Name:              jc
E-mail:

"Freedom equals chaos which ultimately equals garbage. That's where we are right now."

Yeah, that's so right. Some dude with crazy hair and black fingernails slaps some paint on a canvas and because he says he's an "artist", immediately what he created is art. Nonsense.

Art, like you said, is about imposing restrictions. Its more about elimination, what not to do than it is about free expression. When you write a script first you pick the genre, hey theres loose rules that go with every genre, then you select and write with regards to tone, character, plot, structure -- which are all related. If you sit down and bang out your life story on a computer and call that a script, call yourself a writer. Sorry, its not and youre not.

I'm of the opinion that art must be designed. A script is designed so that all parts work in concert to form a point. Youll never achieve this by writing the first thing that comes to mind. It must be meticulously planned and outlined. A piece of music as Josh said, is designed to elicit some kind of reaction. Mozart didnt sit down and bang out the first thing that came to mind. A chair isnt a block of wood with four pegs stuck on it. Someone had restrictions imposed on them before creating the chair. Who will sit on it? How will it be used? In what environment? Out of order and structure comes good art.

Art isn't art just because someone says it is. Its not really self expression either. Art has to have a point, it must comment on humanity in some emotional way. And if nobody understands what the hell you're doing thats not art either. Youre not a misunderstood genius, you're just confused about what youre doing.

Well said Josh.

Name:              Bobby
E-mail:             gnign@hotmail.com

Greetings Josh,

To answer your question for the masses, I have read a lot of Philip Roth. Of his novels, my favorites are "Operation Shylock", "I Married a Communist", and "American Pastoral."  "Portnoy's Complaint" is funny.  I suppose, if pressed, however, I would have to say my favorite writing of his appears in his earliest collection, "Goodbye Columbus", a short story called "The Conversion of the Jews".  Its compact, feels true, and very well-written.
I couldn't get through "The Human Stain" or "The Plot Against America", though.  The latter, an alternate history story, seemed too forced of a stretch for me.  I would say that for the most part, Roth has kept up the steam in a very long career. Any thoughts on Delillo?  I re-read "White Noise" every couple of years, and the first 70 pages of "Underworld" are some of the best in contemporary literature as far as I'm concerned.
Take care.

Name:              Gosling
E-mail:

Dear Mr. Becker:

I have a question regarding screenwriting. I am a young, unproven writer, who is just starting out. I am looking to catch a break any way I can get it...provided it makes sense, of course. What I mean is, recently I was offered (by reputable producers, not shady nobodies) an opportunity to write a screenplay for them...however because I am a nobody, they want me to write it for no upfront money. If the movie gets greenlit, I will be payed accordingly. There are, however, no contracts in play here.

What do you think about this scenario? Should I do it? Should I try insisting that at least a contract be drawn up?

Thanks.

Name:              jc
E-mail:

"Comic books are the step between kid's books, like "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish", and adult books that have no pictures, just words.  If you're still reading comic books after the age of 14 then you're a case of retarded development."

Agree with you on the American beauty thing bro, but youre just so way off base with this nonsense.

First of all what do you think you do for a living? Hello! film is nothing more than a comic book that has sound and motion and runs in linear time. Its virtually the same execution. In fact, most films work up complete storyboards a.k.a. comic books, as a means to visualize a film.

And with that comment you just called Frank Miller, Darren Aronofsky, Allan Moore, Peter David and tons other better writers than yourself --  sorry, but I think even youd admit that --  underdeveloped human beings. Cmon, more comments like this and itll be hard to take you serious guy.

Name:              jc
E-mail:

"Of course "American Beauty" falls apart halfway through, stops making sense, then reaches no logical or discernable point, that's life, right?  But that's not good art, and it never will be. Art does impose a structure, a logic, and hopefully even a point, into this utter chaos we call life.  I don't need to be spoonfed anything, but I am very aware of when I'm watching a film based on a half-assed screenplay."

Agree 100% josh.  I can't count how many times I've been told I want a film spoonfed to me just because I like dramatic films with a point to them. I don't want a slice of life movie, or a film that meanders and is just like life.

Good film is life without all the irrelevant stuff. You never see people going to the bathroom in films. Why not? Because its boring and irrelevant, and non-emotional. Movies are life where only the dramatic stuff happens. Theres no time to go to the bathroom or say goodbye before hanging up the phone. Likewise theres no time to watch a dysfunctional family be dysfunctional (american beauty) just because its "slice of life".

As Josh said, film and art does impose order and function as a way of driving home a point as elegantly as possible. If you call that spoonfeeding than you really have a fundamental misunderstanding of what art is, what its trying to do.

Sorry, that spoonfed comment really jacks me up.

Name:              claire
E-mail:

Hi Josh,

Have you been watching your friend Lucy Lawless performing on Celebrity Duets on Fox? If so, what do you think of Lucy's singing?

Name:              Darryl Mesaros
E-mail:             darryl.mesaros@us.army.mil

Dear Josh,

This post is part question, part rant (albeit a short one).

    Is it true that Joe Besser had a "no violence" clause in his contract, and hence we never saw him get slapped around in the later Stooges' shorts?  Someone told me that once, and looking at his performances, it seems to fit.

