Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Experience Matters

If any one has spent any time on a film set a few things you will notice if it is your first time...
There is too much waiting.
Hair and makeup, lighting and prep. Back when I first started people shot 1 page a day for 90 days. Today 3-4 pages a day for 30 days (not low budget, studio pictures).
Now that digital cameras have taken over, nothing has changed, and things have become MORE boring.
To wait on set is dull. It's my pet peeve. Because wasted time is important time and your time should be important. Sometimes it can't be helped. Like waiting for equipment. Or that the talent needs to rehearse. That's commendable. The studios have the budget to sustain a lot of delays.
For your own projects, it's not enough to prepare. IN fact, over preparation sometimes creates worse delays because the director isn't satisfied until what is in his brain isn't on his screen. The taskmaster director is notorious in Hollywood. But the taskmaster cinematographer could potentially derail your production. A cameraman who is a failed director is the worse kind. They are the ones who can see your project better than you can. But worse...attempt to bend it to his will. You don't see it as much anymore, since we're in a touchy feely world now. But when I started, plenty of those.
In a way, there was a reason why cinematographers were in their 50's when I started. It's because they understood their position through rising through the ranks.
These days, a kid picks up a camera and calls himself a cinematographer. That is disrespectful to the craft.
On set experience matters. Practical knowledge versus film school security will have reality thrown at them.
Prepare yourselves.

Sunday, February 23, 2020

The Whammo Moment

Yesterday I was at a movie marathon at The Egyptian Theater. The place is old. And has held a LOT of large events. It's a non-profit that shows motion picture film on film and sometimes digital. The building is beautiful. In the armpit of Hollyweird.
But as I was watching films like "Fatal Attraction" and "Misery" it dawned on me on how far we have left story behind for spectacle. Especially when these two bookended "Gone Girl."
Granted, at the time both "Fatal Attraction" and "Misery" had the people talking...like in the streets people would say to someone else "shit, dude, 'Fatal Attraction' there's a part in it where they fuckin' boil a fuckin' rabbit!"
And the friend would say "Oh man, that's sick...I gotta see it!" As with "Misery" there is the sledge to the ankles scene that I still cannot watch. The convo between two friends would be "then she takes a fuckin' sledgehammer and whammo!"
The friend would say "Oh fuck yah! This I have to see!" (I was this friend back in 1990, and that shot is still haunting.
Any way, the people who go to cinema these days don't have that reaction. I guess most things aren't so taboo anymore. I'm trying to remember the last time someone told me a crucial whammo! moment in a movie where I said I HAVE to see that. I think in a way, Quentin Tarantino movies are that. I would say "Then a flamethrower and people's faces get demolished..."
I'm not advocating that it needs to be brutally violent. Only that in context, it really sets people talking about how someone like that can exist or something like that can happen. Maybe, it's because we have experience so much weirdness and it's reported on that nothing seems to really rock our boat anymore. And that is sad.
When I think of our tragic tales that set us off in conversation, these are the moments I miss the most.

Monday, February 17, 2020

Sentimental Type

I would say, if you work in the movie business, most of us are very sentimental. Even the grips and gaffers.
We got into the business because stories moved us. Storytelling is memory. And memories are nostalgia.
The way we remember things links us to everyone we interact with. Which makes us much more closer in spirit to one another.
I hold onto a lot of memorabilia. A lot of people these days consider it corny, but when something moves you emotionally, you want to connect with it on many levels. Souvenirs from movies, artwork from your child, letters written in college. Again many people these days would consider it corny.
Today is a sentimental day in general. It's an ex-girlfriend's birthday, but more importantly, it's Presidents' Day, the day in which, pre-Trump, celebrated openly. Just kidding about that Trump thing. I think most people don't like him because he carries zero warmth and sentiment. Lesson to be learned there, kids.
Any way, I am sentimental, and it's both a blessing and a curse. Blessing that I'm able to hold onto warm feelings. A curse because sometimes those warm feelings sour. Because life is also about disappointment. Which is where sentiment can thrive. When you don't get a promotion or you hate your job, what do we turn to? Typically, it's to a time where we did get a job or when we loved a job we use to have (my friend believes mowing lawns on the golf course was the best job he's ever had...not going to defend it, but he may have a point). We remember past girlfriends or high school crushes. These warm feelings keep us empathetic only because it is common ground. FOR EVERYONE. All the colors of humanity have sentiment. This is the warmth we pass on to others to warm them when their days are cold. And vice versa. We rely on sentiment to remember how every one of us deserves happiness or contentment. And that we can breath fresh air and enjoy living. Life is too short (a phrase beaten to death) but it doesn't have to be a slog. If you truly hold no resentment or anger in your heart, you will never be a fully evolved human. To pretend these don't exist only presses down on other ugly lies you've lived. But, appreciating the whole berth of life is what makes it worthwhile. And we require sentiment to remind us of it.
It's okay to be sentimental. Hallmark isn't a bad gig.

