FREE in NYC: Day 5 – NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY – Standby @ NBC

The following is Part 5 of a documentary about a week I am spending in NYC.  I have a free place to stay in exchange for watching a couple of pleasant kitty cats.  With almost no money (literally) and enough food to last for about three more days, I am set on having a great week by working through these obstacles.  It’s not going to be easy, but if it works out, it could be fun…  Check out the official page of this NYC journal to get a better understanding of the factors going into this week.  NYCBLOG[portal]

*phone still out, photos still unavailable.  This day didn’t go as planned, but turned out ok.

New York has several options for TV show filmings.  Talk shows such as The View, David Letterman, and the Daily Show are filmed throughout the week, and any poor sap like myself can get in, provided they have a ticket.  Getting a ticket is not always so easy, however, and if you don’t order well in advance, you leave your fate in the hands of chance and luck.  And by luck, I mean, a hope that some folks who did have tickets don’t show up, thus leaving a few gifts for those who chose to stand on a line for a while and wait, like an unemployed soul begging for food.  Well, if you are hungry, why not try to eat for free?

Personally, I am not so engaged in television, but I love the aspects of the production.  The shows mentioned above generally provide me some entertainment on the rare occasions I watch them, but rare is an understatement.  But, I am in NY, I have no money, and I have free time, so why not try.  So i checked the schedules of recording to see who would be appearing on said shows, and the only one that looked appealing out of this group was The View, which had lined up Snoop Dog as its guest.  But I read several forums, and many of them suggested that getting a standby ticket for the View is one of the more challenging propositions out of the options.  Upon further research, I found the Late Show lineup had booked Paul Rudd, and an up and coming band called Green Day!

Now I have enjoyed the work of Mr. Rudd since 200 Cigarettes and Clueless, and I have listened to Green Day over the years, but have never seen them perform.  OK then, why not.  This seems like a good lineup, so I make the decision Thursday night to go see this program.

Friday A.M., I feed the cats around 7:30, and then prepared myself to leave the apartment around 8 a.m.  I make the long trek towards Rockefeller Center and the NBC Studios located on 43rd st in between 5th and 6th.

It was a long trek down as my food rations had really dwindled.  I made a large portion of oatmeal and one banana;  Enough to get me out the door, but not as sustainable as would be needed for my day ahead.  The excitement of the challenge kept me going and took my mind off of the impending hunger.

When I turned the corner at 43rd, i was immediately greeted by hundred of fans lined up to see Carrie Underwood perform for Good Morning America.  Not my scene at all, but still, something to tell people who care.  But I battle through the crowd and make my way to what looks like the right place.  Problem is, there’s only about 10 people lined up.

Now correct me if I am wrong, but even if Jimmy Fallon’s  ratings aren’t that great,  I am certain that he has more fans than this and even if he doesn’t, Green Day must, especially with the success of their Broadway show.  Something must be wrong.  I must be in the wrong place.

So I  get on the line anyway, and wait.  And, like an idiot I don’t ask anyone if this is the right place.  I know what you are now thinking;  this is the line for the NBC studios tour, or some other show, right?  Wrong, this is the right line.  How do I know?  Well, after about 20 minutes of standing in place following a walk of a mile and a half, this fellow comes out and approaches the small crowd.

“Hey guys, I am sorry, but it looks like you didn’t get the message:  This show has already been taped on Tuesday, and there’s no other filmings today.  I am really sorry!”

OK first of all, nice fellow, no disrespect to him as he was just the messenger and seemingly a decent person, but couldn’t there have been a sign posted that says what he said, so that idiots like myself don’t just stand there and waste their lives away?  Just seems logical, right?  Anyway, was it really a total waste?  Not at all!  I mean, I now have boring story to share here, right?  And at least I know next to time to check a little more information!

So now what?  All of the other shows are scattered and in places I am not sure how to get to, and I know the Daily Show is way far and the View has already begun.  So, I go back on 5th and head downtown.  I hadn’t been past this point all week.

A right on 39th, and a long trek West, i eventually made my way to 11th, site of the Jacob Javitz Convention center.  This brought back memories of when I was a kid and we would go to Auto shows and see the “Cars of the Future.”  But there’s nothing for me to see in there today that wouldn’t cost more than my entire savings at this moment, so a left on 11th, a right on 37th and there’s the water.  Why not take some peaceful time?

The views of Jersey from here were nice.  The weather was almost perfect, and the people walking, roller blading, and biking by were almost all smiles.  I sat here, glasses covering my sad eyes, for nearly an hour, pondering thoughts about my world and how I always find myself in these lost moments, alone.  I LOVED THE PERIOD OF TIME SPENT HERE, but it may have been better with someone to be bored with.  But, I do enjoy personal time like this, and that is why I stayed there for so long.

But, it wasn’t enough to keep me pegged down any longer, so I backtrack on the path the took me there and eventually, I am back on 5th heading uptown towards the apartment.  I found myself by Bryant park again, and even after all of these years of going there, I had never stopped in the library.  I mean after all, it’s just a library, right?  WRONG.  This is a very historic library, rich with information and importance.  How do I know this?  I took the tour!

It was free and was worth every penny.  We strolled around and saw beautifully sculpted wall hangings and murals to rival some of Europe’s most famous.  Johannes Gutenberg’s Bible has a copy on display here as do many other priceless treasures.  I learned about the founders of this place and how it was built on the grounds of a reservoir that was demolished  to make room for this structure; it took two years to remove completely.  And I learned how the original collection of books was actually a combined collection of two very wealthy, prominent, and influential men of the time.  This place had some serious investors when it was in motion, as I am guessing it does today!

Overall, the tour is boring for those who have no interest in such things, but for someone like me, it wasn’t boring at all and quite informative.  For those interested in architecture or history of New York, this is a recommended stop.  The kids may want to have something else to do that day if they are the impatient variety!

So I left there and back up 5th avenue for me.  In fact, I just went all the way back up to the apartment.  This day was a bust in terms of following through with plans, but a success in terms of making something out of nothing.

The nighttime highlights involve food.  As mentioned, I had very little left to eat.  The eggs were gone, the oatmeal about done, 1 piece of pizza and two apples were about it, with the exception of one thing:  The bag of Mung Beans.  What are mung Beans, you ask?  Well I’ll tell you.

They are green, and they are small.  They may have originated in china, and are a staple food for that region and parts of India amongst others.  Why do I have them?  Well, I bought them after reading about them about 3 months before.  But I had never eaten them before I bought them, nor had I used the ones that I had bought.  But I brought them with me on this trip, knowing I would need something nourishing at some point.  Today was the day, finally, Friday night, alone in NYC, nothing else to do.

So I cooked them up and about 40 minutes later, they were done.  I added a bit of salt and pepper, cause that’s about all I had.  I tried them and found them to be quite delish.  They tasted like split peas and had a similar texture.  They had more sweetness and a bit more umph.  I liked them already.

