Great script conference on the set of Red Dust.
Left to right: director Victor Fleming, Jean Harlow,
Clark Gable, Mary Astor.
In the spacious, well-appointed conference, I’m at the tail end of a script conference with a group of high-powered studio executives.
It’s a good meeting. The company is enthusiastic about my latest spec script.
Spec scripts are not studio assignments. Instead, I wrote it on my own time in the belief that I’d find a buyer, and thus attach myself as executive producer and reap much higher financial rewards. Owning and controlling my own scripts, though risky, is one of the best ways for a Hollywood screenwriter to control his career. My batting average with specs is, so far, pretty darn good.
The production company optioned my script almost as soon as it hit the market
Now we’re discussing a rewrite—actually, more like a polish. I also have to deal with some below-the-line budget problems. Figure out a way to cut a few million from the script and make it doable. I figure I’ll scale back on the massive action scenes and combine several locations.
The execs are a creative, experienced group. Their notes are solid. I’ve known most of them for a long time. We’ve been in Hollywood for some 20-plus years. I like and admire these execs. Always respectful of my Orthodox Judaism they go out of their way to schedule lunch meetings at kosher restaurants.
We’re all on the same page, script-wise. I’m thinking: this is fab-u-lous, we’re gonna make an excellent movie.
I’m also gripped with a huge sense of relief because the meeting did not include the standard and obligatory George Bush-is-worse-than-Hitler pre-meeting chat.
Yup, it’s all smooth and professional — until the meeting devolves into sheer lunacy.
“Okay,” announces the senior studio executive, “I just want to make sure that everyone in this room is voting for Obama.”
To the left of me a junior executive goes: “Well, sure, of course.”
To the right of me another executive nods his head up and down like a bobble and mutters: “We need Obama so badly.”
Let’s be honest, folks: I can just grunt in the affirmative and be done with the whole wretched ambush.
“Robert?”
The studio exec is smiling, all charm and fuzzy-wuzzy, but his eyes betray confusion. I mean, Hollywood is in the tank for Obama, all except for a handful of out-of-the closet Republicans and even more who dare not voice their conservative beliefs for fear of being blacklisted. This is not paranoia, It’s just the way it is for Hollywood Republicans swimming in an ocean of liberals.
“Earth to Robert?”
All eyes are on me. My colleagues are shifting uncomfortably in their super-comfy leather chairs.
Everyone in Hollywood takes it for granted that if you work in Hollywood you are a Democrat. Hollywood people, whose job it is to imagine stuff, find it hard, if not impossible, to imagine a Republican in their midst.
I feel like a Marrano, a secret Jew, unveiled before the Inquisition.
Time to man-up.
Sorta.
“Look, I don’t talk politics. I’m here to make a movie.”
Seriously, the studio exec looks like he’s just had a glimpse of the apocalypse and his head is about to explode.
He’s like: “You are kidding, right?”
I’m totally absorbed in the incredibly complex task of closing my MacBook and shtupping it into my briefcase.
I glance up, all eyes on your faithful blogger.
G-d in heaven, I silently pray, puh-leeese let loose with an earthquake—not massive and corpse strewn, mind you—just awesome enough to send everyone scurrying for their lives and get me the heck out of this totalitarian canyon.
Is my prayer answered?
No, it is not.
I’m like: “Let’s just make a great film together.”
My studio executive goes all Ludwig Wittgenstein on me.
“You’re not voting for Barack. That means you’re voting for John McCain,”
Now I’m focused on zipping up my laptop case. It’s unbelievably complicated and demands all my attention.
Smiling through a deadly combination of disbelief and rapidly escalating anger: “Robert, this is not a democracy in this room. You don’t get to abstain.”
I love liberals. They’re so not liberal it’s almost a fulfillment of George Orwell’s 1984.
“Look, I don’t discuss politics or religion in business meetings. Sorry.”
