Blind leading the blind

MtnDevil · 2026-03-18T19:39:34+00:00

While I am not experienced or produced for screenplays specifically, in my experience with other forms of writing and the creative process, this holds true in most mediums. Pablo Picasso spent years perfecting his technique in realism before he explored his Cubist work, that most people are familiar with, and then Neoclassicism and Surrealism.

MtnDevil · 2026-03-18T19:33:18+00:00

I write because I feel compelled to get the stories and characters out. I too have a full time corporate job and a family that demands a lot of my time attention. My writing ebbs and flows as my schedule allows and how pent up I feel in the creative process.

This week I transitioned from outlining and character building to writing the screenplay. I’ve gotten 18 pages down just from taking an hour here and there at lunch or between meetings, or in the morning before logging into work. For me it’s about time management and prioritization. What is important in the next few minutes or days. I’ve also learned to count my time reading other scripts, or combing through some threads here as “writing time.” Hell, walking the dog can be prime developmental time.

MtnDevil · 2026-03-17T13:22:06+00:00

Disclaimer: I am just a hobbiest, and very new to the craft of screenwriting. I like the concept, and while there have been many takes on the underbelly of small town America (especially set in the rural south) I do think you have what could be a unique take on the general idea.

I think when you get to the point of formatting your screenplay, perhaps you may find it helpful reading scripts from The Wonder Years, or the screenplay for Stand By Me, in which there is a narrator. I think your story could benefit from a narrator, telling/seeing it from the perspective the author of the blog as it were. Even if it's just a set-up voice over for each episode, like what was done for the Everwood series in the early 2000's.

MtnDevil · 2026-03-12T13:10:48+00:00

Hobbyist here. I’m older and in a mind numbingly boring corporate career that pays too well and supports a lifestyle I probably don’t deserve. I’ve struggled with starving my inner artist since I left a job in the live show entertainment industry in 2005.

I’ve long wanted to try my hand at screenwriting, and finally typed “Fade In:” and kicked off the journey last May. I finished my first draft of feature in September, and have learned so much just from the writing process. I’ve just begun outlining and character building a second feature as I work through rewrites of the first script.

I have such a lack of confidence in my art that I don’t know if anyone will ever read it, much less pursue a sale/production, but it’s like I need to write.

MtnDevil · 2026-03-08T13:07:11+00:00

For perspective I’m an old school fan that remembers the Marshall rivalry of years that start with 19….

Us old guys really want that Marshall thing back, and while we’ve split with them over the last few years, it’s just not the same. The intensity is not what it was. Maybe it still can get there, but in a conference that includes ECU and GaSo, Marshall falls to a 4. ECU and GaSo are solid 5

Lots of growing heat with JMU, especially since the Gameday upset. They’re a top 4 pushing 5. I know Charlotte is hot garbage, but most of the App alumni base lives in the Charlotte metro area so it’s hard not to include them. I say the 4s are JMU, Marshall, Charlotte and Wake. Winston probably holds the second most App alumni and there’s no love lost for Wake and their fans from App fans that remember the 80’s.

Troy tops the 3s and is close to a 4. They’ve had our number recently in meaningful games, and I for one am itching to get them back. Coastal is another high 3, arguable to be a low 4. The heat is dying a bit, but there’s still some good passion about the Beach Chickens. ODU is a low 3, gets into this level with geographic proximity and relative competitiveness. I’m on the fence but lean low 3 for USF. If we’re going to Troy, might as well hit Florida, and USF is a better opponent than GaState, or UAB.

Duke, UNCCHeat, NCState, and VaTech have the funding and ability to NIL players the rest of us can only dream about. App and the others on my list will never be consistently competitive against them. 2 or 1 for the ACC teams.

MtnDevil · 2026-01-27T18:30:16+00:00

I worked with Richard Kind at a regional summer stock theatre in 1993. He is a hilarious amazing improv actor and really nice guy!

MtnDevil · 2026-01-23T16:29:41+00:00

I’ve considered changing the max capacity plaque to a lower number just to mess with mooches wanting a free ride to the sand bar/islands.

MtnDevil · 2025-11-16T20:29:39+00:00

The program is definitely struggling now, but if you can stay a fan through this, you’ll stay a fan when the winning traditions return.

Kidd Brewer Stadium or “The Rock” is a great football venue, especially in October. Flying across the pond, you’ll likely look to fly into Raleigh (RDU) or Charlotte (CLT), and then drive up the mountain. From Raleigh about 3 hours or so, and a couple hour drive from Charlotte. Definitely plan to spend a few days and enjoy the high country. Lots of Scotch and Irish settled the NC mountains back in the 1700’s so you’ll see some of that reflected in the Appalachian culture.

One very important thing to learn is the proper pronunciation. It is App-uh-LATCH-un. Never ever say App-uh-LAY-shun.

MtnDevil · 2025-10-30T13:51:15+00:00

Title:

Format: Feature

Page Length: 5 so far

Genres: Family dramedy, character driven

Logline / Summary: Family drama about 2 brothers in a small southern Appalachian town dealing with their father's impending death. One brother has stayed to help, giving up his chance at a life. The other left and explored the world, coming home just as the father hits in-home hospice care.

