Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Paul Newman
America has not only lost one of its finest actors, the world has lost one of its greatest men. Paul Newman's life both on and off screen knows no rivals. The fact that all of these achievements could be found in one man is truly amazing.
I loved so many of Mr. Newman's films. He played the kind of roles that many actors were afraid of. He didn't want to be instantly likable. His characters would dare you to like them, make you work at liking them. Every character had a past that began way before the story began on film.
Off screen, his charity through his food line and his camps was amazing. For almost 20 years the "Hole in the Wall" camp has given hope and joy to thousands of families. Mr. Newman has given so much to so many.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
I loved so many of Mr. Newman's films. He played the kind of roles that many actors were afraid of. He didn't want to be instantly likable. His characters would dare you to like them, make you work at liking them. Every character had a past that began way before the story began on film.
Off screen, his charity through his food line and his camps was amazing. For almost 20 years the "Hole in the Wall" camp has given hope and joy to thousands of families. Mr. Newman has given so much to so many.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Hurricane Coverage Reax
I am not going to claim total victory, but the coverage went from: "We may see this storm strengthen up to a Cat 5..." to "Look what this strong Cat 2 has done to this stores awning and let get a shot of this garbage can rolling down the street." Thanks Geraldo.
Too much hype makes Jack a dull boy. Actually too much hype makes Jack not want to evacuate when a real hurricane comes because he's become callous to the steady stream of media exaggeration.
Too much hype makes Jack a dull boy. Actually too much hype makes Jack not want to evacuate when a real hurricane comes because he's become callous to the steady stream of media exaggeration.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Hurricane Hype?
If Hurricane Gustav actually does hit New Orleans I will be very surprised. As someone who works in the news industry its so easy to see the planets align on this story.
- A hurricane hits Mexico= yawn
- A hurricane hits Texas= Not bad
- A hurricane threatens New Orleans on the Anniversary of Katrina= Pretty good.
- A category 4 monster, causes a mass exodus mere days before it destroys the battered Big Easy forever= A mutli-day media ratings extravaganza!
I'm not saying that the hype might not be real. I'm just saying they need the hype. Be mindful.
- A hurricane hits Mexico= yawn
- A hurricane hits Texas= Not bad
- A hurricane threatens New Orleans on the Anniversary of Katrina= Pretty good.
- A category 4 monster, causes a mass exodus mere days before it destroys the battered Big Easy forever= A mutli-day media ratings extravaganza!
I'm not saying that the hype might not be real. I'm just saying they need the hype. Be mindful.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
A message to the members ofthe Media traveling with Sen. Obama
Stop it!
The general public might not be able to see what you are doing, if they even care anymore, but I do. Your trying to create a legend which wouldn't be so bad if you weren't doing so for selfish reasons.
You're following Obama around like a bunch of love struck groupies. You want him to win and you're doing a horrible job hiding it.
Why might you ask? Look at the big picture. If McCain wins what happens, or rather what doesn't. First of it won't be historic and therefore not as interesting. Second regardless of how long John claims he'll live it won't be that long in legacy terms. He possibly might not even run for a second terms, strike three.
Senator Obama has it all. He's a first a trail blazer, schools all over the country are going to be buying new letters for their renaming ceremonies the day after he wins the election. He's young so his media darlings can milk him for decades. Finally he seems like an all or nothing leaders, he's either going to lead America to greatness or into the abyss. Great material for articles and books.
That's all the whores I mean members of the media seem to care about. They want to have interesting stories to tell at parties and be there on the ground floor to write countless books about how they were there with Obama in the struggle making history.
It is selfish and it's sicking.
The general public might not be able to see what you are doing, if they even care anymore, but I do. Your trying to create a legend which wouldn't be so bad if you weren't doing so for selfish reasons.
You're following Obama around like a bunch of love struck groupies. You want him to win and you're doing a horrible job hiding it.
Why might you ask? Look at the big picture. If McCain wins what happens, or rather what doesn't. First of it won't be historic and therefore not as interesting. Second regardless of how long John claims he'll live it won't be that long in legacy terms. He possibly might not even run for a second terms, strike three.
