Screenplays, Horror Films and Bag Pipes, the perfect mix.
Ever notice who's got the lowest job on the cinematic food chain? No we're not talking about the gaffer& it's the screenwriter1x An injustice, to be sure. As Peter Fonda puts it: "People ask me what's important and I say a good story. It all starts with the word." Well, sometimes life ain't fair: while James Cameron is dubbing himself "king of the world" (so what if he wrote Titanic's tin-eared dialogue, the guy's a director, okay?1x) and Kevin Costner's behaving like he is king of the world, then where, pray-tell, lies
the humble scribe? At home alone, of course, swallowing Tums and slaving over
the next screenplay, one for which he or she might be paid roughly as much as
The Big Star's hairdresser. Thankfully, along comes a Web site that calls a bit
more attention to these unsung heroes: the Writer's Guild's " Craft of Writing" section. This fascinating page contains helpful writing tips and interviews with many of today's most skilled practitioners, including TV writers. Spend a little time here to gain insight into the genesis of a story, and find that these successful authors all have one thing in common& no, not ulcers& a firm grasp of character.
If spooky flicks are your bag, check out Losman's Lair of Horror, an alphabetical listing of films
(with plot synopses) that fall within the dark and dreary genres. Though the
site is in dire need of a copy editor and the photos could stand some captions,
the pages look sharp and provide an in-depth archive of the macabre. With
categories like "Disturbing Movies" and "Slasher City," Losman's Lair also
features a well-chosen black comedy section and a hilarious listing of bad
horror ("C.H.U.D.," anyone?). Hit this site before you hit the local Blockbuster
- it'll give you some craaaaazy ideas for tonight's rent.
Now let's get some real kicks. You may not guess from
its name, but " The Bagpipes go to the Movies" is a truly amusing and engaging site. Claim the authors: "It is fun to see how one's favorite instrument and music is portrayed through the popular medium of film; it is also chastening to see how often the characterization is derisive and the representation is botched, or both." Well, the bagpipes are not this journalist's favorite instrument (though they sure sound sweet), but that fact diminishes none of this Web site's novel appeal. You see, two guys (with the help of fervent pipe-lovers affixed to both their VCRs and home computers) combed through thousands of films and TV shows with the seemingly ludicrous task of finding either bagpipes on the soundtrack or the onscreen presence of a piper. Phew1x The team's exhaustive research paid off - the many items on the list are stunningly precise and somehow even identify the actual pipers. Further, these entries illuminate rampant anachronisms and occasionally point out that there's literally no way those miniature toy pipes you see
in the heroine's mouth could make the full-bodied bagpipe drone you're hearing
on the soundtrack. Please, just trust me on this one.
By Michael Parillo If you would like to read more articles from this author just enter their last name in the "Site Search" box (located at top right of this screen) and press your "enter" key.
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