ELEPHANT BUCKS: Recent Comments

Comment on More on Spec Movie Script Sales

2012-01-17T17:28:55Z

It's not my writing, but I'm glad you enjoyed this article posted from The Wrap.

Comment on More on Spec Movie Script Sales

2012-01-17T10:58:22Z

Hi,

Thank you for nice writing on More on Spec Movie Script Sales I was searching for this type article for long time.

Thanks

Comment on The Relationship Business

2011-12-29T09:57:43Z

Thank you, Sheldon, for your reminder ("the zillioneth time") of what I'll need to do to get "Spa Queens" sold (think "Friends" meets "Gilligan's Island" meets "Hotel" -- "four doors down from the Clampetts"... I have a bazillion creative ideas... but must get that script done! Got your book and am loving it! Years ago I worked at a Hollywood script typing service AND a "fat farm" in Lake Elsinore... interesting how life builds upon experiences for future sitcoms. Thanks for sharing your expertise!
Jeff Freeman

Comment on Enlightened by Good Writing

2011-12-25T17:51:23Z

As I have grown older, I'm afraid I have lost all patience with the political right wing. You are a sorry band of selfish, small-minded, ignorant, racist people who care nothing for others and believe you are entitled to privileges that you do not deserve. I grew up in a family of right wingers. I left their self absorption, jealousy, resentment, paranoia, and crudity behind a long time ago. I was talented and I became a huge success while they stewed in their self pity. I tried to be patient for years with this so-called "other point of view" but in the wake of so many crimes against humanity, I have lost that patience forever.

I'd love to be more diplomatic with you people, but I find you all disgusting. Is that direct enough for you?

Comment on Enlightened by Good Writing

2011-12-25T00:54:56Z

Thanks for the quick response.

1. It was not my intent to insult you or your beliefs. I leave that to the “lefties;” they are better at it, than am I. (yes, that’s an ironic dig)

2.Before you read the rest of this response; could you answer a question? … I’ll wait. … O.K.? Awesome! (yes sentence fragment, vague.).

Do you have to be a comedian to write Sitcoms? How do you know if you have enough “funny” to write?

3. Come on Mr Bull; attacks upon my grammar, sentence structure, (mis)use of quotes, or my possible listening choices is: lame, and disappointing. I can get that in from PBS, NYT, LAT, or at any coffee shop in LA county.

Onward!

2 1/2: I was referring to Ashton Kutcher coming on the show. I had a better idea for how they could have brought him onto the show, and with continuity. Yes, I know; you hear that all the time. My point was, Mr Lorre put his ego ahead of the good of the show. That’s poor business judgement. It’s refreshing that a “star” was fired from a show. The reboot was poorly handled.

EASTWOOD: My point was that Eastwood, is a RINO. To assume that Eastwood won’t do a “liberal” pleasing movie is a bit of a stretch. His movies have clearly moved away from the mainstream, and to more artistic fare. (insinuations galore, blast away)

“Hollywood” is a reference to the U.S. Broadcast, and Film Entertainment Industry based mostly in Los Angeles. If I said Broadway w/o quotes; no doubt you would attack me (again) as being geographically challenged.

I gave my original closing the “nine iron.” It deserved it. Here’s the re-write.

Your reaction to my comments is typical of how the majority of “Hollywood” responds to people like me. The “fly over country” people who you are trying to convince into watching your shows that usually demean our beliefs, while subtly insulting us.

You make assumptions about our beliefs, ideology, listening habits, and with whom we place trust. You then demean, insult, and attack everything/one you assume we believe in, and us personally. “Hollywood” is believed to be radically liberal, and rightly (ha ha) so. No need for premium channels, or to even visit. All you need to do is look at the shows on “mainstream” T.V., local theater, or listen to the people who work in “Hollywood” to see it’s ideology on display. How many Obama fundraisers in 2011? It’s obvious to all, who wish to see it.

Someday I will write, and make series that is pro-family, pro-christian, pro-American, pro-Military, showing morals and values positively. You have inspired me to write a show that you no doubt will hate. It will play well OUTSIDE of “Hollywood” with MY people.

How would you feel about a vanity card, thanking you, on the pilot episode?

I hope you will do me the courtesy of, at least, reading the pilot script BEFORE you “bone me” with your “Hollywood” buddies.