    Second, have you ever seen the original British production of "The Wicker Man"?  I ask this because I went to see the Nicholas Cage remake of the film tonight and, for lack of a better way to put it, thought it sucked.  The trailer made me think that it was a supernatural thriller (what is it these days with using creepy little kids in horror movies?), but it turned out to be a more straightforward mystery thriller.  Besides that, it had enough holes in the plot to drive a truck through.  Not to give too much away, but the main premise is that Nicholas Cage (a California highway patrolman with a traumatic past) gets a letter from his long-lost ex-fiancee asking him to come to a remote island in Washington state and find her missing daughter.  So Nick simply shows up at the island on his own, blithely sidestepping the fact that he's an entire state out of his jurisdiction, that kidnapping is a federal offense that falls under the FBI, and that he doesn't even bother to call either the FBI or at least the Washington state police to give him backup or help with the investigation.  There are several other plot gaps, but that was the glaring one for me.
   Sorry to rant, but I figured that if I could get a sympathetic ear about a bad movie anywhere, it would be here.  Also, if you've seen the original, you could let me know if it was worth the time to track down.

                            Darryl

Name:              Ed
E-mail:             elederm1@nycap.rr.com

Dear Josh:         

Will "If I had a hammer"  ever be available to be purchased again?

I am glad to see "Rear Window" and "12 Angry Men" on your list.   Those movies have a simple, yet realistic feel that can't help but draw you in.

Name:              J Wrath
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

Your review of American Beauty is of course your opinion, but if I may....

Life isn't a story like most movies, and sometimes things happen and don't even make sense with the rest of it. It almost sounds like you need a story spoonfed to you.

This doesn't mean I like all movies with no obvious direction or simplistic plot, but this movie I really did like. The guy is a pervert, lazy at work, unhappy, but for some reason, you kind of feel sorry for him like he has tried to do right and lost hope with the world.

That's my opinion, and a simplistic view in itself, but to say the movie was boring because things didn't happen in a specific order reinforcing one point after the other to tell a story everyone knows the ending of halfway through, would be to say that all of our lives are boring as well...

Name:              Chris
E-mail:             shenaniganz@hotmail.com

Hey josh,

What do you think of "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr"? I like the show a lot. Bruce kicks ass in it. He gives a great performance in every episode.

Name:              Alotta Fagina
E-mail:             alottafagina@home.com

Dear Josh,

How are you. I was curious of your opinion of the famous New Zealand film "Once Were Warriors." I have thought it very interesting, and just a couple months ago PM Helen Clark noted in a violent incident there that it involved a "Once Were Warriors" type family. Thanks.

Alotta

Dear Alotta:

I thought it was a very powerful, brutal, realistic, and well-made film, but not one I really ever want to sit through again.  I think Lee Tamahori is a talented director, but sadly he went to Hollywood and got homogenized, like so many talented foreign directors before him.

Josh

Name:              Zane Pink
E-mail:             zp@zpproductions.tv

Dear Josh:         

In a reply to someone recently, you wrote:  "I have no interest in how phony-baloney superheroes work problems out, or gods, either, for that matter, only how humans do it."

This interested me because it seems to imply that the role of drama is educational to a certain extent.  By which I mean that you seem to be stating that the reason you watch movies is because you're interested in how the characters within them solve problems.  Is this because you're interested in how your own actions might play out in hypothetical situations?  To get ideas on how to act in real life?  What were you getting at with this statement?

Name:              jc
E-mail:

"So, to me, the second you have to introduce a supernatural element to work your story out -- like Superman lifts a train off a kid,"

Just because superman can lift a train off a person doesnt mean he should. What if that person were a homicial maniac? Is superman obligated to save this person? Supernatural elements dont rule out dramatic situations. Thats kind of a false dilemma.

But yeah, i see what you mean about zeus.

Name:              David R.
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

You mentioned "Crumb" recently. Though I have not seen it, I do think that Terry Zwigoff is one of the more interesting directors working. He certainly picks some eccentric projects. Have you seen a film he made called "Bad Santa"? That was one of the best comedy/dramas in recent memory.

Oh, and it looks like another excellent batch of documentaries is on the way. "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" and "The Road to Guantanamo" are a couple I'm looking forward to. Did you watch "Why We Fight" yet?

Name:              Chris Johannson
E-mail:             I don't give it out if I can help it.

Dear Josh:         

Sorry to jump into the conversation about comic books. I agree that comic book serials are the antithesis of storytelling. They're designed to drag out for years, hell, even decades, with no attention to consistency, just filler for ads for novelty toys and whoopie cushions. I do think that graphic novels have taken  things that are great about the genre and made it readable again. Sandman by Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore's stuff, etc. Many of which have no hocus pocus factor, just regular people. And they have a beginning, middle and end.

Did you catch Stan Lee's "Who wants to be a superhero?" show? I won't post anything negative since you are currently working on a Stan Lee project.

Name:              jc
E-mail:

"I don't like superheroes and I don't care who plays them.  To me the entire genre is garbage and unworthy of any thought or consideration.  But once again, I apologize."

This kind of talk shows a serious misunderstanding of the genre and storytelling in general. Because what are superhero stories if they're not retellings of the greatest stories ever told: the greek tragedies, Roman and other world myths. There is a reason these myths have been around forever --

They're good stories! The Greek myths are more dramatic than most films made today.

