All the world is a critic
(Hey if this is your first time here skip this post…)
I kind of have to be careful with writing about specific business things because I don’t want to mention any project or person by name and have it come back to bite me in the ass. So I am going to refer to things in generalities, codes, and give you examples using other people.
While in Cannes, my friend and I were selling some films to the international market, also we had a few projects that we were looking for investors on. One such project already had a “name” actor attached to it, where he said that he wanted to be in it and had gone so far as to be proactive about signing onto it. The problem is the “name” actor is kind of maybe a B or C level person, it is like comparing Tom Sizemore to Sean Penn… There is a huge difference, while both are a name they really are on different planets.
Well in one conversation with a possible European investor, with her noticeably hairy armpits, we brought this project up in passing at the end and this foreign producer was really interested in the project based on the subject matter. She asked if anyone was attached and we sheepishly said that the “Tom Sizemore” level actor was, which we said was just an ok start but according to another producer we were hoping to get it in front of Sean Penn. She replied in her thick accent, “I don’t know if you are fucking with me or not, but why would you need Sean Penn when you already have (the other guy)?”
We figured that we had stepped on a land mine by admitting that we had this person in the movie, then she went on and said that it was absolutely fabulous. Telling us how huge he was in Europe and we were really surprised by the reaction she gave.
I was sitting there thinking it was the equivalent of me driving a Ford Pinto and winning a brand new car, with my friend reacting that it is crazy for me to stop driving the Pinto. Her reaction totally floored me. Which was amazing because I didn’t know how I could focus on anything she was saying when I kept looking at her armpits.
She said she was really interested in learning more about the project and being involved, we left and felt we had become world beaters.
Later that afternoon we had the same conversation with another possible investor, who worked closely with Spain, and they were really interested in the project when we brought it up. This time though when asked if there was anyone attached we proudly stated that the “Tom Sizemore” level actor had been so excited by the script that he signed on before we even had things finalized. She scoffed at the actor we had brought up and in an angry tone replied, “Having him in involved is no way to sell a picture.”
Outstanding… I think I liked the first reaction better…
Have you thought something was cool, had that idea validated, and then get destroyed for thinking it was cool?
Read the latest from Bobby Finstock
Read the latest from Donkeysosa
On 06/7/07 at 5:29 am
Cigar smoking lawyer said:
good morning
On 06/7/07 at 5:32 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3449"]good morning[/quote]
morning sunshine
On 06/7/07 at 5:32 am
Jimmy said:
This blog totaly lost me
On 06/7/07 at 5:33 am
Inga said:
I can’t stop thinking about the hairy armpits now! We all have them here in Europe, it’s so liberating and smelly!
All my ideas are cool and no one would dare to not agree with me.
3 Kudos!
/A
On 06/7/07 at 5:36 am
Cigar smoking lawyer said:
Yeah - every time I lose a jury trial.
I have a question for you guys in LA - any idea who told Phil Spector that dead rat on his head is a good hair style? He should go to jail just for that.
On 06/7/07 at 5:37 am
King Steve said:
2 things….
Number one - It was Tom Seizmore wasn’t it?…You don’t have to lie…
Number two - I know you had a semi while looking at that French chicks hairy pits….
On 06/7/07 at 5:39 am
Fiona said:
I thought you were cool, got vindicated and then they laughed at me. Now I just want you to hump my leg.
On 06/7/07 at 5:40 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3451"]This blog totaly lost me[/quote]
I sat on it for a week because I didn’t like it… Thanks for confirming that I shouldn’t have posted it.
On 06/7/07 at 5:40 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3452"]I can’t stop thinking about the hairy armpits now! We all have them here in Europe, it’s so liberating and smelly!
All my ideas are cool and no one would dare to not agree with me.
3 Kudos!
/A[/quote]
I disagree with you daily
On 06/7/07 at 5:41 am
Kelli the Original Fumby Girl said:
Fourth?
Probably more than that. I got distracted watching Clooney on Good Morning America. Geez, that man is hot.
Now onto reading the blog!
On 06/7/07 at 5:42 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3453"]Yeah - every time I lose a jury trial.
I have a question for you guys in LA - any idea who told Phil Spector that dead rat on his head is a good hair style? He should go to jail just for that.[/quote]
Nobody out here can figure him out, this trial is like a three ringed circus, his defense is grasping for straws.
On 06/7/07 at 5:42 am
Christina said:
Isn’t Tom Sizemore back in jail for violating his probation or something?
On 06/7/07 at 5:43 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3454"]2 things….
Number one - It was Tom Seizmore wasn’t it?…You don’t have to lie…
Number two - I know you had a semi while looking at that French chicks hairy pits….[/quote]
No it is actually someone a little better than Tommy boy…
And you know me too well with the second thing.
On 06/7/07 at 5:46 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3460"]Isn’t Tom Sizemore back in jail for violating his probation or something?[/quote]
When isn’t he in jail?
On 06/7/07 at 5:46 am
Cigar smoking lawyer said:
[quote comment="3450"][quote comment="3449"]good morning[/quote]
morning sunshine[/quote]
you love me, you really love me. And here I was thinking it was just a line to get me into bed.
