Notes of Personal Expression

Ramblings of a Sports Business professional turned writer. Writing one page a day for a year.

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The Prince of Charming has come a long way. The Final Ride begins 9/9/14. Season 1 poster -----> Season 7 poster

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Go Into The Story Scene Challenge- Day 7

Today, I discovered Go Into The Story. The heavens have opened up and my life has been changed forever. Not kidding. GITS is a great resource for aspiring screenwriters in any and every stage of the process. 

Currently, GITS features a 2014 Scene Writing Challenge. I just happened to be sitting at my computer when today's challenge (Day 7) appeared on my Twitter timeline. Below is my attempt at executing the Day 7 challenge. For entire Challenge summary and previous days, visit link at top of paragraph. Please comment, like, re-post, etc. 

INT. CAR- DAY

ABBY: Traffic.Traffic is what happens when your phone dies on vacation and the city decides to close an 8 lane highway in the middle of the work week.

DREW: Things could be worse.

Abby puts map down.

ABBY: Do tell Captain Obvious.

DREW: We could be stuck at home. With YOUR mother.

ABBY: She’s YOUR mother too, ya know.

DREW: I know, I just chose to forget that one small detail about our relationship.  

ABBY: You and me both, brother. How long do you think it’ll take for us to get home?

DREW: With this mess? No less than 6 months.

ABBY: Be serious.

Car moves forward slightly before coming to audible screeching halt.

Drew honks horn.

DREW: I was.

ABBY: Unlike you, I would like to go home.

DREW: What’s that supposed to mean?

ABBY: You know what it means.

DREW: No, I don’t. Do tell Captain Obvious.

ABBY: Don’t worry. Richard will be there when you get back. I’m sure of it.

DREW: Well, that makes one of us.

ABBY: Richard loves you. He wouldn't let a silly fight about corsages ruin your relationship…. or your wedding.

DREW: It’s more than that. He’s hiding something and I can feel it.

ABBY:  Like what? He’s a gay Italian man with 8 brothers, who wears silk pajamas to bed. I think all the cats are out of the bag.

DREW: I don’t know. He can’t sleep, he’s always sneaking around in corners on his phone. It’s shady as F**k.

ABBY: Well, at this rate, we can sit here and think about every scenario, ever.

DREW: We could. But then I’d have to know the truth. And I don’t think I’m ready for that just yet.

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The official first teaser for Sons of Anarchy seventh and final season will premiere July 9th during the summer return of FX original, The Bridge. Until then, check out this 20-second sneak peak titled, "Hell Awaits". 

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Pilot Purge: Gang Related

After finishing the pilot episode of FOX’s new drama series, Gang Related, I just have one question.......

How does someone with gang affiliations become a gun-toting member of the Gang Task Force?

For those you not aware of the show, Gang Related revolves around Detective Ryan Lopez, a dirty cop with personal ties to the LA gang, Los Angelicos. After the death of his father, Lopez was raised by Javier Acosta, patriarch of the Los Angelicos. Lopez subsequently becomes a member of the LAPD as an inside man for the gang in order to protect “the family”.

Now, let’s go back to my question. If Lopez as raised by the Los Angelicos family, wouldn't he have known gang affiliations that would bar him from even entering the police academy? During the episode Lopez, played by Ramon Rodriguez goes to a family barbecue hosted by Javier Acosta. If that doesn't scream KNOWN GANG AFFILIATION, I don’t know what does!

To play devils advocate, Lopez is referred to several times as an orphan, making headway for the case that there are no blood ties or official paper work linking Ryan to the Acosta family or the Los Angelicos. 

Despite this lingering question, I will continue to watch and follow along as the show did have multiple twists at the end of its’ pilot episode that make me wonder what will happen next. It becomes clear that Ryan is questioning his motives and is beginning to feel more like a cop than the undercover man for Los Angelicos. I hope that the internal struggle for Detective Lopez is at the forefront this season, not only for great character development, but to add higher stakes for both Lopez and the Los Angelicos.

