Billy Wilder’s Tips for Writers

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It was 10 years yesterday that the world lost Billy Wilder. We will be sharing some of his wisdom from Cameron’s book, Conversations With Wilder from time to time. Let’s start with his Tips for Writers.

  1. The audience is fickle.
  2. Grab ’em by the throat and never let ’em go.
  3. Develop a clean line of action for your leading character.
  4. Know where you’re going.
  5. The more subtle and elegant you are in hiding your plot points, the better you are as a writer.
  6. If you have a problem with the third act, the real problem is in the first act.
  7. A tip from Lubitsch: Let the audience add up two plus two. They’ll love you forever.
  8. In doing voice-overs, be careful not to describe what the audience already sees. Add to what they’re seeing.
  9. The event that occurs at the second act curtain triggers the end of the movie.
  10. The third act must build, build, build in tempo and action until the last event, and then –
  11. – that’s it. Don’t hang around.
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March 28, 2012

Fast Times: March 28th – Million Dollar Theater – UCLA

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Fast Times At Ridgemont High is showing at UCLA’s Million Dollar Theater this Wednesday, March 28th as part of their Classic Film Series. Tickets are available over at their site. Just remember: No shirt, no shoes, no dice…

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March 26, 2012

A Playlist Shortlist

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Cameron shares some of his favorite songs from his own films for the March issue of Shortlist magazine. Without further adieu…

Film: Fast Times At Ridgemont High

Track: “We Got The Beat” by The Go-Go’s

“It says many things about life, love, hormones and the power of a mighty groove.”

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Film: Say Anything…

Track: “Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns” by Mother Love Bone

“I also used it again in Singles. It’s like a recurring character.”

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Film: Singles

Track: “Drown” by Smashing Pumpkins

“Corgan’s reaction was, ‘Sh*t! That’s the one I wanted to keep for myself.’”

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Film: Jerry Maguire

Track: “The Horses” by Rickie Lee Jones

“This gets me feeling the emotion on Renée’s face.”

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Film: Vanilla Sky

Track: “Freur” by Doot Doot

“This had lived in so many of my mixes, it deserved to reach the big screen.”

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Film: Vanilla Sky

Track: “Nothing Song (aka njósnavélin) by Sigur Rós

“Found on a bootleg.”

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Film: Almost Famous

Track: “Cabin In The Air” by Nancy Wilson

“Never on an album, but I’m always asked for an MP3.”

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Film: Elizabethtown

Track: “Come Pick Me Up” by Ryan Adams

“One of the best songs from the past 30 years.”

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Film: We Bought A Zoo

Track: “Go Do” (Remix) by jónsi

“jónsi is the Brian Wilson of his era, and this is proof.”

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Film: Vanilla Sky

Track: “Rez” by Underworld

“Every mix needs a song that says ‘keep driving’.”

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March 25, 2012

Zoo Arrives in the UK

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Benjamin Mee and Matt Damon

It’s a special day as We Bought A Zoo is released in the UK (along with Italy and Poland). It’s the culmination of the real Benjamin Mee’s journey to buy the Dartmoor Zoo, write a book and see it come full circle with the film. We will have an exclusive interview with Ben in the coming days, but please let us know what you think of the film.

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March 16, 2012

New Beverly Double Feature

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Say Anything… and Almost Famous will be the double feature at the legendary New Beverly Cinema on March 18th and 19th in Los Angeles. If you are able to attend, please let us know how it went!

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March 15, 2012

One on One with Matt Damon

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Sky Movies HD released this video interview where Matt and Cameron interview each other. Topics includes Matt’s seeing Say Anything… in college, Good Will Hunting and We Bought A Zoo.

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March 14, 2012

Zoo – More Behind the Scenes Pictures

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Rosemoor "Cruising Vessel"

As you might recall, I was lucky enough to visit the We Bought A Zoo set in early April, 2011. I shared some pictures and early thoughts back then, but thought you would enjoy a few more now (especially if you have seen the film). You’ll find pics of the set design, props (and even my wife, Sue, with Krystal, the capuchin monkey)! I’m an amateur photographer, so please be kind….

 

 

 

 

 

 

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March 12, 2012

Rediscover America

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From L to R (Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell & Dan Peek)

In this May, 1975 L.A. Times piece, Cameron profiles the break out success of America, the folk-pop trio known for the huge early 70’s radio hits such as “A Horse With No Name”, “Venture Highway”, “Tin Man” and “Sister Golden Hair”. They address their instant success, label and managerial woes and much more.

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March 7, 2012

  • Almost Famous- Paramount+, Fubo, Pluto TV

  • Aloha- Netflix

  • Fast Times at Ridgemont High- Starz

  • Elizabethtown- Fubo

  • Singles- Criterion Channel

  • Vanilla Sky- Paramount+,Fubo

  • We Bought A Zoo- Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max