tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post5841193451695598360..comments2024-03-07T20:15:45.996-08:00Comments on The Bitter Script Reader: MCCARTHY's Justin Kremer signs with CAA after being discovered via The Black List 3.0!The Bitter Script Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16575166527272639709noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-4586773233142299892012-11-25T21:00:54.018-08:002012-11-25T21:00:54.018-08:00Congrats to Justin and I hope he does well. Frankl...Congrats to Justin and I hope he does well. Franklin has gone to great lengths to be transparent, and he was quick to modify the press release. PJ McIlvainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15496990000619350774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-90106387066753211462012-11-23T16:36:36.062-08:002012-11-23T16:36:36.062-08:00Oh man, Cranston is amazing. His work on Breaking ...Oh man, Cranston is amazing. His work on Breaking Bad > everything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-19240355379920718402012-11-23T15:23:39.288-08:002012-11-23T15:23:39.288-08:00Chandler is an inspired choice; free of the excess...Chandler is an inspired choice; free of the excessive movie star baggage could burden the performance by some bigger name actors. I'd watch Cranston tackle any role. Make-up and digital age augmentation can be a beautiful thing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17020877365675094496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-55430396937681582522012-11-23T14:58:50.907-08:002012-11-23T14:58:50.907-08:00I don't want to get too much into second-guess...I don't want to get too much into second-guessing any casting choices, but if I was directing I'd love to explore the possibility of Bryan Cranston as Joe, despite the fact he too is a bit old. Alas, he's at UTA.<br /><br />Kyle Chandler is another one I'd explore, but he's not with CAA either. It'd be a bit of a departure for him, which also would excite me as a filmmaker.The Bitter Script Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16575166527272639709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-58110949347157359032012-11-23T14:54:40.802-08:002012-11-23T14:54:40.802-08:00True. Clooney was clever to let McCarthy play him...True. Clooney was clever to let McCarthy play himself, which of course isn't an option here. <br /><br />Bennett Miller has shown an affinity for directing films on historical characters, and would probably crush a movie on McCarthy. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17020877365675094496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-68941084069496385572012-11-23T14:39:51.121-08:002012-11-23T14:39:51.121-08:00My hunch is that physical resemblance will be less...My hunch is that physical resemblance will be less of a consideration. Leo didn't exactly look like Hoover before he had the makeup applied. I like the idea of casting a character actor who could disappear into the role, but to pull that off, it's probably gonna need a big director.The Bitter Script Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16575166527272639709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-87417478386490724552012-11-23T13:46:07.234-08:002012-11-23T13:46:07.234-08:00Thanks for the response, Justin. May I humbly sugg...Thanks for the response, Justin. May I humbly suggest one?<br /><br />Kevin Spacey. Should he gain some weight, he shares a passing resemblance. And more importantly, could dig deep into McCarthy and breath a little sympathy into the man. I assume the meat of your story begins sometime around the Wheeling Speech, so Spacey (though a bit older than Joe when he died) could still play a hard-drinking man in his early 40's. The role could return Spacey to his previous awards-season glory. <br /><br />You may have already considered such an option, but Spacey's producing connections could also prove of value. Though the movies he has starred in of late haven't burned up the box office, McCarthy should be a relatively low budget.<br /><br />** And there's also James Gandolfini, who could bring a stronger physicality to old Tail Gunner Joe. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17020877365675094496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-66803113999776947692012-11-23T13:39:16.624-08:002012-11-23T13:39:16.624-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17020877365675094496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-53486007867960018812012-11-23T12:36:44.463-08:002012-11-23T12:36:44.463-08:00Appreciate the question, T.A. Honestly, it's t...Appreciate the question, T.A. Honestly, it's too early in the process to say. Although I'm a fan of the method, I didn't envision a particular actor throughout the writing process. Joe isn't particularly attractive, which makes it harder to draw an immediate connection to Actor X or Actor Y. I certainly agree that it's an interesting role! Thank you for the kind words.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-2258183624907754602012-11-23T10:59:43.534-08:002012-11-23T10:59:43.534-08:00Thanks for making yourself available for questions...Thanks for making yourself available for questions, Justin. I have one (if it is safe, some details can hurt a sale):<br /><br />Is McCarthy going out to the usual suspects in the CAA rolodex, or being carefully packaged with specific director/actors in mind? His is an interesting story but a sell will most likely hinge on just the right actor falling in love with the part. <br /><br />If you're into "star casting" as you write, I'd be curious if you had any actors in mind as Joe McCarthy is a character I've been keen to see explored on screen in greater detail. The right actor could magnificently mine the tragic hubris is such a man's soul.