Picture this: For weeks you have been stranded at sea; you’re on the brink of death and your only hope for survival is to negotiate, and plea, for water from a man who is trying to eat you.

That’s how my latest script begins. Bowman finds himself in a stalemate with an unlikely evil character named Carter, while the two men remain stranded in the middle of the ocean.

How far will each man go to survive? What actions will be too dark, too disturbing as they attempt to outlive one another? Who has the real power in this metaphorical stranglehold?

I plan to shoot this film towards the end of summer this year on the shores of Lake Ontario (yes I know, it’s not an ocean; no, I won’t be changing the title). To satisfy my itch of making a good feature length film I have included only two characters and one location in the script; meaning that the dialogue and acting has to be wicked-bad or else the entire project will fall flat.

Which would be a shame because who doesn’t enjoy a movie about cannibalism every now and then?

So I seem to be on a roll shooting videos with the stars of CBC’s Dragon’s Den. Which is odd.

With two down and two to go (come on, we KNOW the others don’t count) I look forward to collecting Robert Herjavec and Jim Treliving like pogs (or like The Collector).

John Tory chats with Kevin O’Leary about his new book, “The Cold, Hard Truth on Men, Money and Women.” Kevin elaborates on dating, marriage and pets. © 2013.

Arlene Dickinson, CEO of Venture Communications and star of CBC’s Dragon’s Den does a PSA for The Breakfast Clubs of Canada. © 2013. Additional footage and images from the Breakfast Clubs of Canada.

Well it’s a new year, sort of, but not where I work as our fiscal calendar ends in August (foggg horrrrrn), though 2012 seemed to conclude like Return of the King (drawn out, awkward smiles and trying very hard not to piss myself). I haven’t blogged in a while because my wife and I moved.

We hate moving. It’s a pain in the ass however I am happy to report we are fully settled into our new place, which feels even more like a home than the last.

And I can finally continue to work on some projects I have put on hold: specifically my storyboards for Ark. It’s a process, believe me. I’ve decided to provide you with an example of the arduous artistic task below.

First I start off with a very rough sketch, or thumbnail. I’m not showing you any of the sketches because they’re embarrassing: Basically I go through a script and etch out the shots I want to draw, to determine the angles, perspective, character elements, etc.

Then I fill in the sketch with some more detailed penciling:

Looks great! So I ink it and erase the pencil markings. I forgot to take a picture. Oops.

Then I shade it:

I grab a toothpick, a cotton ball and white paint. I dot the stars in the scene and then use sheared pieces of the cotton ball to create some of the solar prominences visible in space (context: they’re close to a star):

Then I photocopy it. Twice:

One copy is to preserve, the other is to color.

Here are a couple more examples from the same scene:

I’ve finished 700 frames so far: So I only have to do this 450 more times.

Another project I am working on is a shorter, much more simple film, set in an ocean. I was discussing this with my wife, who is keen on working with me on this. The film will require only two actors and five days of shooting, and will be submitted to a multitude of film festivals. I intend to begin scripting this next month. I will have more updates in the future.

I have also recently updated the video section with a few projects I have worked on in the past six months.

John Tory is the former CEO of Rogers Communications, former PC Ontario Leader and current host on Newstalk 1010, weekdays 4-7pm.

View the photoset on Flickr.

A pair of Alpacas from Arriba Linea Farms stopped by NEWSTALK 1010: Jim Richards gets up & close with the fluffy guys in celebration of National Alpaca Farm Days (Sept. 29-30, 2012). © 2012.

Mike Bullard is a comedian and host on NEWSTALK 1010, weekdays 12-1pm.

View the photoset on Flickr.

Canadian Health & Wellness Tour, 11x17, digital.

Last week I finished the shooting script for ‘Dead Night’: After five drafts and nearly two years of writing, my piece of survivalist fiction is now closer to becoming reality.

Read more about ‘Dead Night’ here and here.

But alas, I will soon face what all budding filmmakers face eventually: Do I sell my script to an interested party or seek the funds necessary to make it myself? While I’ve had six years to think about it already I’m quite confident that I can pull this off myself with some invested financial assistance. It’s not that I’m arrogant (not completely) I just don’t trust anyone else with my ideas.

Fair. I think.

Just like some wouldn’t trust a stranger with their child (I’m not comparing my script to a child; you and I both know that this script is more precious).

My next step is to storyboard the entire film: All 123 scenes (maybe 1,200 panels). I am currently a storyboardasaurus with this project, so no ‘Dead Night’ panels anytime soon. BUT I might post some concept art eventually. 

Former Maple Leafs Captain Doug Gilmour popped into the studio to tell John Moore about his upcoming charity baseball game, Dougieball, taking place at Christie Pits in Toronto. © 2012.

At 8:40pm on June 5 2012 I began to photograph the transit of Venus in front of the setting sun. Venus’ transit between the earth and sun will not be seen again for over 100 years. I took approximately 975 photos as the sun set and compiled them into this video. The music is “Antennas to Heaven” by Godspeed You! Black Emperor (used without permission for esthetic value only). © 2012.