BTW, Merry Christmas. No it’s not a joke

Comment on Enlightened by Good Writing

2011-12-24T18:33:49Z

If you don't like Two and a Half Men, no one is forcing you to watch it. I don't watch it, either. I grew tired of it years ago. I have acknowledged, however, honestly on this blog, that the series is a huge hit. Two and a Half Men is doing very well in the ratings this season with the addition of Ashton Kutcher. I don't know Chuck Lorre. I have never met him or worked with him. He may have a big ego. Most TV producers do. Most successful people in any business have big egos. Chuck Lorre is the most successful producer of half-hour comedy on television today, with three concurrent hit shows. I don't think anyone has had this much success at one time in half-hour comedy since Norman Lear or Garry Marshall back in the seventies. Like Chuck Lorre or dislike him, he is a big success. A person who aspires to success in half-hour comedy, and whose mind is not clouded with resentment or jealousy, can learn from Chuck Lorre's example

I've tried to avoid politics on the blog. The blog is about writing. I don't know what constitutes a Republican these days other than somebody who is registered to vote in that party. Clint Eastwood has acknowledged, proudly, over and over again in the press, that he is a member of the Republican Party and that he votes for Republican candidates. I take him at his word.

I'm not sure what the statement, "it's so sad that so many in Hollywood refuse to be honest about history" means. It's poorly worded and vague. Perhaps you might want to sign up for some writing lessons to learn how to express yourself better with language.

It has been my experience that when people complain about others not being "honest" about history, what they really mean is that they want others to adhere to their views. I'm not here to defend Hollywood's interpretation of history. Hollywood is a section of the city of Los Angeles, California, occupied by a very diverse group of people with a wide range of political views and historical interpretations. When the word "Hollywood" is used as a reference to the motion picture and television industry, then the people who work in that industry are too often painted by outsiders with a wide and inaccurate brush. People on the political right love to brand "Hollywood" as a bastion of bleeding heart liberals - the worst thing a person can be in this world, from the narrow and often dishonest perspective of the political right. Forget that Jesus Christ was a bleeding heart liberal, literally.

Almost all of the executives that I ever knew or worked for at the networks and studios - the big business honchos who oversaw the giant multinational corporations that control the vast majority of the media in this country - were Republicans. Rupert Murdoch, who oversees the News Corporation empire, and who owns the Fox TV networks and the Twentieth-Century Fox movie studio, is a Republican. Sumner Redstone, who oversees the Viacom conglomerate that includes the CBS TV and radio networks, MTV, Paramount Studios, and other cable outlets, is a Republican. The top executives at Disney were all Republicans, as were the top executives at Universal. When one thinks of other huge media conglomerates such as Sony, one only assumes that these people are more sympathetic to the pro-big-business leanings of the political right.

When one listens to professional con artists like Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh, and others condemn Hollywood and the news and entertainment media in general as being left-leaning, one can only laugh at the fools and dupes who believe them. Clearly, none of their empty-headed followers has ever actually picked up a newspaper or opened a magazine and bothered to notice that all of the major media outlets are owned by giant corporations who will stop at nothing to maximize their profits.

Comment on Enlightened by Good Writing

2011-12-24T11:58:59Z

First, I have to disagree about Two and Half Men. The show is flat, and not funny. The EP’s ego got the best of him.

Second, Eastwood is barely a Republican, and it’s sad that so many in Hollywood refuse to be honest about history.

Third, a free host for your blog? OMG.

Comment on Opportunity knocked... and I was ready

2011-11-30T18:45:19Z

Thanks for the comment. My memory is certainly fading, but I think my high school chemistry teacher was named Mr. Fox. I wrote a pretty famous character named Hayden Fox for several years on the ABC-TV comedy Coach. Always made me think of my high school teacher of the same name. I think I had a math teacher with the name of Woods. Later, on the ABC-TV comedy, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, which I produced, wrote, and directed for four seasons, I named a character after one of my school administrators. The wonderful actor Martin Mull played Sabrina's high school principal, Willard Kraft.

Comment on Opportunity knocked... and I was ready

2011-11-30T16:25:48Z

Hey Shel, Looks like you have come a long way since Mr. Woods Chem Class at PHS. Was pretty sure that was you in those credits I saw in sitcoms

Comment on Stories of Success

2011-11-19T18:10:23Z

I am not familiar with the writing programs at either Groundlings or Second City. I mentioned Groundlings because it has launched a lot of careers and it is a place to start. Second City is also a place to start. The quality of the program may not matter as much as simply the act of getting involved and doing the work. I hear from people every month asking me, "How do I get started?" They want me to do the work for them. I try to offer examples of how to get started. The bottom line is, the people who are going to make it are not confused. They are out there taking chances, doing work, making friends. The people who are timid or afraid to make a mistake stay in obscurity. Get out there and try. It doesn't matter where.