Life and Dads and other mixed messages.

How little life resembles a linear chart going from A to B, how much more like a backroad where you may get lost along the way but end up meeting some wonderful people you'd never have met.
-Naomi Rose  
I bought myself a gift today, Keith Richards' latest book. It's called Life. Catchy title. 

I know, I know... Christmas is only 2 weeks away, but I couldn't wait. Patience... not one of my virtues.
No wonder I struggle with Act Two.

Earlier this week, a friend of a friend pitched a screenplay very much like the one I'm currently working on. The studio liked the idea. They bought it... for a big number. Not big. HUGE. 

Friend 1 says: "See? I knew you were onto something!" 
Friend 2 says: "Maybe this writing thing isn't what you're supposed to be doing right now."

At the DGA award dinner, a very famous hyphenate walked write up to me and said: "Keep writing!"
He was so animated, his enthusiasm, infectious. I'm pretty sure he was sober, too. He was simply... passionate.

It occurs to me just now as I write this that that's why a friend's friend got the big number. I stopped being passionate about the project. Life crept in, got in the way. There can only be one reason. I allowed it to.

This week I had three important meetings, with three important people. Saying yes to them meant saying no to someone else. I fell behind on my Tweeting. I took an extra hour for lunch. I made time.

My Dad always says, if you take a man's money, you owe him a day's work. If you write/direct/produce for an audience, they may or may not pay you any money. If they are kind enough to show up, then they are paying you, with their time and attention. We the Hypehates have an obligation to make it worth their while.

The Bottom Line: Live with passion, write with passion. 
You owe it to your characters. They're people too. 

Nothing less will do.

Funny or Not: The Dividing Line

On his deathbed, Edmund Gwenn quipped (allegedly): "Dying is easy. Comedy is hard."

For Jon Stewart over at The Daily Show, comedy is as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Start with an issue or circumstance that divides people, but few understand.

 For example... Attempt to explain why Congress, the other big C, makes decisions that We the Taxpayers will pay dearly for. Meanwhile, We the Voters keep on paying them to make them.
 
2. Break it down in relative terms, via cultural references that people on both sides of the debate can relate to.


3. Know when to stop.

In this case, the second the British Colbert knockoff shows up.

A word of caution: If you're going to use a sight gag, don't use one that's been done by a rival talk show host recently - and better.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-december-7-2010/supercuts


The Bottom Line: Today's youth may be bereft of a Dylan or Lennon, but at least satire is alive and well. You just have to know where to look.

Thanks Jon!

The Pros and Cons of Insomnia

Watched two movies back to back tonight. Some people will do anything to avoid homework.

First, Braveheart. You'd think I hate this movie. It's brutal, but hey, Love is. It's also period, and I heart history... so there you are. It's been so long since I've seen it from the start that I forgot that the story begins with William Wallace as a blue-eyed child.

William's father is killed. His uncle takes him in. Insists that he learn Latin. Among other things.

UNCLE 
Use this...
(taps young William's forehead)
and I'll teach you to use this.
(indicates his sword.)

Sucked me right in. THREE HOURS LATER...

Enter The Wolfman. I wanted to let him go. Fell asleep twice. I'll play nice here and place some of the blame on the carbs from dinner. That said, Joe Johnson's version is proof positive that if Anthony Hopkins can't save the movie, then Walter Murch probably can't either. I heart Emily Blunt. Too bad she didn't get better lines.

Somebody tried too hard.


The Bottom Line: I'm gonna hate myself in the morning.