A Writer, I Be

2011-11-20T13:58:00.000-08:00

Thanks for stopping by. This blog is now at ScottBier.com

Ah, Technogy

2009-06-28T13:29:00.001-07:00

This is the first post from my iPhone. I hope that this gets me to write more. I guess we'll see.

Happy Easter

2009-04-11T20:24:00.001-07:00

Last Christmas . . .

2008-12-27T19:10:00.000-08:00

. . .We were in a rental. Now, we are in our new house. This has been an amazing year. I am in my 5th year of teaching and we bought a house. After 13 years of marriage and being a dad for 11, I am finally starting to feel like an adult.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and great new year!

-S

Wow!

2008-12-27T19:06:00.000-08:00

So, it's been awhile. I kind of forgot about this page. In fact, I found it by accident. If you promise to check back, I promise to write more.

Today's Christmas Gift Idea

2006-12-04T20:51:00.001-08:00

So, I'm in the store when I see this.

What a timely gift! The Village People are the Tickle-Me-Elmos of the year.

What little boy wouldn't want a Village People tour bus that plays YMCA? Get your little Indian, or construction worker, or cop, or biker, one of his own.

-S

The things dads do for their daughters

2006-11-18T19:04:00.000-08:00

This is the men's room at last night's Hannah Montana concert. 1000 screaming little girls.

-S

From the mouths of babes.

2006-08-19T01:28:00.000-07:00

So, my 8-year-old daughter and I are walking through a Hallmark store this week when we notice that they have the Christmas ornaments out. (I know, that is another topic) Anyway, she saw this. . .

. . .and she says, "Look Papa, The Wiggles!" I had never noticed it, but now that she mentioned it. . .

Aren’t kids great!

-S

p.s. If you don’t have kids, this post probably won’t make any sense to you.

I’m Just Sayin’

2006-06-01T14:50:00.000-07:00

If you think that a 2-hour movie is going to topple your 2000-year-old religion, then that religion has problems.

-S

Don’t Drink the Water

2006-03-27T10:36:00.000-08:00

The girls and I went to a few parks over the weekend and I noticed a bizarre and disgusting trend. Now, I know that some people love their dogs while others LOVE their dogs. These people seem to forget that their pets are, in fact, dogs.

These are the people who let their dogs eat off their forks and share tongue kisses. All fine and well, I guess, because it doesn’t involve me. Its not my fork nor my tongue, so who am I to judge? But when you let your dog drink from a public drinking fountain, which is just wrong. One dog was so “cute” that it jumped into the water fountain.
Really!?

A dollar for a bottle for water doesn’t sound so bad now.

-S

The Latest

2006-03-27T10:22:00.000-08:00

My research for my latest screenplay is not going as well as I had plan. The story is based on events that happened in the 1600’s and there isn’t much out there. I know I could make it up, but that is not what I want. So while I am researching, I am writing treatments for the other ideas that I have (roughly 10-12). Some of the ideas are old and have made it to the screen in some form or fashion, just not by me. Its all part of our collective unconscious I guess. It just feels good to be writing again and, after teaching all day, it is easer to write a treatment than read 400-year-old books. I am also working on a children’s book with my 8-year-old daughter.

More on that later.

-S

Podcasts

2006-03-07T13:31:00.000-08:00

My wife gave me an iPod for Christmas and I am now addicted to Podcasts. I have a few that I listen to regularly and I have put them in the side bar. Cinecast is a great movie review show, TWIT is a tech show, and the rest are about filmmaking. Check them out!

-S

Relaunch

2006-03-07T13:26:00.000-08:00

Hello all!

I don’t know if anyone is still out there but I thought I’d say hi.

Hi.

I am still teaching high school English and writing when I have time, which is not that often. I have a new idea for a script and I am now in research mode. It is a period piece based on events that happen in 17 century England. I stumbled across the story in a text book at school and could not believe that a movie had not yet been made. I shared the idea with some friends and they agreed. I am now outlining and hope to start writing by next week. Once I start writing, I will put a progress bar up.

-S

Just Checkin’ In

2005-10-30T18:20:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I know it has been awhile, but school has kept me very busy. They just finished their first paper. Now we are entering American Romanticism with Washington Irving and Poe. I am having a blast but there is little time for blogging or writing.

So, take care everyone.

Happy Birthday, Dave!!!

-S

Oh, you’re a GIRL dragon!

2005-10-01T21:36:00.000-07:00

We have a cockatiel named Wingnut. He is a great bird. Now, I have never been a bird person, but he changed my mind. He loves to sit on my shoulder while I surf the net, grade papers, or wash dishes. He makes me feel like a pirate; a paper grading, dish washing pirate. Plus I had another male in the house.

Well, two days a go Wingnut laid an egg.

Oh, well.

She still makes me feel like a pirate.

-S

What are your favorite movies?

2005-09-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

I have gone through the new movies on Netflix and am now going through the old ones. So please, give me 2 or three of your all-time faves and I will check ‘em out!

Thanks in advance!

-S

It’s all how you look at it.

2005-09-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

Did you ever go see a movie because the trailer was great? Only to realize that you were duped by some creative editing?

Check this out!

Thanks to Jo Blo for the link

-S

Wow, that was fast.

2005-09-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

I finished my pages and gave them to Warren. I can't wait until it comes around to me again.

-S

Hey, I'm up!

