no more SNOOZE button
The snooze button symbolizes uncertainty. Should I get out of bed and start my day, or should I sleep 5 more minutes? Using the snooze button when waking up, starts your day with passive behaviour and half assing it. I am taking the bull by the horns in 2009. No snooze button. Either I get out of bed or I don't.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Highlights of 2008
Chronolgical order from beginning of 2008 to end
January
- Shot Captain Coulier from Jan. 5-10 2008.
- Pitched Greenwillow, tv series idea, to an entertainment lawyer, who loves it and immediately gets us a meeting with CBC. Lawyer becomes, and still is, my lawyer.
- Finally get a job @ a prestigious tennis club in Toronto. Argueably the best tennis job I could get in Canada, with great boss and fellow staff.
- Move to the city into a great area and a beautiful townhouse.
February
- Nail a pitch meeting with CBC securing a development deal on 'Greenwillow' sitcom. Meet with head producer and creator of 'Billable Hours' to help us write Greenwillow. He agrees.
- Meet a girl (won't name names) and had a very romantic encounter. The most serious relationship of the year. Was on and off for 5 months, but wasn't meant to be.
-Visited Las Vegas first time.
March
-nothing but writing and partying
April
-writing, editing, partying...
May
-BravoFact submission for short concept film 'Shirtgun Guy' script is approved for a maximum grant.
-Screen 'Captain Coulier' to a very welcoming audience at Ryerson. Film chosen for the student spotlight.
-Visit London England and have an amazing time with Slyblogger and the likes.
-Greenwillow picks up Kevin Tierney(Bon Cop Bad Cop) as producer. The wisdom from him was huge for me. CBC fires our writing partner who basically helped us get the deal. (fishy)
June
-Meeting with head of programming at CTV/Space regarding Captain Coulier the TV show. They commit to it in the meeting. Development deal inked.
July
-Become friends with Temple Street Productions, who want to produce Coulier if it goes through. Biggest producers in the country.
-Shoot Greenwillow presentation pilot after CBC fires our head writer, claiming they 'don't like his style'.
August
-Get an agent.
- Greenwillow presentation pilot is rejected by CBC and our contract is bought out.
September
-Shoot Shirtgun Guy. Have the best time of my life on set.
October and November
-Go 6 weeks completely sober. Start a blog.
-Finish pilot script on Captain Coulier, and CTV likes it!
-Graduate from Second City conservatory with a great year end show. Make friendships with some amazing people. And great wisdom again from a solid director.
December
-Captain Coulier gets into Sundance. (highlight of the year)
-Shirtgun Guy completed and accepted by Bravo network. Screening goes great. Submit to major festivals, and awaiting acceptance...
-Off to Mexico for New Year 2008.
Honourable mentionables of the year
mullet hairstyle- have a period with a full on mullet.
French girls. Seemed to meet an absurd amount of girls 'just visiting' Toronto for the night from Montreal.
Kareoke- first time in 2008
yoga - huge phase.
car (spent 4 gs to fix it up)
Tony Pontes. my skit writing friend and great guy to have developed a friendship with. Stealing all his jokes.
Geoff Callaghan. Another great friend, and fellow tourmented artist.
2008 what I learned about myself
I batted 1000 with pitching ideas for movies and television shows to network people. Therefore, if you have an idea, I'll pitch it for you and it will get picked up. Even if it's stupid. I need to hone this skill somehow in 2009.
goals for 2009
-make Coulier the television show and get it on tv.
-make 'passive doc' the newest project. Make it as a Bravo short documentary to be eventually used as a presentation pilot to make it into a featured documentary.
-find an actual girlfriend. I think it is time.
-move to USA by September 2009. New York or LA, or anywhere in California.
-collaborate more with other actors and writers.
Overall letter grades for the year 2008
Work related stuff: A+
Love related stuff: C-
Treating others: B
January
- Shot Captain Coulier from Jan. 5-10 2008.
- Pitched Greenwillow, tv series idea, to an entertainment lawyer, who loves it and immediately gets us a meeting with CBC. Lawyer becomes, and still is, my lawyer.
- Finally get a job @ a prestigious tennis club in Toronto. Argueably the best tennis job I could get in Canada, with great boss and fellow staff.
- Move to the city into a great area and a beautiful townhouse.
