ON NEWSTANDS: Script Magazine (July/Aug 09)

The latest issue of Script Magazine is out!

For this issue, I wrote a heartwarming piece about the value of burning one's bridges in Hollywood. Sure, it's counter intuitive, but I feel I make a pretty compelling case. Sometimes, to protect yourself out here, it's best to simply light a match, take a step back and set a former business relationship ablaze.

All the names in the piece have been changed...

Oh, except for Craig's.

Buy your copy today or subscribe!

Burning Bridges

Illustration By: Lisa DiPaula

From the Forums

Several months ago, I had the fortune to interview Matt Nix, the creator of USA's hit, Burn Notice. We chatted about breaking show's twisty plot lines, Matt's writing process, and then we blew up a CIA outpost.

I was proud of the article (which appeared in the Jan/Feb 2009 issue of Script Magazine), and recently, my editor discovered it was the topic of a Burn Notice Forum thread.

Not only do the fans declare the article to be "THE best Burn Notice-related interview," but they also seem to think my name is Aaron Goldberg. Sure. Let's just call it an alias...

Read the full thread here.

Tiny Vaudeville #4 - Highlights!

Thank you so much to everyone who came down to the Echoplex Tuesday night to support 826LA.

Once again, the show was a huge success -- and we couldn't have pulled it off without the help (and boundless talents) of so many amazing artists: Ben Acker & Ben Blacker, Joel Spence, Dave (Gruber) Allen, Common Rotation, Derek Hughes, Brendon Walsh, Sean Watkins of Nickle Creek, Kat Parsons, John DiMaggio, James Urbaniak, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Ascott-Evans, Christina Galante, and all of the volunteers that help behind the scenes.

For those of you who couldn't make it, here are a few fun highlights of the evening:

The tremendous Kat Parsons brought the house down.

Brian Baumgartner, John DiMaggio and (not pictured) James Urbaniak
take on David Mamet in our ridiculous version of Glengarry Glen Ross.

Comedian Brendon Walsh hilariously pushes
the boundaries of good taste (you know, for the kids)

Common Rotation, phenomenal as always.

Dave (Gruber) Allen, James Urbaniak, and Brian Baumgartner

read selections from 826LA's latest collection of kids' thoughts on time travel.

Photos courtesy of incredibly talented LifeofReilly.

S.W.I.P.E. - Screen Grab

There is much news in the world of S.W.I.P.E.

Unfortunately, we're not allowed to discuss any of it. Top secret, and all.

In the meantime, our brilliant DP Tony Burns was kind enough to share this kick-ass screen grab of Agent Billdog Hicks (Max Hartman) doing what he does best: using excessive violence in the name of copyright protection. Enjoy!

More S.W.I.P.E. news to come.

Stay tuned...

Tiny Vaudeville #4

Yep, it's finally happening. We're bringing 826LA's hilarious Tiny Vaudeville back to Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 30th with comedy, magic, music and more! Wade and I are co-directing/producing and writing once again (along with the unrivaled brilliance of Acker & Blacker).

The one-and-only Joel Spence is back with house band Common Rotation to host another evening of guaranteed gut-busting side-splittery -- all done in the name of charity!

Who's starring this time, you ask? What amazing surprises do we have in store for you? Any cool celebrities? All good questions. For the answers, how about you come on down to the Echoplex on Tuesday night and FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF!

Past shows have included:
Appearances by Dave Foley, Buck Henry and Laraine Newman, Bob Odenkirk, Charlyne Yi, Kirsten Vangsness, Mark Gagliardi, Samm Levine, Martin Starr!

Musical Guests Pop Levi, Maria Taylor, Garfunkel and Oates, Claybo & Downs, Bhama Roget!

Performances by The Royal Shakespeare Company: This Week in Hagar and This Week in Beetle Bailey! Magic by Derek Hughes!

Jeremy Konner and Eban Schletter in the now-infamous battle known only as "Saw vs Theremin"!!

If that is the quality of evening we've consistently delivered, what are you worried about?! Tiny Vaudeville #4 will exceed your already high expectations! The first 200 to RSVP online with a donation of your choosing* will receive a receipt for your tax deductible donation.

* $10 minimum suggested, plus eventbrite fees. Receipts are issued only for pre-sale online donations - confirmation and receipt are sent automatically. All other tickets are $15 CASH ONLY at the door.

Check out this link to lock down seats => HERE

ON NEWSTANDS: Script Magazine (May/June 2009)

The latest issue of Script Magazine is out!

For this issue, I got to sit down to chat with John Brancato and Michael Ferris about their small, quirky indie film, Terminator Salvation. Maybe you've heard of it? Not only do I get their two cents on the infamous Bale Meltdown, corner them on the death of their wonderfully bizarre fake identity, but we also have a cool discussion about writing oneself into a serious corner. As in: what happens when you end your previous movie with the full blown Apocalypse... and then the studios ask for a follow up?

Also in this issue, another exciting adventure from The Case Files of The Unlawyer.

In "Your Leopard Is Stuck In Customs," I discover that masquerading as an entertainment attorney at a reputable firm in Los Angeles isn't all fun and games. In fact, even the smallest mistakes can quickly ripple through the globe. Just ask the leopard.

True story.

Get your copy today, or just subscribe!

Your Leopard Is Stuck In Customs

Illustration By: Lisa DiPaula

The Key Lazzi

I just returned from a brief stint in Dallas where I was co-directing (with Kitchen Dog Theater co-Artistic Director Tina Parker) an awesome new play by Yussef El Guindi called Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes.

In it, an Arab-American actor finally gets his big Hollywood break. Unfortunately, that break is playing Mohammed, the most grotesquely stereotypical Islamic terrorist ever conceived. So, how much is one's dignity really worth?

One of the scenes we worked on (for hours) is a massively farcical comic set piece. Michael Federico, the brilliant actor playing the smarmy talent agent, blogged about his experiences in rehearsal on KERA.org's website.

Read his hilarious version of The Actor's Nightmare here.

And hey, if you're in Dallas, don't miss the final production of KDT's 08/09 season.