So I threw in an avocado to add some essential fats and I had myself a very filling and quite nourishing meal.  I bring this up because if you are on a tight budget and are perhaps a vegan and need a simple nourishment, Mung Beans may be just your thing.  Perhaps I’ll start a food page on this site to discuss such things.

Anyway, that concluded Day 5.  To sum up, I did lots of strolling around, sweated quite a bit, waited on a  line for 20 minutes for no apparent reason and I walked the halls of the New york Public Library.  And most importantly, I made something out of nothing and ate Mung Beans for dessert!

>the dayscribber<

FREE in NYC: Day 4 – MUSIC @ HIP SOULS AT THE MALL – Broadway @ Bryant

The following is Part 4 of a documentary about a week I am spending in NYC.  I have a free place to stay in exchange for watching a couple of pleasant kitty cats.  With almost no money (literally) and enough food to last for about three more days, I am set on having a great week by working through these obstacles.  It’s not going to be easy, but if it works out, it could be fun…  Check out the official page of this NYC journal to get a better understanding of the factors going into this week.  NYCBLOG[portal]

*side note- my phone and camera are still not working.  this sucks as I really wanted to share those photos with you.  My apologies for now, just give it time.  This was an incredible day for me and its great to tell someone about it and without the photos, the presentation just won’t be the same, so please check back in some near time or subscribe and you will get an update when they arrive.  Thanks…

DAY 4: Broadway @ Bryant, Music at the Mall, Dirty Urchins, Hunterfest, soulful meetings.

This was by far my most active day so far, and will probably conclude as being my favorite.  I took many pictures.  I saw beautiful sights.  I met beautiful people.  I heard lots of free music.  NYC rules on days like today.  Here’s how it all got started.

The trek downtown began on Park Ave, then up 72^nd and over to 5^th.  With a left on fifth, I was in an architectural  photo heaven.  Beautifully carved  human-made designs amplifying the natural ambiance of Central park.  The history of this area screams of wealth and influence.  This was a wonderful prelude to the rest of the day’s journeys.

Continuing down 5^th, I found myself in the hustle and bustle of 59th st, which strikes me as predominantly tourism.  Languages from all over the globe meld into one sound. In this atmosphere, one can’t help but feel like a tourist, even if they are from these parts.

My first destination was Bryant park, and 42^nd street quickly approached.  A quick right past the library and I arrived.  Amongst the 90 degree temps was a block of humidity, strong enough to weigh down a feather on the moon.  This didn’t stop hundreds of people from grabbing  chairs and flocking to the grassy area of the park.  At the head of the grass was a stage, featuring a well displayed banner describing the days events and their corporate sponsors.  Corporations love to brag about their endowments towards the arts, but who can really complain, as they spend millions to allow freeloaders like myself to enjoy a free show once in a while.  So thank you to the fine sponsors of this particular event.

Today’s sampled productions came from 4 top billed shows:  The Lion King, The Adam’s Family, Wicked, and a new hit called Next To Normal.  It was way too hot for this type of singing, but it was entertaining enough that the heat could be overlooked ( I love watching people use umbrellas as sun visors without little regard to the fact that they may be obstructing someone’s view.)  All of the performers here were very talented, but the young girl from Next to Normal was by far, a standout performance, at least for me, and judging by the applause, for everyone else who was there.  {try and find out her name.

When it was all over, I placed my borrowed chair back on the stone path and traveled back towards 5^th.  My next stop was to be at “The Mall,” a district of central park, where live music was going to take place.  It was however, about to rain, but I wasn’t gonna let that stop me from getting there and enjoying some free tunes.

Last week, I had visited a friend in New England and we up to the mountains to hike.  As we got closer to the range, it appeared that rain would soon follow.  We stopped off at some random exit and we each bought a poncho.  Fortunately for us, the rain had already hit the top of the mountain by the time we got to it, so the poncho was never used.  I did however bring it with me on Day 4 just in case it rained… which it did.

While everyone was popping umbrellas and casually hitting random tourists with their pointed borders, I was breezing on up the ave, confident in my decision, proud to be wearing my mountainous rain gear.  I think New Yorkers and Bostonians take a certain pride in being prepared for the elements.  Today, I was a prepared New Yorker!  The rain only lasted 10 minutes, but it may have been this rain that hath destroyed my telecom unit thus hindering my means of sharing photos with you.  Win some, lose some!

As I approached the park, I was excited.  I had read about a small festival that was taking place here today, and from what I gathered about it, the music was to be to my appreciation.  When I got there, it was too early, so I wandered towards Bethesda Lake.  Over time, this has become one of my most favorite spots to hang.  The beautiful lush scenery and mellow vibes never fail at bringing me calm.  And usually, there is some sort for thing going on there.  Last time they were filming a movie.  This time, there was a choir with strings singing in the tunnel.

From the warm sounds of Bach, to their inspirational covers of pop or R&B hits, The Boyd family was a charming addition to my day.  Not only myself, but scores of others gathered around under the tunnel to be captivated by their angelic sounds. A couple wearing a dress and tuxedo pranced around as if it was their wedding ceremony (which it may have been, although I suspect it was a photo shoot.)

The group contained what appeared to be the  father singing tenor, while there were 4 young kids of varying ages, two boys and two girls, harmonizing with the father all while being backed by an upright bass, an alto sax, and a cello.  This was thoroughly enjoyable and the ambiance was nothing short of spiritual.  This was a nice way to fill time in between the Broadway at Bryant, and the music that was to take place at the Bandshell.  Thank you Boyd family for being there when you were.

The Naumberg  Bandshell has provided me several musical experiences over the years.  The last time I was here, there was the solstice festival, which I will create a page for at some time.  It was at this bandshell that I saw the Yale Percussion  group and that was a great time.  At other random occasions,Ihave stumbled upon some other random shows.  So when I arrived here and no one was playing, I had to pause and wonder if I had mucked the dates up.

I approached a lady who had a positive energy flowing from her.  She seemed to be setting up some artwork for display.  I asked her when the music would start and she said that 45 minutes seemed about right…  great!  I could go back and feed the kitties, and have  a guilt free night of dancing and listening.  I thanked her and it was back to the apartment.

On the way back, I overheard a conversation from two young hippy types who had been hiking the mountains.  I gave them a thumbs up and continued on my way.  They probably thought I was crazy.  Great!

Upon arrival, I fed the kitties had a quick snack which was basically an egg and an apple, took a load off of the feet for a few, and then back out to the park.  I mention this moment because I want to emphasize what an amazing feeling it is to stay at at place in the city that is so accessible to so many things, and so close that I could stop off for a quick bite and then go back into the city and be where I was going within minutes…  most people have to travel to the city from other areas and may not have this sort of luxury.  I am very appreciative of such things and am really envious of those who can do this on a daily basis.