February
- Nail a pitch meeting with CBC securing a development deal on 'Greenwillow' sitcom. Meet with head producer and creator of 'Billable Hours' to help us write Greenwillow. He agrees.
- Meet a girl (won't name names) and had a very romantic encounter. The most serious relationship of the year. Was on and off for 5 months, but wasn't meant to be.
-Visited Las Vegas first time.
March
-nothing but writing and partying
April
-writing, editing, partying...
May
-BravoFact submission for short concept film 'Shirtgun Guy' script is approved for a maximum grant.
-Screen 'Captain Coulier' to a very welcoming audience at Ryerson. Film chosen for the student spotlight.
-Visit London England and have an amazing time with Slyblogger and the likes.
-Greenwillow picks up Kevin Tierney(Bon Cop Bad Cop) as producer. The wisdom from him was huge for me. CBC fires our writing partner who basically helped us get the deal. (fishy)
June
-Meeting with head of programming at CTV/Space regarding Captain Coulier the TV show. They commit to it in the meeting. Development deal inked.
July
-Become friends with Temple Street Productions, who want to produce Coulier if it goes through. Biggest producers in the country.
-Shoot Greenwillow presentation pilot after CBC fires our head writer, claiming they 'don't like his style'.
August
-Get an agent.
- Greenwillow presentation pilot is rejected by CBC and our contract is bought out.
September
-Shoot Shirtgun Guy. Have the best time of my life on set.
October and November
-Go 6 weeks completely sober. Start a blog.
-Finish pilot script on Captain Coulier, and CTV likes it!
-Graduate from Second City conservatory with a great year end show. Make friendships with some amazing people. And great wisdom again from a solid director.
December
-Captain Coulier gets into Sundance. (highlight of the year)
-Shirtgun Guy completed and accepted by Bravo network. Screening goes great. Submit to major festivals, and awaiting acceptance...
-Off to Mexico for New Year 2008.
Honourable mentionables of the year
mullet hairstyle- have a period with a full on mullet.
French girls. Seemed to meet an absurd amount of girls 'just visiting' Toronto for the night from Montreal.
Kareoke- first time in 2008
yoga - huge phase.
car (spent 4 gs to fix it up)
Tony Pontes. my skit writing friend and great guy to have developed a friendship with. Stealing all his jokes.
Geoff Callaghan. Another great friend, and fellow tourmented artist.
2008 what I learned about myself
I batted 1000 with pitching ideas for movies and television shows to network people. Therefore, if you have an idea, I'll pitch it for you and it will get picked up. Even if it's stupid. I need to hone this skill somehow in 2009.
goals for 2009
-make Coulier the television show and get it on tv.
-make 'passive doc' the newest project. Make it as a Bravo short documentary to be eventually used as a presentation pilot to make it into a featured documentary.
-find an actual girlfriend. I think it is time.
-move to USA by September 2009. New York or LA, or anywhere in California.
-collaborate more with other actors and writers.
Overall letter grades for the year 2008
Work related stuff: A+
Love related stuff: C-
Treating others: B
Thursday, December 18, 2008
hanging out with comedians
I spent the majority of 2009 hanging out with comedians. Improvisers, skit comedians, and comedic commerical actors in the Toronto area, many of who are associated with Second City. It was a very fun year, as many of these people are great companions and 'always down for whatever'. Not a lot of sex; with them that is. Sex with others, but not with comedy folk. We often found ourselves hitting kareoke nights or attending skit comedy shows, or just congregating on couches laughing and discussing comedy. I found myself very tired hanging out with these people. Until last week I always blamed my fatigue on the kareoke or lack of sexual prowl I would have when in comedy company. But I realized last week why I was always so tired when hanging out with a concentrated group of funny people. Here is my ephiaphy in script form that my buddy Jay helped me have.
Conor wanders the liqour store. He appears fresh and excited before a night of Christmas joy. He talks into his cell phone.
Conor: Jay, what's up man?
Jay: Conor.
Conor: Jay, yo, I'm going to a party at Sandra Sneaker's house tonight. Are you going to that.
Jay: Didn't know about it. Second City Sandra. As in Sandra and Frank?
Conor: Yeah, they are having a party. It was an open event, you can come for sure. I said I would go. Come check it out with me.
Jay: Ummm..
Conor: Come on man, I haven't seen you in so long.
