To Love To Write.
I love to write.
Writing makes me feel like I am creating a whole new world. Its the freedom to create a new experience for readers that gives insight into a new realm, or a new perspective from a different point of view.
Writing is expressing what is internalized from our early development through the world we experienced and grew up seeing through our very own eyes.
We all have a voice that is unique and a point of view that is unique and refreshing.
Isn't that great?
Writing is a voice in this very LARGE WORLD.
It's our own little small voice from our personal creative corner.
Writing basically allows freedom to create "anything".
Writing and telling stories is one of the greatest forms of expression. I am a storyteller from tip to toe with an imagination fueled by stories I have read, and choice experiences as I discovered the world around me. Ideas constantly flood my mind reflecting on others before me, such as elderly grandparents and friends, our history and family upbringing, from musicians and music, from artists and stories, book writers, poetic geniuses, films and television, musicals and theater, cartoons and puppet shows, and so much more.
These are those who have inspired me.
That is why I love to write.
That is why I love to D R E A M.
Writing makes me feel like I am creating a whole new world. Its the freedom to create a new experience for readers that gives insight into a new realm, or a new perspective from a different point of view.
Writing is expressing what is internalized from our early development through the world we experienced and grew up seeing through our very own eyes.
We all have a voice that is unique and a point of view that is unique and refreshing.
Isn't that great?
Writing is a voice in this very LARGE WORLD.
It's our own little small voice from our personal creative corner.
Writing basically allows freedom to create "anything".
Writing and telling stories is one of the greatest forms of expression. I am a storyteller from tip to toe with an imagination fueled by stories I have read, and choice experiences as I discovered the world around me. Ideas constantly flood my mind reflecting on others before me, such as elderly grandparents and friends, our history and family upbringing, from musicians and music, from artists and stories, book writers, poetic geniuses, films and television, musicals and theater, cartoons and puppet shows, and so much more.
These are those who have inspired me.
That is why I love to write.
That is why I love to D R E A M.
My Current Scripts:
Links provided. (on top tab too)
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Auckland Island - 1990/2003
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Pygmies In The Rockies - 2010
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Hottie Latt'e - 2011
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The Cherub - 2021
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Finding Freedom - 2005
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Country Buck & The Gator Girl - 2021
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Spooky Bats and Scaredy Cats - 2009
(working title was Monster Holiday) |
The Light Before Christmas - 2007
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Theatrical Release 2009
Available on Ebay and Amazon (Artwork by BAllen)
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Theatrical Release 2007 / IMAX
Available on Ebay and Amazon |
Scripts In Progress:
These following "in - progress" stories/scripts in various stages of development.
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"UN-TAINTED" Live Action/ Drama / PG-13
UN-TAINTED is a story about a communal hippy family from the farmlands of Canada. They live off the land in isolation in a small community where they reject any form of technology/ communication from the modern world. When two families within the commune are torn apart by corrupt leaders, they escape by foot across the Canadian border and into the United States. Two Adult women, and 5 children secretly travel down through Montana and Wyoming by any means necessary until they can go no further. They find themselves on a remote, rural farm owned by a lonely widower. They have no money and are exhausted from their weary travels. They desperately need a place to rest.
Is the widower the miracle, or is it the fleeing family?
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"SNOW BEAST" CG / Family / PG
SNOW BEAST is about a real snow beast.
Is he kind and friendly? Or is he ferocious and fierce?
Is he even real?
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"NO MAN'S IS-LAND" Live Action / Adventure / PG-13
NO MAN'S IS-LAND about a man who owns an island. When he was a very small child, his father created and built a beautiful garden that surrounded a very successful Bed and Breakfast. Some very powerful politicians took it all away by blighting the beautiful property and creating their own elite club for the wealthy and privileged. His father lost everything and dies a very sad man. The child grows up with an anger and a hatred that he channels towards innovation and technology. He gets his revenge by building more than an island.
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"EON" Live Action /Adventure/ Comedy/ with CG / PG
EON is about an alien.
This story is about Shane who works for a video game company. On a camping trip he encounters an alien who has been thrown off course in his travels. He realizes that this alien, Eon, is light-years ahead of human civilization.
Eon's knowledge could be a great benefit to him and his career.
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"THE PRINCE OF POCATELLO" Live Action/ Adventure / Comedy / PG-13
THE PRINCE OF POCATELLO is about a man named, Ruddock, who has nearly lost it all. His wife left him and took his kids. His family has nearly disowned him. His friends are no where to be found and he lost his good paying job. The reason? Because he was framed by a jealous co-worker for something he didn't do. Now Ruddock is about to lose the only asset he has left. His 5 acres of farmland that his grandfather left him, and his beloved John Deere tractor.
As the police close in, Ruddock means to go out fighting, however, he finds something on his land that changes everything.
