The Suite Life of Zach and Cody

Is such a sweet show. It's actually funny and shows adults who know how to think and be responsible for their kids. And the stars, Cole and Dylan Sprouse, are absolutely adorable.
I'm seriously considering writing a spec for this instead of "Hannah Montana." I really do like this show a great deal more.

Received my third script to review from Triggerstreet. I'm hoping it's a good one. Since I'm a new member I can only review one a day, but that works out great. My plan is to read at least four a week. After I've read four I can upload my own works. There are some people who have read hundreds. Obviously these folks either:

a) Read at least one a day
b) Really like screenplays
c) Absolutely have no lives

My hope is for a) and b).

I haven't drawn much in weeks. I need to get back in the habit. I've found it difficult to switch gears from drawing to writing. I can do either/or, but have not successfully done both in one day for a while.

As for "Rock Out Loud!" decided that free association may not be the best way to go. I really do need an outline or else I will be meandering about. "Darkness Rising" also needs a serious rewrite, as well as much research to make sure the Mesopotamian facts are correct.

Maybe I should buy a planner.

Rock Out Loud!

So today I finally went back to Triggerstreet. I joined several months ago but left it neglected. But nothing like finishing a script to make you want to get involved.

So the deal with them is that you have to review four scripts before they let you post your own. You also have to agree to have actually READ the script and offer constructive criticism that will help the person instead of turning them into a self-conscious pile of mush.

I must admit thought that the first script I read was BAD. It had a great premise- boy fights dragon who is the actual cause of the fall of Pompeii. However the characterization and formatting needed a lot of work. I gave the person some concrete examples though, so hopefully that will help.

The second script was better but devolved into confusion mid-way through. Too many flashbacks, and some facts were revealed later but not completely, so it left you scratching your head.

I'm glad I read both though because it enabled me to see problems in my own script that I know I need to fix now. However, I'm not looking at "Xia" until February 1st. I need to take a breather otherwise I'll get sick of it and never want to work on it again.

So instead I started to write "Rock Out Loud!" I admit that right now the script has NO plot. I tried to come up with one and a log line and since nothing came to mind I just started writing. Real stream of consciousness stuff. I'm on page 5. I figure if I just write whatever pops into my head every day for a month I'll be done with it. It won't be that great but it will be a start, and every writing book I've read has said that the first draft is quite bad anyway.

Excelsior!

Sleeping Patterns Be Damned

So I've completely hijacked my sleep schedule. Oh yeah. I have no idea what will befall me at work today. Had a long and hard day dealing with idiots on the phone at the Store I Cannot Name because the organization is cultish like that, so to get over it I watched a lot of television, answered 28 questions on Yahoo! Answers and then began to comb through godawful blog after blog about writers.

Oh man we're a depressing lot. It's weird because we're the ones creating the material. Must be the strike. Honestly I don't get how professional writers allowed themselves to be screwed over for so long. I guess they were so glad to get jobs that they didn't care if they were getting paid peanuts for the work that makes studios millions? Oh well.

Silver lining in the story is that I got to vicariously hear about four hours worth of "The Fresh Price of Bel-Air" (survey says: Awesome!) and realized that I can avoid most of the "I want to be a writer but can't cause I don't know how woe is me why am I not being recognized as the genius I am" by:

1. NOT reading dailies like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter
2. NOT spending time with people who bitch more than they actually write
3. Spending LOTS of time on blogs like johnaugust.com

I'd never heard of John August until today. He wrote "Go." The Katie Holmes movie. I've never seen that movie. But I will give a listening ear and a tired eye to someone who's actually had a film MADE 'cause heck, I'm not at that point yet. And wonder of wonders, after five hours of trolling through the craptastic wastelands that is the Internet, his site is not only refreshingly funny and upbeat but offers genuine advice that screenwriters can actually USE.

Go John.

And now doing what I should have done five hours ago.
Zzzzzz.....

"Xia" 2nd Edition now complete

And the crowd goes wild.

Yesterday I completed one of my New Year's Resolutions - complete "Xia."
It is finished.

