Chris Cox's Lounge Discussions

Hello composers! I have an idea that I want to run past everyone in order to (a) see if it’s feasible and (b) inquire whether people would be interested.

Long story short, I’m a sound designer who recently just got involved in a fictional audio drama. It’s been a lot of fun, and I’m eager to do more. I would love to produce stuff on my own, but I’m not a screenwriter, voice actor, or composer! So I want to gather people who would be willing to collaborate, all the while giving everyone involved a really high-quality and unique product at the end to use in demo reels, portfolios, etc.

I would like to focus more on short stories of all genres; stuff that can easily be adapted to a 2-5ish minute audio piece. Maybe eventually I’d even post the finished products on YouTube as videos, in order to help gain people exposure. For those with stories, it could even be something you’ve already written, but would be curious to see adapted into something more “tangible.” This would all be low-pressure and on everyone’s own schedule. No major “deadlines” or tight production schedules. No stress in trying to get funding. All for fun, experimentation, and a different kind of chance to showcase your work!

Would anyone be interested in anything like this? I’ve posted this same thing in Lounges specific to each role too (so don’t think I’m just spamming everybody!).

Like many screenwriters I like listening to soundtracks, from film or TV, when I'm writing. I'm always eager to expand my playlist so I thought I'd ask you folks what some of your favorites are. 

Great soundtracks can sometimes belong to mediocre productions so this could be illuminating for all of us :)

I'll start off by listing 10 soundtracks I like. 

1. Last of The Mohicans

2. 1492

3. Blade Runner

4. Black Hawk Down

5. Game of Thrones

6. Oblivion

7. Alexander

8. Dark Knight Rises

9. Inception

10. Band of Brothers

Thematically, my list centers on pretty grand, adventurous music. I also need music that has no lyrics, or at least no lyrics in a language I can understand. What are some soundtracks you like?

I'm writing a solo fleece road trip script. Some of the driving will be by motorcycle so I want to add an imaginary friend for travel conflicts and dialogue. Fight Club, Ghost, Castaway (Wilson!), Calvin & Hobbes... any other suggestions I can study?

Mine was being a PA on a low budget, soft core, gay porn, movie in Van Nuys. (It's a great story.) Anyway, the sound/boom guy left after a few days. To get a paying gig. So I took over his job. I also got to do a lot of grip/gaffer work with the DP. I knew absolutely nothing about anything. On such a low budget film, with such a small crew. I was able to do so much more, than just running around around, doing errands. This was a long time ago, but I will never forget the opportunity that I was given.To be on set and see how things are done. For better or for worse.

Looking for NOLA playwrites to pitch an idea and seek advice.

I wrote a few features years ago that are gathering dust on some shelf at WGA. I just finished my first spec tv pilot. I'd like to contribute more to Stage 32 and connect more actively with other writers. Hoping this finds you having a great weekend! -Chris

Okay, okay I don't know if there is a rule about having two posts in a row.

Back in my "Hey Day!"We did have a rule about playing a song twice in a row on the jukebox, especially if it was "Free Bird," which was like a 15 minute song. I would skip it!

Anyway. here's another Gem in the weeds of Pixar Story Telling I thought would be a delightful share.

Hope you enjoy it and even if you have the attention span of a goldfish you can watch it. Much love!

https://youtu.be/1rMnzNZkIX0

Do we have a TV writers community here on Stage 32?

Okay... as a hyphenate (actor-writer) I respond on both levels to Hollywood's current plague of reboots, remakes and re-imaginings of just about everything.   I KNOW this site alone is stacked with writers who have better (original) fare to offer.   So... I ask that you please join me in utilizing #RejectTheReboot (and its cousin #RejectTheRemake) as often as you post on various social media platforms.  Maybe... just maybe... it will eventually get our collective points across!   - MO

I've decided to dust off a 15 year old script and begin the arduous task of a total rewrite. I usually create a simple outline to give myself a star to steer this lumbering vessel by while I agonize over details. But, now I am considering a 2-5 page treatment.

Do you feel that script treatments help readers or would you prefer to pick up a script and read it completely, while absorbing the story without any preconceived notions? I see arguments online touting pros and cons. What say you?

Since tomorrow is my birthday and yesterday an indie film I made was released on Amazon I thought today was the best day to formally introduce myself here. I'll be 48 tomorrow and I started writing screenplays almost 25 years ago because I love movies, always have ever since Raiders of the Lost Ark, Poltergeist, War Games, The Outsiders and many others fired my imagination as a kid. When I hit 40 I decided I needed to take the bull by the horns and start financing my own projects. My first film, a feature, tanked because I bit off more than I could chew. But I learned some valuable lessons, worked a gazillion hours of overtime at my day job and spun the money I raised into a second movie, a comedy called Craig Quits His Day Job. Life imitating art, I quit my miserable day job last December after 13 years to devote more energy to my films. It has been the most difficult and humbling year of my life as it's been hard to make ends meet and I was forced to move in with my elderly parents crammed in the tiny attic next to the Christmas decorations. But I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with a new day job starting next Monday and the release of Craig Quits His Day Job on Amazon through Indie Rights. It truly is a movie dedicated first and foremost to all the struggling writers and filmmakers out there who are likely grinding out a day job they can't stand or can barely tolerate to pay the bills. I once had big dreams of being a major player in Hollywood. Now I have one dream: just to break even on the enterprise and perhaps have a chance to make a third and final movie. I would love to hear what my fellow writers and artists think of it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076D7FGWP/ref=sr_1_3?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&...