Three weeks into our classes, things are generally looking good. I'm talking about interesting classes on the whole, and we are getting to know more people at VFS with whom we may be collaborating in the future.
A couple of our instructors who impress me are Dean Burns and Kelsey Kirvan. I think Dean is sharp as a... porcupine needle (sorry, can't use a cliche). He's mellow, but he knows his stuff concerning the film industry. Not to mention that I'll always fondly remember him as the person who introduced the terms 'loglines' and 'beatsheets' to my vocabulary. Thank you so much, Dean!
As for Kelsey, I don't know if "impressed" is really the word I'm looking for. I just love the guy for his personality and approach to our pitch classes. Any guy who claims (even in jest) to have turned down a job because of the pants requirement is fuckin' right on in my books. Last week, he reached one of his objectives, which was to make one of the girls in our class cry. No, he isn't really cruel; he's just funny as all hell. And he attended the University of Western Ontario -- the mortal enemy -- at the same time I went to Guelph. I do believe him when he says he didn't drive a jeep at Western.
Last Friday night was karaoke night, and "WHOA NELLY" did we have fun. The writers were well represented, singing a number of classics very poorly. A few actors and some film production people showed up, too. The highlight of the night came at the end when I nearly knocked the DJ's MacBook Pro on the ground when I tripped coming off the stage.
And tonight was the mandatory mixer for first-termers. The objective was to meet students in the other programs at VFS, collect names and email addresses, and lay the groundwork for future collaboration. The beer we drank immediately preceding the mixer was a definite help.
So that's what life on the left coast has been like of late. For the most part, it's tres cool. No regrets so far.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
Falling for Vancouver
It's 9:00 pm, and I'm thinking about the day that just passed. It turned out to be a near-spectacular day -- 20 degrees, pure blue skies, a calm breeze. It was so good that after school finished, I went walking all over the place just because I wanted to be outside.
Ultimately, I went to David Lam Park in Yaletown. There were families with young children playing on the swings and slides. Two teams enjoyed a game of frisbee football (or something like that). Cyclists and joggers passed by along the sea wall. As for myself, I was simply taking it all in while listening to my personal soundtrack on my iPod. Interestingly, the music provided the perfect background to my observations of the activities unfolding all around. At one point, Phil Collins' True Colors played while I was admiring the deep blue water, the light blue sky, and the fabulous green of the thick grass. Then I closed my eyes and smelled the salty water of False Creek, and I could feel the breeze bringing some relief from the sun. Then I re-opened my eyes to watch a sea bird glide just inches above the water.
As great as it was, I wanted to share the moment with my wife and daughters, who are still in Korea. They would have loved it, and they will love it when they finally arrive.
And that's the feeling I'm now getting about Vancouver. This place really is special. It makes you feel good to be here. Two weeks ago, I felt out of sorts, like I didn't belong. Now I walk down the street just like any Vancouverite, and I could see myself staying here for quite some time. Days like today can make you fall for Vancouver.
It's 9:24 pm, and the city's lights shimmer outside my window. Just another source of enjoyment in this wonderful place.
Ultimately, I went to David Lam Park in Yaletown. There were families with young children playing on the swings and slides. Two teams enjoyed a game of frisbee football (or something like that). Cyclists and joggers passed by along the sea wall. As for myself, I was simply taking it all in while listening to my personal soundtrack on my iPod. Interestingly, the music provided the perfect background to my observations of the activities unfolding all around. At one point, Phil Collins' True Colors played while I was admiring the deep blue water, the light blue sky, and the fabulous green of the thick grass. Then I closed my eyes and smelled the salty water of False Creek, and I could feel the breeze bringing some relief from the sun. Then I re-opened my eyes to watch a sea bird glide just inches above the water.
As great as it was, I wanted to share the moment with my wife and daughters, who are still in Korea. They would have loved it, and they will love it when they finally arrive.
And that's the feeling I'm now getting about Vancouver. This place really is special. It makes you feel good to be here. Two weeks ago, I felt out of sorts, like I didn't belong. Now I walk down the street just like any Vancouverite, and I could see myself staying here for quite some time. Days like today can make you fall for Vancouver.
It's 9:24 pm, and the city's lights shimmer outside my window. Just another source of enjoyment in this wonderful place.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Loglines and Beatsheets
A week into my classes at VFS, I realize just how little I know about the business of film and TV. We started our Genre: TV class by listing different genres and examples of those genres on the board. At least half of the TV shows mentioned I had never even heard of before, and probably 90 % of them I hadn't seen. Needless to say, having spent so much time in Korea has caused me to abandon my television viewing habits. Under normal circumstances, that would be fine, but as an aspiring writer, maybe I've got some catching up to do. So, in addition to all the regular homework I have to do, now I have a whole bunch of TV shows I should watch. Hmm, could be worse, I suppose.