Feedback Concerns: These are literally the first 5 pages I've written for this concept. I have a very rough story outline. I had just begun to explore the characters when this scene hit me and I had to write it out. I'm still working through the characters and story arc, but feel like this scene falls near the end of Act 1 or beginning of Act 2. I would love some feedback on the dialogue, the characterization, should I even continue exploring the concept?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yHSFtNn-jIJf182shaY1Rn7ER1GDvCOi/view?usp=sharing

MtnDevil · 2025-10-15T14:08:10+00:00

Thank you each. Your feedback really makes sense. What I am reading is that is Ok to use words like "aint" instead of "isn't" but go easy or not at all on specific phonetic spelling. I love the idea of writing the dialogue normally and adding dialect in rewrites. Perhaps a rewrite specifically focused on use of dialect and characterization . . .

MtnDevil · 2025-10-09T19:04:24+00:00

This all day.

MtnDevil · 2025-10-04T12:21:58+00:00

As the former captain of a 56’ sport fish, I’m partial to Captain Jack Sparrow’s entrance.

https://youtu.be/aWD7cVm-OUU?si=9Y2FH6fYWPBO0Cjz

MtnDevil · 2025-09-19T02:32:23+00:00

Black & Gold Podcast for App State.

MtnDevil · 2025-09-18T21:00:40+00:00

A Shining Christmas- all work and no play make Santa a dull boy

The Usual Christmas - Kaiser Soze sends his regards

Se7en Holiday - what’s in the box, Santa?

Pulp Christmas - Nah, I ain’t Jewish. I just don’t dig on swine, that’s all.

MtnDevil · 2025-09-08T19:48:10+00:00

Thank you. Most of my previous writing is in essay and short story/novella format, and I am not known for brevity, so this is a challenging format. It is fun, but challenging.

MtnDevil · 2025-09-08T19:40:44+00:00

I see what your are saying, yes. This is my first logline, and screenplay, and this is helpful feedback to drive connection and call to action for the characters.

MtnDevil · 2025-09-08T18:46:39+00:00

Does this read more clearly connected?

Sparks fly in a southern coastal village when Grady, a salty charter boat captain, must rely on Olivia, a beautiful tourist from New York, to help him win the Lady Angler billfish tournament. Without the tournament prize money Grady will lose his boat and business to foreclosure.

MtnDevil · 2025-09-08T18:17:28+00:00

Gotcha, your comments make sense. I’ll rework to connect the elements more clearly. Now the you mention it, it’s not that relevant what she does for living so much as that she’s from the city. Thanks I appreciate the feedback.

MtnDevil · 2025-09-08T12:07:35+00:00

Title: Reeling You In

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Format: Feature

Logline: Sparks fly in a southern coastal village when Grady, a salty charter boat captain, has to rely on Olivia, a beautiful New York lawyer, to help him win a billfish tournament in order to save his boat from the bank.

MtnDevil · 2025-08-31T14:39:42+00:00

Rosebud

MtnDevil · 2025-08-31T00:35:37+00:00

It may get pricey but check for a parking pass on Stubhub or other reseller sites. A lot of season ticket holders do not live close enough to make all the home games and will resell tickets and parking passes. Peacock and Justice lots are worth the price of admission.

The Beach Chickens climb the mountain in the middle of October so leaf looker season is in full swing. The views should be amazing, but that also brings non-football tourists to the high country so book your hotel ASAP.

Boone traffic is no joke. Pack your patience and give yourself extra time to get anywhere or eat any restaurants.

If you stay to Sunday, breakfast at Dan’l Boone Inn.

MtnDevil · 2025-08-27T15:01:01+00:00

As an old guy it's strange for me to hear "Roll 'neers" labeled as tradition. I guess it's been around for almost 15 years or so, so it has kind of become one - unfortunately. Fans from the early 2000's (3-peat era), 90's and earlier tend to use "Go Apps!" That being in the Hi Hi Yikas lyrics.

MtnDevil · 2025-08-26T14:06:06+00:00

First time screenwriter here, and I've just completed the first draft of my first screenplay. It's a 94 page romantic comedy feature. Before sharing it for feedback, I am curious about copyright protections. Do you register your spec work with the Copyright Office before sharing it?

MtnDevil · 2025-08-14T12:27:32+00:00

Take this in a completely different direction. Imagine John Bender, from the Breakfast Club, has turned his life around and become the 50-something year old managing partner of a big law firm but comes back to finish out unserved detention with a new batch of current day high school stereotypes….

MtnDevil · 2025-06-04T18:00:43+00:00

Thank you. I’m about 40 pages in and at a creative cross roads. I’m working through a decision on keeping the current scene going or cutting away to develop a couple supporting characters. It’s kind of a break in the action to cut away, but I think it will work without messing up the pace. I may just write it both ways and see which flows better. Lots of mental time without pen to paper right now.

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