One of the great qualities of the internet is that it allows unfettered discussion and disagreement. Unlike traditional media, which is largely one-way, a blog like this one benefits from constant reader feedback. That’s why I’ve chosen to leave comments open for the majority of my posts, putting up with the inevitable comment spam and Prince of Persia casting suggestions.
And putting up with 17.255.XXX.2.
That’s not his real name, of course. He goes by Frederick Pina, The Lousy Truth, Jack, Stephen Spielberg (nice typo), Ben Davidson, Under the Blankets, Upper Class Weenie, Idea Man, Hillary Harper, Hiding Happily, Mr. Love Knuckles, Bia Tarpy, and From New York.
Over the last three months, he’s left 25 comments, all of which are dutifully recorded with his IP address. I’ve xxx’d out one section of his IP address to protect his illusion of anonymity, but savvy readers will figure out where he likely works.
“Frederick Pina” frequently complains of censorship, and although he’s using the term incorrectly, I’ll confess that I have at times deleted his less coherent thoughts from the moderation queue, largely because they’re off-topic. (My sexuality and baldness are pretty far from the blog’s stated purpose.)
“Do not feed the trolls” is the standard advice in this situation — eventually they get bored and move along. However, this commenter has been so diligent I feel it’s only fair to offer his un-abridged works, complete with their limited grasp of punctuation and spelling.
I’ll leave it to you, good readers, to decide if I’ve done right. And to possibly re-consider starting a blog of your own.
July 18, 2006 3:41:55 PM PDT
Yes ! I can’t wait ’till I get my own $55-million dollar deals. I’ll finally be able to afford my own personal John August, complete with bald head and sarcasm !
😉
July 19, 2006 2:16:24 PM PDT
Is… Each and everyone of you are JEALOUS of J.J. Abrams. Admit it, you are all JEALOUS !!! A bunch of wanna-be screenwriters who are trying to break into the business, dream of being in J.J. shoes right now !!!
-J.O.S.E.
Jealous Ones Still Envy
July 19, 2006 4:23:48 PM PDT
There’s so much CENSORSHIP on this blog. Censorship is illegal John August. I wll have my attorneys look into this. Let freedom roam. You’re an American. If you don’t like something. Let the democracy rule on your blog.
July 20, 2006 3:38:28 AM PDT
Yes ! I can’t wait ’till I get my own $55-million dollar deals. I’ll finally be able to afford my own personal John August, complete with bald head and sarcasm !
😉
July 21, 2006 10:05:36 PM PDT
John August,
Butt out of your own blog. We, the people, own it now !!!
HA ! HA ! HA ! HA ! HA !
p.s. Add live chat feature.
p.s.s. Also inter-national translation services whic all work simultaneoulsy and live !!
July 21, 2006 10:07:41 PM PDT
John,
I just had a fantasy. What if you were put a chain around your next, left completely nude in front of typewriter and whipped daily to produce screenplays !!!
July 22, 2006 4:34:38 PM PDT
I have a question. My writing partner and I have an argument. I wrote a comedy. The singer PRINCE has an un-flattering light cameo. My friend says you can’t use the name PRINCE even on a spec script. I feel it’s a 1st Amendment issue.
Your thoughts.
July 25, 2006 7:49:01 PM PDT
John,
I think you should make gay-porn with a mask on. Then have a contest to see who can spot you. The prize would be a film deal for the screenwriter with a major studio.
July 25, 2006 8:11:24 PM PDT
I want my prize John !
July 26, 2006 3:32:34 PM PDT
Screenwriters who are MORE talented than John August.
-David Koepp
-M. Night Shyamalan
-Charlie Kaufman
-Eric Roth
-Quentin Tarantino
-Stephen Gaghan
July 26, 2006 9:40:35 PM PDT
If a screenwriter kills someone, you can always say your characters made you do it.
July 26, 2006 11:32:42 PM PDT
Has anyone seen Lady in the Water. I saw over the weekend in New York City. Mr. Shyamalan is pure genius ! Two thumbs up !! Anyone care to disagree ??
July 26, 2006 11:34:02 PM PDT
I agree. M. Night Shyamalan is an Oscar worthy contender !! Very exciting films he writes & directs !!
July 27, 2006 7:05:49 PM PDT
What if celebrities are really just CGI shots shown on television & movies ??? What if we’re all just chasing some fantasy ??
July 28, 2006 5:26:57 PM PDT
I have a question about a movie practices which peeves me. In movies, characters have a tendercy to speak their thoghts. In real life we don’t do this, a movies should try and re-present reality. It would make it more believable. Once a character starts speaking his toughts, I’ve become aware I’m “watching” a movie, instead of being part of the “real” experience. Does this makes any sense ? Your thoughts ladies & gents !!
July 28, 2006 5:31:35 PM PDT
John,
Why don’t you have interviews of Hollywood screenwriters, their beliefs, ideas, etc. It would be aspecial feature of the month. You could charge to access that information.
July 30, 2006 6:11:02 PM PDT
BALD HEADED & GAY: THE MOVIE
Coming Soon
July 31, 2006 8:52:12 PM PDT
Why don’t you discuss the business side of Hollywood. We could use some insight to stories, such as signing with a major talent agency, politics of the movie studios, what are stars like in private, do other screenwriters have envy, how do executives treat each other ??
August 2, 2006 9:05:33 PM PDT
What happened to screenwriters of the 60’s 70’s or 80’s. Do Hollywood tells to go to hell or do they keep pumping films ? In other words, do a screenwriter’s life expires because of age ?
August 3, 2006 9:24:39 PM PDT
You’re all a bunch of members of John’s gay mafia !!
August 7, 2006 11:04:01 PM PDT
I’m sure your movie will have lead characters which are gay and bald headed. Thanks for corrupting the moral fiber of America’s youth John August. Not only gay, but bald headed too ?? Heaven help us !!
😉
August 23, 2006 2:45:15 PM PDT
I hope and pray your movie is a bomb, so your Hollywood careers crashes and burns into a flaming, fiery, burning hell John August.
😉
August 24, 2006 6:51:28 PM PDT
John August is weak punk.
September 14, 2006 5:51:39 PM PDT
I rarely use it. I always carry my fancy Texas Instruments calculator to relieve me from thinking too much.
September 20, 2006 7:14:06 PM PDT
Is it allowed to deliver a screenplay written on MS Word to agents or producers in Hollywood ??
September 22, 2006 11:10:31 PM PDT
Hey John, am I still on the shit list ? I want to come back onto the play-ground !!
-freddie
September 26, 2006 9:33:07 PM PDT
Go to hell bald man !!
October 11, 2006 7:37:59 PM PDT You’re such an arrogant screenwriter. We should stone you for that.
😉
Come on fellow wanna-bes, let’s have John have it…
October 11, 2006 7:40:58 PM PDT
Let him who is with out sin cast the first word !