Qualifications

So I was surfing Craigslist for jobs. Came across a casting call for a reality TV series:

Paystation's new competition show "The Tester" now casting (Los Angeles, CA.)
Date: 2009-09-16, 10:18AM PDT

Sony Playstation's "The Tester"
Open Casting Call!

Are you at the top of your game? Now you have a chance to prove it in the new reality competition series for PlayStation Network called "The Tester." This original program will challenge a select group of gamers in a series of tests to determine if they have what it takes to make it as an official Game Tester.

The elimination competitions throughout the series will not only test the contestants' video game knowledge, but they will also challenge the gamers' memory, stamina, dexterity, and overall mental prowess. Contestants must have the whole package to take home the coveted prize in this new original series. That's because the lucky winner will earn a contract position at Sony Computer Entertainment's Quality Assurance department in San Diego, CA, where he or she will get hands on time with the most highly anticipated games in the industry.

You must be at least 21 years of age and legally eligible to work in and a current resident of the United States for consideration.

To submit as a potential contestant please send the following: your name, age, contact information, what games you excel at, why you would be perfect for this job, and two current pictures of yourself.

Submissions are only accepted over the next four weeks. So, hurry up and get to it! This is your chance to have one of the most coveted jobs in the gaming world.

Gotta love the hyperbole. Do YOU have what it takes!!?

Really. They are holding competitions where the final reward is a minimum wage job that requires no prior training. It doesn't even require a high school education.

I'm not bagging on being a QA Tester. I've been there. I've done it.

But basing a show around this? Seriously. Just put in an job application to the 100s of Video Game Developers and Publishers that are located locally -- and voila, you won your "reward" without having to humiliate yourself on national TV.

Pop Culture Entitlement

Blows the cobwebs off the blog.

So, I haven't had much to say in terms of a blog. I've been doing my thing. Making great head way into the realm of the screenwriter. Met with producers and agents. Given pitches. Had conference calls coast to coast. And as much as I have to say on the topic, the more I learn, the less I feel like blogging about -- or even sharing. Sorry.

But this post came up. Josh Olson's insight on why he will not read your screenplay.

And you know what? He's dead on the money.

What blew me away, actually, was not his article. But the comments below it. They were filled with hate and vile for the things he had said. He had only uttered the truth.

It's funny -- in the comments, you can actually SEE the people he is talking about in the article. The dick moves. You can see the people that are too self centered to take an objective look at their work and realize -- "Hey, maybe I need to really hone my skills."

They ask for an opinion. He gives one. And then they get pissed at the result. You didn't want an opinion. You wanted a pat on the head. Hell, that's even what he is saying in the god-damn post you just read and are now criticizing.

Where did this sense of entitlement come from?

Is it American? Or is it just Californian?

Hey nubs -- I have a hint for you.

Here's the scenario:

You are approaching an established writer because of some poorly conceived notion that they can actually get your script to someone who matters. I know you see their credits. You assume, "Hey, if I gave my script to that guy, and if they like it, I got it made." Right?

I mean, why else are you giving it to them? Why not a friend? Or an agent? Or a producer?

What you have to realize is -- EVEN PROFESSIONAL SCREENWRITERS ARE IN THE SAME GOD DAMN BOAT AS WE ARE.

They are trying just as hard to get their next project made. Yes, there might be a hump or two missing on their journey. But they don't hold the key to making your career.

Only you do.

I've had one on one conversations with a handful of screenwriters. Oscar winners. Creators of pop culture legend. And movies that I just personally hold a high value to. And you know what came of these? Nothing. My career didn't move forward. They couldn't refer me to an agent. Not even their agent. Why?

It's not their job.

In a town that is constantly looking for new content. Constantly looking to break the next big thing. A town where half a million scripts are registered with the WGA every year and less than a hundred are bought on spec -- ask yourself...

Why do you think giving your screenplay to the competition is going to help?

And then you get pissed, take it personally, when you are rejected. Get used to it. Seriously.

Used it as fuel to get better. That's all you can do. And that's the only thing that will lead you down the path of becoming a better writer. Take the criticism in stride. Fix your problems. Or move on.