When I returned to the Bandshell, there was a fellow on guitar, singing.  He had a good spirit and was enjoyable to watch.  There was at this time however, no crowd, so the energy levels lacked.  Unfortunately for this fellow, there was a group of musicians playing just up the Mall and they were sounding awfully good to me, so I strolled on over.  What I got to see here was for me, quite astounding.

They combine blue grass and folk and feature a male singer/guitarist, an upright bassist who also sings, and a female guitarist who had one of the most powerful voices I have heard in a while.  I sat there for 15 minutes, with my mouth dropped…  who was this group of souls and why were they here?

They call themselves the “Dirty Urchins.”  After they were through, I immediately thanked them for a tremendous performance.  I spoke with the bassist who informed me that they were local and that they gig around town.  After doing some research, I realized that the beautiful voice of Julia Hatigan, which is what drew me there in the first place, is actually an acclaimed solo artist and apparent friend of the band who may have just been sitting in on this day.  Fortunate for all of us there, as she melds well with this group and the overall sound was very intriguing.  If this is your scene, check em out.  They really had the stuff today!

As soon as they finished, music began to emanate from the bandshell.  They were called Cryptic Skin, and it was mix of electro beats and a female vocalist.   She later invited a friend of hers to the stage and her name may have been Jen.  She is a guitarist with remarkable skills.  When the electro set was over, Jen appeared and walloped the devoted crowd with a solo rendition of Stairway to Heaven.  Very nice!

When their set ended, a fellow came out and played an elctro-acoustic guitar solo for a bit.  Turns out, he was the guy responsible for this festival of music.  It was called “Hunterfest,” aptly named for the band that he is part of called “Mr. Hunter.”  I saw an ad for this fest that they had posted on Craigslist and it seemed to be something I would enjoy.  After about 45 minutes of set up, Mr. Hunter came on and played a nice set.

They began with a jam and then a cover of Rolling Stones.  So far so good.   Then they came on strong with a cover of Breathe by Floyd and tucked a couple of other songs in between the intro and the Reprise.  I was impressed as that song is on my list.  They continued to play a mix of covers and originals, but their covers were unique in that they weren’t just covers, but alterations, adding a Jam Band sort of feel to a rock and roll groove.  This was my cup of tea.

The singer was outstanding.  She seemed to be either new or filling in as she read the words from sheets, but after her nerves settled, she really fell into the groove.   Not much dancing going on here, but a lot of foot tapping and head bobbing.  They took a song by Collective Soul and added texture to it.  That was unique.

I enjoyed this festival.  It could have been promoted more and maybe more people would have shown up, but heads like me were probably down at Times Square for Phil and Bobby anyway so it was understandable that the crowd was thin.  Nonetheless, it was a good time and this band has potential for success.  I gave an ample compliment to the singer after the show.  I went to say hey to the guitarist and founder of the festival, but he had already taken off.  Maybe he was heading to see Phil? So hey, thanks for the festival Chris.

Anyway, the real highlight of my day came when I glanced over and saw the lady that I had spoken to earlier, you know, the one who told me I should come back.  Turns out, she was one of the artists that were displaying their works.  I hadn’t even payed attention to the art as I was so focused on the music.  But during one of the songs, I peered over and was floored at how stunningly beautiful these pieces were;  Abstract design with radiating colors of a magical hue.  This is the kind of art that I dig.

I approached her after the show and we immediately were in tune in the conversation.  It was indeed her work and she was a traveling soul.  We spoke for some time about festivals and art and places where art thrives and Frida Kahlo and all sorts of other things.  Her friend was also very nice and we spoke for a bit as well.  These were kindred spirits; the type of person that I connect with, and the type of soul that is needed to keep this earth in balance.  May you both find ample amounts of joy and success on your endeavors and may prosperous times greet you wherever you may be.

By the way, her name is Alicia, and here is a link for her website…Artbyalicia

We parted on pleasant handshakes and smiles.  And I was off to capture my days events and upload them here, to this blog.  It is unfortunate that I couldn’t take more photos or have them uploaded right away.  Hopefully, soon, down the road, I will be able to share those pics with you.

This was a remarkable day filled with arts and entertainment, and most of all, positivity, which I needed more than almost anything else.  May this energy be passed on to you, the readers of this page.  Check out the artists and musicians I spoke of.  I feel it is my duty to share them with you, in case you haven’t seen or heard of them before.  Many thanks to all of them, to Central and Bryant Parks, and once again to NYC, for allowing a poor soul like myself the opportunity to enjoy music and arts for free, when I really needed them.  Peace.  See you tomorrow…

ONE LINE SUMMARY:  It is easy to feel less hungry when your are being fed free music all day!

>the dayscribber<

FREE in NYC: DAY 3 – SUMMER STAGES – West Side View

The following is Part 3 of a documentary about a week I am spending in NYC.  I have a free place to stay in exchange for watching a couple of pleasant kitty cats.  With almost no money (literally) and enough food to last for about three more days, I am set on having a great week by working through these obstacles.  It’s not going to be easy, but if it works out, it could be fun…  Check out the official page of this NYC journal to get a better understanding of the factors going into this week.  NYCBLOG[portal]

*side note- my phone, which also functions as my camera, decided to jump ship after an extensive Day 4 of photos and great moments.  In the meantime, I enlist some downloaded pics from the web and some older, previously uploaded photos, to substitute for this  technological obstacle.

Day 3: Catchin up, gettin’ it down!

So on the third day of this adventure, you would think I would get  out of the apartment  and venture  into the big city right away?  Well, that would have been ideal, but being as it is that I am broke, coupled with the fact that it was 90 degrees outside most of the day, I decided to be productive inside.  Today was, CATCH UP DAY, and by catch up, I mean writing and tweaking this blog so as to make it a more presentable read.  How does it look so far?

Rise and shine sleepy cat.

In order to participate in catch up day, I needed to be online. The internet connection in this place however, is awful. It will work for a while and then suddenly stop for a few hours.  So when it is finally on, you have to take advantage of its presence.  I decided to start cleaning up my WordPress pages and create a better, more pleasant-looking layout.

The template I had before, I liked, but it wasn’t giving me the flexibility that I was looking for.  I randomly selected another template which was fine, but it still wasn’t strong enough compared to the image I had in my head.  The next template I randomly selected was the one that you see here.  It has been wonderful from the start and has allowed me to be creative in both its layout and its functionality.

Once I had established the new look for the site, it was time to start writing and developing the story line for this week here in NYC.  The night before, knowing I would be creating such things, I wrote a description of Day 1 and some of Day 2, in a file I created in WORD.  I just figured that when I was ready to post this, it would be somewhat written and all I would have to do is upload photos and tweak my English.  Well as it turns out, I am a bit rusty.  It took me several hours just to get one article finished.  Some writer I have become, huh?