After a decade of blood, sweat, and reams of paper in my room rivaling Russel Crowe's office in "A Beautiful Mind" I finished my first feature length script. It clocks in at 124 pages - still "too long" but two pages shorter than the original version I completed last May.

And officially registered! Lucky number 1,245,873.

Sent it off to three friends for review (thank you friends) and now going to give it a rest for awhile so that I can start on the next three scripts.

And what are they, you ask?

1. A spec script for "Hannah Montana" for the Nickelodeon Fellowship
2. A spec script for "Lost" for the Disney Fellowship
3. Either "Rock Out Loud," "Darkness Rising" or "Xia" for the Nicholl's Fellowship. Haven't decided which one - depends on which one I like best by May 1st

I'm pretty stoked about the whole thing. I am one step closer to fulfilling the dream here - I'll already have three in the can by May, bringing the grand total to six completed works.

Look out, Hollywood. Angela's coming.

So it's been awhile...

Exactly 2 and a half months since I posted anything new.
Wowsers. How time flies.

Anyway, quick updates on life and such -

I left New York. That's right - couldn't stand the place any longer. Time to ride off into the sunset. Moved back to Texas, which I never thought I would do but I enjoy immensely. Worked at a Victoria Secret of all places - for a week and a half. Then got a job at a company I like but which weirdly enough I'm not actually allowed to say on the Internet. Crazy right? But all of you know what I'm talking about so no big deal.

As soon as I can I'll start posting new art. I've been working on "Xia" more than drawing the past two weeks. I love that story but am so sick of it at the same time. As soon as it's done I can start working on the next script. Nickelodeon will be conducting another fellowship for 2009, so I'll be entering that. Hopefully I'll win a spot for the fall, that would be quite exciting.

TTFN.

12.04.07

They're coming...stay tuned.

Out sick

Being sick really sucks. There's no way around it. It's not like you can plan the time when you're sick "Yeah, I'd like to schedule being ill during the month of March, dates? Yeah - 12th and 13th."

Sadly, it just doesn't work that way. Fortunately, I am the Queen of making my own fun, so after sleeping (A LOT) I watched a movie I've been meaning to see for quite some time - "Big Fish." It's different than what I was expecting. For starters, the first hour wasn't any good. I kept watching it going, "Now, what is the point of this movie?" They had me at the end though, when you discover that most of what the father said in his stories was true, but still, you shouldn't have to sit for 2 hours for a movie to get decent.

Speaking of movies, been rewriting "Xia" for the ASA/Gotham Screenplay contest. Due date Oct. 31st. It is quite different from the original screenplay, but closer in tone and events to the novel. I am enjoying the process but will be quite glad when the whole thing is over with. I've had this story in my head since I was 16. Time to set it free.

The Kaiser Report

Yes, the concert was quite smashing. The into band, Datarock - very weird. They looked like Ben Stiller in "The Royal Tenebaums," complete with sunglasses and red track suits. The keyboardist totally made that band. He kept jumping around, clapping and - get this - playing the saxophone. Kind of badly, but by the end, he had everyone cheering. He made that band.

The next band, I don't even know their name. They never introduced themselves. Don't you hate that? They kind of sounded like a cross between Radiohead and something, can't quite describe them.

And then - KAISER CHIEFS. They lowered a huge sign with their name on it, and it was ON. The whole crowd stood to their feet when they played my FAVORITE SONG FIRST - "Everyday I love you less and less." Excellent. They are so good live. Much better than on their CDs. "Ruby" and "I Predict A Riot" were also crowd favorites. And in a great comedic moment, the lead singer introduced the keyboardist  (Peanut) and encouraged him to come to the front to sing a song. Peanut high fived people and clapped, and the crowd started chanting "Ole, ole ole ole," to get him going, much to the amusement of the lead singer, who doubled-over laughing.

What an excellent show! They came out and did 2 songs for an encore, and the lead jumped into the crowd, climbing over seats and shaking people's hands. Amazing, simply amazing.

