Good “Choose or Lose” spot
I haven’t written at all about the upcoming election, for two main reasons. First, a sizable percentage of readers live outside the United States. Second, it’s none of my damn business who you want to vote for.
I have definite opinions about the candidates and issues, but this site is about writing and filmmaking. Most of the writing and filmmaking associated with this campaign season has been tedious, dishonest and unworthy of any discussion. But here’s a link to an MTV Choose or Lose spot that I think does well on both fronts.
It’s written by Taras Wayner and directed by Josh Miller. Whether or not you agree with its message, admire it for its simplicity. While it has really good production values, it’s basically something any reader could do at home with a DV camera. It gets its impact through good writing, straightforward direction and a solid performance.
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October 27th, 2004 at 9:08 pm
Yeah, that was good. Talk about effective!! Seems subtly to be an anti-Bush ad.
October 28th, 2004 at 5:43 am
John,
I’m impressed by how deftly you sidestepped the question of who you might be putting your X against in the forthcoming election.
In case you weren’t aware, this election is being watched very closely througout Europe, and I’m sure you can imagine who the overwhelming majority of us would like to see being sworn in come January…
But anyway, that’s beside the point.
Have you ever been tempted to write a political drama/thriller? It seems a shame that very few truly political thrillers seem to be made nowadays – in Hollywood at least.
cheers,
Peter, Belfast.
October 28th, 2004 at 6:17 am
I saw The Manchurian Candidate a week ago and really enjoyed it, despite generally not being a fan of political thrillers.
It’s intelligent and interesting and amazing that its core themes are as relevant now as they were when the original came out in 1962. In the question and answer afterwards the filmmakers had difficulties not saying anything relating to specific current events. I find this scary – that American celebrities are scared of standing up for their principles for fear that people will stop buying their records etc. –of course in the context of this website it wouldn’t be appropriate, but when you’ve made an overtly political film that really deals with the current state of affairs….
October 28th, 2004 at 6:34 am
I am really looking forward to The Manchurian Candidate, I thought the original was superb. Think it opens here in a few weeks.
And yes, it does seem odd that some American celebs seem very uncomfortable talking politics. They should take strength from Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, er… Ben Affleck (?) and, um, Barbara Stres -
Oh well, never mind.
October 28th, 2004 at 4:31 pm
Voting is bullshit. Faschism is the real way.
October 29th, 2004 at 1:36 am
it is in England – you wote in one thing, you get quite another. Shouldn’t political parties have to stick by the promises in their manifestos? We were sold our government with false advertising.
October 30th, 2004 at 8:48 pm
hi!
how old is too old to start a film career?
i was looking on yahoo and you mentioned something about it and i clicked on the link and it said it wasn’t there anymore.
all my life i’ve wanted to work in film and now i just worry i’m too old. being a woman who is 28, i just feel i have very little chance now. i want to act and i want to do well. i just really have no clue on how to get it all going asap to make up for lost time!
but i want to keep trying. am i really over the hill?
katherine