Lifers In This Town

 If you're reading this, you're probably wondering how to survive day to day if you live in Hollywood OR if you want to work here.

Again, I can't tell you how to do it, because there is no real answer, I can tell you the majority of you will not make it over the ones that will. The ones that won't meander around town. They become staples that hang out at odd place and become "that guy." Because bars and such are closed, it makes sense that those "that guys" aren't within your peripheral. Instead, they're just...meandering. You lose more friends this way, because they have to spend more time surviving to follow their dream.

To stave off boredom, I suggest you people spinning your wheels, to focus on WHAT you are in this for. For the most part, no one knows. Perhaps you have a shitty childhood you want to correct. Or want to move people with your art. To me, it's always been about exorcising demons. My friend who directed out here had a similar thought. He tends to direct SUPER melodramatic movies. BUT, these are the movies I think he should do more of. And he is. Through animation. He found an avenue that makes sense with the emotion he's conveying and that combination yields awesome stories. To him, they are relationship woes. Betrayal. Uncontrolled rage. Pride and ego. All the things that make for great drama.

If you stay in this town long enough, disappointment will come. People are never honest about that. They put on a brave fascade. Do really dumb things to stay "in the game." The reality, the game can be anywhere you want.

Look, I may sound discouraging to a lot of people who are trying to crack into the business, but it's really not about that. It's really to encourage those who want to do it out here to consider your hometowns. Seriously. I see some really great projects out there so you know it can be done. Now every town has equipment rentals. You no longer need to be in L.A. to "make it." I know a lot of people willing to sell everything they have to come out here. Most of the ones who left here, were making MORE things before they got here.

Learn the hard way. Or hear me out.

Working In Entertainment

 Here's the thing about making it in Hollywood...actually a few things...

you'll never feel like you made it. You will always feel like a fraud. That's normal. Maybe you will feel like you made it if you can support yourself and have relaxing moments to yourself. To me, that's retirement. Making movies is a lifetime of tension. But good tension. Bad tension is when you answer to others, using THEIR money, of course.

Never overlook opportunities. Be in plays. Direct plays. Write plays. Tell stories that are interesting to you. Have themes that connect people. Don't direct or write anything that compromises your life goals. Making the next "Avatar" is cool. Doing it for money is lame. Well, you don't have James Cameron's budget. Doesn't mean you can't condense that story into something manageable. He stole it from the story of Pocahontas. Some say "Fern Gully"

Also, don't listen to people like me. I've been working now near two decades in Hollywood. hard to believe. But damn near longer working that I spent in school. My advice comes from the small successes I've had. It might not be the path you want. I certainly hope your aim is higher. However, I hope your expectations are reasonable as well. I think I've always had reasonable expectations. There's less disappointment there.

I have a co-worker now who thinks I'm bitter because I never "made it" in Hollywood as a director. I don't have the patience to tell him the freedom I have now with the mini-production world I was able to create. Nor would I want anyone who only sees the studio system to understand that. I know plenty of people who think if you don't work for the big studios, you haven't made it. Which has its own truth. But to me, "making it" means you still make movies and love them.

Entertainment can be a LOT of things. Most of all, it's to remind people your thoughts and feelings are normal. Universal truth is what they call it. Strive for human interaction. You will feel much more enriched. Observe and comment. Never judge.

Keep Writing!

 You don't have to be here in Hollywood anymore.

I can't repeat this enough, because (God help them) they STILL want to come here.

What is the fascination? Better creative minds? Bette weather?

I can tell you weather is funny because better weather means most people spend it hanging out and not in some dark dank room writing. You should write to get anywhere in this town.

To those actors who write parts for themselves....KUDOS!! You are doing it right. For one thing, you understand story structure. For another you have sympathy for writers in general.

The physical act of writing is not difficult at all. The actual execution to page and to show people what your intentions are is the difficult part. After a while you wonder if your point is coming across.

To that, you gather a TON of sympathies for the person who builds the blueprint.

Me? I write a little. I did go to film school and learn it. Though, to be honest, I learned it poorly. I didn't truly study the way professional screenwriters wrote. Screenwriting, a LOT of the times, is style over substance. Just get the vision from page to a mental image. People get bored easily. You've probably not even read this far. Everyone is Hollywood hates reading. They also hate their work. I mean, the truly legendary ones don't watch themselves. It's too tragic. I've definitely learned to love the projects I've made because they are stuck in a time. To me, films I make now are about the experience. Sometimes, people REALLY respond to it. A lot of times, I'm sure they want to do their own thing.

Telling visual stories is actually really a skill. Some people it does come natural. But also, people rely on gimmicks now to keep you engaged. I think the most interesting ones are about character and life and...normalcy. Writer/Director Robert Benton knew this. A lot of his work was about just a slice of life. You watch Martin Ritt's "On Golden Pond" you realize it's just relationships. To me, this is infinitely more engaging. The ones I absolute hate are the ones where you pound a message. Mostly because the message is tricky. Why not just make an interesting story of human dynamics? I guess because we aren't that patient about it anymore.