Sure, I could say that I’m voting for McCain-Palin, but I don’t feel like playing in their playground. I want to create some simple boundaries.
“Sarah Palin is such a backward step for women,” chimes in a young, slender D-girl. DG is an Ivy League grad, overeducated, overbred and fashionably undernourished. She invariably shows up at meetings poised for the runway in Prada, Armani, Dolce Gabbana, plus a seemingly endless supply of Manolo Blahnik pumps, footwear whose combined cost is more than the GNP of several third world countries.
I shrug, trying to give the impression that I’m way too stupid to process D-girl’s sophisticated political analysis.
Finally, my agent—G-d love him—claps his hands together and all hyper and energized and trying desperately to create a Ho Chi Minh style diversion announces that this is a great script, that the notes are great, that we all have great relationships, that we’re going to make a great movie, and it’s all so, you know, great.
Oddly enough, I don’t feel so great.
In the elevator going down to the parking lot my agent chuckles and calls me a four-letter word. He does this with great affection.
“Why don’t you just give ’em what they want?”
“As Barack Obama once sad: That’s above my pay grade.”
“It’s a good thing you have so much talent or you’d be so dead in this town.”
And hey, wouldn’t you like to see the videotape of Obama attending a dinner in honor of Palestinian terrorist Rashid Khalili? The LA Times is holding it back—at least prior to the election. The tape, might, y’know, get blindly reliable Jewish Democrats to reconsider voting for Obama.
So, Robert: Did the film ever get made? If not, do you think the meeting had any effect in that direction? I don’t see a lot of credits in your IMDB listings… 🙁
FWIW, I did love Body Double.
> Many middle and upper class Jews from liberal American families are born with a neurological disorder that makes them unable to press the “Republican” lever on the voting machine.
One of the visibly enduring, transient qualities of Jews seems to me to be “savyy about survival”.
Granted, this was weakened in Nazi Germany, but one would think that the survivors of THAT would be particularly clued in.
What’s happened that they can’t figure out who their enemy is any more?
RE: Jack – She is dangerous. She doesn’t understand foreign policy. She doesn’t understand economics. She is vindictive.
Jack, please tell my you don’t get your basis for voting from Katie. I consider Obama more dangerous and McCain is the smarter choice of the two as he is the one being elected President. But I fear you may get your obamanation.
Jack,
I think you conflated me with Lance. Like I said, I respect–but do not understand–your position. I read widely too (I’m in academia, I can’t get away from this election if I try) and I come to an entirely different conclusion than you do.
For me, it’s G-d and country. No matter who wins, I want my country to prosper. I fervently hope and pray that if Obama wins, none of the things that many reasonable and educated people fear will truly come to pass.
Good Shabbos to you.
Jack:
Re: Nixon. He saved the state of Israel in 1973 when he rearmed the IDF during the disastrous first few weeks of the Yom Kippur War. I was there, I can testify as to how desperate was the IDF.
Nixon went against the tide of advice from Henry Kissinger and most of his cabinet who urged a more, ahem, even-handed approach.
In short: Nixon acted for the Jewish State because he saw Israel as a bulwark of democracy in a sea of Arab-Muslim tyrants. As for what was in his heart, well, it’s unknowable. And Judaism teaches that we judge men by their actions not by what we think is in their hearts.
Have a lovely Shabbos.
Your reasons for disliking Palin really do sound like you’ve gotten info from only one viewpoint.
Dr. Carol,
Forgive me, but that is a weak response. It doesn’t delve into the reasons I listed for not trusting her, aside from her church affiliation.
Religion is a funky thing, so I’ll set that aside for now and focus soley on the other things.
There is no disputing that her actions have been questionable. I understand that some people will try to minimize her use of the per diem and her spending tax dollars to fly her children around.
There are a lot of things in life that are legal, but are questionable morally and or ethically. I don’t see how she can justify the expenditures. Apparently it bothered her too because she changed the reports.
