Hello Interwebs! Welcome to TPM’s March news update. This has arguably been our most productive month of 2021 thus far, and I’m excited to share our progress with you. Let’s delve in, shall we?
Pre-production Projects
Earlier this month, I completed a first draft screenplay for TPM’s short film, Cut It Out. I’m mostly happy with it, but the script is currently too long for my taste. I’ll probably have to chop some parts. Or– should I say– “cut them out”. Ha ha ha. But for real– the story needs some trimming. I’ll probably ignore this screenplay for s while before I edit anything in earnest. Oftentimes, when you’re too close to a project, objectively acknowledging and cutting the weakest parts can be difficult. I like to let my first drafts sit for at least a month to forget the details, then return to them with a fresh eye.
Production Projects
Covid-19 still (unfortunately) lingers, despite the global onset of vaccinations. Unfortunately, our region continues to oscillate in and out of lock-down. Because of this, the TPM crew still can’t gather to produce any films. But I’ve got all our equipment just laying around my house, ready to go for when we can! I’m also debating filming content on my own for the time being so that TPM can actually release something (anything) in the foreseeable future. We’ll see how that pans out.
One production-halting bonus that’s cleared up: the weather!!! The back half of March has been lovely (where I live, anyway). And, if it’s not “fool’s Spring”, this is incentive to film again as soon as the crew is able!
Post-Production
Editing on Retribution Isle continues at a sporadic pace! This project is testing my post-production skills more than any film I’ve ever made. I mean– I’m kinda failing said test (’cause editing is not my strong suit) but I’m persevering through it one session at a time. I’m learning a lot, in any case. And the film is slowly coming together!
In case anybody is worried about RI’s future based on my self-deprecation, please don’t be. Justin is TPM’s REAL editor. I’m just the guy who builds the film’s structure before the product gets polished off and painted over.
Graphic Novels
TALES OF SESOM:
While I don’t have any plot details to share with you this month, enjoy some more concept art, courtesy of Matteo!
GUILD OF GALLANTRY:
Continuing from last month’s progress– I completed a first draft for Justice is Our Job (the GoG introductory story). Check out last month’s update for plot details on this short adventure.
In addition, I developed both a treatment and first draft of a story about the Guild’s resident speedster: Trail Blazer. Jerry Jeong is the world’s fastest man and one of the Guild’s most powerful members, but he needs a change of pace from the exciting world of “heroing”. TB’s first story sees Jerry hang up his spandex once and for all, only to face his greatest challenge yet: the slow-paced lifestyle of retirement.
Other
A few weeks ago, TPM experimented with Facebook Business to boost our posts and drive traffic to our website. The attempt was a rousing success! We’re not endorsing Facebook Business, but it worked well for our goals and we’ll continue to use the service. The more eyeballs on these articles the better, right?
In other news: I’ve recently adopted a more “business-like” mindset to make my quarantine more productive. What does this entail? Essentially, I’ll be treating TPM like a 9-5 job. My schedule will remain loose though. I don’t plan to work full days. But I will be focused on developing as many projects as I can within that 8 hour period every Monday to Friday. I’m currently unemployed, so I have the luxury of time to spend on creative enterprise. Just last week I clocked in 21 hours! That may not sound like a lot, but considering this is an (as of yet) unpaid hobby, I think that’s pretty good. This new schedule won’t last forever but I aim to get a great deal done before I’m required to abandon it.
This has been TPM’s March news. If you have any questions about what I’ve written today, or have something you’d like to see addressed more in-depth in next month’s update, let me know in the comments. Also, if you have any ideas for future articles, or any general questions, let me know that as well. Be sure to like this article on Facebook and share if you enjoyed!
Till next time
Joe Morin
