6/7/2016 – Life Update and Premise
Waddup, waddup.
It has been a while since I’ve posted on here. To those who I communicate with regularly, I apologize.
I completed my EMT course and passed the national registry exam. This certification enables me to apply and begin work as an EMT.
Currently I am enrolled in a fire academy. It is arguably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done – we wake up at 5 am daily and perform “PT” (physical training) for 2 straight hours. This includes bear crawls up a mountain, a dangerous amount of sit-ups, push-ups, and jumping jacks, and an exercise called “Sun-Gods” that you DON’T want to do (unless you want your shoulders to explode).
I’m living in a barracks with 19 other guys, who are all pretty cool and friendly. After we finish PT at 8 am, we prepare for class, which last from 9 AM until 5 PM. We have tests daily.
Still, I am finding time to write. Every night, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I’m currently working on a science fiction script with a strong revenge plot, think Count of Monte Cristo meets Avator (but with an alien race invading earth instead).
A bulk of my writing time is spent trying to improve and learn new techniques. With this script, I am attempting to repeat the premise in different forms as often as possible.
Premise has a different definition in writing circles. In screenwriting, it typically summarizes the plot in one simple sentence. Technically speaking, however, a premise is defined as being an argument. This is the type of premise I’m laboriously infusing into my scenes as often as possible.
I guess you could say my definition of premise is also commonly considered the “moral of the story”. Doesn’t make a difference. But here’s a brief example of what I’m attempting to do:
Example premise:
Actions speak louder than words.
Illustrated through story:
Two men sat at a bar.
Chad had on a rolex and a fifteen-hundred dollar suit. He ordered drinks for the house, then flicked the bartender his credit card. Javvy wore flip-flops and 3 day old, sun-kissed stubble. Javvy sipped on a Corona.
Chad’s smirk tilted. “Hey buddy, you really think it’s appropriate to dress like that in a place like this?”
The bartender waved for Javvy to lean closer, whispered into his ear, then handed him Chad’s credit card.
Javvy took another sip of his corona, patted his lips with a white napkin, then returned to Chad. “I don’t mean to be rude either, but since you’ve purchased a watch, a suit, and now drinks for the house on my credit card, I’m afraid I’m going to press charges and ask you to get the fuck out of my bar.”
Hope you enjoyed!
Thomas M. Watt