Most superheros are just characters modeled off old greek gods. Flash is really just Hermes.

Superhero stories -- good ones anyway -- take real-world problems and give to them to "god" like men as a comment on the human condition. Most comicbook writers understand theme better than a lot of hollywood screenwriters working today. Theme is that which comments on the human condition. Open some good comics today and see a good dose of this, or go see "Little man" on the big screen. Your choice.

Ciao.

Name:              Dude
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

Man, you're breakin' my heart by not answering my first question :( :( :( :(  How you wound me!

Dude, I watched "2001 Maniacs" a few months back ... what the fuck is wrong with Scott Spiegel? How can he possibly be responsible for getting so many bad films to the screen?

Name:              Rob
E-mail:             habejr@mac.com

Josh,

I meant wide angle and fish eye and such. I think Landis used it during the train station chase scene in American Werewolf in London, but that was the only scene. As far a Wes Anderson, he uses it in most scenes. So to restate the question, do you think Wes overuses it? Do you think it has any place at all? Thanks for answering the other question, and thanks in advance for this one.

Also, have you seen "Crumb"? I watched it last night and it was pretty diturbing but I was also bored at times.

-Rob

Name:
E-mail:

[This incident occurred during the making of the film "Skippy," for which Norman Taurog won the Oscar for Best Director, by the way.]

...and Steven Spielberg won best director for Schindler's List, so what's your point? Winning an Oscar has never been a measure of quality. They hand those things out in Cracker Jack boxes now. Phil Collins has a fucking Oscar.

Name:              Juno
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

How was "Schindler's List" pretintious? I'm not saying it isn't, I just never noticed. Could you enlighten me?

Name:              ramesh shah
E-mail:             rameshshahphone@yahoo.com

dear,i have written 4 story as
1--twin brother different father3 country&solareclipse
2-10000years visa [god]earth&planet]
3--secuirity-12year boy save town by nature
4--president of president [extreme sexy]
please take inetrest and contact me
ramesh shah-5516891784

Name:              N. Brigham
E-mail:             brigham@pace.edu

Dear Josh:         

I watched a documentary recently about child actors. It was depressing. Do you think it's wrong to only require the parents to save 15% of the child's salary? Then the parents can "hire" themselves as managers/agents to give themselves the rest of the money?

One of the saddest tales was Jackie Cooper recalling his Uncle (the director) pretending to shoot his beloved pet dog behind a trailer so that he would cry during a certain scene. He said he lost alot of respect for his Uncle for the rest of his life because of that incident. I don't blame him.

From, Natalia

Name:              Rob
E-mail:             habejr@mac.com

Hey Josh,

It's been quite a few months since my last post - I missed out on your production. I hope it went well. As for my question, what do you know about the structure of a short? Figure 20 to 30 minutes in length. Does a three act script still apply? I figure one would also limit the characters and locations to focus purely on dialogue. Does that sound right?

On a slightly different note (but interestingly connected to my first question): What are your thoughts on image distortion via the lens. I know directors like Wes Anderson shoot almost every scene with some time of distortion. I can't figure out if there's art in the distortion, or if the art is making sure no distortion is apparent.

Thanks for your help as always.

Rob

Name:              Aaron Stroud
E-mail:             coppolas_cocaine@spcglobal.net

Dear Josh:         

I didn't get a chance to see WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE, did you? Was it any good?

Name:              Cedric Vara
E-mail:             cedric.vara@gmail.com

Dear Josh,

Have you seen "Snakes on a Plane" yet?  You'll love it.  Not only are the characters finely drawn and subtly nuanced, the director really seems to CARE about the issues that must inevitably arise from such an unusual situation.  Wow.
  As an aside, I hope post-production is going well.  "It's all coming together," as they say, or at least I hope it is.  Looking fwd. to the big debut.

Best,
  Cedric

Name:              Rob
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

I too enjoy Rob Thomas and Michelle Branch's songs with Santana, though I must say that I'm not head over heels in love with "I'm Feeling You" or whatever the other Michelle Branch/Santana song is. "Smooth" is the awesome cakes though.

You don't like U2's new album? I'm shocked. I think "Vertigo" is one of the best songs to come out of U2's mouths in awhile. That and "Stuck in a Moment".

Why don't you listen to U2's album very much?

Name:              Juno
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

I was reading on here about how you didn't like Donnie Darko, and I was just wondering if it pissed you off at all that a film that you hate so much featured a film you had worked on (The Evil Dead) in it?

Name:              Scott
E-mail:             sspnyc66@mac.com

Hey Josh,

I absolutely agree with you about the Stooges. Very good analogy there man. I also believe that they were the first truly enduring low budget filmmakers we had in America.

Even though they were contracted through Columbia for their shorts, their budgets were very low for making them and they never really made much money until their shorts were aired on TV in the 60's when they had a renewed popularity and made some really awful films with "Curly Joe" > DeRita.

However, I think with what they had to work with during the Columbia days, they made some of the best comedy ever exposed on celluloid.

I wrote a paper in college about the influence "The Three Stooges" had on popular culture and I really enjoyed that paper. I had quite a few books on The Stooges including onof the the best and most comprehensive one; "The Three Stooges Scrapbook" which was hardcover and put together by Moe's daughter.

