i was out to dinner the other night at one of my favorite little spots and who did i spy other than the progeny of natalie wood and richard wagner sitting at the next table over. i had just enough liquid confidence in me to consider joining her and her two friends for desert until i heard them squawking about armani and saks fifth avenue.
um, yeah.
but on the upside, i did see a boob pop out of her loose-fitting blouse.
aside from the governator, the leading news item in hollywood the past week and change has been the dispute between the motion picture association of america and a number of filmmakers from the indie set regarding the mpaa's ban on academy award screeners. just prior to the onset of awards season (oscars, golden globe, independent spirit, etc.) the studios send out promotional or screening copies of movies that are up for awards to anyone and everyone that casts a ballot. mpaa president jack valenti, in all his wisdom, has determined that these screeners are a primary source of piracy and mpaa's war against copyright infringement can and will be advanced by putting an end to the practice of sending out free copies of their movies. of course, the fact that they've been sending out digital copies--dvds--over the past two years compounds the problem.
the screener showdown started nine days ago when the mpaa issued a statement indicating that all mpaa members--the major studios--will no longer be providing screeners to members of the academy of motion picture arts and sciences, los angeles foriegn press assn, etc. the independent film community wants to put the breaks on the mpaa initiative because it is through screener distribution that a good number of great movies that aren't widely distributed are seen by the people who determine which movies or performances receive awards.
acclaimed filmmakers such as martin scorsese, robert altman, pt anderson, david mamet, darren aronofsky, david lynch, jim jarmusch, john watters, stephen frears, pedro almodovar, wes anderson and spike jonze have signed a letter that details their objection to the blanket ban on movie screeners. several others have gone even farther saying that the mpaa's ban is really a conspiracy by the big motion picture companies to freeze the indies out of the award shows. why? because an award-winning movie will invariably rent more at blockbuster and sell more dvds at best buy. i'm willing to bet that you didn't know that home video generates more revenue than theatrical distribution.
this isn't the first time jack valenti has done or said something really fucking stupid. it wasn't that long ago when the studios didn't want consumers to have the right to rent or purchase movies to watch at home. i think his exact words were, "the vcr is to the american film producer and the american public as the boston strangler is to the woman home alone." he loves it when that old quote is dug up and thrown in his face.
i mention all of this screener crap because all screeners have a warning, "if you have rented or purchased this item, please call 1-800-##-*****." and that number will lead you to my extension at work and you get to hear my surly voice. why does the call go to me and not to jack valenti? because the mpaa really doesn't give a shit about what happens to screeners. and yet they're launching this whole PR campaign that indicates the contrary. the mpaa is risking alienating a huge portion, and generally the most talented and higly regarded segment, of the motion picture industry over what has boiled down to an ego trip. on one side you've got an over-paid crotchety old fart and on the other is a community of talented and dedicated artists. i can't wait to see who blinks first.
in the mean time, i best get to work because my phone is ringing.
um, yeah.
but on the upside, i did see a boob pop out of her loose-fitting blouse.
aside from the governator, the leading news item in hollywood the past week and change has been the dispute between the motion picture association of america and a number of filmmakers from the indie set regarding the mpaa's ban on academy award screeners. just prior to the onset of awards season (oscars, golden globe, independent spirit, etc.) the studios send out promotional or screening copies of movies that are up for awards to anyone and everyone that casts a ballot. mpaa president jack valenti, in all his wisdom, has determined that these screeners are a primary source of piracy and mpaa's war against copyright infringement can and will be advanced by putting an end to the practice of sending out free copies of their movies. of course, the fact that they've been sending out digital copies--dvds--over the past two years compounds the problem.
the screener showdown started nine days ago when the mpaa issued a statement indicating that all mpaa members--the major studios--will no longer be providing screeners to members of the academy of motion picture arts and sciences, los angeles foriegn press assn, etc. the independent film community wants to put the breaks on the mpaa initiative because it is through screener distribution that a good number of great movies that aren't widely distributed are seen by the people who determine which movies or performances receive awards.
acclaimed filmmakers such as martin scorsese, robert altman, pt anderson, david mamet, darren aronofsky, david lynch, jim jarmusch, john watters, stephen frears, pedro almodovar, wes anderson and spike jonze have signed a letter that details their objection to the blanket ban on movie screeners. several others have gone even farther saying that the mpaa's ban is really a conspiracy by the big motion picture companies to freeze the indies out of the award shows. why? because an award-winning movie will invariably rent more at blockbuster and sell more dvds at best buy. i'm willing to bet that you didn't know that home video generates more revenue than theatrical distribution.
this isn't the first time jack valenti has done or said something really fucking stupid. it wasn't that long ago when the studios didn't want consumers to have the right to rent or purchase movies to watch at home. i think his exact words were, "the vcr is to the american film producer and the american public as the boston strangler is to the woman home alone." he loves it when that old quote is dug up and thrown in his face.
i mention all of this screener crap because all screeners have a warning, "if you have rented or purchased this item, please call 1-800-##-*****." and that number will lead you to my extension at work and you get to hear my surly voice. why does the call go to me and not to jack valenti? because the mpaa really doesn't give a shit about what happens to screeners. and yet they're launching this whole PR campaign that indicates the contrary. the mpaa is risking alienating a huge portion, and generally the most talented and higly regarded segment, of the motion picture industry over what has boiled down to an ego trip. on one side you've got an over-paid crotchety old fart and on the other is a community of talented and dedicated artists. i can't wait to see who blinks first.
in the mean time, i best get to work because my phone is ringing.
I just watched a thunderstorm roll in. Nothing much like Texas thunderstorms anywhere I've ever been. The sky grows suddenly dark, the birds start screaming, and the wind picks up, and you know you're in for a howler. That last round of thunder made my gin and water ripple. I think I'll close the laptop and go out on the porch.