Dying rose vases line the window sill, which itself doesn’t appear to have been maintained for a long time. The concrete walkway has mostly transformed back into its earthly image and the door that used to shout “welcome, guest, to our humble home” now whispers, “please, leave this place be. Its only being held up by a memory”. I walked in, gently pushing the door aside. Suddenly, a poignant stench struck my nose, and almost set my insides on fire. I walked further in, determined to beat this force. What was this? Where was it coming from, is this just the result of a forgotten home or--? Thumpabump A noise from below. By now I became used to the smell and tried to remember where exactly the door leading to the basement was. Every step I took creaked. You feel amazing when you think one of your steps can bring down a house, but at the same time, distraught when that house is so closely tied to your past. Thump There it was again. Standing in front of the velvet basement door, I opened it and proceeded down the dark passage. “Why do creatures always choose places like this to rest?” I muttered. I kept going down till eventually- down, down, and crash on the floor. It seems something, termites maybe, ate the last several steps away. The light switch is here, right? I felt around for it, wrong, not it- wait, this one! I flicked it on but nothing happened, at least not right at the moment. One light flickered, too quickly, I only glimpsed the shapes of objects cluttered on top of eachother. Obviously, no one cleaned this place out yet. Another one flickers, letting me catch a table which I slowly made my way towards. Pure darkness and the sound of the lights trying to gather the energy to stay on. Something weird though, something I did not expect occurred. I heard a sound. A low growl at first which eventually broke into a choppy cough of sorts. “Emily?” I asked the darkness. Another light flickers on and off behind me, showing the broken down staircase- wait, broken staircase not rotted or eaten away? The growl occurs again, this time a little bit fiercer. “…Emily?” I stupidly asked the darkness once more. Felt my pockets, no gun, sword, anything. I have my belt, I thought, surely I can make use of that if need be. I was hugging the table, trying to figure out what is in this room with me. Flashbacks course across my mind, now of all time, of an argument Emily and me had last fall. She was going on and on about how we should get the doctors to help us have a kid. Like I wanted to let some damn doctor do what I can do well enough myself. I probably shouldn’t have said that to her though. Especially should not have yelled it. “Emily? Come on, tell me that’s you..”
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Final Hour - Comic Pitch
Pitch: The final conversation between an astronaut and his wife in what may be Earth’s most distressing hour.
Synopsis: Antony Whittaker, routine engineer/astronaut, is trapped in the nosebleed seats of Earth’s final show. After some consoling from his commanding officers, Antony gets the chance to speak with his wife, Estela Whittaker, one last time. The world around him starts to seem unreal and detached from the fear of being alone but he thrives to hold on to be there for his wife while she’s still with him and in arguably a worse situation.
Product possibilities: Most likely, no sequels will be made. If the short story does well however, similar ones with more market potential can and will be made.
Cover, Black and White
Close to Final Page
Page 1
Panel 1 – Zoomed out, astronaut sitting in chair on computer
Panel 2 – Panel zoomed in on astronauts face/lower jaw.
Astronaut- B-but what am I supposed to do!
Voice from computer – There’s not much you can do, Anthony…We’re sorry.
Panel 3 – Close shot on screen, soldier appears on it talking.
Solider – I really wish that…well you know, Tony.
Panel 4 – Shot on some electronics in the ship
Panel 5 – Zoomed out, showing outside of shuttle and space.
Antony – I-I really can’t take this. What- Where am I supposed to go?
Soldier – You’ll think of something, Tony…It’s never too late.
Panel 6 – See Tony tossing his head back,, almost in a tantrum.
Antony - Think of something? What kind of joke is that? How can I or anyone in this situation really come up with an answer other than…
Panel 7 – Sits upright again
Antony – Wait a second…
Panel 8 – Small, Fingers immediately typing on the computer.
Page 2
Panel 1 – Maybe, it’s not too late. Maybe I can land… yeah, I can probably still land upon that-
Woman – Stop it, Tony.
Panel 2 – Small, zoom in on his eye.
Panel 3 – Shot from above, semi-Birds eye
Antony – E…Estela?
Panel 4 – Shot from the side, very jerky movements and flashy color.
Antony –I-I didn’t think I was going to get to see you again! How did you get all the way to the station, especially with the way things are now? I mean, I imagine that it wou—
Panel 5 – Antony sits back and calms
Antony – What am I saying… it doesn’t matter how, you’re here now.
Estela – Exactly, babe… but it was one hell of a trip!
Panel 6 – Shot from inside station, side of Estela’s face, biting lips.
How are you feeling about all of this, Tony? How are you taking it?
