Old News - I know - but still worth mentioning. Afterall - you still gotta ask a serious question: Why is Edwards the only presidential candidate who's so publicly sided with the WGA that he showed up to march? Easy photo op? Sure. But - at least Edwards cared enough about the issue to make it a priority for his campaign that he would publicly side with the WGA. It's a good show of character. Edwards' warnings about media consolidation are actually part of a much bigger problem outside of the strike - I plan to discuss more on that soon - but for now enjoy this great video from www.unitedhollywood.com -JG
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Imaginary Digital Download Residuals
The AMPTP said writers are getting paid for internet downloads of their work. Of course, they curiously didn't mention exactly how much that cut was... here's a video with some comedic insight to what TV writers make from current Netresiduals... it's from the always great www.unitedhollywood.com -JG
Friday, November 16, 2007
Screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson's Strike Story Notes!
Wow - I wish I had someone as cool as Phil Alden Robinson to submit posts to my rag-tag blog, but, since I don't - I gotta again say hats off to www.unitedhollywood.com for doing amazing coverage of the strike. This letter really cracked me up. --JG
Screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson
From www.unitedhollywood.com
Story Notes for Nick Counter
(Nick Counter and the AMPTP (The Media Moguls) paid for an expensive ad in yesterday's "Variety" -- for those of you who don't work in the industry, "Variety" is an entertainment business magazine that is in the pocket of the Media Moguls.
Since we don't have tons and tons of money like the Media Moguls do, we'll have to respond here - on the Internet - which they don't entirely own and control ( but they sure would like to).
Below, WGA member Phil Alden Robinson gives Nick Counter "story notes" on his advertisement and general "script".)
From: Story Department
To: Nick Counter
Dear Nick:
While we are still very excited about your project "Stonewall", we feel there are still some serious script problems that need to be addressed.
1) As every writer knows, the first rule of fiction is to at least SOUND believable. But you have a character saying dialog like "writers do receive residuals for digital downloading (regardless of whether the download is temporary or permanent)". Then why do you have the WGA character have to arbitrate to get what's already in the contract? Wouldn't the AMPTP character have more credibility if he just told the truth and did the right thing?
2) You also have a character say "the notion that we are not sharing new media revenue with writers is simply not correct." Wow. If that's what you want him to say, then we suggest you delete all the scenes in which entire episodes of TV shows - with COMMERCIALS - are streamed on the internet for millions of users, and the studios earn advertising revenue, but pay the writers nothing. This is a major logic problem with your script, and needs to be fixed.
3) Major typo: you've got a character saying "the Writers Guild is asking that writers get a percentage of what the Internet site owners receive in advertising revenue". But it's not. The WGA's proposal is for a percentage of "company's accountable receipts". It has nothing to do with Internet site owners.
4) In earlier pages (the Sunday night negotiation scene), you had the AMPTP character say that progress was being made, and then you have that character abruptly walk out of negotiations. We've asked you to fix that, but you still haven't made sense of it. This sort of behavior is usually reserved for the villain. Is that your intention for this character?
5) The WGA character keeps saying they're ready to return to the bargaining table, but you still haven't had the AMPTP character respond. Suggestion: why not have the AMPTP character call the WGA and return to the table? Along these lines, we suggest you put a pin in the 1st and 2nd act problems, and just concentrate on the ending.
In short, we still have high hopes for you, so please don't be discouraged. We're looking forward to the next set of pages.
Warmest regards,
Your friends in the Story Department.
p.s.: Aren't you glad we didn't give you a one-draft deal on this?
Screenwriter Phil Alden Robinson
From www.unitedhollywood.com
Story Notes for Nick Counter
(Nick Counter and the AMPTP (The Media Moguls) paid for an expensive ad in yesterday's "Variety" -- for those of you who don't work in the industry, "Variety" is an entertainment business magazine that is in the pocket of the Media Moguls.
Since we don't have tons and tons of money like the Media Moguls do, we'll have to respond here - on the Internet - which they don't entirely own and control ( but they sure would like to).
Below, WGA member Phil Alden Robinson gives Nick Counter "story notes" on his advertisement and general "script".)
From: Story Department
To: Nick Counter
Dear Nick:
While we are still very excited about your project "Stonewall", we feel there are still some serious script problems that need to be addressed.
1) As every writer knows, the first rule of fiction is to at least SOUND believable. But you have a character saying dialog like "writers do receive residuals for digital downloading (regardless of whether the download is temporary or permanent)". Then why do you have the WGA character have to arbitrate to get what's already in the contract? Wouldn't the AMPTP character have more credibility if he just told the truth and did the right thing?
