My Future Musical Baits

Hey guys, I was in the process of looking at musicals to adapt the contest and was looking for input, if you could please comment, that would be great! Also, just to let you guys know, I have decided to release an adapted Broadway musical every other month so these projects will likely fall under that category, unless it says otherwise.

• Mame- Based on the musical of the same name, this will be released next month. Cast: Bernadette Peters, Megan Mullally, Angela Lansbury, and Richard Gere. Development Stage: Post-production. Preview copies are about to be mailed.
• Gypsy- With a completely different cast and crew than the April 2007 version, I am more excited about this project than any pervious one. Cast: Bernadette Peters, Victor Garber, Brittany Snow, Kristen Bell, and Curtis Holbrook. Development Stage: In the process of finalizing crew, writing synopsis/review.
• Spring Awakening- This project has been resurrected after some new ideas in cast/crew. Development Stage: Currently considering cast members, and researching the musical.
• Les Miserables- After a long wait in the forums and in Hollywood, the groundbreaking musical will now come to the big screen. Development Stage: Alan Parker has signed on to direct and possibly adapt the story, but no other people have been selected for cast/crew.
• Buddy! : The Buddy Holly Story- Based on the short-lived broadway musical of the same name. Cast: John Lloyd Young, Curtis Holbrook, and Tyler Hilton. Development Stage: Looking for more cast members, crew, and synopsis is underway. (This project will not likely count under the 2 month rule)

Other projects just starting production: Company, The Drowsy Chaperone, Curtains, The Pajama Game, Sweet Charity, The Apple Tree, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, The Boy From Oz and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Please comment!

My Thoughts: Oscar Predictions

Ok, first off, I am so grateful that I recieved a personal best, 11 Oscar nominations, it means so much to me and even more that I am a part of the Editor's Top 5, and also recieved a Best Picture nomination. However, I will leave my nominations out of the predictions...

Best Online Awards Campaign
The Bluest Eye
A Corner of the Universe
Killer Queen
Magic Lantern
Monsieur Verdoux
WeekEnd

Will Win: A Corner of the Universe
Should Win: Magic Lantern

Best Title
Angels Weep in Pakistan
Blood Harmony
Death Whispered a Lullaby
Kubrick Unfinished
A Life of Death
Primary Concerns

Will Win: Primary Concerns
Should Win: Primary Concerns

Best Box-Office Potential
Brooks and Kane
Finding Death
A Life of Death
Primary Concerns
TENTPOLE!

Will Win: Brooks and Kane
Should Win: Finding Death

Best Cult Bait
Between the Line of Life and Death
Kubrick Unfinished
Monsieur Verdoux
Problem Solver
The Trial of Alice Adams

Will Win: Monsieur Verdoux
Should Win: Between the Line of Life and Death

Most Original Bait
Angels Weep in Pakistan
Brooks and Kane
Between the Line of Life and Death
Masterpiece
Problem Solver

Will Win: Brooks and Kane
Should Win: Masterpiece

Most Original Character
Terrence Washington, played by Brandon Mychal Smith, in Between the Line of Life and Death
Shinigami, played by Gary Oldman, in Finding Death
William Lynx, played by Trevor Morgan, in Problem Solver
Janet Pascal, played by Sigourney Weaver, in TENTPOLE!
Rudolph Adams, played by Matt Damon, in The Trial of Alice Adams

Will Win: Janet Pascal/Sigourney Weaver/TENTPOLE!
Should Win: Shinigami/Gary Oldman/Finding Death

Best Cast
Between the Line of Life and Death
The Bluest Eye
Finding Death
Masterpiece
Their Grace

Will Win: The Bluest Eye
Should Win: Masterpiece

Best Casting Choice
Terry O'Quinn as Roger Starx in Death Whispered a Lullaby
Casey Affleck as Freddie Mercury in Killer Queen
Paul Dano as Mark Bristan in Masterpiece
Cate Blanchett as Annabbela Bonheur in Monsieur Verdoux
Nick Stahl as Bob McCoy in WeekEnd

Will Win: Paul Dano/Mark Bristan/Masterpiece
Should Win: Paul Dano/Mark Bristan/Masterpiece

Best Crew
All Quiet on the Western Front
The Bluest Eye
The Elusive Flame
Magic Lantern
Monsieur Verdoux
Pine Terrace

Will Win: Magic Lantern
Should Win: Magic Lantern

Best Tagline
"Color Meant Everything" - The Bluest Eye
"Keep your eyes wide open"- Kubrick Unfinished
"How can one live when all there is around them is death?"- A Life of Death
"The greatest beauty is the thing that you’ll never find"- Masterpiece
"They want the most important job in the world. He’s here to tell you why they shouldn’t get it"- Primary Concerns

Will Win: Kubrick Unfinished
Should Win: Masterpiece

Best Poster
Death Whispered a Lullaby
Kubrick Unfinished
Magic Lantern
(Where's The Dark Tower?)

