Develop the Vision

Hello

Just nipping in and out, and thought I'd check on you all. How are your chilblains? Better I hope, now.

I am so rubbish at keeping up with other people's blogs and suchlike these days that I had actually forgotten about my own. Totally forgot its existence (even though I updated a few weeks ago) until someone mentioned blogs to me the other night. Most queer.

Well, just for a change, I have been keeping out of trouble thanks to sheer lack of time. This past week has seen the "0110: Twisted Tales & Glorious" bar being raised even higher as the entire Team so far* met for another very intense but enjoyable day of development discussions. What can I tell you apart from it's all perfectly brilliant?

The full Pilot script was read from cover to cover, we noted, suggested, moved, added, deleted, drank tea, coffee and ate food. I, of course, was in charge of pretty coloured things and blutack - my lovingly prepared chart which represents the story and character flow across the Pilot. Once we had settled on our final steps for the Pilot we moved onto the Series flow, links, twists and turns. If I didn't have anything to do with this project, I would be excited, but as it stands, I am very excited and utterly chuffed with how it is all going. There's a lot of work still to be done but the majority of it is mine - the Scribes are polishing their final drafts as I start to pull together the whole kit and caboodle.

Damn, I love it - but it's like a drug, you know, and I can't stop the euphoric rush even though sometimes I really need to.

Damn this crazy, lovely and totally silly world I live in too. I wouldn't be without it.

Upwards.

x

*Scribes: Alan Mckenna, Daniel Hall, Helen Smith, Laurence Timms, Michelle Lipton, Piers Beckley, plus Script Ed, Elinor Perry-Smith and Composer, Sam Watts.

Tenacious Shindig - All Welcome!

Hippy Happy Blog Birthday to Tenacious Me!

It's been an enjoyable and compelling two years with far more dissemination and tantrums to look forward to in the future, I'm sure.  

So please...

Help yourself to the sausage rolls, cakes and a few glasses/troughs of whatever takes your fancy. It's all just over there, in the East Wing. Yep, that's it - you got the right door. 

Just don't snaffle the helium balloons though. I need them for my party trick later.  

Now, could someone please tell the DJ to turn up the music and then clear this Slapper up?  I thank you.

One 2 Go!

That's what The Kid says at the top of the stairs before launching himself into my (thankfully) outstretched arms.  But it also lends itself beautifully to this weekend...I seemed to be waiting for "three" and then suddenly - the weekend was gone.  Although my geeky iPhone application reliably informs me I only have 60 sleeps until Christmas I am still smarting over the fact I got an extra hour in bed but feel no better for it. Ho ho ho. Sparkly baubles with bells on to you, sleep deprivation fairy.

I have not managed to complete any work over the weekend as my hands have been rather full with The Kid and his headstrong ways, (not really sure where he gets that from...) but I have been toying with a new idea, which - if I can rationalise in my nonce - would be jolly good fun for all those taking part. But perhaps more on this another time. 

Whilst lazily floating around the Scribosphere today, I noticed quite a few peeps have been partaking in a Drawing Personality Test.  I thought: well it's Sunday night, all's quiet on the western front, so let's have a go.  Scary.  Not sure who it is describing but it couldn't possibly be me.  Here's my titchy doodle:

And the analysis:

You are driven and ambitious and tend to make radical moves to reach your goals.
You are a thoughtful and cautious person. You like to think about your method, seeking to pursue your goal in the most effective way.
You are creative, mentally active and industrious.
You have a sunny, cheerful disposition.

So off you go...what does your drawing say about YOU?

Blogging is Good For You

I don't know if any of you listen to Simon Mayo on BBC Radio 5 Live but I generally like to try and catch up most days with who is promoting their recently released book/film/album etc.

This Wednesday, RTD and Benjamin Cook were talking about "Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale" - which I haven't yet read, but I think I may grab a copy (or ask Santa nicely) - but I digress, and that's really unusual for me on a Friday (Thursday, Wednesday, Tuesday, Monday...). Anyway, if you listen to the interview, about half way through RTD not only recommends the BBC Writers Room for getting your stuff read, but also checking out the Blogosphere and the writer/bloggers online who are all in touch with each other - better known to us lot as the Scribosphere. So you see,  this blog malarkey is not that bad a procrastination tool. Honest.

If you want to listen to the interview (or others from this week) there is a listen again facility for the past week's programmes and also podcasts of the main 'arts' interviews (which I think are available to download for a week after the tx?).  The RTD/Benjamin Cook podcast can be found on this page.

