Everybody comes to Hollywood ( as song by Madonna)

Cr 2014 all rights reserved

by Darrell J Banks

Hello again. Words song by the jazz singer John Lucien.  Words to live and die bye (no sic).  Today I saw the Equalizer on a pass card I was given.  Question.  Why do actors play the same brooding character over and over again?  At sixty, Denzel should know better. I liked the Equalizer; it had a so so  plot based on a TV show from thirty years ago. This movie was directed well, but the writing. Well I would have preferred if Chloe was protected throughout the film by Denzel. Sort of like the theme from one of his first roles when he was protecting Julia Roberts.

But……  typical in Hollywood movies we have the samurai warrior, Buddhist monk character who must save the day by slicing and dicing with anything that comes handy. Like Neo in the Matrix, this man is bulletproof and too dam fast.   Well I still liked the movie, even if it had that Freddy, Jason, and Halloween creepy ending that sort of gave me a PTSD flash back to the bloody accident that enveloped me decades ago.  Until next time. Ciao.

6.66/10

Been awhile, lost the login. But soon, maybe today, I will tell you about my adventures in writing the novel, summer movies and all the good things you can do in the entertainment biz ness.

Post 35

Mediocre movies

By Darrell J Banks

CR 2014

Well the other day I saw American Hustle, after a few months from its digital release and Oscar ™ failures. Mainly because I wanted to see Amy Adams and JLaw. Mostly I saw halter breasts, bad hair and bad acting. I liked them all the performances gained many an Oscar nomination, but the plot was stilted, stalled and jolted from place to place.

Act 1 Can one get the girl and loose the money making machine. Yes

Act 2 Can one have a mistress and a wife and FBI agent. Yes

Act 3 Can one survive with curlers and maintain ones’ status as an FBI agent. ?

Robo Cop- A remake of a remake of a remake etc.

Act 1 Can one survive a bomb.  Maybe

Act 2 Can one keeps ones family on dopamine. Maybe

Act 3 Is a sequel of the Robo Cop reboot needed. No.

Post 34

Captain America- Winter Soldier- A review

By Darrell J Banks

CR 2014 

What makes a great movie? Actors 7 out of 10, Script  9/10, and the director well if you have two out of the three you cannot go wrong, but when all three are clicking you get a movie like Captain America Winter Soldier. It makes you want to go see it again, this action comic, (the other critics get it wrong it is not a spy movie, trust me.), blockbuster. 

Disney got it right when they released it near the spring break, Easter break; it is a movie with great potential, from   the Black Widow flirting with   the future Falcon all one can say is bring it.  Captain well, he may have a super serum but he is vulnerable, as you will see in the film, things like falls, bullets etc can hurt him.  He needs his sidekick but later for that. For now in Act 1, we have to deal with the agents of shield and like Tony Stark/Iron man; some things are well best left to one person or maybe two. Beyond that well the shield agents let’s say have issues. This is not an ABC TV show.

Act two puts the Captain in a compromising position having to fight the Winter Soldier and his buddies is not easy, nor is it easy to deal with the character development this film shows through. If you like, spies well buy my short story for an old school, new school version of that.

Act 3 finds us on the verge of tears, will Captain win, can Black Widow survive, who is the enemy is it within us or changed by what allegiance we sign up for? 10 of 10.

http://www.amazon.com/Bad-News-Day-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B00J150Q68/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397852605&sr=1-1

Post 33

 Die Hard- A Movie Review

CR 2014

By  Darrell J Banks All Rights reserved.

I wrote this review a few years ago, maybe I posted it, maybe I didn’t because on the Internet does it matter? There is an archive at the NSA or some “online” library ready to check your stuff out. Times have changed  for most of us I still want to sale a screenplay, make a million dollars and move , like the song goes.  And now for our review.

What can one understand about character development in this classic film? Why do I call it a classic? Well, like Rocky, the Terminator and so many others it revised the action/cop genre.  “Come to the coast we’ll have a few laughs" defined movie creation for a generation. When I went to Script Expo Shawn Black spoke to us as we sat in admiration listening to every word. Back then, gas was still .75 cents.  911  was unimaginable and the only movie that involved a battle in a big building was the Towering Inferno.  

