As this year comes to a close, and everyone prepares to vote for the best of the year, I want to remind you of some of my baits that might just strike your fancy...
AFTER EARTH
The Sci-Fi epic that may have just been a little too epic for some people. My favorites part about these baits was the energy crisis parallel and, of course, Johnny Depp as both Prince Eridos and King Salcazar. I truly do think that he deserved some Best actor recognition and would love to see him get nominated in the end of the year awards.
End Of The Year Possibilities...
Best Actor - Johnny Depp
Most Original Bait
DRAGONTOWN
My adventure into Japanese animation was one of the biggest shocks of my year in baiting. Not only was it praised almost universally, but it ended up winning the award for Best Original Screenplay. For an animated, foreign language bait about demons and the Yakuza, I say that was a pretty damn good showing.
End Of The Year Possibilities...
Most Original Bait
OIL
Ah, another adventure. This was my attempt at baiting "Dallas", the classic prime time soap opera that is, currently, being turned into a comedy movie (BAD IDEA!). The biggest change I made was changing the names of the characters. I made it a tad bit darker and added Benico Del Toro's character. I didn't expect very much from it and then it really shocked me. #2 of the month.
End Of The Year Possibilities...
Best Picture
Best Supporting Actor - Christopher Plummer
Best Supporting Actress - Vanessa Redgrave
INSIDE YOU OUT
Oh, the confusion of politics. So many things happening at once and very little of it making any sense. Thats what this bait was really about. Hidden under the facade of a bush-bashing thriller, Inside You Out tried to convey how so much is warped and hidden from us by the media and the politicians. There was much discussion about the title of this bait and i'm finally going to explain it. The word "Inside" means to be in the know about what really goes on in the White House. While "You Out" means that we aren't allowed to know.
End Of The Year Possibilities...
Best Picture
Most Original Bait
Best Actor - Al Pacino
Best Original Screenplay
DEAR, MR. PRESIDENT
Another Oliver Stone bait, but this one is far conventional than "Inside You Out". This being the story of a woman horribly scorned by the Iraq War. A bait I myself deemed "sickeningly baity", this turned in a 6th spot in the awards, as well as won be my second award for Best Actress, this time for Susan Sarandon.
End Of The Year Possibilities...
Best Actress - Susan Sarandon
Shameless Oscar Vehicle
Best Director - Oliver Stone
THE VAMPIRE LESTAT
A bait that took a lot of people by surprise. What it lacked in baity qualities, it apparently made up for in so many other ways. Snubbed by all the precursor awards, "The Vampire Lestat" went on to be nominated for SEVEN oscars, including Best Picture. It helped, I think, open up the gates for unbaity stories to make it into the top awards.
End Of The Year Possibilities...
Best Picture
Best Supporting Actor - Peter O'Toole
Best Casting Choice - Jonathan Rhys Myers as Lestat
Best Plot
THE DARK TOWER
Maybe the longest bait ever written? "The Dark Tower" is based on a Stephen King story that reached over 4000 pages. I have been telling it over four baits, the fourth to come in the new year. All three of the current installments have been praised by most authors, and yet have been consistently snubbed at ALL the awards. This may be because of two reasons. ONE: They are EXTREMELY unbaity. TWO: Perhaps the voters are waiting for the fourth, and final, part in order to determine if the story as a whole is worthy of oscar gold? Probably not but you can't blame me for wishful thinking lol.
So there you have it!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
A Socialist Bait an Oscar
So I have a small problem with how things are being run with Bait an Oscar. Not so much a problem as an annoyance. Rules were changed a while back so that BOTM winners could vote in the final awards. Heres my problem, and I was worried about it since this policy was announced. A LOT of people have won BOTM now. The majority of the veteran authors can now vote in the academy. However, they can also vote for the precursors.
This is destroying the element of surprise, I find. I loved it when the precursors were almost completely separate from the awards themselves. When the Golden Globes and The Oscars rarely agreed with each other. This was because the GG's were, essentially, the peoples choice awards for Bait an Oscar. Now, it seems, that the Oscars are the peoples choice awards. Rarely are there major differences in the awards now.
