The Future of Script Writing

So many of you know that I have been watching The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, and I'm fascinated with the writing behind the series.
This is no ordinary writing, with direct and immediate interaction with the audience. The characters participate in social media sites, and actual events take place in both the story and real world timeline. I wonder if this type of entertainment is the future of stories to come. I remember people talking about books going in this direction, much like the choose your own adventure titles that are still sold today. But this type of show is very different from a reality show where  people vote, or a staged, planned and solid story that fans can ask questions of the writers or characters, but it is not part of the overall storyarc. In my scriptwriting class, we all turned in a short paragraph answering the same question, "What is the future of script writing?" At the time, many of us answered with more 3 D films and we actually argued about a type of film where the viewers were the characters, and the process would be similar to a role playing video game. But even after that argument, we all agreed that the world has always loved stories about characters. This new form of story, where the characters and audience actually interact, is a new idea that blends the world's love of characters and the viewers' desire to become part of the story.
I might take the challenge to come up with a story of my own in this format.

For more about the Lizzie Bennet Diaries:

http://www.lizziebennet.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/LizzieBennet
http://lizziebennetdiaries.tumblr.com/
http://www.facebook.com/LizzieBennetDiaries

Having a modern day Pride and Prejudice is a great way to engage an audience in a story, and the future of scriptwriting may be projects as fascinating and clever as this one.

On Creating Worlds

I am currently reading Dune by Frank Herbert and I'm amazed by how vivid the world of the story is. As a writer, one of my goals is to do just that, create a world with its own magic, politics and religion. This is no easy task, but details make a story greater, and convince the reader that the world is probable. 

For examples, I turn to Tolkien, who created languages, histories, races and magic to make an epic story. J.K. Rowling invented her own system of magic, and a whole dimension of magic away from the "muggle" world. Diana Wynne Jones created a familiar yet different world related to the European countries.
After reading many  of these stories, I wonder what makes the world of a book seem real. Some would say the characters and their way of living life can reveal a world through human eyes. Others agree that the geography and history of the world makes it realistic to a reader. Magic and languages must be carefully crafted. Myth and folklore add a dimension to the world of a story and create an importance of their own.
Many of my inspiration for writing comes from stories with vivid and realistic worlds.The worlds of Final Fantasy with their elements of myth and folklore become very real while you learn their stories. Spira, from Final Fantasy X, was one of the most amazing and vivid worlds I have ever seen. Coccoon and Pulse from Final Fantasy XIII were also detailed worlds with Steam Punk flare. Another world I admire is the world of Avatar the Last Airbender. Not only did this world have it's own magic. It had its own myths, animals and a religion that played a key part of the story. In the Stravaganza Series by Mary Hoffman, she creates her own Italy with beautiful and intriguing detail, including important magical props.
My current story is a world I have created in the example of these stories. I don't have languages, but one of my stories does have a language I invented. 
I want to create the feeling of stepping into a new world. Like when Jake Sully becomes a Navi in the film Avatar. The vivid and memorable landscape, and the interesting culture of the Navi makes the world of Pandora an amazing element of the film.
Creating worlds, for a writer, is no easy task. Details must be added. A history invented, and characters introduced before a story can really feel like a journey.

What elements do you think create worlds in stories?

Writing Reader's List for the Year

Books about writing that I will read, and possibly review this year:

Reflections on the Magic of Writing by Diana Wynne Jones

The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler

The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell

On Writing by Steven King

Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder

Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine

Writing Subtext: What Lies Beneath by Linda Seger

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

I have read a few of these already, but I highly recommend them.
If you have any recommendations, feel free to comment ^_^

The Big Six Challenge

I have seen this challenge on a few other writing blogs, and I have decided to take it head on!

What is it?
The Big Six Challenge is where you enter and apply to all the writing programs of six major TV stations, and await feed back to see how well you can write scripts.

The challenge and stations are mentioned here:
http://www.tv-calling.com/tv-writing-fellowships-the-big-six/

I have started to prepare for the Nickelodeon Writing Program as Challenge number 1.

http://www.nickwriting.com/

I will be writing a Legend of Korra script that takes place in season 2.

To keep track of the challenge, I'm adding a new tag "The Big Six" and I'm going to update my facebook writing page as I go along.

