Josh o' Trades

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Do You Despair?

Just received my Despair, Inc. 2006 calendar. Ah, the good times are here at last. Can't decide where to hang it.

"No matter how lackluster you are, you have the potential to be so much less." ~ Despair, Inc.

-Jos

How Did You Spend Your College Years?

While going through some old papers last night, I came across an old outline for a student movie that Mark, Rueben, Sti-Fu, Eric, and few others and I were going to make: The Mighty Reservoir Ducks.

I'd forgotten I had ever written the thing. From what I can gather from the rough notes, the film was going to be about a group of amateur-league hockey players turned thieves when they decide to rob a priceless comic book on display at a comic book convention. I seem to recall that we would all be on rollerblades throughout the whole movie. That...just could NOT have ended well.

I found a list of the characters: Whitey, played by Mark; Black & Blue, played by Eric; Brown-Nose; Pinky, the tough thief (with a secret) played by Rueben; Wise Guy Ernie, played by Plainview; and Agent Orange- the undercover fanboy of the group, played by me. I'm not sure what part Sti-Fu was going to play. Maybe the security guard watching over the book.

Needless to say, it's probably for the best that it was never made.


There seems to be a growing debate going on right now over the whole James Frey "memoir," A Million Little Pieces. The question is: when writing about your real life, how much is real, and how much is exaggerated? Well, as a writer, and storyteller, I know that for a story to be interesting, sometimes the pacing has to be changed. Sometimes the timeline is adjusted to make the point hit that much harder. And, in my case especially, certain facts are obliterated to make the story funny.

Now, did Frey have the right to alter his view of reality of his real life in order to sell a few million more copies of his book? Did he enter into an agreement with the Big O, and her marketing department, with full knowledge that what he was selling wasn't the truth, the whole truth and nothing but? Is that grounds for a lawsuit?

I'm not sure where I stand on this subject just yet. In the end, I think it all comes down to your memory of what happened. Now, I pride myself on my memory and base most of my actions and judgments on them. But, memory is the single most debated subject in history. Memory can change a blue car to a green car during a trial. A six foot four man into a five foot tall woman, if the DA paints the scene different way. Five different people can witness the same event, and you can get five different versions of what happened. It all depends on where their minds were at the time of the event.

If we convince ourselves that something happened a certain way, and state that as fact, are we lying? Was Frey justified in turning his three hours in jail into three months? Does the fact that you know the truth now change the enjoyment of the book you read before you knew? I've a feeling we haven't seen the last of this......


Jane made a good recommendation about getting my hands on some actual Everwood scripts. I've found a couple of websites who offer transcripts, but not official screenplays. Anyone have any ideas on where to look?

I heard back form AJ, and she's onboard, so I guess this thing is really going to happen. It's been a while since I did anything like this, so I'm a little wary. Hopefully, everything will work out well.

"The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder." ~Ralph W. Sockman

-Jos

Monday, January 30, 2006

Week 2

Apparently the operating system on my home computer (forged somewhere around the time that fire was just becoming popular) is too ancient for Blogger to recognize. That, or it's just too slow to open it. Regardless, I am unable to update the blog from home. Oh, well.....

I awoke Saturday morning to a rather strange sound: rain. It hasn't rained here in Dallas for about 6 and a half years, and boy, did we need it. I love to listen to it rain. When I was a kid, the house I grew up in had a large 3/4 wrap porch with a big swing on the front. One of my favorite things to do was to sit in that swing and watch it rain. There was a huge oak tree in the front yard and the wind blowing through its branches during a rainstorm made the most incredible sound. It would start out as a soft moan that was barely audible. Then the swaying of the branches and limbs, one by one, would join in and add to the chorus their own rhythm backbeat. If it were an especially strong storm, the wind would push the rain around in sheets in an almost choreographed performance. And then, everything would go silent. The rain would stop, the branches would droop, heavy with water, and the sun would break through the clouds. It would be a truly wonderful experience. And one that was completely free of charge.

Saturday also marked the 20th anniversary of the Challenger Accident. I remember I was in the 6th grade, taking a math test when the announcement came over the intercom. I remember my classmates running the range of emotions: shock, denial, fear. There were a few tears, and, I'm ashamed to admit, more than a few immature jokes made about it. I remember watching TV that night, and seeing the tape of the explosion over and over and over again. It was an exciting time, back then, before the accident. Mom was a teacher and a lot of her fellow teachers were happy about Christa McAuliffe and her place in the history books. Little did anyone know just what she would go down in history for. It was the single worst moment in the history of the space program since the Apollo 1 Accident, almost 20 years earlier. It was a blow not only to the NASA program, but to us as well. During those weeks leading up to the launch, McAuliffe had become the face of the space program. Her death, and the death of her teammates, showed the world the dangers involved firsthand. And it was a danger that nearly crippled NASA. Public favor of space exploration dropped dramatically, and most chose to focus their attentions elsewhere. It was a terrible tragedy. It was 73 seconds that no one will ever forget.

