Diary Files

May 28th

A clearing amidst the Woods of Yarn

I am weak now. So weak. I remember naught of the previous night. Stains of blood upon my hands baffle me.

I woke to the sunrise this morning. I found myself lying in a clearing in the forest. My clothes were tattered and I have fresh wounds. But i also found dead animals around me. The last I remember was the sunset of May 27th. Before the sun disappeared, I was journeying to the Castle of the UN. I was getting close, I could feel it. As the sun sunk into the horizon, I felt my strength sink as well. I could go no further. I rested by a pond i came across. I fell into a slumber. From this point, i cannot distinguish dreams from reality.

I had a dream. Of a beast, powerful and relentless. Almost evil. Running through the forest. Nearing the UN. Then I heard a voice, “Who are you” in echoed across the night sky. The beast then replied, “the death of you.” The beast had so much revulsion and hate in its voice. The beast then ran off into the depths of the forest. My dream ended as I awoke in a different place. I fear. I fear that it was more than a dream. But I have greater worries at hand. I need to get to the castle. Now, more than ever, I am sure that Moren Van Quain is there. I needed to move while it is light. I have the upper hand as long as the presence of the sun holds.

This curse, unless i am very much mistaken, takes over me in the night. It is driven by my hate. It is a personification of my hatred. It will hold me to my cause. I cannot fight it. To be rid of it, I have to vanquish my hatred of Moren Van Quain. And that is impossible.

At evenfall, I had reached the castle. But i decided to take a longer route and enter the castle from behind. Vance had told me of a secret tunnel dug by thieves in the time of Knights and Dragons. I would not risk entering through the front, where no doubt, Moren would be waiting for my blood. The tunnel had led me into the cellars of the Castle. It was old and smelt of decay. There was still wine from the days of old. I could go no further. The sunlight was failing. It was receding to the looming darkness. I curled up in the corner of the cellar, away from direct sight. My scent was masked by the various scents present in the cellar. I was safe from all but my curse. I curl up and await the curse to take over, to whatever end.

Rembrant Lone

Diary Files

May 25th

The Mound of Golphin

My journey of three days had tired me out greatly. I am hungry, cold and bleeding. The perils that Vance spoke of were indeed present. Vance made them out to be such trivial beings. I should have known better than to take heed of an immortal’s advice. The creatures of the dark proved to be superior than anything I have ever had the bad fortune to meet. I emerged victorious nevertheless. But it is no incentive. I am weak now. My resources are spent. I have but the weapons that Vance gave me. They proved rather useful. I cannot go on. Not yet. If I met Moren Van Quain, I would no doubt, face my death. I would have to heal before I can continue.

Vance spoke of a man named Vilkin Dargo. He lived in the depths of the Woods of Yarn. If need be, he said, visit him. I was assured that he could help me. But i dared not enter the accursed forest from which i had just emerged. I had fled from fire and death. I heard screams and pleas. Maybe there were from the nightmares I suffered when i dozed off. The wounds are cursed. I grow weak with every waking moment. I feel it contaminate my blood.

From the very Mounds I stand on, I can see the castle. It seems like a thousand leagues away, but on the map, it is but a couple of miles. Some enchantment worked against the will of travellers. A trick to throw them off the mission. I trusted the map. I was near. I will heal and i shall travel to the ‘UN’ and I shall slay Moren Van Quain and destroy whatever he seeks at the castle. I feel a strength rising from within. Fighting the curse. I shall be healed in due time. The sun is fading and the darkness approaches. I must rest now, away from evil.

Rembrant Lone.
P.S: I feel some power rising inside me. I know not what it is. I embrace the feeling but i fear the dangers. I feel it rising.

Diary Files

May 22nd

Shadow Coast

News reached me today of the death of the wife of the Mayor. In El Hamley. She had been bitten to death. By a Vampire. The local newspaper claimed she died of heart disease. I am not sure the people believe that. I long to inspect the scene. I might have a chance to see if it was him. I can tell in an instant if it was him. Leaves loads of trails. Amateur. If it indeed was him; i would have only narrowly missed him. I was in El Hamley only yesterday.

