Two big debuts
This past weekend, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory opened to strong reviews and a hefty $56.2 million at the box office. I’m happy, of course, but that good news was eclipsed by even better news: the birth of my daughter on Monday.
Her long-awaited arrival explains my lack of posting this past week, and the sporadic schedule for the next few weeks. As I start to figure out What I’ve Gotten Myself Into, I’m taking a month off from my real career (umm, screenwriting?) to focus on my new job, tackling life’s eternal questions:
- Was that a burp, or a grunt?
- How did poop get there?
- Whoosa good girl? Whoosa good girl?
I’ll still try to post as much as I can; babies do sleep, even if I don’t. But if the flow dwindles for the next little bit, please trust that I’ve not lost interest in the site. With a hungry mouth needing to be fed every three hours, the word count is bound to drop.
Oh, and if you’re thinking of stopping by: bring food.
Articles
July 21st, 2005 at 4:01 pm
Congratulations!
I’ve been a fan of your website since August last year.
The news of your fatherdom is the greatest.
Now THAT’S a production…with no delivery date.
Cheers to Mom too!!
July 21st, 2005 at 4:18 pm
Congratulations! Been there myself. The best advice I can give at this time is sleep when the baby sleeps.
July 21st, 2005 at 4:25 pm
Congrats on the great news, John! As a father of three, I feel especially qualified to answer your three questions:
You’ll never know until you open the diaper.
This question is moot. Poop gets everywhere.
She is. She always is. And when she starts talking, she’ll remind you of that daily. And you’ll believe it because she’s yours.
Seriously, don’t let parenthood stress you out. It’s really not like a Steve Martin film.
Okay, sometimes it is, but not all the time.
Best Wishes!!
July 21st, 2005 at 4:25 pm
John:
Your web page is my home page so I knew something was up when I saw so many days go by without an update. That’s awesome. Many congratulations, man. And yeah, time for the paternity leave.
July 21st, 2005 at 4:33 pm
Congratulations.
I am really happy for you. But not to sound strange…but I thought you said you were Gay John?
Bob Dylan was so right; ‘These times, they are a changing’.
:)
July 21st, 2005 at 4:41 pm
By the way John, what’s her name if you don’t mind my asking.
July 21st, 2005 at 4:43 pm
Wow, what a fabulous weekend! The boxoffice numbers sound great, too… ;-)
Quick question: UC Riverside has invited me to create and teach a course on Blogging this fall. The syllabus is almost done (and your blog is certainly in it), but I wondered if you might have any suggestions or pointers?
July 21st, 2005 at 5:27 pm
16 years from now… you’ll be working on WILLY WONKA V – Return To The Factory, and you’ll be hearing a LOVELY VOICE coming from the vestibule of your Hancock Park mansion that SCREAMS: “Daddy, I’m taking the Mercedes!” Followed by a door slam, screeching tires, and hours of dread. Best wishes and most heartfelt congratulations on fatherhood!
July 21st, 2005 at 6:01 pm
Congrats! I’m expecting my baby girl in September (our first) so now we have three things in common: 1) we’re both dads to baby girls 2) we’re both professional writers 3) we’re both named “Jon.” Now, if I can just get the same set of esteemed credits. Someday :) Great site and great work. Mazeltov.
July 21st, 2005 at 7:05 pm
Word.
July 21st, 2005 at 7:20 pm
Wonderful! You will ponder a heckuva lot more of life’s eternal questions as your little girl grows. And find some pretty cool answers as well.
Congrats and good health to all!
July 21st, 2005 at 7:20 pm
Congratulations! Welcome to the world baby August!
July 21st, 2005 at 7:21 pm
“Félicitations” and “bon courage”! I’m sure she’ll be a great source of inspiration.
And by the way, my nephews loved the French version of “Charlie et la chocolaterie” which plays in Montreal these days.
July 21st, 2005 at 7:41 pm
How sweet.
July 21st, 2005 at 7:52 pm
Congrats x 2!
July 21st, 2005 at 7:56 pm
Gratz John and good luck on those sleepless nights!
JDC
July 21st, 2005 at 8:18 pm
Congratulations on both pieces of good news, though one is obviously even better than the other. Good luck on fatherhood. I hope to get there myself someday, and I’ve helped enough friends with their new babies that I know it’s a kind of unparalleled joy. Best wishes!
July 21st, 2005 at 9:08 pm
Congrats on the new baby, John! And also congrats for such an outstanding job on CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY! Quite a month you’re having sir…
July 21st, 2005 at 9:45 pm
Congratulations, John. I’d love to go add to the box office numbers for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but I have a two-year-old daughter and rarely get to go to the real movies.
The serious tiredness doesn’t kick in until about the third month.
July 21st, 2005 at 10:33 pm
Baby August is a lucky girl. Congratulations Daddy August, and best wishes to your whole family.
July 21st, 2005 at 10:50 pm
Huge congrats. I have a 5 1/2 month old, my first, and I love it. I have a strong feeling you will, too….