The goal of this challenge is to see where you stand in your writing, and of course to have fun doing something you love :)

If you want to do this challenge, I would be happy to hear from you :)

To all that are participating, "I wish you the best"

Have fun ^_^

sneak peak at my script for a fake episode of Merlin :)

Because it was requested, here's a small preview of my fake Merlin script:

Merlin Episode 40: The Sword in the Stone
1. INT. MORGANA’S CAVE
It is dark and MORGANA stands in front of a scrying bowl holding a sword. KAY approaches from the shadows, wearing a green pendant that glows around his neck.
MORGANA
You know what you must do.
KAY
Yes my lady. I must challenge the crown prince. I must reclaim my father, Uther Pendragon.
MORGANA
And?
MORGANA gives KAY the sword.
KAY
I must fight Arthur Pendragon with this sword and kill him.
Titles
Cut to
2. INT. VILLAGE
MERLIN walks around in the village and sees a young man fighting with LEON.
MERLIN
What’s the problem?
LEON
This man demands an audience with the king. But he refuses to state his business.
Cut to
3. INT. THE THRONE ROOM
UTHER sits pensively on the throne while two KNIGHTS enter the room.
KNIGHT
Sire. Someone has requested an audience with you.
UTHER
What business does he claim to have with me?
KNIGHT 2
He claims to be your son my lord.
UTHER
Send him in.
KAY enters, with an amulet in his hands.
UTHER
Who are you?
KAY
I was afraid you wouldn’t remember.
KAY hands the necklace to UTHER.
KAY
This is a gift. Once you wear it, you’ll remember me.
UTHER looks at the necklace with worry, but before he can hand it back, Kay puts it around his neck. The gem glows a bright green and UTHER turns to KAY.
UTHER
Welcome back. My son.

Cut to
4. INT. CASTLE GROUNDS
ARTHUR practices sword fighting with the KNIGHTS.
MERLIN
Arthur. We have a problem
ARTHUR
Really Merlin, whatever this “problem” is, I’m sure you can handle it.
MERLIN
I don’t think I can do anything about this.
ARTHUR
Does it involve my unpolished armor?
MERLIN
Not exactly.
ARTHUR
Have the horses been released again?
MERLIN
That was not my fault.
ARTHUR
What is it then?
A KNIGHT walks towards them.
KNIGHT
Sire. Your father has demanded your presence.
ARTHUR gives MERLIN a look and walks toward the castle.
Cut to
5. INT. THRONE ROOM
ARTHUR enters the throne room. UTHER sits with KAY standing by his throne. A green gem hangs around his neck, and a similar gem hangs around KAY’s neck.
ARTHUR walks in, with MERLIN following him.
ARTHUR
You wanted to see me?
UTHER
Leave us.
MERLIN, KAY and the GUARDS leave the throne room.
UTHER
Arthur, I have finally found your brother.
ARTHUR
What?
The gem around UTHER’s neck glows.
UTHER
Your mother and I had a son before you, but he was lost to us.
ARTHUR
I don’t understand.
UTHER
Igraine and I searched for days. We thought he was taken by a sorcerer.
ARTHUR
Father, this must be a joke.
UTHER
This is no joking matter! I’m telling you this because you and Kay are of the same blood.
ARTHUR
You expect me to believe that stranger is my brother?
UTHER
You will not call him a stranger! You will call your brother by his name.
ARTHUR
How can I believe this?
UTHER
I can see you need time. I will give you some.
ARTHUR
I don’t need time! I need proof!
UTHER
You don’t trust your king?
ARTHUR
I don’t trust my father. What other secrets have you kept from me?
UTHER
If you won’t accept this, Arthur you give me no choice. Until you see Kay as your brother, we won’t speak of this again.
ARTHUR storms out, while UTHER shakes his head. KAY walks in.
KAY
I don’t understand.
UTHER
Your brother has always been difficult.
KAY
Perhaps he needs a challenge in order to convince him.
UTHER
A challenge?
KAY
Sire, if I may, I would like to duel Arthur in a tournament. My skills may be no match to his, but he may accept me if I prove to be worthy as his brother.
The gem around UTHER’s neck glows again as UTHER becomes convinced.
UTHER
Arthur has always enjoyed a good challenge.
KAY
Would a tournament be suitable?
UTHER
Such an event would be a way to celebrate your return.
KAY
Yes sire.
UTHER
Then it is decided. You will fight Arthur in the tournament. Guard!
The guard enters.
UTHER
Begin the preparations for a tournament immediately.
The GUARD nods and leaves.
KAY
What about Arthur?
UTHER
I will tell him when he is ready.