Blog, Videos : January 29, 2010 : 4:41 pm
iPad Followup
They really hit this on the head.
Blog : January 28, 2010 : 8:54 pm
I’m waiting for iPad 2.0
“Don’t you see? It’s a big iPhone! And you still have the option to pay a monthly service to AT&T, without the hassle of actually being able to make a phone call!”
Posted 1 week, 4 days ago at 8:54 pm. Add a comment
News : January 20, 2010 : 9:04 pm
Touchdown: Los Angeles
Posting will be a little erratic for the next two weeks or so, as I get settled into a new living situation in Los Angeles. I’ve got a feature film I’m working to put together, as well as the Stranger Things DVD, so my time will be a bit sapped.
That said, expect more pieces coming soon. LA gives one a lot of food for thought.
Posted 2 weeks, 5 days ago at 9:04 pm. Add a comment
Creativity 101, Notable Links, Videos : January 15, 2010 : 12:09 pm
The Danger of a Single Story
From TED.com: Chimamanda Adichie discusses the danger of having only one story about a person or place.
The video and my comments after the jump.
Posted 3 weeks, 3 days ago at 12:09 pm. 1 comment
Blog : December 3, 2009 : 2:53 pm
Polanski’s Punishment and Union Dues
(Off-topic: This piece covers a lot of union behavior as it relates to the industry. If you are an indie filmmaker interested in entering the marketplace, I highly recommend you contact the film unions about your project. They want to encourage up-and-coming creatives, and if you respect their needs, will most likely work with you on getting your project accepted by their standards)
Catching up on some old news: Roman Polanski was recently moved from a Switzerland jail to an undisclosed location for security reasons. Read the BBC News story here: Film Director Roman Polanski Moved from Swiss Jail
He’s still in custody, wherever he is, so extradition to the U.S. is still possible. Opinions fly on both sides as to whether Polanski should still serve time for the crime he committed more than 30 years ago. I think he should.
And it occurred to me that the arguments around Polanski’s freedom mirror the arguments I used to level against the Hollywood unions (SAG, WGA, DGA, etc) as an independent filmmaker.
As my company became a signatory to SAG’s New Media Agreement last year, I have clearly changed my opinion of unions. And Polanski’s predicament is a perfect example of why unions are necessary, in today’s marketplace.
Posted 2 months, 1 week ago at 2:53 pm. Add a comment
Creativity 101, Notable Links : December 1, 2009 : 9:00 am
The MacGuffin Exposed
“In crook stories it is almost always the necklace and in spy stories it is most always the papers.”
- Alfred Hitchcock -
If you’ve ever taken a film class, you know what the MacGuffin is.
(I actually got into an argument once with a teacher who insisted the MacGuffin was the most important element in a film. While it’s important to the characters, it is almost irrelevant to the actual film, or to the audience’s experience.)
TVTropes.com has a great wiki set up about the MacGuffin and the sub-groups they’ve discovered. It’s a fun read, especially for avid story theorists.
(discovered this link courtesy of the lovely archives at JohnAugust.com)
Posted 2 months, 1 week ago at 9:00 am. 1 comment
Creativity 101, Videos : November 30, 2009 : 9:10 am
Be An Original
Rian Johnson (director of “Brick” and “The Brothers Bloom”) did a great interview on MakingOf.com, where he puts into words something I’ve been formulating for awhile.
Key excerpts of his quote, and the full video interview under the cut.
Posted 2 months, 1 week ago at 9:10 am. Add a comment
News : November 24, 2009 : 9:00 am
New Category: Notable Links
I added a new category to the site, “Notable Links.”
Should be pretty self-explanatory.
While we’re here, it’s a good time to explain some of the category structures I’m using for the site.
Posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago at 9:00 am. Add a comment
Blog, Creativity 101 : November 23, 2009 : 9:00 am
Study Everything
Real problems from fake people.
Dear Earl,
I read your post about how screenwriters should become directors to protect their work. Isn’t that a bit much to ask somebody? It’s hard enough to learn one job.
In that specific case, I was referring to the screenwriter’s weakened position in the moviemaking system.
Directors have more power. Ergo, if screenwriters want the power to protect their stories, they should seek a position of power. I’m not saying every artist needs to study every field.
Oh, thank goodness.
But now that you mention it, it’s not a bad idea.
Posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago at 9:00 am. 1 comment
Blog, The Business : November 18, 2009 : 9:49 pm
The End of the Screenwriter
Just read this post about Elizabeth Knox and her unhappy experience with the movie adaptation process. Here’s the article:
Author cried over film of Vintner’s Luck
I don’t want to address the merits of Ms. Knox’s story as I think it’s irrelevant to my point here. My point is: it’s time for the role of a screenwriter to come to an end.