2) You also have a character say "the notion that we are not sharing new media revenue with writers is simply not correct." Wow. If that's what you want him to say, then we suggest you delete all the scenes in which entire episodes of TV shows - with COMMERCIALS - are streamed on the internet for millions of users, and the studios earn advertising revenue, but pay the writers nothing. This is a major logic problem with your script, and needs to be fixed.
3) Major typo: you've got a character saying "the Writers Guild is asking that writers get a percentage of what the Internet site owners receive in advertising revenue". But it's not. The WGA's proposal is for a percentage of "company's accountable receipts". It has nothing to do with Internet site owners.
4) In earlier pages (the Sunday night negotiation scene), you had the AMPTP character say that progress was being made, and then you have that character abruptly walk out of negotiations. We've asked you to fix that, but you still haven't made sense of it. This sort of behavior is usually reserved for the villain. Is that your intention for this character?
5) The WGA character keeps saying they're ready to return to the bargaining table, but you still haven't had the AMPTP character respond. Suggestion: why not have the AMPTP character call the WGA and return to the table? Along these lines, we suggest you put a pin in the 1st and 2nd act problems, and just concentrate on the ending.
In short, we still have high hopes for you, so please don't be discouraged. We're looking forward to the next set of pages.
Warmest regards,
Your friends in the Story Department.
p.s.: Aren't you glad we didn't give you a one-draft deal on this?
Todd Bridges Speaks Out! Um, thanks todd...
Man, I really wish I had some time and equipment to hit the strike lines and document more of what's going on, but I'm utterly short on both and sincerely wish I could be more active.
I take the strike very seriously, but have been under harsh journalistic deadlines that I can't get out of. I hope to write about the strike soon and have a few interesting articles being considered so - we'll see if they get the greenlight... Putting on my journalistic hat seems to be the best way that I can help the writers I so admire.
Thankfully www.unitedhollywood.com is continuing to produce great videos. And I guess - why not in a time of need turn to the important political rhetoric of TV's "Willis," Todd Bridges...JG
I take the strike very seriously, but have been under harsh journalistic deadlines that I can't get out of. I hope to write about the strike soon and have a few interesting articles being considered so - we'll see if they get the greenlight... Putting on my journalistic hat seems to be the best way that I can help the writers I so admire.
Thankfully www.unitedhollywood.com is continuing to produce great videos. And I guess - why not in a time of need turn to the important political rhetoric of TV's "Willis," Todd Bridges...JG
Actors Show Solidarity With The WGA
Perty repetitive - but that's the point right? Actors without good words might just get perty repetive...JG
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Voices of Uncertainty
Another excellent video from www.unitedhollywood.com entitled, "Voices of Uncertainty." --JG
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Have You E-Signed this E-Petition?
Here's a petition that has been generated and was mentioned on the www.unitedhollywood.com site. I think this is a solid way to show support. It seems like a legit document however it is unclear to me how and when this document will be submitted.
Click below to check it out for yourself and if you feel so inclined - don't forget to E-Sign it...JG
Check out the petition by clicking here
Click below to check it out for yourself and if you feel so inclined - don't forget to E-Sign it...JG
Check out the petition by clicking here
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
Lost & Desperate Housewives Writers Comment On The Strike
I'm really impressed with www.unitedhollywood.com as they've continued to produce great videos providing insight into the Writer's Strike.
Here's another of their videos featuring Lost's David Lindelof and Desperate Housewives' Marc Cherry explaining their perspectives on the WGA strike. --JG
Here's another of their videos featuring Lost's David Lindelof and Desperate Housewives' Marc Cherry explaining their perspectives on the WGA strike. --JG
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Curious What The Writer's Strike Is About?
This video pretty much sums up the basics. It doesn't really take into account some of the non-residual issues like coverage for animation writing, etc., but is a decent primer if you want to get a grasp on why writers felt the need to authorize a strike in order to protect the future of a residual based payout structure.
What can't be stressed enough is that a residual is only paid on earnings a studio makes. They are not arbitrary payments. A flop of a film that garners no public interest will pay a low amount of residuals as there's a lower demand for it in ancillary markets. A huge success, on the other hand, has lots of ancillary options and play and thus as networks pay to televise the film and consumers pay to re-experience it on DVD or cable - out of such newfound financial interest in the film a residual payment is also made to the writer. It's not really an added cost and anytime the studios pretend a residual is an added cost it's intentionally misleading.
