CHAPTER I
IDEA
I.!. Introduction
So, this is it, that thing I locked myself away to work on, the answer I’ve given to every “So, what are you up to now” question. I am just writing place holder text here to see how this sort of introduction to the whole project will look, or could work, and how much text is too much text, and what sort of points need to be raised before breaking down the conception and evolution of the project. Also, should there be some images in this opening section?
I want to sort of treat it like an online and interactive book. And like a book, there’s always a forward or introduction. In this initial text, I want to set up the project as a whole, explain what this is all about, how to navigate the project on the website, lay down why I decided to present the project this way, touch on topics like leaving college and entering adulthood. Then, in the proceeding sections of this chapter, include more in depth details on how the idea began, the work to figure it out, the early stages, the plans, the documents, etc.
APRIL 22
I.2. The First Document
The idea in its infancy. The idea came to me suddenly in a burst of inspiration. I was sitting in Trinity College Library, staring blankly at my thesis, wondering what to do next. I had just published a book and wanted to do another creative project. Something different. A new medium.
Then it hit me, all at once, but broken up into hard to discern fragments. A comedy special, by a non-comedian, cinematic, personal, philosophical, one that could dive into the very nature of comedy. Below is the piece of paper I used to write down the idea as it came to me. The inspiration captured in real time. Messy. Patchy. But in a way, almost fully formed. Upon reflection it’s interesting to note how this spark manifested mostly as questions.
NOVEMBER 22
1.3. Graduation
I graduate from college. By this stage, I’ve been working on the project for three months. I begin to experience all the emotions and existential fears I had only postulated on up to this point. Then, on November 16th, a one hundred year old demon of death wearing a black cape curses me publicly in latin and hands me a piece of paper stained to look like parchment to wish me good luck with my slow plummet into the abyss. I lose all affiliation.
NOVEMBER 22 — MARCH 23
I.4. The Development Packet
A collection of the various pieces of the idea. I needed a document that could draw together all of the different pieces of the puzzle. My thinking was that this would become something that could supplement the odd screenplay, provide others with explanations over certain choices. I also assumed it would be a sure fire way to secure funding. But the development packet became more a process of understanding.
What was it I actually wanted to make? It was the first true collection of the many pieces of the idea. The first solid plan for some larger project. It was me combing through my brain and for the first time letting it run wild. I did this all under the deluded guise that it would help others understand my vision. But I see now that it was really about me trying to decipher my own vision.
View Development Packet Here →
THE DEVELOPMENT PACKET
A collection of the various pieces of the idea. I needed a document that could draw together all of the different pieces of the puzzle. My thinking was that this would become something that could supplement the odd screenplay, provide others with explanations over certain choices. I also assumed it would be a sure fire way to secure funding. But the development packet became more a process of understanding.
What was it I actually wanted to make? It was the first true collection of the many pieces of the idea. The first solid plan for some larger project. It was me combing through my brain and for the first time letting it run wild. I did this all under the deluded guise that it would help others understand my vision. But I see now that it was really about me trying to decipher my own vision.
View Development Packet Here →