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Post by Darrin McCann on Jan 31, 2016 17:53:35 GMT -6
Congratulations on the pick-up, Ciaran! Looking forward to Synthesis!
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Post by Darrin McCann on Nov 8, 2015 21:12:59 GMT -6
Finally getting back to writing Paradise Lost. The last few months have been hellish between work and life, that writing had been put on the back-burner. I'm happy to say that's changed. I'm now 18 pages into Paradise Lost 103 and 7 pages into 104. Hopefully by this weekend coming I'll have 103 finished. Also been twirling around a couple ideas in my head for films. Might actually try and tackle another since it's been a few years now since I wrote one.
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Post by Darrin McCann on Sept 13, 2015 11:24:15 GMT -6
REVIEW Pilot
I have to say that going into the Pilot I had no idea what to expect. Your pitch was filled with so much information I almost felt overloaded. Not a bad thing. The Pilot itself was fantastic. I'm not a huge science fiction fan but I could totally get on board with this VS. Your characters were each distinctive with their own voices and quite engaging. Your dialogue was great. The stories we followed had great pace. My only critic would be Carrie's story. I mean I get what you were doing but it just seemed it didn't really start until she found the body then it was over. Everything before that felt more like filler. Because of this I felt the least connected to her character. Had she been following this story the whole time, maybe had been told to drop it or whatever, it would have given her more appeal. I just think with her lack of connection to the rest of the main cast in the Pilot her story felt more like filler. Again, this is only my opinion. However, minus that I thoroughly enjoyed the Pilot and hope this gets a pick-up in the future.
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Post by Darrin McCann on Sept 8, 2015 21:55:27 GMT -6
EPISODE 1.03 - LIKE A LAMB TO SLAUGHTER |
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Post by Darrin McCann on Sept 7, 2015 10:32:25 GMT -6
Someone alert the media, Paradise Lost 1.02 is officially finished! Time to move on to 1.03. Striking while the iron is hot!
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Post by Darrin McCann on Aug 9, 2015 11:02:57 GMT -6
I read the first few episodes a couple of days ago but I'm just now getting around to writing a review. So, my apologies. REVIEW | Screenwriter's Paradise 101 'Fade In' I want to start off with the way you write your characters. I feel like you really channel the actors in your character dialogues. I can easily picture them saying the words and acting the part of your characters. That makes a great writer, which you definitely are. I love how Andrew and Joshua are introduced. Your comedic timing in the dialogue is fantastic. Truly funny, funny stuff. I couldn't help but snort a few times. One of my favorite lines of the episode was 'Before or after you popped three pills and told me you’d punch me in the throat if I woke you up before we landed?' I'm not sure which lead I like more. Both characters have their unique traits that make them stand out for me. I love that the person to help them break in to the industry is the complex superintendent named Manny. Lol. Where do you come up with this stuff? Lol. Great start for what I am predicting will be a great series. REVIEW | Screenwriter's Paradise 102 'The Weed Master' I love the title for a few reasons, none of which pertain to anything I may or may not have done in my teenage years and possibly my early twenties. I like it because it's gripping. It stands out as one of those titles that make people think 'Damn, I need to read this'. Manny gives off a Pornstache vibe from Orange Is the New Black. That's a compliment, by the way. Lol. I also like your 'digs' at certain real life actors who have total screwed their career for thinking they were above it all. *coughAngusTJonescough*. Once again your comedic dialogue is phenomenal. You should totally get into sitcom writing in the real world. For real! I would totally watch a Chris Davis half-hour sitcom and probably buy all 12 seasons on DVD. I love that we get to see this wild side to uptight Andrew. Joshua's reaction equals priceless. I like the introduction of Emily and Troy. Their desperation is probably going to be their downfall but it makes for some great stories to come. I can tell already. Larry, dear God, Larry. I believe every job has one. One of those people that think everyone wants to hear how great they are at their job and feel the need to express that, like our congratulatory pat on the back is what is going to make or break their existence. I hate Larry and I hope he totally bombs whatever he might be cooking up with J.J. Abrams. Another great episode. I don't know what else I can say but I love Screenwriter's Paradise. REVIEW | Screenwriter's Paradise 103 'The Shindig from Hell' J. Law, enough said. PS. I was shipping Toshua / Jroy back in episode two. Before they even met. Love their interaction and their conversation about d-bag names. Did you intentionally pick d-bag names for those two or was that just a happy coincidence when it came time for that scene, because it wasn't until it was mentioned that I thought 'Yeah, that's true'. Lol. Hold up! Andrew has a wife? A million questions have now flooded my brain. Why? How? When? Huh? She left for LA six months ago and Andrew only a couple? Why? Are they still married, he said wife not ex-wife? My mind equals blown. Magic Josh... Is that a prequel or like the fourth movie that's not part of the original trilogy? Can't wait for the next episode! Wish this was like Netflix and I could binge watch for ten hours.  |
