A new challenge: writing a feature film script

I've been wanting to try it out for a while now, and just recently, I simply decided to go for it: develop a feature film screenplay. It's a huge challenge for me because it's my very first time writing a feature-length fiction piece, but I am determined enough to give it a shot and see where this new journey takes me.

So far, it's been quite the ride. I've lost some sleep over it for sure, but I admit the process has also filled me with inspiration. It has also given me a solid dose of new confidence and excitement, and even though I know for a fact that it will also cause me a lot of stress and probably some confusion and anger, I'm ready to proceed.

In an effort to document my own process of trying to reach this goal, I will occasionally update this journal with thoughts and notes about my progress. I'm fully committed and determined to finish this script and possibly even shoot it, so I want to make sure I document everything in the most appropriate way.

Anyway, let me start with the obvious: why do I want to make a feature? Film is my big passion, and I can honestly say it's what I'm surrounded by 24/7. Last year I decided to go to film school to learn the craft of fimmaking, but I soon realized that there is only so much you can learn in this field in a classroom.

In the end, it all comes down to going out there and just learn by doing. To be honest, writing is not my strength, and I realized this when I had to write a short fiction piece as part of a film school project. I struggled to come up with an idea, and it took me long enough to get it done. It worked in the end, and I learned a lot, yes.

My attitude has changed a bit during the recent months, and I feel writing and shooting my own feature is the best way for me to learn what I need to learn and see how far I can take it. And believe it or not, it pretty much took one book to give me the inspiration I needed to embark on this adventure.

The book is Robert Rodriguez's "Rebel without a Crew," which is essentially a collection of journal entries documenting the making of "El Mariachi." It's a fascinating read, and a book every single student filmmaker should read and embrace. It also includes his 10-minute film school, a chapter dedicated to teach you all you need to know to get started in filmmaking.

Anyway, this guy is the proof that it's possible to go out and create a movie on your own, without a big crew or big budget. All it takes is passion, and of course an idea that satisfies you. Thus, this book is one of the reasons I decided that writing a feature script (or trying to do it) will surely give me the satisfaction I am currently seeking.

There is another reason as well. I hear a lot of people attending film schools wrap up their studies without really knowing what to do next. Some folks start developing a film, but then they never end up turning it into reality. Maybe some people are afraid they will fail or make a terrible movie no one will ever see. I do not exactly know what I will be doing in the future either, but I don't want to be one of those people. There is simply no time to worry about failing. Not at this stage.

It's fairly simple: if you want to make movies, you have to go out and do them. Sure, it may never pay bills, but if that's what you went to school for or want to do, you simply have to give it a shot. Sure, I guess I consider myself a beginner only as well, but there comes the time when you have to take a risk and do what you want to do. For me, that time has come, and I believe I can learn tons of valuable things from this process.

That's pretty much it for the why. It's not a mystery. I love film and filmmaking, and I want to be actively involved in the field. People have their different ways of doing just that, but I believe I have to go out and do this by myself. All I can do now is try, and it has already proven to be utterly stimulating. It's a tough adventure because I am not exactly a creative writer, but I feel I can try and get it done one way or another.

After all, the greatest goal for me at this very stage is not to create a film that will storm the box office, but to actually start a project and finish it. My ultimate goal right now is to write this feature, go shoot it, and simply finish it. If I can do that, I know I have what it takes to move on to the next project.

That's enough movie babbling for now. In my next entry, I will jot down some notes about how I started this thing, what it is about and to what extent I'm struggling with it right now. I can tell you this much: writing doesn't come to me naturally, so it's a big challenge. It's an exciting one as well, and that's all that matters...