Days 274 - 278: Sitcom Scripting, Google Cheque, Recipe Hunting, Location Hunting & Film Talk!

I am having an absolutely FANTASTIC time!

Like really, really!

OK, a list it is going to be because otherwise I will not be able to stop writing out of sheer excitement.

1) Sitcom Scripting - Yup, I have started to write the script for a Malayalam sitcom and so far I have been able to complete two whole episodes. I have always wanted to work on a sitcom but nothing worked till date. Now I feel like I finally have a premise that has the potential for a reasonably long running sitcom and am super duper excited about the progress so far. It has been difficult trying to find the time for writing with work, workouts and the little one who sleeps only at about 11pm every day, but I am happy that I have managed to get it done anyway. And I am so thrilled that the few people I have shared the script with, has been very supportive of the idea! This is exciting beyond words!

2) Google Cheque - Now that Inganeyum Oru Katha has crossed about 170,000 views on Youtube, Google has kindly sent me a cheque. Well, it was a grand total of a 100 dollars, which in today's world, is not really much, but of course, this isn't about the money. It is about how cool I felt to be earning money from a film I made and put up online!

3) Sitcom & Recipe - Another thing I must add about the sitcom is that it has an element of food and recipes in it. More details on this will follow as we reveal the title of the show and the poster etc. but the interesting thing here was that I made an open request to my friends on Facebook asking for original Kerala recipes with their own twist to it, to be featured in the show. And the responses and conversations that followed were too much fun! Everyone was very enthusiastic and I have a confirmed recipe already for the first episode and also a list of possible one for the futures.

4) Location Hunting - Last but not the least, one of my Aravindum Aarumughamum actors took me on a drive in his car for location hunting for the film. The idea was to find places that could pull off an "Indian" look, which I would have expected to be a rather difficult thing in Singapore. So we explored every end of Singapore and I was amazed by what we saw. We saw open lands that looked exactly like those in India, deserted roads lined with thick jungles on either sides, streams, mud paths and even a bunch of monkeys playing around on the trees. I was always aware that Singapore had a lot of thick vegetation but I have personally not explored them with such keen interest before. And the sights I saw and the spots I discovered were just mindblowing, and needless to say very "Indian". Aravindum Aarumughamum locations are now fixed!

5) Last but not the least, I had the opportunity to meet a fellow Indian film maker about to embark on her first project. It was really fun talking about the whole moviemaking process of us independent film makers and our ideas seem to match a lot with each other. It is always exciting to have these deep discussions with people with similar interests mine and I had a good time meeting her. I wish her all the best!

Like I said, am having an absolutely fantastic time!

Days 239 - 246: A Great Post-Holiday Phase!

27 Aug - 4 Sep 2013

The holiday seems to have given a new lease of energy and determination. Ever since I got back I have been extremely busy but productive.

Things went pretty much like this:

Got back to Singapore (after a good flight in which the little one co-operated really well).

Unpacked.

Wrote all the detailed blogs from the trip (and there were a lot of those!)

Uploaded the holiday pictures.

Caught up with everything at work and made some good progress too.

Exercised 6 out of the 8 days since I got back.

Managed to get a "that's a very lovely post" for camel pose at yoga class.

Caught up with friends at work and outside.

Started meditating every night before going off to bed.

Got to watch the little one learn new tricks like picking up toys and placing them on my palm when I tell her "Give", imitating me when I cough, playing her new favourite game of collapsing on the bed at the count of three, trying to say "this" and "that" even though that's not what she means when she says it... etc. etc.

Caught two good films - a lovely Malayalam film called "English" and an interesting independent film called "Good Morning, Good Night".

Got excited about the new found muscles on my arms! The workouts are working!

Did some more planning on the next big holiday, this time with both the set of parents!

Had a discussion with a friend who got inspired by the script of Aravindum Aaarumughamum and has thought through a way to use the film to raise funds for a particular social cause. How awesome is that! More details on this coming over the next few months.

Discovered a whole new hangout area in Singapore. It all happened when the hubby and I were out of ideas for a new place to take the little one out to for our routine Sunday outing. I resorted to Google and we got several recommendations on kids friendly cafes in Singapore, all around this area called Robertson Quay. We had been there before but what we didnt realize that beyond the restaurant we have been to, there is an extremely long strip of cafes and restaurants and bars lining the river, connecting Great World City mall to Clarke Quay and beyond! That was such an awesome discovery because there were dozens of cafes to choose from. We had a good brunch at one and walked more than 5kms up and down the strip. It was an evening spent extremely well!

So there. That's all that's been happening. It's a lot. But it's all good. I am glad that instead of lazing out after the holiday, I have been able to bounce right back!

Day 128: Baby, Work, Work Out, Script!

Yup... it is like a humungous milestone!

I am back to scripting after getting back to work post maternity leave! It's a bilingual in Malayalam and Tamil and am super excited about it!

