I Thought So (Just An Idea)

I have too many ideas. I am actually pretty sure that I forget more ideas than I actually follow up on. I'm not complaining, I just need to start being more focused. Yesterday for example, I had an idea and I jotted it down here thinking it would be a good way to remind myself that every now and then I get these ideas and should try to follow up on them. The idea itself was very simple, almost to the point of not really being an idea, but today, when someone asked me about it, the whole story just fell together. Little soldier-pieces of plot jumped to attention and the end result was a coherent narrative that marched right over my half-thought, which had originally begun as little more than an idea.

I wasn't sure at first whether I should take this photo, or write about it.

Foggy days often make me want to write something creepy. It's easy to let your mind get lost, right along with your other senses, on a nice foggy day. Having ideas fall into place like they did today is a great feeling, especially when there weren't really any solid ideas to begin with. That often ends up being the best kind of story though, one that surprises you as you write it. Definitely a satisfying feeling. I'd better go fill in some details to this new story before it slips away again.

Temporarily Abandoned

This is a little something we were toying around with this past autumn. We didn't get around to shooting anything, but it is still in the works. We just need a few more polishes and possibly a revised finish on the script, but here is a small sampling:

CUT TO: P.O.V.

A woman lies partially obscured in the undergrowth. She is bruised and battered, her clothing torn and disheveled. She is very obviously dead.

COLIN

Did you trip over your shoelace

or was it all those big words?

CUT TO: WIDE

DAVID glances back and forth between COLIN and the body, a panicked look of disbelief still on his face

DAVID

I... There’s a body. In the

woods.

DAVID glances back but the body is gone.

FADE TO BLACK

CUT TO:

INT. NIGHTCLUB/BAR

DAVID and COLIN are sitting at the bar. The only sound is music. COLIN is laughing and talking animatedly to some friends. DAVID remains motionless, the pint in front of him steadily draining and refilling without him ever raising his arm. Eventually, he stands and the noise of the bar fills in.

DAVID

I gotta go.

COLIN

Stay for one more.

DAVID

Not tonight. I’m beat.

DAVID stands, ready to leave and catches a glimpse of the DEAD GIRL in a mirror. He quickly whips his head around, but there is nothing there.

COLIN

Are you sure you’re okay?

DAVID

I’m fine. Just a little drunk.

GIRL

You didn’t see another dead

body did you?

The GROUP laughs and with a shake of his head, DAVID wanders out.

CUT TO: EXT. BAR

DAVID steps out into the night and sets off down the sidewalk. The door bursts open behind him and COLIN appears.

COLIN

Dave! Hold up. Are you sure

you’re okay?

DAVID

I’m fine Colin, just a little

tired.

COLIN

Are you sure?

DAVID

Positive.

COLIN

And you... Haven’t seen

anything weird?

DAVID

It was just a shadow; leaves.

COLIN

Of course it was, but I want

to make sure you’re okay.

DAVID

A little drunk, and in need of

a bed. Epicurus was right, all

things in moderation.

DAVID wanders off down the street and COLIN eventually turns and re-enters the bar.

FADE TO BLACK

That's a small snippet of the story, but it spirals outward from that moment. We're trying to branch out a bit and try some new directions and styles and we thought a ghost movie might be fun to attempt. Some camera tricks, a bit of ominous lighting, some eerie sounds and hopefully a few bumps in the night. I'll be revisiting the script over the next few days seeing what I can trim, and what can be tightened. It should be a good exercise in the art of the judicious edit.