Hey, a very good site to go to concerning screenwriting is TheScriptlab.com
Here is their twitter https://twitter.com/TheScriptLab
Also here is a free PDF from them The Encyclopedia Of Screenwriting. Screen Writing
Back to the grid. I am doing my research for my film that I have written about on here. It gets hard sometime. I am a vet. I know a lot of my brothers and sisters suffer. Especially those who did directly or indirectly do the killing. It can be a motherfucker. Plain and simple. And it hurts. The film I am doing is a lot about pain and painful things; however, they things that need to be discussed. We as a country tend ignore issues like combat vets issues and the sex trade. It makes people uncomfortable when we talk about them. Well guess what America, that is America, regardless if you choose to except it or not. And trust me, these things will fester and grow. And there will be a point where we will have to pay more than we had too.
What kind of filmmaker do you want to be? You can be a fluffy filmmaker that doesn’t take on any real subject. Tampa is full of them. We are the city of fluff. If you are into one dimensional film, Tampa is where you want to be. But then there are a few people who are trying to say something and using film as a medium to say it. I have a lot to say and find I have many tools of saying them, whether it be film, a series, a painting, theater or whatever is at my disposal . But I’m out there using them, and so should you.
What kind of filmmaker or artist, do you want to be? Do you have things you want to say and discuss. For me, art, film, and whatnot is just tools for me to communicate things I want to talk about. The series I am developing is about topics I want dive into and explore subjects that I find interesting and relative, and also showcase good music and talented artist. Go do the same. There are so many ways to express yourself and so many ways to get it out there in front of people. that you really have no excuse not be working on something. I know I have don’t.
Hey people, how are you doing? men
I have started to read Sebastian Junger’s book called War. It was an accompanying book to the documentary Restrepo; a documentary I strongly suggest you watch. It is about an airborne infantry platoon in a remote base camp in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. What amazes me about the book is how accurately he describes life of an airborne infantry platoon; something I have found hard to describe it, yet Sebastian does an amazing job at it. I can say this because I am a retired United States paratrooper who served in the 82nd Airborne Division as an airborne infantry team leader.
I am reading this for my film on combat veteran issues and the sex trade. I also reading many articles on the sex trade which for me brings me great anger. My hope is that my film will shed light onto these two topics and bring change and a national conversation about these two issues. I know it is a big goal, but I think in big terms and have big goals. I will be writing more about in my blog Notes From Outpost 187
So guys, please spread the word about my blogs. Also if you have any questions please write me.
I am sure you have heard that saying that you have to be able walk and chew gum at the same time, and it is true. Right now I am doing research for my film on the sex trade and combat vet issues. Now, for a split second I fooled myself to believe that I would have the luxury of just doing that, but then came the email from my cousin with regarding the production company. And just like that I am back to multitasking and thinking about planning the future of the company. And that is how you have to be. Constantly thinking about a multitude of things all at once.
Now that being said, I realized something, I DO NOT WORK EFFICIENTLY. Seriously,I try to do everything all at once, and it doesn’t work, at least not for me. So I putting the series on the back burner and just focusing on the feature. I am taking about a month to a month and half researching the feature and then character development. I am also reading on screenwriting as well. Yes I have to crash course myself in that and thankful I know really smart people that can edit and give me notes so that the script doesn’t turn into a complete disaster. As my friend Billy said, “You have a great story but it has to be strong.” And he is right. Semone Fournillier, who was my writing partner, has been off writing a series that she is going to pitch and Pitch fest. Let’s wish her luck. Hopefully she be able to help when she is done. Then again, maybe she can start a different project I have in mind.
It also occurred to me the propose of this blog: when I stated it, it was suppose to be about journey into film, and instead I think I got away from that. Now it is true, that I am adding all my other artistic ventures, which is great, I don’t need more blogs. Which reminds that I have to start painting a photographing again. I have 2 pieces that I need to finish. I want to have them done in a month. Painting can be a great form meditation and self reflection. I love the internal conversation I have when I paint. I work through a lot stuff and is great therapy. Too bad I don’t drink anymore. I love drinking wine, listening to indie hip hop while painting. Well, one out of the two ain’t bad.
I just wanted to update on the short I am doing on sex slavery, I have decided I need this to be a feature length film. As many know I have been working on this film for 2011, and ooohh there is a lot to the development story of this film which will come out soon, but I was really struggling with the basic plot of my film, and then, after having a conversation with a Tampa filmmaker Marcus Kempton, the plot came to me. At first it was a short, but the deeper I got into the process the more clearer it became that this needs to be a feature. In this film, I am also going to get into the subject of what it means to be a soldier that, did multiple tours in combat, what it is like to adjust to civilian life. I almost have tagline done, and I am outlining and writing the synopsis. I am really excited.
