On the other day at school, we had a guest lecturer for my “Writing for Radio, TV and Film” class. He is a screenwriter and film director based here in Michigan, his name is Rob Gulley. To be honest, I don’t know if I should have heard of him before or not. He seemed to be well versed in and appeared eager to share his knowledge of the filming industry with the class. Shared knowledge is one thing I value.

I knew almost everything he said, but he did say a few things that I wasn’t aware of. Just little details on script formatting such as capitalization. He explained we should always capitalize:

1. the name of all characters when they first appear in a scene,
2. all special props, as well as the
3. art direction.

In addition, we should never write any camera angle, characters’ tone or any other type of instructions. According to him, it shows that the writer is an amateur.

By now we all know that VO stands for “voice over,” but OS stands for “off-screen.” OS is the voice or sound that is part of the scene, such as someone yelling at the character on-screen or a EMS siren wailing in a crash site.

We read his screenplay “Nikki & Eli,” analyzed it and watched the movie afterwards. In a  few scenes, I would have made other audio selections, but this is a personal choice. Overall, the movie was interesting and the end was somewhat unpredictable.

Rob’s tip: if you are interested in film festivals, you should take a look at Without a Box.

The following video was created as a final project for the “Intro to Audio and Video for TV and Film” class at Wayne State, Fall ’09.

As of now, I am planning my next project. I would be delighted to receive tips and/or links on how to improve my camera work. Also, any ideas and criticism on what I could have done different while shooting or editing the following movie are welcome. Thank you guys!

I can feel the Spring coming… The days are getting longer and the temperature is getting warmer… The forecast for the entire week says we are going to have temperatures above 50F. That’s great news. People are starting to wear less and less clothing, but I still wear a jacket. Spring might officially be here, but it still feels chilly to me.

It really pushes my buttons when people say I should not be wearing a jacket because we are having “such nice weather.” Hel-looo! I have the right to my individuality, if I think it is cold, it’s because *to me* IT IS COLD. People should shut their mouths before they start saying how other people should or should not feel based on their own opinions. People are different and react differently to everything in life. I’m a hot-blooded southern girl, and it is probably gonna take another 20 years before my body gets used to the cold temperatures we find here in Michigan. Learn to live with it. By the way, 50F, 60F is still cold to me. Upper 60F and up is alright to me.

I can’t wait for Spring and Summer to come: I’m tired of being the fatty in all pictures (due to all the layers I wear, not to my actual weight, mind you).

[/Rant is over.] =)

People come into your life for a reason, for a season, or for a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a reason…

It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a season…

Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real!

But, only for a season.

Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

—Anonymous

First day of the year and I’m having my first meal at Wild Wings. How strange is that?

My New Year’s resolution: I want to get this blog up to speed. I have tons of ideas to share and I’d like to use this space to do it.

I guess that’s all for now. I’ll be back real soon with (hopefully) interesting ideas you will love to hear. See ya.

I’m testing this new software called CellSpin. Basically, it allows you to post to your own blog using your cellphone. Pretty slick, huh?

This is the first post on this blog. I am still testing and tweaking the system but I hope everything will be up and running very soon.
You can expect to see here my view on many of the current affairs in the media outlets.

Stories that matter to me the most will be here. You might not agree with me on many points, but you will certainly like my straightforward approach on touchy and controversial issues.

I hope you become a permanent reader. Enjoy the blog!