Monday, November 28, 2016
Don Carpenter
As I mentioned before, Don Carpenter had a unique view inside the workings of Hollywood b/c he worked there as a writer for over a decade. Of the three of these novels, I think that Turnaround gives us the most nuanced and complex view of the behind-the-scenes world of Hollywood. This week and next, I'd like you to point out specific scenes that illustrate what this view of Hollywood was like. (This novel was originally published in 1981, so the setting is probably late 70s-early 80s, the years immediately after the Hollywood Renaissance.)
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ReplyDeleteSomething that really stuck out to me about Hollywood during the late 70s early 80s was the scene where Richard and Alexander get really drunk together and Alexander is afraid to walk around his studio or have anyone who is his employee/coworker see him. I always had the idea that both then and no one really cares in Hollywood. Get high! Get Drunk! Show it off! Rub it in everyone's face! But Alexander acted the complete opposite.. He was embarrassed before he even saw anyone, he felt as though he had to save face. It just really stuck out to me..
ReplyDeleteI also realized how much more laid back certain aspects of Hollywood are compared to what I had thought such as the scene we just read in class.
Alexander is the most sympathetic of the three main characters I think, which is surprising. You would think that the struggling writer would be, not the movie exec. I like him and I like this scene where he manages everything. The actor clearly is a "dumb asshole," the camera man has an attitude and the director/writer is an alcoholic. It's clear to me that Alexander isn't a cynic, the movies are very important to him. However, he knows that most movies aren't masterworks and that you just have to finish them even if the "dailies" (the camerawork) isn't as beautiful. It's a sobering view to all of us who love the movies--most of it is just "good enough."
ReplyDeleteDifferent paths, same goals. in Jody Mckeegan her way to hollywood was one of trials, tribulations and heartache. Personal and emotional problemns have derailed Jody's path to stardom. While in turnaround, jerry's path to hollywood was of writing short stories, plays, poems,letters,essays etc. plus a list of various jobs to make in showbiz. Every celebrity has had a job to progress to the next level and try to get through the front door. jody and jerry are examples of two people wanting to be hollywood and using two paths to get in
ReplyDeletethe passage of the turnaround reminds me of the film Hail Caesar. with how many problems on set in order to get a film out.for example they had to have a meeting on trying to make the actor stop delaying the film.Also, talks how race is also sensitive in Hollywood. They had to show the Native Americans that they were very much appreciated and let them know how the U.S. Government failed them.Dealing with actors can be like walking on eggshells as well. Just because Travis had got called a Dumb asshole he was trying to delay the film as much as possible. this lets us know that in Hollywood you don't want to piss off your actor.
ReplyDeleteI find that behind the scenes of any field is an alluring and mysterious experience, one that people dont see as they see the final product of a film's blood sweat and tears. It's there where writer's block grips the most creative of minds,reviewing footage that had been shot. But an aspect I really appreciate is the actors and (mostly) actresses boundaries and how they are pushed to do things they may not want to do but have to under the guise of art when it's truly just for a horn dog's sake. An example of this being in "The true life story of Jody McKeegen" where one of actresses doesnt want to get naked on camera and finds it uncouth and unnecessary. While she's in room the director explains that it's for theshot and that it's nothing and that she's an actress getting paid to but that they understand her plight. But behind closed doors, the men of the studio (the producer and director) say she gonna do the scene regardless of her attitude and that she has no choice because the contract she signed gives them power for is this decision.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really shocked or surprised by any of the revelations John Carpenter reveals throughout his book Hollywood Trilogy. I will say that his detailed account of almost every position in Hollywood is impressive and illustrates his passions for the world he left behind. I enjoyed the scene in Turnaround where Carpenter is showing Rick's view point and after the success of his first movie, Rick is overwhelmed with the "what's next' question. He feels as if his place in Hollywood is starting to die down because people are calling less and some have stopped calling altogether. It's not until he contacts Hellstrom and gets a lunch date to talk business, that he feels validated and optimistic about his future endeavors.
ReplyDeleteChapter two of Turnaround ends with a perfect tangent describing what Hollywood is like. Time and money is a big concern for people of the Hollywood lifestyle. Especially in the life of producers and director's because they are the ones who mainly handle money and worry about time during their job as well as reality. So to me it's a heightened sense of awareness and care for whats going on. They also have to have a analytic eye to notice any type of sudden changes that might mean something more than it can actually mean. This can drive a person crazy but it can just be describing how intricate they are with their work and in life and how that line blurs. One line that stuck out to me from chapter 2 is when Ted Gage says, "Time or money. I would prefer that we take another look at the script and see if we can't get a couple of extra days out of it." Time is very important for these people.
ReplyDeleteDon carpenter does get very deep into the behind the scenes of Hollywood. in TheTurnaround relationships are explained, i mean this to say that the reactionary values of the actors directly contribute to the length and speed of production and in this case, we are almost learning about the step by step process of blocking for time and light for that matter and the affect the actor had on that by simply attempting to take control of either their role or the set. By showing these minor aspects of Hollywood filming it certainly brings to light the realities of power and control.
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