God Forbid

I've been thinking about this since the other day.

I read this great article.

http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/cl-ca-once29jul29,0,1024160.story?coll=cl-movies

And I really believe this clip illustrates my point.

If you are a parent - you have been subjected to Chucky Cheese. And those crazy robots sing the worst songs. And sometimes it makes you want to pluck your eyes out and shove forks in your ears.

But not when they sing Ms. New Booty.
In fact - now - it becomes must see TV.

This article drives home a point that sickens me.

You can write a great script.
You can make a great film.
You can get all the critics lined up behind you.

Still doesn't make people give a rats ass.

I know.
It's really heartbreaking.

Unless you write 100% blockbuster entertainment - its a really bitter pill.

I love the small film. I love the movie that others don't. The challenging one. The one you gotta watch two or three times to start to get it all.

Most don't.

I wanna have the unlikeable guy as the lead. The girl that is so annoying - you almost can't take her. The family with the biggest flaws and problems. The guy who can't remember anything so he has to tattoo everything on his body.

And sometimes - the movie ends and they are worse off than they started.

Everyone else want Transforming Robots.

And don't get me wrong - I loves me some Transforming Robots.

But I'd like to think there's still a place at the table for the little guy. The challenging guy. The one no one thinks is gonna make it - but somehow triumphs.

And what does it say to us writers who are out there trying to tell those stories?

What if you throw a party and no one comes?

Now - on the other hand - the makers of "Once" have to be happy. There has been thousands of article written about them. The music is everywhere. The reviews are glowing. They have made back over 15 times what it cost to make. Everyone associated with that film will work again.

But will they ever make a film as good as this? The one everyone loved but no one came to see?

Story is a strange beast.

I love Story. All kinds of it. But most do not. You can see when you talk to that person who asks you what you're writing. If it doesn't have a lot of Robots Transforming -their eyes start to glaze over...

Yeah... that sounds nice.... and they disengage.

Its the story of an Irish busker who sings on the streets....

Glaze...

Great story. Engaging Characters. Great music. Universal acclaim.

No audience.

Where does that leave you and I?

Oh it doesn't affect me... everyone wants to hear my story about the homeless guy who became president....

Whatever.

It affects us all.

God forbid we actually write a great story. Get money. Get great actors. Get critical acclaim.

And listen to the crickets.

Maybe if they just sang Ms. New Booty...