Month: October 2014

The Art of the Villain Backstory (and Why Dracula Untold Fails)

Time now for a perceptive look at both a new feature film and an old feature film and TV writing problem. Yes, even we egomaniacs at TVWriter™ are suckers for good analysis and advice:

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by Petra Halbur

Villainous backstories are an… imprecise science. When done well they can imbue a previously simplistic baddie with depth and challenge conventional morality. When done poorly, however, they are frustrating, self-pitying, and utterly off the mark. Unfortunately (though not surprisingly), Dracula Untoldfalls into the latter category. To be fair, as a film it’s not entirely awful. It contains some interesting visuals, great sound editing, and a decent score byGame of Thrones‘ Ramin Djawadi. However, as a villain origin story, which it purports itself to be, Dracula Untold is an absolute failure. read article

TV’s Remake Craze: Who Gets the Money and Owns the Rights?

The Hollywood Reporter is nothing if not practical. Which gives it a special place in the uber-idealistic world of Hollywood.

Okay, okay! We kid! But as past, present, and future stakeholder in the re-boot rights issue, we find this a potentially very valuable discussion:

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by Lesley Goldberg

Hollywood’s reboot and remake frenzy is spreading from film to TV. read article

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 10/20/14

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Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are=&0=& (HELLRAISER) is developing NBS’s THE ZONE, a sci-fi-esque drama with a premise so convoluted that all I can come up with is that with luck it’ll be like ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK but with an ass-kicking babe as the lead. (Which means yer munchilito will watch even if there’s no hilarity at all. I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not the babe part that interests me, no, no, no. It’s the ass-kicking. So, see, I’m still that politically correct dude y’all love.) =&1=& (NIM’S ISLAND) are writing a reboot of – OMG! OMG! the ancient Bill Bixby vehicle THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE’S FATHER for Fox. (Cuz…cuz…c’mon, kids, help me out. Why the fuck would they even think of doing this? No, never mind. I don’t even want to know.)

That’s it for now. Write in and tell munchilito what you’ve sold today. TVWriter™ can’t wait to brag to all your friends. (And, more importantly, enemies. Hehehe….)

Herbie J Pilato Reads Julie Adams, Star of THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON

by Herbie J Pilato

The beautiful and legendary actress Julie Adams has written about her astoundingly full and wonderful life in the book, THE LUCKY SOUTHERN STAR: REFLECTIONS FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, the title of which references her monumentally popular 1954 motion picture film, The Creature From the Black Lagoon. juliebook

However, Ms. Adams has made hundreds of appears on the big-screen, television and the stage beyond her most famous Creature feature, including countless classic TV appearances on shows such as Perry Mason, The Andy Griffith Show, Murder, She Wrote, and a gem of the small-screen, titled, The Jimmy Stewart Show.

Her talent, versatility, intelligence and of course obvious beauty continues to shine today, off-screen, as it has throughout each of performances, be they live on stage, or recorded on film. read article

Love & Money Dept – TV Writing Deals for 10/19/14

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Latest News About Writers Who Are Doing Better Than We Are=&0=& (TRANSPORTER) is developing RANSOM, a series about a hostage negotiator set for international exploitation presentation.  (Ooh, a series where week after week the hero talks to crazy and dangerous people and somehow he and the hostages all manage to survive. Oh, well, seeing the titles will probably be great for insomnia. Wonder if the FDA will approve it.) =&1=& (DEVIOUS MAIDS) and Neal Baer (UNDER THE DOME) have partnered to create a series for The CW called CHEERLEADER DEATH SQUAD. (Honest. I swear to whatever god it is who cares that we swear. That’s the name. And no, I don’t have any more info than that although it may be available elsewhere cuz the name was enough for me to expectorate a little and call my mommy to ask if it’s okay if I move back into her womb. Sorry death squad and cheerleader fans.)

That’s it for now. Write in and tell munchilito what you’ve sold today. TVWriter™ can’t wait to brag to all your friends. (And, more importantly, enemies. Hehehe….)