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"THE RUNYINS" CG / Family / PG
THE RUNYINS is a film idea based on my children's story.
A meteor comes crashing to the earth and lands in Sugar City, Idaho on a country farm. The family that owns the farm investigates the strange meteor. Suddenly, NASA and the government arrive. Did something really fall from space? Was it a government experiment? Was it a spaceship, or an elaborate hoax? The whole town speculates...but a boy finds out the truth. Is there life from space? Do aliens really exist? Did they open a pathway to something worse?
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"Frank N. Rawk" CG / Family / PG
Frank N. Rawk is about a teenager named Frank Rawk. He's an odd kind of teenager going through a very awkward stage in his life. His family just moved to Tupulo, Mississippi because his dad lost his job...yet again. His family has to live in the back alley small apartment above a junky local bar. Frank has a hard time adjusting to his new life. And worse yet, how will he ever "fit in", in this new small town? With school starting in a few weeks, he dreads that he will be misjudged by classmates for his apparent visual awkwardness. Frank finds an old beat up guitar and immerses himself in music. He discovers Elvis, Sam Cooke, Otis, and The Temptations. A chance meeting with a local guitar blues-man changes his outlook on life and Frank works day and night to become a guitar virtuoso. Will he ever be accepted for who he really is? Is he more than just a talented guitarist? Will he have to prove himself in the, "Battle of the Bands" contest to prove his existence? Find out to see.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
These following "in - progress" stories/scripts in various stages of development.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"UN-TAINTED" Live Action/ Drama / PG-13
UN-TAINTED is a story about a communal hippy family from the farmlands of Canada. They live off the land in isolation in a small community where they reject any form of technology/ communication from the modern world. When two families within the commune are torn apart by corrupt leaders, they escape by foot across the Canadian border and into the United States. Two Adult women, and 5 children secretly travel down through Montana and Wyoming by any means necessary until they can go no further. They find themselves on a remote, rural farm owned by a lonely widower. They have no money and are exhausted from their weary travels. They desperately need a place to rest.
Is the widower the miracle, or is it the fleeing family?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"SNOW BEAST" CG / Family / PG
SNOW BEAST is about a real snow beast.
Is he kind and friendly? Or is he ferocious and fierce?
Is he even real?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"NO MAN'S IS-LAND" Live Action / Adventure / PG-13
NO MAN'S IS-LAND about a man who owns an island. When he was a very small child, his father created and built a beautiful garden that surrounded a very successful Bed and Breakfast. Some very powerful politicians took it all away by blighting the beautiful property and creating their own elite club for the wealthy and privileged. His father lost everything and dies a very sad man. The child grows up with an anger and a hatred that he channels towards innovation and technology. He gets his revenge by building more than an island.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
"EON" Live Action /Adventure/ Comedy/ with CG / PG
EON is about an alien.
This story is about Shane who works for a video game company. On a camping trip he encounters an alien who has been thrown off course in his travels. He realizes that this alien, Eon, is light-years ahead of human civilization.
Eon's knowledge could be a great benefit to him and his career.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"THE PRINCE OF POCATELLO" Live Action/ Adventure / Comedy / PG-13
THE PRINCE OF POCATELLO is about a man named, Ruddock, who has nearly lost it all. His wife left him and took his kids. His family has nearly disowned him. His friends are no where to be found and he lost his good paying job. The reason? Because he was framed by a jealous co-worker for something he didn't do. Now Ruddock is about to lose the only asset he has left. His 5 acres of farmland that his grandfather left him, and his beloved John Deere tractor.
As the police close in, Ruddock means to go out fighting, however, he finds something on his land that changes everything.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"THE RUNYINS" CG / Family / PG
THE RUNYINS is a film idea based on my children's story.
A meteor comes crashing to the earth and lands in Sugar City, Idaho on a country farm. The family that owns the farm investigates the strange meteor. Suddenly, NASA and the government arrive. Did something really fall from space? Was it a government experiment? Was it a spaceship, or an elaborate hoax? The whole town speculates...but a boy finds out the truth. Is there life from space? Do aliens really exist? Did they open a pathway to something worse?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Frank N. Rawk" CG / Family / PG
Frank N. Rawk is about a teenager named Frank Rawk. He's an odd kind of teenager going through a very awkward stage in his life. His family just moved to Tupulo, Mississippi because his dad lost his job...yet again. His family has to live in the back alley small apartment above a junky local bar. Frank has a hard time adjusting to his new life. And worse yet, how will he ever "fit in", in this new small town? With school starting in a few weeks, he dreads that he will be misjudged by classmates for his apparent visual awkwardness. Frank finds an old beat up guitar and immerses himself in music. He discovers Elvis, Sam Cooke, Otis, and The Temptations. A chance meeting with a local guitar blues-man changes his outlook on life and Frank works day and night to become a guitar virtuoso. Will he ever be accepted for who he really is? Is he more than just a talented guitarist? Will he have to prove himself in the, "Battle of the Bands" contest to prove his existence? Find out to see.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"WO-Man" Live Action / Sci-Fi / PG-13
A group of scientists embark on a mission that takes them to space. As they float in the stratosphere, the world of Earth is destroyed before their eyes.