I bid you all a good weekend - personally, I'm going to get on with the Kiddie TV Project interspersed with autumn garden tidying, so catch up soon.

Have a laugh and help a ProdCo!

I promised I would post this info up for newly acquired blog follower, Owyn Stephens.

It's an unusual fundraiser on 23rd October at the Half Moon Pub, Herne Hill. Described as "a completely insane and unique, one-off impro fundraiser night to help get a new television and film production company on its feet. 'Go Dodo Productions' aim is to produce and encourage fresh, new writing, acting and directing talent - which can only be a good thing!"

So, if you fancy a bit of mad comedy, would like to mingle with a bunch of actors, writers, directors, casting peeps et al, then get yourself there.  Here's the info you need:

IMPRO COMEDY NIGHT - HALLOWEEN SPECIAL at The Half Moon Pub in Herne Hill. 

Hosted by Satan himself, come and see a ghoulish group of hilarious, professional impro comedians fight to save their souls in this fast paced battle of wits. A devilish mix of classic favourites and brand new, never-seen-before game mayhem. Plus a private screening of Go Dodo's acclaimed spooky short, STORAGE. With all this, music and private bar, you would have to be a saint to miss out!

DATE: Thurs October 23rd 
TIME: Doors open 7.30pm for an 8.30pm start
COST: £6 on the door
VENUE: Half Moon Pub, 10 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, SE24 9HU

TRAVEL DETAILS: 
HERNE HILL STATION (Zone 2) is a 10 minutes train journey from Victoria or Blackfriars stations. Turn left outside the train station, walk under the rail bridge and we are directly on your right - literally thirty seconds from the station! The last train home leaves Herne Hill at 23.35 and arrives at Victoria Station at 23:44. (See http://www.halfmoonpub.co.uk/contact.php for further travel and venue details)

For further info on Go Dodo Productions click here  

Happiness is...

...remembering where you were in the past, when the chips are down in the present.

Today I heard I didn't get selected for this year's Think-Shoot-Distribute. Bottom burps. I knew there would be major competition and the odds were stacked with around 7 people competing for every one of the 25 places, but there was always hope and all that. Good luck to those who managed to get a place though. No - honestly. ;)

I spent the best part of the weekend and this week (so far) sorting out bits and pieces for my meeting with my screen agency next week, as well as second guessing the contents / requirements for the Digital Shorts submission this year. The submission usually includes a poster idea for your short and as graphic design was a previous incarnation of mine, I enjoyed designing the posters for the two shorts I hope to submit.  

Playing around with Photoshop got me thinking about those 'old days' - through rose tinted glasses obviously - and how easy life was as a designer.  Then I remembered the anal deadlines; working to 3am with no thanks; the office pr*cks; a company director with a stud muffin stress toy, and another with "an obvious flair for comedy" in the Board Room; the never-ending office sagas and politics; the red tape; the know-all who had studied at night school for an HNC so therefore knew how the Universe worked... 

Ah, yes. The old days. And that's where they can stay - in Ye Olde Memorie Vaulte.  If Ricky hadn't beat me to it, you can guarantee I'd be churning out the Tenacious Me version of "The Office"; all things considered, mine will have to remain covered in thick dust for a few more years yet.

On a brighter, more exciting note: there are only 92 days left until Christmas.

Ever onwards.

Unidentified Bug

Well it's been writing and film mad, mad, mad, here at Tenacious Towers and what with one thing and another, it's been all go. But here's a thing that stumped me today.

I am hoping someone out there may know a thing or two about bugs - that is, colourful ones and of the garden variety. You see, whilst I was taking some time out and trimming one of the colossal lavender bushes in the T. T. grounds, I came across quite an extraordinary little beetle-y thing. Kind of like a ladybird with a petroleum-inspired colour scheme - or King Bling, as we named it.

Here are a couple of pictures I took.  It was very tame and most accommodating, and it liked my purple ruler as much as I do.

Any takers?  Just don't tell me it's worth a zillion quid as I placed it back, in a most Zen manner, exactly where I found it. ;)

Mentoring Programme

I have just received an email from Adrian Mead with information on the Scottish Book Trust Mentoring Programme (closing date 8th September).  This is something I was reading last week whilst in Edinburgh at the Festival and it sounds like a good deal to me if you have a great project but need a helping hand to push it forward - and live & work in Scotland.

Here are all the details as per Adrian's email...

The Scottish Book Trust Mentoring Programme

Scottish Book Trust is currently open for applications for our hugely successful mentoring programme.  The mentoring programme is aimed at established and emergent writers, playwrights, screenwriters and illustrators who have a specific project on which they'd like some dedicated support.

