I'm Just The WriterWritten by Stephen Schochet
Writers are often are greatly surprised or disappointed by how their work is changed when it is adapted for big screen. When Irwin Shaw's World War II novel The Young Lions was shot in Paris in 1958, Nazi character was played by Marlon Brando. Ever method actor, Brando provoked an uproar by strutting around town in his SS uniform, even going into restaurants to dine. The thirty three year old star was unsure if Parisians ripping his clothes were doing it out of adulation or disdain. Like most actors Brando wanted to be loved and he took his concern to Shaw that Nazi be made sympathetic. "You just don't understand character", Brando told amazed writer. "It's my character," replied Shaw. "Not anymore", replied actor. Some writers grow resigned to their voices being lost. George S. Kaufman wrote screenplay for Marx Brother's comedy Animal Crackers in 1930. He attended rehearsals and realized that nothing Groucho, Chico and Harpo were doing resembled his original draft. He watched as director Victor Heerman was driven to distraction by brothers showing up late, placing bets on horses, playing stock market and never sticking to script. Heeman literally threatened to imprison them in cages till they behaved. Kaufman took it in stride falling asleep through much of tomfoolery. At one point writer woke up with a start and shouted," Oh my God! I thought I heard one of my lines." A few years ago comedy playwright Neil Simon announced he was moving from Los Angeles to New York. In Los Angeles he was isolated in his car all time and he felt it is was hurting his writing. Better to be in New York where you walked everywhere and met people. His departure may have been hastened by writing and showing up to set of The Marrying Man (1991). He got to witness Kim Basinger holding up production with tardiness, temper tantrums and her much publicized love affair with co-star Alec Baldwin. Simon was humiliated when she held up her copy of script and stated for all to hear," Whoever wrote this knows nothing about comedy!" The Odd Couple writer was too insulted to help fix plot problems and picture bombed.
| | A Long Walk on a Short PierWritten by Arleen M. Kaptur
We all write - whether we do it professionally or socially. Kids write homework assignments and mom and dad write out checks to pay bills. Writing comes in many shapes and forms, but what about "taking that leap of faith" and putting your views, thoughts, and ideas on paper and letting others read them, test them, and possibly incorporate them into their own lifestyles. A writer can "move mountains" and "tear down walls" or they can isolate, humiliate, and destroy. These are very powerful aspects to consider when you put pencil/pen to paper. There is, however, another very important point to consider with regard to writing. It is a form of communicating with everyone world-wide and exchanging viewpoints as well as forging new inroads and offering new solutions. Every man, woman, or child has an opinion and these opinions count. Collectively, they have sent man into space and sadly, individually, they have started battles. History is a reflection of a generation's beliefs, values, and morals. History is not a text book filled with phantom words and sentences that have been placed there mysteriously. They are words, either written or spoken, that have advanced civilizations and, in some instances, made human beings hang their heads in shame. Life offers us so many opportunities to walk across some very short piers, and when you write your personal feelings, and
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