I remember when my bait "The Vampire Lestat" was virtually ignored by every last precursor and then got nominated for BOTM. It shocked everyone, especially myself. I haven't seen anything like this happen since then. I'm afraid that the Oscars are losing the element of surprise. I've almost entirely quit writing baity baits now so I don't really expect any of my baits to make it into the top 5, but I would love to see another huge shocker take place soon. Bring back some surprise to the contest. I hope I am not the only person who thinks this.
I don't particularly think that BOTM winners should be voting for the winners. I have never voted, and this is the reason for it. Bait an Oscar needs an Oscar dictatorship where one, or a very select few, have the say in who wins. The GG's and SAG awards should stay the people's choice. Let them be socialists. Controlled by the people.
This is destroying the element of surprise, I find. I loved it when the precursors were almost completely separate from the awards themselves. When the Golden Globes and The Oscars rarely agreed with each other. This was because the GG's were, essentially, the peoples choice awards for Bait an Oscar. Now, it seems, that the Oscars are the peoples choice awards. Rarely are there major differences in the awards now.
I remember when my bait "The Vampire Lestat" was virtually ignored by every last precursor and then got nominated for BOTM. It shocked everyone, especially myself. I haven't seen anything like this happen since then. I'm afraid that the Oscars are losing the element of surprise. I've almost entirely quit writing baity baits now so I don't really expect any of my baits to make it into the top 5, but I would love to see another huge shocker take place soon. Bring back some surprise to the contest. I hope I am not the only person who thinks this.
I don't particularly think that BOTM winners should be voting for the winners. I have never voted, and this is the reason for it. Bait an Oscar needs an Oscar dictatorship where one, or a very select few, have the say in who wins. The GG's and SAG awards should stay the people's choice. Let them be socialists. Controlled by the people.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Lynch Pin
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n266/majes6661/DT3-1.jpg
After the less than overwhelming success of "The Red Menace" and "Down in Heaven", I decided to come back to release one more, truly epic bait. Based upon Stephen King's magnum opus; "The Dark Tower". I spent a week writing it and, when finished, the bait's synopsis had reached over 4000 words. I knew that it was in my best interest to break the bait up into a four part series.
And so was born "The Gunslinger", "The Drawing of the Three", "The Wastelands", and "The Dark Tower". The story of one man's quest for redemption and the mysterious room atop The Dark Tower.
So far in the series, we have seen The Gunslinger battle against sub-races and travel through time. We will soon journey with him through The Waste Lands of a land once called York, lose the most important things in his life, and finally reach the rose covered landscape of The Dark Tower. All the while being watched closely by The Man in Black and The Crimson King.
I have to say that I'm surprised by the reactions toward The Dark Tower baits so far. It just proves to me that I am far better at writing non-baity stories and so I will stick with them. There has been a little bit of talk over David Lynch directing the movies though. Some people think he is wrong for it and other think he is perfect. I used Lynch because I think he's the only director who could create the same surreal, horrifying atmosphere of the books. Think of "The Dark Tower" as "El Topo" meets "Eraserhead".
"The Waste Lands" will be released this November and "The Dark Tower" will be reached in January.
After the less than overwhelming success of "The Red Menace" and "Down in Heaven", I decided to come back to release one more, truly epic bait. Based upon Stephen King's magnum opus; "The Dark Tower". I spent a week writing it and, when finished, the bait's synopsis had reached over 4000 words. I knew that it was in my best interest to break the bait up into a four part series.
And so was born "The Gunslinger", "The Drawing of the Three", "The Wastelands", and "The Dark Tower". The story of one man's quest for redemption and the mysterious room atop The Dark Tower.
So far in the series, we have seen The Gunslinger battle against sub-races and travel through time. We will soon journey with him through The Waste Lands of a land once called York, lose the most important things in his life, and finally reach the rose covered landscape of The Dark Tower. All the while being watched closely by The Man in Black and The Crimson King.
I have to say that I'm surprised by the reactions toward The Dark Tower baits so far. It just proves to me that I am far better at writing non-baity stories and so I will stick with them. There has been a little bit of talk over David Lynch directing the movies though. Some people think he is wrong for it and other think he is perfect. I used Lynch because I think he's the only director who could create the same surreal, horrifying atmosphere of the books. Think of "The Dark Tower" as "El Topo" meets "Eraserhead".