This video is from www.unitedhollywood.com a really well done site that has tons of info and first person accounts regarding the strike. --JG
What can't be stressed enough is that a residual is only paid on earnings a studio makes. They are not arbitrary payments. A flop of a film that garners no public interest will pay a low amount of residuals as there's a lower demand for it in ancillary markets. A huge success, on the other hand, has lots of ancillary options and play and thus as networks pay to televise the film and consumers pay to re-experience it on DVD or cable - out of such newfound financial interest in the film a residual payment is also made to the writer. It's not really an added cost and anytime the studios pretend a residual is an added cost it's intentionally misleading.
This video is from www.unitedhollywood.com a really well done site that has tons of info and first person accounts regarding the strike. --JG
The Strike's First Scab Writer!
Well, the strike is on and I gotta say I'm perty amused by the first official scab writer, Alex Perez (if that's his real name and I'm guessing it is).
By showcasing all this "scab's" bad ideas, dialogue and pitches he subtly makes a good point that folks should be waking up to soon in such that without good writing, all the technical prowess in the world ain't worth a dime. Good writing is invisible, bad writing ain't so invisible.
Alex Perez - Scab Writer
It's definitely worth checking out his site and watching some of the funny promotional videos too. --JG
Visit the Hollywood Scab Writer Site by clicking here
By showcasing all this "scab's" bad ideas, dialogue and pitches he subtly makes a good point that folks should be waking up to soon in such that without good writing, all the technical prowess in the world ain't worth a dime. Good writing is invisible, bad writing ain't so invisible.
Alex Perez - Scab Writer
It's definitely worth checking out his site and watching some of the funny promotional videos too. --JG
Visit the Hollywood Scab Writer Site by clicking here
Saturday, September 8, 2007
9 Podcasts Posted And I'm Freaking Exhausted...
I know I've been really, really bad about posting lately - but the screening series, magazine, podcast and upcoming expo have just kinda done me in.
I mean - it's nutty as is that I haven't had time to post my comic-con travelogue. Oh well - I will get back to it as there's still a bunch of interesting stuff to show and tell...
The madness of it all is that I have multiple podcasts that still need to be posted sitting on my hard-drive. So expect more podcasts to keep coming your way.
This week's podcast included 9 really cool items: The Hunting Party Q&A, 3:10 To Yuma Q&A, Shoot 'Em Up Q&A and 6 Shoot 'Em Up animatics that writer-director Michael Davis cleared for me to use. (Watch Davis' animatic introduction below) And remember to click that Subscribe button in Itunes so podcasts are downloaded for you automatically (it's free).
These animatics are really interesting as they're what Davis used to convince New Line to not only buy his script - but - also hire him as a director.
I'm really happy with these Q&As and hope ya dig 'em.
In the works for next week I should be sitting down one on one with director James Mangold to get him into the podcast discussing 3:10 to Yuma. He was out of town when we did our screening - so luckily he's a cool enough chap that we're coordinating this post-release interview.
He's a smart guy with lotso interesting things to say and while I plan to cover much of the same territory with him - just for sake of synchronicity on the questions - the intriguing part will be the fact that he'll have more directorial-based answers to add a whole new perspective.
Until then - JeF
I mean - it's nutty as is that I haven't had time to post my comic-con travelogue. Oh well - I will get back to it as there's still a bunch of interesting stuff to show and tell...
The madness of it all is that I have multiple podcasts that still need to be posted sitting on my hard-drive. So expect more podcasts to keep coming your way.
This week's podcast included 9 really cool items: The Hunting Party Q&A, 3:10 To Yuma Q&A, Shoot 'Em Up Q&A and 6 Shoot 'Em Up animatics that writer-director Michael Davis cleared for me to use. (Watch Davis' animatic introduction below) And remember to click that Subscribe button in Itunes so podcasts are downloaded for you automatically (it's free).
These animatics are really interesting as they're what Davis used to convince New Line to not only buy his script - but - also hire him as a director.
I'm really happy with these Q&As and hope ya dig 'em.
In the works for next week I should be sitting down one on one with director James Mangold to get him into the podcast discussing 3:10 to Yuma. He was out of town when we did our screening - so luckily he's a cool enough chap that we're coordinating this post-release interview.
He's a smart guy with lotso interesting things to say and while I plan to cover much of the same territory with him - just for sake of synchronicity on the questions - the intriguing part will be the fact that he'll have more directorial-based answers to add a whole new perspective.
Until then - JeF
Monday, July 30, 2007
Comic-Con: Part 1
Comic-Con was a blast this year and I'm still recovering. I was going to have much, much more blogged by this point, but of course - I wound up having a major car-malfunction on the ride back which bit into tons of my time on Sunday and Monday... but more about that later...