Panel 7 – Pulled out, showing more of the station and the people inside, watching the screen.
Antony - The same way any sane man would…
Panel 8 – Close up on Antony’s face
Antony- with complete disbelief, fear… madness. Everything! I can’t face this- not without you here…
Panel 9 – Shot of Estela’s hand on the monitor.
Estela – Stop it, Antony. I can’t…be there. And I know…deep inside, you wouldn’t want me there
Antony – Of course I wouldn’t, but-
Estela – I know. You also don’t want to be alone through this… but I can assure you, you aren’t.
Page 3
Panel 1 – Wide shot, outside of ship looking down the bridge to earth.
Estela –whisper Remember a few years ago when this whole going to space thing started to seem more and more real… how happy you were at the idea of…of..
Antony – Being far enough to hold the world in my hands…
Panel 2 – Mid shot, Estela
Estela – Right, haha. It wasn’t the most romantic thing I’ve heard someone say about space.
Antony – What, you wanted me to something like, “I can finally see all of God’s wonders” or “Maybe I’ll be able to find out what star your gorgeous eyes fell from”?
Panel 3 – Wide shot, Antony sitting and showing back of ship, fish eye view.
Antony - half laughing You’d like something corny like that?
Estela – It doesn’t matter how silly it sounds, if you say it at the right time it all seems beautiful, Antony…
Panel 4 – Shot of some computers and dials moving.
Estela – But anyway, I did like what you said. This universe twists and turns without a single thought of its effect on us. It would be nice to be able to take a bit more control. To not feel so hopeless in times like these…
Panel 5 – Antony starts messing with some controls
Panel 6 – Ship slowly rotates
Estela – Still there, babe?
Antony – Yea, I’m still here.
Estela – Good… I…I really wish that there was something, someone could do. You know the situation’s hopeless when even the President is outside, praying with the people.
Panel 7 – Turning more knobs while talking
Antony – You mean- wait, he’s not in a bunker or something?
Estela – I don’t think those could save anyone from this, Antony, I really don’t. Chariot is too big and moving too fast for anything like that to work...
Page 4 –
Panel 1 – Antony slams control desk.
Antony – Why…why…why…whywhywhywhy!?
Panel 2 – Estela on the computer screen
Estela – Calm down baby, you’ll be alright.
Panel 3 – Mid shot, Antony gripping some controls
Antony – It’s not fair though! This is no way for death to happen, not by science or a god! No, no!
Estela – Antony, PLEASE. I need you.. here.
Panel 4 – Wide shot, everyone holding hands, crying, hugging.
Estela – We need you…Antony. To be strong up there, for us.
Panel 5 – Shot of a father playing with his kids
Estela - There must be an uncountable amount of things, moments, feelings just going on right now.
Panel 6 – Mobs breaking loose, someone throwing Molotov bomb.
Estela – I cannot even begin to surmise the sort of face mankind is showing right now in its final hour. Whether its beautiful…or disgusting.
Panel 7 – Small shot, her face on the screen
Panel 8 – Widen that shot a bit, show his hand touching where her face is
Estela – None of that matters though, Antony because you’ll have the last say. You’ll choose what face humanity shows in the end.
Antony – whimper
Panel 9 – Mid shot, Estela
Estela – I really love you, you know Tony…
Antony – I know. And you know.. I love you. And you…
Panel 10 – Small panel, her hand touching screen
Antony – And you…and you…
Panel 11 – Close up on Antony sitting there
Antony – And about everything on this fucking beautiful planet of ours. And I’ll never forget a single one, Estela I’ll never forge—
Estela – God, I don’t want this to happen! Not like this! Antony!!
Panel 12 – Behind Antony, looking at computer screen video, can kind of see earth through cockpit window and a spectacular light.
Antony – ESTELA!!
Estela - video cutting No..- Ant- y…No-
Page 5 –
Panel 1 -Splash, whole page- Asteroid breaching the atmosphere. The flames and light almost resembles angel wings
Panel 2 – Small, on top of Splash - Antony screaming in sadness
Panel 3 – Small, on top of Splash – Antony in shock from the sight
Panel 4 – Small, on top of Splash – Antony, head down from the grief.
Monday, October 11, 2010
In Class: On the Spot Writing
As much as I got done during that time. Scans of the rest of my writings later on.
