When I finally decided to make a real commitment to developing original content I did the potentially irresponsible thing of systematically firing most of my corporate consulting clients.
Finally finished a complete first draft of a screenplay I’ve been kicking around for a while. (Just what the world needs. Another guy with a screenplay to hawk.)
Got the idea for the story hook a couple years ago, right around the time when the code to the human genome project was completed.
Thought the two commentary tracks on The Incredibles DVD gave some interesting insights into the mind of the animator. I’m not an animator, but have had the good fortune of working with some good ones on occasion.
The first commentary track is with writer/director Brad Bird and producer John Walker. This conversation is more comprehensive and includes topics like pitching the project, producing and other good stuff.
The second commentary track is with a very large group of animators from the film and reveals a lot about what they worry about and where their satisfaction comes from.
Highly recommend a listen for those who collaborate with animators.
Is SXSW a valuable event for Content Developers to attend?
After attending my first conference this year — Gold badge (film and interactive) — my answer is an unqualified YES.
My hopes for attending this year were pretty simple. Expose yourself to as many new ideas as possible. Absorb what you can. Maybe find some inspiration.
Will pass along more feedback on the ideas and knowledge accumulated at the event in later posts, but wanted to focus on the aspect of finding inspiration.
Being surrounded by that kind of creative energy for 5 days does have a positive effect on the psyche. Meeting film makers and other creative entrepreneurs, many who have spent years getting their projects developed, produced and (sometimes) distributed is energizing.
The ability to tap into that kind of energy alone made the event worthwhile for me as we try to decide on our first project to move out of development and into production.