Movies I like

I have trouble answering this question when I'm asked in person. It takes a while to answer. In no particular order - Zatoichi (w/ Takeshi Kitano), Terminator 2, Batman Begins + The Dark Knight, Gladiator, Goodfellas, Seven Samurai, North by Northwest.

Edit: Ahh yes, Back to the Future and Rocky as well.

Edit: And Edward Scissorhands, Aniki.

I am in the process of weeding out useless characters (unnecessary expenses) from my script. I have been taking notes and following William M. Aker's book. I should really just read it cover to cover then revisit it. But every time I pick it up, the info is so valuable that I must take notes. Fortunately, I have a lot of the elements in my script already. I did it subconsciously but now I'm well aware of some of the pieces of an effective story. Creativity is exhausting.

As for music. I have made my choice. It is simple and affordable. Won't share my trade secrets here.

I will start a one week class next week. I hope to earn some much needed cash to start saving for my Red Scarlet. The Scarletuser forum is so quiet these days. We're probably all waiting for some powerful news. I'm worried about release dates. I want a camera in the spring. Should I go with the S35 or the 2/3" sensor? What about lens costs? Which is a better investment? I'd say both, but the rest of the decision lies on guessing the future... will the trend move towards bigger TV's with ultra resolutions? Hows about the silver screen? I wanna see my movie projected. 2K should suffice. No idear. What about for stills? Will 16mm lenses work well for photography? Maybe I should bite the bullet and take the S35. I hope to see Red's new prime lens selections. Mini primes would be more affordable... hope they have autofocus and a nice amount DOF. Mental debate shall continue in my head.

At times I am very cynical and it shows all over my script and it's going to show all over my movie. It will be one giant cynical pot of madness. Normally, I'm not a spiritual person. I'm definitely not religious. But last weekend, as my sister performed reiki on me to alleviate my Bell's Palsy, I thought about the possibilities of my writing taking a toll on me. My main character can be such a negative person and it's revenge this, revenge that, has that negative energy harmed me? Also, I smelled smoke out of nowhere, prompting the thought of my main character smoking. I want him to quit smoking as well by the end of the movie. I also thought about the late Heath Ledger and his brilliant performance as the Joker. I hope my characters cause me no harm as they are fictitious and meant to only convey a story that I imagined.

On a lighter note, my faith in humanity has been partially restored. I've been the victim of many things and over the years, I've grown very untrustworthy of about 99.9% of the world. Yes, it's probably because of my environment. I never intentionally caused harm to the innocent though. I found a car key left in a Lexus SC400 earlier this year. I did not steal the car, I returned it to the owner by leaving a note on his car to contact me. He did not believe there were people who would do that anymore. I knew if someone stole my car because of a stupid error like that, I would be devestated. I just couldn't wish that pain on anyone else... except for thieves and other bad people. What exactly restored my faith? A kind sir working for customer service at AT&T. Presumably a Southern gentleman by accent, without any disputes, he agreed to refund us for being billed for some extra service crap we never asked for. My mother pays the bills and I don't live with her so we just found out today about this surcharge. Also, he credited us for another stupid charge we never asked for. I am also getting a check from school for money they owe us from 2006 after they changed their policies and I don't have to mail them a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Maybe I'm just having a lucky day but I am glad to see the underdog, myself, having some ups when everything else is pretty much going downhill.