Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 130

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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A post shared by Hi. I'm Sujiすじ子　来月17歳になるよ (@newoldpugsuji)

 

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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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April 22, 2022: Projects on pace!

I hit the 45 page mark of my feature script today.  I have the rest of the story pretty much worked out in my head with the exception of one crucial scene that requires some deft narrative sleight of hand to pull off.  The timing and logic have to line up perfectly and, so far, it’s not quite falling into place as neatly as I’d like.  I foresee a couple of days – and long nights – of endlessly trying to work and rework the sequence in my head before, eventually – and hopefully – nailing it down.  I now have the added pressure of getting this first draft completed asap as…

I’ve been told I’m being contracted to write a second script for that sci-fi/kpop series I’m currently developing.  Fortunately, the average time it takes to close a deal leaves me a pretty generous window of opportunity to get things done.

Also next week, it’s our first network pitch for Promise of Blood, the fantastic television adaptation of Brian McClellan’s Powder Mage Trilogy.  Exciting, no?

Finally, have been in touch with a comic book company about creating an original series for them.  I’ve finished up work on three pitches for three very different prospective series: action-adventure, horror, and YA sci-fi.  The plan is to polish them up this weekend and send them off top of next week after which it’ll be smooooooooooooooooth sailing!

Today’s Yes/No…

Mexican Pizza? Yes/No
Mexican pizza returning to Taco Bell menus for good next month https://t.co/buwpFjo4cR

— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) April 22, 2022

 

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Beast Pizza!

Finally, after an almost year-long renovation, one of our favorite neighborhood haunts, Beast, has reopened as Beast Pizza.  Akemi, Dr. Blackjack and I wasted no time in checking out the new digs and menu…

The menu has shifted to pizza, yes, but also offers a couple of pastas selections in addition to a few side dishes.

We went with three pizzas.  I had to try the pricey black truffle, one of three seasonal varieties.  It was a nice, generous topping, yet the truffle flavor was subtle and not overpowering in the way artificial truffle oil punches you in the nose.  Creamy, buttery, delicious.

We also went with the tongue and bacon, a terrific marriage of smoky and savory.  Special shout out to the dough that crispy and chewy, yet not too heavy.

Our third pick was the beef heart tartare pizza, another seasonal special.  This was a cheese pizza served alongside a mix-it-yourself tartare plate.

Akemi did the honors.  Then, we spooned the tartare onto the cheese pizza and…well, I’ll admit, I was a little dubious at first but, surprisingly, this pizza ended up being the consensus favorite.  Not to be missed!  So go visit before it rotates off the menu!

Akemi enjoyed the house salad (not picture because, well, it’s a salad) and a side plate of marinated white anchovies.  I’m not into tart, so this one wasn’t for me, but she found them outstanding.

For dessert, I was leaning towards the off-menu nutella-stuffed banana bread, but Akemi really wanted to try the raspberry cheesecake sundae with vanilla soft serve.  The sweetness of the ice cream nicely offsets the slight tanginess of the raspberry sauce.  Dig deep for hidden layer of crushed graham crackers!

The new layout is a little smaller but beautiful, with choice of bar, table, and high-top seatings.  Lots of dark wood and brass, and an open kitchen concept that allows you to watch the team at work – and thank them personally once you’re done.  Service was excellent.

Beast Pizza – 96 Tecumseh Street (Toronto)  Wed-Sun 5-10 pm

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April 20, 2022: Amazing Covers!

A few that caught my eye this week…

Punisher #1 – cover art by Alex Maleev

Jennifer Blood #7 – cover art by Lesley “Leirix” Li

Catwoman #42 – cover art by Jeff Dekal

 

Flashpoint #1 – cover art by Mitch Gerads

Justice League #75 – cover art by Alex Maleev

Trial of the Amazons: Wonder Girl #2 – cover art by Joelle Jones

Killadelphia #21 – cover art by Jason Shawn Alexander

The Collector: Unit 731 #1 – cover art by Will Conrad

Judge Dredd Megazine #439 – cover art by Lee Carter

Canceled #1 – cover art by Zu Orzu

So, which were YOUR favorites?

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