Jay: Ya, I definetly want to see you man, but, to be honest I don't know if I can handle a comedy party right now. Everyone just standing around trying to be 'smart funny' and like not getting to out of hand because they want to appear smart.
Conor: (realizing and laughing) Yeah, you're right that is how it will be isn't it...?
Jay: yeah, and Sandra is in her mid to late 30's so everyone will just gather in the kitchen and, like, help do the dishes the whole night while making sophisticated ironic remarks. But like not laughing, becuase they are too busy trying to plan what they'll say next.
Conor: (laughing) Jesus, that's to a T exactly how her last party was.
Jay: You know.
Conor: It's true I want to go to a party where some shits gonna go down.
Jay: Sluts, drugs, fights.
Conor: Yeah. Shit I wish I didn't commit to it.
Jay: Well, who knows. Call me late if it sucks, and I'll call you if my plans fall through and we'll meet up late. Kind of like a plutonic booty call.
Conor: (laughs) Fu Sho. Peace brother.
Jay: Peace.
Conor grabs a six of Pab's Blue Ribbon and a Canada Dry Mickey.
I am always tired after these parties because of the mental alertness and energy exorted on trying to be clever and witty. It is less tiring to go out partying with sluts, drugs, and fights, then it is with irony, wit, and puns.
Conor wanders the liqour store. He appears fresh and excited before a night of Christmas joy. He talks into his cell phone.
Conor: Jay, what's up man?
Jay: Conor.
Conor: Jay, yo, I'm going to a party at Sandra Sneaker's house tonight. Are you going to that.
Jay: Didn't know about it. Second City Sandra. As in Sandra and Frank?
Conor: Yeah, they are having a party. It was an open event, you can come for sure. I said I would go. Come check it out with me.
Jay: Ummm..
Conor: Come on man, I haven't seen you in so long.
Jay: Ya, I definetly want to see you man, but, to be honest I don't know if I can handle a comedy party right now. Everyone just standing around trying to be 'smart funny' and like not getting to out of hand because they want to appear smart.
Conor: (realizing and laughing) Yeah, you're right that is how it will be isn't it...?
Jay: yeah, and Sandra is in her mid to late 30's so everyone will just gather in the kitchen and, like, help do the dishes the whole night while making sophisticated ironic remarks. But like not laughing, becuase they are too busy trying to plan what they'll say next.
Conor: (laughing) Jesus, that's to a T exactly how her last party was.
Jay: You know.
Conor: It's true I want to go to a party where some shits gonna go down.
Jay: Sluts, drugs, fights.
Conor: Yeah. Shit I wish I didn't commit to it.
Jay: Well, who knows. Call me late if it sucks, and I'll call you if my plans fall through and we'll meet up late. Kind of like a plutonic booty call.
Conor: (laughs) Fu Sho. Peace brother.
Jay: Peace.
Conor grabs a six of Pab's Blue Ribbon and a Canada Dry Mickey.
I am always tired after these parties because of the mental alertness and energy exorted on trying to be clever and witty. It is less tiring to go out partying with sluts, drugs, and fights, then it is with irony, wit, and puns.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Party mode
I am in holiday mode currently. This means I am taking a break from "Sober Conor". I am cranky, bloated and lazy. I can't even think of any good ideas. Actually, when I think of something I am interested in it for two minutes, but then bored of it instantly. I just want to eat junk food, smoke grass, and watch tv. And get laid of course.
The other day I was in yoga and someone let one rip. I don' know this because of the smell, I know because of the sound. a huge fart, and dead silence. No one did anything, but of course it was assumed that it had to be one of the guys in the class. since Yoga is so female dominated, it is implied that all the bad odours, sounds and intentions are derived from the males. Or at least they can be disguised as such.
I am offically calling Xmas 'Red,White and Green day'!.
I was at a film screening yesterday for SUPER creative little short art films. Everyone there was so creative, or dressed creatively. It is hard to tell the difference between a creative person or someone who dresses well. Needless to say, I looked like a jock at this party. Rather than laughing or clapping the crowd where such that they just mumbled silently after a film. If it was really good you could hear whispery rumbles of "that was smart, creative, smart, smart, smart, creative,rumble rumble,"
INT. FILM FORT - night
Conor hangs around drinking a beer in a fort like studio loft. The walls are covered in bed sheets and pillows, as to resemble a fort. Conor looks at art pieces and short films on monitores. Super extreme hipster art folk strut by giving him cut eye. He approaches a hipster girl.