I grew up on "The Three Stooges" just as you Bruce and the rest of the gang did and I know you guys have always had this running gag with "Fake Shemp" and I always liked that. My best friend and I also had this thing we used to call "The bald wig" which was when we would see Curly's stunt double who always wearing a pretty bad a bald wig and quite obvious.

Back when you were talking about the short with the Stooges as Plumbers ("A Plumbing We Will Go") you did not mention one of the other great lines by the cook, actor Dudley Dickerson, which happens as he keeps getting sprayed by water through the kitchen appliances. At one point he says, "This house has sho'gone crazy!"

Regarding Brazil, actually it was under a Military dictatorship between 1964-1985 which in many ways was worse than being under communist rule. The worst period of the dictatorship was the mid to late 60's. A lot of things were band including certain music, but out of this repression grew the tropicália musical movement in Brazil which was a way to express distaste for the regime with mising different styles of music and obscure lyrics. It consisted of flagrantly oddball collision of bossa nova, psychedelic pop, and rock'n'roll music produced some of the coolest Brazilian music including bands like "Os Mutantes" who were subsequently band by the government for a time.

Oddly enough, "Os Mutantes" are touring America right now and they haven't been together in over 30 years.

Here is a quote from a review fo their concert at the Fimore West which I think is an interesting statement.

"Not to get too far-flung, but maybe the fact that the stifling political climate that initially spawned tropicália parallels America's present pressure-cooker culture is a kind of Bat Signal to summon the Mutants to rattle some cages once again."

Brazil has a huge amount of music and I have been exposed to a lot of it down here and much of it never makes it to the states which is sad because some of it is really terrific and a refreshing change from the stuff that you here in America now.

Scott, "The Goiaba" in Brazil

Name:              Rob
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

Really? There's nothing '90s up as far as music goes that you like? I really dig Matchbox 20, Jewel, and Michelle Branch ... and Vanessa Carlton to a lesser extent. Do you like any of them? They don't often use rap beats and such.

:)
Rob

Name:              Scott
E-mail:             sspnyc66@mac.com

Josh,

Europeans I have met have never heard or seen "The Three Stooges". I found this out mostly when I lived there in the mid to late 90's

In general, I don't think they were ever shown that much there with the exception of France.

When my ex-girlfriend who is Swiss came to stay with me in the U.S. some years ago she saw them for the first time one night when they were aired on TV and she laughed a lot

I was actually surprised because a lot of women don't like "The Three Stooges" and when I would meet a women who did, I always knew they were pretty cool and not so uptight and quite possibley would have agood sense of humor or at the least a silly sense of humor.

In Brazil they are well known and they are called "Três Patetas". Patetas means clown or silly and the Disney character Goofy is also called Pateta here.

The other great words in Portuguese for silliness are bobo, goiaba (which is also a fruit here), mongol and abestado.

Scott

Name:              Dude
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

Question number deuce: you said you use pot for creative purposes. Is that only for when you write, or do you spark up a doobie before you direct also?

Dude

Name:              John
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

I've always wanted to see "hammer" but never had the chance :(   I heard there was talk of Rhino taking "hammer" so I figured I'd ask. That's why Im so interested! :D

Name:              Chris
E-mail:             shenaniganz@hotmail.com

Hey Josh,

Oh my mistake. I just guessed you might have been. I saw movies like "Horse Feathers" and "Duck Soup" in your favourite movies list. And also seeing the groucho puppet in "Cleveland Smith" (One of my favourite parts).

All of the CCR songs you mentioned are great. I think my Dad's favourite is "The Midnight Special". The CD I play the most is their greatest hits.

I have another question. What do your parents think of your films? Do they have favourites? Are their any funny stories you would like to share of their reactions? (I guess I'm picturing anyone's parents watching TSNKE). I know that you've mentioned that your dad didn't get his $80,000 back and it put a strain on your relationship.

Thanks.

Name:              Ray Meese
E-mail:             meeseman@meesewerks.com

Hey, Josh. 

I recently read a poorly written amateur fan review about "Alien Apocalypse" which mentioned that there was a scene where Renee O'Connor's character sees two chicks making out.  I only saw the movie on Sci-Fi Channel (haven't seen it on DVD).  Was this make-out scene only in the DVD version, or did I simply forget it was in the broadcast version?  I'm usually a perv enough to remember that sort of thing when I see it, but in this case I don't recall any chicks making out in the movie.

If this was a DVD-only scene, were there any other differences between the broadcast and DVD versions?

Name:              Darryl Mesaros
E-mail:             darryl.mesaros@us.army.mil

Dear Josh,

   First, congratulations on the successful completion of your new film.  I don't know much about the project (one of the annoying side effects of not being able to log on very often), but I still wish you the best.  Do you have a tentative air time for SciFi?  I'll be home on leave for a few weeks, and will try to catch it.
    Second, have you seen the Russian film "9th Company"?  It's about the last Soviet unit to leave Afghanistan in 1989, and I recently watched it over here (on a Russian DVD that came with printed instructions on how to navigate the Cyrillic screen menus and turn on the subtitles).  Although it follows a fairly standard formula for military dramas [it follows a group of Siberian conscripts from induction all the way to a climatic battle], I found the story gripping and well constructed, with memorable characters.  The only odd part of the film for me was looking at places that I had been, like the airfield at Bagram [it reminded me of when I watched "Gunner Palace" and saw places in Baghdad that I recognized].