Yesterday, I completed my first homework assignment -- an adaptation of the first chapter of The Maltese Falcon. The point of the assignment was to learn the correct format for writing a screenplay. Whether or not I did a decent job of adapting the story is probably not important right now, but it was good to get the practice.
I also completed reading a script for the first time: Some Like It Hot. Written half a century ago, the screenplay is probably meant to demonstrate some features that we would not want to include in our scripts today, especially the overly-descriptive action paragraphs and the guiding of the camera. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining story, easy to visualize.
As for those loglines and beatsheets, I learned what they are: difficult to do! But at least I know what their purpose is. And it's those kinds of things that begin to make me think I'm getting something useful out of this program.
P.S. In case some of my former co-workers in Korea read this, don't be confused about the term beatsheets. Those aren't something you use after enjoying your favourite porn on the Internet. Just thought there might be some confusion there. Carry on.
Yesterday, I completed my first homework assignment -- an adaptation of the first chapter of The Maltese Falcon. The point of the assignment was to learn the correct format for writing a screenplay. Whether or not I did a decent job of adapting the story is probably not important right now, but it was good to get the practice.
I also completed reading a script for the first time: Some Like It Hot. Written half a century ago, the screenplay is probably meant to demonstrate some features that we would not want to include in our scripts today, especially the overly-descriptive action paragraphs and the guiding of the camera. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining story, easy to visualize.
As for those loglines and beatsheets, I learned what they are: difficult to do! But at least I know what their purpose is. And it's those kinds of things that begin to make me think I'm getting something useful out of this program.
P.S. In case some of my former co-workers in Korea read this, don't be confused about the term beatsheets. Those aren't something you use after enjoying your favourite porn on the Internet. Just thought there might be some confusion there. Carry on.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
View From My High Perch
It's 8:34 pm. It's the second night I've been in my new abode -- a studio apartment in a condo, on the 17th floor, in downtown Vancouver. I have great views of... more skyscrapers, in every direction. Actually, though, it's pretty spectacular. The snow-capped mountains are visible on clear days, so it's nice to just gaze out the window.The weather changes quickly here. This morning, it was raining hard as I walked to school. By the afternoon, it was nice and sunny. In the early evening, I went for a walk along the waterfront, and by the time I got home it had started to rain. Just a few minutes ago, I saw lightning out my floor-to-ceiling bedroom window. It's really quite the vision watching dark, swirling clouds from my location in the sky.
I like my neighbourhood. It's less than 20 minutes on foot to school. There are plenty of options for eating and entertainment nearby. The waterfront is just two blocks away. I'm pretty lucky.
Anyway, I should actually spend some time this evening looking at homework. Gotta read the script for Some Like It Hot. Beyond that, I don't really know what to do yet, but at least you could do worse than have to read movie scripts for homework.
It's 8:55 pm. Until next time...
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Brighter Days
I've now been in Vancouver for a week. Whereas much of this past week has been rainy and dreary, Saturday was terrific. The bright sunshine afforded me the opportunity to take a BigBus tour of the city. What a difference the sunshine makes in the feeling one gets in this city. Instead of everything looking a shade of grey (as on rainy days), the colours come out. Beautiful people and expensive cars are everywhere. Vancouver is a special place, there's no doubt about that.
I'm still getting used to life here. I'm relearning little things like tipping, although it seems to me that the practice of tipping is different from what I remember: even when I eat at fast-food-type restaurants, there is a tip jar. As such, I'm not sure if I have offended any merchants by failing to leave tips when they are expected.
Tomorrow is the first day of class. The nervous excitement is starting to build once more.
I'm still getting used to life here. I'm relearning little things like tipping, although it seems to me that the practice of tipping is different from what I remember: even when I eat at fast-food-type restaurants, there is a tip jar. As such, I'm not sure if I have offended any merchants by failing to leave tips when they are expected.
Tomorrow is the first day of class. The nervous excitement is starting to build once more.
Friday, April 27, 2007
A Fresh Start
It's 6:05 am, Pacific Daylight Time.
I'm in my hotel room, unable to sleep. It has been this way since I got to Vancouver. At first I figured it was simply jet lag, but now that I've been here for six days, I wonder if it is something else.
Maybe it's the anticipation of starting my new life here on the left coast of North America. I just returned from seven years in Korea as an English teacher. Before that, I lived and worked in Toronto for two years. Prior to that, I had spent two stints in Korea, also teaching English. And before all of that, I had spent five years enjoying the blissful life of an undergraduate student at the University of Guelph, earning a B.A. in History and Political Studies. Now, I am about to embark on a new challenge. On Monday, April, 30th, 2007, I will begin a one-year program at Vancouver Film School, learning how to write for film and television.