Past mentors have included Bernard MacLaverty, Alan Bissett, Tom Leonard, Professor Douglas Gifford, Kathryn Ross of literary agents Fraser Ross Associates, David Ian Neville of BBC Radio Scotland, established screenwriter Adrian Mead, Philip Howard (former Artistic Director of Traverse Theatre) and many more. 

The deadline for applications is Monday 8th September.

For more information and application guidelines please click here.

http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/node/3759

Friday Shenanigans

Hello One and All.

A very busy week, mainly meetings and editing. Hell, I haven't even replied to many text messages this week, let alone hanging out at Facebook, and that's saying something.  Having stated that, a miniscule amount of my time has been spent working out how my World Domination Plans are coming along and then viewing this year's Virgin Media Shorts - I suggest you get on over there and vote for your favourite. There are some very strong contenders.

So, in what is becoming true tradition here are Tenacious Me, and to end a week full of marathon effort, here is a little silly to ease you into the Olympic Fever of 2008 which will be coming to a TV screen near you very soon. Before you know it, you won't be able to breathe without anticipation of Gold. Silver. Bronze. Lack of oxygen in Bejing. Whatever.  Just enjoy.

Emm, Emm, Aaaargh!

Today I had that awful feeling of: if I didn't - I was a bad mother; if I did - I was also a bad mother.  I am talking the combined MMR vaccination here, and in the pending wake of an epidemic (or was it going to be a pandemic?), I figured I should be The Bad Mother Who Chose To Vaccinate.  So The Kid is in bed and we've only had one wake up so far to report (just the usual dropped dummy).  However, I did notice he had a feint rash across his cheeks along with a chipmunk-like look.  It could of course be my imagination, which I am sure is going to run riot for the next few weeks.  Elinor has suggested Calpol and Wine, though I'm not sure they taste so good mixed.  You never know, it could be the next Red Bull & Vodka.  I'll let you know.

Talking of drinking - sorry, I meant talking of talking - I had a lovely afternoon in the fantastic company of Far Away, Potdoll & Helen on Saturday and what started out as a very calm, civilised 'coffee and cake' turned into a hysterically funny meeting of the minds (and livers). Think Women's Institute morphs into Coyote Ugly and you're vaguely moving in the right direction.

Right. Back to work I go.  Enough procras for one evening. Laters.

Friday Laugh

Can't believe it's Friday already.  Here's another funny video to ease you into the weekend. Have a good one, all.

Wrath of the Edit Suite

A friend just emailed me this and I had to share it with you all.  Quite the best laugh I've had a for a while.  ;)

Musical Chairs

I was recently-ish tagged by the lovely Lianne and delicious Dog.  

The rules are: "List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to".

Well I have two seconds spare, so here's my top seven:

1. California Soul (Marlena Shaw) - I just love this song.  One I will never tire of, it has an intangible warmth that belongs to the sands of Malibu.
   
2. Shot You Down (Audio Bullys) - great when you're on the cross trainer in the gym...
3. Like Toy Soldiers (Eminem) - jus' like it, right? You got a problem with that, bro'? ;)
4. In Taberna: In Taberna Quando Sumus (Orff/Carmina Burana) - kicks.  Just when you think you know where it's going, it doesn't.
5. Cloudbusting (Kate Bush) - an eternal fav. Now and again when it rains, I put this on, stare out the window and h-o-p-e.
6. Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? (Moby)  - just beaut.  Like a little girl's first pair of pale pink ballet slippers.
7. First It Giveth (Queens of the Stone Age) - the syncopation does it for me every time.

Oh my, I really could go on and on and on.  I have so many 'seasonals', 'emotive boxes' and 'forever favourites' - perhaps I should knock up a list of my own and start meme-ing y'all out there...mmmmm, I'm off to think about that.

In the meantime - I think everyone in cyberland has been tagged already with this one so I won't re-tag. However, if you haven't been 'done' by this one, then please consider yourself well and truly tagged.

I'll be returning with another meme soon. Perhaps. Or not.

Greater London?

Had a great day out in Boris' London yesterday.  

The tubes ran on time, sun shone on the South Bank, people smiled & laughed, the crowds veered slowly en masse in Covent Garden, strolled casually in Leicester Square and swaggered in Regent Street, and all the time The Kid clapped, waved furiously and beamed his infectious two-tooth grin at every passer by.

