Take a Drive 'round Kauai...

Those of you who have visited me on Kauai know why it's my favorite place on the planet... Here's a clip that gives those who haven't have the privilege to take this 2-1/2 hour drive from top to bottom - hold on! Xo P.

Karen Blixen - Out of Africa - 1937

"I am not a novelist, really not even a writer; I am a storyteller. One of my friends said about me that I think all sorrows can be borne if you put them into a story or tell a story about them, and perhaps this is not entirely untrue. To me, the explanation of life seems to be its melody, its pattern. And I feel in life such an infinite, truly inconceivable fantasy."

Favourite Quotes:

The cure for anything is salt water — sweat, tears, or the sea.

There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne — bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.

People who dream when they sleep at night know of a special kind of happiness which the world of the day holds not, a placid ecstasy, and ease of heart, that are like honey on the tongue. They also know that the real glory of dreams lies in their atmosphere of unlimited freedom. 

Story Terms:

Willing Suspension of Disbelief

Deus ex Machina

Inciting Incident

Turning Point

Obstacle

Complication

Progressive Complications

Reversal

Crisis

Climax

Resolution

Denumount

Senses

Images of blue and green

dance in my minds eye.

I sit waist deep on a salty shore

experiencing the rhythm wash over me

like a breeze.

Tastes of pleasure come in all shapes

but only my choice delays my appetite.

Grains of texture dance on my tongue

and challenge my flavor memories

until next time. 

Touching the earth that springs forth life

I tint my skin with amber stain.

Breath is held to listen to the

valley’s womb overflowing with

savory sweet foam.

The scent of bitter sweetness 

stings my nose with a twinge of regret

and I fear that one day I will be called away 

from my place of wonder and joy.

Until next time.

 Here's to creating possibilities and living a life you love! Xo P.

Vancouver Film School - I Survived TERM 1

In the last six weeks I have been in heaven... I have read, watched, analyzed, talked about and pitched a TON of films. For example:

Some Like it Hot

His Girl Friday

Atonement

My Bloody Valentine

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Working Girl

Big

Maltese Falcon

Sense & Sensability

Bart & Fink

Witness

All About Eve

My Bloody Valentine

Twighlight

Rear Window

Pirates of the Caribbean

Good Will Hunting

Fargo

The Graduate

About a Boy

Broke Back Mountain

Sunset Boulevard

Network

The Hours

Is there rhyme or reason behind these titles? No, not at ALL... Each class was different:

• Script Genre - Comedy
  
• Short Script
• Story
• Character
• Writing Style
• Biz Format
• Short Pitch
• Long Pitch

I can't believe I made it! Stay tuned for next Term...

Starting with Basic Tools - where I get to develop 3 features scripts to pitch, then narrow it down to 2 outlines, of which one will be chosen to take to a treatment stage.

Dialogue - will help me get the words to sound the way people actually talk!

Script Genre: Crime - I can't wait to see what films we will be studying ;P

TV Spec Script - I have already chosen to Spec: Entourage, Mad Men and Californication!

Writing for Animation - maybe, just maybe Chicken Skin will become a animated short ;P

Stay Tuned... xo P.

Laura Doyle - Your Love

Laura Doyle is my new teacher... We met today in a TV Spec Class! Talk about a full circle moment... I remember buying this song back when I was addicted to Dawson's Creek! FUN... Check out more of Laura's music on her MySpace Page...