                         Darryl

Name:              John
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

How goes the distributing of "hammer" ????  I'm dying for info.

John

Name:              Batdad
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

Why do films often use generic brand products?  Can you profit from product placement?  If your lead actor is drinking a Coke, do you call Coke and ask for a fee?  Does it have to be worked out beforehand?  What's the most glaring example of inappropriate product placement?

Name:              Jason Roth
E-mail:             jason@visualnoiz.com

Josh,

Regarding The Warriors, had you heard about Walter Hill's recent "director's cut DVD?  Apparently he added in pompous narrated prologue & a bunch of random comic book stills throughout.

It wouldn't be so bad if the first version was kept available, but apparently it will no longer be in release.  Augh.  There oughta be a law against directors who have "jumped the shark" tinkering with their decent older films.

Where did you meet Robert Aldrich?

Best,
JR

Name:              Chris
E-mail:             shenaniganz@hotmail.com

Hi Josh,

I'm guessing you're a Marx Bros. fan. What are your favourite marx bros films. Mine are "Duck Soup", "A Day at the Races", "Horse Feathers", "Go west", "A night at the opera"....aw heck, I love em'  all! But those are my very favourites. I have yet to see "Love Happy" or "The Cocoanuts". "Cocoanuts" is very hard to find.

Also, do you like Creedence Clearwater Revival? If so, what are your favourite songs? I'm a fan and my favourites are "Green River", "Run through the Jungle", "Lookin' out my back door", "Bad moon Rising" and many many others.

Name:              Aaron Stroud
E-mail:             coppolas_cocaine@hotmail.com

Dear Josh:         

<<I was the only person in the theater for both "Hard Times" and "The Driver."  "The Warriors" was a hit.>>

Out of the three, I'd say HARD TIMES is the best (and an excellent companion piece to EMPEROR OF THE NORTH). THE WARRIORS builds to a climax that never happens (but they prove themselves in earlier fights, it makes me appreciate the lee marvin/ernest borgnine ass-kicking more). I am curious however if it was the one-time shown director's cut of THE DRIVER that you saw (with more character development).

Name:              Jenny
E-mail:             fairfaxj@pace.edu

Dear Josh:         

Are you still in touch with Ted Raimi? He put up his own website, which has gone to seed. His "blog" was updated a year ago. Too busy for his fans???

Name:              Ray Meese
E-mail:             meeseman@meesewerks.com

Dear Josh:         

As a publicly avowed friend of Mary Jane, I was curious as to why in IF I HAD A HAMMER you seemed to depict marijuana as a force antithetical to aesthetic quality.  The lead character is successful in his performance with the crowd as a result of "loosening up" with the herb, yet the overall force of the film seems to argue that his victory is actually a defeat for aesthetic values, given that his victory represents the moment folk music as a sophisticated artistic and social force died in favor of sloppy egotistical rockstar performance as shock value.  Are you ambivalent in your enjoyment of the weed, or do you believe it helps your creative work?

Name:              Jacob
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

why have you had so many falling outs wiht your friends over the years? i'm not trying to mock you or be mean or anything. i just curious.

Name:              Rob
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

You've said a few times on here that music isn't as good as it used to be. I was just wondering if there are any recent bands (like, ninties and up) that you enjoy? If so, what bands are they?

Thank you very much! :D

Name:              Ross
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

I was asking about the permission things because I shot a movie awhile back, and I don't have everything signed as far as likeness and things like that go, so i was concerned that maybe a distribution company wouldn't even consider it if all of the actors hadn't signed contracts.

Also, how do things work with special thanks credits? Do you have to have permission to list the names under "special thanks". Like, if I wanted to thank you in my special thanks section would I have to have you sign a form?

Dear Ross:

My goodness you're paranoid.  You can thank anyone you want and you don't need anyone's permission.  I've made distribution deals on three of my four independent features, and so far nobody has wanted to see any release forms for anything.

Josh

Name:              James Jordan
E-mail:             jjordan@unitedearth.biz

Dear Josh:         

On your essay "religion is Evil. Very well stated, but seems a bit angry. I notice that you excepted Buddhism from your list of those religions which promote violence, oppression, and thoughtless adherence to mindless dogma.
You may be interested to know that Buddhism is not a religion, rather a philosophy. Buddha himself (Siddhartha Guatama) was atheistic and rejected all notions of gods, ghost, and spirits.
In fact, The search for reality based truth is the great tradition of buddshism and buddha's own dying words to his followers were (paraphrased) to never follow anyone mindlessly and to always seek out truth for yourself.
Buddha's fundamental message was that most of us live our live's in a shroud of mental illusions (money, power, etc...) which cause us endless anguish and pain.
The solution is primarily to seek clarity of understanding (truth) concerning ourselves and our world and thereby release ourelves from the bondage of these self imposed illusions.
Hope I haven't bored you to much with my mini-lecture on buddhism. You may want to check it out, it is quite an intelligent and enlightening philosophy

an American Atheist/Buddhist
James Jordan

Name:              Jonathan Moody
E-mail:             jondoe_555@hotmail.com

Dear Josh:

I don't think anybodys asked this yet but have you checked out, "Little Miss Sunshine". I heard good things from everybody whose seen it and thought maybe it would be something that might interest you. Have you heard of it? I know how you feel about most indie movies these days but this could be different. I'll be seeing it on Tuesday.