Senator Obama has it all. He's a first a trail blazer, schools all over the country are going to be buying new letters for their renaming ceremonies the day after he wins the election. He's young so his media darlings can milk him for decades. Finally he seems like an all or nothing leaders, he's either going to lead America to greatness or into the abyss. Great material for articles and books.
That's all the whores I mean members of the media seem to care about. They want to have interesting stories to tell at parties and be there on the ground floor to write countless books about how they were there with Obama in the struggle making history.
It is selfish and it's sicking.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Endings
I rented an indie called "Player 5150" a tale about he perils of gambling. The film starts off rocky, low production value and lots of cliches about how loan sharks behave. Why do movie mobsters always have to be so cool and clever? Maybe I've just seen too many movies, but I would rather go subtle then over the top. Most criminals are blunt not witty.
As the story progressed I became interested and started rooting for the main character played by Ethan Embry. His performance took what could have been a flat and uninteresting film and really pumped it up a few notches. Kudos to Mr. Embry on what might one day be defined as his break out performance.
The movie kept building and raising the stakes, it had a great false "Rocky" moment where it looked like he was going to gamble his way out of the debt. At times I had to look away because I have has similar experiences on a much smaller scale. I've never gambled away my life saving, but I have walked into a casino with 200 dollars saying "I'm only going to play with 100" and driving away 4 hours later pissed.
My biggest complaint is in regards to the ending. This movie really has two endings. The real one that communicates the moral evils of gambling and the feel good nonsense that follows. The lives of compulsive gamblers end poorly, its pretty much a fact.
Still this film is certainly worth watching. B-
As the story progressed I became interested and started rooting for the main character played by Ethan Embry. His performance took what could have been a flat and uninteresting film and really pumped it up a few notches. Kudos to Mr. Embry on what might one day be defined as his break out performance.
The movie kept building and raising the stakes, it had a great false "Rocky" moment where it looked like he was going to gamble his way out of the debt. At times I had to look away because I have has similar experiences on a much smaller scale. I've never gambled away my life saving, but I have walked into a casino with 200 dollars saying "I'm only going to play with 100" and driving away 4 hours later pissed.
My biggest complaint is in regards to the ending. This movie really has two endings. The real one that communicates the moral evils of gambling and the feel good nonsense that follows. The lives of compulsive gamblers end poorly, its pretty much a fact.
Still this film is certainly worth watching. B-
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
What is going on with NY?
I was talking to another colleague in the media about this year and how news heavy it has been. In 2008 the following things have happened:
- A giant crane Collapsed
- Our Governor gettingg caught with a prostitute, one of may we're told
- We got the first blind and the first black governor of New York.
- The Pope came.
- Our junior senator came pretty close to becoming president.
- Bear Sterns melted down.
- Some one tried to curse the Yankees
- The Sean Bell trial.
- A second crane collapsed.
This is pretty impressive, but it's astonishing when you consider that that the year isn't even half over yet! Interesting times indeed.
- A giant crane Collapsed
- Our Governor gettingg caught with a prostitute, one of may we're told
- We got the first blind and the first black governor of New York.
- The Pope came.
- Our junior senator came pretty close to becoming president.
- Bear Sterns melted down.
- Some one tried to curse the Yankees
- The Sean Bell trial.
- A second crane collapsed.
This is pretty impressive, but it's astonishing when you consider that that the year isn't even half over yet! Interesting times indeed.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Typey Type Type
Now for something completely different. I'm actually going to talk about writing. My foolish belief that writing something and casting it off into the world would be all I needed to succeed is slowly dying.
Now all I want is for someone to call me up and say they read it. In fact if someone came to my house knocked on my door, told me they hated my screenplay, and kicked me in the pills I would prefer that over to silence of nothing. That's where I am right now.
I've decided to push on and write something else for people put onto a big pile and ignore. As writing for me goes, this one is flying by and I can honestly say its the best thing I have ever written.
Oh well, back to writing.
Now all I want is for someone to call me up and say they read it. In fact if someone came to my house knocked on my door, told me they hated my screenplay, and kicked me in the pills I would prefer that over to silence of nothing. That's where I am right now.
I've decided to push on and write something else for people put onto a big pile and ignore. As writing for me goes, this one is flying by and I can honestly say its the best thing I have ever written.