Great Friends

A friend from Ohio visited me in Los Angeles yesterday. We spent a lot of times hanging out, and talking about our futures and being really close friends. When I got into my car accident, she was one of the first to tell me that she would've been the first in town and already contacted me as to where I was. She grew up to be a nurse. Hadn't seen her in person in over 20 years.
I value friendships like these more than you realize. They are the people who ground you when you seek out employment in entertainment business. TOO many people come out here and abandon those people. With great reason to their emotional state for sure. It's a difficult ride which leads to a TON of disappointment. Which is what a lot of people here get on a daily basis. Wear and tear. These are the people who remind you that they knew you when. Most out here don't want to hear that. Most scoff and claim it to be a childhood dream. Or worse, feel obligated to succeed because of these "promises." The insidious part about this business is that our accomplishments or failures are out in public. If I had a friend who is an accountant (which, sorry accountants, I'm not sure if any dream of becoming accountants, their jobs are kept to what is in the office. Which is why, a lot of times, they prefer knowing about your life. It's exciting in the sense that it is not the norm. It's high exposure, thus high attention. And people get out of their doldrums going to watch movies. So you offer them that.
Having great friends who understand that you don't have to be a Spielberg or a Scorsese to be good at what you do IS life affirming. Since most people who makes "friends" here are always wanting to know their next project. Never mind they rarely ask "what's the movie about?" It's usually, "oh? what's the budget? Who do you have in it?" These types of people drive me nuts.
True friends pick up where you left off. Phony friends (much of Hollywood) will ditch you if your movie failed or you can't further their career.
Having lifelong friends is essential. If you don't...I pity you.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Are You Happy?

Someone asked me that recently.
This will most likely fall on deaf ears or ones that don't process information clearly, the goal isn't to be happy. That's for suicide cases. The goal is to be fine in your lot in life. The more ambitious you are the less you are at peace. Part of the payment.
And by judging my ranting gibberish, you'd think me angry. To specific things yes. To the rest of the things...absolutely not. I think too many people equate money, comfort and happiness. I think if I were destitute and living in the streets...I think I'd function as I do now. Finding ways to survive. And that's all we can do.
In the movie "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood..." it is essentially that concern. Are you okay with where you are in life? Many people probably aren't. Those who never followed their passion or those who became an adult too fast. They probably feel cheated and resentful. In those cases, don't. The part of gratitude that comes with living is that you made choices that led you to a life you need to appreciate. I'll be the first to admit that I lived with regret. In some ways still do. Mostly about a life that I know is more the romanticized version. Much like in "La La Land", it's that image of what life could've been had I stayed put. Those are haunting romantic views. And what's settled on...well, it's unfair to those people. I think a LOT of people here live with that heartache. Many have lived to close off. It starts young in an abusive home life that gets a child to switch off their receptors to anger. Self preservation mode out here is common. Most don't or won't accept kindness because they never got it. Instead, they feel they need to earn it some way. Love is a foreign subject because love isn't just words. That's the trick...love is doing without thinking of a return (foreign to Hollywood) it's sacrifice for others (foreign to Hollywood), putting others' needs first before your own (foreign to Hollywood). In this case, many who expect kindness, are going to be disappointed. Because it comes in many ugly forms. Harvey Weinstein showed great kindness in plucking a beautiful woman from the crowd and lavishing her with compliments and promises. And then raped them (allegedly). The world out here is very similar to Weinstein. Most people out here have ulterior motives. And if you live your live wondering what those are, you die inside.
I chose to watch from the bleachers. Hopefully, you can hold onto your kindness through the path you're about to hike.

Monday, February 10, 2020

Oscar Telecast Lowest Viewership Ever

Ouch. 26 million watching. Down 6 million viewers.
A few reasons why.
Don't know anyone involved. Use to be that the deck was stacked. This year a bunch of absolute no-ones. The trends started a few years back but this year, really no ones. And not that it has to be about celebrities, but...NO ONE.
The ones they got are old. I love Charlize. If she'd be my girlfriend, I'd jump in an instant and be her footstool. But who fucking knows who she is under 40 other than some weird looking lady in "Fast And Furious" franchise. Also, she's starting to get more butch. I think she could hurt me if we fucked. That's not sexy.
Women don't want to be sexy anymore. What the fuck is wrong with you broads ? I get it, Saorsie Ronan doesn't have a face you want to look at, and fuck. Neither does any other of the other actresses there. Margot Robbie...yes. But for some odd reason she decided not to show her goods in "Birds of Prey" The result: a box office bomb (sorry, I went to see her be sexy, got nothing).