But I did finish it and then started the writing for Day 2.  This journal was easier to transcribe as I had a template already in the process of being shaped… but then the internet STOPPED.  And it stopped for a while.  So I took a nap, a long nap.

Eventually, after my nap, the internet started  up and I started to dabble again, achieving a semi completed version of both articles.  By now, however, it was almost 7:00 p.m. and I hadn’t done a fuckin thing to include in my writing for Day 3,at least  in relation to doing things  in NYC for free.  Granted, the work I was doing was productive and efficient, but still, I needed something to talk about here (I mean, do you really want to hear about how I used a computer all day and then get a description of how I wrote about using that computer.)  So I ate an avocado, an egg and some crackers (big meal huh?) and by 8:00 I was out the door.

The options on this night weren’t really juicing me up anyway.  I suppose that is another reason I hadn’t been in a hurry to get outside.  There was the Hudson River Film Festival playing “DISTRICT 9,” which I had already seen and didn’t have a fix to see again.  Shakespeare in the park was performing “THE MERCHANT OF VENICE,” which had a similar cast as “THE WINTER’S TALE,” plus a few other actors, including Al Pacino.  Uptown on the West side, there was a free jazz concert at a park along the river, but it was Wayyyy uptown, like 125^th st, and my energy levels weren’t exactly soaring.  And there was also a free show at the park by Madison Square Garden, but since I am going that way today, I didn’t have much interest in that.  None of these were totally appealing for one reason or another, which left me with a feeling of indecision.

So I left the apartment with no real destination.  I strolled up 79^th street and found my way to 5^th avenue, which is of course adjacent to Central Park, and started walking downtown.  In the distance, I began to hear a rumbling of drums.  I though that it could have been from a vehicle, but it kept pounding, and getting louder.  I then thought, well maybe they have a free show at the Bandshell?  As I got closer, I realized that this was too loud and too large for the Bandshell.  So I entered the park at 72^nd street, and was amazed at just how loud it was and how many people were strolling around.  This was no small show.

As I turned in, I saw ample amounts of young NYC hipsters lined up on a lawn, either picnicking or talking, or just sitting there, listening to what was at this time, a very distinct and loud concert taking place across the street.  And on that street, was The Summer Stage area.

Throughout the summer, NYC puts on a series of shows, some of them FREE others with a charge, and the series  features a very diverse selection of music stars from across the country and the world.  Tonight’s show, unfortunately, was not free, otherwise I am sure I would have gone there to begin with.  $35 for a large show like that is normally a value, but when $0.35 is about your budget, well, you enjoy what you can, in a way that is accessible.

My dinner set to the backdrop of NYC SUMMER STAGE!

So, why not join the others?  I found a spot on the lawn just across from the arena and took in some sounds.  I finished my lovely dinner consisting of 1 egg, 1/3^rd of an apple and some veggie crackers (boy am I must be getting fat!)  The music was loud, and very detectable, but I didn’t know who was playing.

So I sat there for half an hour, experiencing NYC in the summer for free once again.  Eventually, I got bored.  Although the band was sounding good, I wasn’t familiar with them, and they weren’t really my sound.  I got up and strolled over onto a path into the park, which maneuvered around the stage.  Here was where the true hipsters  were;  hovering in small dense pockets of friendship, taking advantage of the free music that was just inside the monetarily guarded pearly gates.  This was a great moment to be part of. If only the band was someone I knew more of or enjoyed on a different level.

I found a bench on the other side of the concert area.  It is located in an area of central park known as “The Mall.“

Scene from The Mall. These two "lovebirds" had just made lust!

I decided to catch up on some family calling while I was here, so that I could share the moment with them.  The music was a nice backdrop to my call which lasted for about 15 minutes.  After the call and few minutes of music, I got up and walked deeper into the park.  ‘Let’s go to the west side for a few minutes and then come back.”

So I got up and walked on through the park.  I was generally bored with this seemingly endless path, when suddenly, the trees in the park began to dissolve, and all that remained, was a view of the city skyline, from inside the walls of Central Park.  I had never seen this view, and I have to be honest, this may be my new favorite of all.  Bright, older marquis of established corporations emanating crystal clear lights; creating a boundary of color for those strolling through the park.  Never before in one place have I felt nature and technology combine so eloquently. Unfortunately,  it was too dark for my camera to really capture the essence, but for what its worth, I haven’t been this floored visually in quite some time.

So I made it to the west side and found a pocket of singers and guitarists playing Saturday Night Fever under a tree.  I like this sort of thing; simple, fun, entertaining, and of course, free.  I didn’t hang with them but I grooved with them along my walk, as if they were playing a soundtrack for my stride through the park.  Their music took me to the corner of 67^th street and Central Park West.  I took a couple of photos here of random settings.  I found the ambiance here exciting, and completely different than the portion of the Upper East where I am staying.  Another day, I should come back here.  I especially enjoyed offering directions to a  nice young couple who asked me where Columbus Circle was.  I was pleased to have the answer ready and waiting for them.  It gives me great pleasure to give directions to people in NYC and in Boston as it makes me feel that I am home as a local, and it happens so often to me that  I have come to expect it.

After only a few short minutes here, it was  back towards the east side.  I passed the same musical folks from before.  This time, they were throwing a glow in the dark Red Frisbee.  The musicians were providing a fitting backdrop with “Roxanne, you don’t have to put on the red light!”  I laughed and smiled as another passerby sang along.  By this time, the Summer Stage concert had ended and hundreds of people were swarming in my direction…  I didn’t mind.  I stopped to take pictures of the city skyline here, and I certainly wasn’t the only one amazed.

Back through the park, past the now finished show, I took in the energy of this satisfied crowd.  Once again, however, even though it was fun and unique, I found this experience to be a very lonely one; good music experiences, as well as most other events are generally much more enjoyable when you have someone to share it with. Most everyone here was with at least one other person, and most of them seemed pleased.  I don’t mind doing things on my own, but many times it feels as if you don’t get complete satisfaction unless someone else acknowledges a shared experience.

Back up 5^th, passed hordes of good looking people, I eventually arrived back in the apartment.  I immediately began writing and tweaking.  By 2:00, I had finished the ascetics of the site, and had uploaded my first entry, Day 1, into the site.  I was very pleased with this moment.

I took a rest and fought through what is now an ongoing tooth ache in the back of my mouth.  It forced me to get up and brush a couple of times, and then it created all sorts of bizarre dreams.  I awoke, fed the kitties, had a banana and some crackers and started immediately typing this entry, on WORD, as the internet is once again, off the grid!

