Paul Valois    921910 Fri, 12 Jun 09 04:34 AM "For the record, I disagree. Most parents either won't let their kids go to a PG-13 movie or, if they do, they check it out really closely." I'm not sure this is the case, especially from my own experience at the mall cinema, but even assuming it is, my point remains. The mistake here is turning a G-rated iconic kid's TV show into an abysmal PG-13 failure, by deliberately inserting vulgarity, sex and drugs into a storyline without any basis whatsoever. Imagine a PG-13 "Elf" with a couple of "F-bombs", a boob-grabbing elf, and a gratuitous homoerotic drug fantasy. Paul Valois Mistakes

	Steven J. Weller    921926 Fri, 12 Jun 09 05:10 AM "I agree with Paul on this. Why doesn't anybody want to copy the Pixar model?" Because the Pixar model puts too much emphasis on the script, which puts too much power into the hands of the writers. Because the animation is so time- and labor-intensive (though it's getting easier all the time), you have to have the script not merely finished, but locked - virtually set in stone - before you can really get started on a process that going to take a couple of years or more. Execs aren't generally comfortable reliquishing that much power, on something that's going to cost that much money. I've been on live-action shows where we were getting colored pages on the last day of principle, and I know of lots of films that were rewritten after principle was completed - sometimes involving reshoots, sometimes just trying to make a new story out of existing footage. Not an easy thing to do on a Pixar-type project. Life Continues, Despite Evidence to the Contrary Steven Steven J. Weller Cartoons

	Paul Valois    921930 Fri, 12 Jun 09 05:20 AM Execs aren't "generally comfortable reliquishing that much power, on something that's going to cost that much money." Yeah, but they'll dump a hundred million bucks on a guaranteed loser like "Land of The Lost". Which is the only point I'm making here. Some execs decided it would be a good idea to insert sex, drugs and vulgarity into a remake of an iconic 70's kid show. And this idea was stupid, going to show that Hollywood isn't always governed by money. Paul Valois

	RonB    921945 Fri, 12 Jun 09 06:26 AM "For the record, I disagree. Most parents either won't let ... or, if they do, they check it out really closely." "I'm not sure this is the case, especially from my own experience at the mall cinema, but even assuming it ... basis whatsoever. Imagine a PG-13 "Elf" with a couple of "F-bombs", a boob-grabbing elf, and a gratuitous homoerotic drug fantasy." Except, no offense, but I'm 53 and I hardly remember the TV show "Land of the Lost" I don't think I ever saw it, but at least I was alive when it aired. Do you really think kids these days *ever* heard of it until this movie came out? RonB "There's a story there...somewhere" RonB

	RonB    921948 Fri, 12 Jun 09 07:04 AM "I'm not sure this is the case, especially from my ... "F-bombs", a boob-grabbing elf, and a gratuitous homoerotic drug fantasy." "Except, no offense, but I'm 53 and I hardly remember the TV show "Land of the Lost" I don't ... alive when it aired. Do you really think kids these days *ever* heard of it until this movie came out?" And one more thing, I think "iconic" is a bit much for "Land of the Lost." This show lasted 3 half seasons 17 + 13 + 13 shows for a total of 43 half-hour shows. And the last one aired almost 33 years ago. RonB "There's a story there...somewhere" RonB

	wrabkin    921976 Fri, 12 Jun 09 07:52 AM "I agree with Paul on this. Why doesn't anybody want to copy the Pixar model?" Because it's hard. Next question, please. wrabkin

	Alan Brooks    922085 Fri, 12 Jun 09 03:58 PM "Yeah, but they'll dump a hundred million bucks on a guaranteed loser like "Land of The Lost". Which is the ... an iconic 70's kid show. And this idea was stupid, going to show that Hollywood isn't always governed by money." Just curious: What do you think it's governed by, if not money? I mean, I know you're an educated guy. Everyone knows that odd factors come into play when projects get greenlit, and less-than-the-best people get jobs because their dad/uncle/grandmother/step-brother runs a studio. But in the end, not even the richest, stupidest, most entrenched Hollywood producer lays out tens of millions of dollars with anything less than the expectation of making a profit. It is, in the end, a money game with odd factors layered on, not a social experiment with the expectation of sometimes making money. Similarly, a car has dozens of ancillary passenger-comfort features, but it's still driven by the engine, not the air-conditioner. Travolta honestly believed he'd make a bundle on "Battleship Earth" maybe because it would be such a great film or maybe because he deluded himself into thinking that "bringing the truth" to the public would carry the day. Either way, he was wrong. Clearly his involvement in the CoS was the reason the project got made instead of laughed at, but the money was put up with the expectation that it would be returned with a solid profit. Alan Brooks A with an Underwood Dare to dream. There's nothing the world loves better than tasty, juicy dreams. MWSM FAQ: http://www.panix.com/~mwsm/faq.html Filtering Trolls: http://www.panix.com/~mwsm/trolls.html Alan Brooks

	Paul Valois    922099 Fri, 12 Jun 09 04:19 PM "Just curious: What do you think it's governed by, if not money? I mean, I know you're an educated guy. ... entrenched Hollywood producer lays out tens of millions of dollars with anything less than the expectation of making a profit." Perhaps I need to clarify my position. Instead of money, I should have said that Hollywood's business is not governed by sound financial reasoning. Maybe the producers honestly expected to make money from this crappy movie, but these misguided expectations only bolster my point. Guys this stupid shouldn't be in charge of their own shoelaces. Let's put this in context: FADE IN: INT. HOLLYWOOD STUDIO BOARD ROOM - NIGHT Where the HONCHO chomps his Cuban cigar at the head of a massive boat of a table while a horde of skinny-tie wearing SYCOPHANTS submissively man the oars. It's been a long day of unproductive brainstorming, judging from their exhausted expressions. SYCOPHANT #1 Hey Boss! I have a great idea. HONCHO What is it? SYCOPHANT #1 Why don't we remake "Land of the Lost" only stick vulgarity, sex and drugs in it? HONCHO GREAT idea! Give that man a corner office and upgrade his car! Somebody sign Will Farrell now! Paul Valois Careers, Business, Context, Expressions