Your fan,
Jonathan

Name:              joe hoyt
E-mail:             jjhoyt123@yahoo.com

josh,

i am an old friend of scott spiegel from franklin and wanted to know if you could let him know how great i think it is that he is living his dream.
thanks,
joe hoyt

Name:              Ross
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

What exactly is the legal doings with using people in films? I've heard that like, if they don't look in the camera then it's okay to use them without written permission. I've also heard that you don't have to anybody's permission at all when it comes to documentaries and media coverage. Can you maybe clear up some of this info for me?

Thank you very much,
Ross

Name:              Mike
E-mail:

Heya Josh,

Long time, no write. I have a bit of rambling, followed by a quick question: Just watched "The Warriors". I liked it well enough - nice simple narrative, though I thought the writing at the ending was weak ("Hey! We found some guy who saw the whole thing happen! Won't show you who or explain why we believe him though!"). What really struck me was the cinematography - it was worlds better than I'd expected from a youth/gang/fightin' film. The CP, Andrew Lazlo, did a gorgeous job. I saw that he's written several books, amongst them "Every Frame A Rembrandt". Have you read it? If so what did you think? And what are your thoughts of "The Warriors" in general. I seem to recall it being mentioned in passing in your forum some time ago, but jog our memory if you would.

As always, thanks for doing your thing. Fight the good fight!

- Mike

Name:              Jason Roth
E-mail:             jason@visualnoiz.com

Hi Josh,

Like many I'm sorry there won't be a Becker behind-the-scenes lowdown for Harpies.  However, if it hurts the chance of more work from Sci-Fi, it's totally understandable.  Hopefully the inevitable DVD commentary for Josh Becker's Stan Lee's The Harpies (sic) will provide the goods.

I watched If I Had Hammer recently and I'm amazed no distributor bit at it.  It's a perfectly entertaining movie w/ good performances.  Have you tried submitting it anywhere recently, or is that a dead issue?  Just curious.

Finally watched the Godfather films.  1&2 more than lived up to the book, which I read in grade school.  Trying hard to scrub III from my brain.  It burns!!!

Best,
JR

Name:              Bob
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

Approximately what date is your movie expected to be aired on Sci-Fi?

Name:              John Hunt
E-mail:             Chowkidar@aol.com

Josh,

I know that SciFi contracts out for its originals, but do they have lists of personnel they recommend? I guess I'm wondering how you got the gig. It seems to me that "AA" came in on time and on budget which, for this sort of job, might weigh more heavily than the ratings.

I also wondered when you got the shooting script; how much prep time were you given.  From your postings, it seemed like you had just a few days before getting on the plane.

Not to ask about specific finances, but could this gun-for-hire work finance your indies?

I look forward to "Harpies" and hope for the best for "Horribleness."

John

Name:              Mo
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

"Are you really suggesting that Josh beg his sell-out "buddies" (one of whom once compared Josh to a sucker fish who latches onto sharks for free meals) for a job directing one of their shitty movies? I think you're wasting your breath."

Who was it who referred to you as a sucker fish? I hadn't read or heard this anywhere. :(  That's not a nice thing to say at all ... especially if it's said by somebody who is supposed to be your friend.

Mo Mo Ma Mo

Name:              Doug
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

What do you think is Bruce Campbell's best film? What do you think his worst film is? Also, what do you think of Bruce's film "Going Back". I thought "Going Back" was an interesting little movie.

Name:              Mo
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

If Ghost House did offer you some work though, would you be interested in it?

Mo Mo Ma Mo

Name:              Danielle
E-mail:

Dear Mo,

Are you really suggesting that Josh beg his sell-out "buddies" (one of whom once compared Josh to a sucker fish who latches onto sharks for free meals) for a job directing one of their shitty movies? I think you're wasting your breath.

Name:              George Pilalidis
E-mail:             agamemmnon@msn.com

Dear Josh.

Few weeks ago,I'm writing two times to the Q.A, but i didn't get any answere from you, is there anything wrong?, meaby i didn't write the last time to the Q.A,but this is not meaning,i'll don't think about you, and abour shirley.George

Dear George:

I got your Qs and post card.  Thanks.  All's well.

Josh

George: I was pleasantly surprised recently to receive the pretty postcard from you of Kempen, West Germany. Thank you very much, and "Happy Trails To You..." --Shirley (If I had your address, I would "in turn" send you a postcard of Maine, USA.)

Name:              Mo
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

Maybe they just haven't offered you any Ghost House gigs because they don't figure you'll take 'em. So maybe you wouldn't be able to direct the Evil Dead remake, but I think you could easily get a gig directing some of their other movies if you really wanted to.

I'm not trying to give career advice. I'm not that cocky.  I think just think there's a bit of a gift horse sitting around here and if I were you, I'd certainly look it in the mouth.

Name:              JD
E-mail:             redlangston@aol.com

Mr. Becker,

Just speaking from my point of view you are not really losing anything by not running with the wolf pack over at Ghost House.

Not taking anything away from any of the individuals accomplishments but these heavy hitters keep coming up with crap.