Me too.
The thing with being accused of sexual harassment is that EVERYTHING is sexual harassment. We're tired of it. Women that want to be ogled are despised. I happen to want to punch Bella Hadid in the face. She's sexy. And really looks like she wants to be raw dogged. But nope. Probably frigid as ice. Like Paris Hilton's fuck tape. She's bored out of her mind.
Celebrities aren't fun anymore. They're shitty boring. And I don't meant that they have to throw confetti like that homo Rip Taylor. I mean they have to lighten the fuck up. Scowling at the audience and making them feel like Trump supporters is NOT the answer. Swallow your pride and apologize to the public.

When you win an award, remember what it's about.
Not ONE actor shared their early days anecdote. I remember when they did. It was endearing and inspiring and wonderful and that actor could do no wrong. Instead, the 45 seconds was used to wag fingers at Americans. Hey idiot Brad Pitt, you just got out of rehab and your one adopted kid hates your guts because you probably did Angie wrong. Use your 45 seconds to remind people you're a human instead of becoming the poster boy for the Hollywood elite's hate on the present administration. I doubt you or Tarantino are smarter than the average American.

Remember that the paying audience is your customer. You act like your opinion is wisdom. The complete opposite. We see you as dancing monkeys to amuse us. We believe you have as much depth as a teaspoon of water. All true, because you're narcissists. Fine, hold onto that. Know your place. Appreciate that you are paid a ton of money to be you.

If you truly want to get America back, get the AMPAS president to issue this statement:
"Dear America,
Upon realizing the yearly decline of viewership, it is within my power to apologize on their behalf. Most are very passionate of their causes and want to share with the public. That we aren't attempting to lecture you on the conditions of the nation or the world, but to offer an alternative perspective. Some express themselves in much more of an accusatory tone than necessary. As all political views are appreciated, in some cases such as a celebration of cinema, it seems much misguided. Thank you for your continual support of the movies. Of all their beliefs, the most stringent ones are that we present entertainment to the nation in hopes of closing our divide and draw us to appreciate each others culture and we should remember to be more cognizant and respectful of a country that does not suffer fools."

I doubt Hollywood would ever be this humble.
America will dismantle us brick by brick over it.
The people have already spoken.

AMPAS Best Picture Goes To...

...a Korean film?
A fucking Korean film.
How confusing was that? Not only does it win Best Foreign...I mean International Film (like it matters) but Best Picture?
The movie is "Parasite" and it's good but...come on...it's a retread of pretty much EVERY "Three Stooges" plot there is. But done really well.
The movie is overblown. I thought it was fine, and director Bong Joon-Ho seems like a solid dude, but for this to win Best Picture is a slap to the face of the American award.
The Oscar is meant for an American movie. Always has been. Kinda sickening when tradition gets thrown out the window due to "woke" people.

But it's their award to give and I am glad the barrier was broken by an Asian instead of...say Pedro Almovodar's flicks. Dude's a gropey perv filmmaker...which was funny when you're in the 90's, which is where I first saw his films, but sort of grossly outdated in today's climate.

So, good on this flick for earning an award for being somewhat original. And, by the way, I tuned in to watch Joaquin Phoenix win for playing a fed-up clown. No surprise there. He rambled on about something which was pure gibberish and couldn't form a full coherent sentence. The man should get help, something is deeply wrong, but no one in that audience will mention is. Simply because "artists" are suppose to be weird. Nope. The guy is suffering from something. Oversaturation of Earth perhaps?

Saturday, February 8, 2020

Woke-Ass Oscars 2020

Tomorrow is where Hollywood celebrates the best of the best movies of the year.
To be honest, they are all terrible. "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood" and "Little Women" are the only watchable ones. The rest pander like shit. "1917" is stupid garbage. I had time to think about it, and the more I think about it, the more I hate it. And I hate this award show that fell for the stupidity of it. But I digress.
When a Korean language film enters into an American award show for Best Picture, they can go fuck themselves. And truth be told, as Robert Wuhl once said...The Oscars are Hollywood's trade show. In other words, them getting together to celebrate them.
As with all trade shows, Tim from Detroit sales gets the award for most sold shit. In this case, Joaquin Phoenix gets it for "Joker" and Renee Zellweger gets it for "Judy" Has anyone you known seen "Judy"?! Fucking hell.