Oh well, back to writing.
Friday, June 13, 2008
God Speed Mr. Russert
Tim Russert was a true giant in this industry. The sheer joy that he experienced in the covering of politics was obvious to anyone who watched. In a time when political coverage has become tainted with hate and bias, Mr. Russert was a bastion of authenticity and fairness.
I never met the man, but one of my fondest memories of him as a viewer came on the morning after "Super Tuesday". I was having my breakfast and turned on MSNBC(Morning Joe) to hear the results. Tim came on to discuss the results and I noticed that he hadn't shaved and his hair was messy. It was then revealed that Tim never went to bed that night, he had been up all night reviewing the numbers. That's how much he loved that job, it wasn't work to him it was something he really cared about and enjoyed.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
I never met the man, but one of my fondest memories of him as a viewer came on the morning after "Super Tuesday". I was having my breakfast and turned on MSNBC(Morning Joe) to hear the results. Tim came on to discuss the results and I noticed that he hadn't shaved and his hair was messy. It was then revealed that Tim never went to bed that night, he had been up all night reviewing the numbers. That's how much he loved that job, it wasn't work to him it was something he really cared about and enjoyed.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
You got to keep the devil,way down in a hole.
I recently just finished season five of "The Wire" and all I can say is believe the hype. For years I have heard people go on and on about how amazing that show is so about a month a go I threw season one onto the ol netflix.
I couldn't get enough of this show. As soon as the disc came in I would bang it out. In some case it wasn't that hard considering that their was only two episodes on some discs. I understand the psychological value of selling a five disc set for eighty bucks, that people would feel ripped off if the only got three disc. Here's an idea, put three discs in a big box.
This series offers so much, interesting stories, dynamic characters that change and grow right before your eyes, constant action( not three episode of dream sequences like some other HBO programs).
The best thing I can say about "The Wire" is that it sparks conversation. The true measure for a show or film for me is its ability to generate debate and discussion amongst myself and my friends. This show has that in spades.
Rent it, you won't be disappointed.
I couldn't get enough of this show. As soon as the disc came in I would bang it out. In some case it wasn't that hard considering that their was only two episodes on some discs. I understand the psychological value of selling a five disc set for eighty bucks, that people would feel ripped off if the only got three disc. Here's an idea, put three discs in a big box.
This series offers so much, interesting stories, dynamic characters that change and grow right before your eyes, constant action( not three episode of dream sequences like some other HBO programs).
The best thing I can say about "The Wire" is that it sparks conversation. The true measure for a show or film for me is its ability to generate debate and discussion amongst myself and my friends. This show has that in spades.
Rent it, you won't be disappointed.
Monday, June 9, 2008
100,000 miles!
My Jeepster crossed the 100k mark recently, and it did it with out a single mechanical problem. I have a running bet with my friend Joe that my Cherokee won't make it to 150,000. We shall see.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Explain this to me please.
I was listening to BBC on the radio yesterday and the topic of discussion was the conclusion of the democratic primary. They reviewed the entire ordeal from the beginning to Hilary's final concession. Strategies were analyzed, the mistakes, the strengths. All in all the coverage was pretty impressive.
Until the end when the announcer concluded that America has shown that it isn't ready for a female president. Is that it? America is just to sexist for Hilary Clinton? Is that the problem, bigotry?
How about this? Maybe, just maybe Hilary Clinton lost because of Hilary Clinton? Perhaps her husbands baggage was too much, or that many voters thought she was insincere, or that she pushed for socialized medicine and then pulled a 180 when the insurance companies threw enough money at her.
Was their some sexism, sure some men probably didn't vote for her because she was a woman. Of course that number would be nothing compared to millions of older women who voted for based primarily on gender. I love double standards.
I'm not an expert on the political sciences, but I honestly think that Hilary's loss can be attributed in large part to the content of her character. That and when most people look at her they see an asshole boss from a job that quit years ago, but still recall with intense hatred.
I didn't vote for Hilary, independent voters aren't allowed to vote in NY primaries. I guess I'll vote for Obama in November, I wouldn't want the world to think I was too racist for an African American president.
Until the end when the announcer concluded that America has shown that it isn't ready for a female president. Is that it? America is just to sexist for Hilary Clinton? Is that the problem, bigotry?