Dying rose vases line the window sill, which itself doesn’t appear to have been maintained for a long time. The concrete walkway has mostly transformed back into its earthly image and the door that used to shout “welcome, guest, to our humble home” now whispers, “please, leave this place be. Its only being held up by a memory”. I walked in, gently pushing the door aside. Suddenly, a poignant stench struck my nose, and almost set my insides on fire. I walked further in, determined to beat this force. What was this? Where was it coming from, is this just the result of a forgotten home or--? Thumpabump A noise from below. By now I became used to the smell and tried to remember where exactly the door leading to the basement was. Every step I took creaked. You feel amazing when you think one of your steps can bring down a house, but at the same time, distraught when that house is so closely tied to your past. Thump There it was again. Standing in front of the velvet basement door, I opened it and proceeded down the dark passage. “Why do creatures always choose places like this to rest?” I muttered. I kept going down till eventually- down, down, and crash on the floor. It seems something, termites maybe, ate the last several steps away. The light switch is here, right? I felt around for it, wrong, not it- wait, this one! I flicked it on but nothing happened, at least not right at the moment. One light flickered, too quickly, I only glimpsed the shapes of objects cluttered on top of eachother. Obviously, no one cleaned this place out yet. Another one flickers, letting me catch a table which I slowly made my way towards. Pure darkness and the sound of the lights trying to gather the energy to stay on. Something weird though, something I did not expect occurred. I heard a sound. A low growl at first which eventually broke into a choppy cough of sorts. “Emily?” I asked the darkness. Another light flickers on and off behind me, showing the broken down staircase- wait, broken staircase not rotted or eaten away? The growl occurs again, this time a little bit fiercer. “…Emily?” I stupidly asked the darkness once more. Felt my pockets, no gun, sword, anything. I have my belt, I thought, surely I can make use of that if need be. I was hugging the table, trying to figure out what is in this room with me. Flashbacks course across my mind, now of all time, of an argument Emily and me had last fall. She was going on and on about how we should get the doctors to help us have a kid. Like I wanted to let some damn doctor do what I can do well enough myself. I probably shouldn’t have said that to her though. Especially should not have yelled it. “Emily? Come on, tell me that’s you..”
Assignment 4- Slice of Life
Slightly unfinished.
Page 1
Panel 1 – Suited people sitting around a table, talking and smoking.
Man 1 – How have the orange groves been growing lately? They doing well?-
Man 2 – You always ask that and I always tell you, they’re doing just fine. You can trust me with your business, partn-
Panel 2 -
Man 1 – Yea yea, I can trust you, but you can’t blame me for worrying. One screw up and we’ll lose more than just a yearly quota.
Panel 3 -
Man 3 – It’s your deal, dammit, did you guys come here just to talk ‘bout work or did we come to play cards?
Man 2 – Someone’s eager to move on, think I’m gonna fold.
Panel 4 -
Man 1 – Same here, oh and make sure you don’t fold on our trade with the McKenzie’s.
Man 3 – Bloody pussies.
Man 2 – I’m not a fan of losing money, but I’ll trust you this once when you say that it’ll benefit me in the long run.
Panel 5 -
Man 1 – Don’t worry, I did the numbers on this man.
Man 3 – Time you started counting your own numbers, can’t count on you to run a business if you can’t count.
Man 2 – Shut uuup.
Page 2 –
Panel 1 – Dealing the cards again
Man 1 – How’s the wife and kids?
Man 2- Good hand, good hand.
Panel 2 -
Man 3 – What are you really trying to ask me?
Panel 2 -
Man 1 – Nothing really, you just seem like you had a problem with somethin’ all day. Finals was around this week wasn’t it-
Man 2 – Hated that shit.
Pane 3 -
Man 1- How’d your daughter do?
Man 3 – Dumb pig, either she sits on her ass ‘home or she’s out somewhere with some boy. Don’t know what she expects to be in the future.
Panel 4 -
Man 1 – Night Consoler?
Man 2 – Maybe an artist?
Man 1 – Oh, an artist’s something right?
Man 3 – Both’s worth fuck all.
Obviously, I took some liberties as to "whose" common life I was slicing from and did a typical shady conversation.
Assignment 3- Dreams and Archetypal Characters
At the time, I did not realize that we had to write the story..
I listed out what I could remember from my short dreams though
-Food Machine Maker
-Giant Snail
-School
-Contest of sorts revolving around eating a Buffalo
-Academy
-Laboratory
-Thief Guild
Thinking on the spot, if I had to make a story using some or all of these elements, the concept would probably be something like..
"Power sources in this world are growing scarce, but lead scientist Sigmund Abirov developed a means to utilize the high number of buffalos found in the region to our own advantage. Mechanical energy, used throughout the world in rollercoasters, machines and household appliances, was really put to the test in Mollusk Academy of Physics and Motion when Sigmund Abirov claimed that with our recent advances in nanotechnology, it is possible to use the high levels of energy and physical exertion that buffalos create while stampeding and literally use them as individual batters. They are saying that this is the closest thing to "perpetual energy" that mankind has ever developed. At 6 in the morning and once more at 6 in the evening, if you make your way to Middle Streets at the center of our city you'll see the thousand buffalo march and I swear you can see the already lit lights of our streets glow ever more incandescent!"
