Topic: DEAD RODENT (Read 72266 times)

bk · « **on:** October 21, 2007, 12:48:34 AM »

Well, you've read the notes, the notes smelled sweeter than then dead rodent, and now it is time for you to post until the living cows come home.

bk · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2007, 12:49:56 AM »

And the word of the day is: AMARANTH!

bk · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2007, 12:56:53 AM »

And now, the unvarnished version of the event. Forget that it was too many speeches, all clapping themselves on the back in a way I just don't care for. Just make a snappy evening, not two hours of speeches.

When they came to me, they had no idea about the entertainment for the show. They had some ideas that were silly and unfocused and meaningless. It was I who suggested doing a tribute to Goldsmith - they didn't even know he'd been an alumni, and frankly they didn't even know who he was until I finally began listing the litany of films he scored. So, they got the Young Musician's Foundation - forty-five players. I went to Charles Fox and secured him to conduct. He immediately began worrying about just forty-five players and spoke to the YMF who said they had no prob providing more players. But, as the months went by, it became obvious that space was the issue and forty-five it would be. That made Charles too nervous, since the music was orchestrated for ninety players - so that, coupled with elbow problems caused him to drop out. He'd arranged for the widow Mrs. G to attend. She cut short a trip to do so. After I realized that the forty-five would not be able to play charts scored for ninety, I came up with a solution and offered it to them - to have three key pieces reorchestrated and reduced to forty-five instruments. They declined, saying the guy from the YMF would do the work for free. I expressed my concerns, but got him Charles' personal copies of the scores.

bk · « **Reply #3 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:02:15 AM »

I suggested a meeting be set up so I could show him the program I envisioned. No meeting was set up. And, at that point, they simply stopped asking my advice. I was supposed to follow this through, attend rehearsals, and plan ALL the entertainment and the way it was to be presented. But, like most amateurs who don't know what the hell they're doing, they simply thought it was easy and took me out of it. And that was their downfall and hideous error.

Instead of doing my three four minute pieces, they did a seventeen-minute movie medley. But, worse, in announcing them, Cindy was made to read, "Ladies and Gentleman, while you eat your dinner, the YMF will play some Jerry Goldsmith music." Can you imagine the chutzpah of that. Mrs. Goldsmith was LIVID and shouted, "Jerry Goldsmith did not write dinner music" and ran from the room in tears. She came back at some point, and I could see them trying to placate her, but she left again and they followed her out, begging her to come back - she didn't. And I don't blame her. What they did was sacreligeous and offensive and disrespectful. I felt like leaving, too. No one listened, they ate and talked during all seventeen minutes. And when they launced into Star Trek: Nemesis (the wrong piece - should have been Star Trek: The Motion Picture) no one gave a crap.

bk · « **Reply #4 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:05:27 AM »

It was a complete disaster, and the head of the foundation had to accept Jerry's award. I'm going to write Mrs. G a letter, just telling her the idea was mine, but that they'd taken me out of it, and that if I'd had any idea of what they were up to I would have called her and told her to stay the hell away.

If I had seen this through, the orchestra would have been spotlit, the house lights down, and Cindy's intro would have made it clear that the audience was supposed to listen and appreciate the MUSIC being played because the composer had something to do with LACC. I also would have had the orchestra miked, so that they could be heard.

Amateurs - what the world doesn't need. I'm sure their event brought in lots of money, but they should be ashamed of themselves for making a travesty of the Goldsmith tribute.

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #5 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:07:32 AM »

Quote

...the aroma of dead rodent permeates the air with the sweet, sickly smell of its rotting flesh. That sounds like an ad for a Hammer film, doesn’t it?

No, that's just George back from rehearsal.

der Brucer

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:15:41 AM »

Quote from: bk on October 21, 2007, 01:05:27 AM

I'm going to write Mrs. G a letter, just telling her the idea was mine, but that they'd taken me out of it, and that if I'd had any idea of what they were up to I would have called her and told her to stay the hell away.

I trust you will ensure that she understands that you share her outrage!

der Brucer

(Not to worry - Kimmell does "outrage" well)

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:17:26 AM »

IF YA GOT IT - FLAUNT IT!

BUT IF IT'S SAGGING - COVER IT UP!

der Brucer

PennyO · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:41:19 AM »

Good morning! Yes, it's after 4 in the ayem here in Miami. I've been here most of a week, and start back to LA on an early flight. This is the earliest I have ever posted on this hyar site! George - what are you doing up at this hour, lad???