I paid the mayor a visit. Had i done that earlier, i could have slain the wretched evil that murdered the mayor’s wife. The mayor was in a wreck. I had yet to see a man so emotionally unstable. He cooperated completely. Told me everything i needed to know. All I had to tell him was that i would bring him the head of the murderer. And i completely intend to. This book that the creature stole. It contained a map. The mayor regretfully informed me that he had no copies. But Vance de Hoff proved to be useful beyond premonition. He sent a trained hawk as a scout. The hawk returned at sundown and interacted with Vance. It was strange to see Vance talk to a bird. He spoke of creatures of the dark and that the hawk had seen a strange man. Tall and pale. With blood red eyes. No doubt, it was Van Quain. He provided me the map of the forbidden province. The route to ‘The Un’. Much feared, it was. Vance told me had a fair few dealings in the forbidden province. Vance had opened up to me since yesternight. He even told me the only way he could be killed, as though mocking me to try. I wouldn’t write it down here for fear of this being stolen and his secret revealed.Not that it would matter, but more as a matter of intergrity.

I have now gained new objectives. I have to venture out again. Into the forbidden province amidst fresh perils. I have new weapons on me. Vance graced me with his latest inventions. They were not tested, he said. I was to expect them not to work but i trusted this man. More than i ever did anyone. Vance said I reminded him of himself hundreds of years ago. Memory has not failed Vance de Hoff. I felt like a kid next to this mighty man.

I shall leave this town tomorrow at sunrise. The dawn sprouts new hope, as they say. I head for the castle in the forbidden province. I hope I shall find Moren Van Quain and i shall have the pleasure of slaughtering  the evil.

I need to sleep now..

Rembrant Lone

Diary Files

May 21st

El Hamley

I arrived in El Hamley on the third day of my journey. I would have completely missed the little town if it wasn’t for a kindly old man who guided me into the hidden town by the bay. Miguel Thienry was his name. Told me strange stories of the past. Of vampires and werewolves. He told me that the Town is now known as the Shadow Coast. No one came and went as they used to. Upon arrival into town I realised that the town was no longer what my scripts made it out to be. The town was practically abandoned. Miguel Thienry followed me no further than they border of the shadowy  town. Said he feared the ‘darkness’. I pressed on.

 I found the man I was told about at the barn. At first sight, he was too young a man. Too young to be helpful. For once, i was wrong. The man i met today is anything but young. He is over a thousand years old. An immortal. Vance de Hoff.  I requested his craft. He asked for no price. He asked nothing actually. I told him nothing either. Nothing I had to say would interest a man as old and experienced as him. A man who has seen everything. Even the great Dracula.

I asked of him to let me stay with him for a few nights. To allow me insights into his vast knowledge of creatures of the deep. He meerly grunted his approval. That was too much debt on my account. But, for once, I was with a man who needed nothing i could offer. Van de Hoff warned me of the dangers and sacrifices I would have to contend with if i made a choice to stay with him. I told him i was well aquainted with danger since young. It made him chuckle. I should not have told him that. I guess it was out of habit. I will have to work on that.

 The day ended with me being ushered into Van de Hoff’s attic. Where I am writing this  by the candle light. I haven’t seen the man since we parted. And its not for lack of trying. I combed the house and vicinity for him. Used every tracking technique i possesed. I found nothing. Except for very peculiar thing around the house. I thouched nothing. Instinct told me i had to earn this man’s trust. Time to tuck in now. As and when I am ready, i will continue my hunt for the one evil i seek to destroy.

Rembrant Lone

Reflectzion Eight

We did a little bit of action today.. like action and no sound.. like a silent film.. MOS.. i and vivian had a hard time thinking up of stuff to do. I thought that it would be easier to make it look like she liked me but how to make it look like she was expecting a proposal.. I added a little diggin into the pocket while the girl peered over expectantly.. to see if anyone could take the hint.. Ben thought i was crying.. people do put their hand to their eyes for lots of other reasons too.. I thought that it was pretty fun for an exercise.. it was almost like a drama session. I liked it.. Siew Eng’s looked like charades to me.. it didn’t look like someone wld actually do that.. but it was a pretty tough situation.. and the documentary, the terminal bar.. that was pretty cool.. i watched this movie the other day.. ‘who framed roger rabbit’ and i saw this bar called terminal bar, i think, in there.. if i hadn’t watched that documentary, i would have never noticed.. Who framed roger rabbit was really nice.. the way they integrated live action with animation.. brilliant..