Until today, I was not sure at all whether I would be able to get back to this but I have. And that too, after squeezing in a 30 minute DVD workout today! Awesome!

Sure, I could manage to write only a single scene which itself took an entire hour because I was also managing the little one on the side. And am most certain that I won't be able to make this combination of work, baby, exercise and scripting a regular one.

But any progress is good progress, so am extremely happy about it! Looking forward to more such days!

Day 91: "Bhavaaniyammayude Vishu"!

"Bhavaaniyammayude Vishu".

That's the title of my Malayalam short story that's been published in an online magazine, "Ithalukal" by an organization called MIS (Malayalees in Singapore). This is my first short story in Malayalam ever and I believe also the first time any short story of mine is getting published!

Needless to say, it's a beautiful feeling!

Here's the link (am on page 26!): http://www.sgmalayalees.com/fourth-edition/march-2012-issue.php

Days 49 - 52: Malayalam Short Story, IOK on TV, Yoga, Packing and 50!

18 - 21 February, 2013

Quite eventful four days! So eventful that I am gonna squeeze everything into one short post vs. separate entries. Here's the list:

1) Completed one short story in Malayalam for an online Mallu magazine from Singapore. It took me four days to complete it as I had to work it around the little one's schedule. But I have finally managed to complete it!
2) Two very good yoga classes. Also got a good on a new pose - the backward bend!
3) Got confirmation that my short film Inganeyum Oru Katha will be telecast on a TV channel in the US! It will be the first time that's happening to any of my films!
4)  I have begun packing for my upcoming India trip. I am gonna travel alone with the little one this time (and her first trip ever!) and I can't stop making lists of things to take, checking, re-checking, packing and being rather obsessed with the whole thing. The good news is that I have made quite some progress so far!
5) Last but not the least, I have completed 50 days of this new blog. That's always a reason to celebrate!

All's well! 

Days 44 - 46: Miscellaneous Fun - Yoga, Writing, Valentine's Day Sponge Cakes!

It's been not-very-eventful but rather fun three days.

Quick list, due to severe lack of time:

a) Managed to exercise all three days - 1 long walk and 2 days of yoga.
b) Managed to get a few things checked in yoga - Camel Pose: Check!, Fixed Firm: Check, Balancing Stick: Check! Awkward Pose (part 1) - Check! - Pretty good work for two days, ya?! So happy!
c) Made a little progress on the friend's screenplay.
d) Celebrated Valentine's day by buying the hubby and myself cute, little sponge cakes and joyously consuming them. You see, I don't believe in Valentine's AT ALL! I would rather celebrate those days which are special to just the two of us like our anniversary and shared birthday. But I had a great yoga class and I wanted to treat myself to something nice, so colourful sponge cakes it was! And given my generous nature, I happened to share them with the hubby too, thereby converting it into a couple celebration.

In short, pretty good three days! 

Day 31: A Good End to a Great January!

I have been tracking my workout schedule and progress since the beginning of January, when I was 13 weeks postpartum. Till then, I was not too disciplined about it. Except for some walking, and in-home floor exercises to strengthen an injured pelvis, I was not doing much. But at 13 weeks postpartum, I felt that it was high time I started putting some thought to fitness and I started working out with my focus on Bikram Yoga.

So today, on the last date of the month, I tracked my progress and realized that I have done 12 Bikram Yoga classes and 4 long walks! I.e. an average of 3/week of yoga and 4/week of exercise!

Which is awesome!

 I haven't been able to keep up such a schedule ever, even pre-pregnancy, so I was super happy about this. Of course, the maternity leave and the time on hand does contribute to the progress but I am glad I spent the time well.

After I made this discovery about how much exercise I managed to get in January, I decided to take a break today. No yoga, no walking, nothing. Just sit at home and spend time with the little one. Pretty much of an anti-climax I admit. Still, the chilling out was very welcome.

But then night fell and I felt incredibly guilty. How can I spend a whole day doing absolutely nothing?! I felt that wouldn't be the best way to end the month, so I decided to work on the editing for my friend's novel. With the little one asleep by my side, I spent a couple of hours working on it, and managed to complete an entire chapter in a single sitting.

I hit the bed peacefully and happily after that.  It was a good end to a great January! 

Days 29 - 30: Reasons to Cheer!

29 - 30 January, 2013

Pretty good two days with a few good reasons to cheer!

