Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 131

May 2, 2022: Book Club Inhumed! Script work resumed! Donuts consumed!

Yozo!

No Baron’s Book Club Blab Blog entry today as I, sadly, was unable to read a book last week given that I was wholly focused on my first feature screenplay in, oh, roughly three years.  Still, I’m heartened by the fact that I have 73 books under my belt some four months into 2022 and my goal of 100 Books Read on the Year seems very doable.

I gave the script another polish today and have set it aside for now while I patiently await notes from my reader, Jeff, who is well-versed in the southern vernacular although, to be fair, probably not one rooted in the 1930’s.  Once I receive Jeff’s input, I’ll d one final pass and then it will be off to my agent.

The question then arises: When to send?  Obviously, I don’t want to send them a script on a Friday when they are decompressing after a long week.  Similarly, it would make sense to send it to them on the weekend as it will probably go ignored and then, possibly, forgotten.  Monday is out of the question as they will probably be inundated with top-of-the-week urgencies.  Which leaves Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The latter, frankly, is too close to Friday and it’s unlikely anyone is going to start reading so close to end of week.  So, Tuesday or Wednesday it is, preferably later in the day Eastern Time so that I can catch both by Canadian and U.S. reps at their dynamic best.

In a perfect world, following a protracted auction, the script sells for 7 figures, and eventually hits the big screen in 2024, starring Ryan Reynolds and  a scene-stealing young ingenue who earns an Oscar nomination for her first onscreen performance.  The movie will also receive an Oscar nom, of course, but I will not attend the ceremonies as they tend to run way past my bedtime.

Yosha!

Stopped by my favorite donut shop today – Isabella’s Donuts –  where I usually grab one of their weekly feature flavors (matcha on this day, of course) as well as an original glaze.  There’s nothing quite like a chewy mochi donut.

Today’s Yes/No…

Space Mackerel? Yes/No
We try a can of Space Mackerel, designed for eating on the ISS by high school students https://t.co/3H1oohxoWc via @RocketNews24En

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) May 2, 2022

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May 1, 2022: Suji Sunday!

Ready to eat.

Out and about with mom.

Out and about with dad.

Featured at the Tokyo ARK @ Panasonic Adoption Fair in Ariake, Japan.

Living her best life.

Morning routine…

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April 30, 2022: The Saturday Report!

In the most unlikely event you missed it, here is a link to this afternoon’s Dial the Gate discussion of Stargate: Universe season 2, the last season of Stargate…for the time being.  With guest star me, and extra special guest star Paul Mullie…

Came across THIS article the other day…

Pettable Pokémon, transforming Mario ghost latte art made by amazing Japanese artist【Videos】

Which brought me to the artist’s amazing twitter account…

boing　boing ！！！！ pic.twitter.com/9zfXnzFnPu

— 加藤瑠菜@Latteart.◦*.＊。 (@RunaPocket) April 21, 2022

I started following her, and today THIS surprise awaited me…

@BaronDestructo Thank you for following me pic.twitter.com/CKSZLYNRke

— 加藤瑠菜@Latteart.◦*.＊。 (@RunaPocket) April 30, 2022

Awesome, no?

Today’s Yes/No…

Cream in a Can? Yes/No
Weird Japanese vending machine find of the day: Cream in cans? https://t.co/d7VSLiUdwb via @RocketNews24En

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) April 30, 2022

 

Received a quick turnaround on notes for my script – which means it’s on track to go out to my agent later this week!

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The 7 Stages of Post-Script Completion

Inevitably, whenever I complete a script, there is an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, of pride at the final(ish) product, and relief that the process is finally over (for now).  As most writers can attest, from here, it’ll be a slow build through various stages of elation as you forward the script to your reps, formulate a game plan, and send it out to potential buyers.  Then elation gives way to uncertainty as no one gets back to you in a timely manner.  Uncertainty gives way to disappointment when they finally do to tell you they loved the script but, unfortunately, they’re only buying crap this year or, occasionally, uncertainty gives way to panic when they tell you they are already developing something very similar (which may coincidentally contain all those small details you spent weeks lovingly crafting).  After that, it’s a swift devolution to desperation as the passes pile up and you and your team reconvene to discuss any possible buyers they may have missed (Are you we sure Quibli shut down?   Is Blip still around?).  And, finally, desperation gives way to depression with the realization that it’s all been a giant waste of time.  But, inevitably, vestigial traces of hope arise akin to the redolent scent of the delicious meal your neighbor is preparing that you won’t get to eat,  as you take consolation in the fact that at, at the  very least, you have a terrific writing sample for decision-making executives to read.  Although they won’t.  But on the off-chance they do it won’t really matter because they’re only making crap this year.