July 22nd, 2005 at 1:22 am
congratulations, mate.
enjoy the next twelve years, as they’re the easiest you’re going to have out of the next twenty!
July 22nd, 2005 at 3:46 am
Congratulations, and all the best. It’ll be magic.
returns to lurkdom
July 22nd, 2005 at 4:04 am
Magnifique!
C’est adorable.
I’m gonna watch Bringing up Baby again…
July 22nd, 2005 at 5:51 am
Congratulations!
July 22nd, 2005 at 5:57 am
Ha ha ha ha ha ha.
As the father of triplets, I laugh at you. Of course, your first child feels like three at once. Good luck.
Sleep when she sleeps. And take everything in stride. Stay realistic.
So much for my theory that you went on a weeklong “post-55mil opening weekend for Charlie” bender and stopped posting.
Welcome back.
July 22nd, 2005 at 5:58 am
Best wishes to you and your partner. I wish you and your family many years of happiness. Such a lucky little girl!
July 22nd, 2005 at 7:09 am
Congratulations! Welcome to fatherhood!
July 22nd, 2005 at 7:29 am
Congratulations, John. Becoming a father is the greatest thing that I have ever done.
July 22nd, 2005 at 7:40 am
Congratulations!
July 22nd, 2005 at 7:51 am
John, congratulations!! Am a young father myself, and was really inspired by a recent short film I saw that showcases three young families, and how they integrate the raising of their children with the pursuit of their passions. It was done by an alumnus of the writing program I’m doing.
Take a peek if you have some time (although that seems like a pretty remote possibility at this point, I know!). It’s the middle one, by Kristina Robbins-Higgins.
All the best. Love the site!
http://www.audiusa.com/a3_microsite/a3ms_index_flash/0,5989,,00.html
July 22nd, 2005 at 7:53 am
awesome! congratulations, john, on both fronts.
July 22nd, 2005 at 8:36 am
Congratulations John.
July 22nd, 2005 at 8:56 am
Yeah, congratulations, John. Enjoy the time now, it´s so wonderful… :-)
July 22nd, 2005 at 8:59 am
This thread should have been called: INT/EXT WOMB
July 22nd, 2005 at 9:08 am
John,
Congratulations! Your greatest accomplishment in life can be being a wonderful father. I wish you the best and fatherhood will probably effect your 2nd job in a very positive way.
Regards,
Sean
July 22nd, 2005 at 10:10 am
of course she’ll be named Preston or did you decide to go with Mankiewicz? (seriously, congrats on the new addition)
July 22nd, 2005 at 10:12 am
Congratulations, John!
July 22nd, 2005 at 10:29 am
Grats!
July 22nd, 2005 at 11:22 am
Congrats John!
So when can we expect the Tim Burton remake of “Three Men and a Baby?”
July 22nd, 2005 at 1:35 pm
That’s great, John. A number one movie at the box office and a new daughter. Congratulations!
July 22nd, 2005 at 2:22 pm
Add my voice to the chorus of congratulations!
July 22nd, 2005 at 7:49 pm
Well John, let me be the first to say…
Oh, wait… Nevermind.
Well let me be the 43rd person to say Congrats on both counts. Oh, one thing though, babies may sleep, but not the hours you do.;) Have fun Sir.
July 23rd, 2005 at 1:13 am
Congrats on both! Charlie was FABULOUS and just wonderful. I’ve seen it twice and I’m going to see it again on IMAX.
July 23rd, 2005 at 10:02 am
Congrats on the baby and film.
And nice cover piece on you in the new WRITTEN BY.
July 23rd, 2005 at 10:08 am
Congratulations.
Oh, yeah, and when they go into spasms — it’s probably hiccups.
– AE
July 23rd, 2005 at 2:28 pm
John,
Congrats! Looks like 2005 is turning out to be a great year!
July 23rd, 2005 at 3:11 pm
Congratulations!!! It must be so exciting to become a new parent!
Oh, and congrats about CatCF… I’ve contributed to the box-office 3 out of 4 viewings (my first was an advanced screening that I won passes to). I’m planning to see it many more times as well.
Wow, what a great week for you!
Joy
July 23rd, 2005 at 10:58 pm
John,
Congratulations on the birth of your daughter! I’m a father again at 40 and my daughter turned one year last month. Little girls truly are so sweet. Also, congrats on Charlie, et al and your success as a screenwriter! As a classmate of yours at DU (Advertising Copywriting with Barry; Annette sat between us), I always thought you’d end up in radio with that awesome radio voice of yours or maybe running Apple computers. I must admit, I don’t remember the writing assignments or presentations any of us did in that class, but I do remember one thing: your lack of fear when it came time to give constructive criticism. Everyone in that class was afraid of saying anything critical for fear of retribution when it came time for their turn up front, but you were always willing to say…something. I always admired that in you. (Hey, what was up with those hecklers in the back row anyway?) Pass that lack of fear on to your baby girl, John, and she’ll be editing your scripts soon enough. Keep up the great work and thanks for the site!