2005-09-25T00:28:00.000-07:00

Shawna finished her pages for the group script project and I just received the latest draft. I'll let you all now when I'm done.

-Scott

Syndication Help

2005-09-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

I have another site for family stuff. What is the easies way to syndicate this site? I have searched around the web and it is a tad confusing. Does anyone have any ideas?

-S

Writing + Teaching=???

2005-09-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

How are you doing? You look great. I love your hair like that, did you change it?

First off, thanks to Shawna over at Shouting into the Wind for her concern about my absence.

Well, school is in full swing and I have been a little busy. Last year I taught reading all day which was nice because there wasn’t much grading to do at night. This year will be filled with essays and grammar! To make things more exciting, I took on the freshman English class the day before school started, so I am still prepping for the year. Luckily, we have a great team of teachers, and last year, they mapped the entire year out.

So where does that leave writing? Not sure yet. I just received an email from Warren about The Screenwriting Life’s Group Script Project, and I’m up next, after Shawna. I haven’t read the pages so far because I didn’t want to get any ideas early on that couldn’t be worked into the script. I can’t wait to read it and add my two cents! I have stopped the rewrite on INSECURE there is too much there. I wrote in over a three-year period so it is a bit garbled and disjointed. My wife gave me some great notes on it but I have no idea where to begin. I am going to send it to my friend, Brian this week and get his take on it. He doesn’t know this yet, so Brian, if you’re reading this, would you mind?

I have started my second screenplay which is tentatively called THE WANDERING HOUR. I have actually started work on this in screenplay and novel form and I am still not sure which way I will go.

So that is what I have been up to. Next up is my 10-year wedding anniversary on October 7th. Pam and I are going up to Monterey to a bed and breakfast.

I hope everyone is doing well and I write soon.

-S

First Day of School

2005-09-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

I know that it was been awhile, but I had to prepare for the new school year. Well, prepare as best as I could. I decided to take on an additional class. It will mean more money but I will lose a prep period and will have to create an entirely new lesson plan. It is a freshman English class. So, the total is now 6; 2 reading classes, 3 junior English classes, and 1 freshman English class. The reading classes are ready to go because I taught it last year. The great news is that I get to teach Of Mice and Men to the freshman. How great is that?!

Plus, the money will come in handy. We have some plans on the horizon that I will talk about later. Hints can be found in a previous post.

Well, I gotta run.

Take care!

-S

Vacation is Over... an open letter from Michael Moore to George W. Bush

2005-09-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

From MichaelMoore.com:

Friday, September 2nd, 2005

Dear Mr. Bush:

Any idea where all our helicopters are? It's Day 5 of Hurricane Katrina and thousands remain stranded in New Orleans and need to be airlifted. Where on earth could you have misplaced all our military choppers? Do you need help finding them? I once lost my car in a Sears parking lot. Man, was that a drag.

Also, any idea where all our national guard soldiers are? We could really use them right now for the type of thing they signed up to do like helping with national disasters. How come they weren't there to begin with?

Last Thursday I was in south Florida and sat outside while the eye of Hurricane Katrina passed over my head. It was only a Category 1 then but it was pretty nasty. Eleven people died and, as of today, there were still homes without power. That night the weatherman said this storm was on its way to New Orleans. That was Thursday! Did anybody tell you? I know you didn't want to interrupt your vacation and I know how you don't like to get bad news. Plus, you had fundraisers to go to and mothers of dead soldiers to ignore and smear. You sure showed her!

I especially like how, the day after the hurricane, instead of flying to Louisiana, you flew to San Diego to party with your business peeps. Don't let people criticize you for this -- after all, the hurricane was over and what the heck could you do, put your finger in the dike?

And don't listen to those who, in the coming days, will reveal how you specifically reduced the Army Corps of Engineers' budget for New Orleans this summer for the third year in a row. You just tell them that even if you hadn't cut the money to fix those levees, there weren't going to be any Army engineers to fix them anyway because you had a much more important construction job for them -- BUILDING DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ!

On Day 3, when you finally left your vacation home, I have to say I was moved by how you had your Air Force One pilot descend from the clouds as you flew over New Orleans so you could catch a quick look of the disaster. Hey, I know you couldn't stop and grab a bullhorn and stand on some rubble and act like a commander in chief. Been there done that.

There will be those who will try to politicize this tragedy and try to use it against you. Just have your people keep pointing that out. Respond to nothing. Even those pesky scientists who predicted this would happen because the water in the Gulf of Mexico is getting hotter and hotter making a storm like this inevitable. Ignore them and all their global warming Chicken Littles. There is nothing unusual about a hurricane that was so wide it would be like having one F-4 tornado that stretched from New York to Cleveland.

No, Mr. Bush, you just stay the course. It's not your fault that 30 percent of New Orleans lives in poverty or that tens of thousands had no transportation to get out of town. C'mon, they're black! I mean, it's not like this happened to Kennebunkport. Can you imagine leaving white people on their roofs for five days? Don't make me laugh! Race has nothing -- NOTHING -- to do with this!

You hang in there, Mr. Bush. Just try to find a few of our Army helicopters and send them there. Pretend the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are near Tikrit.

Yours,

Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
www.MichaelMoore.com

P.S. That annoying mother, Cindy Sheehan, is no longer at your ranch. She and dozens of other relatives of the Iraqi War dead are now driving across the country, stopping in many cities along the way. Maybe you can catch up with them before they get to DC on September 21st.