On 06/7/07 at 5:46 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3455"]I thought you were cool, got vindicated and then they laughed at me. Now I just want you to hump my leg.[/quote]
Liar you never thought I was cool
On 06/7/07 at 5:47 am
King Steve said:
[quote comment="3461"][quote comment="3454"]2 things….
Number one - It was Tom Seizmore wasn’t it?…You don’t have to lie…
Number two - I know you had a semi while looking at that French chicks hairy pits….[/quote]
No it is actually someone a little better than Tommy boy…
And you know me too well with the second thing.[/quote]
NOONE is better than Tommy Boy….And this is making me mad that I can’t think of it….
Dude, I know you love the hairy pits, because we ALL love the hairy pits…Just noone is man enough to admit it…
On 06/7/07 at 5:49 am
Fiona said:
[quote comment="3464"][quote comment="3455"]I thought you were cool, got vindicated and then they laughed at me. Now I just want you to hump my leg.[/quote]
Liar you never thought I was cool[/quote]
Busted. Does this mean no leg humping?
On 06/7/07 at 5:50 am
Kelli the Original Fumby Girl said:
[slightly unrelated] y’know I never really thought about it, but those little 3 door Ford Focuses (Foci?) TOTALLY look like a modern-day Pinto.
And fortunately, I’ve not been shot down with on a major idea as of yet. At least not recently enough that I can remember. I’m sure there’s been a time or two that I stuck my foot in my mouth though.
On 06/7/07 at 5:50 am
Christina said:
[quote post="604"]When isn’t he in jail? [/quote]
Haha very true, it seems like he’s been in jail more than he’s been out lately. I liked his show on VH1, and I was really hoping he would stay out of trouble and stay clean. He’s very talented, or at least in my opinion he is.
People don’t shoot down my ideas, they just steal them and use them and take the credit for them.
On 06/7/07 at 5:53 am
Cigar smoking lawyer said:
[quote comment="3459"][quote comment="3453"]Yeah - every time I lose a jury trial.
I have a question for you guys in LA - any idea who told Phil Spector that dead rat on his head is a good hair style? He should go to jail just for that.[/quote]
Nobody out here can figure him out, this trial is like a three ringed circus, his defense is grasping for straws.[/quote]
Hey sometimes you gotta do what ya gotta do, but damn I think I would had to say something about the hair.
On 06/7/07 at 6:02 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3465"]
Dude, I know you love the hairy pits, because we ALL love the hairy pits…Just noone is man enough to admit it…[/quote]
It is like a second vagina
On 06/7/07 at 6:03 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3466"]
Busted. Does this mean no leg humping?[/quote]
Like I would ever turn that down
On 06/7/07 at 6:04 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3467"][slightly unrelated] y’know I never really thought about it, but those little 3 door Ford Focuses (Foci?) TOTALLY look like a modern-day Pinto.
[/quote]
Now I am going to wonder what the multiple of Ford Focus is all day
On 06/7/07 at 6:05 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3469"]
Hey sometimes you gotta do what ya gotta do, but damn I think I would had to say something about the hair.[/quote]
I am waiting for them to ask him to hold the gun and have it not fit to his hand
On 06/7/07 at 6:06 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3468"] He’s very talented, or at least in my opinion he is.
[/quote]
I just like the fact that he is like in every war movie ever.
On 06/7/07 at 6:07 am
Inga said:
[quote comment="3457"][quote comment="3452"]I can’t stop thinking about the hairy armpits now! We all have them here in Europe, it’s so liberating and smelly!
All my ideas are cool and no one would dare to not agree with me.
3 Kudos!
/A[/quote]
I disagree with you daily[/quote]
Only because you want to feel what it would be like to be married to me, it’s ok… I’m actually quite flattered.
I should’ve grown my armpit hair for tonight, drinking wine and playing boule… I’ll just try and sound french and maybe I’ll fool everyone?!
2 more kudos!
On 06/7/07 at 6:16 am
Cigar smoking lawyer said:
Talk abput grasping at straws - I had this case a few years ago where my client was charged with assualt with a deadly weapon and he would not take what i thought was a pretty good deal. I had to sit through 2 days of testimony before the state rested. I was pretty shocked - not once did anyone testify about a weapon. Case dismissed.
On 06/7/07 at 6:32 am
Em Em said:
You’re totally doing a movie with David Hasselhoff aren’t you?
On 06/7/07 at 6:40 am
crazycangal said:
Well I thought my marriage was a really cool idea and it was validated by the 150 or so guests that showed up. Funny thing is, my reception video has my co-worker of 13 years blurting out “I know a good divorce lawyer”. I was pissed off about that comment back then but he was right. I am now just a single slutty(only with the right man) mom ;).
On 06/7/07 at 6:41 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3479"]You’re totally doing a movie with David Hasselhoff aren’t you?[/quote]
the cat is out of the bag
On 06/7/07 at 6:43 am
Kevin said:
[quote comment="3477"]Talk abput grasping at straws - I had this case a few years ago where my client was charged with assualt with a deadly weapon and he would not take what i thought was a pretty good deal. I had to sit through 2 days of testimony before the state rested. I was pretty shocked - not once did anyone testify about a weapon. Case dismissed.[/quote]
Talk about hitting the lotto
On 06/7/07 at 7:14 am
kate said:
having a blonde moment here (since i’m black does it still count as a blonde moment?) who is tom sizemore?