After an amazing Day 4, I came back here, tweaked and published Day 2 and then transferred Day 3 onto this platform.  I look forward to sharing my stories of Day 4 as it was eventful and full of positivity.  I understand much of this may come off as boring so far, but its real experiences in a real town, from a real person, who is real broke!  I welcome comments and suggestions.

>the dayscribber<

• Day 1: Uptown via Port Authority
• Day 2: Shakespeare in the Park

FREE in NYC: DAY 2 – SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK – “A SUMMER’S TALE”

The following is Part 2 of a documentary about a week I am spending in NYC.  I have a free place to stay in exchange for watching a couple of pleasant kitty cats.  With almost no money (literally) and enough food to last for about three more days, I am set on having a great week by working through these obstacles.  It’s not going to be easy, but if it works out, it could be fun…  Check out the official page of this NYC journal to get a better understanding of the factors going into this week.  NYCBLOG[portal]

Day 2: “A SUMMER’S TALE”

Today began with a feeding of the cats and for me, a large bowl of oatmeal with banana and apple.  Also included were a small glass of soy milk and a couple of crackers, to help fill me up.  I then took a shower, cleaned up my beard, and it was time to browse the interwebs for things to do.

This is Sarah at the office!

Wi-Fi in this building is almost unattainable.  The person that I am house-sitting for has a cable modem, but it wouldn’t connect to my laptop.  I managed to get her computer to work and I sent a brief email to her telling her that all was ok.

I then spent a couple of hours trying to figure out how to get the internet from her router to my Ethernet port.  After experimenting with a couple of installations and some reboots, I got it to work. YAY ME!  I went online for a bit and searched for things to do in the city for free.

I came up with a large list and I plan on doing something for free everyday that I am here.  But, I am also trying to get work.  So Craigslist Gigs section for an hour, but not many prospects.  What am I looking for you ask?  Well, although I have been attempting to be a writer, I have other tangible skills.  I have been a landscaper and have also painted.  I have helped several people move and have organized peoples homs.  In addition, I have an  extensive background in customer service.  But what about acting?  I see a lot of casting calls on there.  Am I even remotely qualified for such things?

I have done two shows in my adult life.  The first was for a Community Center and was filled with characters straight out of  WAITING FOR GUFFMAN.  It was a great experience, but I was AWFUL. That is the TRUTH.  No one would tell me that, but I knew it to be true.

The other show I did was for a Jewish temple and it was for Rosh Hashana.  I got “rave” reviews for this performance.  The other people in the show were also very good.  Some were actors, others were just members of the congregation helping out with the production.  I had a large part with an extensive monologue and I must say, I did a decent job of it.

However great that show may have been for me and my confidence,  my minor portfolio isn’t gonna have an exec from Mirimax barging in my door, begging for a multi-million dollar contract anytime soon.  But when you get so many compliments from so many people, regardless of their experiences, you can’t help but question the thought.  Will I proceed in trying again?  Check later in this blog entry to find out!

OK, so back to my NYC trip.  To be honest with you, Day two was on its way to becoming as lame as Day 1.  I stayed indoors for much of the day.  And although I researched out things to do for the week, I didn’t make any real effort to get out the house.  So when I looked at the clock and noticed it was 7:00 p.m., I figured it was time to do something.

I checked in with my free things to do list and found two options.  The first, was a Jazz show featuring the music of CHARLES MINGUS.  I am a fan of jazz and Mingus was one of the first I had been tuned into.  A free show featuring his music would be the perfect exercise in social activity that I could ask for.  Unfortunately for me, this festival was down in Washington Square Park, which for you non New Yorkers is way down in the village around 4th street, in the area near NYU.  I love that area, but since I have no funds, walking is my transport.  And while walking nearly 80 blocks is something I have done and would do again, walking 160 blocks including the return trip was not something I wanted to do.  So I checked the list again.

Shakespeare in the Park is an ongoing event which has taken place in the city every year since 1954.  I have seen but one show here, “TWELFTH NIGHT,” which had a great cast and was a great time.  This year, they are performing two different shows.  The one on this night is called “THE WINTER’S TALE.”

In order to get tickets to a performance, one has two choices.  They could get to the park and wait on a long line early in the a.m. for a couple of hours or more, in hopes of scoring a ticket.  Once those tickets are gone along with your hopes of an easy score, one has another option of standing on a “standby” line for a couple of hours and see if people are no shows.  When I came here for Twelfth Night, we chose the standby line option.  We stayed there for nearly two hours.  It was loads of fun.  We met some other folks and played word games with them to entertain ourselves.  The interaction helped ease the time and eventually, we got in.  It was a great show and worth every effort we made to get there.

So back to now, it was already 7:40 when I left the apartment.  The trek over to the BELVEDERE CASTLE and then to the DELACORTE THEATER where the show takes place is about a 15 minute walk or so.  I made a decision that I would walk it, with an understanding that I would probably not get into the show, but  that it would still be a nice stroll through the park.  If I didn’t get in, at least I would be strolling through Central Park.

My trek over featured unique sights.  This one here, although not uncommon, was not expected.

Music in the Park.

The splendor that is NYC lies in the fact that this scene has no element of surprise here.  Yet how often does one see a bagpipe player on the street in the U.S.? But here he ways, most people paying subtle glances, the others poking fun,  but all of the viewers satisfied knowing that they have a story to tell about the guy who plays bagpipes in Central Park.  Thank you kind sir for being there when you were.

After this point in the park, I crossed over a street which had high-speed bike traffic.  Even though they had a red light, not one of them stopped for me to cross over.  Again, an understanding that phases only those in a hurry.  I was on my own pace and these hurried cyclists couldn’t take away my mood.

The next site was Belvedere Castle, located a few short steps away from  the theater that awaited my arrival.  There’s  a spectacular perspective of the city from here, so it was no wonder that I would stop here for a few minutes, knowing that I had very little time to get in to the show.  But I didn’t suspect that I would be able to get a ticket anyway, so why not enjoy the scenery.  This is a recommended spot to see if you are visiting NYC and would like an alternate landscape to lay your eyes on.

Arriving at Belvedere Castle.

A view of Upper East Side from the castle.

After spending a few minutes staring off into the distance, I glanced over and saw the theater and the patrons that had already arrived.  Now I felt some excitement, knowing that the theater was so close.

The Delacorte Theater from Belvedere Castle.

It reminded me of the one time I had seen the show.  It’s a spectacular theater and I imagine you could watch the show from this spot, although very obstructed.  But ideally, getting inside this theater to see a performance is something that would be difficult to rival.  Having seen plenty of Broadway growing up, the experience of being outdoors, in Central Park, watching top actors of our generation perform top shows from an entirely different generation, is an experience that makes you question how we have become so much of a society based on technological media, and less on outdoor performance art.  I love film, I am fascinated by technology, but a true connoisseur of the theater, nor do I particularly love all of it,  I am in true awe of quality live performances of this nature.  That is why this type of show has been in production since the 1950′s and this style of performance has been in consistent existence since the time of its inception; the energy emitted by live acting in a public forum is difficult to emulate in any other entertainment medium.