Storytelling Eight

Terminal Bar..
2,500 photos of customers..

All it takes for a visual trigger is a simple picture, of even just a face.

Bugis was a seedy place in the 50s

Story is action.
Any activity or movement and interaction.
showing feeling is better than stating feelings.

Film is behaviour
Actions are behaviours
Emotions understood from actions and reactions.

Dynamic Action
Enrich the experience of the viewers by building emotional relationships between them and the characters.

and, oh yeah, I still wanna be batman!!!!

Reflection Seven

The importance of dialogue…you know? We learned that, you know? It is important to have good dialoge in you movie, if not it will become boring, you know? If your dialogue is good, your movie is good, if your dialogue is bad, then your movie is not so good, its simple mathematics, you know? Yea.. you know? OK.. i just watched Rocky and I am facinated by the dialogue. Rocky keeps saying, ‘you know?’ Its so funny.. The EYE-talion stallion. He thought of the name while having dinner one day.. Rocky.. that’s one good movie man.. Inspirational and all.. makes you wanna fight.. and run and punch meat and speak in a funny accent. you know? This is week nine and i am writing my week 7 reflections. I am so behind time. but not like it’s something new.. i am always late at handing up work.. always been.. i think that’s just how i am.. i can’t do anything right– on time.. I want to be bruce wayne.. Then i can be batman.. Batman is really smart.. he can outwit superman.. but only because superman doesn’t try.. Superman has super fast thought processors and stuff in his head..

Function of dialogue
*Possibly–
- Conveys message of the story.
- Helps explore character’s emotions.
- Understand character personality.
- Creates moods.
- Shows relationship between characters.
- Makes the film more interesting.

Dialogue reveals characters.
-Character talks about himself
-Other people talk about the character
Dialogue establishes relationship between characters.
-They express attitudes and opinions
Good Dialogue moves the story along.
Dialogue communicates faces and information to the audience.
-It conveys essential exposition
-Characters will talk about what happened, establishing the story line
Dialogue ties the script together.
What is bad dialogue?
-Long dialogue
-Ambiguous dialogue
-Telling instead of showing

GOT TO WRITE REALISTIC DIALOGUE. NOT fancy, NOT real, BUT realistic..

A man in his forties, after work, he had some drinks with friends, he comes home late and drunk, not knowing his wife made dinner and he ruined everything.

Wife: Do you have any idea what time it is?
Man: I dunno.. 13 O’clock?
Wife:You said you’d be home at 8.You’re late..
Man: Late for what?
(Pause)
Wife: I made dinner.
Man: I am not hungry.
(Pause)
Wife: You’ve been drinking.
Man: I might have had a glass or two..
Wife: Why are you doing this?
Man: I am not doing anything! You know what? I don’t have time for this.. I gotta work tomorrow..
Wife: You should have–
Man: Don’t tell me what i should have done!
Wife: You could have called..
(Pause)
Wife: I was worried, i thought–
Man: I’ll sleep on the couch..
Wife: …
Mum: Why are you so late?
Dad: I was at the Bar. With Friends.
Mum: I thought you said you were going to come home at 8 today..
Dad: I was.. but my friends talked me into it..
Mum: I made dinner, you know..
Dad: We could still eat it you know..
Mum: That’s not the point..
Dad:…
Mum: Why didn’t you call..
Dad: It slipped my mind.. I completely forgot..
Mum: I am not going to make dinner anymore then..
Dad: I am sorry, i promise to call next time..
Mum: There is going to be a next time?
Dad: OK.. if i say i’ll be at home early, i’ll stick to it..
Mum: Good.. Now we can eat…

Reflection V!!!

We started the lesson by trying to connect the two of our characters together with a story and some conflict had to take place and something like that. I did it.. no problem.. I like to write stories.. I always start by writing random stuff, stuff that doesn’t make any sense. But as i keep writing, i actually have a wave of inspiration and i can actually continue into a story… that’s a good thing right? I mean, whatever works right? This week I was involved in a fight with my friend. A fight as in like, physical fight.. kicks and punches and kung fu shit. we were flying all over the place.. rolling more like.. it had just rained and the ground was all muddy and stuff.. my friend got in some good punches.. my face still hurts.. but that doesn’t mean i didn’t do any damage.. i got in some good jabs and hooks.. the good ol’ ‘one two’ came in handy.. My friend is probably in hospital now.. i just left him lying in the rain..

