Hey Mac!... This is the MOVIE site! The comic book site is...

When your mind/heart/brain/body decide it wants something, you can rest assured, that from those primal reservoirs, you'll tap into the juice it takes to achieve what you want, in short order.

Which brings me to the point of this blog post - http://writepencilink.blogspot.com/

This is the NEW (and I'm mystified as to why I hadn't done it sooner) blog, devoted to my attempt to be among the ranks of the Marvel Elite.

DISCLAIMER - Hate to do it, but It must be done.

This is happening so soon in the existence of the blog, that I'm not sure many have noticed. So this the best time to get this bit out of the way....

I am NOT directing a movie for Marvel Studios., And I am certainly not directing IR3. This blog is my Manifest Destiny, my glimpse into the hopefully not too distant future, where I will be directing films for that illustrious house of ideas. I decided to write this blog as a production journal to, if only in my imagination, run my own film shoot.

While I in real life, plan/shoot the series of Marvel inspired short films. All of which are being written, directed, shot, edited, and anything else, by yours truly.

I think that there are lightening bolts of inspiration, motivation, and enlightenment, that hit you so hard, your senses register them as soft, silent epiphanies. But upon reflection, you realize that you were just smacked on your ass, by the most primal force, the "Off your ass and do something" force.

I'm not sure if it has a proper name, derived from greek roots, and lovingly bastardized over the millennia, it is as simply put, as "you bet your ass" or, "OMG". It's modest frame, and simple construction, only serve its awesome power. And it was and is that power that pushes me to write/plan/dream, and now do.

To make these shorts, write these screenplays, create those comics, and yes, even write an imaginary blog, about a non-existent Marvel film, that I'm NOT (I must make that perfectly clear, so as to not raise the ire of the company I'm eager to work for - common sense) directing.

This is my goal, this is my quest, I shall not be deterred. Now back to your regularly scheduled mild chicanery.

THE AVENGERS...

Just finished watching the Avengers animated series, and like a sugar addicted 12yr old, I'm left not only wanting more...but NEEDING more.

They killed it! It is exactly like a comic book come to life. And all of the interpersonal color, Hawkeye's relationship with Hulk, the underpinning of impending rivalry between Ironman and Cap. It's just so danged wonderful...and yes, I called it wonderful.

I read the issue where the Avengers find Cap, and one of my favorite issues is where they battle the Super Adaptoid and I get the same feeling I get from reading a new issue, from this show. I'm digging the series, and it's great inspiration when I'm writing.

Nuff said.

Studio will not like this

I'm habing serious issues with the script. It' s expertly written and really a fun read, but it misses the marl on a few essential points. I've opted to present the studio with another option. I'm going to take this weekend to craft an outline for a different, creative, more MARVEL way to go.

If they dig it, we're early enough in pre-production that a couple months to write a better take on IM3 won't hurt a bit.

The Avengers tie in is crucial, and I get jump out of my skin excited just thinking about it. Its like my old Marvel Heroes action figures just came to life and tearin $%#! up in my room.

Off to write...more to come.

Directing my first Marvel feature - IRONMAN 3

I'm taking this small break in the whirlwind of excitement, that is in any director's first feature film, to take it all in.

It's crazy. It's exciting to the level of some form of narcotic. I'm directing my first feature film for Marvel Studios, and while I should be reading, sleeping, planning, I'm blogging. I am like the vast majority of comic book fans, I keep late hours, I read voraciously, the things that hold indefatigable interest for me, and I write. And right now, I have to write about how freakin exciting this is for me.

I knew this day would come, after all of the working writing, and the indie comics I was involved with (Pulp Digital's "Hostage", drawn by J.W. MIller. "The Last Citizen", drawn by Graham Jorgenson, and "The Hero Door" drawn by James Rodriguez ), and the web series, a tribute to the only rag fit to read in the Marvel universe - "The Bugle", i knew if I put in the work, rewards would come. I'll post my origin story once I get a spare few hours.

I've loved Marvel Comics, since I was 5 yrs old. The spoke to me in a way nothing else did. I moved to NYC to play blues guitar, and draw Marvel superheroes. So it's safe to say that I am a True Believer. I believed I'd be here, and KA-POW!.. I'm here. Well, I've got more reading and research to do, and yes, reading comic books, in this particular instance, is 100% research.