How about this? Maybe, just maybe Hilary Clinton lost because of Hilary Clinton? Perhaps her husbands baggage was too much, or that many voters thought she was insincere, or that she pushed for socialized medicine and then pulled a 180 when the insurance companies threw enough money at her.
Was their some sexism, sure some men probably didn't vote for her because she was a woman. Of course that number would be nothing compared to millions of older women who voted for based primarily on gender. I love double standards.
I'm not an expert on the political sciences, but I honestly think that Hilary's loss can be attributed in large part to the content of her character. That and when most people look at her they see an asshole boss from a job that quit years ago, but still recall with intense hatred.
I didn't vote for Hilary, independent voters aren't allowed to vote in NY primaries. I guess I'll vote for Obama in November, I wouldn't want the world to think I was too racist for an African American president.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Suck My White Ass Big Oil!
The point has finally been reached where it is financially detrimental for me to drive to work. My commute cost has literally tripled in the last 5 years. Tolls on the George Washington Bridge have spiked to 8 dollars, up from 6. The Tri-Borough has jumped a buck as well( I have to pay this toll twice a day.) And the biggest burden of all, gas has gone from 1.60- 3.85(Jersey gas is super cheap compared to the national average).
The time has come to take the train. Well, not just a train. A train, then a Jersey Train, and then a bus. Still even with all the switches and scheduling headaches I still end up cutting my traveling cost by more then half (and adding 45 minutes onto my commute time in some cases).
I had been shopping for a hybrid or a Mini, but the cost saving in the MPG difference is not enough to keep me in a vehicle. The only feasible solution would be an electric car that I charge with solar power from my home.
Perhaps in five years when I have a home I will save up the money to put solar panels on it and use them to charge my Tesla Roadster(bad ass). For now I will be rocking my portable DVD player, or reading, or staring out the window of a LIRR train as I try to figure out what to do with all the money that the Oil criminals and the toll trolls will no longer be getting from me.
The time has come to take the train. Well, not just a train. A train, then a Jersey Train, and then a bus. Still even with all the switches and scheduling headaches I still end up cutting my traveling cost by more then half (and adding 45 minutes onto my commute time in some cases).
I had been shopping for a hybrid or a Mini, but the cost saving in the MPG difference is not enough to keep me in a vehicle. The only feasible solution would be an electric car that I charge with solar power from my home.
Perhaps in five years when I have a home I will save up the money to put solar panels on it and use them to charge my Tesla Roadster(bad ass). For now I will be rocking my portable DVD player, or reading, or staring out the window of a LIRR train as I try to figure out what to do with all the money that the Oil criminals and the toll trolls will no longer be getting from me.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
1/2 Way to Nowhere
This blog is 180+ days into its time frame and very little has happened. I could always hide behind the fact that I have to work to earn my keep, but like a good friend of mine loves to remind me, "Other people have achieved more with less".
To be completely honest, my biggest problem is that I don't know where to go. I'm like one of those space-walking astronauts, floating out there above the earth with no ability to control his/her direction.
I guess I'll do the only thing I can, keep writing.
To be completely honest, my biggest problem is that I don't know where to go. I'm like one of those space-walking astronauts, floating out there above the earth with no ability to control his/her direction.
I guess I'll do the only thing I can, keep writing.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
All Your Friends are Going to Be Saying This.
I coined a new phrase the other day.
"Falling Down an Escalator"- 1. An awful situation, that never seems to end. 2. An unpleasant experience that continues for a prolonged amount of time.
"Falling Down an Escalator"- 1. An awful situation, that never seems to end. 2. An unpleasant experience that continues for a prolonged amount of time.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Go Curse Yourself Boston
Only in New York!
A few days ago the NY Post broke a story that a construction worker, who was pouring the cement that will become the new Yankee stadium committed the greatest sin in sports. He tried to put a curse on the Yankees!
How? While the cement was pouring he threw in a Boston Red Sox jersey, specifically an Ortiz jersey. In doing so he hoped to desecrate one of the future great cathedrals of baseball and hex New York favorite sports team.
