I think it has a great dramatic conflict, cool lead characters (one of which was named after my sister), and some cool action scenes. I also planned to include a character from another script as a cameo, to show these two stories had a connection, but I cut the character when I made him too interesting. It threw the readers. They wondered if this character was coming back. I still have that character in mind. He still might see the light of day somewhere down the road.
Pedro's Coffee.
Taglines
“In one day, they will go from small-town nobodies to big-city nobodies.”
“They went for coffee and found adventure... and coffee.”
Logline:
Two small town Canuckleheads travel to Toronto to search for the creator of the world’s greatest coffee, made by a man named Pedro.
Pitch:
Pedro’s Coffee is a Canadian-based comedy about two small town Canuckleheads, Raph and Murray, who save up $10,000 to go to California. But when Murray’s Mom loses it all at bingo, they retreat to their second home, the local coffee shop. Here, they hear the secret of the legendary Pedro and the incredible coffee he makes. They decide to venture to Toronto, where Pedro supposedly lives, to seek him out and his great coffee. But it’s not that easy as our caffeine-craving heroes come across specialty coffee shops, faux Chinese Mafia and the cult-like mentality of a globe-spanning department store.
Personal Note: Pedro's Coffee took longer to write than any of my other completed scripts. But when I finished it, I had a great sense of accomplishment. It is the only comedy script I've written, but I have plans for at least two others. Many of the main characters and pieces in the script were inspired by friends and things that happened to them, though greatly exaggerated (except for the pick-up truck, it was pretty much as is). I was recently told that it reminded the reader of Porky's, which I took as a compliment (as I'm sure that was the intention, lol). I saw it as a Canadian version of "Road Trip" or a lighter version of "Goin' Down the Road". There's a solid idea for a sequel, featuring Raph and Murray going to L.A., but that's a while off yet.
These are just the completed scripts. Currently, I have two scripts in progress, three in development stages (story outline, character developmemt, research), plus a bunch of ideas. If you want to check out the script synopses for the scripts I've completed, feel free to surf over to my Geocities website...
www.geocities.com/the_infinatum/Script_Synopses
While you're there, feel free to surf around. The website is quite decent, considering my moderate computer knowledge. Besides the script synopses, there's also a small fan-fiction section featuring an X-Files script I wrote for a scriptwriting class years ago. Also, you'll find lots more on my comic book creations, the Infinatum. Feel free to drop by and add some much-needed traffic, lol.
www.geocities.com/the_infinatum
Even though my focus is on my scriptwriting, that doesn't mean the Infinatum is going into cold storage...
The Infinatum is my comic book universe. It started off small enough, but now it has become a monster. No matter what else I'm working on, these characters are never far from my mind. Too keep them fresh, I've started developing feature film scripts for each of the main characters/ groups.
Over the coming year, I hope to post some two-page shorts featuring various characters. Originally, I was going to post them on another MySpace page, but I think they will be viewed more on here. I'm also looking into posting some stuff on Lulu.com, an online publisher. So stay tuned!
You sarcastic? Never! You're as sweet as a baby bunny.
Seriously, though, you have a sharp tongue - and you aren't afraid to use it.
And if people are too wimpy to deal with your attitutde, then too bad. So sad.
You are pretty darn strange. You're quirky and odd, and definitely not normal. But that's great--it makes you an interesting person. You aren't exactly as strange as they come, but congratulations on being quite unique!
Who I'd like to meet: Writers, screenwriters, comic book writers and artists (local would be nice, but being talented is what matters) to talk shop with, perhaps even working on a project to help whore our collective talents to those in the biz.
I'd also like to connect with creative, fun, and generally cool people to talk about whatever one needs to talk about. Knowing from experience, being a creative type can be a little daunting if no one else gets what you like or do. Having someone who knows the ups and downs can be helpful.
Plus, I'm up for chatting with anyone, especially if it involves movies, music, and anything else related to such. I'm a sucker for good conversation, and can generally talk to anyone about anything. I especially dig it if said person has quirky written all over themselves. Not literally... well... nah, not literally...lol.
"Real obstacles don't take you in circles. They can be overcome. Invented ones are like a maze." ~ Barbara Sher
So, I suppose we have to sort through what is a real obstacle and what is imagined before we can look at tackling it. I feel like that just simplified everything for me!
I hope you are overcoming the true obstacles in your way! Karen :)
I noticed under "birthdays" from today, there was a man named Karl Von Clausewitz who was a soldier born today in 1780. I am always amazed when quotes from hundreds of years ago still hold up even today;
"Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination."
I think we are all just striving to multi-task our days that it can be difficult to really focus our work towards an effort that is a passion of ours. But I suppose there comes a wonderful reward just by simply diving into what really sparks our interest.
I hope you are finding the time in the craziness of life to explore what you are truly passionate about! Karen :)
After writing the blog on hope, I saw this again and was reminded what an amazing part that friends play in our journey. So, I thought I would share it;
"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." ~Albert Schweitzer
I am very thankful for friends. :) Enjoy your day! Karen :)
Wink in, flutter about, wink out Touch all you can, but try not to break anything.
Enjoy the art of learning. Read. Read. Read If mom told you life was fair. She lied.
If dad said you can..t play fair. He lied.
It..s not Gods fault, do the math, there..s just too many self centered people If you spend more than half your life truly happy. You..ve won Acceptance is the key Give of yourself unconditionally. Love unconditionally.
You may get hurt. Oh well.
You may get used. Oh well You will make mistakes. Oh well Bravery is not the absence of fear. It..s doing the right thing in spite of it.
Dream your dream. Live your dream.
If you stumble. Oh well.
Dream your dream. Live your dream.
There is a God.
He or she dosen..t follow any particular religion.
Pray however you like, Just pray.
Sing every day, dance every day, laugh every day.
Try not to grow up too much.
To quote a very wise man. "All you need is love. " Wanna know a secret?
This really got me thinking this morning. This quote talks about how Misery has an extra shadow with it.
"You don't merely suffer, but have to keep on thinking about the fact that you suffer. I not only live each day in endless grief, but I live each day thinking about living each day in endless grief."~C.S. Lewis
I am thinking if we all went back to just having misery and got rid of it's shadow (where we think too much about it) it might be more manageable! LOL!
I did get the new album, listened to the solo album and heard a few songs from Zwan. I'm sorry man, but those albums didn't really do it for me at all. Neither did the final REAL Pumpkins album either..machina whatever. Not since ADORE have I really responded to anything Corgan has done. But to agree with your point, I do agree that Corgan was the real mastermind behind the band but unfortunately (like most musicians) Corgan's prolific period has come and gone. The days of Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie are over. Corgan is definitely a genius but I personally haven't been impressed since 1998. To note, one of my all-time favorite concerts was the Pumpkins in 96 when Garbage opened for them. They were a force to be reckoned with for sure. But apart from the single on the new album, I haven't even thought about listening to that album since. D'arcy and James brought their touches to the music. Keith Richards is a genius but who cares about his solo work? Smashing Pumpkins, one of my top 10 bands ever...but they died 10 years ago. Course that's just my opinion.
.. .. 