And I am still puzzled by the comments. What satisfaction do you get out of tearing someone down? Someone that was being brutally honest. Someone showing you what you are up against. Even if you disagree with him -- you've put him on this holy pedestal of your own success. If that's how he sees your script, you can guarantee other pros are going to see it the same way.

So what's your answer?

No, taking it on the chin and learning from it. Nah, it's easier to rip apart and discredit the guy who gave you honest feedback in a public forum where you remain anonymous and free from attack, than to actually make your writing better.

Good. Keep doing that.

Less competition for me.

Great Movies... that Predict the Future?

GATTACA is up on Hulu. Seems it's also on Crackle.



This is one of my favorite movies. I could watch it a thousand times and find something new.

I never understood why it didn't get more acclaim. Or even more of a cult following. It rings true on so many different levels, plus it is a great piece of science fiction. I don't see movies like this being made today, and something about that makes me very sad.

Movies about the strength of the human spirit always seem to resonate with me.

Anyway, I was surfing the web, checking out TIME's TOP 50 INVENTIONS of 2008, following some links from DR. HORRIBLE'S SING-A-LONG BLOG (which was listed as # 15). Why, it is considered an invention, I'm not really sure. Don't get me wrong. I like the show. A lot. But an invention?



So of course, that piqued my curiosity as to what else Time was considering an invention -- and wouldn't you know it? The #1, ~~the~~ Invention of the year is none other than...

The RETAIL DNA test!!!

a $399 saliva test that estimates your predisposition for more than 90 traits and conditions ranging from baldness to blindness.

visit videodetective.com for more info

There is a high degree of "cool" factor for me in all this. I love new technology. I love seeing how our future is divergent from those Disneyland dioramas from the 50s. And how, sometimes, it's the same. And I have this theory that artists tend to be able to tap into some collective unconscious -- that in a way, lets them predict the future. (I'm not saying Nostradamus style, just Art reflects the times, and good art because a voice, an image, an icon of the time).

This is like something straight out of GATTACA.

"Age of the sample?"
"I kissed him 5 minutes ago. Gave him a good one."

"Got yourself a 9.3. Quite the catch."
"Quite the catch."

However, what scares me is --

Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein says he is backing 23andMe not for its cinematic possibilities but because "I think it is a good investment. This is strictly medical and business-like." Google has chipped in almost half the $8.9 million in funding raised by the firm, which counts Warren Buffett, Rupert Murdoch and Ivanka Trump among its clients.

-- a 9 million dollar investment. From some of the most influential businessmen (and women) in the U.S. That seems like more than investing on a new fad.

I find Google's involvement particular bothersome. I don't mean to come off as some chaos conspiracy theorist nut, but Google does have their hands in a lot of different new media. Very wave of the future stuff.

Wojcicki and Avey see themselves not just as businesswomen but also as social entrepreneurs.

Scary.

With their customers' consent, they plan to amass everyone's genetic footprint in a giant database...

Scarier.

...that can be mined for clues to which mutations make us susceptible to specific diseases and which drugs people are more likely to respond to.

Oh. That's cool.

The real issue here, is this is an incredibly altruistic tact for something that has such potential to reshape society as we know it. -- And it's backed by corporate sponsorship.

Moral decency and the corporate pursuit of the almighty dollar seldom go hand in hand. I wouldn't expect this to be any different. There is a sizable investment that needs to be recouped.

What I find to be something straight out of science fiction is the potential societal benefit controlled by entities larger than our own government. Entities that simply rewrite the rules to fit their quarterly reports.

See Enron.

Only time will tell. But this stuff always gets the gears in the old noggin turning.

Megan Fox as WONDER WOMAN!

...if only it were true.

Are Things Changing?

Election Day came and went.

Strange how the more things change, the more things stay the same.

I am talking specifically about the passing of Prop 8.

Prop 8 takes away marriage rights of gay couples. That is ALL this bill was about. Fear and discrimination.

Prop 8, essentially overturns the a right that was given to gay couples a few months ago. Gays had the right to have their marriages recognized by the state of California for mere months...

Let that sink in. The California Supreme Court already ruled that gay couples not being able to enter into marriage was UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

And yet Prop 8 passed...

What appalls me, isn't that the bill passed. There are multiple appeals and suits filed with the California State Supreme Court arguing that Prop 8 is unconstitutional -- which it is.