The story may visit themes like animal cruelty, the effects of job loss in the electrical industry, an intense sense of "Utopia" and the reality behind their city.
Assignment 1- Adapting a Short Story
Page 1 (5 Panels)
Panel A- Wide Shot
I. Group of people surrounding someone, with worried looks across all their faces. Looking towards the viewer.
Panel B- Close up, enough for two figures
I. Josephine’s hand is gently placed on Mallard’s shoulder. Forlorn look on her face.
Josephine
“There was a train accident…a lot of people didn’t make it—I’m sorry dear, your husband…”
Panel C- Close up
I. Shocked expression in her face, tears running down one of the eyes already. Gasping.
Panel D- Pulled out
I. Josephine immediately holding her while she cries. Looks as if Josephine is holding up all her weight.
Mrs. Mallard
“I…need to be alone. Please.”
Panel E.
I. Door closed behind her with her back to it, crying.
Page 2 (4 Panels)
Panel A
I. Focus on arm chair, dark lighting except for light on the handle. Can see her in the background. (Chair in foreground)
Panel B
I. Falls back into the couch. Show her in a pose that shows her abandoning all of her “weight”.
Panel C (Close Up)
I. Show her face, eyes barely looking forward. Light hitting face
Panel D
I. Clouds and outside scenery through the window. Show her sitting in front of this, with sobbing noises.
Page 3 (4 Panels)
Panel A (Small)
I. Fingers gripping the chair arm.
Panel B
I. An increase in shadow appears to be surrounding her. Face colored red. A sense of struggle in her body pose.
Panel C (Small Close Up)
Mrs. Mallard
“Free free free!”
Panel D (Pulled Out)
I. A sense of joy, almost sensual, is apparent on her as she laughs slightly.
Page 4 (4 Panels)
Panel A (Bleeds down)
I. Hands reaching up, towards the clouds seen past the window or to the ceiling.
Mrs. Mallard
“My future…MY future! Finally, it belongs to me!”
Panel B (Flashbacks)
I. Her husband’s face looking at her, smiling.
Mrs. Mallard
“Darling, I did love you…”
Panel C (Flashbacks)
I. Scene of her in foreground. Husband arguing in background, inside kitchen.
Mrs. Mallard
“except for sometimes…”
Panel D (Larger)
I. Shot of her face, slight smile on it.
Mrs. Mallard
“Free! Body and soul free!!”
Page 5 (5 Panels)
Panel A
I. Josephine outside the door, kneeling. Worried look still on her face.
Josephine
“Louise, open the door! I beg you! Open the door..
Panel B (Larger)
I. Inside the room, Josephine’s words can be heard through the door.
Josephine
“You will make yourself ill! What are you doing Louise? For heaven’s sake, open the door.”
Mrs. Mallard
“Go away. I am not making myself ill.”
Panel C (Small)
I. Close up on her eyes/zooming into them.
Panel D (Visions of her future)
I. Her happy in a summer dress. Wind blowing.
Panel E (Visions of her future)
Page 6 (4 Panels)
Panel A
I. Mrs. Mallard slid down to her knees from the chair.
Mrs. Mallard
“Please Lord, please..”
Panel B (Larger)
I. Hands clasped, finishing her prayer. Smiling.
Mrs. Mallard
“Let my life be long!”
Panel C
I. Mrs. Mallard rises to her feet and straightens her dress.
Panel D
I. She opens the door, hands clasping the doorknob.
Page 7
Panel A
I. She grabs her sister, hugging her around the waist.
Panel B
I. Shows her face, eyes look victorious and happy, slight smile on her face.
Panel C
I. Both walking down the stairs together, still holding on to each other. Richard can be seen at the bottom (Both girls in foreground)
Panel D
I. Can see front door handle opening and wobbling.
Page 8
Panel A
I. Brently Mallard enters the house, looks dirty, with his umbrella and bag on his side, obviously exhausted.
Panel B
I. Mrs. Mallard’s eye fixates on Brently’s form.
Panel C
I. Josephine is screaming while Richard moves, almost obstructing Brently’s view.
Page 9
Panel A (Splash)
I. Mrs. Mallard laying on the ground, dead from a heart attack. Everyone is visible on this page, some people in them idle of rushing over, others shocked or turning away.