Act 2 No more Twinkies

Abe Lincoln has freed at least one person. In another great moment of character development we find ourselves with a black policemen who has said f*** it. He knows that life can disappear in a second. So when sent to investigate the building he finds that bodies are falling out the sky along with bullets. The police arrive and the real games begin. Unlike game shows, the pain in the ass Detective has added a few dead terrorists to his list.  Like John Wayne he has to save the day, and ride to the sunset with his bride. Using western symbols, Yippy kai yay mother f*****.  Bruce Willis picks up his cigarettes, takes the detonators and moves on.  Back in cop mode Al the policemen uses another antiquated term party line ( a cheaper version of two land lines)  In today’s age McClain ( Willis) would have a cell phone but back then even pagers were not in vogue.  Act 2 allows a pause in the action and for two characters to develop themselves. But D. Robinson emerges on the side of the antagonists. In an action movie themes move and slide in-between genre. Robinson makes a crack inside joke. (He could be a bartender B. Willis's former occupation).  If you have seen Die Hard 4, you know that life changes for McClain. But in this episode, his wife is standing by his side. Like in any good western, she’s been captured like Nell with Dudley Do Right. The bad guys are fascinated by her.

The driver from Act one scene one finds out he is also trapped. His Christmas party is over.  RV's and technical vehicles are not match for a re-coil-less rifle. The police back then had SWAT (LL Cool J and Samuel Jackson) but there is only one McClain and like Rambo and Wayne, he improvises with C-4 artillery that prevents utter chaos.  The news interlope on the scene Hans like the Red Army is not about to go down with a fight. He is out for the money and what people will do for money is worse than the lyrics of the O’Jay’s song. More lives are lost, and Hans assumes the character role of terrorist.  With this move, the screenwriter takes the viewer into the realm of the seventies. He demands the release of old terrorists and a helicopter.  The antagonists use great Christmas words. And we settle into a valley of dialog that allows the characters to advance the story.  We flip to the news and find someone talking about things they don’t know.  A great parody of major news stories unfolds until we conclude ACT 2 with the FBI intervening.

ACT 3 FBI agents Johnson and Johnson know what they have in hand. Like cardboard cutout characters, they know they can control the situation. The antagonist is great in this film-using actor’s diction and a great memory he distracts the protagonist. But McClain is no dummy he provides a great prop and Bill/Hans falls for this ploy. Most great characters make or break a film. Like some recent films, the character is great but the supporting actors fail to move the plot along.  John M. has his own plan, Hans counts to three one more bad guy departs the world and a classic lab scene unfolds (Mission Impossible 2).  That’s one thing I love about movies they expand upon one another.   Imagine this, you are trapped like a rat, the water is rising and your tail is caught. Would you bite it off (Saw movies) or would you improvise and suffer pulling your tail free.  McClain must do the unimaginable and Shawn Black is thrust into movie history.

When 911 arrived the news media gave due respect to most families but in this movie the press intrudes into the life of his wife.  Who gives an anecdote on husbands and wives? True to form, the characters evolve again via walkie-talkie. The FBI does the same thing and another classic scene is set up.

When I saw Jaws, I hated sharks. Aliens made me hate outer space. Die Hard well, let just say I’m always sure I stay away from glass, windows, doors, even drinking.  If you watch this film over and over again, you will learn character development.  Hans, well let’s just say he’s one of the world’s best antagonist and John McClain I hear they are making a fifth film for this action hero.

Ciao.

Post 32

By

Darrell J Banks

CR 2014

 What can you learn from Cary Grant and Leonardo DiCaprio in choosing a great character for a screenplay? Well, my favorite movies with Cary Grant are North-by-North West, Arsenic and Old lace.  

These scripts can be found at drewscriptorama (fair use).  Grant v DiCaprio, similar styles, smooth talking ladies man. This is no more expected then in the Aviator. While I am trying to find a copy of Gangs of New York, where Leonardo woos Cameron Diaz, in the Aviator DiCaprio, as Howard Hughes is a true player bred to find love in all the wrong places. What did Cary and Leonardo do right in both films they remain focused on their characters, they became their characters as Arsenic and Old Lace or in North By North West (found a copy at the library (TODAY)

 Below is a review I wrote a few years ago. Next up a review of Leonardo Di Caprio’s character creation.

----

North by Northwest- A movie review

By Darrell j Banks

CR 2011 All Rights Reserved Worldwide

I bought several books on Hitchcock one with pictures one by a movie critic.  I learned a few things. I’ve always enjoyed Hitchcock he stars in his own pictures as a standby and creates tension out of normalcy.  This film has always been a favorite.

Hitch shows New York. A man (Grant/Roger) talking to his secretary on his way to an important meeting. Extras weave in and out, as they walk down a busy NY street.  Then bam, the acting starts he steals a taxi, saying his assistant is sick. Plays, phones, a pending business meeting. A message waiter calls for a Mr. Kaplan and Roger informs him he needs to deliver a message for an attentive mother.