Rock on, Brits!

Kaiser Chiefs Forever!!!

That's right kids, the boys from Britain play TOMORROW NIGHT at the Beacon Theater. More info from the live show coming Sunday, Sunday, Sunday.

I Heart Anderson Cooper

Yes, the myth, the man was at Barnes & Noble on Monday. So exciting!

We clapped when he walked down the aisle. We clapped when he got to the stage, we clapped when B&N's Joyce the Announcer introduced him, and we clapped when he left to tape Anderson Cooper 360.

Oh yeah, and there was this other guy there - Jeffrey Toobin. He wrote a book called "The Nine" about the Supreme Court. Man knew his stuff. Anderson interviewed him for 25 minutes before jetting to CNN headquarters. Jeff then amused us with interesting tales about the famed and mysterious Court, then opened the floor for questions.

I always love audience Q & A sessions. Inevitably there is always some crazed person who pontificates about their life without actually asking anything, or who tries to ram some point that has nothing to do with anything down the throats of the audience, or someone who is downright pathetic. In this case, there was this young-ish guy in the back that started to get into some conspiracy theory about 9/11 that had jack squat to do with the topic,

Sydney White: Revamped for the MySpace Generation

Due to an unforeseen rainstorm preventing a trip to the zoo "Look Jahkwona, wet, miserable animals! Fun!" my little sister and I hoofed it to the local megaplex where we were greeted by a paucity of movies aimed at anyone below the age of 19. None were suitable for the kid, except for one "Sydney White."

Here's what I knew about this movie:

1. It starred Amanda Bynes (reigning queen of perky tween movies)
2. It was a retelling of Snow White in college (translation: Disney-esque)
3. It starred Amanda Bynes

Miss Bynes is the anti-Lindsay, goofy and beloved by tween and teen girls everywhere.
In other words, safe for a 9-year-old.

So off we went, and while they didn't break the mold with his one, it got the job done.

Basically story goes like this - cute and lovable Sydney White (Bynes) lost her mom at age 9 and was raised by cute and lovable dad Paul (Johnathan Scheinder) on a construction site. So we're led to believe that even though she's got Oxyclean skin and can apply make-up better than most supermodels, she knows more about a Phillips head screwdriver than the perfect prom dress.

OK, suspension of disbelief--on.

But Syndey longs to follow in the footsteps of her dearly deceased mommy, and decides the best way to do so is to join mom's sorority, Kappa Phi Nu, upon entering her freshman year of college.
So off she goes to Southern Atlantic University, but trouble is a brewin'!

Enter Rachel Witchburn (aka Sara Paxton aka Evil Queen) stereotypical blond queen bee we've already seen in every other teen movie made in the past decade ("Mean Girls" anyone?) Ms. Witch is president of both the sorority house AND student council (natch). And wouldn't you know it, Rachel's goal is to be the fairest in the land - via a "Hot or Not" list posted on the school's MySpace page, the magic mirror updated for the 21st century blogging generation. She also has her peepers set on turning the Vortex, a sadder than dirt student residence house and home of the seven dorks, into her own private campus complex with the help of her parents money and funds from the family of her ex, Tyler Prince (aka Matt Long, and if the names aren't enough to convince you what role he is to play, I can't help you.) Prince could care less about his old flame, for even though he is the Frat Boy King, he has a heart of gold.

But enter Sydney! Because of legacy Rachel has to let her rush with the sea of blond cookie cutter fembots. She gives poor Sydney hell but the girl still catches the eye of the Prince, befriends a Dallas-cheerleader-like sidekick girl named Dinky and meets the first of the dorks (the dwarfs of the story), Lenny (Jack Carpenter in a role that quiet frankly is suited for a better movie).