George · « **Reply #9 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:41:22 AM »

Quote from: DERBRUCER on October 21, 2007, 01:07:32 AM

No, that's just George back from rehearsal.

der Brucer

What?? Rehearsal isn't until tonight!

PennyO · « **Reply #10 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:42:00 AM »

DearReaderLaura - what's to photograph in the dark???

PennyO · « **Reply #11 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:42:48 AM »

Now, there's a dedicated actor - rehearsing into the wee hours...

George · « **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:43:29 AM »

Quote from: PennyO on October 21, 2007, 01:41:19 AM

Good morning! Yes, it's after 4 in the ayem here in Miami. I've been here most of a week, and start back to LA on an early flight. This is the earliest I have ever posted on this hyar site! George - what are you doing up at this hour, lad???

A couple of hours ago, I got back from a party at the house of the director of "Night of the Living Dead! The Musical" and I just finished watching an episode of "Heroes."

PennyO · « **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:43:35 AM »

I think I'll hit the shower, guzzle some java, and pack up mah stuff.

PennyO · « **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:45:20 AM »

Hey, George - I have an interview about the Northwest Folklife job on Nov. 2 - just a quick flight up and back, I'll stay over for the annual fundraiser banquet/auction at Seattle Center - what's the weather doing?

George · « **Reply #15 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:46:26 AM »

For the last few days, it's been raining. Off and on, but still raining.

PennyO · « **Reply #16 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:47:07 AM »

I could have used a little more sleep... ah, well, lotsa time to nap once I get to LA - the going East to West thing is even more disorienting than West to East - I leave here early in the morning, sit on a plane forever, and arrive in LA early in the morning...

PennyO · « **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:47:43 AM »

Raining? in Washington? how unusual!

PennyO · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:51:35 AM »

I got a swell DVD of my show, from the Friday night performance. All the times I tried to get a usable DVD - GOT ONE!!! Some out of focus scenes early on, but the rest is pretty darn good! I'm going to send one to a theater in Pittsburgh, where our friend td has performed many times - also using it to try to get some work here among the old Jews in south Florida for Jan-Feb 09 (just in case a certain great job doesn't pan out)...

PennyO · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:52:20 AM »

How are rehearsals going for your scary musical?? Are you having fun? What are the dates???

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #20 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:56:17 AM »

George,

Try thes ideas for a cast party:

GHOULS BANQUET

der Brucer

PennyO · « **Reply #21 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:58:03 AM »

and off I go, to catch this godawful early flight... laters, skaters - which reminds me... I brought my skates and skated down by South Beach - that was so fun. Also went through the Everglades looking for gators. Saw a small one sunning, a humongous one swimming, and lots of wonderful birds. Skaters, gators... laters.

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #22 on:** October 21, 2007, 01:58:33 AM »

Quote from: PennyO on October 21, 2007, 01:43:35 AM

I think I'll hit the shower, guzzle some java, and pack up mah stuff.

Remember - no heat in the carry-on!

der Brucer

George · « **Reply #23 on:** October 21, 2007, 02:00:47 AM »

Penny, click HERE for dates and ticket information!

PennyO · « **Reply #24 on:** October 21, 2007, 02:02:39 AM »

But first, of course, I had to take a look at the recipes for the ghoul feast. Oh, Brucer!!

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #25 on:** October 21, 2007, 02:03:01 AM »

Quote from: bk on October 21, 2007, 12:49:56 AM

And the word of the day is: AMARANTH!

Amaranth was Amaryllis' twin bother.

der Brucer

PennyO · « **Reply #26 on:** October 21, 2007, 02:05:11 AM »

Quote from: George on October 21, 2007, 02:00:47 AM

Penny, click HERE for dates and ticket information!

Oh!! many weeks of performances! It just may be that I'll be able to get to Olympia to see it. Sounds hilarious! I love the premise.

PennyO · « **Reply #27 on:** October 21, 2007, 02:05:48 AM »

And now, I really must be hastening into my morning. Laters, kidz.

George · « **Reply #28 on:** October 21, 2007, 02:06:57 AM »

Quote from: PennyO on October 21, 2007, 02:05:11 AM

Oh!! many weeks of performances! It just may be that I'll be able to get to Olympia to see it. Sounds hilarious! I love the premise.

Yea! That would be so cool!

George · « **Reply #29 on:** October 21, 2007, 02:07:13 AM »

Tomovoz, great news about your aunt and cousin!

News:

Author Topic: DEAD RODENT (Read 72266 times)