Today I changed some things around. Mikenny Productions is a little outdated so I started a new YouTube page for my videos, which you can find here.
I also started a Facebook page for my new production company, Reel Time Productions, and I hope that you will all go and "Like" the page to get the word out there! From here on out, new material I put out will be associated with this production company.
The Mikenny Productions and kmof1992 YouTube pages will stick around for a while, which will have all the videos from high school. The new page is for more legitimate video and film projects. So if you've already subscribed to my old channels or are a friend, go subscribe to the new channel! If all goes according to plan this new movie I'm developing will be made by Reel Time Productions within the next couple years!
I'm gonna keep moving stuff around, so keep an eye out for more new things happening!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
The Importance of a Logline
Well, screenwriting is a no-go. The first day of class two people didn't show up, and I was first on the wait-list, so it looked really good for me. Unfortunately, those two were just sick for the first day of class. Oh well.
The feedback from my classmates would be nice, but there's no reason why I can't still write this screenplay this semester. In fact, that is exactly what I plan to do, roughly following the syllabus of the class. Thus far, a logline has been due, and coming up soon is the treatment, script breakdown, and step outline. In the meanwhile, I've read one of the textbooks for class, as well as the Little Miss Sunshine shooting script. I'm about a good 60-70 pages into the final book.
I've also already written up a step outline for the script that I'm really happy with. In it, I've broken down scene-by-scene (or almost scene-by-scene) the events of the script, separating the events in the three acts. I've also written a logline, which I'm kind of afraid to share so for now I won't.
But at the first screenwriting class, we discussed what makes a good logline, and came up with a couple things:
1. It is ironic - As in, the main character has to accomplish a goal, and he's the last person you would think of to accomplish it. As an example, in Star Wars Luke is just a farm boy who over the course of the movie must destroy the Death Star.
2. It should be primal - This means that it should appeal to a human universal, something that everyone can relate to on a basic, primal level.
3. There is a compelling mental image - When you hear the logline, can you picture the story and characters in your head? Can you get a sense of what the movie is about?
The basic logline structure is this:
"A (protagonist) who must (act) in order to (reach a goal)." In the parentheses you would put the specifics of your story.
Another option could be: "A (protagonist) who must (reach a goal) in order to (fulfill a need)."
The MUST in these are very important, because there needs to be something at stake for the audience to be interested. If these is no real need, the story will not be compelling enough.
A logline is really important for a number of reasons. First of all, if you ever want your movie to be made you need to be able to sell someone on your idea. You have to get someone interested, and a logline is a great way to do that quickly. Most executives or potential investors don't have time to sit around and listen to an hour long pitch, so they want to hear the concept. If the concept is good enough, there is usually a story there. From that standpoint, a logline is a good place to start. It's also a good building-block for your script, because the logline cuts right to the point of the script. If at any point during the writing of your script you feel as though you're getting away from the point you were trying to make, the logline is a good way of getting you back on track.
In a future post I'll discuss other things I've been doing to prepare to start writing the script. There's plenty more planning to be done, but I hope to start writing the actual script itself in 1-2 weeks.
The feedback from my classmates would be nice, but there's no reason why I can't still write this screenplay this semester. In fact, that is exactly what I plan to do, roughly following the syllabus of the class. Thus far, a logline has been due, and coming up soon is the treatment, script breakdown, and step outline. In the meanwhile, I've read one of the textbooks for class, as well as the Little Miss Sunshine shooting script. I'm about a good 60-70 pages into the final book.
I've also already written up a step outline for the script that I'm really happy with. In it, I've broken down scene-by-scene (or almost scene-by-scene) the events of the script, separating the events in the three acts. I've also written a logline, which I'm kind of afraid to share so for now I won't.
But at the first screenwriting class, we discussed what makes a good logline, and came up with a couple things:
1. It is ironic - As in, the main character has to accomplish a goal, and he's the last person you would think of to accomplish it. As an example, in Star Wars Luke is just a farm boy who over the course of the movie must destroy the Death Star.
2. It should be primal - This means that it should appeal to a human universal, something that everyone can relate to on a basic, primal level.
3. There is a compelling mental image - When you hear the logline, can you picture the story and characters in your head? Can you get a sense of what the movie is about?
The basic logline structure is this:
"A (protagonist) who must (act) in order to (reach a goal)." In the parentheses you would put the specifics of your story.
Another option could be: "A (protagonist) who must (reach a goal) in order to (fulfill a need)."
