Ten Random Film Things

1. I am in love.


2. Which got me to thinking about Marilyn Monroe -- so I watched this about six times in a row.


"Goodbye Norma Jean
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
They crawled out of the woodwork
And they whispered into your brain
They set you on the treadmill
And they made you change your name

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would have liked to have known you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did

Loneliness was tough
The toughest role you ever played
Hollywood created a superstar
And pain was the price you paid
Even when you died
Oh the press still hounded you
All the papers had to say
Was that Marilyn was found in the nude

Goodbye Norma Jean
From the young man in the 22nd row
Who sees you as something as more than sexual
More than just our Marilyn Monroe"
3. I've been catching with the work of previous interviewees of KITFR. The film that Lawrence Sher shot; 'DUE DATE,' now has a trailer- which excites me GREATLY!


Joe Leonard's debut feature 'HOT I GOT LOST' is now available on DVD. He also has been busy since our interview working as an editor on Glee; and he was also on the editing department for 'EAT, PREY, LOVE.'


4. One of my favorite books, 'ON THE ROAD' by Jack Kerouac is being made into a film, and I don't know how I feel about it. It stars an actor called Sam Riley as Sal and Garrett Hedlund as Dean Moriarty. I am not familiar with either of the actors. The female parts are taken by more recognizable names and; if they HAVE to make this into a movie, then I think they are good names to have attached: Kirsten Dunst as Camille, Kristen Stewart as Marylou and Amy Adams as Jane.

5. A few days back I wrote about the lack of Ginger Rogers in modern film. I feel just as strongly about Katharine Hepburn. She was so powerful, so strong, so talented, so so beautiful -- and this was back in the 1940's -- where is Hepburn now? Where is the spirit of Katharine Hepburn? Where are the powerful roles? Where are the dynamic women? We're writing more roles for the 'sexy' woman and the 'Mother' and the 'girl next door' than ever before. Our films would be so much more original, diverse, truthful, and exciting -- if writers would do more than just write their girl next door fantasies. Women are as crazy, fucked up, nonsensical and capable as men; and that should be represented in film.

6. I was talking with an actress friend last night about how homosexuals are portrayed in cinema. Has there ever been a gay character who was gay but had a normal storyline? As far as I can see, if gay characters are in films they usually fall into these catagories: a) Their sexuality is a central point of their story, or b) They are camp and feminine (if male) and you can spot their sexuality merely by witnessing their first line of dialogue. In every film you watch; there will be numerous straight characters who are going about their lives and struggles; and of course, many smaller characters are assumed straight. But when a homosexual character is involved, it is always 'part of their story.' Therefore, films tend to suggest that all gay people have to deal with or care about, is being gay-- but surely as writers and filmmakers, we can do better than writing in this way?

7. The film 'SPEED' is insane. They spend over an hour saving these people on a bus; then after everyone gets off the bus, it plummets into an airplane which is moving towards the runway. There's a giant explosion and, I'd assume, hundreds of plane passengers dead. Even if there are no passengers; it still has a pilot and crew - so as many people will die as were on that bus. But nobody seems to give a shit and Keanu and Bullock just start flirting. What's that about?

8. Another thing about 'SPEED' - Jeff Daniel's character is called HARRY, which is also his name in 'DUMB AND DUMBER.' So whenever I watch Speed, I imagine that it's actually Harry from 'DUMB AND DUMBER' who has somehow managed to make people think he's a bomb expert. It makes the viewing experience HILARIOUS! Another hilarious thing is when Dennis Hopper says to Keanu Reeves "don't try and grow a brain!" Looking at Keanu's career recently; it looks like he took the advice to heart.

9. I am SO excited about upcoming interviews that will be here on Kid In The Front Row soon.

10. It's been six years since 'ELIZABETHTOWN.' Aside from a Pearl Jam documentary that he's currently shooting, I really don't know when we're going to see another feature film from Cameron Crowe. Whether you liked his last movie or not; this is the guy who brought us 'SAY ANYTHING,' 'JERRY MAGUIRE' and 'ALMOST FAMOUS.' He had numerous struggles trying to get his new flick 'DEEP TIKI' made and now that it's dead-- I don't know what's going to happen. I sincerely hope he gets to work on something new soon though.

I would love for you to take this 'Ten Random Film Things' idea over to your own blogs and run with it.....

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Where Is The Spirit Of Ginger Rogers?

It's nothing but a little lamb steak with goo on it.
Oh i'm sorry Johnny, it isn't lamb - it's veal.
Don't tell me, I've been eating it for years.
Oh I ought to know, it's my favorite dish.
It's lamb
It's veal
Lamb
It's veal
I tell you it's..
It's.. for a buck..?
A buck
Okay.

I just watched 'It Had To Be You' starring Ginger Rogers and Cornel Wilde. I absolutely loved it. But I also felt a sadness, as I often do when I watch movies from this era.

Ginger Rogers really takes you on a ride in this film. She is full of boundless energy, a natural sparkle and comedic grace in a way rarely seen on screen. It was rare back then in the 40's, but even more so now. When I think of Jimmy Stewart, or Jack Lemmon; although we'll never replace them, we'll never get near them; occasionally we get someone like Tom Hanks who, on his better days, can carry the torch in some way.

But where is Ginger Rogers? Where is that essence that she brought so naturally and so perfectly to the silver screen. Where is it in modern movies? Where is it in the world? Where is it in your life? My fear is that it's missing, and I think we need to find it.