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April 28, 2022: First draft complete!

Huzzah!  I have completed a rough first draft of my feature script.  It’s a little hard to believe given that I think I really just started writing it about a week ago.  And yet, 100 pages later, I have a first pass on the first film script I’ve written in – oh – twelve years.  And it’s a rare non-genre foray for me.  No ships or sorcery, talismans or time travel.  Just a character-driven story with heart, humor and, of course, my trademark twists and turns, shocks and surprises.  I always find that, the closer I get to the end of a script, the more I experience a sense of urgency.  In the back of my mind, I’m always thinking I’ve got get it done and out there in case something happens to me and this script never sees the light of day.  I’ll get eaten by a polar bear and my script will sit on my laptop, inaccessible to the world, my latest and greatest work never to be read by anyone.  As opposed, of course, to being pitched, shopped, turned down, its big screen adaptation never to be seen by anyone.  Anyway, next step – I’ll be reviewing old news reports, 30’s vernacular, and songs released in early 1934.  I’m ahead of schedule, so hoping to get a first draft to my agent within the next two weeks.

A few thoughts…

I doubt the sincerity of people who clap while laughing.

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) April 27, 2022

Contemporary political debate comes down finding the fucking dumbest supporters of a party or cause saying the fucking stupidest things, and then spotlighting them as representative of an entire group or movement.

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) April 27, 2022

My grandmother, who lived to 112, attributed her long life to eating plenty of greens, avoiding black pepper, and enjoying a glass of red wine every day.
World's oldest person confirmed as French nun, 118, who loves chocolate and wine https://t.co/cTcUn6ljGr

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) April 28, 2022

And today’s Yes/No…

Cornbread Donuts? Yes/Nohttps://t.co/3Ugj5xu0yH

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) April 28, 2022

 

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April 27, 2022: Amazing Covers!

A few that caught my eye…

Star Wars: Crimson Reign #4 – cover art by Rahzzah

The Aming Spider-Man #1 – cover art by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau

Thor #23 – cover art by Nic Klein

Barbarella #9 – cover art by Carla Cohen

Barbarella #9 – cover art by Celina

Batman: The Fear State Saga – cover art by Jorge Jimenez

So, which were your favorites?

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April 26, 2022: Work, news of note, and the notoriously elusive Paul Mullie!

Headed into today’s zoom pitch like

It went well.  I think.  But, ultimately, the success of a pitch from a technical standpoint bears little relationship to the ultimate outcome.    Still, it was good practice to kick off the extended go and pony show, and now I have the rest of the week free and clear to, hopefully, complete a first draft of this feature.  Hit the 80 page mark this morning and, by my estimates, it’ll be 100 pages in total.  Give or take.  With the first draft done, I’ll set it aside for a few days while I immerse myself in 30’s era movies – Bonnie & Clyde, The Sting, Paper Moon, Road to Perdition.  I’ll start with these, my favorites, then expand to other films and a few books to immerse myself in the period and language, before returning to the script for a polish.  The plan is to send it out for feedback before doing another pass prior to sending it out to my agents.

Meanwhile…

Ready to curb your meat intake by roughly 75%?

Meat consumption must fall…

Qaim believes it is important to also consider higher taxes on animal-based foods. “That’s certainly unpopular, especially since a 10 percent or 20 percent surcharge probably wouldn’t be enough, if it’s supposed to have a steering effect,” he says.

It's actually three layers of cardboard over a sheet of bubble wrap. https://t.co/AXi553F1ql

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) April 26, 2022

That’s some enthusiastic test-stabbing, no?