After buying Hamleys and then circumnavigating the rest of London for a tube station with pushchair access (there really aren't that many centrally) we decided Bond Street would do - even a grand amount of stairs didn't dampen the spirits - and headed home.  All tube connection timings were just perfect.  No delays. Even the possible moments of mortal embarrassment as The Kid repeatedly lurched towards the man on the seat behind and tried to remove his toupé, became quite the funniest thing everyone on the tube had seen. 

Ahhhh.  There really is no place like London in the sun, especially when it all runs like clockwork.

Boris please take note.

Oops, nearly forgot.  May the 4th Be With You.  ;)

New @ BBC: SHARPS

As promised in my previous post:

OK, guys and gals. So you know you can write for TV, don't you? You could give all those overpaid, underworked scribes (ahem!) a run for their money, right?  You know you're the one Jane Tranter is looking for, but Ben Stephenson won't even listen to your pitch let alone pass on your darned script...oh, and then there's that age old Catch-22: you need your spec work to be read in order to get work, to enable you to prove you can actually do the work.

Well, I'm glad to say as long as you're over 18 years of age, live in the UK or Eire and have not had a previous writing credit for a network television programme over 15 minutes in length,  YOU CAN APPLY!

HERE is all the info you need...

It's a Bank Holiday - what else do you have planned?  Go on, I dare you.

BBC Unproduced Writer Opps

Just a very quick note in response to all the lovely emails I have received asking for information about the BBC's impending opportunity for new, new writers as mentioned in my previous post!

I don't actually work for the BBC so I'm afraid I can't answer any of your questions other than they are "onto it" and announcement will appear soon via their website.  I will of course update here as soon as I know anything too!

Hope all's well in cyberscriboland.

x

Matchsticks in Eyes

Tired. So very tired.  Yesterday was a great but long day.

After a quick catch up with TV Mate, I then had many giggles and interesting conversations with Potdoll whilst she suffered jet lag, I suffered from general sleep deprivation and the Barista suffered RSI due to the amount of coffees we ordered. After gassing endlessly without coming up for air, we made our way to the Monastic Productions/Ashley Pharoah/Matthew Graham Q&A which was really worth while attending.  I will post my [patchy] notes when I get two nanoseconds, but first of all I have to make sense of them before typing them up.  And then I have to remember to omit the [non Q&A related] rude things Potsy wrote on my notepad. Nobody need read those things.  Lol. 

So, after the really informative Q & A session, hosted by Kate Rowland (BBC Creative Director of New Writing) and a quick hello/goodbye to not-very-well Lianne (hope you're feeling better now!), an utterly entertaining wine-fuelled evening ensued.  It was great to meet the lovely Messrs Pharoah & Graham, more Bloggers and to finally catch up with Mr Perry and Mr Beckley. After many extremely amusing conversations and the discovery that Matthew Graham and I are actually cousins (NOT - but it's a long story), I then endured what seemed like a never-ending journey home. 

As I tottered out of the tube station and up the hill home, still giggling to myself about the nights' events, I looked at the time and realised there was quite possibly every likelihood I would be up and about again attending to The Kid within 5 hours.  

That soon wiped the smug smile off my face.

Whooooppeeee Dooooop

I've got a ticket. I've got a ticket. And I'm going. Yes, I'm going.

Call me sad, but I was the really sad one when I realised I had totally forgotten to email Auntie about putting my name on the list for Matthew Graham & Ashley Pharoah's Q&A next week.  But lo and behold, if a lovely lady called Amy hasn't gone and granted me admission just for being at the top of the waiting list!  Wickedy-woos.  So, that means I can hopefully catch up with all 'me bloggy girlz' (and boyz) - send me a mail/leave a comment if you are going.  It would be great to catch up! 

So, not only did I manage to win at the National again (I only placed first, second, third and fourth nag...), I get to go hear about 'Bonekickers' too, which I have to admit, I am most intrigued about...

:0)

Belated Happy Birthday

My oh my, these posts have become very few and far between, of late, but I guess there has been an awful lot going on.  I hang my head in shame as I even missed my Blog's First Birthday - a total bloody disgrace that.  Hell, I nearly forgot my own Birthday this year too.  Let's hope I don't miss The Kid's First Birthday...but not much chance of that, I don't think.  Mmmmm.  Let me see.  Missed Birthdays: if I have missed yours and didn't send you e-flowers via Facebook, please accept my deepest, most sincere apologies.