Oh, thank god

2005-09-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

Geraldo is on the scene.

-s

I keep coming back to this.

2005-09-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

Why is it that Congress and the president came back from their breaks to save one woman, but could not bring themselves to come back early to help the people who really need it.

-s

New Orleans Blogger

2005-09-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

The Indicator is blogging from the Heart of New Orleans.

Thanks to Brian for the link.

-S

Whew!

2005-08-31T16:56:00.000-07:00

We are getting new textbooks this year and I had to attend a week-long class.

Here’s why:

The students will get a lit book, a grammar book, and a work book, all of the rest are mine. I have about 12 additional books filled with support material including tests, handouts, overheads, and additional assignments. I also get CD’s, video tapes, and a CD-Rom for making tests.

Cool.

This is in addition to teaching Huckleberry Finn, Catcher in the Rye, and Inherit the Wind, an editorial, and a research paper.
It’s going to be a busy year.

-S

We're Back!

2005-08-31T16:52:00.000-07:00

Well, we are back from Wisconsin. It was a great trip, once we got
there. There were tornadoes and thunderstorms on the day we were
supposed to arrive so we had to spend the night in Phoenix. Yippee! We
found out the next day that America West was the only airline to cancel
flights, something that they do all the time.

The tornadoes touched down about 15 miles from my grandparent’s town of
Janesville. We went and looked at the damage. You can find the pictures
on the side bar under vacation pics or here.

-S

Hey Brian!

2005-08-31T15:49:00.000-07:00

You know who you are

-S

Our Hosts

2005-08-23T13:16:00.000-07:00

I have had a wonderful time time getting reaquainted with my family. I can't thank them enough for their love & hospitality.

On vacation.

2005-08-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

State Capitol, Madison WI.

Now, THIS is a candidate that I can get behind!

2005-08-14T09:27:00.000-07:00

According to the website www.walken2008.com/, Christopher Walken wants to run for president in 2008.

Is it real? Little Man, I can only hope.

-S

What’s in your queue?

2005-08-12T16:41:00.000-07:00

I love Netflix.

I have one Netflix friend so far and am looking for more people to share movies with.

If you would like to join my friends list, drop me a line with your email and I will add you to my list. Or send me an invite using the email in the sidebar.

I look forward to hearing from you.

-S

Grill's hot!

2005-08-06T19:33:00.000-07:00

How do you want yours?

If you see Gus, I want my $10 back!

2005-08-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

I went out to L.A. the other night to meet up with my long-time friend, Brian. After dinner we decided to catch a movie. We decided on Last Days, written and directed by the afore mentioned Gus Van Sant. The movie is inspired by, if not loosely based on the suicide of Nirvana front man, Kurt Cobain.

Ouch.

I am not big on reviews, so I won’t write one, but damn that sucked!

~~Two~~ Three things:

1) 2 minutes of the camera watching a Boys II Men video, full screen. No dialogue in the background.
2) 2 minutes of the camera watching a bush.
3) Repeating scenes. (And not in a Tarantino Kind of way to show different perspectives. Just showing a scene again)

There was plenty more to dislike.

Now to be fair, I had been up since 5:30 and had to get up the next morning at 5:30. Maybe there was something that I was missing

AARRGH.

-S

This is Freakin’ Cool!

2005-08-03T14:41:00.000-07:00

Check out Google Earth. (Sorry Mac users, not yet) Using satellite “keyhole” photographs, it lets you look at Earth from outer space and zoom in, anywhere you want. I actually found my house.

Check it out!

-S

Well here it is, sort of.

2005-08-02T09:31:00.000-07:00

Back in March, I wrote about Apple’s development of a 2-button mouse.

Well, it’s here. You know you want one.

-S

Oh, so THAT”S why movies aren’t doing so well.

2005-08-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

Bill Leonard, former California State Assemblyman and current member of the Board of Equalization, regularly writes "The Leonard Letter." His most recent issue explains why the box office is in a slump. You will be pleased to know that it is not because movies suck. Oh no. It is because of our strong moral compass.

Here is his theory:

Lackluster Blockbuster

Have you seen an article or listened to a television report that movie box office numbers are down? A few weeks ago, before the summer movie season began, Hollywood executives were hand-wringing because people did not seem to be going to theaters as much anymore. They suggested the reason was that people are enjoying the comfort of their home theaters and perhaps not willing to pay the high price of movie tickets these days. Both of those things may be true, but I suggest the movie execs also consider a study from earlier this year that was sponsored by the Christian Film and Television Commission (http://www.gopwing.com/print.php?sid=691). It concluded that movies that contained very strong moral content earned six times more than movies with strong immoral, negative content or very strong pagan, humanist, socialist, homosexual, occult, or anti-religious content. The movies based in strong morals also performed substantially better at the box office than movies with graphic violence, foul language (more than 25 profanities), sexual immorality, nudity or criminal acts like stealing, kidnapping, etc. If Hollywood wants to boost its box office, it not only needs to re-examine its pricing policy, it also needs to get back to telling good stories with good, uplifting values. If they film it, we will come.

So, what do you think?

-S

Rewriting Help

2005-08-01T12:01:00.000-07:00

Okay. I am going to get this second draft done.

I think that this script has potential, but it needs some serious tweaking. Where do I start? Right now, I have a three-column list labeled keep, lose, and add. I am trying to figure out what stays, what goes and what else I need.

