Michael Blowhard writes:

Dear Blowhards --

Sometimes I marvel at how resourceful the media can be. A number of litbloggers, for instance, have been picked up by newspapers and magazines to work as reviewers -- good show!

But there are other times when what amazes me instead is how clueless the media can be. Case in point: If I were a TV or movie person, I'd be spending big parts of my day scanning the web for fresh dramatic and comedy material. Why does no one seem to be doing this?

God knows the blogosphere is full of promising stories and storytellers. Yahmdallah's dating adventures could be the basis for the next "Dream On," for example. Nate Davis and Graham Lester tell real-life tales that should be primo meat for indie filmmakers. And why haven't producers who want to exploit the endless appetite for chicklit-style romantic comedy been in contact with La Coquette?

Some other bloggers whose stories are just as ripe for the picking: Neil Kramer, whose postings are often hilarious and touching performance pieces about the joys and woes of marriage and singledom (Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, can you hear me?); Searchblog, whose struggles with depression have a moving boho beauty; the Communicatrix, whose scrappy and out-there romantic and career stories are impossible not to relate to, and which she tells in the perfect voice; and Mike Hill, who (in between rants about New Jersey politics) shares cringe-making and perfectly-delicious memories of his years as an actor. What performer wouldn't kill for a part in a movie or sitcom based on these adventures? And what audience wouldn't be amused (and hooked) by watching these stories be enacted?

Juicy and fresh material, all of it, and already well-told by excellent storytellers. Hollywood, would you puh-leeze get on the ball? Your material of late has been been striking a lot of us as awfully stale.

Incidentally, should any mega-deals result from this posting, I'm more than open to the possiblity of a generous finder's fee ...

Best,

Michael

Hey, it's MINE [finder fee] - see my comment!

But I'm willing to forfeit - and even pay for a ticket - if only they'll hear you...

Posted by: Tatyana on July 21, 2005 2:11 PM

Money? Hollywood? I'm doing this to get a date. (isn't that true for most of us?)

Posted by: Neil on July 21, 2005 2:46 PM

Another one, and much better than anything I see on Comedy Central

Posted by: Tatyana on July 21, 2005 2:47 PM

Thanks for the kind words! In response, I've compiled a set of links to the stories you mention:
Dating for Dummies

Enjoy!

Posted by: Yahmdallah on July 21, 2005 3:33 PM

Yah - Indie me! It'll be like Sideways, but on the water. Or, like Star Trek, but with less action, and instead of a Spaceship, it'll have (wait for it...) a Water Ship.

Thanks for the pitch. Imma tell my agent to be ready for some calls.

Posted by: Nate on July 21, 2005 5:59 PM

I am totally making you and Tatyana my handlers.

Now fetch me a coconut-banana smoothie and several obscure foreign publications whose titles escape me but which I must have to do my work RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE!!!!

Hahahaha! I love the Hollywood!

Posted by: Colleen on July 21, 2005 6:48 PM

Thanks, Tatyana, for the mention (and link). I've got better material. Really, I do.

Posted by: psychotoddler on July 22, 2005 12:37 PM

Once I'm a Hollywood power guy the first project I greenlight will be about a pair of culture mavens who start a blog. Nude models will be featured. Wedding Crashers meets You've Got Mail.

Posted by: Sluggo on July 22, 2005 12:41 PM

Actually it should be an updated and improved version of "Paris When It Sizzles", in which William Holden was a novelist with writer's block and needed secretary Audrey Hepburn to act out stories for him to get his, er, creative juices flowing. All very sixties and G-rated (and kinda dumb) in the original.

But you could have the bloggers zapped into their own stories and acted out.

Posted by: annette on July 22, 2005 3:39 PM

Came over from Neil's site. I adore him! Thanks for all the engaging links.

Posted by: Edgy Mama on July 26, 2005 3:57 PM

I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!

Posted by: Coquette on July 26, 2005 7:29 PM






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