What appalls is that a majority of Californians are bigots.

Definitely an eye opener for me. I didn't think Prop 8 even had a chance. I wasn't alive during the Civil Rights movement of the 60's. I always wondered how a large mass of people could not only let racism run rampant, but actually endorse it.

I had this belief that Californians were progressive. That the country followed suit with the example Californians set. I truly hope that isn't the case here.

I have never been more ashamed to be a Californian.

...and I say this as a conservative and as a Republican.

It doesn't matter if you are liberal or conservative -- taking away the rights of another human being isn't only unconstitutional, but it is unconscionable.

DB... Z?

Wow, uh, Piccolo... is, uh... white.

So that's a trailer for the new DRAGONBALL movie that's supposed to be coming out in April. I know, I'm opening myself up to a lot of ridicule here, but--

I am a fan of the Dragonball series. I love how innocent Goku was as a kid. How his naivete was what got him into trouble. How he was always unknowingly super-powerful and would work harder whenever he faced an obstacle. But mostly, that he just wanted to have fun.

That brings me to my point -- or question -- or something...

Where is the fun?

Is it just me, or do all Manga / Video Game movies / Comic book movies (before the year 2000) all have the exact same feel?

Do they need to be so serious?

Why is it marketed as an intense adult action movie, when it should be a fun Family film for all ages?

I ask this simply because it seems like the same problem over and over again with these types of movies. Someone with money liked the franchise it was based on, they bought the rights, and hired people who have no idea what the series is really about.

-- you know -- the good stuff, the characters, the journey, the emotional core of the story ...

...the things that are the reason these franchises have developed a following that lasts decades.

In the trailer, Goku says the line:

I'm not ready for this.

That's not a line Goku would EVER say. He's naive. He never knows what he is up against, charges in head first, and usually gets his butt handed to him a few times before he actually triumphs. That's actually a big part of the appeal of his character.

I'm not ready for this.

is not only something the character would never say, but it is also incredibly cliche.

Anyway -- to jump to the 2nd part of this rather twisty convoluted post --

The trailer looks like they completely missed what was fun and exciting about the series. In fact, it looks like they completely skipped this part of the Dragonball series and jumped right into DBZ.

If it is DBZ, where is Vegeta?

Seriously.

Vegeta is the BEST thing about DBZ. Once Goku becomes an adult, he loses that innocent charm he had as a child. Now he has to deal with real issues. With raising his own son Gohan. With his wife Chi-chi. With his nemesis that is still after him, Piccolo. But he's still that same lovable goof -- and that wears thin.

Which is where Vegeta, a new power hungry nemesis, plays such an important role.

Vegeta is an incredible character, especially considering the Dragonball universe. Goku is the hero. But let's face it, Goku has no direction. He just wanders into things. Vegeta on the other hand is driven!

To put it simply, Vegeta wants to be the best. He works his ass off to be the very best. But no matter what he does, he is always second to Goku. Now is when Goku simply stumbling into things becomes a piece of dramatic action. Goku's easy going, innocent, good nature coupled with his natural talent is infuriating to Vegeta. Everytime Vegeta thinks he's the top dog, Goku one up's him -- and most the time it's not even on purpose. That is great character conflict.

It's just who Goku is.

And it's just who Vegeta is. Forever doomed to be second best.

I think, to have Goku as an adult without Vegeta in the film, is to only tell 1/2 the story.

Preacher Resurrected

Good news indeed.

And who is attached to direct? None other than --

SAM MENDES.

PREACHER was originally set up to be an ongoing series at HBO. I still think this would have been the best choice for the Garth Ennis comic, as some of the plot turns really need the luxury of being able to build over a season or two.

That aside -- There isn't a better director on this planet to do this movie than Sam Mendes.

It seems everyone involved is interested in putting PREACHER on the big or small screen as it was intended to be. Dark, gritty, brutal -- and sometimes funny. Even HBO's dismissal of the project arose because of the dark nature of the content.

I think the biggest fear for fans is the potentially crappy PG-13 version if push came to shove over dropping the rating. With Sam Mendes on board, it's a safe bet, that we the fans are going to get the best big screen adaptation possible.