Archive for January, 2006

This week on 20/20

Monday, January 30th, 2006

Another interview in the can (so to speak). This time around I interviewed Sue Galloway. She had some really great insights into the what and why of being funny. That and her take on “The Nanny” was quite impressive.

Maybe I’ll start putting together some interview footage and post that. Hmm. Not a bad idea.

Still having some trouble translating the interview content into a viable script, but no one said that this process would be an easy one. This is my challenge. With great power comes great responsibility. Oh, did I mention I had drinks last night until 1am and then got up for work this morning at 7? Yeah, so, I’m really, really, really tired, and slightly goofy. I need a nap, and there isn’t one in sight. Sigh.

This just in…

Wednesday, January 18th, 2006

Some news. I have been asked to help create a documentary around the John Flynn/Jackie Clark spectacular, “Showgirls: The Greatest Movie Ever Made. Ever.” and I’m excited about it for a couple of reasons.

First, it’s an excuse to do some work. I’m not really good at self-motivation, so having a deadline created by an outside force rather than self-imposed is really good for me.

Second, it’s a good show that’s getting some good press, and frankly, it’s nice to ride someone else’s coattails. Maybe this reason should be later in the list.

Third, it’s a project I’m interested in. I find that I’m not really good at trying to work on pieces that my heart isn’t into. I get snippy, bored, frustrated and downright rude when I don’t like what I’m working on. This show is funny, and a documentary about the show (whether it’s a straight-up documentary, or Guffman-style faux documentary) is going to be really funny. I promise.

And finally, from a research standpoint, it’s good to be smack-dab in the of some comedy. I can get a first-hand look at the in’s and out’s of a show and write about what I see.

So that’s the news for now. Stay tuned for more. You hear it first.

And now for something completely different…

Monday, January 9th, 2006

Last night, before beginning a fit of insomnia, I decided to check out some of the footage I shot of Jeff Hiller to see what was usable. Turns out it’s all usable. It looks really good, sounds really good, and really captures a lot of the emotion of the movie that I’m looking for. Which is great. I’m just saying.

After watching the footage, I think it’s going to be difficult to find people who can act as if they’re not acting. What’s really great about watching Jeff talk is that his answers seem real (well, because they are), and you can sense that he’s being honest and forthcoming about all of his responses. I think that that will be the key to this movie. And hopefully that will come across. Hopefully.

Peaks and Valleys

Wednesday, January 4th, 2006

So despite the fact that I felt really good yesterday about the momentum I was gaining on the script, I went home and did not write a thing. Sad. I did have a nice conversation with John Flynn about what should be in the script and what I’m trying to convey. I’m finding that I’m needing to discern between story that I’m trying to convey, and emotion that I’m trying to convey. There’s a vibe that I want to give to the movie, but I feel like the script isn’t capturing that just yet. Right now it reads like an episode of the “Gilmore Girls.”

I do need to keep reminding myself that this is a long, arduous task. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, right? Man this blog is lame. :)

Wake Up Mr. West

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2006

It’s been a few days since I’ve written, but some progress has been made. First, I did some more writing. I’m starting to become more interested in the Beth character, and I’ve laid some ground work for her to do a lot more. She’s the experienced one, so she’s going to be smarter, funnier, and more jaded. So now she has a few more scenes, a few more lines, and a more rounded character.

Second, I had another interview. This time with the illustrious Jeff Hiller. He gave me a lot of great insight, and so I thank him for that. The motor for this movie just got a small jumpstart, so I’m a little bit excited. This may actually happen. Of course, now that I’ve said that…ah, whatever.