So, The Kid.  Lots of Bloggites out there have been asking after him - well, he's fine and dandy, thanks - I'll update you all with a piccy of him soon.  He had a ball with his Grandparents whilst the slopes were duly carved up by his Parents. The snow, skiing and food/drink were great and I even managed to get a bit of recce stuff done and shoot a few location reminders for an outline I have been working on for a while.  Lovely.  But to return home on my Birthday (which is why I nearly forgot it)?  Bummer.  To return home on my Birthday to The Kid teething very badly?  Double bummer.  So, after his nasty rash/fever/high temperature/drowsiness panic, trip to the docs, investment in Calpol shares (now, of course, kept behind the counter), I am proud to announce last Thursday's arrival of The Kid's Very First Tooth, which is closely being followed by The Kid's Second Tooth, and what razor blades the little blighters are.  I am so glad he has his milk from a bottle.

Moving on.

So, what else has been happening, then?  Oh, my.  I don't know where to start as there really has been an awful lot!  I have been making tentative steps back towards "selling my wares" again, which has been very strange.  After such a long time off camera, it feels a mighty bit odd (and a little displaced) getting back into the swing of castings etc again.  In fact, it is almost quite amusing, in a "You know what?  If I don't get this job it really isn't the end of the world!" kind of way, because The Kid will still stick his fingers up my nose and giggle when I am feeding him his bedtime bottle, no matter what.  Grounding - I believe that's what it's referred to as.  However, as luck would have it, I have been granted a lovely (and very exciting) opportunity starting in the not-too-distant future.  I can't reveal much at the moment but I can say it will be on screen and I am really looking forward to it!  I promise an update soon...

I hope life is treating you all very well.

Working 9 til 5...I wish

And breathe.

A whirlwind of occurrences, that's the life I lead.  Well, only sometimes these days, anyway.

The week went something like this:

Monday - The Kid was still not very well having just parted company with a sicky, coldy bug but still managed to soldier on through his 8 month check up with The Health Visitor.  He smiled at all the right things, burped loudly followed by a bellow of giggles, frowned when The Health Visitor tickled him under the chin, bobbed up and down to imaginary music and clapped on demand, and then when he got bored he chewed his shoe and farted. I then dropped him off at nursery whilst I headed home to try and get some work done.  It's amazing when you are writing how quickly nursery/school pick up time comes round...6 pages written; 9 calls made; 7 emails responded to.

Tuesday - The Kid took a backwards step in his recovery.  All plans - blown out.  Spent day with ass hovering over sofa, wishing I could just sit down for two seconds without mopping up snot, puke or rocking back and forth...0 pages written; 0 calls made; 0 emails read let alone responded to.

Wednesday - The Kid made a fantastically remarkable recovery and had so much energy all day I bit the bullet and decided to take him to his swimming class.  After a hard hour in the gym I dashed home to make a few calls whilst my Mum was still enthralled with her Grandson.  Perfick...0 pages written; 4 calls made; all emails read; 1 child knackered after a hard swim.

Thursday - first of all, thanks must go to the most courteous Mark for organising another little Blogette/Facebook get-together.  Yet again, a  very enjoyable afternoon which - horror of horrors - turned into an early evening minus child for me.  My system was so shocked by the lack of The Kid's bathtime "splash-splash", the fight to get him into his sleep suit afterwards and then the gentle prodding to keep him awake for his bottle, that I felt the need to consume more than my original 'just the one'...3 new chapters outlined; 5 calls made; 2 meetings attended; 1 social gathering attended; email read & responded to; 1 very odd journey home having laughed out [very] loud at my book on many occasions and then realising I wasn't the only person in the carriage. :0)

Friday - The Kid's music class and this week he emerged as star pupil due to his innate ability to 'bop' like a home boy whilst clapping furiously and, for the most part, totally in time to the music.  He was so immersed in the class that he only twice realised I was sitting beside him on the floor.  If I'd only thought to take MacBook with me I could have done a bit of writing. The only foot stomping occurred when the bubbles stopped and apparently the teacher felt so awful looking at his big, sad eyes, she carried on with the bubbles for a while longer, just for him.  I fear a future actor and/or muso in the making.  Either that or a Dictator...3 pages written (somehow); 0 calls made; all email read; 1 very proud mum.

Saturday - Amidst all the very tedious household stuff that has to be undertaken every weekend, I noted that Zone Horror have "Cut! The 2008 Horror Short Film Competition" running.  This is sponsored by C4's Fright Fest  and is worth up to £5k in winnings for a 2 minute film.  Closing date for entries is Friday 13th (!) June 2008 - so all you genre-istas out there - get going!  0 pages written; 2 chapters outlined; 0 calls made; 0 emails answered; 1 very domesticated-out mum.

Sunday - hasn't passed yet.  Anything could happen...may check emails.

And breathe.