However Rachel's bile and insecurity pushes her to use various loopholes to banish Sydney from the sisterhood and humiliate her in front of everyone at the rush dance. Poor Syd is left with no place to go, but look! The dorks have emerged and offer her a place to rest her wary head! And all of them are straight out of the 1937 classic with one-dimensional updates. There's Terrence (Doc, aka Jeremy Howard) a dude who's been in college 6 years past his graduation date and doing weird experiments with mice; Gurkin (Grumpy aka Danny Strong) an angry conspiracy theorist blogger; Embele (Sleepy aka Donte Bonner) a Nigerian who never adjusted to the time zone difference; Spanky (Happy aka Samm Levine) a horny ladies man-wannabe with zero luck with the opposite sex; Jeremy (Bashful aka Adam Hendershott) a who speaks through the hand puppet of petshop.com and George (Dopey aka Arnie Pantoja) a Tiger Scout who can't tie knots and earn his last merit badge. And of course, Lenny, (aka Sneezy) who is actually more like Doc, for he leads this pack of motley geeks who have found solace in the deathtrap of a dorm they call home.

Sydney, firecracker that she is, decides to help her new friends by getting them better housing, and the only way to do that is to get them to run against Rachel in the student council elections.
They decide Terrence should run for prez (why? who knows!) and they campaign in earnest. But stuff happens, mainly Terrence getting disqualified for already graduating, leading them to pick Sydney to run, which should have been there first clue anyway. Sydney obviously (because it's her show, isn't it?) wins over the hearts and minds of the people by reaching out to everyone not in the Greek System. Which is, in her own words, 80 percent of the student body.

This propels her to the No. 1 slot on the "Hot or Not" list, and the Evil Queen in a last ditch effort to destroy the fair princess, enlists the help of a techno-goth to send a computer virus (the poison apple) to Sydney's computer, destroying her term paper the night before the big stu. co. debate. Sydney pulls an all-nighter, and the debate nearly goes on without her, but lo! Prince Charming awakens her with a kiss inside the study hall, they rush to the debate where Sydney gives a lame "I'm a dork, we're all dorks!" speech that unifies the masses and destroys the Queen.

In the end the Vortex is saved, Sydney gets the Prince, Lenny gets Dinky, and the Queen is kicked out of the sorority. The End. It's all escapist-fluff, but the demographic it caters to voiced their pleasure at seeing their girl win. And there are winning scenes that come out of left-field, such as the Evil Queen paying the techno-goth in hotpockets, the dorks re-enacting fight scenes from "Gladiator" and even an homage to the "Hi-ho off to work we go" sequence of the original, with the seven dorks trapping through campus with picket signs instead of pick axes.

Mainly the problem lies not in the acting but the writing. In the hands of a better scribe, the movie could have been in the upper-eschelons of teen comedies. But for all its faults, it ain't half bad.

And my personal favorite...

Zombies...errrrrrr

© 2007 Angela Entzminger

Sketch of the Day

Here are sketches from last night's ASIFA drawing class.











©2007 Angela Entzminger

Sketch of the Day

SCRIPT FRENZY!

Been so busy working on other things I forgot to put this up. So back in May my friend Mesha invited me to participate in this contest from the makers of NaNowrimo called
Script Frenzy. The goal was to write 20,000 words of an original screenplay in one month, June 1 through June 30th. You cut and paste your screenplay into the site (first scrambling it so that it looks like a bunch of magical A's) then the site calcuatles your word total and you get this nifty banner. Since I wrote 21,656 words - I'm a winner! And the best part of all - I now have a second feature length script "Darkness Rising" the story of a down-on-her-luck monster hunter who must save NYC from a 10,000 year old beast. Exciting stuff. You'll see it on TriggerStreet in a few months, but for now, enjoy the beauty that is the snazzy banner.

Got inspired

by Jim "The Man" Henson, so here are some monster character designs of my own I've been working on.
















© 2007 Angela Entzminger

Jim Henson Rocks

So I came home today and was pleasantly surprised to find a check from the State of New York. So apparently I overpaid and they were kind enough to rectify the situation. Yay money!

And speaking of money, went to Barnes & noble at lunch and found a copy of Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles on the bargain shelf for a whopping $4.98. It's quit exciting - filled with pen and pencil drawings of proto-Kermit, Rowlf, Big Bird and hundreds of other oddities, not to mention facts about his life, childhood and ideas to shape the future. I can't believe this was on the bargain shelf. It's Jim Henson! For only FIVE BUCKS!