Getting back to the spec script, I think I've an idea for an Everwood episode. Now, I just need to research some screenplays and see how it needs to break down. I have a good feeling about this, and can't wait to start working on it.

To sleep, perchance to dream. I hung out with some friends Saturday night, watching the Best of Will Ferrell on SNL and giving foot rubs (apparently, I've some skill in this department). However, I didn't end up getting home until almost 5:30 Sunday morning, which made church yesterday quite interesting. But, I was able to make up the sleep last night, and I'm ready to take on Monday with all that I've got. Well, with as much as I'm willing to give up, anyway. :)

"Historians are gossips who tease the dead." ~Voltaire

Thanks for stopping by.

-Jos

Friday, January 27, 2006

Feature Fridays

Morning, Kids-

I've decided to dedicate Fridays to movie reviews. Now, there are plenty of websites for picks and pans for the more "popular" films out there. You can take your pick. No, I want to introduce you to the little known and hidden gems that I've come across over the years.

Now, this may not always hold true. There are truly great films out there that demand our attention. I'm still haunted by Munich, and may end up writing a review once I find the words.

But for today, I'd like to keep it personal. About 10 years ago, during the '96 Olympic fever, I saw a little New Zealand import on Starz on a lazy Saturday afternoon. I'd like to tell you about it now:

Title: Alex
Year: 1993
Director: Megan Simpson Huberman
Staring: Lauren Jackson, Chris Haywood, Josh Picker, Cathy Godbold, Elizabeth Hawthorne

The movie Alex, based on the novel "In Lane Three, Alex Archer," by NZ author Tessa Duder, follows the life of 15 year old Alex (Jackson) in her hopes to win a spot on the New Zealand Olympic Team for the 1960 Rome Olympics.

The movie opens with undefeated Alex losing a meet to newcomer Maggie Benton (Godbold), despite the best efforts of her determined coach and friend, Mr. Jack (Haywood). Alex and Maggie are soon thrown into bitter competition both in and out of the water thanks in no small part to Maggie's demanding and ever-present mother (Hawthorne).

But it's not just the Olympics on Alex's mind. Classified today as an overachiever, Alex's life is filled to the brim both at school, where she is extremely active in ballet, piano, field hockey, and the school play - not to mention exams; and at home, where she, as the oldest sibling, has chores, cooking, cleaning, watching the kids, and helping take care of her ailing grandmother. And, if that weren't enough, now she's having feelings for long time buddy, Andy (Picker).

As the movie progresses, a hockey injury lands Alex in a plaster cast for several weeks, which keeps her out of the water and forced to watch Maggie get better and better, becoming the favorite for Olympic selection. Torn between the ugly whispers of the girls who don't understand sport, her inadequacy around small, petite Maggie, troubles at home, finding time for her school activities, Olympic training, and her feelings for Andy, Alex comes close to the breaking point.

Then, tragedy strikes and Alex must make a decision between facing her own demons and pushing on to the Olympic trials or an early retirement. In the end, she must swim the race of her life.

The first time I saw it, I was impressed by the story and scope and range of its principals. Alex Archer was such a fully realized character, that I found I was watching a real person, not an actress playing a part. All walls were lowered and Lauren Jackson simply dissolved into the role. The same with Chris Haywood as Bill Jack. Both come off as old friends on screen (though they had never met in real life) and their chemistry together is wonderful.

Elizabeth Hawthorne really enjoyed herself, chewing her way through her scenes with zeal and moxie. Her Mrs. Benton is the main villain of the piece, and Hawthorne knocks it out of the park. Cathy Godbold does her best with Maggie, but falters up against the more versatile Jackson and Hawthorne. Same with Josh Picker. His Andy Richmond is handsome and he broods over Alex and her passions well enough, but this is a more feminist film, and with only a handful of scenes with Haywood for an anchor, Picker is quickly swallowed in a sea of estrogen.

New Zealand could be considered a main character itself and Huberman does a great job on pulling the lens all the way back and letting the landscape speak for itself. She holds on establishing shots longer than other directors would just to allow us to take it all in and fall in love with the country, and long before Peter Jackson sent us his 3 postcards of New Zealand.

The movie is based on the first of a quartet of books from acclaimed New Zealand author Tessa Duder. After I saw the film, I went out and purchased the book (not knowing that there were 3 more in the series). It was a small paperback, about 150 - 200 pages, and I burned through it in one sitting. I was so intrigued by it, I immediately started reading it again. It gave such a wonderful back-story to the film and really fleshed out the other characters. With the film version fresh in my mind, it helped expand the book and made the reading experience that much more enjoyable.

