Please enjoy.  I directed the first two, and wrote the third.

This was a project that was a pain-in-the-ass.  It was more logistically complicated, cost more, and took longer than anything we’ve done.  That said, the people involved were all awesome in making it happen, and I’m really proud of the result.  The series was a great group writing effort from all of our writers, the actors found some excellent timing, and man did the production team make it look PRETTY!

Take a look over at BrevityTV.com.  We’re planning to do more series-based projects like this over the next year.

This one, on the other hand, was four of us, total, and we were done in a half hour.  And yet it’s one of my favorite sketches, and one of the best, tech-wise, we’ve ever made.  Enjoy.
 

Saturday night:  all-nighter completing the lyrics to a comedy song about Sarah Palin.  It’s essentially an open letter to John McCain saying it isn’t cool for him to have chosen her, and not really a “Country First” thing to do.

Sunday night, I pitch the song, and people want in.  So many obstacles.  Far too much to do in so small a time.  Foolish undertaking.  Let’s do it.  I go home and start putting out producing feelers.  I see dawn from the other side again, trying to arrange the score… something well outside my skill set.

Monday a location comes through.  Two plans in place for other possible shoots.  Truly, truly excellent director is excited to make it happen.  Monday night I meet with him and we brainstorm into the wee hours.  Then I go home and finish the arrangement, implementing changes based on what we’ve figured out.  Slept maybe an hour

Tuesday we recorded.  Conducting is also outside my skill set.  As is recording.  Tuesday night, thanks to the supreme generosity and patience of an Obama-loving family for whom I tutor, we pulled off our first location shoot.  Had to get some sleep that night.  Was in bed by two a.m.

Wednesday morning shooting at 7 a.m.  I had a friend in town and needed to (very poorly) entertain, so I’d arranged to mostly just do some lighting for a shoot.  Truly excellent director and pair of truly splendid actors did a ten-hour.

Wednesday night… well, it’s still Wednesday night, if sleeping defines the line break between night and day.  I was mixing sound from about 11 p.m. till about 5 a.m.  The director and editor have been working throughout, and they’re discussing the last few edits right now.  I’m mostly musical support right now, really just moral support.

I’ve never done a music video before.  It’s hard.  We did one in far too few days.  But I think the finished result is going to be one of the best things I’ve ever been involved in.  Plus, it mocks cynical, politically motivated decisions by a once-great man.  Bonus.  How cool is my life right now?

I’m expecting the sketch will published at BrevityTV.com by noon.  Definitely before the debate.

You love ScreenwriterGuy, right? Right? If so, show your love with a vote of “Funny.” Vote as often as you like. More “Funny” equals more love.

Thank you!

(P.S.  Not quite safe for work.  PG-13 due to discussion of graphic sex acts.  Woohooo!)

Our latest post at BrevityTV is one I’m pretty proud of. Unfortunately, it’s good enough that I start to care about all the things that aren’t quite perfect… but overall it makes me laugh, so that’s a good thing.

Following BrevityTV’s launch we’ve been posting a stump speech from a new presidential “candidate” each day. Well, they’ve spoken, and it’s time for you to cast your vote. Which candidate speaks to the issues of true importance to you? Is this year’s election about health care to you? The economy? Cabbages and Bear Traps?

Having been the guy who edited these together, I can say one thing… I’m sick and tired of “Hail to the Chief.” I think I’d have to actually BE president to be any more tired of “Hail to the Chief.”

So. Vote lots over at BrevityTV.com. (By the way, we here at ScreenwriterGuy.com have officially decided to throw our superdelegate endorsement behind Tommy McCoy, Cancer Boy. Of course, we’re biased.)

Saturday:   Do lunch with potential producer. Audition new actors for our ensemble.  Pool hall gathering with all of Brevity crew to celebrate the launch of our site.

Sunday:  Meet with editor on piece I directed recently (the one of which I’m most proud… coming the site next month.)  Sort Brevity e-mail.  Do post-production on other projects.  Work on site.

Today:  Meet finalist writing candidates.  Three of them, all good, all for different reasons.  Must select only one.  Am I the only one who thinks of a Highlander-style competition?

Life is good.  If only there were a paycheck, I’d have accomplished my goals in life.  As it is, I keep squeezing the whole rent-paying kid ensmartening into the schedule.  Sleep optional. Sigh.  Someone hire me.  I’m good.