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Post by Darrin McCann on Aug 9, 2015 10:02:17 GMT -6
REVIEW | M:SCU 102 'Foundations'
I'm going to write this review and read at the same time, only because I find I have a hard time remembering thoughts at the end of episodes.
I love how we're getting a glimpse of Maggie's private life outside the Force. The scene is brief but gives ample information of what her life is like outside of work which is pretty much all work. Her job is her life and her relationships outside the job are taking a toll. Although, Toby seems really supportive, I can't help but feel like eventually there's going to be resentment especially if everything he does has him going that extra mile, like this lavish dinner.
I love the separation of stories within the episode. It really keeps the episode at a nice pace. It's good to see that the investigative aspect of the show, which I fell in love with, didn't falter in anyway because there was two stories being told. There's a couple SPAG errors but nothing big that it takes me out of the story.
Being able to see Rachel Roth and Roy Harper all in one episode. You can't see it, but I'm giddy. I'm interested to find out if they'll stick around at all or if this was just a one-off episode to show that they exist in this Verse. With the conversation between Lana and Angela and then Sebastian and the Guard, I'm hopeful that at least one out of two will be sticking around and I can't friggin' wait!
All in all, I enjoyed the episode. I liked that the readers got a glimpse of all the things going on behind the scenes that our main characters don't know about. It really builds that 'oh crap' intensity of knowing what is ahead of our heroes. Great job!
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Post by Darrin McCann on Aug 2, 2015 16:53:12 GMT -6
EPISODE 1.02 - HEART OF STONE |
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Post by Darrin McCann on Aug 2, 2015 16:10:17 GMT -6
All uncertainty I felt from watching the trailer has lifted since watching the Pilot. Although it felt very rushed and jammed pack with information, I still felt a connection to the characters and am very excited to watch it in the fall. Even if I have to wait until November. It has been officially added to my To Watch list.
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Post by Darrin McCann on Aug 2, 2015 11:19:04 GMT -6
45 pages down. It's taken me forever to write this episode. I am hoping by the time I go to bed tonight I will have finished this episode. With any luck I'll be starting episode three tomorrow. #optimisticallyHopingForAMiracle
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Post by Darrin McCann on Aug 2, 2015 7:20:06 GMT -6
I really liked the Pilot. There were a few bits that pulled me out of the story but they're nothing major. One of the only scene in the Pilot that stuck out like a sore thumb, for me, was the interaction between Dylan and Patty in the kitchen. Her choice of words and overall dialogue just seemed out of character compared to previous scenes. It just seemed too forceful and to me she doesn't really come off as a forceful person. It was really just the 'You're sure as hell it does.' If there was a way of bubbly-ing it up I think it would flow a bit better. Also, Dylan's last VO when he talks about life being funny I think you should talk more about being in college not applying to college because that way its more related to his current situation. Again these are just suggestions, take it for what it is. I've read both the first draft and the second and although I did enjoy the second draft, I also enjoyed the first. Dealers choice, really. Unlike some of the other reviews above I disagree that the voicemail wouldn't be enough. Some people in life, specifically humor-stunted adults, take their lives and their jobs WAY too seriously and if this Dean was one of those people it's realistic to think that he could, in fact, kick Dylan out of college for a simple voicemail. I've known, shall we say, older adults who feel that if you're not serious about whatever you should be serious about then you're basically a waste of space. So to me a voicemail seemed reasonable. But that's not to say I didn't enjoy the Photoshop aspect of it. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the Pilot. I thought it was really funny and the comedy was well timed. You got some real caricatures that have the ability to be memorable, like Urkle was to Family Matters, Joey to Blossom, and Sheldon to Big Bang. I think it's a great introduction to the series and I can't wait for more!