For starters if you're looking for something meaty to read - why not start by checking out the article I recently wrote for Daily Variety by clicking below.
Read Jeff Goldsmith's Variety article about prolific comic artist and writer turned screenwriter/director - Frank Miller - by clicking here
My quickie post about comic-con is as follows with more to come:
Comic-Con isn't just about the comics, toys, collectibles, books, posters, videogames and oddly costumed freaks - to me it's always represented a great getaway from LA where my friends and I can unleash our inner geek. Now that I find myself working as a journalist, I sometimes have less time to spend with my friends which can be a bummer...
TV Week's Alex Romanelli, myself and Jeff Bond of Geek Monthly on the floor of Comic-Con for a calm moment
I managed to spend about 20 minutes catching up on Friday with my pals Jeff and Alex on the main hall floor. This photo was in fact taken by Bill Zahn - a longtime friend who works at Pixar and I don't get to see as often as I want to - Man - I'd almost wished that Bill was in this photo with us as I didn't get a photo with him...
This was the only time I saw Jeff, but did manage to hang with Alex during much of the weekend because as journalists we covered the same stuff.
I've been going to comic-con since the early 1990s and have really seen it grow. Some folks complain about the huge crowds and expanded fields of interest (videogames, cinema, anime, etc.) yet I only see those outgrowths of comic-con as healthy for the sector as a whole. How can you really get upset when a small creative community focused on comics expands into an even larger creative arena with a wider array of interests? Sure, it's crowded as all hell and this year had record numbers, but I think it's great.
While I had planned to post the Fantastic Four podcast featuring co-writer Don Payne and director Tim Story on 7/27/07 - I simply wasn't able to get it done in time. I drove down on Thursday and had to prep for the comic-con panel I hosted which I promise to podcast soon.
While I hate having the podcast go dark on a Friday (I always post a new episode on Fridays) - I knew I was safe since I'm posting a brief Q&A with Hot Fuzz co-star Nick Frost and co-writer/director Edgar Wright on Tue (timed with the DVD release for Hot Fuzz) - so - all's well in the podcasting department.
Expect more posts and photos soon - as I try and weigh in on the events, images and parties of comic-con that left me jazzed. -JG
For starters if you're looking for something meaty to read - why not start by checking out the article I recently wrote for Daily Variety by clicking below.
Read Jeff Goldsmith's Variety article about prolific comic artist and writer turned screenwriter/director - Frank Miller - by clicking here
My quickie post about comic-con is as follows with more to come:
Comic-Con isn't just about the comics, toys, collectibles, books, posters, videogames and oddly costumed freaks - to me it's always represented a great getaway from LA where my friends and I can unleash our inner geek. Now that I find myself working as a journalist, I sometimes have less time to spend with my friends which can be a bummer...
TV Week's Alex Romanelli, myself and Jeff Bond of Geek Monthly on the floor of Comic-Con for a calm moment
I managed to spend about 20 minutes catching up on Friday with my pals Jeff and Alex on the main hall floor. This photo was in fact taken by Bill Zahn - a longtime friend who works at Pixar and I don't get to see as often as I want to - Man - I'd almost wished that Bill was in this photo with us as I didn't get a photo with him...
This was the only time I saw Jeff, but did manage to hang with Alex during much of the weekend because as journalists we covered the same stuff.
I've been going to comic-con since the early 1990s and have really seen it grow. Some folks complain about the huge crowds and expanded fields of interest (videogames, cinema, anime, etc.) yet I only see those outgrowths of comic-con as healthy for the sector as a whole. How can you really get upset when a small creative community focused on comics expands into an even larger creative arena with a wider array of interests? Sure, it's crowded as all hell and this year had record numbers, but I think it's great.
While I had planned to post the Fantastic Four podcast featuring co-writer Don Payne and director Tim Story on 7/27/07 - I simply wasn't able to get it done in time. I drove down on Thursday and had to prep for the comic-con panel I hosted which I promise to podcast soon.
While I hate having the podcast go dark on a Friday (I always post a new episode on Fridays) - I knew I was safe since I'm posting a brief Q&A with Hot Fuzz co-star Nick Frost and co-writer/director Edgar Wright on Tue (timed with the DVD release for Hot Fuzz) - so - all's well in the podcasting department.
