Script of the day - An American Werewolf in Paris

Oh what a disappointment we thought/screamed, as we watched the end credits roll. But, at one point in time it looked like it might have been quite awesome.
This is the original script before the original directors were removed and the script was fiddled with (boo hiss). So, here we are, for your enjoyment, An American Werewolf in Paris.

(big) Jobs - Trailer

Childish? Yes. But I'm pretty sure every news site in the U.K will be having a chuckle at the thought of the film being terrible and having the chance to put those words together.
How does it look? It's a trailer, it looks okay, maybe other people may be getting excited by the thought of this film, but I'm a bit underwhelmed.
Don't get me wrong, I love my iPhone, but the film needs more explosions, or dinosaurs and WAY less shots of (big) Jobs yelling/screaming or being overly dramatic in fields of wheat.

Script of the day - Superman: The Man of Steel

Reading scripts is a great way, if not the best way, to improve your writing. So as much as I can. I'll try to provide a sort of 'Script of the Day' type thing.
Some scripts will be from classic films, some from films that never got made, but mostly they will be from earlier drafts and will contain stuff not seen in the finished film.
Today's script is, Superman: The Man of Steel (not to be confused with the completely different film currently doing the rounds, this one is 15 years old).

John August is Great

John August is a name that many writers will know, he has had a long relationship with Tim Burton and is currently enjoying success with a stage version of Big Fish.
He also has an amazing podcast that he hosts along with Hangover writer, Craig Mazin. But it's his web page I want you to have a look at, its a great resource for writers, and John is very forthcoming with help and advice when he has time.

I'm Back

In between my writing, I do love to have a bit of a chat/bitch about things. Most of the time I'm probably talking out of my arse, but that's never stopped me in the past.
So when you read a post and you feel the need to comment, don't hold back, I do love feedback, ever so much.
I'm not sure how regular this will be, and most likely will be blogging on the run, as when I'm home, I'm usually buried nose deep in screenplays.
I will also use this as a way to talk about my project and whats currently happening in movie land, which brings me sadly to the topic on many peoples lips today.

James Gandolfini dies of suspected heart attack, age 51. Very sad news, the man was a fantastic actor and has left the world with a body of work it won't soon forget.

G.I Joe 2 - Trailer 2

This looks like great fun, I really loved the first one, I know a lot of you didn't and that's why I don't like you any more.

This has 100% more Rock and Bruno, so it can't possible be bad. Watch, love it, be happy my friends!

Coooooool Toys!

Wow! Where were these when I was a kid, maybe when my dad was a kid, but not my generation, and not this cool.

These little gems are from Diamond Select, 7' Universal Monsters and they are breath taking, I want them all now.

Toys'R'Us have them in the states, but I think most comic shops over here in Australia, or collector Toyworld's should carry them.

I'll have these for my birthday thank you...

Mel Gibson's 'Come Dine With Me' Audition!

Oh Mel, you try so hard to clean up your reputation but with every baby step forward, you then jump a train and race backwards for a week.

This little conversation (?) was recorded in December. The person he is (mainly) aiming his screams at at are screen writer, Joe Eszterhas, unfortunately his wife and 15 year old son were also present, as was screen writer Randell Wallace (Braveheart) along with his wife.

I believe they were the ones to get the cheerful invite to have dinner. Does anyone else think Mel has A: Problems, and B: Is probably done in Hollywood?

Althony Hitchkins?

Did you know Anthony Hopkins was playing Alfred Hitchcock in picture about the making of Psycho? No? Well now you do, and this is what he looks like.

Personally I think he looks great, it isn't buried three feet thick in make-up but has enough on to change his look enough to be recognizable, excellent.

Iron Man V's Thor!

Oh my... Every time I see a new clip I just want to see this more.... Stop reading and start watching!

The Filmmason - Classic Of The Week - King Of The Zombies

During World War 2, a small plane off the south coast of America is low on fuel and blown off course by a storm. Guided by a faint radio signal, they crash land on an island. The passenger, his manservant and the pilot take refuge in a mansion owned by a doctor. The easily-spooked manservant soon becomes convinced the mansion is haunted by zombies and ghosts.

The Filmmason Interview - Sean Whalen

The filmmason: Sean, it’s a great pleasure to get to talk to you and thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions today.

Sean Whalen:  No problem.  Thanks for thinking of me.

TF: With a career starting in 1990 as a fast food manager on an episode of the Ferris Bueller TV show, to shows such as, Grace Under Fire, Friends, Lois & Clark, La Femme Nikkita or even Nash Bridges. As an actor, how do you approach each new role and keep it unique?

SW: Well, being a character actor you do get to do all kinds of roles.  Luckily I had training in comedy and drama.  The truth is you can only come up with what you find interesting in the character as written.  It all starts with the script and then you bring yourself to each role.  I had coaches for the first several years of auditioning to teach me what  to look for in a script and help me avoid some of my personal bad habits.  Then after a while you grow more mature and hone your instincts and trust that they work for each role.  The uniqueness comes from the script and your life experiences.

TF: The first film I saw that you were a huge part of was, People Under The Stairs. Roach was an amazing character to watch, take us through a typical day on set for you?

SW: I would get to the set, change into my rags, then go straight to make up, where Michelle Buhler and Denise Dellavalle would do my make up and slowly and painstakingly put on my finger extensions.  Then Barabara Olvera, did my hair.  It was these three super cool women giving you attention for a couple hours… not bad!  Then I would wait in my dressing room until needed.  Then whatever I shot that day would be purely reactive as I had no lines due to my tongue being cut out.  I would pop in the prosthetic cut off tongue and go for it.  The prosthetic kept me from talking so I could react doing improv lines but you would never understand me due to the prosthetic.  We s was always calm, kind, and quiet.  Made my first feature film experience a blast.