Conor: Some pretty creative stuff going on here.
Mona: Yeah. It's a wild spot.
Conor: (smiling) I used to build forts when I was a kid, but never this good.
Mona: yeh, I've heard that before.
Conor: Oh, this is your place?
Mona: No, but I screen my stuff here a bunch.
Conor: One of these movies is yours?
Mona: The super 8 doc. On taxadermy.
Conor: Oh, the one that was all like paused, still frams, with the dude talking over it, that was cool to watch. Was that just all photographs and you added the interview over?
Mona: I was going to just do it like a normal interview with the actually footage, but it got all messed up in the transfer. I salvaged all the sound but only a few frames so I had to put it together like that. But I think it was a blessing in disguise, ya know. I felt it was fitting, since taxadermy is about still life. Subconcious ya know.
Conor: Way over my head.
Mona: laughs
Behind Conor a super hipster boy, with moustache and glasses, approaches.
Conor: So, Mona. What is your favorite colour of underwear?
The hipster boy hears this and interupts the conversation.
Hipster: Mona, ready to go?
Mona: Yeah. (to Conor) bye, nice meeting you.
Mona gets up to leave. The hipster and Conor engage in a hardcore stare down.
Conor: Ok, great meeting you.
Conor stands still like a 'stuffed loser'. He stretches his shoulder like a jock.
When people look back at the year 2000-10 and wonder what defines it they will think of pomegrante, because it does.
The other day I was in yoga and someone let one rip. I don' know this because of the smell, I know because of the sound. a huge fart, and dead silence. No one did anything, but of course it was assumed that it had to be one of the guys in the class. since Yoga is so female dominated, it is implied that all the bad odours, sounds and intentions are derived from the males. Or at least they can be disguised as such.
I am offically calling Xmas 'Red,White and Green day'!.
I was at a film screening yesterday for SUPER creative little short art films. Everyone there was so creative, or dressed creatively. It is hard to tell the difference between a creative person or someone who dresses well. Needless to say, I looked like a jock at this party. Rather than laughing or clapping the crowd where such that they just mumbled silently after a film. If it was really good you could hear whispery rumbles of "that was smart, creative, smart, smart, smart, creative,rumble rumble,"
INT. FILM FORT - night
Conor hangs around drinking a beer in a fort like studio loft. The walls are covered in bed sheets and pillows, as to resemble a fort. Conor looks at art pieces and short films on monitores. Super extreme hipster art folk strut by giving him cut eye. He approaches a hipster girl.
Conor: Some pretty creative stuff going on here.
Mona: Yeah. It's a wild spot.
Conor: (smiling) I used to build forts when I was a kid, but never this good.
Mona: yeh, I've heard that before.
Conor: Oh, this is your place?
Mona: No, but I screen my stuff here a bunch.
Conor: One of these movies is yours?
Mona: The super 8 doc. On taxadermy.
Conor: Oh, the one that was all like paused, still frams, with the dude talking over it, that was cool to watch. Was that just all photographs and you added the interview over?
Mona: I was going to just do it like a normal interview with the actually footage, but it got all messed up in the transfer. I salvaged all the sound but only a few frames so I had to put it together like that. But I think it was a blessing in disguise, ya know. I felt it was fitting, since taxadermy is about still life. Subconcious ya know.
Conor: Way over my head.
Mona: laughs
Behind Conor a super hipster boy, with moustache and glasses, approaches.
Conor: So, Mona. What is your favorite colour of underwear?
The hipster boy hears this and interupts the conversation.
Hipster: Mona, ready to go?
Mona: Yeah. (to Conor) bye, nice meeting you.
Mona gets up to leave. The hipster and Conor engage in a hardcore stare down.
Conor: Ok, great meeting you.
Conor stands still like a 'stuffed loser'. He stretches his shoulder like a jock.
When people look back at the year 2000-10 and wonder what defines it they will think of pomegrante, because it does.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Red and Green Day
Interior bookstore
Conor looks at calendars. He finds one that has pictures of cats. A book attendant approaches.
Garth: That's a 2009.
Conor: Oh really. I am looking for a 2008, something on sale perhaps.
Garth doesn't get it.
