I have this constant need to get many things done at once. There just isn't enough time in the day to do all that needs doing. So I multitask. You will regularly see me typing out emails while reading a book, watching TV and grading papers. I even set the oven to preheat while I take a shower so I can clean and start cooking at the same time. I can't stand not having something to do. It makes me nervous.
The movie The Paper was the main reason I wanted to be a reporter. All those people constantly pressed for time looked like fun to me. Unfortunately the tiny town I ended up reporting in didn't really have a lot of mobster killings made to look like race related attacks. I mostly covered propane spills and various complaints by the town's vast octogenarian community.
I bring this up because I just wrote revisions on my most recent chapter while watching Cool Hand Luke for the first time and eating my lunch. I cried a little at the end of the film. It got off to a slow start, but once it got going that was a really excellent story. Brilliant carriage of theme. I can see why it won the Oscar.
But the fact that I managed to pay attention to the film and at the same time make solid changes to my script seems like it should be unusual.
Is it?
EDITED TO ADD:
Okay, my script changes weren't that strong. Partner said they were crap and he was right so I went and rewrote them and things were much better. Partner also says I make him sound dumb on my blog. He is not dumb. He is very wise and writes good comedy. Thank you that is all.
I wish I had your ability. When I write I can harly listen to music let alone follow dialogue. I guess all entertainment is escapism to me and that stops my focus.
ReplyDeleteIn my book, your accomplishment is deemed unusual.
I like to rewrite and make notes in a crowdy bar!
ReplyDeleteBut maybe it's just the beer.
I'm the king of multi-tasking. My wife has a hard time reading email while the TV is one (and you can forget about me trying to ask her question, she tunes me out).
ReplyDeleteI agree with SP, a crowded bar is probably the best place in the world to work out story beats.
Cool Hand Luke was the film that made me want to be a filmmaker, or more specifically a cinematographer. Conrad Hall's work was just amazing to me as a kid. If you haven't seen it already check out Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I watched BCATSK and CHL back to back when I was a kid and spent the next nine months trying to recreate scenes from both with an old 8mm camera.
Funny you mention that I just started watching Butch Cassidy last night then decided to wait until I had more time.
ReplyDeleteI didn't go to film school so I'm slowly pushing through the classics one at a time thanks to AMC and my DVR.
robert hogan, thanks for writing "crowded bar". It just made me curious if my "crowdy" is anything correct?
ReplyDeleteMaybe Emily can help me out here?
"Partner also says I make him sound dumb on my blog. He is not dumb. He is very wise and writes good comedy. "
ReplyDeleteLOL! :-)
that sucks eggs (sorry, a little Cool Hand humour)c
ReplyDelete