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Post by Darrin McCann on Aug 2, 2015 6:51:02 GMT -6
Pilot please? Now? Sorry I may have phrased that as a question. NOW. Lol. I think you have some fantastic casting choices especially Brant Daugherty as Dick Grayson. I really like the dark tone of the series and how the story itself takes on the nitty-gritty of police corruption. The last line of the show description - 'Dick is forced to question if he's truly prepared to stand on his own, and protect a city just as corrupt and deadly as Gotham.' - is what really hooked me. I think anyone who has had to venture out into the world on their own can totally relate to that line and in return Dick Grayson. I can totally see the parallels of both Daredevil and Arrow but not to the point where I would compare the similarities. There's enough, if not more, originality that I wouldn't even think 'well in Daredevil or Arrow did this'. Again, I'm liking what I'm seeing and really can't wait to see a Pilot.
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Post by Darrin McCann on Jul 29, 2015 8:34:13 GMT -6
Thanks, Karl!! I really appreciate it!
I will define Diamond and Eve's relationship as a 'flawed partnership'. They're both seeking answers for two totally different reasons but each feel that their quest is above the others, but they would never say that out loud. Their actions though do speak louder than words. Eve has some trust issues when it comes to men and Diamond has a drinking problem that will need to be addressed sooner than later. Flawed.
Reign is in no way shape or form ready for a committed relationship after the death of Seth. Kylar will definitely be part of his road to recovery. Maybe even his salvation for a little while. However, Kylar has some big secrets he's been keeping from everyone that could jeopardize any relationships he could or currently does have.
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Post by Darrin McCann on Jul 28, 2015 20:12:06 GMT -6
Thanks, Karl! I'm really happy to hear that!
There will be plenty of dynamic between the two especially as the season progresses and the family secrets come to light. Their brother-sister relationship will change and they'll need to learn to change with it or lose it.
Kylar has some interesting stuff coming up but takes a backseat in the first couple of episodes to make way for bigger mythology and world building storylines. He'll play a much bigger role in 1.03 Like A Lamb to Slaughter and continue there after in a bigger role. He'll develop a new friendship that has romantic possibilities.
Right now I am 43 pages into writing the second episode and I can't wait to be finished it! There's just so much mythology that I needed to spit out before I could start writing without feeling like I might lose the reader. I'm really looking forward to writing the next episode without that worry.
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Post by Darrin McCann on Jul 27, 2015 18:48:52 GMT -6
Happy Birthday, Karl!!!!
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Post by Darrin McCann on Jun 26, 2015 17:04:50 GMT -6
I personally would lean more towards Intercutting - Location 1 / Location 2. That way it's a continuous flow.
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Post by Darrin McCann on Jun 26, 2015 17:03:01 GMT -6
Hey Florian! Here's a helpful link. It shows examples of how you could go about the scene. I think it's more personal preference than anything else. Hope this helps. |
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Post by Darrin McCann on Jun 14, 2015 15:38:46 GMT -6
I may have just wrote a thirteen page webisode Pilot in a couple of hours. Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet.
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