Hollywood

[maestrowork]

OK, so it's from an actor's point of view (but somewhat related to screen writing)... still I think Virginia Madsen's story tells us something about the biz...




Virginia Madsen, nominated for supporting actress for the road-trip romance "Sideways," said she now has opportunities to work on big movies with major actors and filmmakers. Before her Oscar nomination, Madsen would periodically call her agent and meekly ask, "You got anything for me?"

"Everything's changed in my career," Madsen said. "I was just writing a letter to someone today who I couldn't believe I was writing a letter to, who was saying, 'Have you read my script yet?' And I was saying I can't believe that there's so much interest out there now in me and that I have this stack of scripts for budgets that are over $1 million. That's new for my career."

[dpaterso]

Thanks for posting, interesting info. Two things surprise me about V.M. One, that she hasn't "taken off" long before this, she's capable of carrying a film by herself. Two, that she corresponds by letter, which must limit job offers somewhat; you'd think her agent would have shown her how to use a telephone.

-Derek
My Web Page - naked women, bestial sex, and whopping big lies. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57)

[maestrowork]

I'm secretly rooting for her to win tomorrow.

[vig]

i think it also shows that many of the 'making a living actors' get that big shot with a smaller movie. monster, you can count on me, even all the way back to the evil deads, scream movies, etc...

i think i read somewhere that the spec script market is almost going by the wayside to the big production companies, and many spec writers are writing scripts for specific people, and sending it to them.

it seems our only hope is find and actor, and write a script for him or her.

vig

[maestrowork]

it seems our only hope is find and actor, and write a script for him or her.

That is certainly a way to go. A lot of BIG NAME actors are looking for small projects -- worthwhile small projects -- to do. Like Monster, You Can Count On Me, Boys Don't Cry... these are the kind of scripts that get them Oscars. They do big studio movies to pay the bills, but it's prestige they're going after... So if you can hook an actor (or an independent film producer or director) that way, it's certainly a foot in the door. And if you're really good, your career may take off from there...

I'm sure Hillary Swank's agent must be swamped by scripts...

[Joe Calabrese]

My picks for winners are:

ACTOR --
LEADING: Jamie Foxx - RAY ACTOR
SUPPORTING: Alan Alda - THE AVIATOR

ACTRESS --
LEADING: Hilary Swank - MILLION DOLLAR BABY
SUPPORTING : Cate Blanchett - THE AVIATOR

ANIMATED FEATURE: THE INCREDIBLES

CINEMATOGRAPHY: THE AVIATOR

COSTUME DESIGN: THE AVIATOR

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: SUPER SIZE ME

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: THE SEA INSIDE

ORIGINAL SCORE: FINDING NEVERLAND

ORIGINAL SONG: “Learn To Be Lonely” THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

DOCUMENTARY SHORT: THE CHILDREN OF LENINGRADSKY

ART DIRECTION: THE AVIATOR

MAKEUP THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

FILM EDITING THE AVIATOR

VISUAL EFFECTS: I, ROBOT

SOUND EDITING : SPIDER-MAN 2

SCREENPLAY -- ADAPTED: SIDEWAYS

SCREENPLAY -- ORIGINAL: ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

SOUND MIXING: THE INCREDIBLES

SHORT FILM -- LIVE ACTION: 7:35 IN THE MORNING

SHORT FILM: GOPHER BROKE

DIRECTING: MARTIN SCORSESE

BEST PICTURE: THE AVIATOR.

[NikeeGoddess]

it's funny how most of us know Virginia Madsen but i'll bet you have a hard time listing 5 movies she's been in....without cheating that is ;)


and there are quite a few actors who have their own production* companies. some only look for material with a part for them but, many look for projects that they can produce or direct as well. if you do have a great part for one of these people then take it.

*to name a few: Richard Dreyfus, Drew Barrymore, Eric LaSalle (Humble Journey), Tom Cruise, Noah Wyle (Wyle Katz), Robert Duvall (Butcher's Run), George Clooney (wow, that's 3 from E.R.), Ice Cube (Cube Vision), Madonna (Maverick), Nick Cage (Saturn), Edward James Olmos, Adam Sandler (Happy Madison), Will Smith (Overbrook), Ben Stiller (Red Hour), Mel Gibson (Mel Icon)


and dp - letters are so much more romantic and personal than a lazy phone call or email....and if it's written by hand :D

[William Haskins]

SCREENPLAY -- ORIGINAL: ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

if there's any justice in the world, this will happen.

[scripter1]

I just want Russell Crowe to read my script but he keeps throwing me off his
front porch.

[William Haskins]

it's a defense mechanism because he can't read.

[randesq]

he can't get into hi sjeans these days. Too many brumbie burgers

[Joe Calabrese]

My picks for winners are:

ACTOR --
LEADING: Jamie Foxx - RAY ACTOR
SUPPORTING: Alan Alda - THE AVIATOR

ACTRESS --
LEADING: Hilary Swank - MILLION DOLLAR BABY
SUPPORTING : Cate Blanchett - THE AVIATOR

ANIMATED FEATURE: THE INCREDIBLES

CINEMATOGRAPHY: THE AVIATOR

COSTUME DESIGN: THE AVIATOR

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: SUPER SIZE ME

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: THE SEA INSIDE

ORIGINAL SCORE: FINDING NEVERLAND

ORIGINAL SONG: “Learn To Be Lonely” THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

DOCUMENTARY SHORT: THE CHILDREN OF LENINGRADSKY

ART DIRECTION: THE AVIATOR

MAKEUP THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

FILM EDITING THE AVIATOR

VISUAL EFFECTS: I, ROBOT

SOUND EDITING : SPIDER-MAN 2

SCREENPLAY -- ADAPTED: SIDEWAYS

SCREENPLAY -- ORIGINAL: ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

SOUND MIXING: THE INCREDIBLES

SHORT FILM -- LIVE ACTION: 7:35 IN THE MORNING

SHORT FILM: GOPHER BROKE

DIRECTING: MARTIN SCORSESE

BEST PICTURE: THE AVIATOR.

13 right is terrible for my past record. I can't believe Scorsese got robbed. The look on his face when Clint got announced is priceless. I thought his eyebrows were gonna explode. At least I got the screenwriting ones right or I would have shot myself.

[maestrowork]

I got both screenwriting awards right (finally Charlie Kaufman got an award!) But what do I know, I'm just an actor. ;)

(I did get three of the acting awards correctly -- I knew Cate was going to win but I was rooting for Virginia)