I must admit, I am partial to falling in love with the likes of Paulette Goddard, Jean Arthur, Ingrid Bergman; etc, but this isn't just that-- I'm not just crushing on another black and white movie star. I am concerned about the soul and spirit of Ginger Rogers; it's something we need, especially in the movies -- but I don't see it any more.

The innocence, the mischievousness, the joy, where is it? I think that's it, most of all, the JOY. Look at Ginger in 'It Had To Be You' - she is firing and bouncing and jumping and running and leaping her way all through the movie. It's beyond compelling, it's beyond having fun, it's beyond good acting. It's this intangible thing that you can't quite put your finger on. It's a magic that shined throughout her career; and tonight, I noticed it more than ever in 'It Had To Be You.'

What I am getting at is that feeling you get when you watch Ginger Rogers on screen. You can't help but be swept away in the moment; you're right there in 1947 with her character; and it is one giant sea of pure joy. The problem with films these days is, perhaps, not that they don't make them like they used to, but that they're not even trying.

Where Is The Spirit Of Ginger Rogers?

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Don't Tell Me You Don't Remember Me, Because I Sure As Heckfire Remember You

"Ned.. RYERSON. "Needlenose Ned"? "Ned the Head"? C'mon, buddy. Case Western High. Ned Ryerson; I did the whistling belly-button trick at the high school talent show? Bing! Ned Ryerson; got the shingles real bad senior year, almost didn't graduate? Bing, again. Ned Ryerson-- I dated your sister Mary Pat a couple times until you told me not to anymore? Well?"

What is your favorite 'Groundhog Day' quote?

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ACTING COMPETITION - One Week Deadline!

Today marks the start of the KID IN THE FRONT ROW acting competition. All entries must be received by Tuesday 17th August 2010.

Here is the task:

• The scene must be absolutely NO LONGER than one minute.
• The theme of the competition is leaving.
• Everything MUST take place in one single shot.
• There must be at least two characters on screen.

Filming quality is not important. The script is not the most important thing, either. The most important thing is two characters, on screen, creating a moment, a scene; on the theme of leaving (you are open to interpret the theme in any way you wish.)

I was going to run this competition over a couple of months; but I realized that any actors who are serious about their craft, will easily be able to find a day, or a night, or one minute at 3am, to find a camera and shoot a scene.

To enter:

Upload your one minute scene to youtube, with Kid In The Front Row competition in the title, and email me the link:

I am looking for performances that feel real, that grab me, that I believe in, that show your talent and humanity. I will watch ALL the entries; and then I will shortlist FIVE FINALISTS.

I will then announce the name of the judge; who will be a professional industry actor. The judge will watch all five finalists and then choose a winner.

Good luck! Please pass this on to any actors you know, or any acting sites that might be interested.

THE DEADLINE IS TUESDAY 17th AUGUST, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Tip - Don't perform a monologue to the camera. Engage in a scene, a 'moment' with another actor.

"One really important character trait is confidence. So many actors lack it, but if you don't think you're good, why would you expect someone else to be taken with you? You have to believe in your own talent, and let that belief carry you through the avalanche of rejection that comes with pursuing a career in this field."

-Joshua Malina.

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JB Glossinger - Interview With MORNING COACH Founder.

JB Glossinger, the founder of morningcoach.com, is an inspirational guy. He runs a podcast, every morning, which is all about giving people positivity, inspiration and ideas to go out into the day with. JB is the most dedicated person I know -- constantly working on new projects and helping people throughout the world. He never stops working and never stops improving himself and, in turn, helping other people turn their lives around and find focus. Although he doesn't work in film, I think his work is hugely relevant; which is why I interrupted his busy schedule and hurled some questions at him.

I'm always amazed by your commitment and perseverance. Dedication is a really difficult thing. How do you keep yourself focused?

By understanding that it doesn't happen overnight. I strive for 1% improvement a day. With that 1% daily goal, I gain clarity and am able to stay focused with a realistic goal. I also write a journal, which assists greatly in maintaining that clear mind.

A common thing with writers is, "I'm just waiting for the right idea," or for an actor, "I just need a bit more training," -- it's like we shelter ourselves for as long as we can from doing the actual work. What's that about?

Its a form of self sabotage. They are so comfortable in their world of lack, that they subconsciously hurt themselves by delaying actual hard work and staying safe in a fake comfort zone. Success is 99% perspiration and I can guarantee there is a less talented writer actually doing the work who will achieve greater results.

There is a big emphasis on having 'marketable' films or the right 'branding' as an actor. These things sit uncomfortably with me. It's a constant battle between trying to have integrity to my instincts and at the same time trying to survive in the industry. How should we facilitate these inner battles?

I would say trust your intuition and absolutely go with your instincts. If you are true to yourself, you will achieve the greatest level of success as you have retained your integrity and played to your strengths.

It's common for writers to have their best ideas when they're not expecting it, when they're busy doing other things, yet most of the time we're going crazy trying to force out ideas. Why is this? What can we do about it?

Because when we are not pushing, we are relaxed and as a result, our thoughts are pure and clear. Always carry a notebook or a journal.

A lot of actors, the minute they step into an audition, all their confidence and feelings of self worth go out of the window. Can you recommend anything for them to do prior to going into the room?

Conscious breathing and meditation. Take 5-10 minutes and practice deep, mindful breathing. Find a quiet place, sit comfortably and take long, deep breaths while mentally repeating a positive, powerful affirmation to yourself. For instance, "I am an amazing actor and I am a gift to the world."

You can find out more about MorningCoach by visiting the website here; and the podcast is also available through iTunes. You can also hear more from JB over at his blog.

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