Mars Attacks

Red Planet Pictures have just launched their 2010 writing competition.

I'm excited.

Very.  Excited.

This year they are looking for a one hour drama or tv pilot. I have a lot of tv pilots. Tons, in fact. Off the top of my head I can think of Demonheart, Henge, After Dark, Phantasmagoria, Sweet Enchantment...

Not all of these are completed scripts, but Red Planet are only asking for the first ten pages initially. No problem at all.

Here are the details:

This year’s competition is for an original 60 minute television script, either a single play or a pilot for a new series. You are initially required to submit the first ten pages along with a short synopsis. The full script should be available on request, you may be required to submit this within a month of the final closing date.

As before, the winner will receive £5000, a script commission and the option of representation if required.
 Red Planet and Kudos will also mentor finalists for the Prize.The competition is open to anyone within the UK. The RED PLANET PRIZE will close to new entrants at midnight on 31st July.

31st July. I have some writing to do.....

As if that wasn't enough, the Peter Ustinov competition this year is for a half hour tv show. I just happen to be working on one called The Bad Apple.

There is a monumental gift horse standing in front of me and I am determined not to look the sucker in the mouth.

Happy Tuesday everyone. I'm off to buy some candles that I can burn at both ends...

Can I go back to bed now, please?

I woke up with no voice today. It's starting to come back now - slowly, painfully - three hours later. I hate having a cold. My head is full of fluff and I need to write.

I managed to complete a synopsis for Henge on Friday and got that sent off to Island Pictures.

This was stupid.

What I should have done is waited until today... checked it through again... then ammended the mistake that is glaringly obvious to me now. eg. I have written it like the blurb on the back of a book. I've left questions as to what happens next. Not clearly identified the bad guys.

This is fine for a book. But when writing a synopsis you have to be clear on everything. They neither want nor like surprises. Ugh. I need my brain back. And a gizmo to rewind time...

I am happy with the premise though. 'A lazy cop and a dead Druid battle the forces of darkness in rural Wiltshire.' What do you think? Does it say 'scary but amusing'? I hope so.

In other news I am onto chapter seven of American Gods. This is one of the best books I have ever read. And I have read a LOT. Highly recommend it.

Can I wake up now, please?

It's a dark moon. I'm always funky around the dark moon.

Yesterday was a total disaster. I woke with a headache and sore throat, and my day went downhill from there. Nothing I wrote came out right. I gave up on After Dark and tried Henge instead. Rewrote it four times and still managed to make it sound like it had been written by a twelve year old.

Oy. Must try harder.

Add to that the fact that this 'government' is getting creepier by the day. They seem to be split into two groups... those who *have* jobs in the government, and just keep smiling and telling everyone what a wonderful time they are having... and those who *don't* have government jobs, who feel free to snipe at each other and admit this coalition is shit and will never work!

I want it to work. We as a country need it to work. But I'm not buying the grins and buddy talk. Rewind three weeks and recall what these parties were saying about each others policies. You really think they can move past that and reach an agreement? Really?

And what if they do? What kind of government is built on compromise? How did the Lib/Dems, who actually LOST seats I believe, end up with their leader as Deputy PM??

I feel as though we have a 'Stepford' parliament. No-one is real. They are all pretending to be perfect. And the changes they are trying to push through are downright terrifying!

Can I wake up now?

B is for Beautiful...

It's a beautiful day out there today. The sun is shining, the sky is a cloudless blue... I want to grab my coat and go walking in the wood.

Borthwood Copse is breathtaking at the moment. A lush carpet of scented bluebells interspersed with yellow primroses. Tiny forget-me-nots peek out along the path, and here and there are great seas of delicate white stitchwort. The hawthorn and cherry trees are in blossom, and vibrant spring greenery lifts the spirits.

I could live there. I truly could. If it wasn't for the spiders, of course... =)

Unfortunately I have to stay in and work on these two tv series ideas. They are pretty much complete in my head, but getting my thoughts down onto paper (or screen) adequately is proving difficult. I just can't seem to find the correct words. Must read more! My vocabulary is shrinking.

I am adapting one of my previous ideas to make it more adult. Although I am happy with the way it eventually turned out I am also mournful for the 'loss' of my previous script. It is hard to put so much of yourself into something and then tear it apart. Hopefully the peeps at Island Pictures will like the changes and make it worthwhile. 'After Dark' is now much darker...

The other idea - the new one - is called 'Henge' and is set in the village of Avebury. I was going to tie it in with the legend of King Arthur, but worry that the no-one will touch it due to the popular series 'Merlin'. Shame, as it all fit together perfectly. I have alternative antagonists, but no dastardly plan as yet.

Must go write. Wish me adjectives!