In regard to Troopergate her behavior has been questionable and she has been less than forthcoming about her role. It is part of a pattern in which we see a vindictive and bitter side.
If she followed appropriate protocol she wouldn’t have to behave in this manner. There wouldn’t be any discussion to be had, but that is not the case.
Her history of appointing people who are not qualified for the position is another red flag. Franci Havermeister has no business running agriculture, other than her childhood love of cows.
The bottom line is that the suggestion that criticism of Palin is illegitimate because it comes from one point of view is silly. Some facts just make her look foolish.
As for me, well I read a lot of different sources,
conservatives such as Ben Stein, George Will and Kathleen Parker have voiced their concerns as well.
It is not unusual for me to read WorldnetDaily, Newsmaxx or a bunch of other blogs that are all considered to be conservative. But let’s go back to your comment.
She’s not perfect, but she’s not evil either.
I didn’t say that she was evil. I said that she is unqualified, not a reformer and has questionable values. I think that a mother who has a pregnant teenage daughter and a son with special needs should put her family first. Apparently some people disagree with me.
I think Biden is completely incompetent and as an academic I have an innate distrust of a plagiarizer, especially a serial one. I’m curious why you think he would be a better President than Palin.
I am not a huge fan of Biden, but when I compare their experience I come out on his side. She just doesn’t have it.
Obama would be a disaster for the US, not the least in the choices he would make for the courts and what he would do to our military.
Maybe, but I am not convinced of that. Much of this is projection and speculation. I don’t want any more hardline conservatives on the court, unless they follow the grand traditions of Earl Warren.
Do you really want a President that has mentors that believe America is a lousy, hateful nation….and blames Jews for the problems of the world??
Nixon was no fan of the Jews. A lot of presidents have been questionable there. So far I continue to see a lot of paranoia from you.
I guess since you are voting for Obama, I can only surmise you agree with their world outlook.
Lance, you’d make a lousy attorney and not much of a chess player. You make wild assumptions that are based upon limited information. It is just not a smart way to try and win an argument.
Unfortunately, the liberal media has long drunk the kool aid for Obama, as you have…and much of their reporting is flawed.
See, you resort to common buzzwords and terms that you can throw to see if they don’t stick. I don’t subscribe to just one source of news. I read multiple sources and unlike Palin I can name them. I can even even fill in the names of most countries around the globe, which probably gives me another edge on her.
The thing is that I don’t let my paranoid fantasies of what could happen dictate how I respond. I take a hard look at what the facts are and try to make an educated decision based upon those.
And sometimes I make a compromise. As I mentioned numerous times, I consider Obama to be the lesser of two evils.
If it makes you feel better to compare me to some Jonestown follower, a bubble headed Kool Aid drinker, be my guest.
Again, I don’t find it to be impressive or persuasive.
Have a good Shabbos.
Dr.Carol,
We may all have to ask G-D to help us with our attitude if, Heaven Forbid, Obama wins.
It will be a long 4 years.
Jack,
Are you oblivious to Rev Wright and Father Pflager??
Do you really want a President that has mentors that believe America is a lousy, hateful nation….and blames Jews for the problems of the world??
I guess since you are voting for Obama, I can only surmise you agree with their world outlook.
So you get your news from traditional liberal media…..big deal….BTW, newsflash for you….ABC newsman Gibson couldt tell you what the Bush doctrine was….Read Charles Krauthammer’s column about the interview.
Unfortunately, the liberal media has long drunk the kool aid for Obama, as you have…and much of their reporting is flawed.
One just has to look at the LA Times, NY Times, Newsweek…etc….etc….etc…
Robert,
I don’t fast all day. I like my breakfast too much.
I’d signed up at the Fast for the President website soon after 9/11. There’s also a group called the Presidential Prayer Team that supports government leaders in prayer. The Fast for the President rolls will be purged after the election to start over, and I will sign up again, no matter who wins. I figure, I can’t support my country by serving in the military, but I can give up one or two meals once a month and spend that time asking G-d to guide my leaders and give them wisdom to do the right thing.