So it was now time to do battle with the ticket lords in hopes of getting in.  When I went down the stairs of the castle and turned the corner, I was pleased to notice that a line was still there.  This of course was the standby line and the fact that it was still there, meant there was still some hope.  In addition, it was much shorter than the last time I was here and that gave me a good sense.

The standby line. Not very long, and a sax solo to keep us entertained.

The gentlemen to the right of us provided smooth sax to keep our senses at ease.  I felt bad as to not support him, but hey, what could I do?  While on the line, I chatted with the fellow in front of me who was reading a book.  I made sure this was the proper place, and he confirmed, and also informed me that the line was much longer earlier and that people had just plain given up… Amateurs!

A nice couple arrived behind me and they seemed to find great value in the scene as well.  We spoke for a few and we bonded over the fact the line was moving and tickets were being handed out.

After about 20 or 30 tickets, they stopped handing them out.  A hush fell over us, but hope still managed to shine a light.  We kidded around about how we were last-minute and would feel bad if we got seats and all of the folks that left didn’t.  That however, is the beauty of chance.

The line began to move again, and we were probably a good 75 seats back.  I kept thinking, “what if I get a ticket and only one member of the couple I was talking with gets in.”  I really felt that this was going to happen.  I also knew, that if it did, I would probably have given up my seat for them because I know what that show feels like with a partner, and it’s not the same with just yourself, even if it is a nice time.

As we got closer, my nerves were shaking.  Part of me sensed that the tickets were dwindling, yet another said, “hey wait, you just might get in.”  The line moved quickly but time moved ever so slowly.  The anticipation was mounting.  Doubts and hopes colliding in a whirlpool of emotions until… I got a ticket!  So did both of the folks behind me.  YAY!!  I am going in, dilemma free.

I figured on my seat being the worst in the house.  I didn’t care.  When the usher directed me to my seat, I was surprised to find this view.

It was the first row of the second level, maybe 8 rows back.  Mostly to the left of center stage, but in clear view.

What a seat. Could you ask for a better view?

This was about to become a highlight of a night for me.  Within a minute of arriving, the lights dimmed and the show began.  I was in.  I was a part of a NY tradition.  I was excited.  I took a chance and it payed off.  This my friends, is a real NYC Experience!

Due to restrictions on taking photos during the performance, I do not have pictures to show you from the show, but this ought to give you an idea of the view at least.

As far as the performance goes, most everyone was spot on.  The play tells the story of two kings whose friendship is marred by a paranoia that the other king has had intimacy with his pregnant wife.  The paranoid king instructs his cohorts to imprison the wife and be rid of her baby.  Unknown to him, the loyal servants send the baby off  in the style of Moses, to another land, to be cared for by whomever should find it.  Accompanying the baby is gold and other goods.  The baby is discovered and cared for by a fellow who watches her grow to  become\a beautiful young woman who falls in love with a Sheppard. As it turns out, this Sheppard is actually the son of the king, pretending to be poor so that he may find his true love.  A brief and flawed description, but you get the idea…

All chaos takes place and is portrayed as both tragedy and comedy. With such drama, and comedic intervals, it set the tone for an enjoyable performance and a beautiful night.

Several roles stood out of this performance.  Max Wright, who has had a significant career in both film, tv and theater, was terrific comedy and an ice breaker at a time when it was needed.  Hamish Linklater, whom I had only known of as being on a tv show with Julia-Louis-Dryfus, was brilliant comedy and a true performer who thoroughly brought the other characters of the play together utilizing his wit and flair for timing.   The role of Paulina, played by Marianne Jean-Baptiste, a person of whom I had no familiarity with, was captivating.  Every scene she was in demanded great attention and she got that from me for sure.  I mention these individual performances as they were highlights for me and do not mean to take away any compliment from all of the other roles.  I try to keep my journals to the point, and I wanted to point out what caught my attention in this show.

So, I certainly left there feeling that I had gotten my money’s worth.  The fellow sitting to my left was responsible for me having this seat;  he had given it away to the theater prior to the show.  I thanked him and he explained to me the significance of the performance and shared with me his love for Shakespeare.  If you sir should ever read this article, thank you again for allowing me the opportunity and for your insights into the show itself.

So it was time to exit, amongst the 2,000 or so other patrons who also seemed generally pleased.  It was a slow pace at first, but when it opened up, I was back in the park and noticed this skyline…

The moon over the castle. Looks better in person!

This was a spectacular moment; to emerge from the theater, turn the corner, go up the stairs, and WOW!  The full moon shining just above the towers of the castle.  A perfect visual to close out a perfect night.

The remainder of the walk home was filled with other show patrons and a full moon lighting up Central Park.  I arrived back at the apartment, ate a bit of food, checked a few emails and then it was nap time.  It was wonderful to take a chance like that and have it pay off.  My recommendation to other broke visitors to the city is to try and see one of these shows when they run.  You may not love Shakespeare, you may not even understand the meaning and context of the performance, but you may just learn to love what has become a NY tradition, and what was surely a Midsummer Night’s Reality for me! See you tomorrow.

>the dayscribber<

• Day 1: Uptown via Port Authority
• Day 3: SUMMER STAGE

FREE in NYC: DAY 1 – UPTOWN – via PORT AUTHORITY

The following is  Part 1 of a documentary about the week I am spending in NYC.  I have a free place to stay in exchange for watching a couple of pleasant kitty cats.  With almost no money (literally) and enough food to last for about three more days, I am set on having a great week by working through these obstacles.  It’s not going to be easy, but if it works out, it could be fun…  Check out the official page of this NYC journal to get a better understanding of the factors going into this week.  NYCBLOG[portal]

DAY 1: The arrival

The journey started last night, Monday July26th, 2010.  I arrived at Port Authority from New Jersey at around 7:30. I decided on the bus that the first thing I see when I exit the station, I will snap a photo and post it here.

The first thing I saw when exiting the Port Authority.

Ok, for what its worth, I have no interest in becoming a journalist for a publication like the New York Times, but I found it ironic that this would be the photo I would take first and post to an article that I would be writing, for my own publication.  Well NY Times, I may not know what goes on  inside your offices, but may I say that you do have a uniquely beautiful looking building from the outside…

So, uptown is where I am heading.  Upper East to be precise.  The apartment is in a nice neighborhood and is close to the MET and of course, Central Park.  I am going to be spending some ample time in the park this week, so I figured that instead of strolling through the park, I would walk a bit further west instead, to maybe catch some scenery that was less familiar to me.  8^th avenue was not providing me with such thrills. I suppose that I grew up going to this area, especially when we would go to Broadway shows, so I had seen these storefronts before, none of which struck me as too exciting.  So I ventured a bit further west.