….

PSYCHE!!!

HAHAHA!!

I didn’t have any fight! I wouldn’t hurt a fly.. well.. a cockroach maybe, or an ant.. but yeah.. i was just lying.. i had nothing to write.. so i wrote a some rubbish story…

anyway, notes…

Hello! This is Storytelling Lesson 5.I am going to take some notes.  

I am so tired and it’s just the start of the lesson. 

We are waiting for everyone to arrive.  

Once upon a time there lived a monkey who had the gift of speech. He talks to trees, plants, insects and everything he can see. But nothing ever replies. He was so bored of talking to something that never talked back. One day he was running freely through the jungle. Suddenly he got lifted into the air. It was a hunter’s trap. He was going to die! He didn’t even bother to struggle because he was too smart. 

OK…Lesson’s started. 

The meeting of Veeramuthu and Tran 

The last light of the sun leaves the sky as Anthony Veeramuthu exits the car. He walks towards the only door in sight for about 20 miles. The door swings ajar just as he steps within 2 meters of it. A faint silver light leaks out onto the dirt track upon which Veeramuthu stands. Veeramuthu takes a puff on his cigarette. He takes a step forward. Nothing happens. He walks all the way to the door. He places his right hand onto the handle. It is cold as ice. He draws his hand away. He pushes the door wide open. A fire is burning in the fireplace. He enters the house and closes the door behind him. A couch is set facing the fire. Someone is behind the couch. Anthony Veeramuthu drops his cigarette on the floor and steps on it. He walks towards the couch. ‘I know for what you have come’ said the person on the couch. Veeramuthu stops walking. The person behind the couch gets up, wheels around and faces Veeramuthu.  

‘Hanh Phu’c Tran,’ says Veeramuthu ‘you know why i came?’ 

‘Yes! Everyone knows why Anthony Veeramuthu visits you’ replies Tran. 

‘Hahaha! You are not as stupid as i thought you would be.’ 

‘Just hurry up and do it.’ 

‘You are brave! And I like bravery. Reminds me of me.’  

‘You are still going to kill me?’ 

‘No. I wasn’t going to kill you.’ 

Tran stares at Veeramuthu in surprise. From everything she has ever heard of this man, she made him out to be a real murderer. A cold-hearted, unforgiving murderer. But there he was standing in her house, tall as death himself, talking.  

‘Why did you come here then?’ asked Tran. 

‘Wrong house,’ murmured Veeramuthu, ‘wrong address.’ 

Veeramuthu turns to leave the house. He walks towards the door. Suddenly a knife plunges into his back. He gasps in surprise and moments later, he falls to the floor, dead.  

‘That was for my brother, you bastard!.’ 

Character Analysis 

A story starts with character. Stronger characters can make up for weaker plot.Character is the heart, the soul and the nervous system.Its through characters that viewer experience emotions. Connection to Audience.No character, No action.No Action, No conflict.No conflict, no story.No story, no screenplay. 

What a character needs. 

Who is my character?What does he want?What is her quest?What drives him to the resolution to the story? 

What he wants and why he wants it.- the difference. 

Interior not in the film and exterior is in the film. 

Interaction with themselves mean interacting with their emotion. 

Taxi Driver, 1976 

Involvement of memory in storytellingArchive of incidents.Points of reference. 

WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. 

You can also write what you don’t know. 

Les Mistons (The Brats), 1957

Francois Truffaut

Sir Reflection the Fourth.

Watch the movie ‘Election’, we did.Enjoy the film, I did.Understand the plot, I did.See the similarities to Aristotelian Tragedies, I did. 