Apparently, this is perfectly normal…

"I'm going to need you four to move to the back and skip the in-flight meal, and you three to act as ballast in the cargo hold…" https://t.co/dnO90hkiRN

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) April 26, 2022

Yet still strangely unsettling.

Big news, Stargate fans!  Circle this Saturday, April 25th at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET on your calendars!

Paul and I break down the final #Stargate season – SGU season 2!
Do not miss this rare opportunity to hear from the notoriously reclusive Paul Mullie, coming out of his self-imposed social media exile for one day only to field YOUR questions! https://t.co/uy51hZkmx2

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) April 26, 2022

Let’s wrap things up with today’s Yes/No…

"Wet" Potato Chips? Yes/No
New “wet” potato chips revolutionise the snack industry in Japan https://t.co/VqScdXksEm via @RocketNews24En

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) April 26, 2022

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April 25, 2022: Baron’s Book Club Blab Blog!

Not a lot of reading today as I’ve had my hands (and mind) full with this feature script, but I did manage to get through one book!  And, fortunately, it was a pretty good one…

The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka

The swimmers are unknown to each other except through their private routines (slow lane, fast lane), and the solace each takes in their morning or afternoon laps. But when a crack appears at the bottom of the pool, they are cast out into an unforgiving world without comfort or relief.
One of these swimmers is Alice, who is slowly losing her memory. For Alice, the pool was a final stand against the darkness of her encroaching dementia. Without the fellowship of other swimmers and the routine of her daily laps she is plunged into dislocation and chaos, swept into memories of her childhood and the Japanese internment camp in which she spent the war.

My take: The crack at the bottom of a communal pool becomes the symbolic fracture of Alice’s mind, a mild inconvenience at first that, slowly but surely, proves impossible to ignore, leading uneasy patrons to abandon its familiar, once comforting environs.  It’s in much the same way that Alice’s mental lapses grow increasingly more concerning, ultimately leading to her admission to a care facility.  Partway through the novel, the story switches to Alice’s daughter’s POV and she chronicles the disease’s insidious advance, the effect it has on their immediate family, and the slow, inevitable erosion of the woman she once knew.  This book never strays into melodrama, offering an exacting and honest depiction of loss and loneliness  – which makes it all that more tragic.

4/5

***

And what have you been reading?

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April 24, 2022: Suji Sunday!

Earlier this week, Suji attended her first physio session at Four Paws Rehab and Fitness.

Our poor gal was actually quite anxious when we rolled in and chatted with the tech, shifting around in her stroller and looking around for the nearest exit.  Had she been a little more mobile, she probably would have made a break for the door but, unfortunately for her, walking has become impossible of late.  Fortunately for her, that’s why we made the appointment!

We dropped her off for her hour long session that included laser therapy, exercises, and some hydrotherapy (featured above).

When we picked her up, she let us know she was…displeased.  Then returned home and slept for a day and a half.

Being told she has to go back this Wednesday!

Stopping to smell the Lambchop.

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April 23, 2022: New and Upcoming Movies – Yay or Nay?

Thor: Love and Thunder

Thor: Ragnarok is one of my favorite Marvel movies, the perfect blend of action and humor.  This one seems to follow in the same tonal footsteps, but I’m not wholly convinced with the “trek to find himself” angle.  I mean, he’s a god who has presumably been around for 1500 years.  Why the sudden heartfelt crisis of conscience?  I await the reviews.

Monstrous

I love a good horror movie, but the fact is good horror movies are few and far between.  I love the 50’s aesthetic here, but the movie seems to cover well-trodden ground.  Echoes of The Haunting of Bly Manor.

Crimes of the Future

Not a fucking clue.  I feel as though I knew nothing about the movie going into this trailer and now know even less.  I’m also leery of body horror as it tends to walk a very fine line between horrific and silly.

Room 203

Man, this trailer is dark.  Not tonally dark, but visually so.  I can’t see anything, and what I do see looks fairly…meh.  An adaptation of a J-Horror I’ve never heard of.  Does not bode well.

Outer Range

Memory

Like the protagonist here, I feel…like I’ve seen this before, but I can’t quite put my finger on it…

 

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