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From our Mailbag 03/14/01 - 03/21/01

It's a Max Adams World...

From Terri, (No City Provided,) USA:

Great article Max.

Have you sent this to the NY Times? LA Times? WGA PR Department?

If you take out the line about the studio people being "babies" they might go for it.

(It's the name calling that gives producers/studios fuel to call writers "petty" or "bitter.")

Anyway, I think this explains the situation clearly and most of the press has been skewed in favor of the producers and studios.

I'm looking forward to seeing your book!

Love,
Terri


MAX ADAMS RESPONDS: Hey, Terri.

I haven't sent "Strike City" to other publications. I wrote it for G21 because, well, for one thing, I like G21 and they asked me to, and for another, G21 is untouched by Hollywood. No ties, no connections. No skew. It seemed to me like very few publictions currently covering the strike had that going for them.

I would have sent the link to the WGA but I'll be damned if I can find a contact link on the WGA site.

Hey and the book is out. It is pretty exciting. No other writers in the titles. Woohoo!

m
http://www.seemaxrun.com


From Colleen P., Seattle, WA, USA:

SUBJECT: Subject: Why is it...

You blame the French for everything??? ;-)

GREAT job. Way to kick some tires.

Les Smoochs - and thanks for the photo credit!

xo,
cp

Colleen Patrick
http://www.petcalmer.com


MAX ADAMS RESPONDS: Of course I blame the French. Who else would I blame? (I'm kidding! Someone disarm the French guy in the corner, please.)


From Mitchell K., (No City Provided,) USA:

Subject: A Couple of Questions - maybe three

Nicely done. The thing I'm confused about is whether the "real" issues are:

1. This concept of networks being able to sell network shows on cable and skip over primetime residuals.

2. The possibility of all programming moving through the internet, five or ten years from now and there is no structure in place to protect that. Do you know if that process would technically (by contract I mean) eliminate residuals in total.

Mitch


MAX ADAMS RESPONDS: Well, gee, Mitch, I think they are all "real" issues, myself. Mileage may vary.


From Eric H., Houston, TX USA:

Subject: Hooray, Max

Fabulous article on exactly how writers will DESTROY HOLLYWOOD. Until now, I hadn't heard another writer/guild member state my opinion so clearly. I sincerely hope a gazillion people read your article. It's high time the curtain is pulled back and AMPTP's insults to us are put center-stage.

Have you gotten the latest issue of Written By? There's an eye-opening article about how director Philip Kaufman included writer Doug Wright in the whole filmmaking process (QUILLS) -- he had Doug write dialogue for background people at a party, put Doug to work on the written prose in the film, had him experiment with alternate scene solutions during shooting, and had Doug by his side in the editing room. It was certainly a collaborative project. And hm, didn't critics like that movie? Didn't I see it in a couple of places on the Oscar list?

So I guess Hollywood has already been destroyed, thanks to Phil including Doug. It's in shambles now. We better let people know.

- Eric H.
struggling writer who learned too late about your 3-page contest

P.S. I heard rumors that Shane Black has been bumped out of first place by M. Night Shyamalan, who received $5 million for UNBREAKABLE (plus another five to direct).


MAX ADAMS RESPONDS: I have the latest "Written By" issue but have been working like a dog and have not read it yet. I will look for that article, thanks -- though personally I think it is appalling writers are actually giving examples of writers working on sets without the world blowing up. Like that actually requires proof? Me, I would like to see directors come up with examples of writers on sets being a problem. That, I have yet to see.


From Bobby C., Los Angeles, CA, USA

Subject: "Strike City"

Max,

I found your site from a link at www.wordplayer.com and I just read your article about the pending strike. It's hard to believe the offer the studios and networks made. That's insulting.

I ordered "The Screenwiter's Survival Guide" from Amazon.com last week and it's really good so far. Thanks for the help. I'm a 20 year old from L.A. County and I'm writing my second screenplay. Well, good luck with the strike, and I look forward to reading and watching more of your work in the future.