He gets up and is shanghaied to the NY country side. Thought to be a spy the antagonists try to dispose of him by drunk driving. This is where the fun begins for eventually Roger will meet up with an attractive woman Eva Marie Saint. Back then words jumps off the page like sex at a strip club. “Every time I see an attractive woman I want to make love with her. “ Eve is 26 unmarried and industrial designer who has tipped the bus men she wants to dine with a killer with a nice face and she wants sex.  The train continues to Chicago. Eva holds his hand and blows out a match. Like his other films, Hitch uses libido to induce the audience into the twists and turns of this thriller. Eve has a large drawing room and doesn’t mind sleeping with a suspected killer. The police have stopped the train and Roger is packed in like a sardine, the police have questions for her and one still wonders does she work for the defense intelligence agency.  I mean so far the film has been normal, uninvited house guests, local judges, and hotel rooms. But spies?

Back in the day they didn’t show true love. Eve wants him to stay in his hotel room. She’s a big girl though he’s about sixty.  One wonders if she is aware that Gary Grant could never be a murderer. Eve doesn’t want to know much except like today’s “Madmen” he’s in advertising as Act 2 ends the action pauses. The porter cleans; Eve sings a child song, lights out.

Act 3 North by North West had it’s times restrictions and the noir genre requires pass a note to the agency. She won’t sleep with him but she has him in her grasps.  It appears the Defense Intelligence Agency is not so cruel. In Chicago the trains pull into the station now a days. (To view that beautiful bldg. rent The Untouchables Kevin Costner).  Roger carries her bags and they hide from the police as two spies follow them. The police search for porters with red hats and walk right past Roger shaving. Phone banks are shown as Eve and the bad guys plot their next move.  I miss those shots in movies. Since Collin Farrell starred in Cellular the phone booth has disappeared and now we get texting (Contagion) or emails shown on the screen. It’s not as interesting as a phone booth where all kinds of interesting things happen (Superman).Like in most of his films Hitch sets us up. Deserted plowed field finds Gary Grant in grey flannel awaiting his destiny. Cars zoom by and the stereo effect sounds like a plane. A man (Kaplan) gets out for a planned meeting. The man notices crop dusting (pretext) where there are no crops and Hollywood history is created.  In film people are killed by knifes guns, cars, sharks etc.  But rarely does a crop duster try to take you out.  Roger/Cary ducks, his suit soiled, bullets fly, and he must find and escape route. A car zooms by. Once surrounded by technology he finds himself alone against the machine. He flees back to the nature (a cornfield for safety).But the machine always welcomes you and then tries to destroy you. Chemicals are dropped and he flees for an approaching truck, which almost runs him over. The plane crashes into a symbolic fuel tank. (Man doomed trying to feed himself, and maintain a future).  Roger steals a truck with a refrigerator (symbolism again).  He finds himself back in Chicago looking for answers. He blows a spy’s cover and we find that Eve has been played as well as Roger who must once again play a corpse.  He pushes Eve into feelings she cannot utilize and the bidding between the neutral, good and evil concludes with a trip South Dakota.  Hitch uses violins to ratchet up the tension.  Roger creates a scene calling an auctioneer, idiot, creating a fight.  One thing I like about spy thrillers is that you see old signs North West Orient (Delta) Love blooms, and a story t must conclude.  Truth, innuendo, usually ends with a bullet. Leonard finds an old Gestapo trick, planes arrive and a choice must be made. Symbolism, verses reality. The good and the bad climb over the founding fathers and with a house divided one must survive to find true victory. I hope you rent this film and enjoy it. If only the WB would release it to the theaters again. Ciao.

Post 28

By Darrell J Banks

Cr 2014 All Rights preserved

Some films should never be made, perhaps the upcoming batman/superman movie, but only time will tell. Until then we are left with the remnants of the Jack Ryan reboot.  Well, where can I start, I like all of the actors, and their performances while not great were interesting.  I think it was the script or was it the editor or let us start with the director.  (Name less go to imdb.com for that)

 The film jumped around and created the premise that the CIA can do anything it wants in Moscow/Russia. Well, maybe but even in the film world that premise does not work. 

 Perhaps the story should have been set up better, first Keira Knightly is a med student, next she is married to Jack Ryan, and next she is a jealous wife/fiance who ends up in Paris then Moscow.  

 MISS-JOINTED FILMS 

The world is full of them for example, Star Wars I, II, and maybe three. Star Wars into Darkness, Superman IV etc etc. You notice it is many sequels and you can blame a lot of people. Really, you can.