The Grudge? The Grudge 2? Give me a break. Simply an off shoot of the successful "JUON" franchise in Japan. What's scary in Japan doesn't always translate into scary in the US. People flocked to see the junk though.

The Boogeyman? Horrible. The best part about it was the shot of the classic Ford Mustang.

The story itself sucked and it certainly lacked in some of the key elements you need to have a good story.

Evil Dead remake? The first one was good enough.

This is not a personal attack on anyone especially since some of these guys are your friends.

I'm just saying that some of these splendid Ghost House pictures aren't so splendid and you are doing well without them.

I certainly wouldn't let it ruin my cup of green tea.

Thanks.

JD

Dear JD:

I'm not lamenting the fact that I'm not hired for the Ghost House films, I'm just stating the facts. But some folks seem to think I could direct the "Evil Dead" remake or another of these films if I just asked, and that's not the case.  My buds at GH would always rather hire someone they've never met before, who may very possibly not have the first clue what they're doing, than hire someone they know.  Why?  Because that's how they work.

Josh

Name:              Mo
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

You have an advantage though to most other filmmakers out there when it comes to the Evil Dead remake. You actually know three of the producers (I'm unsure if they've added any more). You could probably just talk to Tapert or Campbell or even Raimi and try to pursuade them. I think you could easily get the job.

I guess it's a just a matter of wanting the job.

Mo Mo Ma Mo

Name:              Tim
E-mail:             NansemondNative@wmconnect.com

Josh,

Just jumping in a little on the guy that wants to do some shooting on a boat.

I've got a little experience with that boat stuff.

Handheld can be a real challenge with a moving boat and even more of a challenge if the waves are remotely rough. Viewing the product can actually make you feel ill because of all the movement. It made me feel queasy so I can only assume that some others would be affected the same way.

Here's something cool though. Tripod mount the camera and then rig the tripod and everything securely to the floor of the boat.This of course assumes a sturdy wooden or steel floor vessel and not an inflatable boat.

When the boat rocks back and forth it will have the illusion of being still while the horizon goes on a wild ride. A dutchy pitchy kind of ride.

To me, this is far superior to handheld work on a moving boat.

I guess it all depends on what anyone pursuing that is actually looking for in the final product.

Have a good one.

Tim

Name:              Keith
E-mail:             khw03@hampshire.edu

Josh,

Thanks for the comment.  I would still like to make an attempt at a short film partially shot on the water. I've spent quite of bit of time on the ocean and luckily have a pretty strong resistance to sea-sickness. I'm not immune, but I've never spent any time vomiting on board a ship.  Of course it will be hard to find crew members that are both good in film and on the sea. And the ocean is pretty unreliable weather-wise. What was that documentary you worked on called?  Did it come together satisfactorily despite the problems you guys had during those nine days? That's very interesting about the tablets and how they keep the cameras dry.  I will also see about finding water-proof or water-resistant cameras, although they must be very expensive to rent.
Thanks for the suggestions of the maritime films.  I'll make sure to check them out.
I also really love Captains Courageous.  It is one of those rare times where the movie improves on the book.  The film took much more time to develop the  change in Harvey from a spoiled brat to good member of the crew.  I'm also a sucker for the surrogate father/son relationship between the boy and Manuel, something that is non-existant in the novella.  The author Rudyard Kipling said he was more interesting in depicting that era of the United States and in some ways satirizing it.  He himself never actually set foot on fishing vessel.

Name:              Johnny Ace
E-mail:

Dear Josh:

What the hell does that ad have to do with being a Republican, I ask you or Alice Vutey-Fruity over there. I saw nothing in the ad advocating the actions in Iraq or any other hawkish war-mongering pseudo-patriotic bullshit. It shows Hollywood's united support for Israel, a first-world country in a third- world part of the world. "What a drag..." What a moron! We should be glad people like Sam Raimi aren't teary eyed bleeding heart liberals who whine for the dead citizens of a country that supports, harbors,funds, and votes into office an organization hell bent on the destruction of a group of well-meaning people...this very same organization that builds their strongholds in nurserys, hospitals, and other well populated areas...We don't need to get into the debate of the entire Israel/Palestine conflict on the Josh Becker Film Q&A Message Board, I for one just don't like mud slinging. And calling Sam Raimi a "Republican" for being bold and putting his name on the line, I believe, qualifies.

Name:              Mo
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

Here's an idea. I know this goes against some of your very being, but why don't you direct the Evil Dead remake? We all know you're a good writer and good director, why not put your own spin on this baby. Make it your own! I say vote Becker!

Mo Mo Ma Mo

Name:              Keith
E-mail:             khw03@hampshire.edu

Hi Josh,

Do you know anything about underwater motion picture photography or about shooting on the sea (in a boat)?  I imagine it is a very difficult, but I've become interested in attempting it in the future.  Could suggest any books or even movies I could refer to, if any come to mind? Are there any maritime-related films that you enjoy?  Some of my favorites Captains Courageous (1937), Atlantis (1991), Mutiny on the Bounty (Laughton and the Brando version) and The African Queen.
  -Keith

Name:              Chris
E-mail:             shenaniganz@hotmail.com

Hey Josh,

I was checking out youtube.com again for some Bruce stuff and I came across some new clips. I thought you or the people who visit here might enjoy some.