On 06/7/07 at 7:48 am
Panhandle Poet said:
I learned a long time ago to never count the money until it was in the bank!
On 06/7/07 at 8:04 am
heidibug1 said:
Funny you mention Tom Sizemore…I live in the armpit of Hell…Bakersfield Ca and good ole Tom was arrested here a few weeks ago…damn the drugs and public fighting…so hopefully you guys picked out a different spun out actor for the movie…
On 06/7/07 at 8:08 am
lynda said:
He has been on alot of popular movies usually as a costar but his personal life is a train wreck on the same line of say Gary Busey. He has been arrested for drugs and domestic violence. Crystal meth. was his most recent arrest( I believe this was in the last 2 weeks or so).
As to the original question, I can’t remember anything as blatant as that turn-around. Hairy armpits is probibly a kooky french who still thinks Jerry Lewis is the best actor ever.
On 06/7/07 at 8:12 am
heidibug1 said:
Oh and BTW I do like Tom Sizemore, I am kinda a War movie freak, so it saddens me that he won’t be able to do any for a while, but hey maybe jail will help him with his problem ( hahaha being that there is probably just as much drugs in jail as out on the streets)
On 06/7/07 at 8:28 am
Kelli said:
[quote comment="3473"][quote comment="3467"][slightly unrelated] y’know I never really thought about it, but those little 3 door Ford Focuses (Foci?) TOTALLY look like a modern-day Pinto.
[/quote]
Now I am going to wonder what the multiple of Ford Focus is all day[/quote]
Yeah, I am still mulling over that one myself. My coworker says Foci.
On 06/7/07 at 8:48 am
Batman said:
[quote comment="3477"]Talk abput grasping at straws - I had this case a few years ago where my client was charged with assualt with a deadly weapon and he would not take what i thought was a pretty good deal. I had to sit through 2 days of testimony before the state rested. I was pretty shocked - not once did anyone testify about a weapon. Case dismissed.[/quote]
That’s a movie, or at least an episode of Boston Legal, waiting to happen….
On 06/7/07 at 9:17 am
sporkgasm said:
well i drank too much at the fondue party and thought it was cute if i wrote a sign and left it on the door: “fondue come in. fon don’t be shy.” yeah, it was that bad. i didn’t get any rave reviews for that one…obviously. but for some reason there was a split second in my mind where i thought making that sign was a good idea. pretty sad.
On 06/7/07 at 9:24 am
frankie j said:
it’s ‘foci’.
way late.
but just so you’re aware.
(my ex owned one. belonged to a ‘focus owners only’ car club. that’s the only reason i know. then again, they could’ve been pulling it out of their asses)
On 06/7/07 at 9:57 am
bloggy slater aka rebecca said:
okay hairy armpit hair gives me nightmares thanks kevin lol.. yes i have had ideas shoot down I am starting culinary school next month to become a chef I left my community college to do this and My mom said it was a bad idea…. she didn’t even want to sign for a parent loan for me….and to this day she isn’t fully in my corner so I feel your pain.. rejection is the pits lol go with hairy scary
On 06/7/07 at 11:41 am
Melissa said:
I totally understand the feeling. It’s like writing a book and sending it out to publishers for consideration. One reams you for the lack of commas, another for your insistence on having any mythological reference and a third simply sends you a form letter making you feel warm and fuzzy inside - then the fourth place jumps on so hard and fast your eyes swim and your teeth clack. People are funny things. Just remember, the Big Boys of the New York publishing houses rejected Jo Rowling’s first Harry Potter book but Scholastic hopped onboard happily. Who’s laughing now? Everyone has a different measuring stick for success when really it is a hit-or-miss thing.
Now, why am I thinking that the hairy armpit chick was Italian or French and the sniffy disdainful person was from Spain?
On 06/7/07 at 2:21 pm
Sophisticated Redneck said:
My 4th grade perm. Everyone in my family said it looked GREAT. And I believed it until Monday morning when I got on the school bus. I got teased mercilessly about it, to the point that Tuesday morning, one of the middle school boys brought in a bottle of Tame conditioner. (Tame the frizzies with tame. Great ad campaign on that one.)
On 06/7/07 at 4:51 pm
Alicia {Mom~o} said:
Yeah things do come to mind. Like when I wanted to open a drive-up coffee booth in my very small town. My husband said it was a good idea, and he did dumb things all of the time, but still I was excited. One of my other friends, who I had thought was smart and I trusted, told me it was a bad idea. So I scratched it, and what do you know, someone has opened one up and it’s still here 2 yrs later and doing well! Arg! I should’ve trusted my own instincts.
On 06/7/07 at 8:39 pm
bunnyknows said:
Can you hump my leg too?
On 06/7/07 at 9:50 pm
brown bagger said:
you’re fucked if you don’t and you’re fucked if you do