With all the money I saved today, I'm putting it towards my Buy New Computer 'Cause This One's About to Up and DIE Fund. A most worthy cause indeed.

Princess Sally

Even though Sonic ain't the cool dude I remember, the character designs are still pretty sweet.
Here's a few of my drawings of Princess Sally.

More than meets the eye

Speaking of "Transformers", saw the movie, and first gut reaction -

"Wow, this totally doesn't suck."

Followed by -

"Starscream is freakin' awesome! YEAAHHHH!"

So Michael Bay did not butcher my childhood. Whew. Good to know there is at least one 80s icon that Hollywood cannibalized but in a good way. I now entrust them with all sequels. And there WILL be sequels - you can see the word FRANCHISE fly across the screen. Along with product placements for Hasbro, Burger King, XM Satellite, GMC...

Yes, Transformers is a thin veil for toys and mass consumerism, but it was OUR mass consumerism dang it. And I loved every minute of it. I mean come on, it's robots that can turn into tanks. And cars. And jeeps. And dinosaurs! Robot dinosaurs! Best. Idea. EVER. If they put this in the sequel, man that will be sweet.

But the thing itself is nearly overshadowed by the crazed fans OF the things. OMG people are nuts. Type in "Transformers" into Google or wikipedia, and you will find pages, of pages, of, I kid you not, TRIBUTES to the characters. Really indepth tributes. Scary in their knowledge.

Exhibit A - the Soundwave Tribute Page.

http://www.plumed-serpent.com/favorite.html

Now I love Soundwave as much as the next child of the 80s, but I ain't writing a tome on the boy. I mean, this person knows about Soundwave's MOM. Did you know he had a mom? Neither did I! Good grief these folks are nuts!

Exhibit B - The Allspark. On eBay. eBay! You too can have a piece of Cybertron history for only --wait for it--$40K!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200126643272

Yeah the money goes to charity, but who the heck buys this stuff? (Actually my question is really, - how big is it? Judging by the $14.95 shipping price, it's like, Rubix Cube size!
Human size would be kind of cool. Rubix size is just kinda lame.

Exhibit C - Cracked's "7 Most Useless Transformers Ever."

http://www.cracked.com/index.php?name=News&sid=2175

Unlike the last two exhibits, this one is funny Ha-ha, not funny sad. And funny it is. (Sorry Perceptor, but you really are useless. Nifty, but useless.)

Makes me wonder, who are these people? And how did they amass such pointless knowledge? And will they be part of my fan base when "Xia" comes out? I sincerely hope so. Because seeming people in jogtha suits would be awesome.

SatAM

Ah Saturday morning cartoons.
Who doesn't love them? Especially memories of shows from bygone years.
Nostalgia is a magical place memories of childhood exist forever encased in the cocoon of perpetual coolness.

But nostalgia is a cruel, conniving mistress.
Case in point - "Sonic the Hedgehog." Many permutations of the blue hog with super speed have come and gone, but the best was by far the version dubbed SatAM (for Saturday morning). I often wondered what happened to the show that I got up at 6:30 in the morning to see every freakin' week.

Then bam! I find it in the DVD section of Target. The COMPLETE 26 episode series! Seasons 1 & 2! Visions of Saturday mornings and Lucky Charms flash before my eyes!

But oh man, is this show bad! To my horror I watched as one of the most exciting shows ever slowly reduced itself to a steaming pile of poo. I remember it being AWESOME. I remember the story lines being sublime! I don't remember the story lines sucking, or the animation being choppy and often inconsistent, (look, Snively has a headset! Look, it's gone. Look, it's mysteriously back!) Just bad bad bad.

Yet I continued watching, hoping that it would improve. And while Season 2 definitely ups the ante in production values, the show is no "Animaniacs" which is indeed as fabulous as I remember.

Sad awhile.

Makes me wonder what "Transformers" will be like.