An early interview with Sam and Bruce (Contains clips from "six months to live")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6WM1MFNBjg

Torro, Torro, Torro!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSr9Mfw5_6s
(I must say this movie gets a lot of laughs out of me every time I see it. "help help! I'm losing ma miiind!" and bruce's speech "They came from that direction! and that direction! etc." Good times.)

Enjoy!

Name:              Christina
E-mail:             christiball@gmail.com

Josh,

I just finished reading your book, which was an excellent read, by the way.

What are your thoughts on female directors? Is it harder for a woman to 'sell' a film/script, and why or why not?

Name:              Batdad
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

Everybody's buzzing about "Snakes on a Plane" without even seeing it, based entirely on its title.  Based on the premise, Samuel L. Jackson is the main disquinquising facter from most Sci-Fi movies.  Are there any other know cases where a movie created so much buzz based solely on its title?  Have you considered changing the name of "Harpies" to "Harpies on a Plane"?

Name:              Julie
E-mail:             shemping@gmail.com

Dear Josh:         

A previous post had the following statement:


("Stephen Baldwin is good. I love actors who know what they're doing."

Bio-dome. Threesome. Fled. The Flinstones 2.

Please tell me you were being ironic.")

Yes these are crap movies, but that doesn't mean the people who worked on them were unprofessional. It doesn't seem fair to equate someone's work ethic with the overall quality of the productions they have been in. I think its cool to hear about actors and crew who take all their jobs seriously...Do I have to bring up Lindsay Lohan who is being paid millions, yet can't stop partying and failing to show up to the set when she's supposed to? That's tackier than any movie Mr. baldwin has ever been in.

Name:              Craig
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

How would one go about using a quote to begin their screenplay (I'm speaking in terms of permission, etc.)? And I'm speaking specifically of the quote of an author or philosopher.

And also, if you're writing a screenplay and you'd like to interest some specific actors (not famous ones, up and coming or fairly well-respected indie actors) or a specific composer/DP (again, nobody famous, just somebody YOU know of and love that you'd like on the film), how would you personally go about it?

Thank you very much in advance, and a (belated) happy birthday from me as well.

Name:              Mo
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

Even though you've said you haven't spoken to Sam Raimi in years, I was just wondering, do you get invited to premieres of his movie? And if so, do you go to them even if you know you're gonna hate the film?

Name:              Chris
E-mail:             shenaniganz@hotmail.com

Hey Josh,

Your birthday already! Seems just like a couple of months ago I was wishing you a happy birthday for your last one.

One question, why did you only direct two episodes of "Jack"? Did it clash with other projects or something?

Happy Birthday Josh, thanks for all that you've taught me over the years. You've practically taught me everything I know. Thanks you for your films also which are pretty much the best in my collection. And finally, on behalf of everyone who visits this site, thank you for Beckerfilms.com, the best site on the net!

Name:              Alice Vute
E-mail:

Dear Josh:         

When did Sam become a Republican?  What a drag.....


The actress, joined by 84 other high-profile Hollywood stars, directors, studio bosses and media moguls, has taken out a powerfully-worded full page advertisement in today's Los Angeles Times newspaper.

It specifically targets "terrorist organisations" such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Palestine.

"We the undersigned are pained and devastated by the civilian casualties in Israel and Lebanon caused by terrorist actions initiated by terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah and Hamas," the ad reads.

"If we do not succeed in stopping terrorism around the world, chaos will rule and innocent people will continue to die.

"We need to support democratic societies and stop terrorism at all costs."

A who's who of Hollywood heavyweights joined Kidman on the ad.

The actors listed included: Michael Douglas, Dennis Hopper, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Danny De Vito, Don Johnson, James Woods, Kelly Preston, Patricia Heaton and William Hurt.

Directors Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Michael Mann, Dick Donner and Sam Raimi also signed their names.

Other Hollywood powerplayers supporting the ad included Sumner Redstone, the chairman and majority owner of Paramount Pictures, and billionaire mogul, Haim Saban.

Name:              August
E-mail:             joxerfan@hotmail.com

Dear Josh,

Congrats on wrapping up "Harpies," and I must say I rather like your new title:  "Stan Lee's Josh Becker."

I was fascinated by your observation on the early script for "Jack of All Trades."  I recall when the original press release came out, they referred to Jack as a British spy, Emilia as the French governor's daughter (or was it niece?) and it was set around 1700 in a more Henry Morgan-ish Caribbean setting.  But since things usually change during development (there was a press release from '95 about Xena and a recurring character "Pan, an acrobatic dancer of the woods" for example) so I just figured that was sort of changed over the course of many months.   But as I recall, it was months and months before you got the directing gig, like November perhaps? At that late stage, was Bruce still supposed to be English, and Emilia French?  Even after they had cast Angela Dotchin?  Can you go into a little more detail?  (Since that crucial change would have affected all the subsequent scripts too, which surely other people had already done drafts of.)  Did you do some ghost-writing on that first one, like perhaps inserting Jefferson?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Although really that was just an excuse to make you think about Angela Dotchin in her swimwear, which is something all men should do, at all times.  Can't think of a better way to brighten up today, since.... it's your birthday!  Hope you have a happy one!

Regards,

August