 After you create a great character, you must place them in a story that has a developed plot, structure, action, character development. Then perhaps your film wont be less then your original intentions.

POST 31

By  Darrell J Banks

CR 2014,2005

NICOLE KIDMAN

This is a past article I wrote while the roles Hollywood has written for her have slowed down since I wrote t

his article, little Nicky is about to break out again as Grace Kelly.

The Actress Nicole Kidman and writing for her.

By Darrell J. Banks

Copy Right 2005

All Rights Reserved

Perhaps it=s pretentious to presume one can write for an actress you have never spoken too. Pretentious to imagine and dream that you the writer can develop a screenplay for a box office smash. But that is the premise of this article. Unless one is married or divorced from an actress such as Sandra Oh, one needs a muse to create inspiration for an actress such as Nicole. Having once seen Ms. Kidman live and in person, the shyness, the demur quality and yes the beauty is inspiration to type well.  Yet, the roles she has selected over the past ten years are idiomatic. Nicole searches for a script with a remembrance of past characters.

Recently, I also saw a photograph of Nicole Kidman with Lauren Bacall. Back in the forties Lauren looked very much like the current Nicole. Then, Ms. Bacall played the smoky, vixen, good girl. Yet her characters were driven to the bad guy. Never to forget a sequel Hollywood grabbed Nicole Kidman from Australia to perfect the vixen role for the past ten years. Surprisingly, in a recent article Ms. Bacall, was quoted by the BBC that today=s actors are A of minuscule talent.@ A slur perhaps.  Yet, those who write for Nicole Kidman would find this quote abhorrent.

Consistent with the intelligent sex symbol, Kidman=s   sex roles have expanded since A Batman Forever@ where she played the infamously named    Dr. Chase Meridian. The Bond girl name, the double entendre has three meanings. Rewind from 2005.  Ms. Kidman has stretched her acting repertoire to include the abused sex symbol in ADogville,@ the bad wife of AEyes Wide Shut= and of course the seductress in ATo Die For.@

Symbolic of Marilyn Monroe with a brain Kidman plays the prevailing dumb blonde to perfection in A The Stepford Wives.@  This role continues in the pending A Bewitched.@

As a screenwriter, one rarely writes for the same actress over and over again.  For, unlike the studio, system of days gone by the writer sits on the sidelines as the studio revolving door of redheads, blondes, and brunettes twirl by. Inspired by the similar roles your dialog may ensnare the synapses of some busy actress. Hopefully it’s Ms. Kidman who remains busy with four films per year, while many other Oscar winners, the Roberts, Tomei=s etc. select less work each year.

 Ms. Kidman has chosen roles that Meryl Streep in her prime may have declined. Yet, like Bacall and Streep, the role of the abused blonde is predominant in Hollywood cinema.

The Films

The early Kidman films, AEyes Wide Shut@ and ATo Die for@ feature the good girl turned bad. That is the marketing premise but the writers of these movies, Stanley Kubrick and Buck Henry respectively are no slouches, and they use a three-act structure to expand the role of the dumb blonde. In Kubrick=s film the wife is the backdrop yet she controls the flow of the movie.  Tom Cruise is the featured protagonist.  As the subtle antagonist Kidman beguiles Tom into what she wants, and his eyes are wide shut to the manipulation.

  In ATo Die For@she played the protagonist spinning a web around her husband once again.

Who would suspect the weather girl? Why would you? Ms. Kidman continued this theme in ADogville@  Never one to shy from the sexual provocateur role Ms. Kidman perfected this vixen role with a vengeance.  Like Barbara Stanwyck in ADouble Indemnity,@ she earns her revenge.

In A DogVille@ Nicole is passed from man to man, a fitting pawn of the town=s paternal system. Yet, her character has a self-inflicted wound; she has chosen sexual abuse over her role as the gangster=s daughter. Abused, yet willing, she accepts the towns’= rapes for more than two hours. Ironically Ms Bacall starred in ADogville@with Ms. Kidman Why is Nicole afraid? Why would a town seek to protect her and destroy her?

As a screenwriter reviewing this trend in roles, one should steer Nicole away from the abused vixen. Yet, Ms. Kidman has selected this role once again in A The Interpreter.@ Perhaps market share?

In the same April 5, 2005 article (BBC UK) Lauren Bacall cited the lack of acting skills of today=s stars. . When Ms. Bacall starred in the pictures A Key Largo@ and  A Sex and the Single Girl@  sex was different or so we are lead to believe by today’s= censors.