The story spread through the city like wild fire. Was it true? Could this bring on a curse, perhaps reverse the curse of the Bambino(I know they won the series, but they will always be the curse sox to me)? Should it be dug up? The outrage was incredible. A few days later I found out the Derek Jeter himself wanted the shirt removed.
So I shot the package on Friday, it came out really well, end of story.
I walk into work Sunday morning to get my story. Where'm I going? "Yankees stadium" my assignment editor tells me. Huh? No game today? "The Yankees are digging up the shirt and they want the press to cover it." Can you believe that? In a stadium that hasn't been completed, the Yankee organization is bringing in construction workers on Sunday (Big O.T.) to essentially destroy the stadium to get to a shirt in front of the entire NYC press corp so Yankee fans can rest assured that their team is not cursed.
My reporter and I get there and SWEET JESUS! Everyone is there, print, tv, radio, every station on the dial. I knew it was big but, there we are, about 25 media people huddle around a small hole while two guy with jackhammers and drills try to get at the shirt.
After about 15 mintues or so they dislodge the shirt, pull it out of the hole and show it to the world. The shirt was in surprisingly good condition. The Yankees plan to auction it and give the proceeds to charity, all class. Of course I hope whoever buys the shirt burns it and dumps the ashes at Fenway, making a super curse(Watch out Boston, its coming!)
After that we went to the perpetrators home. Where does Boston's #1 fan live, the Bronx. His mother answered the door, she's a Yankee fan, and a very nice woman. She said her son wasn't around. I have no idea why he would be hiding.
So that was that, curse averted.
A few days ago the NY Post broke a story that a construction worker, who was pouring the cement that will become the new Yankee stadium committed the greatest sin in sports. He tried to put a curse on the Yankees!
How? While the cement was pouring he threw in a Boston Red Sox jersey, specifically an Ortiz jersey. In doing so he hoped to desecrate one of the future great cathedrals of baseball and hex New York favorite sports team.
The story spread through the city like wild fire. Was it true? Could this bring on a curse, perhaps reverse the curse of the Bambino(I know they won the series, but they will always be the curse sox to me)? Should it be dug up? The outrage was incredible. A few days later I found out the Derek Jeter himself wanted the shirt removed.
So I shot the package on Friday, it came out really well, end of story.
I walk into work Sunday morning to get my story. Where'm I going? "Yankees stadium" my assignment editor tells me. Huh? No game today? "The Yankees are digging up the shirt and they want the press to cover it." Can you believe that? In a stadium that hasn't been completed, the Yankee organization is bringing in construction workers on Sunday (Big O.T.) to essentially destroy the stadium to get to a shirt in front of the entire NYC press corp so Yankee fans can rest assured that their team is not cursed.
My reporter and I get there and SWEET JESUS! Everyone is there, print, tv, radio, every station on the dial. I knew it was big but, there we are, about 25 media people huddle around a small hole while two guy with jackhammers and drills try to get at the shirt.
After about 15 mintues or so they dislodge the shirt, pull it out of the hole and show it to the world. The shirt was in surprisingly good condition. The Yankees plan to auction it and give the proceeds to charity, all class. Of course I hope whoever buys the shirt burns it and dumps the ashes at Fenway, making a super curse(Watch out Boston, its coming!)
After that we went to the perpetrators home. Where does Boston's #1 fan live, the Bronx. His mother answered the door, she's a Yankee fan, and a very nice woman. She said her son wasn't around. I have no idea why he would be hiding.
So that was that, curse averted.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Things that Make Me Laugh- AOL's Sense of Accomplishment
I use AOL for some of my e-mail(I know, why don't I take off the training wheels already, FYI I've had this account forever and people know me that way) anyway, I use AOL and sometimes(when I don't walk my computer to lock up) I use AOL.com instead of the AOL software.
What always amuses me is when I send a message through aol.com it is immediately followed by a cartoon image of a stick figure jumping in the air with the phrase "Your Message......Was sent". Like its some type of big accomplishment.
AOL- Celebrating worthless achievements.
What always amuses me is when I send a message through aol.com it is immediately followed by a cartoon image of a stick figure jumping in the air with the phrase "Your Message......Was sent". Like its some type of big accomplishment.
AOL- Celebrating worthless achievements.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Could there be Blood?