<br /><br />Also, very wise move diverting your eyes from the negative brigade. Sensitivity is inherent with writing, so bravo on focusing on the constructive feedback.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17020877365675094496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-29093011822896985502012-11-22T23:35:30.933-08:002012-11-22T23:35:30.933-08:00Welcome, Justin! This is a safe place. Someone on...Welcome, Justin! This is a safe place. Someone once told me that the first lesson you learn as a professional writer is to never read the comments on Deadline.The Bitter Script Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16575166527272639709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-3809025758551422622012-11-22T23:31:45.043-08:002012-11-22T23:31:45.043-08:00Hey guys...I'm happy to answer any and all que...Hey guys...I'm happy to answer any and all questions as far as McCarthy goes. Fortunately, the discourse here is 100x more sane than what I've seen at Deadline, which I can't bring myself to look at any longer. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-21235137400896457092012-11-22T06:13:50.346-08:002012-11-22T06:13:50.346-08:00There's also a clear distinction to made betwe...There's also a clear distinction to made between securing representation and selling the particular script that earned the management contract. Please correct me if I am wrong, but from what I have read MCCARTHY hasn't actually sold. Granted, that would be remarkably fast if it had. <br /><br />For "difficult sell" scripts that may be disadvantaged by period elements or genre labels that scare the marketing-minded, it's not just about your particular script; it's about the command of craft and the ability to engage a reader that comes through (particularly the first ten pages). It's subjective, but bottom line, it better smell of money (whether you associate that with awards, box office or both). Will a movie about McCarthy set ticket sales ablaze? Possibly, but highly doubtful. Clearly, CAA has vetted Kremer and see more than one script in him. <br /><br />We can debate until we're blue in the face whether MCCARTHY represents the best writing of the uploaded bunch (we sensitive artist types might as well debate the best and worst movies of 2012 while we're at it). What can't be debated is box office. And according to the algorithm numbers (the BL's closest approximation to box office), a drama with rich characters and marketability (read: you can see the one sheet, tagline and social relevance) is the big winner thus far.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17020877365675094496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-22291247230804550062012-11-22T01:25:16.096-08:002012-11-22T01:25:16.096-08:00DEAD CORPS also has zero pro reviews and it hasn&#...DEAD CORPS also has zero pro reviews and it hasn't been pushed out to subscribers via the email blast. You can't compare it to MCCARTHY. The only thing the two scripts have in common is that I spot-lit both of them and as I have said many times, I am NOT the reason Kremer got representation.<br /><br />TUTANKHAMEN is an expensive period piece that is going to be a hard sell commercially even with a Black List endorsement.<br /><br />Thanks to my contest, I've read the first ten pages of several of the scripts in the "Top Uploaded Scripts List." The simple fact is that MCCARTHY is better written than all of them. <br /><br />Also notable - some of the new additions to that list have very positive reviews. Not only did this push them to the most recent email blast, but the algorithm is now predicting I'd rate several of them at 7.5 or higher.<br /><br />The holiday weekend is undoubtedly going to slow down reads and downloads on the pro side, but I'd say there's potential for at least two, perhaps three scripts in that list to gain some momentum in the coming weeks.The Bitter Script Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16575166527272639709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-67011281824371682642012-11-22T01:12:15.097-08:002012-11-22T01:12:15.097-08:00So, I wasn't totally wrong.
I'm sure the ...So, I wasn't totally wrong. <br />I'm sure the script is great and Justin deserves what he's getting. But I still smell fish. <br />"Dead corps" is still stuck at two ratings despite of your efforts; Gary Sangha had to pay for three reader's review to get attention on Tutankhamen, which now has 10 ratings; Shadowtrail has only two paid ratings and an average of 8. <br />Probably Justin's script had a little push to get 27 ratings, not because he was an intern there, but because the Black List needed a success story to justify their monthly fee.AntoBlueberryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15317098220264755823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-12454392762869788962012-11-21T05:13:50.855-08:002012-11-21T05:13:50.855-08:00Doesn't matter if he's an intern. Possibly...Doesn't matter if he's an intern. Possibly helped him, but at the end of the day, someone needs a million dollar idea with great execution. The guy did it and got the deserved accolades. Good for him and Black List.kingcookyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08320756158257696524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-29759567500558289422012-11-20T15:08:55.851-08:002012-11-20T15:08:55.851-08:00But what if that 22 year old grad has a better han...But what if that 22 year old grad has a better hand on how to tell a damn good story than a person with +10 years experience who only knows how to tell a competent story at best?