Expect more posts and photos soon - as I try and weigh in on the events, images and parties of comic-con that left me jazzed. -JG
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Eagle vs. Shark and Flight of the Conchords
JG, Co-star Loren Horsley and writer-director Taika Waititi pictured below
So - not only was I excited to have a great podcast for Eagle vs. Shark (and I hope you've checked out the film by now) but I also ended up writing an LA Times article about the New Zealand comedic invasion happening this summer.
Read Jeff Goldsmith's LA Times article about the New Zealand comedy invasion by clicking here
If you haven't already been watching Flight of the Conchords on HBO - I highly suggest it as the comedic writing is quite strong. You can watch the pilot in Itunes or on Myspace - but having thus far seen the first four episodes, all I can say is that it's a show worth sticking to as it simply keeps getting funnier and funnier.
I'll try and post some more clips of theirs later in the summer...but for now - take my word for it - watch the pilot for free online!
--JG
So - not only was I excited to have a great podcast for Eagle vs. Shark (and I hope you've checked out the film by now) but I also ended up writing an LA Times article about the New Zealand comedic invasion happening this summer.
Read Jeff Goldsmith's LA Times article about the New Zealand comedy invasion by clicking here
If you haven't already been watching Flight of the Conchords on HBO - I highly suggest it as the comedic writing is quite strong. You can watch the pilot in Itunes or on Myspace - but having thus far seen the first four episodes, all I can say is that it's a show worth sticking to as it simply keeps getting funnier and funnier.
I'll try and post some more clips of theirs later in the summer...but for now - take my word for it - watch the pilot for free online!
--JG
Monday, June 11, 2007
The George Lucas Red Carpet Q&A Is Up!
It was great to get 2 minutes with Mr. Lucas on the red carpet and hopefully we'll be able to get him into the magazine at a later point. I hope you enjoy this brief interview where he explains a bit about his writing process - right after I explain a bit about my passion for Star Wars. -Jeff Goldsmith
Friday, June 1, 2007
The Greatest Film Ever Made!
Oh the glory of film journalism! Lo-and-behold I opened my door today and was pleasantly surprised to see a package from Lobel's of New York. (www.lobels.com)
I wondered if this could be a gift from an enthused podcast listener or fan of the magazine and opened the cardboard box to find a foam box inside and after opening the foam box found a plastic sealed steak surrounded by ice packages!
Here's what my mysterious steak looked like
As I picked up the steak, I noticed it was a choice large cut, real red and bloody.
The packing slip said it was a Hanger Steak.
I then saw a sealed plastic package inside the foam box - finally - I thought, this must contain info on who sent such a cool thing to me. Right as I opened the plastic package I decided to try and guess...
It's a big looking hunk of meat, seems like a studio promotion of sorts (WB's Nancy Drew sent lemon wedges, which were tasty) and then I decided that it would be completely cool and cruel if this was a promotional item for Hostel 2.
And sure enough it was!
Also included was some Hostel 2 swag, featuring more meaty pictures and leading me to believe cannibalism might be a part of this flick.
Yes, that is a meaty bandanna
For years studio publicity departments have sent journalists little bits of swag, mainly with the hopes of keeping their various films on the radars of journalists and editors completely overtaken by a very crowded film marketplace. It's a smart move since it's appreciated by the underpaid journalists and since the items are rarely anything of great worth, so, it can barely be considered payola.
Yet, I must insist sending someone a steak is different.
Lions Gate Films has yet to screen Hostel 2 for journalists, however, they did take the time to send us steaks. Thus, what we have to judge their film most accurately on is in fact the aforementioned steak.
Now, please keep in mind; I'm a man of integrity who refuses to be bought and I will never sell out! But, based on the evidence at hand, I must contend that Hostel 2 is possibly the greatest film ever made.
I say this confidently without having seen the film, but insist again, Hostel 2 is the greatest film ever made. Prove me wrong! I dare you! I mean scroll up - Hostel 2 is clearly awesome and there's about 16-18 ounces to back up my assessment just in case you're doubting the clarity of my judgment.
While it doesn't look like Hostel 2 will be in the screening series - it is looking very likely that we will be able to do a one-on-one podcast with Hostel 2 writer-director Eli Roth - so keep an eye out for it in Itunes!
PS: Anyone know what summer film might have a garlic mashed potato tie in?
Read more about what a Hanger Steak is by clicking here
I wondered if this could be a gift from an enthused podcast listener or fan of the magazine and opened the cardboard box to find a foam box inside and after opening the foam box found a plastic sealed steak surrounded by ice packages!
Here's what my mysterious steak looked like
As I picked up the steak, I noticed it was a choice large cut, real red and bloody.
The packing slip said it was a Hanger Steak.