However, maybe my inability to sleep is due to the stress of resettling in this country. It's amazing how many things you have to do when you return to your home country: get health insurance, acquire a driver's license, EAT! Everything costs money, especially in Vancouver. When I was working in Korea, I simply wasn't that concerned about spending money. Now, I have to be fully conscious of everything I do. And I have to get used to how things are done here. It's reverse culture shock, you know.
So, I think these are the reasons I haven't been able to sleep well since I arrived in Vancouver.
My wife and two daughters are still in Korea. They will join me here in the summer after I have had time to get settled. I miss them, but I've been fortunate to have been able to talk to them via Skype. In the meantime, I've spent this first week getting accustomed to the city. I've been doing a lot of walking. I've ridden the SkyTrain. On Monday and Tuesday, I attended orientation sessions at VFS. On Monday night, I sat in a sports bar and revelled with local sports fans as the Vancouver Canucks won their first-round playoff series with Dallas. I cheered for Vancouver because it was easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm of the moment. I dared not mention that I'm a Leafs fan at heart.
Later in the week, I walked around the Yaletown neighbourhood of downtown Vancouver. This area is awesome -- waterfront with marina, parks, highrise condos. I stopped at an intersection to watch a film shoot that was taking place. Yep, this seems like a happening place. On Wednesday night, I met a friend from my time in Korea. We had dinner at the Yaletown Brewery, and I enjoyed spending time with a friendly and familiar face, something I had otherwise yet to do in Vancouver.
The last couple days have been very wet and cool. This isn't surprising, but it has caused me to spend more time in my hotel room than I'd like. I'm taking advantage of this time to catch up on my blogging, including starting this new one. A little later, I will chat with my wife once again on Skype, and then maybe, just maybe, I will try to sleep a little bit more.
It is now 6:35 am. The sky is brightening up outside my window, but I simply must try to normalize my sleeping pattern. Waking up at 3:30 in the morning, as I did again today, is not a habit I want to develop. Three more days until I start classes. And then maybe I will begin to get used to this new life on the left coast of Canada.
I'm in my hotel room, unable to sleep. It has been this way since I got to Vancouver. At first I figured it was simply jet lag, but now that I've been here for six days, I wonder if it is something else.
Maybe it's the anticipation of starting my new life here on the left coast of North America. I just returned from seven years in Korea as an English teacher. Before that, I lived and worked in Toronto for two years. Prior to that, I had spent two stints in Korea, also teaching English. And before all of that, I had spent five years enjoying the blissful life of an undergraduate student at the University of Guelph, earning a B.A. in History and Political Studies. Now, I am about to embark on a new challenge. On Monday, April, 30th, 2007, I will begin a one-year program at Vancouver Film School, learning how to write for film and television.
However, maybe my inability to sleep is due to the stress of resettling in this country. It's amazing how many things you have to do when you return to your home country: get health insurance, acquire a driver's license, EAT! Everything costs money, especially in Vancouver. When I was working in Korea, I simply wasn't that concerned about spending money. Now, I have to be fully conscious of everything I do. And I have to get used to how things are done here. It's reverse culture shock, you know.
So, I think these are the reasons I haven't been able to sleep well since I arrived in Vancouver.
*****
My wife and two daughters are still in Korea. They will join me here in the summer after I have had time to get settled. I miss them, but I've been fortunate to have been able to talk to them via Skype. In the meantime, I've spent this first week getting accustomed to the city. I've been doing a lot of walking. I've ridden the SkyTrain. On Monday and Tuesday, I attended orientation sessions at VFS. On Monday night, I sat in a sports bar and revelled with local sports fans as the Vancouver Canucks won their first-round playoff series with Dallas. I cheered for Vancouver because it was easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm of the moment. I dared not mention that I'm a Leafs fan at heart.
Later in the week, I walked around the Yaletown neighbourhood of downtown Vancouver. This area is awesome -- waterfront with marina, parks, highrise condos. I stopped at an intersection to watch a film shoot that was taking place. Yep, this seems like a happening place. On Wednesday night, I met a friend from my time in Korea. We had dinner at the Yaletown Brewery, and I enjoyed spending time with a friendly and familiar face, something I had otherwise yet to do in Vancouver.
The last couple days have been very wet and cool. This isn't surprising, but it has caused me to spend more time in my hotel room than I'd like. I'm taking advantage of this time to catch up on my blogging, including starting this new one. A little later, I will chat with my wife once again on Skype, and then maybe, just maybe, I will try to sleep a little bit more.
It is now 6:35 am. The sky is brightening up outside my window, but I simply must try to normalize my sleeping pattern. Waking up at 3:30 in the morning, as I did again today, is not a habit I want to develop. Three more days until I start classes. And then maybe I will begin to get used to this new life on the left coast of Canada.
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