Anyway, keep writing. Or reading. Or reading about writing.

The Last Stand At Pineapple Hill Saloon

 I once wrote a SCATHING review of Pineapple Hill Saloon in Sherman Oaks, CA onYelp which had to be taken down since my drunken ass basically challenged the shitbag bartender to a fight. It eventually went to a weird back and forth between the owner and then Yelp removed it.

I had no idea the owner was a woman.

Now, I have a soft spot for women business starters (I can't spell entrepreneur) so I felt a little guilt. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti closed down ALL public dining where inside or out. Which led to the owner posting a video about her patio dining (which she'd spent $80,000 on) but was STILL shutdown. Meanwhile, not 20 feet away, a tent was set up for an NBC t.v. show shooting in that neighborhood.

IF there was ever a slap in the face to small businesses, this was it. Between Governor Gavin Newsom and Eric Garcetti, these are the rules they created to shut down HONEST, non-rioting or looting people. It goes back to what I was saying about ticketing people. They NEVER ticket people who drive piece of shit garbage cars. Because they know they won't pay it. Mexican neighborhoods, similarly, they never hassle for unlicensed food carts. The logic is...go for people who are afraid of the law. Forget the ones who don't care. And guess what? Sure enough the new Los Angeles District Attorney put out a notice as to what is prosecutable. And it's eye opening. Essentially, nothing. They will not prosecute anything. In other words, I'm going to find this fucker and punch him out. And his OWN RULE, will allow me this. What is the logic here? Because they anticipate more rioting from garbage people. This prosecutor is retarded. As the one that was before him. Idiot people.

So, back to Pineapple Hill Saloon...here's the thing...I bet you this owner voted Democrat. And I bet you she doesn't regret it. This is the problem with the looney Left. They never learn their lesson. Even when the people you support want to end your livelihood.

When do you wise up?

Incidentally, I know someone who use to celebrate their anniversary there as that's where they met. Far Lefty loon. See what you're vote did? Do you care? Probably not.

Shoot To Kill

 Folks,

Don't let people tell you you can't film anything.

Yes, be very vigilant when it comes to health considerations. An elderly person is going to be susceptible to ANY airborne issues.

But also, continue to make films. In fact, make them about your lockdown scenarios. This is primetime to get out there with friends.

And here is the crazy part, although I despise dumbass governor of California Gavin Newsom, he has not shut down production. In fact, because of his obvious corrupted stupidity, he allows films to continue to be shot. You know the places that have 12 hour days in close quarters?

He can explain that away any way he wants. Like his tap dancing when he was caught partying with health officials there in the Napa Valley. But, that means you can get out there and do your thing.

So go do it!

Thanksgiving Week

 Greetings all you turkey eating Americans.

Hopefully you will ignore idiot governor Gavin Newsom's stupid lockdowns on Thanksgiving. The shitbag ignores his own rules. So he can go fuck himself.

For me, I don't listen the asshole BUT, I got to sleep early anyway. Apparently there is a 10pm curfew. I hope you all break his rule. He can't mandate freedom. And for those who think this logical...follow the science.

IF you are under the age of 60...you will survive Covid. Odds are in your favor. You have a better chance winning the lottery than dying from it. Also, how accurate are these results anyway? One day you are negative, the next positive. Are these tests even worth taking?

Sure, if it calms you down. Which it does. To an extent. At first you are happy you don't have Covid. But then you wonder what the Hell you really are suffering from. I have chronic fatigue syndrome. So there's that. But no one should be FORCED to stay home. Certainly shouldn't snitch on your neighbors if they don't. That's Nazi shit. The shit the Left want.

Here's the deal. IF you feel scared about the pandemic. Stay home. It is within your rights. If you don't, then enjoy life. Also, with businesses...let them decide. They need to waive liability though. Which means, the virus will spread to people, and it's going to suck worse than the flu, but that's your choice. If, for example, going to the arcade freaks me out...guess where I won't go? Doesn't mean you bankrupt small businesses.

If you believe in science, then you have to believe in statistics, and not implement totalitarian rules.

Because, fuck you...is why.

Dense

 Democrats are thick headed. I mean REALLY thick headed.

They don't even know why or what they are stubborn about. BUT, I suppose if you listen to this argument, you could go nuts.

Me: Biden isn't President of the United States but he's doing President shit

Dem: He's projected to be President, why is Trump holding things up?

Me: It's a legal process. Biden is NOT President of the United States

Dem: Trump is delaying what is already projected.

Me: Media projects things it DOES'T NOT confirm. Not one state has confirmed Biden.

Dem: He's delaying the process.

Me: It is his LEGAL right.

If I could reach through the phone and shake this idiot.

People, THIS is how you get a media coup of 1st world nation leader. The press apparently decides who is President and you better bend and bow or you will suffer. The dems are keeping a list of all those who haven't. And if this gets turned around, the terrorist will riot. There is probably a reason why Trump let go of the head of the Department of Defense. Most likely, when the LAW sides with the law, they will throw a tantrum.

Do you know what these assholes sound like? Assholes.

Put me in that fucking list. I don't give a fuck.