Music became one of the ways we all escaped. Growing up in the 80s was amazing. Being a teenager with all the great music was so much fun and meaningful to me. With the pressures involved in being a teenager, music became one of the ways we all escaped. It also was a way to bond and associate with others of our own age. So, I began thinking about which music in particular was the most influential in my formative years. Songs started popping into my mind and great memories began to flow. Of course, some bad memories came to the surface as well. Still, the music involved in my life was something that lifted me up and made it so I could continue to get through the hard days. This is a series of posts that will cover the top 10 bands/artists that influenced me the most during that time. A lot of thought and work was required to narrow the list down to ten, and then to rank them in order was even harder for me. But, I have finally put together the list. So, let’s get started with number ten... #10 HEARTAnn and Nancy Wilson are amazing! Ah, my very first concert. Ann and Nancy Wilson were quite amazing. I was fortunate enough to see them live for their Heart tour. The radio was still playing their hits, What About Love?, Never, These Dreams, and Nothin’ At All. But my favorites were, If Looks Could Kill, and Crazy On You. It seemed as though they were singing right to me. Such a great performance and talented band. I used to sit in my room with my guitar trying to copy the iconic riffs of some of their hits. I had their cassette tapes and they were constantly with me in the car. Heart provided just the right balance between hard rockin', and the beautiful balad. What great memories indeed! Who's in your top 10? So, who are your top 10 bands? I look forward to hearing your comments and feedback about this choice. Who influenced you? What do you think of my ranking of Heart? Number nine is coming up, and it will be great to hear what you think. Please comment below. Thanks!
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“There is only now, today, this present moment, this point in time. Waiting for 'someday' is, like striving for perfection, really just an excuse.” Writers seem to find millions of reasons to not write. Don’t wait for the right opportunity or for enough free time. Do it now. Examine how you feel after completion of a large amount of writing. Let that feeling be incentive for more and more writing, like an addictive narcotic. Get hooked and make it happen. Don’t look back at your life wishing you had spent time writing. Do it now, and regret nothing.
“Screenplays are structure, and that’s all they are. The quality of writing—which is crucial in almost every other form of literature—is not what makes a screenplay work. Structure isn’t anything else but telling the story, starting as late as possible, starting each scene as late as possible. You don’t want to begin with ‘Once upon a time,’ because There is an enormous difference between structure and formula. Often, those who are critical of structure have mistaken one for another. Structure is a vital element of all great screenplays. There are many different variations of structure. Your job as the screenwriter is to utilize the structure that is most appropriate for the story you’re telling.
“We have to remember: we may think we know what’s going to last and what isn’t. There’s no way to tell what type of film will be hot in one year when your shiny, new screenplay dances onto the market. At first glance, Napoleon Dynamite is the stupidest film ever made. Who would have thought it could be a such trendy hit? But that’s just the point. No one can tell for sure. So, write the type of movie that you as an audience member would like to see. Stay true to your likes and tastes and there will always be room.
“To gain your own voice, you have to forget about having it heard.” Quit worrying about who will read your screenplay, what genre is selling right now, or what you’ll do after winning your first Oscar. None of that matters. What is most important right now is telling your story. Your story. The one from your heart, soul, and your experience. The other will take care of itself if you’ve done your homework and are extremely lucky. The best thing you can do for your career is to write a screenplay that can’t be put down. -Stu Expose Yourself!“Always be yourself…unless you suck.” Your screenplay will reveal a bit about you as a person. It can’t be helped. The way you phrase things, the way you describe the world of your story, etc. Don’t be afraid to let yourself shine and enter into your writing. Write about what you love and it will read as such.
Your passion will be contagious to the reader and will augment their experience. Don’t hesitate to show people who you are (through your writing) and what you stand for. Write with confidence and command. You’re story and screenplay can only benefit from you. -Stu |
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