I finding myself feeling pity for Mr. McAllister. But I must add, I am a slight bit disgusted. I felt that the character Linda was a bit ‘unattractive’. Definitely. But the film was realistic. It showed more down to earth actions and characters. Tracy Flick was so damn irritating!! I can’t really put my finger on what exactly it was. But she is exactly the kind of person I would never get along with. The other dude who ran for president, can’t remember his name, I liked him. He was cool. His sister was lesbian though. I have nothing against lesbians. I like them better than gays anyway. I don’t have anything against gays. Just that I like females more than males. Homosexuality is totally a non-issue with me. It’s like picking clothes to wear. It’s your personal choice what you like. Bad example maybe. I am so tired I could fall asleep fighting a boxing match. I have the biggest writer’s block. The only going through my head now is sleeping on my cozy bed and hitting the ‘publish’ button. But I don’t feel that my reflection is good enough. Maybe I shall do the next one while I am fresh and awake. My breathing is so heavy now. My eyelids feel like they have been tied to a fish bowl stuffed with gorilla guts. I am losing my train of thought and I am going blind and deaf and kjsdu…..

The All-knowing mirror: Reflection Theen

We kick started the lesson by listening to some 50 word stories. I think everyone did a good job. I, personally, had a hard time doing my stories. I had some trouble sticking to the strict 50-word limitation. It was not made any easier by my sister. She was sitting beside me telling me she could do a better job coming up with brilliant story ideas. My sister is 11 by the way. I wasn’t going to take that lying down. So, for the first time, I sat up, at my desk, turned on the light and started typing. I would have considered myself exceeding expectations already. I NEVER sit up to do my work. It’s always on my bed. Well… yeah. So, I set my heart at doing it right? Then i really go for it. After I was done, I went to sleep. I am probably the world’s laziest person. Top Hundred at least. Oh..and before I forget, my notes…

Aristotle was born 344 B.C.E and died 328 B.C.E

He argued his teacher’s idea that—ARGH!! Too fast I didn’t catch that!!

 

Plot is the most important feature of Tragedy.

Arrangement of incidents.

NOT THE INCIDENT THAT COUNTS BUT THE WAY IT IS PRESENTED.

The structure of the play.

 

THE BEGINNING

The incisive moment.

Starts the cause and effect chain.

 

MIDDLE

Climax

Caused by earlier events and leads to end.

 

END

Resolution

Must be caused by the preceding events but not lead to other incidents. 

 

What is an episodic plot?

 

-Plot begins near the beginning of the story.

-Shows the audience a series of scenes, actions or episodes that show various events.

Episodic plots are the worst.

Sequences without continuity and relation.

Playwrights should avoid coincidences.

Even if there was a coincidence, it should play a part in evoking senses.

 

Difference between simple and complex plots.

Simple plots have expected endings and complex plots have unexpected endings.

 

What can scriptwriters learn?

Writing a complete plot and character is important.

Complete plot and characters deliver pleasure.

 

Peripeteia means sudden turn of events or unexpected reversal of stuff.

 

The characters have to evoke feelings

They support the Plot.

Personal motivations are connected to the cause and effect chain.

They should have

-morally

-suitability to their roles

-realistic

-Consistency in their personality

-Necessity                                                    

-Presented as perfect, or better than reality.

 

Aristotle believed that a protagonist should be renowned and prosperous, so his change can be from good to bad.

Main Character leads to his own downfall because of his ignorance.

Lack of knowledge is known as “hamartia”.

 

Three act structure.- breaks your story down and makes it more manageably. 

Beginning-Start, introduce the character and his goal. Introduce the problems (set-up).

Middle- the Problems and the climax. Makes the character make decisions (confrontation).

End- The problems and characters are resolved. The characters do not have to achieve their goals (resolution).

 

Anagnorisis

Protagonist sees himself as a tragic hero and thinks he has supernatural power to perceive events.

The moment of recognition allowing him to comprehend his fate.

 

KatharsisEmotional release of the Audience. 

MimesisImitation of the real world.I feel that learning about what Aristotle thought was kinda enlightening, but boring. Katharis, mimesis??? What language in the world is that?? Latin? Greek? Oh..well.. maybe Ryan mentioned and I just didn’t listen. Wouldn’t put that past myself. I guess that’s all for now..

My Reflection

I was unable to attend the previous lesson due to unforseen circumstances. I did, however, find out what happened in class from my friends. I found out what the assignments were. That’s about it. I did this reflection for the sake of having a week 2 reflection.