As I was watching the lowest rated Oscar telecast in history the other night a few things occurred to me. First off, no one has seen any of these movies. I am an avid movie goer and I had only seen four of the Best Picture nominees. I don't know anyone who has seen "There Will be Blood", and very few who have seen "Juno" or "No Country...".
I'm not saying that Hollywood should start pandering, but as the rating have demonstrated it is a big problem. If you look at years where the rating were high, 94, 97, 01 many of the best pictures were also box office smashes. This is actually a symptom of a bigger problem. Namely adults don't go to the movies any more.
The other thing that got me thinking was about the films themselves. If "There Will be Blood" was submitted by an unknown writer to a studio wold it get noticed? The complete lack of dialog in the beginning, the characters that don't seem to change at all over the course of the film, the abrupt ending...etc. Wouldn't these choices create red flags in the minds of the studio readers? Where are the three acts? This film doesn't fit into the checklist cookie cutter that so many films are measured by. Neither does "No Country for Old Men". Would these films get made in Hollywood with out big names behind them?
I say no and that's a big problem.
I'm not saying that Hollywood should start pandering, but as the rating have demonstrated it is a big problem. If you look at years where the rating were high, 94, 97, 01 many of the best pictures were also box office smashes. This is actually a symptom of a bigger problem. Namely adults don't go to the movies any more.
The other thing that got me thinking was about the films themselves. If "There Will be Blood" was submitted by an unknown writer to a studio wold it get noticed? The complete lack of dialog in the beginning, the characters that don't seem to change at all over the course of the film, the abrupt ending...etc. Wouldn't these choices create red flags in the minds of the studio readers? Where are the three acts? This film doesn't fit into the checklist cookie cutter that so many films are measured by. Neither does "No Country for Old Men". Would these films get made in Hollywood with out big names behind them?
I say no and that's a big problem.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Listen very carefully
Right now, as you read these very words, fingers are typing away on keyboards. The fact that they are typing is not as important as what they are typing. SCREENPLAYS! A wave of newly inspired Diablo Cody clones have decided that being a screenwriters seems like a cool thing to do. God help us.
If you go to any of the big screen writing comps websites and look at the amount of entries you will see a spike shortly after the year 1994. This is the year that Tarantino exploded into the mainstream changing indie film forever(it seemed like forever at the time, but I think its over now).
QT's love of cinema, his nostalgia for the 70's, and his amazing dialog spawned countless imitators(almost ass bad) and motivated thousands more (myself included) to sit down and write our own stories (All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy).
This is all well and fine, but here is the bad part. When the volume of anything goes from a trickle to a wave it becomes harder to stand out and make it. Screenplay comps jumped from 1200 to 4000 entries in a single year, cold calls and query letters came flooding into agencies and production companies, Hollywood was deluged with screenplays. Most of them awful.
If I can give myself credit for one thing its this, I never send out my stuff until it's ready. By that I mean, typo free, formatted, and with the approval of at least two other screenwriters. I don't just crank out half finished scripts and immediately start spamming them all over the place.
Until yesterday all of this seemed like it was slowing down. Over the last five years poker had turned into the big shiny balls that the get rich quick idiots liked to chase. Why waste your time with all that typing when you could sit at a table and win millions at cards. Hey once you won the world series of poker you could write a movie about that anyway. Screen writing wasn't hip anymore. Poker and hip hop was the dream of choice for the unwashed masses.
Until last night! The story of an ex-stripper who writes a screen play in a month and won the academy award is going to draw a lot of attention. Reams of paper are flying off shelves as we speak. An avalanche if quirky, pseudo-edgy, pop culture referencing garbage is going to crush us all.
What to do, What to do? Well as I see it, we only have one thing going for us, time. All of these Diablo clones are going to write 30 pages and get tired, they need to buy supplies and screen writing software. They are going to need at least three months to ramp up.
This puts them past all of the major screenplay comps deadlines. We have one shot to place in these contests and secure some type of attention(representation/deals). After that it will be 10 times harder to get anyone to read anything.
The count down has started, the ship has sounded its horn, in t-minus 90 days things are going to get really crowded around here. Best of luck to us all.
