Writing

On visiting places in movies

General Geekiness

There are fewer things in life that make me smile more than knowing that I’ve been somewhere that a movie’s been filmed. It’s a simple pleasure, but one that I particularly like (especially when watching a movie and recognizing a place).

When I was younger, my family went on a trip to the UK. One of our stops was Oxford, where we visited Christ Church College. Otherwise known as the place where the staircase from Harry Potter is. Also, part of The History Boys was filmed there. I had to smile.

A big surprise came when I was watching Quadrophenia last summer. The whole mods and rockers thing intrigues me, but enough on that. I knew that the movie partially took place in Brighton (where I visited in high school), but I didn’t realize that the big fight took place outside a restaurant I ate at (or just paid a visit to the loo…I can’t remember). Either way, I walked down quite a few of the streets (and of course, the beach) used in that cult film.

On The History Boys

General Geekiness

Well, what can I say? Despite the touchy subject matter, I spent the entire time watching this movie with a smile on my face.

For those who haven’t heard of this movie, it’s about a group of boys studying for their exams to enter Oxford or Cambridge. Of course, life lessons abound. Not so much. More, the characters deal with sex, life, growing up, and exams. Their teachers, from the eccentric closeted-homosexual Hector to the atypical Oxford alum Irwin to the sole female Lintott, try to push them forwards and into these Universities.

While this film can’t be described as a “great one,” it is certainly very good. The characters all had their various facets, even if they weren’t the main focus, which many films (and certainly books) can’t attest to. The acting was very good.

My favorite scene was the final one–not because it was the last one (as can be said in the cases of some movies), but because I felt it was an interesting and effective way to do the “and then what happened” so common at the end of movies.

Watch it if you’re looking for something entertaining, well done, and different.

Of course, I haven’t seen the play yet. Hopefully a production will be staged near me in the not-so-distant future, so I can rectify the situation.

On character developement (part I)

The Twirl and Swirl of Letters

I found this while traversing about the internet. I’ve divided it up into 10 parts, and will be posting each part on a different day. I’m thinking every Friday.

I will be filling this out for my character Will! As always, my answers are in italics.
Creating Your Character

The Character Physically

1. What is the character’s stature and build? Are they overweight or lean? What is their height and weight?

He is on the short side, 5’7″. He’s lean.

2. How old are they?

19

3. Describe their posture; is it good? Do they carry themselves well? Are they crooked, straight, or handicapped?

His posture is decent and he carries himself well.
4. Are they in good shape or out of condition? Are they muscular, weak, or strong? Any special abilities or super powers?

He is in good enough shape. He goes to the gym, but mostly just to keep weight off. He has defined muscles, but not anything special.
5. How is their health? Any illnesses or conditions?

His health is good; he is allergic to cats, dogs, and the environment, so he sneezes a lot.
6. Are they physically active or sedentary? A fast or slow mover?

He’s a deliberate mover; every movement has a purpose and he won’t go out of his way to do something. For example, if he leaves something in the basement and is sitting in his room, he’s not going to walk down two flights of stairs to get it. He can move quickly when he needs to.
7. Are they clumsy, awkward, or graceful when they move, walk, or run?

He’s actually rather graceful, and blames it on his mother’s attempts to make him the next Fred Astaire when he was in elementary school.
8. Would you describe the character as good looking, pretty, beautiful, average, plain, ugly, disfigured?

He rates his looks as average; he has a “Townshendesque” nose
9. How does the character regard their physicality? Are they proud, ashamed?

He wishes he were taller, and is a bit ashamed of how short he is, especially since his sister is probably going to surpass him in height. All of the men on his dad’s side of the family are over six feet tall.

10. Describe their complexion and skin. Dark, light, clear, marked, tattooed, branded?

He is very pale, and he has a slight acne problem.
11. Describe their hair, coloring, styling. Is great care taken in upkeep, or disregarded as a nuisance?

His hair is wavy, but he wears it short so he doesn’t have to do much. He washes it regularly.
12. How is their dexterity? Do they have good hands? Can they manipulate and create or repair?

He has good hands–he is a pianist.
13. Is he physically tense or relaxed, nervous, controlled?

He is controlled enough, but feels very tense when back home.
14. What part of their body would you notice first?

His nose.
15. How is their eyesight? Wear glasses, blind, going blind? Color?

His eyesight is 20/20, but he says that he will need glasses by the time he’s 30.

So, there you have it. A short questionaire regarding the physical characteristics of your character. This will be helpful in describing how your character moves, how he looks, etc.

Enjoy! I would love to see what everyone else comes up with. Look for the next one on Friday the 20th!

On reality (or confusion of)

General Geekiness

In a strange case of life blatantly copying art, a soldier dressed as (and wearing the make up of) The Joker was shot and killed by police after he pointed a loaded shot gun at them.

This makes me wonder, do people know the line between reality and fiction? Or did the soldier want to go out of this life dressed as a creepy comic book villain? It’s a strange look into what people do.

Here’s an interesting little thing to do. Write about a character who delves into his own world so deeply, he’s uncertain of what exists and what doesn’t.

What’s On the Turntable? Vol. I

What's On the Turntable?

So, what have I been listening to as of late?

This time, it’s Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) by The Kinks. It’s a concept album, following up their brilliant The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society.

This album is one that evokes an emotional response from me. The first time I heard it, I felt really angry and uncomfortable. I don’t know why. For a few months, I only listened to it that one time. Now I’ve given it a second listen, and can say that I really enjoy it. It takes a powerful piece of work to inspire emotion from me. This being ticked off is of a different sort than say, being force fed tripe Top 40 (I’m looking at you, Taylor Swift).

“Some Mother’s Son” may be my favorite track on the album. There’s something quite mournful about it, given the topic of soldiers dying to protect their homeland. The juxtaposition of soldiers fighting and children at play is a powerful, haunting one. It really makes you think.

Ray Davies’ writing is something special. While other rock bands of the era were focusing on strange moves from rock (“Revolution 9” by The Beatles), or elevating rock to a more artistic level (Tommy by The Who), Davies stays focused on what he knows: life in England. Though not joyfully nostalgic like Village Green Preservation Society, Arthur takes a good look on opportunity poor English life post-World War II.

First time Kinks concept album listeners should start with Village Green Preservation Society. It’s easier to get into.

On notebooks

General Geekiness, The Twirl and Swirl of Letters

I’m a sucker for notebooks. Not the spiral bound, 70 pagers that you pick up at Shaws or Wal-Mart in your frantic back-to-school shopping, but a real, archival quality paper, beautifully bound notebook.

These, unfortunately sometimes with the word “Journal” sprawled across the cover, are my favorite things to write on. Yes, I know a cheap spiral bound college ruled notebook would do just fine, and they have. There’s something special about writing on good quality paper.

When I was in Italy in April 2007 (has it really been that long?), the first thing I bought while I was there was a leather bound notebook. That was the only souvenier that I knew I needed to have. I’ve filled it, but writing on its pages brought me back to Florence and Rome.

My current notebook was a gift from my grandma. It’s red with faux gold foil on the cover. The paper is thick so the ink from my pen doesn’t run through (except when I accidentally fell asleep while writing. There’s a big ink spot going through four pages. Oh well, that adds character.

At Christmas, my parents gave me a beautiful notebook, also from Italy, that’s yellow with pink and blue flowers with gold vines all over it. I’m looking at it right now and smiling.

The thing about these notebooks is they hold specific memories of when I received them. Those spiral bound notebooks do not. They are boring, identical in every way. Plus, those spirals get caught in everything.