Understanding that they cant stay in space, they must devise a plan to make it back to the scorched Earth if they want a chance to survive.
Instead of working together, they fight. Instead of pulling their resources and strength, they find bitterness and betrayal. Ultimately, they all go their own ways, only to realize that whatever destroyed Earth, is hunting them.
Will they finally work together, or will the remaining future and posterity of humans be lost forever?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A group of scientists embark on a mission that takes them to space. As they float in the stratosphere, the world of Earth is destroyed before their eyes.
Understanding that they cant stay in space, they must devise a plan to make it back to the scorched Earth if they want a chance to survive.
Instead of working together, they fight. Instead of pulling their resources and strength, they find bitterness and betrayal. Ultimately, they all go their own ways, only to realize that whatever destroyed Earth, is hunting them.
Will they finally work together, or will the remaining future and posterity of humans be lost forever?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Film Credits:
I am a credited writer on a couple of children's animated stories that were produced for a theatrical release in theaters as well as on the huge IMAX screen. We were going to create a handful of "holiday classics", but after the first two films, we couldn't get more films into the budget. Each film was a monumental effort and so many great people were involved in the production.
You can still find the DVD's on Amazon and Ebay in multiple languages and formats.
You can still find the DVD's on Amazon and Ebay in multiple languages and formats.
The Light Before Christmas - 2007
The Light Before Christmas was our first animated film.
Available on Amazon and Ebay in various languages and formats.
Available on Amazon and Ebay in various languages and formats.
Spooky Bats And Scaredy Cats - 2009
Spooky Bats And Scaredy Cats was our second animated film.
Available on Amazon and Ebay in multiple languages and formats.
Available on Amazon and Ebay in multiple languages and formats.
HOW DO I WRITE?
Here is a list of my own personal writing methods. (in no particular order)
1 - One of my favorite writing methods is to tape record myself narrating the script.
I will then burn my recording to a cd and listen to it. You would be amazed at how well this works in timing and the story flow. Also, you can tell right off the bat if the dialogue is cheesy or too wordy. I love to even add music to get a feel for mood.
2 - I like to create a storyboard. This could be as simple as thumbnail sketches...but it is important for me to visualize the story. Any artwork helps develop the story. You see things that you might have missed...or, something that you could enhance and develop better.
3 - Create and flesh out each characters personality. Make a character sheet. List all the attributes, likes, dislikes, or anything that is relevant to the character. List background bio's and relationships within the story. This really helps as you write the story. It adds interest to that specific character.
4 - Music. Whenever I write, I am always thinking about songs. Intro songs, montage songs, love songs, adventure songs...etc. Even if you will never use that particular song, it creates a mood, or a feeling as to what is happening.
5 - Get some family members to read the script out loud. Split up the parts. Just listen to them and watch how they interact and react. This can be very helpful. If they stumble over words, then simplify them. If they are confused at what they are reading, reevaluate what you wrote.
6 - Just write. Who cares if it sucks. Just put it in paper. Who cares about the spelling, the context, the undeveloped characters, the timing, the dialogue.....who cares. Just Write!
Once you get your groove ahn...it will flow like honey butter. You will let yourself flow, you will get loose, and magic will come out of your fingers.
I'm not kidding.
Too many people get hung up on titles, words, placement, structure.....it all stops them from the magic. It stops the fun.
Analyzing all the details can kill your script, try your patience, and discourage you.
Your script will never get past page 3.
Just Write and let it flow. You will go back and fix it all. I promise that you will have 15 revisions of the script before you have something that is good.
Don't let anything stop you....Just Write.
7 - Juice yourself with creativity. One thing I like to do, is break out the guitar and start playing some songs I have written. This really gets my creative juices flowing. Once I start writing, and I need a break, I go back to drawing, or music, or something else that gives me a creative break from one thing, and gets my juices energized in a different creative outlet...then I go back. This works well for me.
8 - Dont let anyone stop you. This world is full of discouragment. There are those that love to see people fail. Don't let them get to you. If you believe it, and feel it...then do it. No matter what.
9 - Take a break. Get away from your story for a week. Work on another story, then go back. It is amazing to get back to a script with fresh eyes, and a renewed enthusisam after a small break. Burnout can really hamper your creativity.
10 - Have fun. Developing an idea is so much fun. Creating is fun. If you're having fun, it will reflect in your script.
11- Story is KING. Story is KING. (Repeat over and over.)