<br /><br />It's great to know the rules and see different structures, writing styles and such. But it doesn't always mean you "know" how to tell a great story. That's an innate skill.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13141365071657272069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-54461297152772624662012-11-20T13:32:00.993-08:002012-11-20T13:32:00.993-08:00Don't get me wrong. The Black List provides a ...Don't get me wrong. The Black List provides a terrific service to amateur writers, but I think the problem is with the readers (no offense). Writers are basing months of effort (hopefully) on the word of someone making $30/script. <br /><br />Yes, you hope integrity plays a role and that these readers, whether recent grad interns or seasoned pros like yourself, put a faithful effort into their review. <br /><br />I've worked with a reader who was recent grad intern at a top management company. She was paid to read, etc. She wants to be a screenwriter and her work needs significant improvement. IMO.<br /><br />The difference is in terms of experience. I've studied the craft for 7 years and struggled everyday writing to get better. To learn more. I don't think it's presumptuous to think that a 35-year old with 10+ years experience in screenwriting knows more about story than a 22-year old recent grad. Yet, the 22-year old holds the gavel. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-75394001102992158722012-11-20T13:16:26.282-08:002012-11-20T13:16:26.282-08:00This sounds like a person who competed and won in ...This sounds like a person who competed and won in a singing contest only to have a backlash because they received singing instructions from famous trainers beforehand. Like people think the underdog/cinderella stories are the only credible success stories to tell.<br /><br />Who cares? They were a nobody before and through hard work and extreme natural talent, they became a somebody. Who cares where they worked or who trained them? Their work should speak for itself.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13141365071657272069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-79742932951955919362012-11-20T12:11:16.366-08:002012-11-20T12:11:16.366-08:00But it's not as if (a) the Black List is the o...But it's not as if (a) the Black List is the one representing him and (b) that the Black List chose only one script out of that 1,100 to push to industry pros. In the first month, they have spotlighted DOZENS. It just happens that Kremer's script was the first one snatched up by a completely independent third party.The Bitter Script Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16575166527272639709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-30511809942515909602012-11-20T12:01:55.000-08:002012-11-20T12:01:55.000-08:00The problem rests in simple math. 1 out 1,100 scri...The problem rests in simple math. 1 out 1,100 scripts found a writer representation. And that one writer previously interned at the company running the website. And we praise this a successful venture?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-51524304246387432062012-11-20T05:03:17.146-08:002012-11-20T05:03:17.146-08:00I find it ironic that a script about McCarthy is n...I find it ironic that a script about McCarthy is now engendering conspiracy theories. <br /><br />It's rather inconvenient for the intern to get signed for BL, because of this nonsense. BL works; a great script found its writer a great rep.MoviePenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15787488989989001860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-14515695922602489602012-11-20T03:07:31.354-08:002012-11-20T03:07:31.354-08:00If everything was so clear I don't understand ...If everything was so clear I don't understand why Franklin Leonard has waited for a DHD commenter noticing that Justin was an intern for The Black List to make this statement. He should have mentioned that detail before. Now this deal looks suspicious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-26398723909835384392012-11-20T01:26:56.390-08:002012-11-20T01:26:56.390-08:00Yeah basically a non starter, I don't see the...Yeah basically a non starter, I don't see the controversy here. Business is about who you know AND what you know, its good to have both but what you know is the one that gets you a career. All IMO etc etc. Duggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02307182401906593267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706282221761427996.post-13346502623611144892012-11-19T21:36:49.985-08:002012-11-19T21:36:49.985-08:00Yeah, I know, but it's still "convenient&...Yeah, I know, but it's still "convenient" that the intern got signed. But still, CAA isn't going to just going to sign someone they don't think has the goods, intern, or not.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16058601442026855932noreply@blogger.com