Monday, September 7, 2009

The Rogues Series: Web Page

What is a Rogue?:
A human spirit captured, frozen in time at a critical moment in their life. They are neither angels nor ghosts (nor souls). They are bound to earth and our present time with their own memories, emotions and goals. They just happen to be out of their own body for the moment...

During their lives, in various past centuries, a string of tragedies or events pushed each Rogue to the edge, to unbearable pain. Each back-story is unique, but each has elements of similarities, which draw these Rogues together in a battle to return to their “real” life. There will be five Rogue spirits. Each are introduced in separate episodes.

Together they are a totally dysfunctional family.

The Rogues Series:

The Rogues is a one-hour dramatic series. Although it is a romantic fantasy, it is rooted in reality offering action, adventure, drama, lots of humor and romance.

“Tandem Visits” or "Walk-in-their-shoes”:

In order to see past their own pain, the Rogue’s spirit will occupy another human body. The shaman, Serena Rhune has perfected this connection to another human spirit as part of their learning and healing process. Ergo, to walk in someone else’s shoes... but the method of transport for the "visit" needs to be creative.

In a “tandem visit”, the Rogue’s spirit occupies another human body for a limited time. It can be a friend, neighbor, relative or someone who can gain or has easy access to the weekly protagonist. This makes it possible for a Rogue to immediately update/upload his/her memory, surroundings and situation. Since it is the episodes goal to empower the protagonist, nothing is allowed to interfere with their free will.

The Basic Episode:

Each week the episode begins with Serena in her magnificient greenhouse (an anchor set). Five portraits hang on a strange looking glass wall. These framed portraits are the Rogues "home station". Serena protects and guards these backend portrait doorways. The "front door" of these portraits can be moved, reframed, bought or sold like any “normal” portrait. They are also the pathway to Serena’s world.

The Rogues “live” in their own portraits. They can step outside their portraits to observe and interact with humans but are limited. The doorway is their energy source. Although each week one of them gets a chance to experience a "tandem visit" where their spirit occupies a present living human for a limited time. In this state they can experience all their five senses and bodily functions in order to feel "human" again.

Although the Rogues are the main characters, there is a guest protagonist, a “broken spirit” each week. Serena chooses the Rogue who will interact with the protagonist. The one who has the most to lose or learn. The Rogues don't always agree with her decision. And sometimes the situation is complicated by the negative side of the human spirit, the "alibis".

Dream Sequence:

Every episode has a dream sequence. The Rogue's portrait is also the portal and stage to the protagonist’s dream. Anything can happen. It can be full of fun, drama, adventure or mystery as long as it relates to uncovering the protagonist’s inner truth, so that they can grow.

This sequence can be as simple as someone sitting alone in a dark room to a full-blown Broadway musical number (budget permitting). It can be filmed in black and white, sepia or color whatever fits the story line. The Shaman/mother-in-law usually makes her appearance in this sequence to help and/or observe the Rogue.

The “Magic”:

The shaman/mother-in-law, Serena Rhune uses Mother Nature, Father Spirit and her unlimited knowledge of herbology as her “magic”. She is known to have experimented with thousands of recipes, not just for cooking and healing, but on occasion, she has used her “magic” as a weapon of survival or revenge like “Montezuma’s”.

Being barefoot is how she connects to all around her. Although some say that being thousands of years old, her memory isn’t what it used to be, and though it takes her a while to find exactly the right remedy, her unique powers could only be called “magic”.

Weekly Protagonist:

Everyday man, woman, boy, or girl, any human being whose spirit is about to break or anyone who has reached a crossroads in their life and doesn’t know which way to go or what to do. The Rogue’s spirit has to find a way to empower the protagonist without infringing on their willpower-- building their self-worth. Communication, caring is a must. The storyline could be as simple as a decision about getting married to solving a murder. Since it is a romantic fantasy, there will be an element of romance woven throughout the storyline. Whether the romance is more dominant, depends on the plot.

Surrendered Spirit, the pilot,
introduces William Joseph Riley as the Time Traveler and Serena, his mother-in-law, a shaman. Riley desperately seeks for his wife’s lost spirit, but gaining an ex-cons trust seems impossible.

Time Travel, a damaged spirit and a demanding mother-in-law... and you thought you had problems...


The complete 24 page series bible with storylines, Rogue bios and the pilot are available upon request and qualification.

For More Info: The Rogues Web Page

©2009 Unicorn Shadow Productions

Friday, September 4, 2009

Labor Day

My husband dragged me out of the house... he said I needed a break. We went to Cominicut and Oakland Beach and watched the sunset. Candlelight Hour... when day meets night... magical!

It was great... especially after I have a vodka gimlet and a Green Apple martini... sigh.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

As I was editing Who Murdered Mr. Wrinkles (WMMW), I learned I had to loop new audio. So I needed to put the project on hold.

In the mean time, rewrote a script, then worked on two more short films. In June, I traveled to Lithuania for three weeks in order to visit family. In July, I went to Washington DC for a writers conference and last week, celebrated an anniversary at Shelburne Farms... All the photos I took were produced into various DVDs by what I call DVDezigns. The summer has flown by even with all the rain-- record breaking rains.

In July, the two characters in WMMW looped all their audio, so I am back on track with the editing. Learning much about editing and sound. So my time for the next month or two will be spent rewriting a pet project, Dream Dancer and editing WMMW. I like doing two projects. When I've drained myself on one project I move to the other one. It keeps me from getting writer's block-- and it helps me keep my perspective fresh...

Til next time.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Update

Is He Real Or Not is the official selection for Boston International Film Festival. We viewed it this past Saturday. It is a wonderful children's film.

May 1-3rd I will be part of a crew for a 48 hour film festival.

In between graphic jobs , I am rewriting the pilot for The Rogue series, Surrendered Spirit. I was so far off track with all the other rewrites. No wonder I was having a hard time rewriting and why it wasn't working. Now, I have attached a different theme and have generated more of the story points from the rogues pov. I am still struggling a bit with the plotting but am using Blake Snyder's 15 beats hoping it gives me more clarity to the story. This is a major rewrite...

Friday, January 9, 2009

2009 January

Life is good... I have my health, friends and the rest is gravy...

2009 started out with designing, rewriting a pilot, Surrendered Spirit; editing a new kid's series, Who Murdered Mr. Wrinkles; and taking still photography/designing the 1-sheet for another filmmaker friend, Karen Webb who is producing her film, Is He Real or Not?

Surrendered Spirit is being rewritten more stronger as a pilot using, The Rogues series bible. The Rogue character in Surrendered Spirit, William Joseph Riley is a time traveler searching for his wife's spirit with the help of his shaman mother-in-law. He has to kiss many female "frogs" so-to-speak before he can find his wife's spirit. Along the way, he, the male, learns about the female psyche... hmmm.

Last summer, I wrote, directed and produced a new kid's short titled, "Who Murdered Mr. Wrinkles". The series is basically teens showing younger kids about life's trip-ups. Solar and Scope, the two main characters, need a school project and they decide to solve the murder of their school janitor. And I have a teacher who is willing to show this project to her students when it is complete.

This was so much fun to direct. Editing is not my forte, but this is a pet project and I am looking forward to getting it ready for festivals and contests. I will be adding a web page with photos of "...Mr. Wrinkles" in my spare time...


Saturday, January 10th, Karen, Dawn (the director) and I will be busy shooting on a school bus for Is He Real or Not? This is a short about a nine year old who wonders about Santa.

Much luck and health for the New Year,

Neringa