The Screenwriter: Charlie Kaufman
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[/caption]Career Highlights: Being John Malkovich; Human Nature; Adaptation; Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind; Syndecohe, New York
Charlie Kaufman, like many other Hollywood scribes, waited a long time before he received any kind of break. For eleven years, he existed anonymously in Los Angeles. Kaufman had the occasional writing gig here and there in those years. His first job was on a show starring Chris Elliott entitled Get A Life. Kaufman wrote two episodes for the show and moved onto "The Edge," a comedy as well. Yes, Charlie Kaufman began his career as a comedy writer. Jennifer Aniston starred on the show. Wayne Knight had a role as well as future Freaks & Geeks creator Paul Feig. In 1996, Kaufman wrote for The Dana Carvey Show and then he wrote two episodes of a short-lived series called Ned And Stacey.
Around the late 90s, Kaufman began meeting with people about this idea he had involving John Malkovich. Obviously, he sold the script and Being John Malkovich was made. Kaufman's voice was finally heard in Hollywood.
Charlie Kaufman's one of the most unique writers in Hollywood. He writes like nobody else. Who else would be tasked with adapting a novel and then decide to create a story about the process of adaptation? Charlie Kaufman. Adaptation might be his greatest achievement as a writer because he takes the viewers through the process of writing while providing insight into the world of a working screenwriter. Adaptation is even a sort-of guide for writing a screenplay and this guide is Donald Kaufman. He's the character who takes the screenwriting course and writes a killer script. Donald continually tells Charlie what he's learned about structure and the importance of a dynamite act three. Kaufman, the writer and the character, use every method Donald has talked about throughout the film. One of the funniest scenes is when Charlie's narrating as he attends a screenwriting lecture and the lecturer is yelling about avoiding voice-over narrations. It's an incredibly smart and well-done screenplay.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is probably his most famous work yet. Kaufman returns to a man's head. This man is Joel Barish. Most of the movie unfolds in his head as the memories of his relationship with Clementine is erased. Meanwhile, the two guys assigned to erase the memories have their own layered stories which are told as they realize the process isn't flowing smoothly. There's also a story between the doctor and the secretary. Eternal Sunshine has heart and a lot of ideas about the importance of memory and the concept of memory itself. Kaufman spent three years writing the script.
His most recent work was Synedoche, New York. This one is fairly strange. The story's about a theater director so it says a lot of about Art and being a creator.
If you're interested in actually reading his screenplays, check out beingcharliekaufman.com. There are numerous drafts for each film including the shooting script for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
THE 2010-2011 SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTIONS
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[/caption]Yes, indeedy, the Scottish Premier League begins on Saturday. For the next few days, I plan on predicting various leagues from various continents and countries. Yesterday, I dived into the Australian A League. Today, I accurately predict the Scottish Premier League. Once again, if you'd like to chime in with your own predictions for the Scottish Premier League OR the Australian A League then feel free to comment. Also, like yesterday, I have little to zero knowledge of the Scottish Premier League. I only want to continue learning about each league so I am doing this. Before I begin, here is a breakdown of their standings.
The 1st and 2nd place teams qualify for the UEFA Champions League. The 3rd and 4th place teams qualify for the UEFA Europa League. The 12th place team is relegated to the Scottish Division One league. The four major sports leagues in America really need to consider relegation for some teams. I digress.
1. Glasgow Rangers
Reason: One of the teams I can say at least one smart thing about. Rangers and Celtic are the top teams in the Scottish Premier League and Rangers have found more success the last few years. I'm also a huge fan of the city name, Glasgow.
2. Celtic FC
Reason: The Celtic were in North America and Canada a few weeks ago for training matches. I wasn't very impressed with what I saw. They lost the Philly Union but the preseason shouldn't matter much in the large context of the season. I'll be boring and go with the standard top two.
3. Heart of Midlothian
Reason: Would you pick against a team with a name as cool as theirs? Sure I picked two teams to finish above them but qualifying for the Europa league isn't bad at all. They remind me of some epic medival army. The logo is much cooler than anything the A league has. The team has existed since 1874. I respect the history. I think any American band would be wise to name themselves after this team.
4. Motherwell
Reason: Europe is so much better naming teams than Australia. They finished 5th last season so I like a 4th place finish for goody Motherwell. The team hasn't been relegated since 1984. Good for them. Moving on.
5. Hamilton Academical
Reason: Academical and Motherwell are rivals. I wonder how fierce the rivalry is. This team, predictably enough, orginated from a school so if I made a joke about how they sound like a school I would have looked a fool because they are the lone British team that remains who began at a school.
6. Iverness Caledonian Thistle
Reason: There are team names and then there are TEAM NAMES. WHAT A NAME. Surprisingly, they aren't a team that originated in the late 1800s. I expected that because of the name but they came into existense in 1994. I wish the Philadelphia expansion team was called the Philadelphia Iverness Caledonian Thistle. The team worked their way up from the third division to the SPL. Not bad at all. They return to SPL after playing in the First Divisoon so logic says they won't finish sixth but I believe in the Thistle. When you have a large eagle in your logo, you get a respectable finish in The Foot.
7. Hibernian
Reason: Not many exciting things about this team but their nickname is The Cabbage. Big fan.
8. Kilmarnock
Reason: Their logo is awesome. It features two squirrels holding a soccer ball with a hand whose fingers point upwards. I feel like I've disrespected the logo by placing them in 8th place. They are the oldest professional club in Scotland.
9. St. Johnstone
Reason: They hail from Perth, Scotland and their nickname is...ugh...the Saints. Not the most original nickname. They return to the SPL after a seven year abscense.
10. Aberdeen
Reason: They have a silly nickname (the Dandies). They also are called the Dons and the Reds. Current Man U coach Alex Ferguson spent 8 years managing the Dandies. He, of course, left the team 25 years ago. For some reason, when the name of their stadium is translated, the name means "place of manure." Sounds like a 10th place team to me.
11. St. Mirren
Reason: They have the nickname the Saints as well. How original. Their other nickname is much better: The Buddies. They also have a new manager. Yes.
12. Dundee United
Reason: Yet another United squad is in last place. Dundee, unfortunately, shares a name with a fictional award for a fictional company on The Office. I don't like the show nor how it reminds me of that awards ceremony episode. They also have a rather controversial nickname, which is The Arabs. Is that really a smart nickname? Seeing as how they finished third and qualified for Europea last year, I don't foresee Dundee United being relegated. They hail from Dundee, Scotland. I don't intend to offend the good people of Dundee. I do intend to offend the fans of The Office. Thank you.
Another League. More Predictions. TOMORROW.
THE YOUTUBE CLIP OF THE WEEK
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