Comedy Writer

                                5th November 2021

Hay Writer,

So you’re looking for a co writer to finish off a film script are you? Well, I currently work as a writer for Absurd TV. When I started they made less than twenty short films per season and last season, ending in October, they made seventy. These are mostly comedy shorts, but the point is that I’m high output comedy.

I have worked on full length films, none that have been made, but I can get a script finished. I started that in college where I took a class in film, having done well in theater writing, and I really took off.

In that class I was supposed to write ten pages in three weeks. In three weeks I handed in the first draft of a film. I got notes from the professor and handed in the next draft the following morning. Again, if you want to get things done then I’m your man.

I have worked with co authors before, but the fellow I worked with was more interested in writing for himself than writing for Hollywood. I’m here to write this thing and then get to the next project not to sit around and gather dust.

I’ve spent nearly forty two years on this rock we call Earth, and I’m not getting any younger. My take on things is that it’s time to get things done.

Hope to hear from you soon,


Richard Leland Neal

The Shire - Bucklebury Ferry

This unmanned ferry on the Brandywine River is one of the main crossing points between the Shire and Buckland.

After a close encounter with a cloaked rider, the raft serves as a literal lifeboat for the Hobbits. Huddled, they float through the night, hoping to reach safety before the pursuer crosses Brandywine Bridge.

The Shire - Bamfurlong

  

Located in The Marish, Maggot’s farm is well known amongst Hobbits for its abundant crop fields.

Taking a shortcut through the corn, the Hobbit pair stumbles upon Merry and Pippin, who are helping themselves to the bountiful harvest yet again. Before long, they have to run so as not to be caught by Maggot.

The Shire - Woody End

As the name might suggest, this region is located on the Eastern edge of Green-Hill and it’s one of the very few forests in the Shire.  Here, Sam and Frodo witness the last journey of the Wood Elves as they head to the Grey Havens, leaving Middle-Earth, never to return.

The Shire - South Farthing

  

Stretching from Three Farthing Stone in the centre of the Shire all the way down to its southernmost border, this warmer region is renowned for its lush fields and crops.

Frodo and Sam travel cross-country, as advised by Gandalf, in order to reach Bree. Although still in the Shire, this is an important milestone for Sam, being the farthest away from home he’s ever travelled.

The Shire - Bag End

 

This Evil cannot remain in the Shire, Frodo must leave cosy Bag End and travel to Bree.

There, Gandalf will meet him once more, after he has spoken with the head of his order, Saruman.

Angkor Wat

Finally, I arrived at the most significant complex on my journey, Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. Everything about this temple was carefully thought out, from the moat surrounding it, the architectural design, the geographical position and its purpose, in one word Angkor Wat is a masterpiece. It is the Khmer Empire’s greatest achievement and Cambodia’s crown jewel.

Built in the first half of the 12th century as a Hindu temple and mausoleum for King Suryavarman II, the complex covers an area of 400 acres, separated from the rest of the city by a moat that is 650ft (200m) across. This beautiful lake-like moat has a very important role in the survival of Angkor Wat. The weight of the water pushes against the earth and structure like a retaining wall, keeping Angkor Wat from collapsing. It is a symbiotic relationship which the architects intentionally planned when they designed this megastructure.

The architects wanted a dramatic and visually stunning structure visible from a long way away. They achieved that with a lengthy causeway allowing the grandeur of the temple to slowly unfold as it is approached.

Crossing the massive moat, I entered the main grounds through the central portal of the outer wall and found myself on the Terrace of Honour with stone balustrades decorated with sculptures of the serpent Naga.

To take in the expanse of Angkor Wat, I took a northbound perimeter walk, heading east and slowly winding my way towards the centre.

Passing the Reflecting Pond, I entered the concentric gallery through a handful of stairs and experienced the first of many wall carvings that formed military, mythological and daily life stories. The most iconic was the 160ft (49m) long relief known as the Churning of the Ocean Milk, a Hindu story portrayed as a tug-of-war between good and evil.

More than 2,000 statues of apsaras (female spirits) can be found in the temple, each one highly detailed showing masterful craftsmanship and the artists’ desire to bring the sculptures to life.
Entering the central terrace, I was met with the exceedingly steep, eye-watering, set of stairs that led to the final terrace. It was made up of five conical towers that represent the peaks of Mount Meru, home of the Hindu Gods. This final climb ended at dizzying heights but was worthwhile for the aerial views of the complex and surrounding jungle.

This brings me to the end of my journey. The city of Angkor is a remarkable testament to the Khmer Empire, its artisans and architects. It is also a reminder of the syncretic nature of its religion, as illustrated by the Hindu and Buddhist elements found in its architecture. The stone temples have endured for over 500 years and although extremely fragile, with ongoing conservation efforts I hope it will continue to endure for future generations.


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