July 24th, 2005 at 6:27 am
Congratulations on both fronts! Charlie isn’t out here, yet, but I look forward to catching it when it is.
July 24th, 2005 at 4:15 pm
Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
July 24th, 2005 at 5:33 pm
Remember that every age is the best age. You are so lucky. I have three kids and it goes so fast. Enjoy. and pay attention – it goes by when you’re not looking.
July 24th, 2005 at 10:19 pm
Two words of advice: attachment parenting. You’ll never regret it.
July 25th, 2005 at 10:36 am
Congratulations to you and your wife!
July 25th, 2005 at 12:38 pm
And, a week later… milk and diapers are still the best way to quiet nights or morning smiles. Wait ’til she walks everywhere and anywhere, you’re gonna learn energy and velocity straight from those who master it for years. I’ll bet she’ll say “Go or Da” first! :)
July 25th, 2005 at 1:11 pm
Congratulations, John! I’m a relative newcomer to this site, really loved BIG FISH – the North Korean Howdy Doody LAID ME OUT!!! Anyhow, you’ve got your hands full (in more ways than one, I’ll bet – HA!), so best of luck on being a new father, because you’ll need it! Looking very much forward to seeing CHARLIE and more of your fine work in the future. I’m enjoying some small success in screenwriting myself lately, but that’s my problem, not yours. I’m sure yu have enough REAL CRAP to deal with now, huh, Daddy? HA! Have a great day! Johnny Simpson, Nashua, N.H.
July 25th, 2005 at 1:35 pm
Congratulations, John! Not a bad week, eh?
July 25th, 2005 at 3:14 pm
Congrats…!!!
pass the stoggies around….
wow, 2 #1’s in the same week….you’re on a roll, kid!!
July 25th, 2005 at 5:40 pm
Goodd news indeed!
As my wife and I are still in a holding pattern (due any day now) it’s nice to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
And if you come up with an answer to question# 3, let us know. I’ll be trying to answer that one myself.
RED
July 25th, 2005 at 11:46 pm
Hello, John! I would like to congratulate you and your wife for receiving a newborn baby (quite a blessing for all new pops and mums) as well as the success of Charlie (which is pretty great too)! Anyway, I’m a newcomer to your website and I hope I am able to learn more of the processes and experiences of screenwriter since I as a ‘film student’ (although I am already a graduate) begin to dwell into the world of filmmaking! I’ll look forward to it in a few weeks to come!
July 26th, 2005 at 1:46 am
An ideal moment; a successful premier and a new baby in hand.
July 26th, 2005 at 3:09 am
Reading these comments was such a treat…so many people feeling happy for you. Babies bring joy to loving hearts and to those who know the depth of feeling they bring to life. Congratulations to your family as you set out on this rich adventure, and thanks for sharing the joy.
July 26th, 2005 at 7:56 am
How great is that John? All these years of hard work have paid off (I say that in many ways). Now you’re a Daddy and a successful Hollywood tyrant.
I haven’t posted here in awhile (still come everyday), good luck and good speed from one of your original website fans, I’ll shut up now.
July 27th, 2005 at 2:53 pm
I’m so happy for you John! My brother John (47) just adopted a baby as well. Adopted babies have a special place in their parent’s hearts. Congrats on Charlie as well… what a great movie!
July 29th, 2005 at 3:42 am
Things to know about babies…
1) They defy the laws of physics by apparently being bigger on the inside than the outside (kind of like Dr. Who’s TARDIS). There will be many times where you will change the diaper and be truly amazed that such a small human being could produce such a seemingly miraculous amount of poop.
2) Poop produced by babies comes in many different shades and hues. Some more stomach churning than others.
3) Some babies get spectacular reflux/projectile vomiting after drinking milk. Even normal spit-up can be copious. You should always have lots of old towels handy. Lots and lots of towels. They’re more absorbent than paper towels, and can be reused time and time again after a quick spin through the washing machine and drier.
Apart from that – congratulations and enjoy… :-)
July 29th, 2005 at 1:58 pm
Wow… One minute you’re sat alone writing n’ stuff, then like buses that all come at once, a baby and a number one film come flying round the corner!
Just been to see the film as it only came out here in UK today. It was the middle of the afternoon, in an old cinema which is facing closure because not enough people visit (new multiplex syndrome). Anyway I’m floating off here…
Surprisingly there were quite a few people there — and even weirder, it’s one of the only times I’ve seen a local audience break into applause at the end! It really made me laugh my arse off anyway hehe Great and truthful adaption of the book so congrats!
Now the baby is fantastic news! They’re amazing little things aren’t they? I used to fear kids lol but for the last three years I’ve been honorary auntie to my best friends little girl. As such, I was sucked into my youth and subjected to care bears earlier today.
This leads to my only negative point about children. I’m sorry to say that you may eventually have to watch a lot of stuff that makes your creative insides implode. You will watch all manner of scary creatures professing to teach your child something, but you’ll never work out what. I’d stick to Disney as much as possible so you at least can enjoy it too…
FP x