I love this clip. In the clip, at minute 7:30 the screenwriter describes the moment Spanish Buzz was born. It was a collaborative moment filled with energy, passion and ultimately the knowledge of getting it right.
The screenwriter states almost apologetically, he had the good fortune of having approximately twenty-five writers in the film industry assembled in a room, a lovely retreat in Napa to help him make his script better. “Not fair,” the moderator quipped. (Insert audience laughter here.) He appears astounded at the opportunity, yet the “powers that be” at Pixar believed in something called collaboration to make a movie script better, therefore the assembly of writers. What script? Toy Story 3.
A problem had been identified with the script. The character of Spanish Buzz needed to be developed so he would take on a different form that audiences had not seen before, something original for their animated feature TS3. Many variations, twists, tweaks, etc. were tossed around. The screenwriter listening to his muse fairly whispered “Spanish Buzz” to a fellow writer next to him. The fellow writer heard him and lifted his whisper to a shout, “Spanish Buzz!” Others jumped on it in affirmation. And so, Spanish Buzz was born.
According to the screenwriter, collaboration was key. One player had to identify something had to be tweaked about Spanish Buzz. The screenwriter had to suggest his vision although in a whisper. The person sitting next to him had to hear him and shout to give the whisper a voice. Then the whole room had to endorse the new identity. What started as a whisper unleashed a flood of ideas.
It occurs to me that blogging is collaborative as well. Although we aren’t ensconced in a luxurious Napa retreat, we do have wordpress. We are among a community of global writers. We read, identify a way to connect to our readers. We whisper our thoughts through the keyboard of our computers…click-click-click.* The shout is heard as we push “publish” and then we wait to see if it inspires a thought, more conversation, a quip or a retort…perhaps a flood of ideas.
Like Spanish Buzz forgets his previous life and spontaneously begins speaking another language fluently, we follow our Don Quijote (the post writer) who dreams the impossible dream, leading a bunch of us toys to the safety of our thoughts. We escape until like Spanish Buzz we get hit on the head by a television set (the real world?) that sends us back to reality. We find new friends to play with. hmmm…I was getting a little carried away there. Now where was I? Oh yes, collaboration…and something else.
Of course, all the collaboration in the world cannot replace individual writing skills — the stylized flamenco and castanets. We have to have something to say, the ability to say it, and the honing of our skills.
How fortunate I am to read your posts, readers, and find inspiration in a word, a photograph, one idea. Inspiration from you populates my drafts folder. You think every week of the year and some of you post every day. You have the presence of mind to be present. You share generously. You are patient. You are not provincial. You come from all over the world, yet I can hear the whispers. For that I am so grateful. Gracias.
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*click-click-click “Mom, I can hear you through the phone…I have something important to ask you…PLEASE step away from the computer.”
You know, I have a confession to make. I’ve never seen any of the Toy Story movies, and didn’t know a thing about any of the characters. Consequently, when “Spanish Buzz” popped up in your posts, I couldn’t imagine what you were writing about! All I could imagine was… well, you can imagine what I was imagining! After all, flies do buzz, even Spanish ones!
It’s funny, but it’s also a perfect confirmation of your thesis. The words we write can’t be perfectly controlled. The associations they raise, the paths they send readers down, can’t always be predicted. One blogger I follow has acknowledged this by titling her blog “Ripple Effects”. She drops her pebble, in the form of a post, and then sits back to watch as the ripples spread.
The other thing that’s worth noting is that the world is part of our collaboration, too. I’ve just had another experience of life itself writing a sequel to one of my posts. Just when we think a story is complete, another chapter gets written. I suppose that’s one reason I love blogging as I do. Readers of books review, rate and rank books. Readers of blogs help to write them!
lol…In my last post Steve Schwartzman associated my statement of sitting on the couch for the posterity of my grandparents, dad and aunt to my posterior. How the mind works. I never even caught that in the proofing! Still, I thanked him for pointing that out.
I guess we wouldn’t want them, the words, to be perfectly controlled. So nice when they just come. I think that’s why I like commenting as much as I do. We read and then catch a ripple whether it be close to the center or a bit further out there.
