posted 04-10-2001 04:08 PM            

The truth #1 - most of us don't have "it." We don't have the talent, ingenuity or the connections to get our foot in the door and our projects off the ground.

Now I know there will be some of you that will get your panties in a bunch and say all kinds of self actualizing garbage. Keep on trying, maybe you'll get lucky. Maybe. Maybe not.

Truth #2 - Destiny is intangible. And since life isn't necessarily paint by number, anything that you've read or any promises made to you about your script, idea or any inner feeling you might have about your own talent simply doesn't change the fact that we don't know what tomorrow will bring.

With this written, you're probably thinking that I'm being quite cynical. On the contrary, I think that the good ones won't ever have to try nearly as hard as the rest of us. Stars shine. They can't avoid their own brilliance any more than the sun can stop shining.

posted 04-10-2001 05:05 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by backgroundgrrl:
You've convinced me. Guess I'll go shoot myself now that I have nothing to live for.

---

Can I borrow the gun after you?

posted 04-10-2001 05:08 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by justina:
Can I borrow the gun after you?

I'll give it back.

---

I won't be needing it anymore, you are more than welcome to keep it.

Just tell my kids it was an accident, I don't them getting too upset.

posted 04-10-2001 05:10 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by psichick:
pooey! A pox on you and your little monkeys, too!

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hmm, maybe the answer is to throw poo.

posted 04-10-2001 05:11 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by backgroundgrrl:
I won't be needing it anymore, you are more than welcome to keep it.

Just tell my kids it was an accident, I don't them getting too upset.

---

I'll tell them much like Christopher Walken tells little Bruce Willis about the watch.

posted 04-10-2001 05:17 PM            

Can you talk like Christopher Walken? That would be pretty traumatic to the poor kids.

Do you have your H/R posted anywhere? I'm curious as to what work you've done.

posted 04-10-2001 05:34 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by backgroundgrrl:
Justina -

Can you talk like Christopher Walken? That would be pretty traumatic to the poor kids.

Do you have your H/R posted anywhere? I'm curious as to what work you've done.

I know you aren't where you want to be, but I bet you've done pretty well.

---

Oh no, my biggest jobs were student films and the only paid gigs are extra work and not much of it.

I want to be SAG so bad.

But I did write and direct a short film (with a typical writer/director cameo as a crack whore). I'm going in to edit tonight.

posted 04-10-2001 05:39 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by backgroundgrrl:
Was any of your extra work SAG? That's how I got in, I did my three union extra days.

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i only did three jobs.

i'm thinking i'm gonna start doing something like ER regularly and get SAG that way. (praying for no strike)

If you know any better ways, please tell me.

Justina_Walford@warnerchappell.com

posted 04-10-2001 05:50 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by backgroundgrrl:
Let me think and I'll mail you. If I recall your photo correctly, you are drop dead gorgous, so that can't hurt.

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wow thanks.

posted 04-10-2001 09:13 PM            

WOW , what a HUGE observation G.C. !
}{ow long did it take you to figure that one out ?

And if in fact your post is not to be cynical then exactlly what purpose does it serve ?

posted 04-11-2001 05:40 AM            

Mr. godcomplex, aside from the fact that your original post sounds like something ripped off from one of the articles at wordplayer.com, you're making an assumption I don't think is valid: that the goal in life should be achievement rather than process. This assumes that satisfaction and happiness ONLY comes from reaching goals, not from striving toward them.

I beg to differ!

The process of reaching down into oneself and pulling out experience and then molding into something tangible--in this case words on paper (or a computer screen)--is an incredibly powerful one. It internally affirms a person's right to live on the planet and say to the world, "I have something to say. Listen to me!"

We all know by now that there's little chance of ones vision remaining intact even if the screenplay manages to get produced, since filmmaking is a highly collaborative process where a number of people each interject their vision upon those words. It becomes a common vision, sometimes nothing at all like the one originally intended by the writer. In most cases.

posted 04-11-2001 05:54 AM            

I agree w/ Sachet ,

}{ave you ever watched any of them commericals where they sell the best of the 80's hits ?

posted 04-11-2001 09:38 AM            

Success isn't about reaching goals. Don't be silly. I'm not so sure it's about process either. Finishing last does not make us winners. It just makes us people that happen to also run in the race.

If I was able to stir up any emotions within any of those that even took the time to read this post...GOOD. It takes all kinds to make the world go 'round, but only the most extreme send the world spinning on its axis.

Was this post slightly morbid? Sure. I'm not posting to get praise from fellow writers. If I wanted praise I would have posted flowers and poetry. I was trying to get you to re-evaluate your current projects and rethink...be revolutionary.

I think there should be a reformation of sorts in this industry. Not led by me...I'm not a leader of men (or women). I simply came to a place a few weeks ago where I realized that brilliant writing (again not by me - although I read some brilliant scripts in my opinion that didn't make the cut in this or any other contest) isn't enough.

Think about your intangible "it." It's formless; it is void of any single picture for proper definition. That is the frustrating idea to think about. We may never grasp "it." But there's a place in all of our minds that gets frustrated by this. If you're truly a writer capable of deeper thought (and I'm sure those that were angered by this post are capable of such thought) you know when you see that movie that moves you or read that book that makes you almost ashamed that you were trying to do the same thing.

posted 04-11-2001 09:50 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by godcomplex:
you know when you see that movie that moves you or read that book that makes you almost ashamed that you were trying to do the same thing.

---

Interesting.

I've never had that feeling. When I read or see something that is good, it just gives me more confidence in my own work.

It's bad writing that gets me down.

posted 04-11-2001 09:59 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by godcomplex:
Most of us are not original enough to sell our ideas. The idea that good composers borrow and great composers steal pretty much summarizes most of us who are trying to get a break in Hollywood.