Passing Broadway, I looked to the right and saw Times Square.  Ok, yeah, its way touristy, but no matter how many times I have seen it, it never stops amazing me.  And the energy that exists in this area is unrivaled.  People from all over the world, flock to this familiar looking area.  Can you imagine if you were from some tiny European city and this was your first trip to anywhere, can you even estimate what it would feel like to see all of these brightly lit marquis and fast moving people?  Can you grasp how intimidating that would be for someone from such a place?  We take it for granted, and even though I am a person who tends to be attracted to the less mainstream arts, there is no denying the enormity of Times Square, and I am glad I chose that route to be reminded of its grandeur.

However excited I was to see this area, I was not about to walk up Broadway at this time of day with a backpack and rolling luggage; just way too crowded and I wanted my pace to be faster than slow.  So I continued up 50^th street and ended up passing 6^th avenue, 5^th avenue, and eventually I arrived at Madison.

I am a strange person with peculiar habits.  One of these habits is to walk in the direction that the flow of traffic is moving.   If it’s a one-way street heading downtown, I wasn’t going to get on it and walk uptown.  So even though 5^th avenue was ideal for where I was going, Madison was the one heading uptown.  And since I hadn’t really ever explored this part of Madison Ave, I figured, why not.

So left on Madison and uptown we go.  To be honest with you, I liked the energy here, but there really isn’t much scenery to absorb.  Its mostly shops, many of which are out of my means, and considering that my funds are really limited even for the dollar store, seeing places to purchase goods here is a waste of time.  However, it was less crowded and easier to maneuver here than 8^th so I would stay on this route until I got to the neighborhood.

At certain intersections, you could see way east or west down the adjoining streets.  So it was here, on maybe 65^th street or so that I caught this view.

Around 65th and Madison.

I don’t know what struck me about it, but it did.  Maybe the concoction of generational architectures meeting in one unified location.  Or maybe it was just different looking.  Needless to say, I took the photo, and I am sharing it with you.

Continuing  on up Madison, I couldn’t help but wonder where it was that they filmed that scene in the movie “SPLASH” staring Tom Hanks and Darryl Hannah.  It is the scene where she climbs to the top of the street pole and sees the sign that reads: MADISON AVE.  Because of this moment, Tom Hanks’ character names the charming Mermaid Madison and thus a legend was born.  So what street is this filmed on, or should I say, what intersection?  Well, I haven’t found out yet, but it is a goal of mine I intend on achieving by the conclusion of this documentary.

As I continued uptown, all I could do was observe the area, and notice the distinct personality, focusing more on high end clothing and food, and less on mainstream or abstract subjects.  I notice a distinct look on the people who roam here, and although I did not feel unwelcome, I didn’t feel quite at home.  The city is plush full of unique areas; each with its own feeling.  I myself enjoy areas like the village and chelsea, but have an appreciation for all of it.  I felt as if this was a good introduction to the varied week I was about to journey on, but not an area I would be spending much of my time in.

So I eventually arrived at the apartment, I greeted the kitties, I fed them some food, fed myself some leftover pizza from Jersey and a few other tidbits, and then I relaxed on the patio.  An hour later, I was asleep.  It was a long trek uptown and a long trip just to get into the city.  I for one am glad to be here again and I look forward to Day 2.  Day 1, complete.

ONE LINE OBSERVATION: In NYC, even a lame day can be filled with beauty and excitement.

this story continues with DAY 2: Shakespeare in the park…

Screenwriting vs the Dogs!

Distractions are everywhere.  Today is no exception.

I am sitting here trying to scrib off some lines for a spec script I am working on, and for one reason or another, the dogs are barking.  Maybe they hear something outside, or maybe they just want to annoy me.  Either way, I am not getting much done.

Whereas your house or your office is normally the best place to find raised levels of production, sometimes distractions are just too frequent.  Barking dogs, the phone ringing, your grandmother talking about 1947, and the  TV shows that you would normally never watch are suddenly  masterpieces that you can’t miss.  Sometimes, you just need to get out of the office space you have built, and become part of a public office.  There are so many choices out there however and it may be difficult to choose one.

When choosing a place to write, you may try and find a location that provides a comfortable surrounding and a quiet workspace.  Sometimes however, noisy places provide just as much comfort. I have found several locations to fit the mold.  Here’s a list of three  places that I find less distracting and more inviting:

1. THE PARK:  If you have a park in the neighborhood where few kids frequent, this is a great spot to be creative.  Soak in the air and glance at the nature that surrounds you.  If in NYC, Central park is inspiring, besides its abundance of patrons, dogs, and kids.  Any park that is situated along a river is pleasantly inviting for a creative experience.  These outdoor areas offer the sounds of nature, and can provide you with  change of scenery and fresh air.  However, if you don’t have a battery that will last long on your laptop, and you aren’t the type to write by hand, I suggest-
2. A COFFEE HOUSE: Preferably a lesser known or local cafe versus the corporate chain.  I find that  the customers that  frequent such places are more likely to be the writer types.  Surrounding yourself with this type of character is beneficial to the comfort factor that encourages production and creativity; and I do find  establishments that encourage the arts and are locally owned to be more compassionate to an easily distracted soul like myself .  Locally owned businesses are like freelance writers; they are the underdogs in the overall scheme of the things and therefore I feel more at home in their environment!  A coffee house in general however, will provide you with a place to plug in your computer, a hot beverage, a pastry, and artistic surrounds, but if you find any coffee house to be distracting, why not try out-
3. THE MALL: I know what you are thinking here; no distractions at the mall?  But the truth is that there is so much going on at the mall at all times, that its easy to just sort of assimilate into the crowd and do your own thing. That’s not all!  There are also so many different types of people at the mall, that I can’t help but feel that this is a great space for finding inspiration for characters and ideas for dialogue.  Trust me,I have utilized things I have overheard at the mall for several of my half-written gems!  You may not like the mall, but you can’t overlook its scenery.  Plus, if you need a piece of pizza, some yogurt, or a useless accessory for your phone, you can find all of these things under one roof.  And, you may even score some free wi-fi along with ample amounts of benches and AC outlets.!

There are many many more places I could name, but I just wanted to get the ball rolling.  If you can recommend another one that’s off the radar, or just want to comment about my rants about local business, please leave a comment.  See you outside!

>the dayscribber<

MOTIVATION for the SCREENWRITER

This is a quick post for the budding screenwriters out there who are having a tough time writing today.
If you work alone, like I do, its easy to get distracted and procrastinate. I am doing it right now!
But here are some words from me to you to help you get motivated:
A SCREENPLAY IS NOT GOING TO BE PUBLISHED UNTIL IT IS COMPLETE. And its not going to be complete if you don’t work on it.
That’s it. Take what you want from that. Continued progress and success to you!