Bobby C.


MAX ADAMS RESPONDS: Thank you, Bobby, I look forward to reading and watcing yours.


Elizabeth E., Boulder, CO, USA:

"Answer me this. Can you really direct 120 blank pages? Can I watch? "

PERFECT!

I was referred to your article on G21, by D---, on the regular Friday night AOL screenwriter's conference chat.

Gawd, you're good, Maxie! I love the stuff on your website, too...so...um...cheeky! Makes me wanna strut around making trouble, too! And funny...?! Yikes.

Here's the deal: I'm starting up an e-zine (like I'm the first to think of that, right?), but a wild one by screenwriters/filmmakers for screenwriters/filmmakers and I want it to be different & confrontational & well, maybe even NC-17. Telling the real deal. One of the first articles will be by this wild man who beats up student filmmakers. His title? Why Your Film Sucks. It's right-on & funny, at the same time. I'd love to post your WGA strike article on the website, too, if you think it'll be cool. Or anything else you may want to write about The Biz.

Oh, "who the hell are YOU?", you ask? Founder, exec. director & chief cook/bottle-washer for Moondance International Film Festival, for starters.

Check out the website at: www.moondancefilmfestival.com. Screenwriter going into production with first film this summer, should the big boys actually DO what they say they'll do. For once. Wannabe film director, of course.

So, lemme know? Looking forward to hearing from you!

Cheers!--Elizabeth E.


MAX ADAMS RESPONDS: Elizabeth, thank you for your kind letter. I'm glad you enjoyed "Strike City."

"Strike City" was an assigned article for G21.net and as I'm pretty new on the G21 team, I do not know G21's policies about reprints yet.

I do know most e-magazines expect 30-90 days exclusivity before you grant second publication rights to another internet site, however, and, after first rights to most of my pieces expire, I publish them on my site. If, post publication on two other sites, you would still be interested in reprinting the piece, I will speak to G21's editor about G21 policies and speak to you further about the piece.

Thank you again for your interest in the article and the great kudos.

Best,
Max Adams


ROD'S COMMENTS: Unlike most mainstream publications, we only buy first publication rights without limitation on reprints. Just so every knows. Your work is yours exclusively.


From Barbara A. Berkeley, CA USA:

Subject: Glass House

Hi Rod,

1. I am Not always right (although it is hard to admit!).

2. Yes, I've been emotionally damaged (and survived to tell about it, late at night under the influence).

3. Yes, I still love you.

Looks like a fascinating mag this week - go get 'em!!

-B


ROD RESPONDS: Thanks, Barbarella.

The old kid keeps playing his tunes.

RA


From Dan V., San Francisco, CA, USA:

Subject: 49

Rod,

So you're turning 49! Congrats (I think)!

Given that you've now lived two-thirds of your allotted time, perhaps you should borrow loosely from Neal Cassidy and commence writing a book about the last portion of your life and call it THE LAST THIRD.

Best,
Dan


ROD RESPONDS: DVD,

I'm working on a book about how I survived publishing the works of 30+ world-famous writers and lived to tell about it.

RA

ACTION Alerts and Press Releases

Forwarded by Phala R-O, MI, USA:

Dear Friends:

I received this from my friend Doug Greenwood in LaRue, OH. This one episode succinctly demonstrates what I consider to be the numero uno business axiom: "Don't piss-off the customer!" And, even more importantly in this age of instantaneous global communication, screw up and the whole world knows!

All Power to the Consumer!

Phala R-O

P.S. Rod, for Vox
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
A little background: If you don't know already, Neiman-Marcus is a very expensive store i.e. they sell your typical $8.00 t-shirt for $50.00.

Let's let them have it!!!

