Author: Herbie J Pilato

Writer, Author, Producer, Actor, Singer/Songwriter, Lover of Life

Herbie J Pilato: What’s Your P.O.V.?

conflictby Herbie J Pilato

Beyond having talent, to attain and subsequently maintain success in Hollywood, in any area, certainly as a writer, depends on many things, but mostly the ability to retain a carefree spirit.

“Ok…alright….no problem,” is usually the best response when your showrunner rips your script to shreds, figuratively; or when your showrunner rips your script to shreds, literally; or both.

Nobody wants to be around someone who is unable to manage their emotions, especially in Hollywood. read article

Herbie J Pilato: Happy New Year! A Must-See for Fans of 60s TV!

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by Herbie J Pilato

Some great dance compilations on YouTube:

Keep on Dancing – The Gentrys
Published on May 16, 2012

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Herbie J Pilato: RUDOLPH Does It Again!

rudolph-red-nosed-reindeer-001by Herbie J Pilato

Anyone who reads this or any of my blogs or posts (at www.MediaBizbloggers.com orwww.TVWriter.net) knows of my fondness for the classic TV Christmas special, “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed-Reindeer.”

I have written at length about its many wonderful moments and life-lessons, one of which, however, I have not yet addressed and will do so now:

Shortly after Rudolph arrives on the Island of Misfit Toys, with his friends, Yukon Cornelius (the arctic prospector) and Herbie/Hermie (the elf who wants to be a dentist), he believes he must venture out on his own to fulfill his destiny.  And he does so by breaking off a piece of land-ice, and using it as a drift-device to carry him on his way through the artic sea. read article

Herbie J Pilato: My Top Ten Christmas TV-Movies of All Time

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by Herbie J Pilato

1] THE HOUSE WITHOUT A CHRISTMAS TREE (CBS, 1972): Directed by Paul Bogart. Written by Eleanor Perry and Gail Rock. Based on the book by Rock.

Jamie Mills (played by the great Jason Robards) has grown bitter over the years after losing his wife a decade before. As such, he no longer celebrates Christmas and refuse to put a tree. But this is no run-of-the-mill take on Scrooge – especially after watching Jaime’s young daughter Addie (Lisa Lucas) ultimately drag a decorated tree through town and into the Mills living room.

If you’re looking for your heart, you’ll find it in this movie. Mildred Natwick offerred her usual perfect performance, here – in a supporting role – as Robards’ mother.  Special note: This flick’s budget was low, forcing it to be videotaped (like everything pretty much today – though some TV shows and movies make it look like film). But somehow it adds to the “reality.” read article

Herbie J Pilato: My Top Ten Animated Christmas Specials of All Time

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by Herbie J Pilato

1]  A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (CBS, 1965): Directed by Bill Melendez. Written by Charles Schulz.

Young voice-over talent Peter Robbins made his indelible mark as Charlie Brown in this poignant holiday classic that spawned a series of similar specials for every holiday. Here, Charlie Brown searches for the true meaning of Christmas and the perfect tree. While directing a school play, he ultimately finds both, though not before our young low-acheiver is confronted by a number of obstacles. None the least of these conflicts is presented by his own dog Snoopy’s obsession with winning first prize for a local decorations competition, or by his mean-spirited peers who mock his choice of a tiny sickly tree.

Through it all, Charlie continues to struggle for peace of mind in his December time, when he is forced to visit with his pseudo-psycholgoist friend (and foe) Lucy, who offers him a 5 cents therapy session. Following a desperate plea (during which he screams, “Can’t anyone tell me what Christmas is all about?!”), CB finally hears the real deal – from Lucy’s young brother Linus, of all people. “I can tell you,” Linus reveals. And in one of the most uniquely animated moments in the history of the genre, Linus goes on to quote the Biblical story of the first Christmas. read article