I then saw a sealed plastic package inside the foam box - finally - I thought, this must contain info on who sent such a cool thing to me. Right as I opened the plastic package I decided to try and guess...
It's a big looking hunk of meat, seems like a studio promotion of sorts (WB's Nancy Drew sent lemon wedges, which were tasty) and then I decided that it would be completely cool and cruel if this was a promotional item for Hostel 2.
And sure enough it was!
Also included was some Hostel 2 swag, featuring more meaty pictures and leading me to believe cannibalism might be a part of this flick.
Yes, that is a meaty bandanna
For years studio publicity departments have sent journalists little bits of swag, mainly with the hopes of keeping their various films on the radars of journalists and editors completely overtaken by a very crowded film marketplace. It's a smart move since it's appreciated by the underpaid journalists and since the items are rarely anything of great worth, so, it can barely be considered payola.
Yet, I must insist sending someone a steak is different.
Lions Gate Films has yet to screen Hostel 2 for journalists, however, they did take the time to send us steaks. Thus, what we have to judge their film most accurately on is in fact the aforementioned steak.
Now, please keep in mind; I'm a man of integrity who refuses to be bought and I will never sell out! But, based on the evidence at hand, I must contend that Hostel 2 is possibly the greatest film ever made.
I say this confidently without having seen the film, but insist again, Hostel 2 is the greatest film ever made. Prove me wrong! I dare you! I mean scroll up - Hostel 2 is clearly awesome and there's about 16-18 ounces to back up my assessment just in case you're doubting the clarity of my judgment.
While it doesn't look like Hostel 2 will be in the screening series - it is looking very likely that we will be able to do a one-on-one podcast with Hostel 2 writer-director Eli Roth - so keep an eye out for it in Itunes!
PS: Anyone know what summer film might have a garlic mashed potato tie in?
Read more about what a Hanger Steak is by clicking here
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Waitress Podcast Notes
I get into random arguments with people all the time, and definitely took pause after hearing about what tragically happened to actress/writer/director Adrienne Shelly when she confronted a worker in her building regarding the noise he was making.
Read more about the incident by clicking here
Shelly's film, Waitress, was accepted to Sundance shortly after her murder and was very well received at the 2007 film fest, just as film critics have been positively reacting to it as it hits theaters now. I was really glad that Fox Searchlight put forth such a strong press presence for the film even though Shelly, a principal creator as the writer/director/co-star, obviously couldn't do any press.
Producer Michael Roiff and co-star Cheryl Hines participated in the Q&A at our packed screening on the Fox Studio lot and gave an informative and entertaining Q&A that also served as an oral history that gave us a glimpse into Shelly's creative process.
Co-star Cheryl Hines, JG and producer Michael Roiff pictured below
On a positive note, after this tragedy, Shelly's family and friends have now started the Adrienne Shelly Foundation which will dish out a series of grants each year to emerging filmmakers, with a focus on female filmmakers. It looks like there's a few opportunities for the fellas there too.
Find out more about the Adrienne Shelly Foundation by clicking here
I hope you enjoy the Q&A and the film! -JG
Read more about the incident by clicking here
Shelly's film, Waitress, was accepted to Sundance shortly after her murder and was very well received at the 2007 film fest, just as film critics have been positively reacting to it as it hits theaters now. I was really glad that Fox Searchlight put forth such a strong press presence for the film even though Shelly, a principal creator as the writer/director/co-star, obviously couldn't do any press.
Producer Michael Roiff and co-star Cheryl Hines participated in the Q&A at our packed screening on the Fox Studio lot and gave an informative and entertaining Q&A that also served as an oral history that gave us a glimpse into Shelly's creative process.
Co-star Cheryl Hines, JG and producer Michael Roiff pictured below
On a positive note, after this tragedy, Shelly's family and friends have now started the Adrienne Shelly Foundation which will dish out a series of grants each year to emerging filmmakers, with a focus on female filmmakers. It looks like there's a few opportunities for the fellas there too.
Find out more about the Adrienne Shelly Foundation by clicking here
I hope you enjoy the Q&A and the film! -JG
Friday, April 27, 2007
John Wells and Bradley Whitford Podcast Notes
It was a short and sweet podcast and one of these days I might be able to post more of the full Writer's Guild Foundation event which had Bradley Whitford interviewing John Wells. Whitford did a great job as moderator. I barely scratch the surface with Wells in this brief episode, but decided to make sure to ask him a question I know a lot of our podcast listeners would want to hear more about - submitting TV specs and what Wells looks for in material submitted when considering new writers.