A big problem in the first draft is character motivation. Halfway through, I realized it needed to be stronger so I made some changes. Didn’t work. I am probably going to lose half of the story and my dark comedy is tuning into an ensemble comedy.

If anyone has some words of wisdom on the rewriting process, I would love to hear them.

-S

Welcome!

2005-07-31T23:00:00.000-07:00

This blogging community keeps getting smaller and smaller, I have had over 1750 visitors since March. I have also made some new friends. I have added some new blogs over on the right so check ‘em out. If I forgot anyone drop me a line!

-S

How to spot a teacher.

2005-07-29T17:44:00.000-07:00

I'll be turning these in this week. No students until September.

Why am I alone on this island?

2005-07-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

I have a secret. I have kept it to myself, but now I am ready to share it with the world.

I liked The Island.

There.

I said it.

I feel so liberated.

I have no idea why this movie is not doing well. I know, I know. Michael Bay. No one likes the guy. Then why have his movies grossed over $1 billion?

I thought The Island was a good movie, not a great movie, but a good one. I was entertained; mission complete. I liked the characters, the chases where cool, stuff blew up. Did it tug at my heartstrings? No. Did it make me think about my place in the universe? No. Was I entertained? Yes.

So, please, someone tell me why I shouldn’t like this movie.

New Site (For me anyway)

2005-07-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

I have just discovered The Screenwriting Life. If you haven’t already check it out.

-S

Why are you just sitting there?

2005-07-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

According to my wife, there are only 58 days left of summer. Now, I am more of an Autumn/Winter type of guy, but I am really enjoying this summer. Between the barbeques, trips to the beach, and summer concerts in the park, not to mention the great summer-school schedule, I have been having a great time. You really can’t beat working four days a week and getting off at 1:20. So, what ever you do, enjoy your summer!

-S

Suddenly, walking to work doesn’t seem so bad.

2005-07-25T11:40:00.000-07:00

Japan's Sakakibara Machinery Works has unveiled its version of a sit-in walking robot, dubbed Land Walker 2.

The 3.4m, one-tonne robot walks at 1.5km/h. It is operated by four pedals in the cockpit.

A monitor showing the feet area helps the driver watch their step.

Air guns on each side of robot shoot a rubber ball 20-30m. The company sells it for 36 million yen ($43,500).

2005-07-24T16:27:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning walks to the donut shop with my daughter. Sometimes it is the little things. Oh, and congratulations to John August on the birth of his daughter.

2005-07-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

I love finding that red envelope in my mailbox.

2005-07-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

I got a camera phone so expect pictures.

THIS is why I became an English teacher!

2005-07-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned before, I will be teaching 11th grade English this year and I just found out that I will be teaching Huckleberry Finn and Catcher in the Rye,

It’s going to be a great year!

-S

Summer School

2005-07-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

Well, summer school is half over and it is running smoothly. I was expecting 40 kids per class, but with the kids who never showed up and the dropouts, I am down to 15 students per class. They are all pre-freshman; so high school is a new world for them and they are all well behaved. The best thing about summer school has to be the schedule. I love three day weekends and getting off at 1:20. Plus, it is great teaching in shorts and t-shirts, although that was a bit strange at first.

On the writing front... What am I saying there is no writing front. I have not yet started my second draft and it is pissing me off. One problem is Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. It is an in-depth game that plays like a movie.

Back to the second-draft. I need to develop more characters to flesh the story out and I will start that this week. There, now that I have put it in writing I have to do it. At least that’s the plan.

If anyone has any insight on starting the second draft, I would love to hear it.

-S

Priced to Move

2005-07-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

The way home prices are going, if I want to buy a house I have to move. I teach high school and my wife works for a city and we can’t swing the $500,000 median price range. California has a reciprocal credential agreement with 35 states which means that with my teaching credential and some experience I can teach out of state. Now, we are thinking of where to go. We think that it would be exciting to get a new start and want to move before my 7-year-old daughter gets much older.

Here are my choices:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia

If you have any insight into housing prices and teaching salaries in these states, drop me a line.

Of course, if you wish to purchase a screenplay so that we can stay, that will be fine too!

-S

Born in Arizona moved to Babylona . . .

2005-07-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

My girls took me to the King Tut exhibit at LACMA for Father’s Day. Well, they got me the tickets. It is sold out for several weeks and we finally went on Friday. I remember the last time it was here because I really wanted to go, but I was 8 and couldn’t get a ride. I have always been interested in Egyptology and the exhibit did not let me down.

The exhibit gives you a glimpse of the life of a Pharaoh in the 18th Dynasty. There were the gold laden items and a full-size gold sarcophagus. But there were also chairs, tables, board games, even a leather dog collar; all preserved by the desert climate.

Tickets are $25.00 and the exhibit goes through November 15th.

But the Boy King was not the surprise of the day; that award goes to Tim Hawkinson.

Your ticket also gets you into the rest of the museum and that is where we discovered him. Tim Hawkinson is a multimedia artist in every sense of the word. From the foam and bubble wrap tree that drips water in rhythm, to the bird skeleton made out of fingernail clippings. But my favorites were the clock motors hidden in everyday objects; the hair brush with hair that tells time, a branch with a flower whose petals tell time, or the Coke can whose tab tells the time.

All in all, it was another great Father’s Day.

Thanks Girls!

-S

Me and My Girls

Elizabethtown sneak peek

2005-06-22T22:34:00.000-07:00

Cameron Crowe has a preview of his new movie, Elizabethtown, up at his site.

