Creative Restrictions

The writing process has been a lot more difficult than I'm used to. Perhaps it's "Resistance" that author Steven Pressfield so frequently writes about ("The War of Art"). Whether it's the day job and its current office move, or the laziness inside that would just rather watch old horror movies (Previous saboteurs include "Pet Sematary" and "Christine"), there always seems to be something standing in an author's way.

My current state of mind feels like it's not so much the "Resistance" as it is, budgetary constraints. One of the first things you're told as a screenwriter (besides the obvious "show, don't tell" cliche), is to never limit yourself. Do not worry about things a producer should worry about. Who cares how expensive it is to shoot a scene on Planet Mars with 500,000 intergalactic space aliens? Who cares how expensive it is to shoot a scene at the top of the Empire State Building? With writing comes freedom...supposedly. Nevertheless, I feel myself creating a script around locations and situations I know I can get for a cheap price. The freedom of the writer's creative ideas instantly evaporates when you become the producer. The struggle between the creative side and the business side continues.

Nevertheless, I will write on.

Mexican American Mix

Love the mixture of the crosses reminiscent of "The Omen," and the dressed Skeleton with shades of Dia de Los Muertos. This is the same blend I'm attempting for my film, Mexican Folklore with old school American film making.

Translations Complete

Now that translations are complete, I'm going to really dive in and start structuring the story. Got a lot of ideas running through my head that need to be tied together. Looking forward to it.

I must thank my translator for working so diligently, and free of charge.

Translation

Last night, we began translating the interview and putting it down on paper. It's going to be a long process, but every paragraph is full of gems. Here's an excerpt about a warlock:

"The Oaxacan Army tied him up and continually shot him, but he would not die. He was still laughing as they grabbed an axe, and chopped him to pieces."

Pleasant dreams.

First Interview

Thank you to Floriana Gregorio for introducing me to San Melchor Betaza, Mexico, a city rich in folklore. We spoke for over an hour (through translator) on the history of her family in relation to the black arts.

There's nothing better than a good old fashioned ghost story. She had multitudes.