I am reading Dexter Filkins’ book “The Forever War” as part of my research for my series. I am looking into what I need for Pitchfest out in LA. Hopefully I can get what I need to go and get sponsorship. I can’t can’t afford to go. And hey, I know it is a long shot that this will make it to a Network., but I got to try and see what can happen. I already have support in my community and people that I trust. Really Excited
I have forgotten about the crowdfunding site https://dana.io/ I think you should look into, and, I will write about it in the next few days.
As always, feel free to contact me.
So I had said I was developing a short on sex slavery, now it is going to be the feature; which I wanted to do in the first place, but didn’t have the plot. The idea I had for the short is prefect for the feature. I have already started to write the tagline, outline, synopsis and soon treatment. As I progress I will let you know and down the road hit you up for money. Yes, I will need your help to get the film going financially.
Oh, it just occurred to me, I need a PMD Producer of Marketing and Distribution. Contact me you are interested.
Hey hit me up if you want to ask any questions or thoughts timschroyer@gmail.com
If you are getting into or are a producer, you should study Robert Evens. I just got his autobiography “The Kid Stays in the Picture” From Thriftbook.com Check it out. Oh yeah, there is a Documentary with the same name as the book. Great Doc!
YOU ARE GOING TO FAIL!!!!!!
Yes, you are going to fail. And fail hard. I am going to fail, and fail hard. I am probably failing at grammar right now. It is what you and I do with that failure is what is the difference between successful people and those who never rise above. I have failed numerous times, yet here I am still working and moving forward. I have learned from those failures and make the best out of them.
If your parents never let you failed as a child they truly cheated you out of the best lesson they could given you. If you are reading this, and you are reading and have kids, let them fail and fail hard. Then turn around teach them that it it ok to fail. Teach them to get right back up, learn from their mistakes and try again but even harder. This, besides manners, is the greatest gifts you can give.
Here is the truth, I am a shitty ass artist. At least in my mind. Yet I am going back to making art once again. Hopefully I dig some of my work and maybe someone else will enjoy it, or at the very least, lie to me. Yet I try and learn. One day I hope to make pieces that I will approve of and think it is good. As a filmmaker I have made numerous mistakes, but difference is I have learned from them, and it has made me a better filmmaker. I will fail again and again, and each time take that failure and grow.
Fail and fail hard. Then learn from it and go at it again.
always try
Ok, so I was asked to join and produce a project; which I had strong reservations about doing. I am not going to go into the details, but I saw huge red flags go up and now have decided to be a consultant rather than a producer. However, good news, through that process I came up with a film idea for a short film regarding the sex trade; which, as some of you know, I have been developing for a feature film. Yes, it is heavy subject, but it is something I feel passionately about. So I will be writing and directing it. I will need your help to get it made. I will need you to spread the word about it and when the time comes, need you to kick in some money.
On the other fronts of my lackluster attempts at being an artist, I bought 4 lbs of wheat paste so that I can start working on mixed medium pieces. Also got 3 tubes of paint: black, white and red. I am talking to some editors to edit Jamie Lowe’s”De Flip Side” and I just got a copy from Jonny Cromwell book, “82 Days”; which I am going to start reading and strategizing for a release. And of course I have the series that I am developing. Which is an intensive endevour.
I also want you to check out this new crowdfunding site https://dana.io/. I am going to do a review on it this week, and they seem like really cool people that you should look up on Twitter and Facebook and say hi. They are really nice people.
If there is anything you want to discuss hit me up. I would love to hear back from you all.
I just came across this page that explains what a producer does and what kind of producers there are. THE FILM PRODUCER
It is 8 pages long and I strongly recommend that, if you are thinking about becoming or are a producer you should read this.
Also I want to suggest you, all who are filmmakers, READ about the craft. I know so many people who don’t even one a book on filmmaking yet there they are trying to make films and do a great job at doing a terrible job. I once worked with a guy who would tell everyone how one day he wanted to become a producer even though he knew nothing about it. He did not invested in any books and just read the mainstream Hollywood rags. I have invested hundreds of dollars buying books on filmmaking. I now have a library. You too can build up a library and you can do it cheaply! I would first start out by going to Thriftbooks.com. This is a great site to buy discount books; in addition to being cheap, there is no shipping cost. And read on everything. Get books on film theory. I found a book on The Philosophy of Film Noir. Really interesting and informative.
You must be the smartest guy in the room. It is not who you know but what you know. I say this because if you are not knowledgeable those who you really want to be in contact with won’t give you the time of day. People are attracted to smart and knowledgeable people. Take time to think about that. I tell you this because I want you to all succeed. I am rooting for you and want you to be the best filmmaker and artist you can be. If you are a painter or sculpture for instance, be well versed in art. You’ll grow as an artist.
Here is another website to a magazine I strongly suggest you read, it is called Bomb Magazine. It is a magazine dedicated to artist, filmmakers, writers, actors and musicians. The difference between Bomb and other magazines is, it is artist interviewing other artist, so, you get a much deeper perspective. I have been reading since I was in the 82nd. I have subscribed for years. Which reminds me, I have to renew.
Ok, i hope you got something from this. If you have any thoughts questions or suggestion please hit me
My journey into film 