I've since read all 4 books in the series, and try to re-read the quartet once a year. All in all, quite an enjoyable film. And found by sheer accident. Funny how things work out.



Hope everyone is having a good week. Mine has been a little crazy, but that's good. We could all do with a little crazy every now and then.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." ~Henry Ward Beecher

-Jos

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Reactions & Retractions

Huh. Ironic that almost all of the secular websites I linked to this morning decided to use the blue end of the spectrum in their speech today. Now, while I am a little embarrassed by this, I am not going to apologize. It's a big web out there and we're all adults here. Well, except for Chastain.

I do hope you don't take too much offence to their words. They really are some of the funniest people on the face of the planet. If you are offended, please don't take it personally. Choose to take the moral high ground.

You can go about your business.

Move along.

-Jos

"Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much." ~Oscar Wilde

Will The Real Josh Please Stand Up?

Hey, Kids.

You know, looking back over my first week of blogging, I'm having trouble recognizing the author. I seem to come off as stiff, stuffy, more than a little, I don't know, British? (Sorry, Terry, AJ. No offense - well, maybe a little :) I'm sure some of you may be asking, Where's smarmy Sarcasm Boy? Well, I'm here to tell you that he's alive and well. It's just been one heck of a week, what with the battling waist-deep in the quagmire of mediocrity that is the trade show industry, striving to put right what once wrong, hoping each time that the next leap will be the leap ho- wait...no. Where was I? Oh yeah. More of the funny. Message received.

While I started this blog to update the whole writing gig, that is still a ways off. In the meantime, I'll be using this site as a place to vent my frustrations of the world around us and try to make a couple of you smile while I'm doing it. Hope to, anyway.

I, state your name... So my buddy, Jimmy, is hosting a little Movie Watcher's Awards party this year. We watch the Oscars every year and I've become more and more convinced that the idiotic crack monkeys in charge of the Academy need to be retired Blade Runner style and a new board be formed. There are just no explanations for some of their decisions. There's just no accounting for good taste anymore.

And speaking of Oscar-worthy movies, I saw Underworld: Evolution over the weekend. I'm at a loss here. Did the first one make enough money to even cover the craft services food table bill? Or is this just an excuse for Kate Beckinsale's husband, director Len Wiseman, to put is wife on exhibition. I mean, don't get we wrong, God bless the pleather, but, jeez! this movie was 14 kinds of terrible. I think Omar said it best: "Underworld: Evolution. How is it that the movie is about vampires and werewolves and the most unbelievable thing in it is still Kate Beckinsale's career?" Yet another example that just because you can make a sequel, doesn't mean you have to...

At this time, I'd like to thank the little people, er, the ones out there who came before me and showed me how fun it could be to put all my private, personal thoughts out here in cyberspace. Let's see. There's Taylor; Wendy; my favorite chief, Heather; Whimsy; Jewel; and old Sti-Fu Mendoza himself. Check out the Monroe Madam, AB and buy an album it's quite good; and give some props to Pamie, she's up for a Bloggie! Go check out Nathan's, Scott's and Mark's sites as well. Go share the love, people.

JJ, my girl Friday - and Mistress of the Written Word, has also set me up with a couple of websites full of quotes. That's it. I'm getting her something really nice. Say, a large bottle of pineapple juice, that way we can both be happy. :) (If you understood that last part, there's nothing else to explain, is there? If you didn't, well, it's probably for the best. And no, Ma, I'm NOT going to explain it to you.) Anyway, I'm going to be placing a quote at the end of my entries until further notice. Or, until I find something better to do.

"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is." ~Francis Bacon

Oh, and for you daily commuters, please note: The Speed Limit is just a suggestion, the true purpose of the Toll Way is to see if you can drive through the gate faster than the electronic eye can scan your Toll-Tag, and impatience is the greatest virtue of them all. Take care and good day.

Thanks for stopping by.
-Jos

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

By Jove, I Believe I've Got It!

Think I may have decided on a couple of shows for the spec script.

A couple of you have mentioned Smallville, because of 72 Hours. I really have a handle on the characters. I basically hear their voices in my head all the time anyway. Wow, that looks so much worse on paper than it sounded in my head. :)

JJ suggested a Gilmore Girls script. I think it would be a lot of fun. And, since I just got into the series this past fall, and watched the first 5 seasons on DVD back-to-back, I think I could do it. However, I haven't seen any of season 6, and I'm not sure if I have to keep the script current. I don't think I have too. I mean, a script's a script. Right? So, it's on my list.

She also mentioned an Everwood episode. (I just may have to give the girl a raise) I hadn't really thought of it, but it makes since. I have a deep respect for the show and know the backstory well. Plus, I love the characters. It could be a lot of fun. I think this is the one.

No word from London yet. But, I'm in no hurry.

Work is work, but I'm getting out of here soon today, so, yea!