I will probably also have to ask G-d to help me with my attitude if Obama wins.
Jack,
Palin’s questionable church affiliation? I don’t understand what your issue is there–especially if you consider where Obama attended, and took his children, for twenty years.
If you are reading the MSM garbage and lies about the Assemblies of God, where Sarah attended when she was younger, why not let me tell you the truth about that denomination. I’ve been a member since I was 18, my dad and aunt are both pastors, and I know most of the founding mothers and fathers of that movement. (John Ashcroft is a member as well) I don’t see how her church attendance is in any way worrisome. We AG-ers are proud Americans and staunch friends of Israel.
Your reasons for disliking Palin really do sound like you’ve gotten info from only one viewpoint. She’s not perfect, but she’s not evil either. I think Biden is completely incompetent and as an academic I have an innate distrust of a plagiarizer, especially a serial one. I’m curious why you think he would be a better President than Palin.
McCain isn’t my first choice–I preferred Fred Thompson–but he’s the least worrisome of two bad choices. Obama would be a disaster for the US, not the least in the choices he would make for the courts and what he would do to our military.
It’s nice to be idealistic but the truth is a Democratic majority in Congress and the most leftist President in history won’t bode well for America. They talk a good game about bipartisanship, and being tolerant, and Republicans close their eyes to history and swallow that seductive lie. Then the Dems cackle at our naivete and steamroll right over us. Just like they will do with an Obama presidency.
Let me make a post-election prediction.
If Obama wins, Republicans will be disappointed and then we’ll move on, wait to see what happens.
If McCain wins the Dems will cry voter fraud, drag in hundreds of lawyers, and yes, there will probably be violence.
Hi Robert,
Somehow I missed this. I disagree. I think that we are likely to see massive kvetching by both sides. I hope that I am wrong, but I won’t be surprised.
What I really hope for is to be proven wrong about whomever wins. As I said at our last lunch, I really don’t like any of the candidates. I find it frustrating that we can’t do better than this.
Maybe I do respond passionately….
The reason might be is that I consider Obama very dangerous.
Lance, I feel the same way about Palin.
However, I have to laugh at loud at your reasoning against Palin. Palin is a very qualified woman, who I believe could easily step in and lead this country.
If you aren’t bothered by ignorance, incompetence and a complete lack of qualifications than I who am I to complain. But just for the heck of it let’s run down some of it again.
Palin claims to be a reformer but in actually has a history of not doing that. She dinged the state for her per diem for 312 days in which she slept at home. It is legal, but not the behavior of a true reformer.
A true reformer doesn’t charge the state to fly her children to functions that they have no reason to be at. She should pay those bills. It is wrong.
She has a history of being petty and vindictive.She hires people who are unqualified for the office she appoints them to.
She didn’t know what the Bush Doctrine was and when asked what she reads couldn’t name a single newspaper or magazine. How hard is it to just say Time or Newsweek, or Seraphic Secret.
The list goes on and on. Now I know that people claim that the media and the world are out to get her, but if there was nothing there, there wouldn’t be a story.
And of course let’s not forget her association with the Alaskan separatist groups or her questionable church affiliation.
No one is so clean that they could get off scot free, but she is a piece of work.
I suppose you think Joe Biden is Presidential material??
He is not first choice and neither was Obama, but compared to Palin it is easy.
As to Palin not being a team player…All I can tell you is that you need to get a different news outlet….it is obvious you watch alot of Olbermann and Maddow.
I don’t watch either one of them. That story was reported in multiple places including CNN, the AP, ABC etc.
But what is most telling is that you don’t deny the truth of the story, you just throw mud and hope that it sticks.
Unless I missed something. Didn’t you leave us in suspense in the original post? Nu? Did your refusal to conform get you banned? Or is that too personal?
