I am frustrated that I have so many incomplete projects hanging around. This is not a new problem. But, with my lack of energy these days, it seems worse. What I need to do is start setting priorities and whittle down my backlog.
“Ted Writes a Novel” Demonstration Video
I started this project in response to a suggestion to do a video demonstrating how I record the writing exercises I post. This has been my main project since early August. I wrote the short story, then recorded a video where I did the audio recording and edited it. Later, I recorded some additional voice overs to describe what I was doing. Now I am editing the video. I am almost done the first cut. My main worry now is that it seems boring to me.
“The Dread of the Daring Rocketeer”
This will be an animated video using NAWMAL based on a writing exercise I did in 2022. I collaborated with an actor to record the character voices. I got stuck when I couldn’t work out how to show a rocket. Eventually I was able to get a rocket image I thought would do using Unreal Engine. I did an initial version of the video in Nawmal. It needs a lot of work, but I haven’t looked at it since May. I think this one should be my priority after the “Ted Writes a Novel” Demonstration Video.
“Time Enough for the Anxious Social Media Manager”
This will be an animated video using NAWMAL based on a writing exercise I did in 2022. I collaborated with a couple of actors to record the character voices, but I haven’t even looked at creating the video yet.
“The Audience for AI Films”
This is a satirical/cynical take on AI films. I used NAWMAL to make a video about two minutes long. As it stands, I feel that it is too short, but I got stuck when I tried to write some additional material. I haven’t added in the camera angles I want yet. I did show the work in progress to a couple of people. I haven’t done anything on this project since last May.
“After You’re Gone”
This is a fictional story based on conversations I had with my wife before she died. I’ve had encouraging feedback from people who’ve read it. Because it is so personal, I have struggled with whether I should continue to develop it. I translated it in the Chinese and sent it to my brother-in-law.
“Bright Freedom”
This is a project I’ve picked up and dropped multiple times since I first conceived the idea back about a dozen years ago. I alternate between feeling I owe it to the main character to finish her story, and frustration that I don’t know how to fix the problems with the story. I took another shot at it earlier this year and shared an outline with several people. That generated a new pile of problems I don’t know how to solve. I think I’ve abandoned it for good now.
“The Barrier”
I completed a version of “The Barrier” back in 2014 and posted it on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATcKnFAwlU0 I wasn’t happy with it and planned to revise it. I did start on a revised script in 2015, but I haven’t looked at it since then. I would be a large project and I find it intimidating.
Script Collaboration
I’ve been collaborating with an actor on a script off and on for over a decade. We do have a script now, but it needs work. With my current lack of energy, I find it hard to get back to work on it. I feel the obligation to see it finished, but it is hard to get motivated.
New Website Host
I wanted to switch my website to a Canadian based host. Back in April I decided to go for it, but there were snags in the transfer and we had to cancel. At the time there were a bunch of other issues I had to deal with, so I decided to leave it until later. So far, I’ve done nothing. My current hosting agreement comes up again in a few months, so I think I should get back at this.
New Software
I started to investigate how to use Blender, Unreal Engine or iClone for my animation. I have used Blender but think I can do more sophisticated animations with it than I’ve done so far. Both Blender and Unreal Engine are free, but I found it difficult to learn how to do the things I want to do. iClone looks like it may be easier for me to learn, but it is a paid product. It has a free test version, but it has a time limit on its use, so I didn’t want to try it until I had the time to try it out.