Edward Burns’ “Newlyweds” (Part 5)

“Look, you’ve been married for 18 years…if it ended today you could probably call it a success, right?” Newlyweds (written by Edward Burns) “I need to know two people can stay together forever.” Juno (written by Diablo Cody) Edward Burns and Diablo Cody have a lot in common. That’s my take away from seeing both Newlyweds and [...]

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Edward Burns’ “Newlyweds” (Part 4)

“But this is the future, I suppose– movie theaters aren’t going anywhere, I’m sure, but the way we watch our movies is definitely diversifying.” Edward Burns speaking back in 2007 about digital distribution for films Edward Burns isn’t just an actor and filmmaker, he’s a symbol—a symbol of the future of independent filmmaking. His latest [...]

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Iowa Caucuses 2012

Jay Leno once said that the word caucus is an Indian word meaning, “the one day every four years when America pays attention to Iowa.” And now that we’re less than a week away from the 2012 Iowa caucuses there is more media attention than normal here in the state. It’s nowhere near the attention [...]

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Edward Burns’ “Newlyweds” (Part 3)

Gillian Mohney writing for Elle magazine wrote this about Edward Burns’ ultra low-budget film Newlyweds; “One unexpected benefit for Burns in making these independent films is his ability to redefine what a film schedule can look like. While most directors are forced by budgetary constraints to adhere to a rigorous blocked out shooting calendar, by using [...]

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Edward Burns’ “Newlyweds” (Part 2)

Edward Burns, like a lot of people, is making movies on the side—outside of his day job. Of course, his job as an actor pays more than working at Starbucks. But he’s still leading the way in this newest version of independent filmmaking. His latest film, Newlyweds, was shot for $9,000 (deferred). “You’re not gonna become [...]

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Edward Burns’ “Newlyweds” (Part 1)

“People say ‘It’s all about the story’…When you’re making tentpole films, bulls*%t.” Andy Hendrickson, Chief Technical Officer Walt Disney Animation Studios “I have no interest in ever directing anything like a traditional blockbuster. Sci-fi movie. Superhero movie. Not really my thing.” Edward Burns Moviefone article by Christopher Rosen  Edward Burns isn’t making tentpole movies—he’s making [...]

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Merry Chirstmas 2011

Here’s a little Christmas video I did for the web gang Spinutech that I work closely with on various projects. For the technical minded, this was shot with the Panasonic AF 100 and a Nikon 50 1.4 lens (that’s probably 20 years old). Except for an intern that helped with the set (black backdrop, tree branches [...]

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Screenwriter Gift Ideas

“With a screenplay you’re creating a world; consider everything, every character, every room, every juxtaposition, every increment of time as an embodiment of that world. Look at all of this through that filter and make sure it is all consistent.” Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman “No hero is ever ready for the journey.” Adam Levenberg Yesterday I [...]

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A Pleasant Haunt by Dickens

This is the original preface to A Christmas Carol, A Ghost Story of Christmas (which you can find the total text online at The Project Gutenberg ): “I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each [...]

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Eric Roth on Theme & Loneliness

“I’m writing more to a theme rather than to story…if the scene thematically represents what I wanted the picture to say then I feel I’ve been successful…When you discover what you think it’s about—like I would say to you, ‘I think Forrest Gump is about loneliness’ and then you may say, ‘I don’t see that [...]

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