Will Win: Death Whispered a Lullaby
Should Win: Death Whispered a Lullaby

Best Author
Oustanding Achievement on Writing and Creativity
Chris Perkins & D.W. Dillon (The Bluest Eye)
Evan D. (A Corner of the Universe)
Harry (Magic Lantern)
Michael (A Life of Death)
Pat (Masterpiece)
Zgamer (Brooks and Kane)

Will Win: Harry
Should Win: Harry

Best Plot/Synopsis
Between the Line of Life and Death
The Bluest Eye
Brooks and Kane
A Life of Death
Magic Lantern
Masterpiece

Will Win: Magic Lantern
Should Win: Magic Lantern/Masterpiece

Best Awards Campaign
The Bluest Eye
Finding Death
A Life of Death
Magic Lantern
Masterpiece
Their Grace

Will Win: Finding Death
Should Win: Masterpiece

::The Big 8 Awards::

Best Director
Bernardo Bertolucci, Magic Lantern
Tim Burton, A Life of Death
Terry George, Death Whispered a Lullaby
Carl Franklin, The Bluest Eye
Stephen Frears, Kubrick Unfinished

Will Win: Carl Franklin, The Bluest Eye
Should Win: Bernardo Bertolucci, Magic Lantern

Best Actor
Don Cheadle, The Bluest Eye
James Marsden, Brooks and Kane
Viggo Mortensen, The Dark Tower
Brad Pitt, Finding Death
Stellan Skarsgård, Magic Lantern
Max Von Sydow, Masterpiece

Will Win: Viggo Mortensen, The Dark Tower
Should Win: Stellan Skarsgard, Magic Lantern

Best Actress
Kate Hudson, Angels Weep in Pakistan
Keke Palmer, The Bluest Eye
Anna Sophia Robb, A Corner of the Universe
Sigourney Weaver, TENTPOLE!
Michelle Williams, Their Grace

Will Win: Michelle Williams, Their Grace
Should Win: Michelle Williams, Their Grace

Best Supporting Actor
Paul Dano, Masterpiece
Frank Langella, Their Grace
Philip Seymour Hoffman, All Quiet on the Western Front
Gary Oldman, Finding Death
Terry O'Quinn, Death Whispered a Lullaby

Will Win: Paul Dano, Masterpiece
Should Win: Terry O'Quinn, Death Whispered a Lullaby

Best Supporting Actress
Lauren Bacall, Masterpiece
Julie Delpy, Magic Lantern
Catherine Keener, Kubrick Unfinished
Frances McDormand, Their Grace
Maggie Smith, A Life of Death

Will Win: Lauren Bacall, Mastepiece
Should Win: Julie Deply, Magic Lantern

Best Original Screenplay
Between the Line of Life and Death
Brooks and Kane
Finding Death
Kubrick Unfinished
A Life of Death
Masterpiece

Will Win: Masterpiece
Should Win: Brooks and Kane

Best Adapted Screenplay
All Quiet on the Western Front
The Bluest Eye
A Corner Of The Universe
The Dark Tower
Magic Lantern
Their Grace

Will Win: The Bluest Eye
Should Win: Magic Lantern

Best Picture
The Bluest Eye
Brooks and Kane
A Life of Death
Magic Lantern
Masterpiece

Will Win: Magic Latern
Should Win: Magic Latern

Win Totals
Magic Lantern- 4
Masterpiece- 4
The Bluest Eye- 3
Brooks and Kane- 2
A Corner of the Universe- 1
The Dark Tower- 1
Death Whispered by Lullaby- 1
Finding Death- 1
Kubrick Unfinished- 1
Monsieur Verdoux- 1
Primary Concerns-1
Tentpole- 1
Their Grace- 1

My Thoughts: The January Oscars

Well, I have to say, that much like this years realy Oscars, everything has been all over the map and for the most part, unpredictable. I think to many people's surprise this month in the contest, it will be the same exact way....

THE BEST PICTURE RACE

The main race that I feel is all over the map. Magic Latern I feel is probably the onle safe bet to get a nomination, and I actually think it deserves and will win the big prize. However, the other four nominations could go to a lot of other baits, but I think this will be the lineup...