My daughter and I had just finished a salad at a Neiman-Marcus Cafe in Dallas and decided to have a small dessert. Because both of us are such cookie lovers, we decided to try the "Neiman-Marcus Cookie." It was excellent and I asked if they would give me the recipe. The waitress said with a small frown, "I'm afraid not but, you can buy the recipe."

Well, I asked how much, and she responded, "Only two fifty, it's a great deal!" I agreed, "just add it to my tab'" I told her.

Thirty days later, I received my ISA statement and it was for $285.00! I looked again and recalled that I had only spent $9.95 for two salads and about $20.00 for a scarf. As I glanced at the bottom of the statement, it said (yes, you guessed it)Cookie Recipe - $250.00" I was outraged!

I called Neiman's Accounting Dept. and told them the waitress said it was "two-fifty," which clearly does not mean "two hundred and fifty dollars" by any *POSSIBLE* interpretation of the phrase. Neiman-Marcus refused to budge. They would not refund my money, because according to them, "What the waitress told you is not our problem. You have already seen the recipe. We absolutely will not refund your money at this point." I explained to her the criminal statues which govern fraud in Texas. I threatened to refer them to The Better Business Bureau and the State Attorney General Office for engaging in fraud. I was basically told, "Do what you want, it doesn't matter, we're not refunding your money."

I waited, thinking of how I could get even, or even try and get any of my money back. I just said, "Okay, you folks got my $250, and now I'm going to have $250.00 worth of fun."

I told her that I was going to see to it that every Cookie lover in the United States with an e-mail account has a $250.00 cookie recipe from Neiman-Marcus...for free. She replied, "I wish you wouldn't do this." I said, "Well, you should have thought of that before you ripped me off," and slammed down the phone on her.

So here it is!!! Please, please, please pass it on to everyone you can possibly think of. I paid $250 for this...I don't want Neiman-Marcus to *ever* get another penny off of this recipe...

NEIMAN MARCUS COOKIES (Recipe may be halved)

2 cups butter
4 cups flour
2 tsp. soda
2 cups sugar
5 cups blended oatmeal ***
24 oz. chocolate chips
2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 - 8 oz. Hershey Bar (grated)
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)

*** Measure oatmeal and blend in a blender to a fine powder. * Cream the butter and both sugars.

* Add eggs and vanilla, mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda.

* Add chocolate chips, Hershey Bar and nuts.

Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet. * Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees

Makes 112 cookies.

PLEASE SEND TO EVERY PERSON YOU KNOW WHO HAS AN E-MAIL ADDRESS AND ASK THEM TO FORWARD IT (note: please use bcc-Phala)TO EVERYONE THEY KNOW! THANKS! THIS IS REALLY TERRIFIC! I FEEL BETTER ALREADY!


Rupert B., London, UK:

SUBJECT: Launch of www.luckysaddle.com from London

1st March 2001 digital art platform www.endofpartone.com is pleased to announce the launch of the first ever video jockey portal where vj's can meet and exhibit their work directly into clubs, anywhere in the world, from the luckysaddle web site.

Clubs can select the visuals in any order and run them continuously. These visuals will stream directly from the computer to be projected onto the clubs walls. All that is needed is a high quality projector (running from the computer) and a DSL, cable, 802.11 or leased telephone line (for max performance). As club visuals grow in sophistication and a variety of mixed media luckysaddle sees the need for new media artists to be able to meet, unhindered by geography, like minded artists from different disciplines (including net, video, graphics, animation and programmers). Artists that have the same project requirements will be able to collaborate and create a group creating club visuals, even when living in different cities or countries.

Corporations, clubs, utilities, museums, galleries or individuals can rent the visuals on high quality uncompressed DVD's from www.luckysaddle.com or from our fine art platform www.endofpartone.com . These are for viewing on plasma screens. rupert & laura b. (founders nov 1999) email: info@luckysaddle.com

+++ THE PREVIOUS VOX POPULI +++ THE NEXT VOX POPULI +++

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