It doesn't matter how pretty your film is, or how well your book is drawn/ illustrated....
If the story lacks, ...Your project lacks.
Story is always KING.
12 - Get feedback. This is tricky. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. People base what they see on their own life experiences. Don't take constructive feedback too seriously. Don't let someone kill your idea, because someone else will love it. Take feedback with a grain of salt.
13 - Everyone is a creator. We all create in different ways. Some in the arts, some in the home, some at work, some on the football field, some in a corn field....we are all creators. We all long to create.
We should always inspire and help others....good things always come to those who help others.
When I was writing, "Ivan The Terrible Loveable", I drew out some rough sketches. I also fleshed out the characters. This made a huge difference, because I made the pet owners look like their pets. It added a funny element to the story.
Also, I love the Temptations (music group). In my Ivan intro, he would be feeding his pets to the song, "I Want A Love I Can See". This very song places the story in a retro 60's type era...so it makes me think of Ivan's art style within that era. (colors, look, feel, etc)
All these little things help in the bigger things. It's like making a mini movie in my mind.
to be continued . . . . .
1 - One of my favorite writing methods is to tape record myself narrating the script.
I will then burn my recording to a cd and listen to it. You would be amazed at how well this works in timing and the story flow. Also, you can tell right off the bat if the dialogue is cheesy or too wordy. I love to even add music to get a feel for mood.
2 - I like to create a storyboard. This could be as simple as thumbnail sketches...but it is important for me to visualize the story. Any artwork helps develop the story. You see things that you might have missed...or, something that you could enhance and develop better.
3 - Create and flesh out each characters personality. Make a character sheet. List all the attributes, likes, dislikes, or anything that is relevant to the character. List background bio's and relationships within the story. This really helps as you write the story. It adds interest to that specific character.
4 - Music. Whenever I write, I am always thinking about songs. Intro songs, montage songs, love songs, adventure songs...etc. Even if you will never use that particular song, it creates a mood, or a feeling as to what is happening.
5 - Get some family members to read the script out loud. Split up the parts. Just listen to them and watch how they interact and react. This can be very helpful. If they stumble over words, then simplify them. If they are confused at what they are reading, reevaluate what you wrote.
6 - Just write. Who cares if it sucks. Just put it in paper. Who cares about the spelling, the context, the undeveloped characters, the timing, the dialogue.....who cares. Just Write!
Once you get your groove ahn...it will flow like honey butter. You will let yourself flow, you will get loose, and magic will come out of your fingers.
I'm not kidding.
Too many people get hung up on titles, words, placement, structure.....it all stops them from the magic. It stops the fun.
Analyzing all the details can kill your script, try your patience, and discourage you.
Your script will never get past page 3.
Just Write and let it flow. You will go back and fix it all. I promise that you will have 15 revisions of the script before you have something that is good.
Don't let anything stop you....Just Write.
7 - Juice yourself with creativity. One thing I like to do, is break out the guitar and start playing some songs I have written. This really gets my creative juices flowing. Once I start writing, and I need a break, I go back to drawing, or music, or something else that gives me a creative break from one thing, and gets my juices energized in a different creative outlet...then I go back. This works well for me.
8 - Dont let anyone stop you. This world is full of discouragment. There are those that love to see people fail. Don't let them get to you. If you believe it, and feel it...then do it. No matter what.
9 - Take a break. Get away from your story for a week. Work on another story, then go back. It is amazing to get back to a script with fresh eyes, and a renewed enthusisam after a small break. Burnout can really hamper your creativity.
10 - Have fun. Developing an idea is so much fun. Creating is fun. If you're having fun, it will reflect in your script.
11- Story is KING. Story is KING. (Repeat over and over.)
It doesn't matter how pretty your film is, or how well your book is drawn/ illustrated....
If the story lacks, ...Your project lacks.
Story is always KING.
12 - Get feedback. This is tricky. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. People base what they see on their own life experiences. Don't take constructive feedback too seriously. Don't let someone kill your idea, because someone else will love it. Take feedback with a grain of salt.
13 - Everyone is a creator. We all create in different ways. Some in the arts, some in the home, some at work, some on the football field, some in a corn field....we are all creators. We all long to create.
We should always inspire and help others....good things always come to those who help others.
When I was writing, "Ivan The Terrible Loveable", I drew out some rough sketches. I also fleshed out the characters. This made a huge difference, because I made the pet owners look like their pets. It added a funny element to the story.
Also, I love the Temptations (music group). In my Ivan intro, he would be feeding his pets to the song, "I Want A Love I Can See". This very song places the story in a retro 60's type era...so it makes me think of Ivan's art style within that era. (colors, look, feel, etc)
All these little things help in the bigger things. It's like making a mini movie in my mind.
to be continued . . . . .