The Bluest Eye
Finding Death
Magic Latern
Masterpiece
Their Grace

I think the two biggest surprises will be Brooks and Kane being ignored and The Bluest Eye sneaking in a nomination.

THE ACTING CATEGORIES

Unlike previous months, I think none of the acting categories this month have frontrunners with many of the awards between as many as 3 actors/actresses. I think these are the frontrunners in the categories though...

Best Actor
Viggo Mortensen, The Dark Tower
Brad Pitt, Finding Death
Stellan Skarsgard, Magic Latern

Best Actress
Kate Hudson, Angels Weep in Pakistan
Sigourney Weaver, Tentpole!
Michelle Williams, Their Grace

Best Supporting Actor
Paul Dano, Masterpiece
Tim Robbins, Angels Weep in Pakistan

Best Supporting Actress
Julie Deply, Magic Latern
Frances McDormand, Their Grace

THE BEST DIRECTOR RACE

I think many of the director nominations this month will come from fantastic choices and from the Best Picture nominees, so no vehicles for Directors will get nominated.

Bernardo Bertollucci, Magic Latern
Carl Franklin, The Bluest Eye
Marc Forster, Masterpiece
David Lynch, The Dark Tower
Mike Nichols, Brooks and Kane


Thoughts?

My Thoughts: Reviewing the January Crop

All's Quiet on the Western Front- Crew is a bit to safe for me and I don't really see the point in the remake. Frankly it's kind of boring and I think some editing was required. C-

Angels Weep in Pakistan- Wow, this is a really great bait. It's written in an odd, but I forgive you because this is one of your first baits. I don't see Sophia doing this movie, but Hudson and Keaton are perfect choices and I am definately putting them on my ballot. Some of the casting is questionable (Robbins), but still it's incredibly baity. Really great. A-

Between the Line of Life and Death- It's gotten better since I first read it, but it's just not as good as it could be. Clooney in the crew is kind of off for me, but I just am disappointed that it isn't what it could have been. B-

Blood Harmony- Not much of a story, but I think you went right with the casting of Murphy and Paltrow. The bait also needed to have more substance and with that it needed more length. Not a bad concept just needed better execution. C-

The Bluest Eye- Hmm, the writing style is a bit wierd and you go from talking normally to all of the sudden talking in a hick style. It also sounds a bit wierd in general, but some of your casting is nice. The crew isn't bad, but it was lacking something special. B-

Brooks and Kane- I love Sara Ramerez's character and it's great for her (and I can't believe you aren't campaigning her), but it just feels a little to "fit for the stage not film" to me. Nice director choice, but there is just something missing. It's good, but not great like it could be. B

A Corner of the Universe-It's ok, but it seems more like a feel good family film than Oscar bait. I'm glad you cast AnnaSophia Robb and not another big name little actress, but I don't feel that Gosling is right for the part. C

The Dark Tower- I like your story and I like the offbeat cast, but I don't think there is anything to really reward, save for the poster, I think that is my only problem, is that I don't know how to praise it which is a major problem. B

Death Whispered by a Lullaby- Not bad at all. I definately see nominations for Casey and Quinn on my ballot. My only problem is the story starts of really interesting then starts to fade off towards the end. Otherwise, it's a great bait. B+

The Elusive Flame- Ehh, it's not that great, but its not terrible either. Neal is a great choice and has a spot in my Top 5, but no one else. There's just not much to say about the bait which is a problem. C+

Finding Death- Absolutely wonderful. A little weary on the director choice, but I think everything else fits. It's an easy read, great choices in casting and a gripping story. One of the best baits so far this month and my favorite of any bait you've ever written. A-

Killer Queen- I like the idea, but the casting of Affleck worries me because I don't know if he has musical abilities or not. Still, it's a nice idea, but it's been done before. C

Kubrick Unfinished- Ehh, it's a nice idea, but a bloated cast and synopsis IMO. Some of your choices are nice, but I don't really see this film being made. It's a nice idea, just executed the wrong way. C

Magic Latern- Wow, this is at the top of the list now. Harry, congratulations you have created magic like Bergman did. It's great, the writing is unique, but not so unique it distracts from the expierence and the casting is great. The crew is nice and it has full Oscar potential. Excellent work! A

Masterpiece- Really great. It's an easy read, emotional, and perfectly written/casted, but I feel like we've seen it before. None the less, it's really great, Forster seems a bit off at first, but really grew on me. Not to shabby, a great follow up to The Killer Eagles. A-