The MUST in these are very important, because there needs to be something at stake for the audience to be interested. If these is no real need, the story will not be compelling enough.
A logline is really important for a number of reasons. First of all, if you ever want your movie to be made you need to be able to sell someone on your idea. You have to get someone interested, and a logline is a great way to do that quickly. Most executives or potential investors don't have time to sit around and listen to an hour long pitch, so they want to hear the concept. If the concept is good enough, there is usually a story there. From that standpoint, a logline is a good place to start. It's also a good building-block for your script, because the logline cuts right to the point of the script. If at any point during the writing of your script you feel as though you're getting away from the point you were trying to make, the logline is a good way of getting you back on track.
In a future post I'll discuss other things I've been doing to prepare to start writing the script. There's plenty more planning to be done, but I hope to start writing the actual script itself in 1-2 weeks.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Here We Go
Well, it's for all the marbles today. Tonight is the first day of class in screenwriting, but I'm still on the waitlist. So hopefully when I show up there will be a spot for me and I can start working on this screenplay.
But you know what? If I don't get in, I'm still gonna write it anyways. I've already done a lot of creative work to prepare for this film, and I'm not gonna let it go to waste. Sure, I could wait until next semester to try and get into the class, but I really feel like I need to start writing it right now. I don't want to wait anymore.
I've pretty heavily mapped out Act One, and I have the basic outline of Act Two; it is Act Three where I'm stumped. I don't know, for some reason I can't figure out how I want the film to end. I mean, I've thought of a few endings, but nothing that's stood out, nothing that wasn't too cliche.
I'm just planning on inspiration striking and me suddenly having my third act. It's bound to happen, right?
Anyways, I'll let you know if I get in or not, and where I'm going to go from here, when I find out tonight. Wish me luck!
But you know what? If I don't get in, I'm still gonna write it anyways. I've already done a lot of creative work to prepare for this film, and I'm not gonna let it go to waste. Sure, I could wait until next semester to try and get into the class, but I really feel like I need to start writing it right now. I don't want to wait anymore.
I've pretty heavily mapped out Act One, and I have the basic outline of Act Two; it is Act Three where I'm stumped. I don't know, for some reason I can't figure out how I want the film to end. I mean, I've thought of a few endings, but nothing that's stood out, nothing that wasn't too cliche.
I'm just planning on inspiration striking and me suddenly having my third act. It's bound to happen, right?
Anyways, I'll let you know if I get in or not, and where I'm going to go from here, when I find out tonight. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
DJ Movie Playlist/Soundtrack
This coming semester I plan on taking the first Screenwriting class, and I've been working in my head on an idea that would become a screenplay if I were to get in (I'm currently waitlisted). I won't really go into details right now, but generally the idea is about a young man who, while trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life, becomes a DJ and gets involved with an underground music scene, with both positive and negative effects.
Since music will be such a large component of this film, I've made a playlist of songs that I think capture the feeling of the movie. Maybe they will be used as a soundtrack, maybe they will simply be inspiration when I write, but I figured I would share this playlist with you. Some of the songs may seem out of place, but don't worry; they make perfect sense in the context of the film! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this playlist!
Since music will be such a large component of this film, I've made a playlist of songs that I think capture the feeling of the movie. Maybe they will be used as a soundtrack, maybe they will simply be inspiration when I write, but I figured I would share this playlist with you. Some of the songs may seem out of place, but don't worry; they make perfect sense in the context of the film! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this playlist!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas!
I hope everyone has had an awesome day of time spent with family and friends, gift giving, and hopefully a lot of eating. I definitely did, and I'm looking forward to this next week of relaxation ahead of me. Right now I'm typing this while listening to Jack's Mannequin on my brand new Klipsch speakers (!) while Kristen sits on the couch next to me poring over The Hunger Games. I think it's safe to say we are content.
I'm not really sure what the point of this post is, other than to just make good on my promise to post more. I'm going to start posting some of my videos again soon, but I guess besides that I'm just struggling to find things to write about. All I know is this will be really boring unless I find some way to make it interesting. So I'm gonna post this video by FND Films:
They are awesome; I'm a huge fan. They filmed a behind the scenes video that was really interesting so I'll post that at the bottom of this post. Merry Christmas, and I'll talk to y'all soon!
