Tag: Larry Brody

How Making It in Hollywood is Getting Harder Every Day

“Beware the Zoom room!” And other tips for newbies of all ages, sizes, shapes, genders, talents, ambitions, and other you-name-its!

photo by Alexis Hunley for the New Republic

by Kyle Paoletta

The streaming business is booming. But the industry’s working stiffs say their lives are only getting more precarious.

Edgar Momplaisir’s first glimpse of Hollywood success came early. Having dropped out of college in 2014 and moved to Southern California to chase the dream of writing for television, Momplaisir was named to a house team at the Upright Citizens Brigade, the improv theater that serves as a proving ground for aspiring comedy writers and performers. With a regular opportunity to showcase his talents, Momplaisir thought, “Holy shit, I made it.” read article

Cartoon: ‘Insight’

Our favorite cartoonist-philosopher, Grant Snider, presents his insight into…insight itself. Who’d a’thought?

More of Grant Snider’s sensitive perception of humanity and creativity at Incidental Comics, HERE

LB: RIP Mort Sahl and Joanna Cameron

by Larry Brody

During the past couple of weeks, two shoebiz people I knew – sort of – passed away without getting much attention from the press for doing so.

The first was Joanna Cameron, an actress remembered primarily for a ’70s kid show called The Secret of Isis.

The second was Mort Sahl, one of the fathers and best known practitioners of in-your-face-political-stand-up comedy. read article

WGAW November 2021 Calendar

A Public Service Announcement if ever there was one. Here’s what going on, socially and professionally,  at the Writers Guild of America West this month:

November 2021

Until further notice, the Guild has suspended in-person committee meetings and events, member meetings, and screenings at the Writers Guild Theater. Virtual events are listed below. Members must RSVP in advance to receive access info to participate in online events. read article

LB: Paul Krugman speaks ‘Of sandworms and social science’

pic from Warner Bros. & The New York Times

by Larry Brody

Paul Krugman isn’t someone whose name is associated with film/TV criticism, but he’s written a wonderful review of Dune calling it “…the Movie We Always Wanted” in the subscriber-only newsletter of none other than the illustrious New York Times that actually made Gwen and me ante up and watch the film.

Since the newsletter may not be accessible to all of you, I’ll quote the more salient points (defined as, “well, hey, they impressed me) here:

What makes “Dune” more than an ordinary space opera are two things: its subtlety and the richness of its world-building. read article