TF: Moving from Wes Craven on to Tim Burton in Batman Returns, in the small but recognizable

role of the paperboy. Apart from Michael Gough, did you get to meet any of the other cast?  

SW: Unfortunately, no.  Minor players, but no scenes with the biggies.  Michael and I had a day where we flubbed our lines for an hour.  Tim was super cool and realized it was the writing… not us.  When he changed it, we were good.

TF: Sean, I feel I know you well enough now to let you in on a little secret. I really like Waterworld. You played a character called Bone, how was your experience on the set, was there as much gossip about the film on set as there was in the press? 

SW: Whenever you are on a set, you are isolated from media coverage and gossip.  You are there to do a job and you just do it.  It was a blast.  I got to bring my wife and we had a week vacation in Hawaii.  They had me do jetski training for a whole half a day.  Well it took me five minutes to learn it as I had done it before and then I had the rest of the day to jetski as wildly as I wanted.  Couldn’t ruin it because it was supposed to be post apocalyptic anyway! 

TF: 1996 brought us Twister with Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. Did you get to see the finished film before the public, or did you see it for the first time with an audience? 

SW: Due to the special effects we saw it for the first time at the premiere.  It was so overwhelming.  There was four months of your life onscreen.  When it was over, I remember Helen and I leaning forward at the same time and we caught each other down the row.  She said, “Either that was the worst thing I have ever seen or the coolest.  I can’t tell yet.”  I responded, “That’s exactly how I feel.”  

TF: Your body of acting work is spread even across film and TV in almost every genre, in a perfect world what would be the project of a lifetime for you? 

SW: I think being on a television show with a great crew and cast doing comedy.  With a lot of improvisation as well.  There is nothing like a director yelling ,”Cut” and hearing the cast and crew bust out laughing because you were so funny.

FM: Of course you don’t just limit yourself to acting, you also write and direct,  do you find working with such a wide range of amazingly talented directors and writers has inspired you to pursue these areas?  

SW: Yes, and also the reality of the business.  It’s changing so much that to just be an actor these days is sometimes not enough.  I remember why I got into this business and that was for two reasons that had nothing to do with performing.  It was to meet new people and to do different projects.  I can fulfil that with all aspects of entertainment.  I’m now producing as well.  A good friend has told me for years I would be great at it… now I know what he means!  Lol

FM: Which role of yours stands out as the one you are most recognised for?  

SW: Roach, from PUTS and the AARON BURR milk commercial directed by Michael Bay.

FM: So what do your fans have to look forward to in future, where can we go to see more Sean?

SW: Well, I am starting to go out on the convention circuit, so I’ll get to meet them finally in person.  Also, I am writing, producing and starring in some video shorts that I post every month and I have a couple of features that I am doing the same.  Currently I am in the film THE FP which just got released in the states and am shooting two films this month.  WET AND RECKLESS a comedy with Lucas Till (X Men First Class) and SMALL TIME with Chris Malone (LAW AND ORDER: SVU) and directed by Joes Surnow, creator of the TV show 24.

FM: Sean, I think I’ve stolen enough of your time today, I really appreciate the time you have spent  with us today, your fans and I can’t wait to see where you pop up next.

SW: Hey, I’m flattered you wanted the interview..  Sometimes I still feel like the little dorky kid from Maryland or the suburban father and husband, so when someone thinks of me, it’s flattering.  Keep your eyes peeled.  I will be doing some more cool stuff in the future.  Thanks and have a great day.

The Filmmason - Films I Love - The Night Flier

In this series of videos I will be talking about the films that I love, across all genres and ages. You might see some films on here that you hate or love as well, feel free to let me know either way!

New Amazing Spider-Man Trailer

The new Japanese trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man adds just enough new footage to make it worth while watching.

It adds a few cool new shots and expands on a few more elements which I've always wondered about, like, how Aunt May reacts to Peter turning up with bruises and cuts all the time.

I'm really loving the look of this, I hope they don't drop the ball.

Jurassic Park Footage Unearthed!

I still remember seeing this for the first time and what a jaw dropping moment that first dino scene was. Every time I get a Spielberg film on DVD (or Blu-ray) as much as I love all the interviews or making -of's, I really wish the mighty beard would sit down and do a commentary track.

That is never going to happen, so here is the next best thing, a few minutes of watching the master at work, very cool.

What Could Have Been - Darkman

Why did I never hear of this? Apparently it didn't even air, and watching it, its no wonder. Terrible acting and a terrible script are made all the more worse by cheap production values and terrible effects.

As cool as a weekly Darkman TV show would have been, this needed major work, which clearly they did.t want to do. What a shame.

The Filmmason - Digital V's film

If you have even a passing interest in film, you may find this interesting.

Robocop Remake

I get forgetting that this is actually happening, after so many false starts this project is getting closer and closer to rolling cameras.

The latest news to filter down from OCP is an interesting list of people circling roles for the film, as to how this information came about is any one's guess, so take each name with a beach ball sized grain of salt.

Actors such as Edward Norton, Gael Garcia Bernal,  Rebecca Hall, and Sean Penn are the names being tossed around at the moment. Personally all I want to see is who is going to play this fine chap pictured above.....

The Filmmason - I'm Right & You're Wrong - Terminator 2

Terminator 2 was a great action film. WAS.

The Filmmason - I'm Right & You're Wrong - Serenity

Watch it, and accept that I'm right, as usual....