 So, as a screenwriter choose to expand the sex vixen=s role. For that is the ultimate quest. Like fried chicken today=s actresses are packaged and ready to go. Select one, and then dilute the bad stuff for a long and prosperous career. Until next month when we cover the actors Tom and Laurence and break them out of the cracker jack box. Ciao.

Post 30

By Darrell J Banks CR 2014

Amy Adams-

So a relative snapped a shot of Amy at the premiere in Westwood of Her.

Been obsessed since then. While she did not win, that Oscar (tm) neither did my favorite song Happy. But thinking about Amy's career, she has been throwing down since Enchanted, where she breaks out. Three years later, she is in the Fighter, and making her move toward the future with a great Boston accent, where she can take on even Mark Wahlberg's  sisters

While I don’t remember her in Charlie Wilson’s War, I will watch her in a gifted DVD Doubt and she showed she could also do comedy in Night at the Museum. She’s been around for almost ten years and why am I writing this profile, because I am waiting on American Hustle to arrive at the discount show, missed at the full price theaters. I think she has potential on par with Nicole Kidman who started out with Days of Thunder and broke out in   To die For. Every actress has a break out role, hopefully Amy A, will pick up a few dollars in this Superman movie and return to her dramatic roots. Nicky did a Batman, but just one.

Next up a past article, I wrote on Nicole Kidman and writing for her.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0010736/

Post 29

http://www.amazon.com/Bad-News-Day-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B00J150Q68/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395243429&sr=1-1&keywords=darrell+j++banks

Been busy writing and editing.

For my followers, lets go to number one

POST 27

By Darrell J Banks

CR 2014

THE MOVIES

So the other night I found and illustrated history of Hollywood.   I found the hard cover edition, the soft cover can be found at amazon.com.
It’s an amazing book with photos with your favorite actors from Charlie Chaplin to Judy Garland with Tom Cruise and Madonna included within the covers.

  

Which brings me to what is a star? Stars can be created, if you do not believe me. Believe in Lupita Nyong'o. Yep Hollywood can pick them, like Bette Dais in Now Voyager. Stars may start young like Bette Davis a dance lesson here, a recital, an instrument or they may go Yale’s dramatic arts to learn their trade. Either way, we get to feel and experience what they give us.http://www.amazon.com/Movies-Illustrated-History-Silver-Screen/dp/1840385537/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394124059&sr=1-2&keywords=the+movies+an+i

Post 26

By Darrell J Banks

CR2014

Once upon a time Steven Spielberg wrote books and screenplays. Everybody did that, it was fashionable. Back in the sixties and seventies cult classics   like Star Trek spawned volumes of readers. Star Trek was based on teleplays, but that effort lead to other things Recently I found The Star Trek Reader II in hardcover published in 1967-1973.  Lately it appears we prefer screenplays by themselves, instead of the novelization of a screenplay. Life sure is strange.

Speaking of screenplays, I found a portion of my trilogy in a red folder- episode one. Over the years, I’ve thought of going old school and converting all of my screenplays into novellas or comic books. Not sure, which would sale?   But finding those old pages does remind me I really need to get back to writing screenplays before I lose my dialog skills.  I've been busy editing my short story and adding descriptive five senses words, adjectives and adverbs. A different style, yes short stories and fiction requires a different mindset.

Screenplays really don’t use exposition to describe too many scenes. Now a days the studios don’t want a lot of dialog.   But dialog and scenes establish a character and lead to a great structure.  That’s where short story and novella writing can really help you. While set designers and costume designers will set forth the tone of the movie, short story writing focuses you on the moment; you must be brief and precise to lead the reader in mid story to a great conclusion. Because screenplays are longer, about 120 pages long think of the novella when pacing your story.  Remember writing inter-laps and every tid bit will help you accomplish your goal to obtain an Oscar ™, Emmy ™ or a Pulitzer Prize.

Try writing a page of a screenplay and convert it into a page of fiction.

POST 25

By Darrell J Banks

Well, I fell asleep on the Oscars ™ again.  I think I heard  J. Leto win for best supporting actor. I wanted to see the happy song hopefully they will put it up on you tube. Then I woke up and saw the good parts best actress, actor and film.   What was even better I got to see Jimmy Kimmel’s show.  That was fun with K Spacey and the other Oscar winners who showed up and taped their segments.

Now that Cate has won, perhaps I can now write a script for E. Thompson who should have been nominated for   “Saving Mr. Banks." 