"The Waste Lands" will be released this November and "The Dark Tower" will be reached in January.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Lost Forever
I am now here in film school and am being bullied back into the contest by several sources lol. One of which, a student, has been reading the baits since the very beginning but has never written one himself. I am thinking about joining the contest one last time and, if i do, it would be to release the most grand and epic bait ever imagined. A four part opus that would be the farewell that this month's baits failed to be.
But nothing is set in stone just yet.
Heres a hint as to what the bait will be though...
My bait stands amid a great gathering of roses that reach out as far as the eye can see.
But nothing is set in stone just yet.
Heres a hint as to what the bait will be though...
My bait stands amid a great gathering of roses that reach out as far as the eye can see.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Of a Few other Baits
A few thoughts from one of my film profs.
"No Way To Treat A First Lady - What can I say? I loved it! I could easily see Streep in this roll and see her doing a magnificent job. Although the cast is a little big, as far as names go, I could see much of the cast coming together for this one. I would go see it and so I think many other people as well.
Carter - Jimmy Carter is an interesting man, and would probably make a good topic for a high class TV movie, but I can't see this movie being made. The cast is a little bloated, and the crew seems too ideal to me. I see that it was the first BOTM winner as well as being in the top 5 for Bait of the Year. It is definitely baity but, compared to more recent baits, it doesn't hold up.
Live From New York - Now this is a cast! Again though, it would work better as a mini-series, where the story and characters can be developed properly. PT Anderson was a fantastic choice as director too.
The Arabic Cafe - This would make an absolutely amazing movie. Totally gripping. The synopsis, though short, grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go. One of the best baits I have read on the site.
Destiny - Absolutely heart-wrenching. If made, this would be one of those life changing movies that affects everyone who sees it. Brilliant."
I'll be posting the rest when I receive them.
"No Way To Treat A First Lady - What can I say? I loved it! I could easily see Streep in this roll and see her doing a magnificent job. Although the cast is a little big, as far as names go, I could see much of the cast coming together for this one. I would go see it and so I think many other people as well.
Carter - Jimmy Carter is an interesting man, and would probably make a good topic for a high class TV movie, but I can't see this movie being made. The cast is a little bloated, and the crew seems too ideal to me. I see that it was the first BOTM winner as well as being in the top 5 for Bait of the Year. It is definitely baity but, compared to more recent baits, it doesn't hold up.
Live From New York - Now this is a cast! Again though, it would work better as a mini-series, where the story and characters can be developed properly. PT Anderson was a fantastic choice as director too.
The Arabic Cafe - This would make an absolutely amazing movie. Totally gripping. The synopsis, though short, grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go. One of the best baits I have read on the site.
Destiny - Absolutely heart-wrenching. If made, this would be one of those life changing movies that affects everyone who sees it. Brilliant."
I'll be posting the rest when I receive them.
Friday, August 17, 2007
TRIVIA ON SOME OF MY {Favorite} BAITS
THE WALL
- -Was originally thought of as a gay love story but was revamped into a straight love story when I realized it would be released in the same month as "Silence"
- -Original director choice was Mike Nichols.
--Reese Witherspoon was going to play the female lead until her split with Philipee.
--I still consider this one of my weakest baits in originality.
MIDNIGHT MASS
--Originally had very little to do with the Robin Williams character and centered mostly on the relationship between Winslet and Barnel.
--Williams's character was originally going to be played by Chritopher Walken.
--Original title was "Prey For The Sinners".
--I consider this my strongest bait to date as far as baitiness goes.
SILENCE
--Originally had nothing to do with gay bashing at all and was just about an attack on a child that left him comatose. I decided to make it more about my story and so the gay element was introduced.
--I spent almost two weeks writing this bait while "The Wall" was a rushed bait (written in less than an hour).
--Susan Sarandon was the original female lead.
--Although beloved by most of the baiter, I did no campaigning for this bait because I felt it too personal to try and win awards with.
