2017 slides to a full stop. I'm sitting in my (new) home office with some time to myself, and decided, instead of watching/reading/writing/playing/studying something, I'd take an hour or so and craft a end-of-the-year blog post.
You'd certainly (obviously) never know from merely reading this dead blog, but my year has been interesting and full of challenge and wonder, personally, emotionally, professionally and spiritually.
Highlights of the Year Include: The Easter production at church (an hour-long production with a cast of 40+ which I wrote, directed and played the lead in), producing my first short film "Stay Close" (wrote, filmed, edited), my brother John's wedding, my daughter Katie's wedding, finishing the pilot script for Standing Eight and moving homes. My mother-in-law passed away this year, but I feel odd calling that a highlight - yet it was certainly an important moment in the year, and deserves mention.
All in all, I seem to still be thoroughly absorbed in the realm of story-telling. I've written screenplays of various lengths, a handful of plays, and a large swath of non-fictional thoughts on various subjects.
I've watched hours and hours of videos on YouTube on various aspects of the film-making craft, diving deep on facets ranging from story-craft, cameras/lenses, shot composition, music, emotion, lighting, sound capture/edit, style, editing, special effects, and acting.
I've read numerous books on the writing craft.
I've also watched a ton of great entertainment (as well as a lot of mediocre fare), which I studied as I enjoyed, taking notes, observing what works and what does not - and, most importantly, why.
One thing I've done far less of this year is reading novels and playing games.
But I did meticulously track everything I watched this year, so I have a complete record of my TV/Film experience for 2017. So my Best Of List will be precise this year...
Best Of List for 2017
Best Film: Lion
Heart-breaking, very moving. A study in maximizing impact with minimal dialog. Really takes advantage of what film (as a medium) has to offer.
Honorable Mentions: Jaws, Primer, Quiz Show, King Arthur
I watched 54 films this year: 14 on DVD/BluRay, 3 in the theater and 37 online (Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime etc.).
Random Observations: I found The Godfather, Wonder Woman and Logan to be over-rated. I found King Arthur and Spiderman: Homecoming to be underrated. I was sorely disappointed by Guardians of the Galaxy 2. My favorite documentary (of the 14 I watched) was called Alive Inside. I watched classics by Coppola, Kubric, Hitchcock, Scorsese and Spielberg - I think I enjoyed the early Spielberg work the best, from a craft standpoint. Favorite script of the year was for Kiss Kiss Bang Bang... Shane Black can sure write a great script.
Best TV/Series: Patriot (Amazon Prime)
Fantastic shots and editing, memorable well-developed characters, hilarious and dramatic, exciting and fascinating, many scenes and moments that come instantly back to mind. Extremely enjoyable.
Honorable Mentions: Travelers, Better Call Saul, Taboo, Fargo, Breaking Bad, The Wire
I watched a dozen complete series (22 seasons' worth total), and watched some fantastic stuff.
Random Observations: From a pure craft standpoint, Better Call Saul (Netflix) was hard to beat. The writing, acting, shot craft and the editing were incredibly good. It was hard not to choose it for my favorite of the year - but Patriot edged it out, for the same reasons and then some intangible factors that are hard to put my finger on. Travelers (Netflix) almost got top spot as well - fantastic premise, well-executed on every level. From a pure acting standpoint, it was a toss-up for me, between Billy Bob Thornton in Goliath (Amazon Prime) and Tom Hardy in Taboo (FX). Both are masters, inhabiting incredibly memorable characters. Currently Watching: Travelers Season 2 (Netflix)
Best Book: The Opus Discordia by JD Ross
I was happy to continue the adventures of Fox Crow (introduced in "I Know Not" by same author). A wonderfully-crafted, violent, action-filled fantasy romp.
Honorable Mention: The Riddler's Gift by Greg Hamerton
I read very few novels this year (14), and they were predominantly divided between mediocre first reads and comfortable re-reads. The books I read for the first time had/have very little impact on me, so I found myself diving back into the warm arms of books I've read and enjoyed in the past. I did re-read A Game of Thrones, with every intention of reading the entire series through again, but stopped after Book 1. I enjoyed it, but the magic's gone... Glad I read Opus Discordia - a solid choice for best book. Currently Reading: The Way Into Chaos by Harry Connolly
Best Song: Remain Nameless by Florence and the Machine
This song isn't a new song, but it's the song I enjoyed listening to the most this year. Something about that bass... gets into me...
Honorable Mentions: Take It All Back by Judah & the Lion, All I Want Is You by U2, Little One by Highly Suspect.
Best Game: Skyrim
Again, not a new game, but it's the game I enjoyed the most this year. (Just noticed that the artwork I chose says VR... I didn't play the VR version - I lack the gear)
Random Observations: I actually tried a lot of new games this year, but nothing really hooked me. Even Minecraft, which I usually play to unwind, isn't exactly fun. It's more therapy than anything. But yeah, Skyrim and Fallout 4 got a good amount of play time, as did Grim Dawn. However, I'm finding less motivation to play anymore. Maybe I'm finally growing up!
Plans for 2018
Well, more of the same for 2018, I presume. Finishing BTI with JP and crew. Expanding the script for Standing Eight with RD. Numerous plays and screenplays in various stages of completion. Will any of them be produced? Who knows? I have plans for a new comic strip for my place of business (the rug shop). I plan on doing more filming - short film ideas all over the place.
One thing I'm currently doing - I found my CD collection of the Bible, so I've been listening to the Bible in my car as I drive about. The past 5-6 weeks, I started at Genesis 1:1 and having been listening straight through. Just finished Esther today, and will start on Job tomorrow. It's fascinating to just roll right through it like that. Gives a great "big picture", as opposed to little bites here and there, at random. Themes stand out. One thing I've noticed is just how much death there is in the Bible... so much death... and God seems awfully moody... how can human life be so precious and yet so expendable at the same time? How can God love and despise so thoroughly, at the same time? I've noticed that Israel's history is one big story of God's people clinging to Him and then running away from Him, and then returning, and then leaving... pendulum swing, back and forth, over and over and over. Serve Him, leave Him for other gods, love Him, hate Him... I don't know if it's more depressing or fascinating... I'm trying to use it as a chance to learn about God, and to learn about people...
Anyways, when I start listening from the beginning again, I'll go slower so I can take notes and make observations, chapter by chapter.
Well, we all have our hobbies, eh?
Will the blog revive and live again? Dunno... maybe...
Hope your New Year is a great one.
Dave the Goof