But first, I must finish editing another short story. It took one hour to input my notes into the first page of a six-page short story.  This brings me to online editing. Perhaps you have seen a few errors in my blog posts, a spelling there a glitch of grammar.  Well that is the problem with online editing the human eye can only stand staring at a computer screen for so long.   But as they say at the print shop no excuses. Three hours is usually my maximum with breaks. Thus, I often edit anything I intend to sale by printing them and checking for

1. Copy errors

2.  Page lay out

3. Spelling forwards and backwards

4.  Checking the grammar and my sentence structure.

5. Paragraph formation

6. And one final reading before posting for sale.

This process usually works in all genres and formats but like the NY Times or Washington Post you may find errors.

Next post back to the movies.

Post 24                                                                                                                            

By Darrell J Banks Cr 2014

It’s  officially Oscar day. And on such a day don’t believe what you see. For as the gowns that march down the red carpet hide many a body flaw. Like the films, actors and screenwriters nominated today they merely reflect the same images we give Hollywood’s greatest award.  It’s a trick, a marketing trick to ensure you buy more tickets.  Eighty five thousand dollar gift bags, Dior, Armani maybe, but today we have Tom Ford and designers I would have to Google to determine their current trendy status. Ouch…. Secondly,  never believe too much, what you see in a movie.  Especially in Oscar season.  I watched disk 2 of Mary Poppins, and it informed me that Emma Thompson was not in London when Walt Disney inquired of her Mary Poppins story. She was in New York City.  So the writer or director changed  something, a necessary change to reflect the true nature of a writer. But they that’s entertainment.   A rule you should always follow when writing fiction ( plays, screenplays  or short stories.) is that the real truth rarely matter unless you are the subject of the film.  Yesterday I saw Long Walk to Freedom. As a young person whose group home was in attendance  hollered out at the screen Mandela is a player.  That was the imagery used by the writer and director to show the relationship between Mandela  his women and country.  While with his first wife,  Mandela was shown seducing and being seduced by many women. The analogy also applied to his country. He was a successful lawyer who did not need any more clients. But his best client was South Africa as he transformed from a pacifist to a warrior to one growing tomatoes and triumphantly emerged as a person of peace.

When you write a biopic, it is often best not to have a living subject. It’s also important they you maintain the image of those who seek more of the hero’s pixie dust.  I hope when they shoot MLK that they focus more on the message and not his  human flaws.

As a character study watch Gandhi from and then watch Long walk to freedom. There are extreme differences in each approach. I think the Gandhi way is better approach when you try to secure the rights from the family members or subject of your biopic.

Post 23

By Darrell J Banks CR 2014

AMPAS AMPAS, oops dee doo, I got a secret and it’s better some think then you.

It’s called the Independent spirit awards.  Yep tonight, or this afternoon in Cali time the independent spirit awards are on.  Except for Blue is the Warmest Color I didn’t know any of the international film awards. I knew Blue, because it won at Cannes and while my short film (Fall at 19 degrees (was not included in this year’s selections I felt a part of it.

Some believe the Spirit Awards reflect film culture a little bit better.  While 12 years a Slave and Nebraska were nominated by both groups, the Oscars forgot about Robert Redford’s All is Lost, which gained a Spirit nomination and I guess, could have filled that 10^th slot.

Question, how many members compose the independent spirit awards.  Well it is a little bit more complicated then the AMPAS, but if you nominated Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine, there must be some similarities in recognizing talent.

So, good luck to the nominees and enjoy this time it will never be 2014  again.

 Post 22

By Darrell J Banks

CR 2014

5,783 plus members of the AMPAS,   (Academy of Motion Picture and Sciences.) To become a member requires and invite or according to wiki a nomination, members are not known.

 Although a few have posted their pics up. (four)

Well so out of 7.147 billion people on earth a 00000 percentage (you do the math) determines what the best film for the rest of us is. Ugh.   If you didn't know it already, film has been created and marketed for males; USA males mainly. It appears we in North America like to emulate our perspective on war films, comic films even the feminine dramas such as Saving Mr. Banks and Blue Jasmine. Yes, even when the camera remains focused on the suave beauty of both stars they remained fixed, as the sistas would say on some man. Which is somewhat interesting if you are a woman or minority director, screenwriter or actor.  I mean if the greatest of us must remain fixed on a dead father or husband what we can create that will garner any award let alone an Oscar (tm). Furthermore, it means you are might be limited in what genres, topics, subjects or even budget your future project might envision.  If your goal like mine is to own one of those gold plated statutes with your name etched on it, you might want to consider what project you want to pursue in the next decade. 