Monsieur Verdoux- Nighy is great casting, but the cast is bloated and it needed more substance. Still, Nighy is the best thing about the bait and there is room on my ballot for him. B

Pine Terrace- Let me say, this starts off really great, but after the murder I wanted a little thing that said the police got involved or soemthing blah blah blah, but not anything to detailed. That kind of ruined it, but otherwise, it was good. Dafoe would be fantastic. B

Primary Concerns- Wow, I really like the title, but that's about it. It's a good groundbreaker for a genre that will never take off. C+

Problem Solver- Way to long and not very good. A definate step down for you Douglas, and I don't really have anything else to say because I feel with all the length there wasn't much depth. C-

Tentpole- Well, this is definately not the right feel for an Apatow film and it is a bit long, however the concoction of the film is quite funny. Then again, I think in going for an Oscar bait, you end up with what your film was searching for the perfect summer popcorn movie. B-

The Trial of Alice Adams- A lot like Dear, Andrea in the case, but just too long and uninteresting. Some of the casting is nice though, but just not very good. Nice for a first bait though. C

Thier Grace- Not bad, and a nice vehicle for Williams, but just not quite where it should be. Still, I don't doubt that it will be a major success, I just think it's missing something. B-

WeekEnd- Really heavy and the right material for both Winslet and Field. Reilly is an okay choice, but I feel like it should have been someone with more chops. It's good, but not amazing like it definately could be. B

Bryce's The Non-spontaneous 2008 baits

Well 2008 is here, and I'm joining the bandwagon and posting my planned baits for 2008. I entitled it "Non-spontaneous" because about 90% of my baits were spontaneous baits and never been pre-planned. This year I'm going to have more planned baits because a) They usually result in better success, and b) They are usually more challenging, and as a writer I try to challenge myself. Anyway, Here are my list of planned baits, and also I'd like to wish everyone good luck in the coming 2008 year, the bait of the year competition, and the January competition. Good luck to all!

zGamer/Bryce Video Game Bait
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to annouce what it is yet, but I think it's shaping up to be a great bait. The last video game bait we did together was Knights of the Old Republic, which I felt met success. although I can't reveal too much, I will say the subject matter is much more baity than kotor. I'm sure more will be revealed in the coming months since it will be coming out in February.
Expected Release: February

Middlesex
Based on the popular book this is sure to be a bit controversial when it's released. this will also be one of my most challenging baits. I haven't adapted a book since "Gathering Blue" but adapting this book is proving to be harder than Gathering blue or The Giver. The story centers around an intersexed individual and his experience of growing up in Detroit, and also gives background to his unique family history. It's really to hard to describe the story in a quick sentence, so expect more on the story later in the year. And when I say later, I mean LATER, because I don't expect this bait to be done until hopefully June (Unless I get more time on my hands, and more motivation).
Expected Release: June

Kenpachi
This will be more first foreign-language bait. It's a japenese tale of a Samurai who goes on a journey to kill every Samurai Master in Feudal Japan in an attempt to find the true meaning of his life. It's suppose to be an Akira Kurosawa homage flick, and I'm excited about the project. Right now i'm torn between casting a japenese director, or getting one of Akira's self-proclaimed fans to direct it (like Steven Spielberg or Francis Ford Coppola). If we can submit two baits in February this will probably be released then, otherwise it will be my march bait.
Expected Release: February/March


The Long Halloween
Yea you guessed it, I'm talking about the popular batman graphic novel. However, I'm just gonna do what D.W. did with Mad Love (07) and just adapt it into a detective story. This is one of my favorite graphic novel (right under Watchmen) so I'm excited about adapting it. More on the story when it comes out which should be in April.
Expected Release: April


Untitled Personal Bait
It seems like everyone's doing a personal bait these days, so I decided I'm going to write one as well. Not sure what story I think the hardest part will be trying to translate my conflicts into seeming like valid conflicts. It's not that there petty or anything like that (trust me) It's just that one person's major conflicts in life can be seen as not a big deal by another. I'm not afraid of people criticizing my life (lol) but it will be hard to try and translate my own life into a bait (even though some things will have to exaggerated or toned down a bit). It should be interesting and it should be challenging. I don't know exactly when this will come out, but I think people will know it's a personal bait when it is out. It will just feel different from my other baits.
Expected Release: Undetermined


Also in the coming month I will be releasing "Finding Death" a story about corrupted politics, and a brother chasing after his brother's killer. Also I want to thank all those who participated in the festival. The baits are looking good, and I would also like to thank the panelist for joining.


Anyways good luck to all, and feel free to post some of your planned 2008 baits as well.