Gang Related airs Thursdays at 9/8c on FOX. 

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ATX Fest With a Hint of Social Media

If your one goal in life is to find the ONE person who can match, if not out-do your TV-nerd-fandom-ness, then you were probably at this year’s ATX Festival. For one weekend a year, hundreds of TV nerds descend upon the lovely city of Austin, Texas to celebrate the wonderful world of television.

From a marketer’s perspective, there were several things that the ATX Festival did right. I applaud their use of smaller venues for intimacy, personable moderators (loved Ben Blacker!), intriguing panels and an array of buzz-worthy premiers including, Reckless(CBS), Legends (TNT) and The Strain (FX). However, the social media person and Millennial in me found something to be lacking. A social media lounge. Or a lounge in general for that matter.

Before heading into the festival, I assumed that there would be a designated place or places for attendees to congregate to mix and mingle in between panels and screenings. I was sadly disappointed. Again, there isn't much for me to criticize about the ATX festival. Nonetheless, here are 4 reasons why the ATX Festival could benefit from a Social Media Lounge in season 4. 1. Sponsorship Dough

No one ever turns down more sponsorship dollars, right? Offering another space to be branded up the yin-yang is music to sponsors ears. The design and implantation of the space can get your sponsors creative juices flowing. For example, FX could sponsor again next year and incorporate creative ads involving its new fall lineup. I’m sure ATX attendees wouldn’t mind seeing two minute exclusive features or behind the screens interviews with producers and writers. Or let a local coffee house sponsor and set up a coffee bar to hand out free samples or dare I say...FREE COFFEE (coffee enthusiast rejoic!e)! OR Let T-Mobile or AT&T sponsor and set up charging stations (my phone died 2 out of the 3 days) and activation kiosks for guest to peruse while waiting for their next panel or screening.  

You get the idea here. 2. BRANDING, BRANDING, BRANDING! In the off chance that you don't have a sponsor, you still have the opportunity to put your brand in front of attendees. Re-engage everyone with your brand in the social media lounge by putting out content that you want them to see. This content can be exclusive content or general housekeeping rules  that may not be appropriate to disseminate before a panel or screening. Another option is to display all of your branded social media on multiple TVs with a live tweet cast for the unlucky few who got turned away at the door. And don’t forget to provide a merchandise table for those lovely ATX Fest shirts! Whatever goes in the lounge needs to reinforce all aspects of your brand. Content rarely goes wrong with that goal in mind. 3. Its Celebrity Photo Opp Time!

The creatively-designed social media lounge can serve as the official "After Party” spot for every panel and screening. Panelist would be ushered to the social media square (where an ATX branded backdrop would be waiting) for both press and fans to take photos of the panelist. Thanks to the internet, I know something like this was already in place; I just have no idea where it was located. It may have been a press only thing. However, opening this opportunity up to attendees will help spread the word about the ATX Fest due to the flood of tweets and Instagram photos.

4. Central Hub for Even More Nerdy-ness

Instead of stalking the Stephen F. Austin hotel lobby to catch a glimpse of their favorite actors, attendees could find their favorite actors and writers hanging out in the social media lounge, take a selfie or two and still feel less like a stalker. Not only could attendees get the opportunity to meet their favorite actors, they also get the chance to mix and mingle with the future writers and producers of the next crop of TV hits for the next generation.

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This months writing project. Re-writing the pilot episode of the CW's Arrow.

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Free Press Summer Fest happened. 13 hour shift. Didn't get around to writing. But it was worth it!