THE THOUSAND YEAR REICH
--Was the first bait I ever wrote, although "Pretty Young Thing" was published first.
--Stemmed from a theory I heard that essentially said that "If Hitler had won, the jewish people would never had created Israel. The mid-east would never have become so volatile. 9/11 would never had happened". None of us would probably be here either lol.
--This has created a series of "What if" ideas that I have contemplated turning into baits.
THE VAMPIRE LESTAT
--Cillian Murphy was originally cast as Lestat.
--Lestat is a rock star in the book but this plot was removed for the bait.
--I was a little scared to release this bait because of the failure of the broadway musical based on the book.
--The synopsis was not originally written in first person.
DRAGONTOWN
--One of the baits I had the most fun writing.
--Probably had the most extensive "Coming Soon" campaign of any bait ever written; including posters, ads, and several video trailers.
--The only non-english bait I have ever written.
- -Was originally thought of as a gay love story but was revamped into a straight love story when I realized it would be released in the same month as "Silence"
- -Original director choice was Mike Nichols.
--Reese Witherspoon was going to play the female lead until her split with Philipee.
--I still consider this one of my weakest baits in originality.
MIDNIGHT MASS
--Originally had very little to do with the Robin Williams character and centered mostly on the relationship between Winslet and Barnel.
--Williams's character was originally going to be played by Chritopher Walken.
--Original title was "Prey For The Sinners".
--I consider this my strongest bait to date as far as baitiness goes.
SILENCE
--Originally had nothing to do with gay bashing at all and was just about an attack on a child that left him comatose. I decided to make it more about my story and so the gay element was introduced.
--I spent almost two weeks writing this bait while "The Wall" was a rushed bait (written in less than an hour).
--Susan Sarandon was the original female lead.
--Although beloved by most of the baiter, I did no campaigning for this bait because I felt it too personal to try and win awards with.
THE THOUSAND YEAR REICH
--Was the first bait I ever wrote, although "Pretty Young Thing" was published first.
--Stemmed from a theory I heard that essentially said that "If Hitler had won, the jewish people would never had created Israel. The mid-east would never have become so volatile. 9/11 would never had happened". None of us would probably be here either lol.
--This has created a series of "What if" ideas that I have contemplated turning into baits.
THE VAMPIRE LESTAT
--Cillian Murphy was originally cast as Lestat.
--Lestat is a rock star in the book but this plot was removed for the bait.
--I was a little scared to release this bait because of the failure of the broadway musical based on the book.
--The synopsis was not originally written in first person.
DRAGONTOWN
--One of the baits I had the most fun writing.
--Probably had the most extensive "Coming Soon" campaign of any bait ever written; including posters, ads, and several video trailers.
--The only non-english bait I have ever written.
A September Snow
The winter is coming. Or at least it is on my baiting career. I officially begin film school in October and will not be as frequent to Bait an Oscar as I am now. I won't be leaving right away though. I have several baits written already so I won't need to take time to write anymore, except for maybe some revisions on ones I have already written. Here's a preview...
WONDER-BREAD & PIXI STICKS
Tagline: The tarnish of a Silver Spoon
SHORT SUMMARY: The lives of the rich and the young. New York city is full of Trust Fund babies and their addictions. This is the story of only a few.
Starring: Randy Harrison, Jensen Ackles, Cher, Sophia Bush
Directed By: Catherine Hardwicke
THE RED MENACE
SHORT SUMMARY: The story of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg; a couple convicted and executed for allegedly being communists.
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Helena Bonham Carter, and Bob Hoskins.
Directed By: Steven Speilberg
WONDER-BREAD & PIXI STICKS
Tagline: The tarnish of a Silver Spoon
SHORT SUMMARY: The lives of the rich and the young. New York city is full of Trust Fund babies and their addictions. This is the story of only a few.
Starring: Randy Harrison, Jensen Ackles, Cher, Sophia Bush
Directed By: Catherine Hardwicke
THE RED MENACE
SHORT SUMMARY: The story of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg; a couple convicted and executed for allegedly being communists.
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Helena Bonham Carter, and Bob Hoskins.
Directed By: Steven Speilberg
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)