Check it out.

-S

"I know he can get the job, but can he do the job?"

2005-06-22T22:19:00.000-07:00

Today was the end of the school year for students; teachers have to show up tomorrow to turn in grades and keys. I am keeping my keys because I will be teaching reading to pre-freshman during summer school, which begins Monday. It is a nice schedule; Monday thru Thursday; 7:20 a.m.-1:20 p.m. The downside is that my class size will be increasing from 20 to 40 students.

In other news; I got the 11th grade English position for next year!

This means that I will have to attend a one week training course for our new textbooks after summer school ends. My summer is dwindling away.

At least I still have my week vacation visiting the grandparents in Wisconsin. This will be the first time they meet their great-granddaughter.

-S

This is my first blog

2005-06-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

This is my first blog by cell phone. Pretty cool.

DISCLAIMER

2005-06-21T18:27:00.000-07:00

Regarding my previous post; I am not suggesting that you illegally distribute files. That was just an example. You could also use it to send your photo album or a video of your daughter’s piano recital. Come on. That was just an example.

-S

Now, THIS is cool!

2005-06-21T18:14:00.000-07:00

Did you ever want to send a large file, like, say, an unaired pilot written by a fellow blogger, but the file is too big.

Use yousendit.com.

It can handle up to 1GB.

-S

Ya gotta love technology.

2005-06-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

We are becoming ever-more dependant on technology and it takes a malfunction for us to realize it. For me, it was when my hard drive started to die and I had to back it up between crashes. It seems like it wants us to know who is in charge. But it does appear to have a sense of humor. Just ask Hollywood Hack who received this error:

-S

Where are my 15?

2005-06-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, every one gets their 15 minutes. Well, some people shouldn’t even get that. Meet Reva Unsicker and her band of misfit performers.

Thanks to Kevin for the link.

-S

Next Year

2005-06-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

I teach reading at a Southern California high school and I am funded under Title I, which means that I am contracted year-by-year as funding allows. I have already been rehired for next year and, with my schools population, I feel I will be needed at this school for many years to come. This position is very rewarding, but, it is not a permanent position and I can’t attain tenure. Well, I have an interview next week for a permanent position. There are three positions open and I am gunning for Junior English, American Lit. It is in the Vista Academy, which stands for Viking Informational System Telecommunications Academy.

The program operates in conjunction with Rio Hondo Community College, the University of Southern California, and members of the communications industry such as Digalog Technology Inc., Pictures In a Row, and the El Monte Cable Network Corporation.

These partnerships include hands-on experience in behind-the-scenes production and working with professional cinematographers. The goal of the program is to articulate students through the world of work via colleges and professional production companies which may lead to careers in communications and bridge the language barriers between English and Spanish.

Oh, and I get a Powerbook.

-S

Build you own DVR

2005-06-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Kevin Rose, formerly of TechTV, has Episode 2 up over at Systm. This one shows how to build your own DVR for about $300!

Check it out.

-S

It’s about damn time!

2005-06-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

Syndicated columnist Liz Smith reported today that Rob Lowe will return to NBC’s West Wing for at least five episodes next November. Although Smith does not site any sources, she claims that Martin Sheen was instrumental in bring Lowe back.

Now, if we could only get Aaron Sorkin back.

-S

Immigration, Shimmigration

2005-06-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

I don’t know why some people say that we need to strengthen our borders. It’s not like, oh, wait, here’s why:

A man arrived at the U.S.-Canadian border crossing at Calais, Maine, carrying a homemade sword, a hatchet, a knife, brass knuckles and a chain saw stained with what appeared to be blood. The U.S. customs agents took away the bloodstained weapons, fingerprinted him, and then let him into the United States.

Let me repeat that.

They.

Let.

Him.

In.

Really?!

And our borders are safe?

And wait ‘til you see the guy. Read the story here (with picture).

Minutemen, are you listening?

-S

30-Second Bunny Theater

2005-06-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

A New Yorker in Hollywood pointed out that Angry Alien now has the PULP FICTION by bunnies up for your viewing pleasure. I think JAWS is still my favorite. Don’t know what the hell I am talking about, then go see for yourself.

Now!

-S

Where is Christopher McQuarrie?

2005-06-04T20:15:00.000-07:00

I am watching The Usual Suspects on IFC’s Pulp Weekend, and I have to ask; what happened to Christopher McQuarrie?

It is a great movie and an even better screenplay. I also enjoyed The Way of the Gun , which he also directed.

I would read, and see anything we wrote.

-S

For all the Geeks out there

2005-06-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

Any Tech TV fans out there? Kevin Rose has left Attack of the Show (formally The Screensavers) and now is creating segments on his website, systm.org. Kevin has always been known for his Dark Tips, and it looks like that is what his new project is all about. The first episode shows how to capture images from wireless video cameras. I have to find a place in my screenplay for this.

Watch & control your TV from any laptop, anywhere.

2005-06-03T07:43:00.000-07:00

It’s called the Slingbox and, if you love your television, you need one. Simply plug your TV, cable box, or antenna into the Slingbox and you can control your television, cable, Tivo, or DVR. There are no monthly fees but you do need broadband. Riding in the backseat during cross-country road trips will never be the same.

It will be available at BestBuy and CompUSA in July.

-S

He’s finally gone and done it.