John Wells has made a great contribution to the craft of TV writing and I hope to be able to interview him again another time and also bring more to light about his latest "writer's collective" project that involves other produced writers banded together to make writer-centric studio films on smaller budgets.
Here's some more photos from this event. Of course remember to turn on your "Show Album Artwork" setting in Itunes and you'll always see a pic of myself and the guest - so - a JG & John Wells pic has already been embedded into the podcast.
John Wells interviewed by Bradley Whitford
JG interviewing Bradley Whitford for the podcast
John Wells has made a great contribution to the craft of TV writing and I hope to be able to interview him again another time and also bring more to light about his latest "writer's collective" project that involves other produced writers banded together to make writer-centric studio films on smaller budgets.
Here's some more photos from this event. Of course remember to turn on your "Show Album Artwork" setting in Itunes and you'll always see a pic of myself and the guest - so - a JG & John Wells pic has already been embedded into the podcast.
John Wells interviewed by Bradley Whitford
JG interviewing Bradley Whitford for the podcast
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Thoughts on my 'Dark Matter' LA Times Article
I was as appalled as everyone else this week by the Virginia Tech Massacre. Yet, as I thought about it I was reminded of a film from the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, Dark Matter, which concerns an Asian foreign exchange student murdering fellow students and professors at a college campus. Inspired by a real incident - I was surprised this film which stars Adian Quinn and Meryl Streep wasn't picked up for distribution especially since it also won the Alfred P. Sloan award at Sundance.
After the VT incident - I was simply waiting to see which outlet would put together a story about Dark Matter because I was interested to hear what the principal creative team thought about the VT incident. By Wednesday when no one had come up with a story - I pitched mine to the LA Times who quickly greenlit the story and gave me about 24 hours to turn it around.
I'm pretty happy with the way the story turned out and while Dark Matter certainly won't provide any answers regarding the VT incident - I feel that in a time when people are taking a new interest in academic violence, the film is quite relevant and definitely deserves both a release and closer look.
Here's a link to the article which appears in print on Sat., 4/21/07 in the Calendar section of the LA Times.
Read My Article By Clicking Here
After the VT incident - I was simply waiting to see which outlet would put together a story about Dark Matter because I was interested to hear what the principal creative team thought about the VT incident. By Wednesday when no one had come up with a story - I pitched mine to the LA Times who quickly greenlit the story and gave me about 24 hours to turn it around.
I'm pretty happy with the way the story turned out and while Dark Matter certainly won't provide any answers regarding the VT incident - I feel that in a time when people are taking a new interest in academic violence, the film is quite relevant and definitely deserves both a release and closer look.
Here's a link to the article which appears in print on Sat., 4/21/07 in the Calendar section of the LA Times.
Read My Article By Clicking Here
Friday, March 30, 2007
Ode To Videogames Of Days Of Old
I just finished my proofs for the May/June issue of Creative Screenwriting Magazine - where I interviewed comedic genius Judd Apatow about Knocked Up and did my Lost Scenes column on Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - which showed moments and pieces of dialogue wisely removed from the final film as found in the production draft.
So - what now? Of course I have to finish generating my questions for tomorrow's Hot Fuzz screening/podcast but it'd be great to mellow out and play a video game.
Sadly - That'll probably have to wait a full day or so as I'm fresh out of time.
For me videogames are like comic books a long yearned after respit from the grind that I rarely have time for. Don't worry - I'm not going to launch into a rant about the next generation of first person story-telling via videogames (too obvious - will save it for a later date) yet as a kid of the '80s I do still have a soft-spot for classic videogames - so you can imagine how psyched I was when I found the work of a brilliant Swiss artist, Guillaume Reymond, who did short films which stage classic '80s videogames with human beings instead of pixels.
Lots of filmmakers post shorts on the web - but it seems that less and less of them are original or inspired. This is a smart concept, well executed and worth a look.
Starting with the 1970s classic game Pong - check out what Reymond did for the Game Over Project:
Of course after Pong, the world fell in love with Space Invaders - and here it is in a whole new light:
The third and final short from this series is from the first big driving game Pole Poisition.
As videogames took off they were advertised on TV and this Pole Position Ad took its lesson from the kids toy ads of the '70s and early '80s in which it seems from this ad that Pole Position is the most incredible game ever made - but alas most of what you see has little to do with the gameplay - still - it's quite amusing to watch and funny in a counterculture way as it subjects a boring preppy family into some wild times.
As ads followed so did the birth of corporate giants within the videogame industry and one of the early innovators of course happened to be the fine folks at Activision. Check out this goofy corporate ad from 1981 or 1982 which proclaims their bright gaming future.
