We’re
talking about movies this month, and it’s not a subject I’m really well versed
in. I know people who can recall the plots and quote lines from all kinds of
movies, most of which I’ve never heard of. It kind of makes me feel left out
when I’m with people who do this. Imagine the scene.
Me: So,
what are we doing today?Friend 1: How would you like a nice bass? Girls like a nice bass.
Me: I don’t see that on the menu…
Friend 2: No? Take that, you dirty yellow rat….
I’m left
confused while they fall about laughing. Friend 1’s comment is from Napoleon Dynamite,
Friend 2’s is from Home Alone 2….Leaving me wondering who’s the dummy, them or
me.
I don’t
watch a lot of movies. I did enjoy Noah, and thought Avatar was interesting. I
hated Wolf of Wall Street, which was highly recommended by critics and friends.
Am I odd?
I do watch
television, though, and love English police dramas (Inspector George Gently,
Foyle’s War, Dalziel & Pascoe, Endeavor, Inspector Lewis….even Midsummer
Murders) And I’m not embarrassed to admit (although I maybe should be) that I
have the Young & The Restless on my PVR.
One trend I
have noticed – it would be hard to miss – is the prevalence of short videos
that have spilled over from YouTube. I have MSN as my home page and many of
these are featured in the videos list there. Some are fascinating, some
educational, some delightful, and some leave me wondering ‘What just happened?’
Do I really want to spend even 30 seconds watching a video of a cat sleeping with its tongue out? Or how about a clever goat getting some fruit? Of course, there are some great videos, too – like my talented son, Garth O'Connell, doing a cover of Crack The Sky… http://t.co/9k5IccpP4F :-)
As a writer, I tend to look at my viewing time as research. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. I have written two stage plays that have been produced and even won awards, and I was on the list of writers for a proposed new Irish teen soap, except that the project, three years in the making, was cancelled before production started due to budget cuts at the RTE. :-)
So writing
a script for television or movies is on my dream list.
One great
use of videos is for educational purposes. There’s a wide variety of really
informative videos on a huge range of subjects, from health to cooking to car
mechanics to fashion, woodwork, painting…you name it. Some great ones on writing, too,
and I’m thinking of putting my writing course, Naked Writing: The No Frills Way
to Write Your Book, on video. When I can find a camera that makes me look good, or at least, human. Oh, and to answer the question I’ve heard so many times about the title of this course, I don’t and won’t do it naked. Believe me, that’s a blessing for the viewers.
So, having
successfully led this month’s theme away from movies and onto other topics, I’d
love to hear your thoughts on videos. Have you found any particularly funny,
horrible, helpful? Have you taken any courses that were run online through
video?
There’s a
signed copy of the print version of Naked Writing, or of my romantic comedy,
the No Sex Clause, for one lucky commenter!You can read first chapters of my books on my website www.glenysoconnell.webs.com/
11 comments:
I tried to take a class but everyone kept interrupting me. I wold need to do it away from everyone.
debby236 at gmail dot com
No videos here. But then I'm not big on reading directions, either. I prefer to fumble my way through a new subject until I figure it out on my own. LOL My husband calls it dumb stubborn. You have a way with titles, Glenys. Love both of these.
Debby - thanks for commenting. I once asked some of my writing course participants if they'd like to do this as a group of one-to-one, and it was pretty much unanimous that they wanted one-to-one, so it looks like others share your views :-)
Jannine - it's the creative mind that makes it difficult to follow directions. We'd rather go our own way - even though it might take longer.:-) I find I can read all the directions available, but I have to actually DO whatever it is in order to understand it...Thanks for your kind words about the titles!
it's good to here from someone whi also loves English detective shows. I watch them all. Thank God for Netflix.
I have watched many documentaries on YouTube that have helped a great deal with my research. The ones from the BBC and the History Channel are particually helpful.
I love British cop shows too. My daughter and I just watched the latest Endeavor series and we loved it. Foyle's War is one of my all time favorites, mainly because it's set in WW2.
Every once in while I delve into YouTube, usually to see something specific, like music or a scene from a TV show. They can be fun, or interesting, or just plain dumb.
Marlow - call me dumb, but I didn't know there were documentaries on YouTube! Thanks for the tip :-)I don't have Netflix, and can't wait for the new season shows to start on PBS and TVO.
I like the English detectives, too. I don't see many new movies and the most recent video was of Ugly Cat. Not too sure who the cat belongs to.
The internet has too much to distract me from my writing and I try to avoid being drawn into the sucking hole.
Jana - I'm still in shock because I didn't realise that the most recent Endeavour was the season finale - Morse in jail??? Hope the new season starts soon. Foyle's War was really my introduction to these shows (except for Midsomer Murders)and I was hooked...
Barbara - I agree - the Internet is a terrible time suck. Sometimes I stop to check email and suddenly, an hour has passed... Perhaps we should have an app that meters time spent on the Net and cuts us off temporarily after a set amount of time? Or maybe that would be just frustrating...
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