2005-06-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

According to the Internet Movie Database, producers are ready to shelve MISSION IMMPOSIBLE 3 because of Tom Cruise’s behavior while promoting WAR OF THE WORLDS. According to the website, Cruise is more interested in Katie Holmes and Scientology than the film. Read on:

The behavior of Tom Cruise while promoting the June 29 release of the Paramount/DreamWorks' film War of the Worlds has prompted Paramount execs to consider shelving Mission: Impossible III, in which Cruise is also slated to star (and which has seen its anticipated budget climb to over $150 million), the New York Times reported today (Thursday). The newspaper said that in recent promotional appearances Cruise has been spending so much time promoting Scientology and talking about his love for his new girlfriend Katie Holmes that War of the Worlds itself has been getting little attention. The Times indicated that Paramount and DreamWorks execs were particularly concerned about Cruise's odd behavior during an appearance on Oprah on May 23.

I don’t know what took them so long, I’ve been tired of hearing about Scientology for awhile.

-S

Cool Quote

2005-05-31T17:46:00.000-07:00

My wife sent me this and it made me laugh:

"I just wanted to speak to you about something from the Internal Revenue Code. It is the last sentence of section 509A of the code and it reads: For purposes of paragraph 3, an organization described in paragraph 2 shall be deemed to include an organization described in section 501C-4, 5, or 6, which would be described in paragraph 2 if it were an organization described in section 501C-3.' And that's just one sentence out of those fifty-seven feet of books."

--- Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) 40th U.S. President

For when you feel yourself getting uppity.

2005-05-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a site that tells you what other people have accomplished by the time they were your age.

Things Other People Accomplished When They Were Your Age

I will be 34 this year.

After defeating Antony and Cleopatra's forces in a naval battle, Augustus became the master of the Roman world.

I’m going back to bed.

-S

LOST Finale

2005-05-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

/*SPOILERS*/

Just watched the 2-hour lost. Did anyone notice the Star Trek connection? In Star Trek, they would always take a security officer down to the planet with them and he would, inevitably, die. LOST used a science teacher instead, played by Daniel Roebuck. (I love that guy!) Good way to build tension, I guess.

Over all, I wasn’t too impressed. Not enough questions were answered this year. I wonder if they wrote a bible or are writing form the hip.

-S

The TOP 10 Things We Want To Hear Samuel L. Jackson, "JediMaster Mace Windu," say in the Star Wars Prequel

2005-05-25T09:20:00.000-07:00

No, I have not seen IT yet but I found this over at Totally Unauthorized, thanks Peggy!

10. You don't need to see my goddamn identification, 'cause these ain't the motherfuckin' droids you're looking for.

9. Womp rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but I'll never know, 'cause I wouldn't eat the filthy motherfucker.

8. This is your father's lightsaber. When you absolutely, positively, have to kill every motherfuckin' stormtrooper in the room... accept no substitutes.

7. If Obi-wan ain't home then I don't know what the fuck we're gonna do. I ain't got no other connections on Tattooine.

6. Feel the Force, motherfucker.

5. 'What' ain't no planet I've ever heard of! Do they speak Bocce on 'What'?

4. You sendin' the Fett? Shit, Hutt, that's all you had to say!

3. I wouldn't go so far as to say that the motherfucker's a carpet. Yeah Chewie got a hair problem. What's the brother gonna do? He's a wookie.

2. Does Jabba the Hutt look like a bitch?

1. Hand me my lightsaber... it's the one that says, "Bad Motherfucker" on it.

-S

What is wrong with TV execs?

2005-05-24T20:17:00.000-07:00

So, you follow a television show all season; sitting down every week at the same time watching the people you have grown to love, or despise, as the case may be. Then, the time comes for the season finale. You sit down; same time, same channel and what do you get? You missed it. There were two finales this week that I planned to watch and both were aired early. Now, I’m sure that it was advertised somewhere, but I don’t listen to ads. I just watch my shows. Lucky I was looking at my on-screen guide and caught the change. Why do television executives change the days and times of season finales? My wife has a theory; she thinks that they do it on purpose so that we will have to watch the reruns.

Does anyone have an answer for this?

And while we are on the subject; why did WEST WING end a month early?

I miss Aaron Sorkin.

-S

I DO feel smarter!

2005-05-21T18:03:00.000-07:00

Researchers now say that playing video games make people smarter. "It's not the button pushing that's important," says Mitch Wade, an information consultant for firms like Google and Rand Corp., who co-wrote a recent book called “Got Game.” "It's the problem-solving.”

-S

Come On!

2005-05-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

Even though it will not be released until May 19, 2006, there is already a website and trailer for The Da Vinci Code.

Can you say over-hyped boys and girls?

Escaping from the Procrastination Nation

2005-05-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

Well, it’s been a few weeks and I still haven’t started to work on draft two. Every time I sit down to write I end up doing something else. I saw that David, over at Man Bites Hollywood, has a cool screenplay progress bar and I thought that maybe a visual reminder would motivate me. Yes, I realize that this is also procrastination. What do you expect? I can’t quit cold-turkey!

So, now we can see how much (or how little) I have written.

-S

Help!

2005-05-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

I don’t know why there are bullets next to my list of bloggers and blogs. I can’t get rid of them. Anybody have any ideas?

-S

Great Screenwriting Resource

2005-05-16T17:10:00.000-07:00

Today, I found Creative Screenwriting.com. It looks like a great magazine, and the site is chalk-full of great articles by sreenwriters for screenwriters.