I'm not really sure what the point of this post is, other than to just make good on my promise to post more. I'm going to start posting some of my videos again soon, but I guess besides that I'm just struggling to find things to write about. All I know is this will be really boring unless I find some way to make it interesting. So I'm gonna post this video by FND Films:
They are awesome; I'm a huge fan. They filmed a behind the scenes video that was really interesting so I'll post that at the bottom of this post. Merry Christmas, and I'll talk to y'all soon!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
An Update and Jack's Mannequin
I swear, one of my New Year's Resolutions will be to post more consistently on this blog. In all fairness, it has been the end of the semester and it's been a busy couple weeks for me. In addition to final projects, papers, and exams, I went in to the sleep disorder clinic and was diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome, Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, and Psycho-Physiological Insomnia. In other words, I don't know how to sleep.
But the semester is over and I'm home for break, so you'd think that means more posts. Well, I'm gonna try, but hopefully we all can understand how busy the holiday season can be. But I'ma try to work around it.
I've been writing in my creative journal more recently; I guess maybe the stress is giving me more ideas write down. I'm hoping to take screenwriting next semester (the class is full now, but I'm second on the wait list) and if I get in my plan is to write the screenplay on my DJ/Mixing idea, which I won't disclose here now, but I might discuss it more as I get more into writing it.
All right, well before I go I wanted to post a song that I've been pretty obsessed with ever since I first heard it. I don't normally put songs on repeat, but this is one that I absolutely have. Andrew McMahon just writes extremely powerful and emotional lyrics, and the music here is a perfect complement. This song is for anyone who's feeling down and looking for hope.
But the semester is over and I'm home for break, so you'd think that means more posts. Well, I'm gonna try, but hopefully we all can understand how busy the holiday season can be. But I'ma try to work around it.
I've been writing in my creative journal more recently; I guess maybe the stress is giving me more ideas write down. I'm hoping to take screenwriting next semester (the class is full now, but I'm second on the wait list) and if I get in my plan is to write the screenplay on my DJ/Mixing idea, which I won't disclose here now, but I might discuss it more as I get more into writing it.
All right, well before I go I wanted to post a song that I've been pretty obsessed with ever since I first heard it. I don't normally put songs on repeat, but this is one that I absolutely have. Andrew McMahon just writes extremely powerful and emotional lyrics, and the music here is a perfect complement. This song is for anyone who's feeling down and looking for hope.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Video Ethnography Project on Impact of Film
It's the last full week of classes, and I've got a lot of big projects and papers to get done, so unfortunately I've been neglecting the blog. I know I said I'd post pictures of Cancun, but that will probably have to wait until I'm back home for Christmas Break, which should be in about two weeks. I'm gonna try to post when I can, But I'm afraid I can't make promises.
For now, I wanted to post my anthropology project, an ethnographic video study where I examine the role that film plays in the lives of students at the University of Michigan. I'm also working on a video with my group for Production 290, so there will be another video up soon.
But here's my ethno project, and I hope you enjoy it!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Winter is Here
I've been in Mexico over the past week and haven't had a chance to post, but a Cancún blog is imminent. For now, (and taking it into a completely different direction), it's the first big snow of the season! I love the holidays and get really nostalgic around this time thinking about the things I used to do as a kid, like playing out in the snow, hockey on the ice, making hot chocolate, setting up the Christmas tree, and listening to Christmas music. And, of course, hoping against all hope every morning that it would be a snow day.
I just love this time of year, because even though it's cold outside, the holiday season always feels so warm to me. The season is shared with your closest friends and family, and everyone coming together to celebrate has so much spirit and warmth to it.
Anyway, I just thought I'd take a moment and enjoy this wintry weather that blew in over night, because as soon as Christmas goes, I'm going to hate the snow and cold and just wish spring were here already. Post-January is when the snow gets muddy and there's less of it, and on top of that it's still cold and there are no holidays to be looking forward to (as in, no days of from class to look forward to).
So enjoy it for now!
I just love this time of year, because even though it's cold outside, the holiday season always feels so warm to me. The season is shared with your closest friends and family, and everyone coming together to celebrate has so much spirit and warmth to it.
Anyway, I just thought I'd take a moment and enjoy this wintry weather that blew in over night, because as soon as Christmas goes, I'm going to hate the snow and cold and just wish spring were here already. Post-January is when the snow gets muddy and there's less of it, and on top of that it's still cold and there are no holidays to be looking forward to (as in, no days of from class to look forward to).
So enjoy it for now!
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