1) I completed the short film screenplay, my first screenplay based on a short story and my first work for another director!
2) The screenplay was approved by the director! Yay! It's one thing to write for my own films and totally different thing to write for another person. So I was eagerly looking forward to his feedback. Except for a few minor additions, it's all good to go!
3) I managed to drag myself to yoga even though I was feeling incredibly exhausted and didn't want to do anything other than just sleep! But I went and I didn't regret and felt really proud of myself!
4) Post yoga, just when I was wondering whether to go back home or treat myself to a Starbucks Chai Tea Latte, the hubby called and said that his company has closed a deal. That definitely called for a celebration, even if a really tiny one because we had to get back home to the little one, and he joined me for my cup of Chai Latte! Loved that celebration!
5) I had a meeting with my manager to close out my work review for last year, and I got pretty good feedback, which made me super duper happy! It was not an easy year with my rather colourful pregnancy, and I had to work extra hard. So the appreciation was very welcome and it also makes me look forward to getting back to work again!
6) When I went to meet the manager, I also got to meet a few friends there for some highly overdue catch-up. And as always catch-up and conversations are very welcome!

Like I said, it's all pretty good! 

Day 28: Short Film Screenplay - 75% done!

Like I mentioned here yesterday, I had taken up a new project to write the screenplay for a friend's short film based on his short story. This is an addition to my list of writings to do for the year.

Given that the short story is ready and all I need to do is the screenplay, I decided to start working on it immediately, putting on hold the rest of the more-time-consuming projects on my writing list.

So after putting the little one to bed, I sat down to work on it and surprised myself by completing 75% in one go! Sure it is only a 15 minute film, so the work isn't huge, but I didn't think it would progress this fast.

I would have loved to complete the whole screenplay but couldn't because a certain bit needed a lot more thinking and my brain had begun to give away by midnight. Hope to crack that tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I can definitely say that I went to bed a very happy person! 

Day 19: Writer's Block Unblocked!

I had written here that one of the things on my long writing-to-be-done list for the year is a collection of short stories.

Today, I started working on the first of the stories.

And I completed a grand total of 1 page.

Yup, that's it.

By then the little one decided that I have better things to do.

But hey, I got at least one page done and I am reasonably happy with that! It meant that I have finally gotten over the writer's block that I have been dealing with for a few days now.

Great progress, really!

To celebrate (and also because it was Saturday and it would be sinful to spend the whole day at home), the hubby and I hit Clarke Quay where we treated ourselves to kebabs from Marrakesh and dessert from Haagen Dazs. Yum.

Looking forward to completing the rest of the pages now!  

Day 14: Chapter One Done!

Yup! I have completed the editing of the first chapter of my friend's novel!

The writing marathon thus begins! 

Day 12: Editing Begins!

I had mentioned here that one of the projects I have on hand is editing a friend's novel.

Today I started working on it!

It's my first time as the editor for a written piece and I must say that it's quite an interesting experience.  It's challenging because you gotta keep the original work's style intact while figuring out how to refine the rough edges. You gotta read the piece multiple number of times, internalize the content, make the edits, and then re-read multiple number of times to see whether it makes any sense. You gotta make tough calls on whether a particular sentence is needed, and if yes, whether it's placement goes with the current flow. Etc., etc. etc.

Am not sure how good a job I am doing with the editing, but I would say that in spite of the challenges, I am definitely enjoying the process! 

Day 11: Writing, Writing, Lots of Writing!

This is getting very interesting!

All of a sudden, I am finding my hands full of projects...all writing projects. If we are to do a quick list, it would go like this:

1) I have a friend's story to edit - this is the first time I will taking up the role of an editor and while I honestly have no high opinion of my skill in this department, I am pretty excited at the opportunity to try it out.

2) I have another friend's story to turn into a feature film screenplay - this is the first time I will be writing a screenplay for another person's story. Am certain it's gonna be quite challenging to come up with something that is in line with the other person's vision, but I am looking forward to the process.

3) I have my short story collection to work on - so far I have only listed down the threads, now I need to flesh them all out.

4) I have this daily blog.

5) I have my own half completed screenplay which I need to rework based on a recently hit brainwave.

In short, looks like this year is gonna see a LOT of writing. And that suits me just fine. Writing is probably the most practical thing for me to do right now, with the little one around. It would keep me productive without making unreasonable demands on my time, which would be awesome!

So yes, busy and exciting times ahead... and I hope to complete at least most of the above, if not all! Fingers crossed! 

Day 9: Short Story List!

Looks like maternity leave is a good time for brewing of ideas! Just yesterday I had written about how I struck an idea to make a half written feature film script far better.

And today I have a completely different idea!

Firstly, I have decided to shelve the above mentioned  script and get back to work on it later on. Reason being that I have just completed one full length script last month - a rather romantic musical, and I don't feel like working on another script just yet.

Instead, I have decided to get back to my plan that's remained just a plan with no action against it for ages. The plan to write a collection of short stories!

I think I have been wanting to do that since 2008 or so and I did get down to writing three stories then but that was that. I caught the film making bug after that and no more short story writing happened.

But now I want to do it. I feel like with a bit of better time management I will be able to squeeze it into my schedule that's currently focused on baby sitting and yoga.

To kickstart the process, I drew up a list of ideas for short stories that I will work on. And I have nine ideas listed down with a logline each!

Plan is to write about one in 1-2 weeks. Fingers crossed and super excited!