Garth: Umm. We don't sell --
Conor: I'm kidding. Jokes.
Garth: (laughs) oh, cause I was going to say. That's jokes.
Conor: I guess it was my delivery. I need to work on that.
Garth: No it was good, I'm just in Christmas mode. Sell, sell!!
Conor: You mean 'holiday season' mode.
Garth: Right (laughs). Hannukah!!
Conor: Yeah. And Christmas and new years, quanza. Holiday's of all sorts. How old are you Garth, 20?
Garth: 16.
Conor: When I was your age we were allowed to say Christmas.
Garth: yeah eh.
Conor: yep.
Conor puts the calendar back.
Garth: Let me know if you find anything you need help with.
Conor: Word.
Garth walks off.
Conor looks at calendars. He finds one that has pictures of cats. A book attendant approaches.
Garth: That's a 2009.
Conor: Oh really. I am looking for a 2008, something on sale perhaps.
Garth doesn't get it.
Garth: Umm. We don't sell --
Conor: I'm kidding. Jokes.
Garth: (laughs) oh, cause I was going to say. That's jokes.
Conor: I guess it was my delivery. I need to work on that.
Garth: No it was good, I'm just in Christmas mode. Sell, sell!!
Conor: You mean 'holiday season' mode.
Garth: Right (laughs). Hannukah!!
Conor: Yeah. And Christmas and new years, quanza. Holiday's of all sorts. How old are you Garth, 20?
Garth: 16.
Conor: When I was your age we were allowed to say Christmas.
Garth: yeah eh.
Conor: yep.
Conor puts the calendar back.
Garth: Let me know if you find anything you need help with.
Conor: Word.
Garth walks off.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
The anti excuse
Just a simple yes or no will do and has always done! If you are backing out of something and provide a lengthy excuse as to why you can't make it, you're lying. Like for example giving a moody list of all the events you're going to do instead of showing up for the event you were invited to. As a tennis coach I get emails the size of my arm explaining why 'so and so' won't make it to my clinic today because (insert Shakespearean silliqoue (can't spell this word and spell check doesn't get me) here)
So here is the anti-excuse- send some one a huge email WHY you're going to show up!!!!!!!!! not some bull reason why 'as much as you want to be there you have (insert Charles Dickens description of event you have to attend)
Dear Party attendants:
Tonight Erin and Nick have their shows!! As much as I want to go, and I really do, my friend Phillip Wearbrother, he's in veterinarian school, is having his annual holiday's party. I told him earlier this year that I might not come if something else came up because he put me on the 'maybe' list. Also he asked me to prepare my holiday soup, and of course I had very little time to prepare it because of the weak perennial season of butternut squash this 2008. Damn, I want so badly to attend both, but of course Phillip Wearbrother would be so heart broken if I didn't come bearing my squash soup and a good amount of mugs. He likes when I hand out my soup in mugs rather than bowls. This gives people the option to sip on the soup, or to use a spoon in the sizely mugs. Sipping from a bowl is weird, but spooning from a cup, not so much, right. So it is with this information that I have to say as much as I want to go to your show tonight...........I am going to come. Fuck squash soup.Conor
I wrote this freestyle( don't think this shit occupies my time because this is how I think)
So here is the anti-excuse- send some one a huge email WHY you're going to show up!!!!!!!!! not some bull reason why 'as much as you want to be there you have (insert Charles Dickens description of event you have to attend)
Dear Party attendants:
Tonight Erin and Nick have their shows!! As much as I want to go, and I really do, my friend Phillip Wearbrother, he's in veterinarian school, is having his annual holiday's party. I told him earlier this year that I might not come if something else came up because he put me on the 'maybe' list. Also he asked me to prepare my holiday soup, and of course I had very little time to prepare it because of the weak perennial season of butternut squash this 2008. Damn, I want so badly to attend both, but of course Phillip Wearbrother would be so heart broken if I didn't come bearing my squash soup and a good amount of mugs. He likes when I hand out my soup in mugs rather than bowls. This gives people the option to sip on the soup, or to use a spoon in the sizely mugs. Sipping from a bowl is weird, but spooning from a cup, not so much, right. So it is with this information that I have to say as much as I want to go to your show tonight...........I am going to come. Fuck squash soup.Conor
I wrote this freestyle( don't think this shit occupies my time because this is how I think)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