I look forward to reading your sequel…I wonder if it will be on a post I have caught since following your blog. You are among the best out there and I remain grateful for your visits and your thoughtful comments at your site. You have slowed me down, made me more patient with the words and kept if not keep me in check…in a good on going way…never controlling. Thank you for the encouragement.
What a thoughtful post, Georgette! Great similarities. This big blogging family is truly amazing, and I’m so glad I jumped right into it two and a half years ago. And once again, I’m so glad that our paths crossed and that we have become blogging buddies!
Your daily inspiration, you must know helps keep this “family book” marching along. Sometimes I veer from the family category, but I just go where my mind takes me. Thank you for sharing on a daily basis. I have enjoyed meeting you and your family, and I admire your “joie de vivre”. You always remind me that inspiration is everywhere. You do wake us up in an “ah-hah” kind of way every morning. When I have a serendipitous moment, it’s your fondness for serendipity that encourages me to press “publish.”
What sweet things to say, Georgette. You made me smile!
Wow, Georgette. This was lovely. The writing was incredibly delicious. I consider myself fortunate with the fact that I am able to enjoy your writing and family stories. Thank you for being part of the process.
You were bold enough to say “I am a writer.” I have thought about that post many times. I have seen you evolve, tackle on different things, and grow. Your last post about the realization that you do love children made me smile. You “get it” and although I have a few years on you, I see you growing and never being static. I’m glad you caught this post. Remember my e-mail to you uncertain about how to write last year’s Oscar post? Thank you for your patience. This year marks the year I pressed “publish” finding the words I was willing to release.
I very much remember, and I smiled reading this post. Good for you for finding the words. You truly did a wonderful job.
Thanks, LD. You helped get me to this one…albeit, one year later.
What an awesome post, Georgette! So well thought and written. I loved the analogies. Hmm. never thought of myself as Don Quixote…until now! Our blogging community is so special because we do inspire and encourage and support one another. Gracias to you as well, my friend. P.S. I chuckled at the post script you added. I’m fairly certain it’s what my husband wants to say to me most of the time.
Just had to add that, as in my household, my posts, thoughts, words are not a “whisper.” They are click-click-click and when my family sees me at the computer, composing a post or commenting, there is always a preface, “Now, do I have your undivided attention?” No, I never could have tackled blogging raising a family and teaching full time. That’s why I had to have a good memory for the days of “retirement” when I could be afforded the luxury. Thank you, mama. You have just inspired another post “A memory for writing–writing from memory” or some such title. Will be working on it. Always, thank you for your crisp, clear presentations and the inspiration you bring. Of course, I hope you are feeling better and thank you for this comment.
Just watched the clip, Georgette. Very interesting how creative collaboration occurred in that instance. I really like your take on who we do and can support each other and give each other inspiration in this blogging community. Your post reminds me that I do not blog in a vacuum. Blogging without reading and responding to other people’s posts misses the whole point. Makes me want to do a better job with keeping up. Great post!
Thank you for the encouragement. You are so multi-talented I can imagine you are torn in many directions. I would never want to insist that my readers read every post–that would choke the life out of what we do. Inspiration can be fragile and the conditions need to be right. Still, I admire how you set yourself down at the computer and capture your latest musing rhythmically. I identify with your thoughts, your rhythm, they connect, and I find it all very encouraging. I think I just came full circle.
Spanish Buzz taught you well, my friend, as you’re an excellent blogger!! XO
Thank you, Patrice. Congrats on your family’s special anniversary. You’re in my thoughts.
We learned from people and experiences and looks like Spanish Buzz did an awesome job. It’s truly amazing how our blogging community continues to inspire and motivate each other. Have a great week my friend.
You do so much to lift us up. I love your perspective and dedication to sharing beautiful photos with wonderful sentiments to go with them.
Beautiful post Georgette. I’m proud to be part of the WordPress community of global writers. While we aren’t “ensconced in a luxurious Napa retreat” [love that thought] I imagine that most of us are spending far too long sitting at our dining tables communicating with strangers who have somehow become as close as our real friends. How nice is that!
I love the conversation — the Spanish tertulia if you will.