The Blog Of Andy Smithyman
Love this snippet from Aaron Sorkin’s interview at the D10 conference in California.
To Sorkin, writing a script is a “process of procrastination where you try to figure out what the movie is going to be about.” Echoing what he said earlier on the Jobs biopic, Sorkin remarked that “it’s very difficult to shake the cradle-to-grave structure of a biography.” Instead, Sorkin wants to “identify the point of friction that appeals to me and dramatize that.”
How long before Sorkin’s screenplay is ready for filming? “I’m at the earliest possible stage,” Sorkin said. “I’ll go through a long period that would not look to any causal observer like writing. It would look more like watching ESPN probably.” Sorkin was referring to the process of researching and gathering information…
It’s a good reminder that sometimes the trail of creativity requires the process of delay; a chosen action that requires patience in which the outside perspective is one of inactivity yet internally, the web of artistic life is weaving its path.
A page from the order of service for the funeral of General Bramwell Booth, held at the Royal Albert Hall Sunday 23rd June 1929. The following written introduction had the note attached “Kindly read this before the Meeting commences”
Throughout his illness the General has spent the long wakeful night hours in prayer. Often he prayed aloud, often for individuals, often for The Army as a whole, or for sections of the Work; the missionary lands, the children, the homeless. During the week before his death he prayed especially for the Salvation of the people, and those watching in his room noticed the anguish in his voice as he prayed for souls…
Reader, whoever you may be, and whatever your circle of influence, will you not on this occasion make a renewal of your consecration to God for the Salvation of the people? Are you a winner of souls? If not, reminded of Bramwell Booth’s example, will you not lift up your heart to God in prayer in this Meeting that you may know God’s will for you? Should His call for service come to you, will you respond and to-night consecrate your life for the Salvation of the lost?…
The mercy-seat is near the Casket. You are free at any time in the Meeting, whether during the speaking, praying, or singing, to make your way quietly there.
Not a bad introduction to a funeral… and a cherished find.
Victor Papanek’s ‘Six Principles of Design’:
- Method - the interaction of tools, processes, and materials. An honest use of materials that never makes the material seem that which it’s not.
- Use - does it work?
- Need - expanding exploration further to consider the difference between ‘want’ and ‘need’.
- Telesis - the process of nature and society to achieve the goal.
- Association - our psychological conditioning.
- Aesthetics - the nature of beauty, art and taste.
Design in life, far more integral than the products we use.
I give a lot of attention to sentences, but mainly because they don’t come out right for me on the first go-round, or the second, or the eighth, or the thirtieth. Revising takes me a lot of time… When I’m working on a story or essay, if I find something messed up, I make myself start over and read it through again. If I find something else wrong, I start back over, and I keep starting over until I can read it without stopping, until I don’t suffer any doubts. That takes a long time.
Paul Maliszewski and his craftsmanship of writing.
Very measured and articulated piece of writing from Dr. Giles Fraser, that mixes present day social commentary with the context of history.
You can never evict an idea.
“Many of us have grown up to believe certain things are true in science, without ever questioning them, And, as this research suggests, scientific misconceptions, once picked up, can stay with us for our whole lives”.
(Ian Grant, Managing Director of Encyclopaedia Britannica UK commenting on the science misconceptions, including how a third of people still believe we only use 10 percent of our brain capacity).
It’s not just science where misconceptions reside. Another reminder to dare to question what is considered the norm.