 Projects -

Recently I got an email from a screenwriting group that suggested you write a log line before you prepare an outline of your script, let alone write 120 pages. You know what a line is and a log. So what exactly is a log line? Well like what you use to be a phone message it is best short and sweet.  A phone message pad had the name of the caller, the number and what the caller wanted from you.  What do studios really want?  Well if we consider two Oscar contenders.  A log line/ phone message especially an Oscar log line should be sweet and simple. Example- Saving Mr. Banks- Caller (protagonist) Emma Thompson) wants a great drama about her father, represented by her Aunt Mary Poppins. What does she want redemption for her personal failure to save her father?

Example- Blue Jasmine- (protagonist Cate Blanchett) wants to retain her sanity, from the memories of an abusive dead husband (Alec Baldwin).   What does she want acceptance and love from those who do not care about her? 

Maybe if you can come up with the right “message” you too can become a member of the AMPAS. (The acronym reminds me of the Willy Wonka song) For that, song read tomorrows post.

POST 21

By Darrell J Banks Cr 2014

Are you ready 4 days to Oscar. As a relative of mine sees California for the first time, I too remember those cotton candy mountains and the sounds of the ocean.

The relative will be there for Oscar Sunday, and I hope he is given a tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

I often imagine what the Jewish refugees from Florida felt when they decided to setup shop and create movies free from baseball bats and thugs in California. Could they envision a multi-billionaire epicenter that has driven a world market for the past thirty years?

Recently there has been run about film production based on tax incentives etc. From Michigan, Europe and New Mexico everyone wants a few million dropped by their local hotels, restaurants and film studios. So much so that those who left Germany, the Midwest and Hungary have had to complain to the local officials to retain the film industry.  The airline industry left California, and a lot of high tech jobs moved to India and Seattle. I would hope those child hood memories of Carson and Hope hosting the Oscars will remain in Hollywood. I cannot imagine the Oscars one decade being held in Baton Rouge. But as unions become a distant memory to many Americans don’t forget who really made the stars of Hollywood shine.http://www.dailynews.com/business/20140225/los-angeles-city-hall-panel-hears-from-out-of-work-film-tv-workers

Post 20
CR 2014 Darrell J Banks

Well another emergency in that other thing, what  I must do to keep writing.  I must quit that day job.  It interferes with my karma and writing process.What do you do to keep the lights, gas and phone running? Did you choose your day job or was it imposed on you by economics? I know back  in the day when I chose my day job, I saw retirement before 60, not 80.  Remember that when you pick up a pen or type on a computer will your writing sustain you into retirement.
I mean will a 35 percent royalty check from Amazon or Random House pay the rent or property taxes at age 70?

Another  question  is writing a viable career past age 50?
T. Clancy
T. Hillerman RIP
Then there was Hemingway.

Post 19

By Darrell J Banks

CR 2014

Oscar is politics time

Perhaps the academy shouldn't have so many rules. After all Oscar is about marketing, selling a legal stream 

or a blue ray disk or two is not easy in times like this.  Like those Oscar presenters, everything is 

predestined. Who’s hot, who is not, is  the issue we find ourselves with every award season. After all an 

Oscar win can increase sales, raise a film’s  release chances and of course lead to a bigger check for a year 

or two for  an actor.

Marketing works, when actors meet with the Pope, you might just win a golden statute.

But now for those who were excluded.

1.  Collin Farrell

2. Emma Thompson

3. Tom  Hanks

Saving Mr. Banks

4.  Harrison Ford -42

5.   Michelle Williams- Oz the Great and Powerful

6.  James Franco- Spring Breakers

7. Cameron Diaz- The counselor

8. The cast of the Butler

9. The cast of the We’re the Millers

10.  ?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/oscar-campaigns-may-be-over-the-top-but-they-keep-otherwise-endangered-movies-alive/2014/02/23/fef5dde4-9a46-11e3-80ac-63a8ba7f7942_story.html

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Smears+jeers+nastiest+Oscar+race/9541672/story.html

POST 18

By Darrell J Banks

CR 2014

Writers think life can be simple if only we could create a character everyone will love.  I have fallen in love with some of my female characters. I loved Tina( protagonist) in  Muerte de Oya  and when I discovered  Aqua Quad ( antagonist) in episode two  of my screenplay trilogy, I had to bring her back from the dead before episode three.

Characters do not reflect a writer’s personality, maybe their subconscious, but rarely  do we share anything in common. After all that's why I write to experience a new life, reality and sometimes a new galaxy. We don’t like litigation and want to retain the small royalty checks and if lucky enough advance checks. So we don't use real people, places etc. So why was Saving Mr. Banks distributed by Disney and created by Columbia studios so close to reality.  Well they had audio tapes etc. 