Thanks for stopping by.

-Later

Oh, and the new King is very pretty. Can't wait to start it this weekend.

No More Mr. Nice Guy

Actor Chris Penn has passed away. Brother to actor Sean Penn, Chris is probably best known to audiences by his role in the movie "Footloose." However, I will always remember him as "Nice Guy" Eddie from "Reservoir Dogs."

After dropping below my radar for almost a decade, Penn showed up recently in guest spots on both "Everwood," playing a grieving father who accidentally shot his son while hunting, and as himself in HBO's "Entourage."

It's a shame, he was only 43.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Reflections & Ruminations

So I'm reading the novel Boy's Life by Robert McCammon, on recommendation from JJ. It's a coming of age story about a 12 year old boy in rural Alabama in the early 60's. I like McCammon's writing style. I read another of his books back when I first got out of college named Swan's Song. His writing voice is very akin to Stephen King, and his characters are very aware of themselves.

In 'Boy's Life,' the main character is Cory Mackenson, a young writer with a very active imagination recalling his youth spent in his hometown. That journey from childhood to adulthood can be, and often is, a magical one. Seeing the world through Cory's eyes - eyes focused through the filter of adolescence - is quite invigorating. Cory's story is very close to my memories of growing up in small town Louisiana. Of course, I am a child of the 80's, so the politics were not the same, but the people on the street sure had similar voices. It is a story of riding the fastest bikes ever built, of flying over treetops with the wings of the minds eye, of summers spent in pursuit of hidden treasure, of 12 hour days that passed by in the blink of an eye. I remember those days fondly. And even if my memories are skewed by the the passing of time and my mental editing-bay, they are still the ones I choose to have. Right now, today. In another 20 years, who knows? But for now, this is enough.

In the story, Cory has a teacher named Mrs. Neville who encouraged him to start writing. I, too, had a Mrs. Neville. Mrs. Riggs. She was my sophomore English teacher. She was in her late 60's and overflowed with a passion for writing that was downright contagious. She wasn't the first teacher to notice my skills, but she was the first to show me what I could do with them. She urged me keep a journal, to write editorials, to always keep working at it. She never let me give up.

Over the Christmas holidays that year, the doctors found that the breast cancer that had been in remission for several years had returned. Many people would have tried to hide it from their students (and themselves) or loose themselves in depression and self-pity. But Mrs. Riggs took another approach. She brought it right out into the open. She made us write about how we felt about life and death. About how short life could be and how precocious every little moment is. She made us open our eyes to our own mortality, and allowed us to see the people we would someday be. She passed away in the summer of 1990. She was not the first person outside my family to die, nor was she the last, but she is the one who made me think what it meant to me. I will always credit her with planting the seed of writing for a living within me.


Wow. Sorry. Didn't mean to get so deep this morning. Just a lot of old memories surfacing from reading this novel. Which is exactly why I love to read novels like this. I love to be transported not only to another time and place in someone else's life, but also within my own. I find that to be a trait of a truly great writer.

Haven't heard form AJ yet, but I'm in no rush for an editor just yet. I still need to pick a show to write the spec script for. It can be for either a half hour or a hour-long show, however it must a show that is currently on the air. Any ideas?

Well, that's it for me right now. Work is calling, and it's one I have to take. Today should be good, as long as I get a couple of projects out the door.

Oh, and the new Steven King novel, The Cell, should be arriving this afternoon.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by.

-Later

Monday, January 23, 2006

Monday, Monday (can't trust that day)

New week, new idea. This morning while reading Jane Espenson's blog, I came across this.

It's basically a fellowship program designed to give struggling writers a chance to break into writing screenplays by paying them for a year as they do nothing but write. Also? it's in Hollywood, so if I get it, it's off to La La Land for me. Not sure how much I'm going to like that (Though that was the plan all those years ago with the whole comic book thing during college, so there is that...).

So, I sent AJ, my editor extraordinaire across the pond, an e-mail to see if I could again call upon her expertise in this little endeavor. I can only submit my entry from May 1, thru June 23, so I have some time to break a story. And since it's a screenplay, and can only be around 30 pages or so, I won't fall into the trap I set for myself with 72 Hours. Well, hopefully, anyway. :) AJ's on London time, so I hope to hear from her tomorrow or the next day.

Heard back from Coop about the TFN webcomic. He liked my work, but didn't think it fits with the story he has written. However, he said that he'd like to use me for another project down the line. It all depends on how well the first webcomic is received, I guess. Anyway, it's still cool to get any feedback at all.

Well, gotta run now. Work beckons. Who knows, maybe all this swot will pay off eventually...

Later

Greetings & Salutations

Welcome to my blog.

I'm going to jump right in here and start posting. It may be a little stream-of-consciousness here and there, but I'll try to get better as I go along.

-Later