Robyn Paterson's Blog, page 51
April 24, 2012
Applying the 6 Act Structure to Screenplays
Michael Hauge shows how his 6 Act structure for novels applies to screenplays. An interesting read from the point of view of understanding what goes where in stories.
Plot structure simply determines the sequence of events that lead the hero toward this objective. And here’s the good news: whether you’re writing romantic comedies, suspense thrillers, historical dramas or big budget science fiction, all successful Hollywood movies follow the same basic structure.
In a properly structured movie,...
Where to start your novel?
On a writer’s group I belong to, someone asked yesterday where they should start in their process of writing their first novel. I thought I’d post my reply here in case it could help others as well. I don’t claim to be an expert on the subject (yet), but I do have some experience I thought worth sharing-
It is generally said writers fall between two extremes- Plotters and Pantsers.
There are different names out there for each type, but in short Plotters are people who plan the whole thing out i...
April 17, 2012
Stop Certifying New Teachers in Ontario
In London, Ontario right now if you want to become an elementary or high school teacher, here’s what you have to do:
Do four years of undergraduate university education in your major of choice. ($40,000 basic tuition)
Go to teacher’s college for one year (or more for some specialties) to get your certification. ($10,000 basic tuition)
Get certified by the Ontario College of Teachers. (Start paying $138 a year for membership.)
Apply to get on the waiting list to become a supply teacher in the Tham...
April 8, 2012
Flashback! Revenge of the 80s: It’s All In The Reflexes
I’ve fallen out of love with anime over the years, but during the late ’80s and early ’90s I lived and breathed anime. (I even started London’s first independant anime club- Anime London.) So when I heard that the Anime News Network podcast was doing a “Top 10 of the ’80s” anime review show with a couple of old-timers (ie people slightly older than me), I was so there!
The show(s), which in total are around 3.5 hours long are totally worth listening to if you want to learn about what anime was...
Flashback! Revenge of the 80s: It's All In The Reflexes
I've fallen out of love with anime over the years, but during the late '80s and early '90s I lived and breathed anime. (I even started London's first independant anime club- Anime London.) So when I heard that the Anime News Network podcast was doing a "Top 10 of the '80s" anime review show with a couple of old-timers (ie people slightly older than me), I was so there!
The show(s), which in total are around 3.5 hours long are totally worth listening to if you want to learn about what anime...
April 5, 2012
Skyrim- Peter Hollens & Lindsey Stirling – YouTube
I don't play Skyrim, but I have to say his vocal work impresses the heck out of me. Her violin work is great too.
April 4, 2012
Bakuman
I buy very few manga these days, in fact, I can count the number I do buy on one hand without using all the fingers.
But if I had to pick just one manga from that very short list, that manga would be Bakuman.
How do I describe Bakuman to someone who hasn't read it? Well, I guess the simplest description would be it's about two Japanese teenagers who want to draw manga (comics).
But, like most things, that simple definition doesn't even begin to cover what it really is. You see, Bakuman is...
Augmented Reality on track to becoming reality.
I've been expecting this for a while. The fact Google is backing this project makes it seem like it will be a certainty, and be soon. First our smartphones will sync with our AR glasses to do this, and then eventually it will be AR contact lenses (they already have these in the prototype stage) and we'll be immensed in a constant dual reality as part of our daily lives.
Not sure if this will be good or bad, but it will be as ubiquitous as the iPhone within five years, tops.