The truth #1 - most of us don't have "it." We don't have the talent, ingenuity or the connections to get our foot in the door and our projects off the ground.

Now I know there will be some of you that will get your panties in a bunch and say all kinds of self actualizing garbage. Keep on trying, maybe you'll get lucky. Maybe. Maybe not.

Truth #2 - Destiny is intangible. And since life isn't necessarily paint by number, anything that you've read or any promises made to you about your script, idea or any inner feeling you might have about your own talent simply doesn't change the fact that we don't know what tomorrow will bring.

With this written, you're probably thinking that I'm being quite cynical. On the contrary, I think that the good ones won't ever have to try nearly as hard as the rest of us. Stars shine. They can't avoid their own brilliance any more than the sun can stop shining.

So what's the point? The point is this: what's missing is something truly original in our writing. We've somehow missed the mark and most of us deep down know that we don't have "it." So re-evaluate that story you're working on and do something magical. Throw monkeys in it, make people fly, and for heaven's sake turn your stuff into something that resembles nothing you've ever seen.

---

Tell me one movie that is original and not based on ideas of other movies or ideas of novels, short stories, and etc... Tell me one, just one.

posted 04-11-2001 10:23 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Smurf:
Tell me one movie that is original and not based on ideas of other movies or ideas of novels, short stories, and etc... Tell me one, just one.

[This message has been edited by Smurf (edited 04-11-2001).]

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posted 04-11-2001 10:28 AM            

Since my screenplay was the last you'd started reading (assuming you're Uh in drag), fear and trepidation is slivering down my jellied spine. Well, if so, can't say I disagree. I know my message(s) and even story aren't hackneyed, but have always had fear that I've told it in a rather ho hum manner.

And I just had an experience of seeing what low stakes will do to a story.

Or are you talking about imagery and HOW one conveys internal or external states?

Watched "Judging Amy" last night and once again was captivated by ways the writers were able to convey emotions, in particular. Especially at the end. Clear, intense, felt, and original.

But you're dead wrong that folks won't get there. Maybe those without the drive will give up and turn to other pursuits. But the committed will perservere and keep learning and growing, discriminating, polishing and refining.

And you really should go to wordplayer.com and read that article. It was written by Terry Rossio (Mask of Zorro, etc.) and was even more brutal than you were.

posted 04-11-2001 10:29 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by godcomplex:
Pi

---

Forget what I said, I was thinking of the wrong movie.

posted 04-11-2001 10:33 AM            

For those who conceded...shame on you! You know you are more talented than all that! Isn't it when one is challenged that they become their own biggest supporter?!

Have some confidence in yourself and your ability and use this "kick in the butt" to prove all the doubters wrong!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

posted 04-11-2001 10:42 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sachet:
Uhuru, is that you, you naughty girl? You're the only person I recall who's used the term "God complex." And now that I look at the writing a little closer... You can take the pen away from the girl but you can't take the girl away from the pen? What? Just proved your point, didn't I? Hee hee!

Since my screenplay was the last you'd started reading (assuming you're Uh in drag), fear and trepidation is slivering down my jellied spine. Well, if so, can't say I disagree. I know my message(s) and even story aren't hackneyed, but have always had fear that I've told it in a rather ho hum manner.

And I just had an experience of seeing what low stakes will do to a story.

Or are you talking about imagery and HOW one conveys internal or external states?

Watched "Judging Amy" last night and once again was captivated by ways the writers were able to convey emotions, in particular. Especially at the end. Clear, intense, felt, and original.

But you're dead wrong that folks won't get there. Maybe those without the drive will give up and turn to other pursuits. But the committed will perservere and keep learning and growing, discriminating, polishing and refining.

And you really should go to wordplayer.com and read that article. It was written by Terry Rossio (Mask of Zorro, etc.) and was even more brutal than you were.

Of course, it too was a ruse!

---

Nope. Not Uhuru. But it's funny that you'd think that someone would post under and alias to make a point. Maybe that part is true, but the identity of the writer is definitely wrong.

posted 04-11-2001 11:12 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sachet:
Uhuru, is that you, you naughty girl? You're the only person I recall who's used the term "God complex." And now that I look at the writing a little closer... You can take the pen away from the girl but you can't take the girl away from the pen? What? Just proved your point, didn't I? Hee hee!

Since my screenplay was the last you'd started reading (assuming you're Uh in drag), fear and trepidation is slivering down my jellied spine. Well, if so, can't say I disagree. I know my message(s) and even story aren't hackneyed, but have always had fear that I've told it in a rather ho hum manner.

And I just had an experience of seeing what low stakes will do to a story.

Or are you talking about imagery and HOW one conveys internal or external states?

Watched "Judging Amy" last night and once again was captivated by ways the writers were able to convey emotions, in particular. Especially at the end. Clear, intense, felt, and original.

But you're dead wrong that folks won't get there. Maybe those without the drive will give up and turn to other pursuits. But the committed will perservere and keep learning and growing, discriminating, polishing and refining.

And you really should go to wordplayer.com and read that article. It was written by Terry Rossio (Mask of Zorro, etc.) and was even more brutal than you were.

Of course, it too was a ruse!

---

posted 04-11-2001 11:16 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by uhuru1701:
[b]NO, THIS ISN'T ME!!!!!! MY THING IS NOT BUMMING PEOPLE OUT OR DISCOURAGING THEM. MY THING IS TRYING TO UPLIFT PEOPLE AND HELP THEM BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING. ASK JULIEMALLEN ABOUT THE KIND OF CRITIQUE I DO. SHE CAN TELL YOU THAT I ONLY WANT TO HELP MAKE THE PERSON DO BETTER.

[/B]

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