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SOA- Season 7: 5 Things to Look Forward To

Season 7 of the biker soap opera, “Sons of Anarchy” is officially underway as cast and crew began production earlier this month. The hit FX drama will come to close after season 7, leaving fans to wonder if they’re really excited about season 7 or dreading it because it’s literally, the beginning of the end. SOA creator, Kurt Sutter has been “coy” to say the very least when leaking secrets about how the show will progress and eventually end. I’m convinced Sutter knows the Coke recipe and the truth behind Area 51. Bottom line, the man knows how to keep a secret. Nevertheless, all of his cards will be on the table during closing credits of episode 13. And I can’t be more excited about it. Here is a list of things I can’t wait to find out when S7E13 goes black.

1. Sunshine and Roses for Juice?

Juice, played by Theo Rossi has been in a bad head space for a good three seasons now.  Remember when he tried to commit suicide in season 4? Watching Juice navigate through his feeling during season 6 was pretty rough to watch. With season 7 approaching, Juice now has company in the “I-betrayed-Jax-Fan-Club” (Welcome, Gemma!), which good make his journey in this last season better or worse. But its SOA, my bet is on worse. I really want to be optimistic here, but I don’t see things ending with sunshine and roses for Juice.

2. Wendy for Mother of the Year?

Before production began; Kurt Sutter bumped Drea de Matteo (Wendy) up to a series regular. So it looks like Jax’s estranged wife will get her 15 minutes in the spotlight this season. Despite her former life as an addict, it turns out Wendy may actually be the sanest person in Charming these days. Drea’s bump in camera time could mean a handful of things. However, I’m looking forward to finding out if Wendy will actually get custody of Teller’s children, Abel and Thomas. With Tara out of the picture, Wendy gets to trade in her junkie boots for mom jeans.

3. Homeless Lady = Missing Piece of the Puzzle

Okay, who is this homeless lady??? According to not-so-subtle hints, this woman is a missing piece to the story of the Charming Redwood Originals. We just don’t know if it’s a major piece or a small oh-good-to-know type of piece. Time will tell.

4. Jax vs. Jax.

For the last 6 seasons, Jax has spent at least 75% of his time either fighting former president, Clay Morrow or righting his many wrongs. Now that Clay out of the picture, Jax will have some “free time” to dive into his feeling about losing both his best friend, Opie Winston and his wife, Tara Knowles. Jax will most likely be fighting himself when he’s not fighting the other factions of Charming. The way things have gone, there is no way Jax can ever “win”, but at least at the end of season 7, we’ll know whether or not Jax will let his emotions destroy him and the Redwood Originals.

5. Gemma, One Last Confession?

I for one, have been secretly rooting for the death of Gemma Teller-Morrow since about season 2. Due to her actions at the end of season 6, it’s not a leap of faith to think that she won’t make it to the end of the series. However, what I really want to know is if Jax will ever find out Gemma had anything to do with the death of his father, John Teller. Remember, Gemma took out the letters that implicated her in his death and hinted at a relationship between her and Clay. If Jax were to find out, this would be the second person in his life that Gemma has had a hand in their death. Would make an already exciting story line even more explosive.

6. BONUS SHIRTLESS PIC!

More shirtless Jax scenes! I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. Am I right, Ladies?

 May 29, 2014

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5 Things I Learned About Working In Radio

Everyone starts off as a part-time employee.

Interns are NOT paid well.

There are tons of opportunities to learn. You just have to ask. 

There are 2 major departments. Programming & Sales.

NOT everyone gets to be on-air. 

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May 28, 2014

A few paragraphs from a short story I started today. 

Arnold had been at the Gazette the longest of any of the other sports journalist on staff. If you ask Arnold, he’s stayed because the RI Gazette is a “true fit” for him.  That Rhode Island was the best place to raise his 3, soon-to-be 4 kids and the housing market was a steal. I’m now in my thirties and still have no idea how to judge this “housing market” everyone is speaking of. If you ask me, it’s because he’s repulsive and no one outside of his wife wants to see his ugly mug 5 days a week. And after the 4th child, I’m pretty sure his wife won’t want to touch him with a 10-foot pole either.