Nuff Said

...I had an epiphany in my coffee

I’m at work, taking a break from what it is I do (web design wage slave), and getting my daily dose of “what’s going on in comics, film, and video games”. I do this everyday, to renew my inspiration and enthusiasm, which normally happens while I’m at work...

important aside: I’ll tell you about the significance of that statement later, for now, let’s get back to the epiphany.

...So, as I was saying, I’m at work, projecting my mind to the day when the work I do on a daily basis, will be the work I love to do now, in my spare-time - Comics, Films, and Videogames.

That’s when it hits me...

There are literally MILLIONS of people, energetically, and oft times frantically, working towards the same goals as I. They engage in the same rituals, recite the same mantras, seek out the same inspirational tidbits, and dream of the same same, ambrosia filled grail.

Then I wonder. What makes me different? How is my dream any more or less golden, what is it about me, that makes me shine brighter than the rest? What gives me a luster, that few others have, or will ever hope to have?

Now in the private moments of our own minds, we do one of two things, and I firmly believe this. One, we’re brutally honest, and have thoughts unmarred with past regret or issue. And two, we have thoughts based on learned behavior, past triumphs, and failures, consciously ignoring past regret and issue.

And that was the birth of my epiphany for today, and it is as follows....

It doesn’t matter what makes me different, I bought the ticket, I’m taking the ride, I’m having fun, and I’m not getting off until I’m good and ready.

End Epiphany.

It's just so damned exciting.

On October 10, 2010, I attended my second day of the New York Comic-Con. It was the last day of the con, and I was determined to not have that day end, without accomplishing a few goals.

Goal #1 - Meet Mark Waid, and Sean Gordon Murphy

Goal #2 - Meet a comic artist legend (or two).

Goal #3 - Talk with C.B. Cebulski.

Goal #1: Meet Mark Waid, and Sean Gordon Murphy

The connecting theme in meeting with both Mark Waid, and man who's writing I've followed, but never thought I'd get a chance to meet. And Sean Gordon Murphy, an artist who I had no knowledge of until very recent. His work makes me redefine what I want to accomplish as an artist. I dig people who challenge me, and his work is the first time in a long time, where I feel challenged. And meeting Mark Waid, an icon, and a real down to earth guy. Apart from sputtering like a leaky radiator, I gave him my card, and I will stalk him forever, because he challenges me as well.

Goal #2: Meet a comic artist legend (or two)

I met Joe Kubert. Those are simple words to type, and in that simplicity, lies greatness. Let me type it again...I MET JOE KUBERT!! Icon of icons, a living, breathing working, legend in the comic industry. This man has done it (literally) all! From superheroes, to true life tales, he draws, inks, writes, instructs, inspires, and puts to shame many in the industry today. I can't say enough about him. I spoke with him briefly, and his answers were short, concise, and perfect. He's the man. And I also met Bob "Freakin" Layton, the man who truly defined the look of "The Invincible IRON-MAN". You cannot look back over the course of IRON-MAN, and not see the genius of this man's work, in the evolution of the character, in both look, and the stylized nature, of his signature armor. He's down to earth, really funny, and still a very vital force in the industry, who is now venturing into feature films.

Goal #3: Talk with C.B. Cebulski


This was the one that I was the most anxious about. i wouldn't say nervous, because there wasn't any fear involved, but anxious because of who the man is, and who/what he represents. Now, i do not want to give the impression, that he's anything more than a man. From meeting him, and following his Eataku and Chesterfest blogs, he's the kind of guy you could hang out, grab beer, a spicy Szechuan fish taco, and talk endlessly about comics with...he also just happens to be Marvel Comics premier talent scout. That, and the fact that drawing for Marvel has been a long postponed dream of mine, for as long as I could remember. It was the very reason (that and starting a blues/rock group) was the reason I moved to NYC.

So, I met the guy, talked to him, shared a laugh, and he gave me his card, told me when I've got something to show him, he'd be happy to see it. Now when I say, that when I left that venue, you could not touch me... I mean you could not TOUCH me! I was ordained, I was made of celestial stuff, I was like a herald of Galactus, and no one could tell me different. Now, its not so much because of the man, who was gracious, jovial, friendly and patient. But because it touched the heart of a 10 yr old kid, who made paper cutouts of Iron-Man, Captain America, The Black Panther, and concocted fantastic adventures in the quiet of his room.

The kid who used to do that, who is still alive and kick-flipping inside of me, striving to not only be a good writer, but a better artist. That kid, will one day say "I draw comic books for Marvel"!

Nuff said.