>The Dayscribber<

FADE TO: A Screenwriter’s Routine.

How many of you out there are self-disciplined?  Do you have the strength to get your writing done without being distracted by the noise of everyday life?  I  am not always such a person;  easily distracted by the most subtle  of sounds.   I  find it very difficult to concentrate and stay focused when things are going on around me.   What’s worse, is that I am distracted by the silence I encounter when I am alone; the ringing in my ears, I have concluded, are a means for my subconscious  to distract me from my goals and destroy any chance I have for success.  Go figure!

So knowing how I already behave going into the world of screenwriting, I have made several attempts to alter my habits and have tried to incorporate certain proven methods into my everyday existence.  These methods and habits may just allow me  to  hone in on my concentration and keep my levels of focus at their optimum.  Without such methods, I find myself to be wandering through the desert of imagination instead of picking apples  in the orchards of creativity. Such analogies are trite, but so are bad habits.

Many writers claim that the best way to break our old habits, is to create some new ones.

But what are appropriate habits for an easily distracted writer to have?  What method will not only force him to be more  productive, but will ultimately provide him a routine that will induce creativity?

CONSISTENCY !

Having consistency as a habit is sort of like providing your brain  a map ; it will almost always know where its going because it has taken that road before. So what then should you be doing consistently?

Here are three things I try and do on a consistent basis.   I find that these routines have helped me be more productive in my budding stages of being a writer:

• Write something as soon as you awake.   And It doesn’t matter what you write, or even how much, as long as you transfer  some thoughts from your head  to a written or typed form.  It can be something new, or an addition to something you’ve been working on(recommended.)   I find that getting up, going to the computer, and typing a few extra lines of a script I am in the middle of, motivates me to want to do more.  And I can do more during the day, after I truly wake up.  Getting that little bit of writing done first thing sets the tone for the rest of the day, and motivates me to want to get shit done.
• Read a portion of a professional screenplay everyday. I find that reading part of a  screenplay everyday reminds me that I have a lot of work to do in order to improve my style  and master the craft.  I also find that other writings inspire me to write, specifically if it’s a screenplay from a film that I enjoy.   A light comedy  has a tendency  to distract me from the stress I  have placed on myself  to finish my work, and  laughter can be a remedy for any ailment, including procrastination.
• Set and achieve a specific goal for each day by applying a reward system and self-discipline . I find that having goals is my new goal;  it gives me more things to to strive for.  Your goal for the week may be to type 30 pages, but your goal for the day may just be  5.    But the real goal should be the reward that you give yourself for achieving a goal, no matter how large or small the task. For example, I try not to eat certain snack foods until I complete a certain amount of writing; If I don’t finish it, I don’t have that snack(well, sometimes!) If you can be strict on yourself however, and apply effective methods of self-discipline, the rewards you set will motivate you to achieve your overall work goal.

So wake each day and type something.  Set your goals for the day and reward yourself for achieving these goals.   Read a portion of a professional screenplay. And then achieve some more goals!  A script won’t be published if it isn’t written…

In an upcoming forum, I will discuss other techniques for getting through the day.  Please feel free to comment and or offer further insight.  FADE OUT:

INT. CLASSIFIEDS – SCREENWRITERS WANTED – REALLY?

This is not a classified ad for a screenwriter position.  It sure looked promising though, didn’t it?  It probably offered you a brief moment of hope.  Well, that feeling you may have had when you clicked on this post is a feeling I get when perusing for possible job leads on the inter-tubes.  And I wanted to talk about the ads that cause these promising feelings.  I want to know if they are worth my time or just a waste of time;  after all, I am still just an amateur with no proven skills.   Are these ads legit? Do they offer valid hope for an inexperienced writer?  Are they legit even for the experienced writer? This is what I want to know, and perhaps you clicked here because you want to know too.

So I search the inter-webs, almost on a daily basis, looking for that one opening, that portal, that brief window of opportunity that will allow me  into the world of professional screenwriting.  But here’s the problem that I encounter; I have no published writing samples.  Everything that I have written to this point, has been on my own time, in my own space. And as a newbie to the world of blogging, I have very limited experiences to share with a potential employer that would  even remotely express the capabilities that I feel that I have as a budding writer.  I start this writing off, this way, so that I may try and  work through some ideas on how to  get myself into that world, without having the experiences that almost anyone in the field of production would be looking for.  I am posting this in hopes that others who have replied to ads like those seen on sites like Craigslist.org can offer their experiences and offer some insight as to whether or not they have found success or have been left to ponder as I do.

The first thought that comes to mind in relation to this subject is, “Can an unpublished writer land a gig through an online ad.”  What I don’t know is just how many people are replying to such ads.  If you are an aspiring writer with little or no experience, and you have responded to any of these ads, please share your experience with me. I want to know the success rates of such experiences, and whether or not I am kidding myself by believing that I can find a gig this way.

The next thought I have  is about self-publishing.  I have enough things written from my own spare time that I feel could  build up my presence on a web page, or on a blog, should I choose to post them.  By publishing things in this manner,  I should be able to create a more accurate picture relating to the nature of my talents.  As someone who has been very reluctant to share his work with anyone over the years however, it is a daunting task to just post such work on a public forum with the hopes of gaining positive feedback, or constructive criticism.  But one of the  recurring thoughts that an aspiring writer like myself has, is that  “if I don’t show my work, then no one will see it;  and if no one sees it, I can’t prove my talents and build web presence.”  And my guess, is that without web presence, or a portfolio of completed works, it will be a very difficult task to get noticed by those production companies or independent film makers who seek screenwriters for their projects.  But I just don’t know all the avenues just yet, and this is one purpose in posting this topic.

So, if you have an opinion on this topic and/or suggestions as to the proper way  way to build a portfolio of work without being officially published, please share it with me . This journey isn’t just for me, it’s for all of us talented writers who are scared of the implications of the business end of the creative world, and who haven’t yet taken that leap forward into the world of professional screenwriting; a place we strive to be part of.

And that is where I start this journey; by asking questions to both the experienced and the aspiring writers out there, in an attempt to get some answers to the questions that people like myself have in regards to the screenwriting profession.  I have another blog just getting going at the dayscribber. It is brand new like this one, so be patient.  If you like what I have to say here, follow me on both; it is bound to get better, all the time.

FADE OUT:

INT. DAYSCRIBBER’S MIND – PRESENT

As he types on his LAPTOP, the soothing sounds of REGGAE blend with the humorous opinions of JOY BEHAR and THE VIEW; he is after all staying with some family, and they do enjoy their TELEVISION.  Where his production levels are slightly stunted, his IMAGINATION is  in full motion; there is after all, no better inspiration for writing than one’s own FAMILY.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DAYSCRIBBER’S JOURNEY – THE NEXT ENTRY