Well, dear readers, I’m writing these here notes early because I have to be up at six in the morning to announce the new Kritzerland release. So, I’ll just jump right in and say that 10/10/10 was a 10 all the way, just the sort of day I needed and a lovely start to a brand spanking new week. I managed to get nine blessed hours of blessed sleep, which was blessed. Did you know, for example, that my first name in Hebrew is Baruch? And did you know, for example, that Baruch means blessed? Where was I? Oh, yes, the lovely Sunday I had. So, I got up, did a few things on the computer, then spent some time having a telephonic conversation with the Kritzerland designer about our opening page on the website. Every time we do a new release, another cover has to go away and it’s always a chore to figure out which one it will be and then it just disappears into that long list. So, we’ve made some changes to that page and it will now have twelve covers instead of six, and the long list will be much shorter now as we’re pulling out all the sold out titles. You’ll still be able to see the complete list by clicking on a clearly marked link right below the twelve album covers. I think that will be much cleaner and people will be able to easily see what we have immediately available for purchase. After that, I did a mile and a half jog. I must say, I did feel better than I have in a few days – amazing what a good night’s sleep will do. Then I prepared everything for our announcement this morning, after which I did a little organizational work of the next Gardenia show. Happily, I only have to Xerox three charts – we had complete piano/vocal and vocal-only charts on every song, and multiple copies, save for the three I have to Xerox. Then I moseyed on over to the DGA (Director’s Guild of America) to see The Social Network. I got there at three – the theater was already open and I got “my” seat in the back row left center aisle. That made me very happy. As I sat there, I realized that next year I will have been a member of the DGA for thirty years – pretty amazing. I will also say that the membership can smell an interesting film a mile away and by three-thirty the theater was almost filled to capacity. By three-forty-five there wasn’t a seat left, and they took the overflow into their second and smaller theater – they must have been expecting these crowds.
Yesterday, I saw a motion picture entitled The Social Network. I’ve been hearing great things about it and, of course, the subject matter, the invention of Facebook, is very interesting to me. I have to say I really didn’t like David Fincher’s last film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a film where Fincher’s personality and style was nowhere in evidence. But I’m happy to report that Fincher is back in fine form with this film. You know it from the very first scene – a scene that goes against every Screenwriting 101 “rule” these days – it’s a very long dialogue scene between two people and it’s terrific – Aaron Sorkin writes wonderful dialogue and the actors deliver it wonderfully. Best of all, Fincher just sets the camera down and shoots it as all dialogue scenes should be shot – simply, and without showing off. No fancy 360 dolly arounds – no quick zooms or other “now” spazzy camerawork – you know the kind, speeding up, slowing down, jerking the camera, jump cutting. How novel of a director to actually just trust the writing and the actors and to stay out of the way. It’s the way movies used to do it and it’s the way it should always be done. In any case, I shall add my voice to the voices who are praising the film – simply put, for me it’s the best I’ve seen this year (albeit, I haven’t seen all that much) – crackling dialogue, terrific pace, simple, effective direction, and terrific acting. From what I’ve read, the film was shot on HD but looks pretty good (a little dark for my tastes, but that’s a minor nitpick). And again, completely going against Screenwriting 101 “rules” there is no back-stories on these characters. They just exist in the here and now and bravo to Mr. Sorkin and Mr. Fincher for winning whatever battles had to be fought to have it that way. If the film is a hit and wins awards, maybe it will bring back that kind of writing and directing, which would be a most welcome change of pace. It’s one of the few recent movies that I’d actually like to see again right away. Let’s face it – Facebook is a phenomenon. Or should that be Phacebook is a Fenomenon?
After the movie, I joined my friend Debby and her daughter Olivia for supper at Genghis Cohen. I hadn’t been to Genghis Cohen for at least two or three months, so it was great to have my favorite food once again. Debby is still fighting her health issues, but is in good spirits. I haven’t seen Olivia since she was sixteen probably and I’ve known her since she was three. She is a stunningly beautiful twenty-five-year-old now. She’s just moved back to LA from New Orleans, where she’s been living for several years. She’s a painter and has grown into quite an accomplished artist, and her work is superb – she’s sold quite a few paintings and has even had some commissions. And I’m happy to say I was one of the first to see her talent and I was THE first to purchase it – I bought two of her paintings when she was twelve, and I still have them and they’re still great. The food was, as always, superb – the usual orange chicken (extra crispy), crackerjack shrimp, green beans, and steamed sole. I was so full I didn’t know if I’d be able to even get up from the table. After that, I headed back to the home environment.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must get these here notes posted early so I can get as much sleep as possible before my six am wake up call.
Today, I shall be up at the crack of dawn to announce our new title. After that, I hope to print out a LOT of orders. I also hope to get a couple hours more sleep. At eleven, John Boswell, the musical director of the next Gardenia show is coming to pick up the music – before he arrives I have to Xerox the three charts for which I don’t have copies. We’ll discuss the show and casting, then he’ll be on his merry way. I’ll then hopefully print out even MORE orders and have some sort of meal in some sort of restaurant, but only after I do some sort of jog.
Tomorrow, I may or may not be doing some sort of interview for the book – if it happens, I have to drive to Santa Monica in the late afternoon. If that’s the case I’ll hang out there and then come home after rush hour.
Wednesday is, of course, my book signing at Book Soup and I do hope all our West Coast dear readers and lurkers will come out and be supportive. I really have to fill the place or I won’t be invited back. So, this is the one, folks – be there or be round.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, get up early, make an announcement, print out orders, try to get a couple hours more sleep, work with a musical director, jog, and then eat something amusing. Today’s topic of discussion: The Social Network, like All The President’s Men, takes true events for which we know the outcome, and somehow manages to make those events suspenseful and compelling. What are your favorite motion pictures based on true events? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I try and figure out how haineshisway.com can make me ten percent of the 25 billion dollars that Phacebook is worth.