Oh, do I know how you feel. I don’t want to politicize my life. I don’t want at the bus stop, at the school meeting, at the dojo, or anywhere else, to have to defend myself against personal attacks, nor do I want to have to deal with air headed conclusions that are utterly devoid of facts. Political discussion would be interesting if these people weren’t living the Gospel according to the New York Times, which sees them more fundamental in their beliefs than the average Evangelical.
Jack,
Maybe I do respond passionately….
The reason might be is that I consider Obama very dangerous.
I wont rehash the reasons Obama should not be President. Robert has very eloquently laid out the arguments as to the reasons Obama is least qualified to be Commander-In-Chief.
However, I have to laugh at loud at your reasoning against Palin. Palin is a very qualified woman, who I believe could easily step in and lead this country.
I suppose you think Joe Biden is Presidential material??
I’m busting my spleen in laughter at how you can possibly hold that view.
You think being in the Senate makes one qualified? His gaffes have become so cancerous to the Messiah’s campaign, that Time.com reported that he is being kept away from the media. That is leadership in action.
As to Palin not being a team player…All I can tell you is that you need to get a different news outlet….it is obvious you watch alot of Olbermann and Maddow.
I know I will never get you to see how dangerous and ignorant your choice is….
I’m hoping that I might be reaching a possible undecided person and sway them towards McCain/Palin.
Robert, it’s funny (well, not funny, ha ha) that you mention Obama’s cult of personality. I know of so many people who say they are pro-Obama just because he ‘inspires’ people – and I guess this is all that is needed for the economy and international relations to heal. I guess having substance isn’t ‘sexy’. This whole obsession of blindly following him scares me. I fear if he wins (G-d help this country) and I fear if he loses (his fans around the USA & world will be VERY sore losers).
There was a song released in the late 80’s by Living Colour called “The Cult of Personality” – it describes Obama pretty well, unfortunately:
“I sell the things you need to be
I’m the smiling face on your tv
I’m the cult of personality
I exploit you, still you love me
I tell you one and one makes three”
Here’s a YouTube link to the song – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ5SVDYBNrY
May G-d watch over us all.
Aharon:
Yes, many Obama supporters are clearly in the grip of a Mao style cult of personality.
It will actually be sort of amusing to see how quickly this sours if he’s elected. For no man can live up to such hype and certainly no candidate can keep the utopian promises that Obama has recklessly made to the American people and to the world.
Obloodyhell:
Here’s a good example of how Hollywood thinks: almost every issue of “Written By” the magazine for the Writer’s Guild of America, the union for screenwriters, is stuffed with articles about the Hollywood Ten, men and women who knew and apologized for Stalin’s genocidal crimes, plus all sorts of leftist action committees that read like a playbook from planet Berkeley.
Batya:
Thanks so much for the fine link.
Jack:
Israel does not count on any single party for her security. Israeli govt. policy is to remain neutral and work with whichever party is in power.
BTW, the Canadians and the western Europeans totally count on America for their security. That’s why these countries can slash their defense budgets because they count on American power for survival.
Israel, in contrast, counts on America for weaponry & supplies. As in the ’73 Yom Kippur War, when Nixon, against the advice of his foreign policy advisors, resupplied the depleted IDF and saved the State of Israel. Literally.
Of course, Israel counts on America for geo-political support. And America counts on Israel as a bulwark of democracy in a sea of totalitarian lunatics.
Dr. Carol:
You fast once a month?
My gosh, you’re Superwoman! Or you really are Jewish:-) In medieval times many Kabbalists used to fast with great frequency.
I’m getting a migraine just thinking about it.
Bill:
Over 80% of Orthodox Jews now vote Republican.
Most secular American Jews, the majority of Jews in America, vote for the Democrats.
When you give up religion, ritual and observance you need to replace that spiritual vacuum with something else. For secular American Jews that something else is the Democrat party, so-called global warming, homosexual marriage, and any other fashionable cause that is in season.