If you go to any of the big screen writing comps websites and look at the amount of entries you will see a spike shortly after the year 1994. This is the year that Tarantino exploded into the mainstream changing indie film forever(it seemed like forever at the time, but I think its over now).
QT's love of cinema, his nostalgia for the 70's, and his amazing dialog spawned countless imitators(almost ass bad) and motivated thousands more (myself included) to sit down and write our own stories (All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy).
This is all well and fine, but here is the bad part. When the volume of anything goes from a trickle to a wave it becomes harder to stand out and make it. Screenplay comps jumped from 1200 to 4000 entries in a single year, cold calls and query letters came flooding into agencies and production companies, Hollywood was deluged with screenplays. Most of them awful.
If I can give myself credit for one thing its this, I never send out my stuff until it's ready. By that I mean, typo free, formatted, and with the approval of at least two other screenwriters. I don't just crank out half finished scripts and immediately start spamming them all over the place.
Until yesterday all of this seemed like it was slowing down. Over the last five years poker had turned into the big shiny balls that the get rich quick idiots liked to chase. Why waste your time with all that typing when you could sit at a table and win millions at cards. Hey once you won the world series of poker you could write a movie about that anyway. Screen writing wasn't hip anymore. Poker and hip hop was the dream of choice for the unwashed masses.
Until last night! The story of an ex-stripper who writes a screen play in a month and won the academy award is going to draw a lot of attention. Reams of paper are flying off shelves as we speak. An avalanche if quirky, pseudo-edgy, pop culture referencing garbage is going to crush us all.
What to do, What to do? Well as I see it, we only have one thing going for us, time. All of these Diablo clones are going to write 30 pages and get tired, they need to buy supplies and screen writing software. They are going to need at least three months to ramp up.
This puts them past all of the major screenplay comps deadlines. We have one shot to place in these contests and secure some type of attention(representation/deals). After that it will be 10 times harder to get anyone to read anything.
The count down has started, the ship has sounded its horn, in t-minus 90 days things are going to get really crowded around here. Best of luck to us all.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
HD-DVD, you are dead to me.
I just sold my XBOX 360- HD DVD drive on ebay for 50 bucks. Between that and the two discs I included, I wound up taking a 150 dollars bath. Until this very moment Sony hadn't won a format war EVER!
I really liked watching HD-DVD's and I think selling my drive was a mistake. Even if the format is dead, it was still a great up converting player.
I was going to use the money to buy a blu ray player, but they are too expensive and the current players(version 1.0) will not be able to play all the features on the new discs(version 1.1) that will be coming out soon. It's nice to see that Sony treats its early adopters so well.
Maybe physical media storage is dead?
I really liked watching HD-DVD's and I think selling my drive was a mistake. Even if the format is dead, it was still a great up converting player.
I was going to use the money to buy a blu ray player, but they are too expensive and the current players(version 1.0) will not be able to play all the features on the new discs(version 1.1) that will be coming out soon. It's nice to see that Sony treats its early adopters so well.
Maybe physical media storage is dead?
Monday, February 11, 2008
STRIKE OVER!
Woooo whooooo! I feel like the Ewoks after they saw the second death star get blown up. Except I don't suck.
Congrats to the WGA for taking a stand.
Congrats to the WGA for taking a stand.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
A "What the F*ck!" moment in my life.
About two years ago, around this time of the year I was working a day shift and got a call from my assignment editor. "I need you to head over to "Times Square." When ever I get sent to TS all I can think of is the parking nightmare that awaits me. "What's going on?" I asked. "The Oscar statues are on display". he informs me. "The Oscar Statues?" I ask. "Yeah the ones they hand to all the winners, the actual statues." he tells me. "Awesome!" I shout. "Yeah I knew you would like that" he replies.
So I rush on over, park in a commercial zone and hoof it to the location. I walk in and across the room, near the window are the statutes. I was in awe. My awe was interrupted by a PR team. The same questions, where was I from, what was my name. I never understood why they try and get my information. I don't decide what airs or what future events we cover, why would you want to contact me? If you see me at your events the choice to cover it has already be made. After the inquisition is over I tell them I just want a few shots of the statues.