-S

A new way to market films?

2005-05-14T15:46:00.000-07:00

1) Visit the site.
2) Watch the trailers.
3) Read the synopsis.
4) If you like it, sign up.
5) The filmmakers will then show distributors the list of people who want to see their film.
6) Your name goes in the credits.

I guess stalker.com was already taken.

2005-05-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

There is a new site out there called zabasearch.com that gives names, addresses, and phone numbers of people in the database. You can also pay for a more detailed report, which includes previous addresses, employers and family. I looked my name and several friends and we were all on it. Check it out and see if you are there. If you are and want your name removed, email info@zabasearch.com and request it.

-S

Also from 1031

2005-04-28T09:21:00.000-07:00

Dave has a link to Kevin Smith’s blog, My Boring-Ass LIFE.

Time for a quick Shout-Out!

2005-04-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

Damn. I am so white. I just wanted to say a quick thank you to Dave over at 1031 for the traffic. According to StatCounter.com, I am getting 30 to 40 visits a week directed form his site.

Thanks Dave!

So, if you haven’t read Dave, check him out!

Legal Downloading, for free?

2005-04-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

What’s this? The Open Media Network has launched their new site, which allows users to download, for free, television and radio programs. Okay, it’s mainly public television and radio stuff, but it’s a start. I still don’t know why I can’t download that episode of LOST that I missed. Maybe this is a start.

-S

I know, I know.

2005-04-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

I haven’t posted in awhile. I was going to wait to post until I finished the second draft. Well, that is going s-l-o-w-l-y. I finished the first draft during spring break, but now that I am back in the classroom it is hard to focus on writing. The girls are going to be gone for an entire Saturday in a couple of weeks and I will finish it then, if I haven’t already.

This is part head-game and part motivation on my part. See, if I finishthe second draft by then, I can call some buddies and go play that day. If not, then I get to write.

We will jut have to see if it works.
-S

It's been awhile, you're looking good.

2005-04-16T15:11:00.000-07:00

Well it’s been awhile since my last post and am sure that you are all biting your fingernails, waiting to read what I have been up to.

No?

Well, you’re here now, so here is the latest.

After finishing my first draft, I gave it to my wife to read and she came back with a few pages of notes. I expected this, since it took me over three years of writing on the side to finish it. Now I am working on the second draft and the damn thing is changing. It started off as a dark comedy and is now turning into a suspense/thriller. The characters are pretty much the same but their motivations are a bit different, as is their end goal.

Damn.

So I am now rereading it along with her notes and marking the hell out of it.

So, that’s that.

After a few searches, I finally located my copy of McKee’s STORY, which was lost in a jungle of boxes after our last move. I am going to reread that.

I have also added some more links to bloggers who write about screenwriting. Check ‘em out!

If you can recommend anymore, drop me a line. I can use all the distractions I can get!

NRA Leader: Consider Arming Teachers

2005-04-07T10:43:00.000-07:00

As a high school teacher, all I can say is, "No thanks."

It's Miller Time

2005-04-03T18:41:00.000-07:00

Well, I started this blog three weeks ago to encourage myself to write, and it worked. I just finished the first draft of INSECURE, a screenplay I started over three years ago. Now, my wife will read it for me and then I will pick it up in a couple of weeks and read it and begin the second draft.

Come on, you know you want one!

2005-03-29T17:11:00.000-08:00

Last weekend marked the passing of legendary carmaker John DeLorean. DeLorean was, of course, the man behind the car that bared his name, but he was also responsible for my favorite car of all time, the Pontiac GTO. If you are like me (and I know I am), you have been waiting to purchase a new DeLorean. So pick one up, just make sure you give me a ride.

It was only a matter of time

2005-03-29T09:42:00.000-08:00

Woman who found finger at Wendy's files claim against franchise

What the f&%k is Grafedia?

2005-03-27T23:57:00.000-08:00

I should be in bed but I found this cool site about Grafedia.

“What is Grafedia?” you ask?

Apparently, it looks like graffiti, but it is always blue with a blue underline. You just enter what ever the word is and @grafedia.net and you will be sent information back to your computer or cell phone. The idea is to one day put in on the sides of buildings to let you know what is inside.

You can even make your own.

Is it the future in advertising?

Only time will tell.

Happy Easter, Geek Style

2005-03-27T13:19:00.000-08:00

In honor of Easter, let’s look at some Easter eggs. For those of you who don’t know what I am talking about; Easter eggs are hidden surprises in software and DVD’s put there by programmers for there own enjoyment.

Thanks to Leo for the link.

Easter Bunnies, Firemen, & Pirates (Oh, Sh%t)

2005-03-27T01:54:00.000-08:00

Or, Political Correctness, run amuck.

Ever since I can remember, my dad has been a fireman. Not a firefighter. A fireman.
I know that it is now politically correct to say firefighter, but I consider myself excluded from that rule. I remember when I was in the first grade and my dad would show up in a fire engine to pick me up; talk about being the cool kid. So, you could say that I was “grandfathered in” and I am allowed to say fireman instead of firefighter.

“So what?” you say.

“What does that have to do with the Easter Bunny?”

Well, some knuckleheads had seen fit to tell us that we have to change the name of the Easter Bunny to . . . well, I don’t know what their alternative title would be and frankly, I really don’t care. Apparently, not everyone celebrates Easter and they feel left out of the whole bunny thing.

Really?