Now if you're a youngin' or not well versed in '80s videogames why not have TV's
Mr. Rogers show you how Donkey Kong works as he literally takes apart the machine.
As far as writers are concerned, Infocom was a great '80s company that created games for home computer users in the days before ANY sort of graphics were available (beyond an Atari or Intellivision - which was a different piece of hardware than a home computer). Infocom created a series of games which were completely text based. Thus without graphics these were like computerized choose-your-own adventures. You would read text and type in limited commands to play the game. Author Douglas Adams was involved with the designing and writing of this game based on his book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the BBC has revived a free playable version of the text game online and did a contest to have artists add graphics to the game that would appear in a nearby window.
Some folks were annoyed that graphics were added as the text games would encourage you to imagine the settings and adventures in your mind - so there've been arguments against quantifying or limiting your imagination with someone else's graphics. Hell, I'm just glad they brought it back. You still type and read the game, but now also see much of what you're doing. It's a fun game - a great place to spend some time and you can check it out at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/hitchhikers/game.shtml
That's the homepage for the game - pick Edition One or Edition Two and you're ready to go (the art is different in these two editions - the game is the same). There's instructions there and you can find cheats and hints on the site if your skills are lame - but I'll give you your first hint. Once you start the game - your first command should be TURN ON LIGHT after you see a prompt telling you, "It Is Pitch Black." Kinda like a fade-up for the beginning of a great adventure.
Hmmm... maybe after all this typing maybe I shoulda popped in one of my own games....
JeF
So - what now? Of course I have to finish generating my questions for tomorrow's Hot Fuzz screening/podcast but it'd be great to mellow out and play a video game.
Sadly - That'll probably have to wait a full day or so as I'm fresh out of time.
For me videogames are like comic books a long yearned after respit from the grind that I rarely have time for. Don't worry - I'm not going to launch into a rant about the next generation of first person story-telling via videogames (too obvious - will save it for a later date) yet as a kid of the '80s I do still have a soft-spot for classic videogames - so you can imagine how psyched I was when I found the work of a brilliant Swiss artist, Guillaume Reymond, who did short films which stage classic '80s videogames with human beings instead of pixels.
Lots of filmmakers post shorts on the web - but it seems that less and less of them are original or inspired. This is a smart concept, well executed and worth a look.
Starting with the 1970s classic game Pong - check out what Reymond did for the Game Over Project:
Of course after Pong, the world fell in love with Space Invaders - and here it is in a whole new light:
The third and final short from this series is from the first big driving game Pole Poisition.
As videogames took off they were advertised on TV and this Pole Position Ad took its lesson from the kids toy ads of the '70s and early '80s in which it seems from this ad that Pole Position is the most incredible game ever made - but alas most of what you see has little to do with the gameplay - still - it's quite amusing to watch and funny in a counterculture way as it subjects a boring preppy family into some wild times.
As ads followed so did the birth of corporate giants within the videogame industry and one of the early innovators of course happened to be the fine folks at Activision. Check out this goofy corporate ad from 1981 or 1982 which proclaims their bright gaming future.
Now if you're a youngin' or not well versed in '80s videogames why not have TV's
Mr. Rogers show you how Donkey Kong works as he literally takes apart the machine.
As far as writers are concerned, Infocom was a great '80s company that created games for home computer users in the days before ANY sort of graphics were available (beyond an Atari or Intellivision - which was a different piece of hardware than a home computer). Infocom created a series of games which were completely text based. Thus without graphics these were like computerized choose-your-own adventures. You would read text and type in limited commands to play the game. Author Douglas Adams was involved with the designing and writing of this game based on his book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the BBC has revived a free playable version of the text game online and did a contest to have artists add graphics to the game that would appear in a nearby window.
Some folks were annoyed that graphics were added as the text games would encourage you to imagine the settings and adventures in your mind - so there've been arguments against quantifying or limiting your imagination with someone else's graphics. Hell, I'm just glad they brought it back. You still type and read the game, but now also see much of what you're doing. It's a fun game - a great place to spend some time and you can check it out at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/hitchhikers/game.shtml
That's the homepage for the game - pick Edition One or Edition Two and you're ready to go (the art is different in these two editions - the game is the same). There's instructions there and you can find cheats and hints on the site if your skills are lame - but I'll give you your first hint. Once you start the game - your first command should be TURN ON LIGHT after you see a prompt telling you, "It Is Pitch Black." Kinda like a fade-up for the beginning of a great adventure.
Hmmm... maybe after all this typing maybe I shoulda popped in one of my own games....
JeF
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