I walk over to the case and gazed in at a little army of golden boys. Oscars are much bigger in person. Which is kinda funny because movie stars are often smaller in person, a bit of a paradox. I pulled out all the stops and completely overshot the crap out of the little golden calves.
I left shortly before God made up his mind about whether or not to smite me. As I returned to my car I had one of those moments where you look at your life and wonder why it has deviated so far from your original plans.
Its not that things are so bad for me. I do ok. I live pretty well and most of the time I like my job, but it's no the dream. I had just walked out of a room holding 40 something dreams. Lifelong, hard fought, dreams were in that buildings and for 1/4th of the people in attendance that dream was going to come true.
Where was I? Taking pictures of other peoples dreams. That is a hard reality to face.
So I rush on over, park in a commercial zone and hoof it to the location. I walk in and across the room, near the window are the statutes. I was in awe. My awe was interrupted by a PR team. The same questions, where was I from, what was my name. I never understood why they try and get my information. I don't decide what airs or what future events we cover, why would you want to contact me? If you see me at your events the choice to cover it has already be made. After the inquisition is over I tell them I just want a few shots of the statues.
I walk over to the case and gazed in at a little army of golden boys. Oscars are much bigger in person. Which is kinda funny because movie stars are often smaller in person, a bit of a paradox. I pulled out all the stops and completely overshot the crap out of the little golden calves.
I left shortly before God made up his mind about whether or not to smite me. As I returned to my car I had one of those moments where you look at your life and wonder why it has deviated so far from your original plans.
Its not that things are so bad for me. I do ok. I live pretty well and most of the time I like my job, but it's no the dream. I had just walked out of a room holding 40 something dreams. Lifelong, hard fought, dreams were in that buildings and for 1/4th of the people in attendance that dream was going to come true.
Where was I? Taking pictures of other peoples dreams. That is a hard reality to face.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The Strike Hits Me Where it Hurts.
My station like all or rather almost all T.V. stations is owned by a large network. This network has programs that have gone off the air due to the strike. No programs, less revenue. Less revenue= cuts. Those cuts have cut me. My hours are down, my overtime is gone baby gone. The hurt is certainly on.
I have to tell you though, I'm not mad. Well I am not mad at the writers. I am just as behind the WGA as I was when this started. I know that stakes and I respect the decision to strike. If my financial situation has to suffer as a result, then I'll make due.
It gives me more time to write anyway.
I have to tell you though, I'm not mad. Well I am not mad at the writers. I am just as behind the WGA as I was when this started. I know that stakes and I respect the decision to strike. If my financial situation has to suffer as a result, then I'll make due.
It gives me more time to write anyway.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
My Strike Solution
One big word..... Google. If Google really wants to live up to its reputation as a radical outside of the box thinking tour de force they need to jump on the massive opportunity that is the writer's strike. Think about it, if Google took about 5-10 billion dollars(money they have, money they could lose and not even think about it) for that sum of money they could turn to the WGA and say, "Sure, we'll play ball." They could create all new shows, webisodes, and movies, content! Content is king and if Google bought the writers, all of them, they would send the entertainment industry into a frenzy . If Google even expressed interest in such an arrangement the strike would end tomorrow.
I know it's a radical idea, but if the whole this industry is eventually going to the internet any way why shouldn't Google lead the way. We(writers) would get in on the ground floor and reap the benefits. What if we established a 10 percent on the gross rule for writers, on every film? What would that do to the status and perception of the writer in the industry? Hey the first step into getting something is wanting it, badly.
So if anyone from Google is either one of my two readers please pass this up the ladder. Oh, and if this works out and Google does buy all of the writers I want a small finders fee. Let's say 1 percent of the grosses of all movies for the rest of time, or a billion dollars. I'm easy
I know it's a radical idea, but if the whole this industry is eventually going to the internet any way why shouldn't Google lead the way. We(writers) would get in on the ground floor and reap the benefits. What if we established a 10 percent on the gross rule for writers, on every film? What would that do to the status and perception of the writer in the industry? Hey the first step into getting something is wanting it, badly.
So if anyone from Google is either one of my two readers please pass this up the ladder. Oh, and if this works out and Google does buy all of the writers I want a small finders fee. Let's say 1 percent of the grosses of all movies for the rest of time, or a billion dollars. I'm easy
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