I do not claim any religious affiliation and, surprisingly, I am okay with the bunny’s moniker. Maybe that is because the Easter Bunny, and in fact, Easter, predate Christianity. Another fact, most “Christian Holidays” have roots in pagan rituals. It basically boils down to “can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”

But, I digress.

Leave the Easter Bunny alone.

“And what about the pirates?” you ask.

When was the last time you were at Disneyland? Well, The Pirates of the Caribbean has always been my favorite ride. In case you live on a commune (with electricity and internet access, apparently) this ride takes you on a boat ride into the world of pirates as they sack and pillage (no murder, it is Disney).

At one point in the ride, we witness a “Bride Auction” where pirates can purchase a wife. Next we see the pirates chasing their newly acquired bride around the town. Well, apparently it is not politically correct for pirates to chase woman. The nerve! So, that portion of the ride was subtly changed and food was placed in the hands of the women. So now, the pirates are (wait for it) chasing the food and not the woman. Pirating can make you hungry.

Three words.

They. Are. Pirates.

Oh, and remember the bridal auction? Still there. So, for those of you playing the home game; buying a wife, okay. Chasing your new acquired wife, not okay.

AAAHHHGGGRRR.

People, people, people.

You will never beat us. So, hop in and enjoy the ride.

Long Live the Mix Tape

2005-03-26T12:10:00.000-08:00

Can you keep a secret? Just between friends? I don’t own an iPod. What? you say. Then, how do I listen to music? The good old fashion mix tape. I am usually at home, in my car, or at my desk, with a CD player at each location. I have been buying CDs for almost 20 years and have accumulated quite a collection; of course, most are in boxes in my garage.

Today, my wife and I are going for a drive and I decided to make a CD. Not all-time greatest hits but some good hits for today. It always amazes me when someone can name their favorite band or favorite song of all time. I could never do it. It depends what kind of mood I am in. Whenever I hear a song, I am transported back to the time when the song was popular. When I hear Depeche Mode, I am sixteen again and driving around in my ’64 LeMans. When I hear U2’s Joshua Tree, I am a sophomore in high school and going to my first concert with Mitch.

Today is a cool day with some high clouds and we are driving out to Riverside to pick up our daughter who is spending the night at her cousin’s house. It feels like a day for John Mayer, The Postal Service, Jack Johnson, and David Grey. So, I’ll take my favorites and burn them and when I listen to the compilation, I will always remember the drive I took with my wife.

Get off my box

2005-03-25T10:03:00.000-08:00

Enough is enough!

1) The government should not care what I watch on television.

2) If you see something that you don’t like on television, turn the channel.

3) My neighbor should not care what I watch.

4) If my neighbor sees something he doesn’t like on television, he should turn the channel and trust that I have the good sense to do the same if I so desire.

5) The FCC has too much power

6) Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is my new hero

What am I talking about? The House has passed an “Indecency Bill” that would increase fines to $500,000 per violation. Well Senator, get out your checkbook because I am offended!

Some of you will say that the FCC is merely enforcing the will of the people, but according to an article by Jeff Jarvis, the FCC is acting on complaints by as little as three people.

THREE PEOPLE!!

And the fine that resulted from that particular complaint resulted in a record judgment of $1.2 million against FOX.

$1.2 million!

Three people!

But wait, there’s more!

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens is pushing to apply broadcast decency standards to cable television.

Goodbye, "Sopranos"

Goodbye, "Sex in the City"

Goodbye, "Six Feet under"

And goodbye to all the “R” rated movies on HBO.

But there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Representative Bernie Sanders (I-VT) announced the introduction of legislation to prevent the government from censoring the content on popular cable T.V. shows and Internet websites.

But he can’t do it by himself. So, call your legislators and tell them to leave our televisions alone. Click here to find all of the telephone numbers and addresses you will need.

If this entry offended you, then you should have stopped reading, Dumbass!

Jurassic Park, The True Story?

2005-03-24T22:56:00.000-08:00

Scientists Recover T. Rex Tissue

I'll buy a ticket!

Who's with me?

Oh yeah, only good things can come of this.

2005-03-24T10:36:00.000-08:00

Jeb is requesting custody of Terry Schiavo.

Read what Terry’s husband Michael thinks of all of this. Thanks to 1031 for the link.

Just a note.

2005-03-24T10:24:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure why but I really want to see this movie.

Ah, showbiz

2005-03-23T10:56:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned last week, I will be spending a portion of my spring break on the set of an indie film, andI have been given a job, of sorts. A majority of the film takes place in a retirement home and they need a plethora of drawings by children to adorn the walls. Well, Brian called me and asked if I had some drawings lying around (about 1,000) since I am in possession of a 7 year old. So, my daughter and I spent a portion of the weekend drawing pictures. Ah, life in show business IS glamorous.

Drop the cheeseburger!

2005-03-23T10:54:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I hate living in California. It’s not because of home prices, the freeways, or the smog. It is because I know what the rest of the country thinks of us.

Some lady called 911 from Burger King because they didn’t make her the correct burger. Have a listen.

Madsen and Tarantino together again?

2005-03-23T10:13:00.000-08:00

Michael Madsen, who has appeared in 2 (or 3) Tarantino movies, is talking about Quentin Tarantino’s next movie, Inglorious Bastards, a WWII flick. Madsen says, among other things, that the movie may be releaseed in two parts because there is too much to cram in to one movie. Glorious indeed.