Thus when Emma Thompson declines to sale her book to Tom Hanks in Saving Mr.  Banks I clearly understood her motivations.  She needed the money; she wanted to keep her house. But to save Mr. Banks (Mary Poppins the movie) she as a writer had violated rule one of writing. She had  invested so much of herself, her dad, mother and Aunt into the story that she could not  let go of the story/ rights without  divesting her soul in the creation of the screenplay and the classic movie Mary Poppins.

It would have been nice if Emma Thompson was nominated with Ms. Blanchet.  That would have been something dual Oscar winners. Good enough.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2014/01/how-emma-thompson-responded-to-meryl-streeps-oscar-snub-email/

Post 17

By Darrell J Banks

CR 2014

An actors, writers and even a director's life should be separate from his art. But somehow, in the late 20th and early 21st century that has changed.  From Rock Hudson to the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman we want to know what toilet paper a movie star uses.  We seem to thrive on the hubris.

It happens more with actors and directors it seems. The only writer we ever cared about was William Holden in Sunset Blvd.  In Blue Jasmine, Cat Blanchet delivers and Oscar worthy performance as the disaffected socialite unable to cope. As she says life traumas should make you run into the street and scream and talk to yourself.

Unfortunately, we are too often tweeting and face booking to notice the desolated lives of those who create their own mental traps and delusions. I laughed at some of her theatrics but the film is truly tragic. If you want to explore tragedy rent or buy this movie. I cannot find the script online.

http://www.sonyclassics.com/bluejasmine/bluejasmine_presskit.pdf

Post 16

By Darrell J Banks

Cr 2014

Last night a writer, responded to one of my posts. I didn't like what she said, so I responded on writers unboxed ( facebook). I was summarily  booted from the the group. No matter, I added another screenwriters group.

Writers  unless they are writing a diary face an audience. This blog, your novel, or screenplay even a note will be viewed by a reader.  You want that reader to be a buyer. Thus the caveat the customer is always right must factor into your writings.

So the question becomes how much reasearch should you place in a short story that you intend to .50 cents to 1.50. Being a slight perfectionist I find that authentic research about your topic  works find. But for a five page short story one must have a cut off.

When you research put your self a on  a clock. After all time is always money.

Post 15

CR 2014 Darrell J Banks

When I wrote for suite101.com I would often write some critical things, well maybe.

Real critics can usaually be found at the major  papers. See the link below.

Since this is still Oscar season, I will write about a few of the scripts It tried to finish.

Lone  Survivor is like reading any of the Rambo scripts.

I might see Saving Mr. Banks having recently found the original  DVD of Mary Poppins. But that depends on my writing schedule. The script is 120 Pages. Fruitvale may be a better investment or Rush.

I saw Fruitvale months ago. A great character story. Because most people who go see this film know the ending.  How do you take your protagonist show him at his best and worse and make the audience sympathetic to him.  You surround him with a great cast.

One movie  script I will read before March 2 is American Hustle

Remember Character is always the central theme.


https://secure.sonypictures.com/movies/academy/media/americanhustle-screenplay.pdf

Since this is  Oscar season you  can download for your consideration, most of the scripts
here.http://nofilmschool.com/2014/01/download-6-2014-oscar-nominated-screenplays-legally-free/


To see the films you will have to buy the DVD or find it at a discount or release theater.


http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-ca-mcnulty-oscar-notebook-20140223,0,2093443.story#axzz2tyzWIsPc

Post 14

By Darrell J  Banks CR 2014

Recently I and a group of writers were asked to write an Oscar Parody. Then I thought about that. Aren't the Oscars really just a parody of the movie business?  Either you have an agent or you don't.  You are either working or you are not.  You are either funny or well; you have to wait for that setup, punch line joke.  I hope they do a long dedication to Sid Caesar. TV will count!

http://www.oscars.org/

There are plenty of things to write about Oscar season just the host along could create a joke.  Ellen DeGeneres as little Nemo Think about it Gravity v 12 years a slave.  I wrote two pages in about twenty minutes on that concept. Wish me luck.

As for Oscar, I hope Ellen DeGeneres has great writers and I can survive past the first two hours. If not It might just be another snore festival. 

Speaking of Oscar, what films should have been nominated. This is my short list. I refuse to do ten, maybe fifteen with as you see a special Oscar for Action/Sci-Fi films.

1. Thor, the Dark World

2.  42

3. Iron Man 3

4. World War Z

5. The Hunger Games- Catching Fire

I mean Fruitvale Station was a great picture, but does it have the votes to win anything this year. Tune in on March 2, 2014

Cr 2014 Darrell J Banks