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Ishtar, Courtesy of AI.

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As I complete the pilot for my TV script, which is projected for an Animated series, fellow students and alumni from my screenwriting classes have been eager to see character designs for the cast of the series. I think they have concluded that I, myself, am an artist. Technically that is true.  I went through four years of art classes at one of the most competitive high schools in the field.  I also went on to study film in college.  In graduate school, among the many things I studied was what was at the time called “electronic graphics.”  Today, it is commonly referred to as CGI. The sad fact is:  I have been out of practice with sketching, painting, illustrating, and animating for several decades - never mind years.  My artistic skills have atrophied rather than evolved. However, one could argue I have found salvation in the form of AI image generators.  It has been seen by trained artists as a threat to their profession, which is a concern I do take seriously.  Very often, fine arti
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Babylon Beyond! Ishtar Plummets through the Heavens

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  A one panel sketch for my series Babylon Beyond!
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How would a dialogue between Inanna and Ereshkigal proceed? Chat GPT Answers.

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  A conversation between Inanna and Ereshkigal would likely be a tense and confrontational one, given their history in Mesopotamian mythology. In the myth, Inanna travels to the underworld ruled by Ereshkigal and is subjected to a series of trials and torments before being rescued by Enki. If they were to have a dialogue, it might go something like this: Inanna: Ereshkigal, queen of the underworld. It has been some time since we have spoken. Ereshkigal: Inanna. What brings you to my domain? Inanna: I have come to seek knowledge and understanding. Ereshkigal: Knowledge and understanding? You, who sought to overthrow me and claim my throne? Inanna: I have learned much since our last encounter. I now seek to understand the depths of the underworld, to gain knowledge that will aid me in my rule. Ereshkigal: And what could you possibly offer me in return for this knowledge? Inanna: I offer you my respect and reverence, and a pledge to never again seek to usurp your power. Ereshkigal: Your w
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The Artwork for Babylon Beyond!

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  It took me a few days, but by goddess, I did it! I'm taking a class entitled "TV Animation Lab."  The name explains itself.  The objective is to write a pitch for an animated series for television. During the first class, I only had a vague idea of what I wanted to do.  I have several ideas for feature length animated films, but television?  This was a new challenge. Or maybe not.  Maybe not so much. For years, I have been struggling to make a fantasy epic about a certain Sumerian goddess.  I wrote many drafts of the script.  I even had a reading live on stage, and it was received well.  The actors enjoyed performing the roles.  I was encouraged to go further. The problem was the logline, or the pitch. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to encapsulate the story into one sentence.  There were so many characters, so many locations, so much story.  I was completely baffled.  If you stopped me in the street and asked me what was the script about, I'd proba
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Inanna - Happy Holidays!

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  (Inanna, Ninshubar, and Ereshkigal are seated before a flatscreen watching “A Year without Santa Claus”.   There is a large quantity of red and green iced brownies on a platter perched on a coffee table in front of them). INANNA:   Oh, dear.   I hope that Santa Claus can get on his feet to spread Christmas cheer! ERESHKIGAL:   Nonny, we watch this stupid show year after year and the ending is the same! NINSHUBAR:   And year after year you two get in a fight about it.   Calm down and enjoy the day. INANNA:   Do you think Santa Claus is real? ERESHKIGAL:   Oh, I don’t believe this... INANNA:   I’m serious!   Lots of people don’t believe we’re goddesses, but we are! NINSHUBAR:   Nonny, if you look into your heart as a source of generosity and charity, there lies the spirit that is Santa Claus. (Pause). INANNA:   You don’t believe a word you just said, do you? NINSHUBAR:   Well, I believe in generosity and charity— ERESHKIGAL:   Just not the crap about Santa Claus. INANNA:   Stop, Sis!  
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Inanna - Book Haven!

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(Inanna and Ninshubar enter a book store named Book Haven.   Ninshubar marvels at the stacks of books around her while Inanna pores over her iPad Pro). NINSHUBAR:   Books, glorious books!   Row upon row!   Column next to column!   A body could LOSE herself in such literary wealth for centuries! INANNA:   Mmm. Nice.   (Ninshubar deftly removes a thick volume from the shelves). NINSHUBAR:   Take for example this volume by Petronius Arbiter!   The restored work of The Satyricon!   This is a treasure.   What a find! INANNA:   Treasure, yeah. NINSHUBAR:   Or this tome by Dante Alighieri, the Divine Comedy!   The poet's ascent from the Inferno to-- are you paying attention, Nonny? INANNA:   Sort of. NINSHUBAR:   Inanna, unglue that nose of yours from that digital doo-dad and look at something tangible.   Trace your fingers along this fine grain paper.   These are the unabridged verses of Hesiod.   A rare find that only-- INANNA:   Got it. NINSHUBAR:   What? INANNA:   Downloaded it just n
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Screenplay for Inanna Episode Three - The Evening Star.

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(Shara, Inanna's son, is staring up at the evening sky.   The sun has set, its passage marked by the afterglow.   A bright star appears in the sky.   He turns to his mother). SHARA:   Momma, what is that? INANNA:   That, my child, is the evening star! SHARA:   Oh! INANNA:   It is a special kind of star.   It is called a "planet."   A planet wanders along its own path, unlike the fixed stars in the heavens. SHARA:   Amazing! INANNA:   And if you wish on it, your wish will come true! SHARA:   Will it really? INANNA:   It will!   Just repeat after me:   Star light, star bright... SHARA:   Star light, star bright... INANNA:   First star I see tonight... SHARA:   First star I see tonight... INANNA:   I wish I may, I wish I might... SHARA:   I wish I may, I wish I might... INANNA:   Have the wish I wish tonight! SHARA:   Have the wish I wish tonight! INANNA:   What did you wish for? SHARA:   It is a secret! INANNA:   What if you whispered it in Momma's ear? SHARA:   All
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