Anyway, what America is really sick of (if I can speak for them for a second) is what Ricky Gervais calls the entitled overpaid Hollywood nitwits who lecture from beyond the tube. Use to be, these types of people were the outliers and brave ones. Today, the brave ones would be the ones who support Trump. Don't they get it already. The more they talk about their cause, the more America spits on them. That, my friends, is tone deaf. Because they have no clue how much we don't care about their opinions. Sure, they can have one, but they're also ENTERTAINERS. And whom exactly do they think they are reaching with this platform. Tim from Detroit doesn't talk about Sarah from Sales...IN A DIFFERENT FUCKING company, does he? Nope. They are, virtue signaling and pandering for another gig. So refreshing if they would just take their award and get off the fucking stage. Go get drunk and talk about your causes then. Doubt they do that. Most Oscar parties are about how they added a new level to their home, or which house they're going to get in a property tax free place or which girl had the best cleavage, or what projects they're working on next. In other words...shit they wouldn't share on the fucking Dolby Stage. Instead, they save all that pent up ugliness to spew onto hardworking, minimum wage public. Do you think some pipe welder in Venezuela want to hear about Greta Thunberg and her 16 year old stupidity, when he has a family to support from the shitty Socialists? Fuck no. He wants to put together some pipes, drink some shitty beer or Venezuelan whisky and pass out in a hammock. Like we all do. Instead, we have to listen to blonde haired blue eyed fucks in Hollywood tell us how shitty we are.
You know what, Hollywood stars, stand up to your fellow crusaders, if you are really brave, and tell them to clam up and enjoy the privilege they've gotten. Most of them fucked Weinstein to get the roles anyway. Best shut up before we figure it out.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

State Of The Union

These things are corny. I kind of remember President Obama's speeches. They were dumb. So is Trump's. This one came under the shadow of an impeachment hearing so I'm sure many people wanted to watch him squirm. The guy's shady as fuck, but is it too much to ask anyone to look into the crookedness of one of our other politicians if our own authorities won't?
I watched bits and pieces, and from what I saw, it was a shit show of Speaker of The House Nancy Pelosi constantly shuffling papers like a moron attempting to throw a tantrum. And Trump's blowhard accomplishments. Laid neatly at his smug, chin in the air manner that makes you want to sock the guy. Both these tools aren't fit to be in government. HOWEVER, I will say, this beats Obama by a gazillion. Obama is a fence rider who is a classic politician. Don't say much about anything. And don't take sides. Though, Senate and House aren't suppose to be partisan, the joy of these moments is the fact that now...the lights in the kitchen turned on and there are cockroaches everywhere. The sense of decorum doesn't exist. And to be honest...that is honest.
Don't shake hands with people you don't like. Paints you to be a phony (all politicians). Don't pretend you are for the people when your net worth puts you in the 1% working in public office (Pelosi, Biden, Obama). Admit when something is going right. Even if the person driving the bus is a jerk.

No one ever treated President Obama in this manner (not in plain sight anyway) and it isn't because he was a nicer better president, it's because the Right played along with them and worked their grievances behind closed doors. With the Left, they're so emotional they can't contain themselves. Seems President Trump pushed the right buttons to expose how the Left really operate. And no one wants to admit it.

Sunday, February 2, 2020

The Hollywood Show

It use to be where celebrity meant something. And in a large convention center at a Marriot in Burbank, California, it is a reminder that the stars of the past congregate to be recognized.
When I first attended these events, it was simply to meet some old school crushes I had when I grew up watching television and movies in the 1980's.
The first event I went to, it seemed as though I was going to be hit with a feeling of melancholy of the people who were world famous at a point and then disappeared to the modern audience. This is a reminder that they are loved and remembered. And it has more of a warm feeling of memories than judgement.
Though I've had many an incident where the celebrity seemed less than interested in speaking to me about anything. They are simply there to sign and have you leave them alone.
A few make no bones about their lives, as one celeb bellowed "I'll do almost anything for money!" (this was a beautiful woman, by the way).
Yeah, some fell on hard times. So what? We all do. And we all have standards we need to live. Life in L.A. is NOT cheap. So there's that.
But also, it's a place where I can meet the talent and speak to them about a role in a short film I'm doing. The intimidating part of all this is that, they work with the top of the line talent back in the day. Directors, makeup, hair, other actors. My productions aren't that type. And to be honest, I can't imagine them wanting to be involved if they aren't catered to at the most basic level (which I'm not known for either). To me, it's not good when you don't run a professional grade show. Though, not exactly sure what people are use to.

Any way, it's a great way to find vetted talent. Think about it, they have already been through casting agents, worked for studios, and..are proven to know how to act.
What more can you ask?
I love these shows. It's definitely now a part of my life, and something to look forward to. Essentially, traveling back in time to my most formative years in show business.