Random Tying of Virtual Loose Ends
Here's a random personal quirk for you - I can't leave my house or sit down to write if there are dirty dishes in the sink. I think it's some kind of aversion to unfinished business (and roaches). That has little to do with this post, except I was thinking I should follow up on a few recent posts before moving on to others.
He Who Hesitates is Poor - If you were reading the blog in April, you probably already guessed that I didn't get the staff writing gig. If I had, there would have been a post already. I was a little disappointed but not surprised that I didn't get it. I am very grateful for the interview, which was a great learning experience. Now I know what to expect in the future. Also, I can reveal that the show was JUSTIFIED (FX Networks). Any fans out there? Some trivia about JUSTIFIED - the creator of the show, Graham Yost, got his big break when he sold the script for the future blockbuster movie SPEED. He's also Canadian, a lovely man, and gracious interviewer.
Breaking Free of the Day Job - I decided not to quit my day job and instead spend the rest of this year finishing the book and writing the television pilot. The actors in the play I was going to direct couldn't agree on the script, and the writer is going out of town for the summer, so that project is on hold for the time being (probably until fall). One less project on the plate right now is a good thing.
The Love of Cinema - In the comments, PaulaB at thetemenosjournal.com suggested a movie called THE VANISHING, about a man who searches for his missing wife for three years until he finally catches up with her abductor. I watched it a few weeks ago. Easily one of the scariest, most disturbing films I've ever seen, with no violence. It was brilliantly made. If you're brave enough to check it out, I suggest watching the original Dutch version instead of the American version with Kiefer Sutherland and Jeff Bridges. Chances are you will only watch this film once. Hence, if you don't mind subtitles, watch the original.
Rose Chimera at rosechimera.wordpress.com suggested BEN-HUR, which I also watched - twice - the second time with the commentary (with T. Gene Hatcher and Charlton Heston). Loved the film, and enjoyed the commentary too. Some trivia about BEN-HUR:
- Judah Ben-Hur was not a real person. He was a fictional character used as a witness to a historical event, similar to Scarlett O'Hara and Dr. Yuri Zhivago. In Ben-Hur's case, he witnesses the Jesus story.
- The film was shot mostly at the famous Italian studio Cinecitta, the Italian countryside, and a couple of scenes in Israel. Between the preparation and shooting, Heston was in Italy with his wife and son for almost a year.
- The slave ship galley rowing scene was the most difficult for Heston. The oars were attached to rubber hinges which were made purposefully tight so the rowing would look realistic. It took several days to film the whole sequence so he was really tired by the end of it. (On a personal note, this sequence is one of the best in the film, second to the chariot race, and not just because Heston is half-naked and oiled up.)
- The actor who played Messala (Stephen Boyd) was actually Irish.
- The color red was purposefully used to signify Rome and "bad guys."
- The infamous, absolutely F'ing brilliant, can't-say-enough-about-it chariot race sequence was directed by Second Unit director, Andrew Marton. Contrary to rumor, no one was killed during the shoot, Heston is not wearing a wristwatch, and there is no Ferrari in the background of any shot. Both Heston and Boyd had to learn how to drive a 4-horse chariot for real. The production used 16 white horses and 16 black horses to represent their respective four horses and would switch them out when the horses got tired. The other chariot drivers were mostly horse handlers and character actors from American Westerns.
- Heston repeatedly calls the director William Wyler "a nice guy" but "tough to work for." He claims Wyler only gave him one compliment throughout the entire shoot. He also says Wyler is one of the best directors he's ever worked with.
Thank you Paula and Rose for these great movie suggestions!
Last but not least, regarding Puppy Issues - Ruby still barks, but I've also become more vigilant about making her get quiet faster. I think she's learning. In any case, we're working on it. Here's a recent picture of the wunder-pup with her favorite possession, a muddy ball.
Ruby, 11 months