A little time off...

There's a little bit of a slowdown happening at Happy Hour Creative, so I've been asked to take a break for two weeks. They figure they'd have to find things for me to do during that time and would prefer to have specific projects for me to cut. This is good because I can use a break to get some things in order and really just relax!

While I'm gone they'll be expanding the shop into some offices that are being vacated to the rear. The influx of work and editors here (myself and one other recent migrant from Trailer Park) requires more workspace and edit bays. When I return I should have my own bay, which hopefully they'll let me personalize a bit, as opposed to the very small freelance bay I've been working in. Although while some of the other staff editors went on vacation this summer I was able to use their bay for a week here and there.

During this past week I've continued to work on a 30 second spot for the feature "Sex Drive". Client feedback has been really positive to my work and I'm in the middle of making some changes and additions per their requests.

New "Ghostbusters" in the pipeline from Sony

Yes, this story is a few days old, but I had to comment.

As reported in Variety, Dan Ackroyd and Harold Ramis have been in talks with Sony to put together a third "Ghostbusters" movie. Teaming up with "The Office" co-exec producers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky to write a script. Plus Ackroyd has mentioned a desire to work with Judd Apatow's production team as well.

You can read the full story here.

This has good and bad potential however. I LOVE the idea of bringing the boys and concept back. But I'm concerned that in the wrong hands this could be fumbled badly. It can't be just a re-hash of the storyline from the original film. Has to be something new and edgy for the 21st Century, but also be true to the flavor and feel of the first movie.

An early script idea is to have the original four Ghostbusters (Ackroyd, Ramis, Hudson, and yes, Murray) mentoring a group of new recuits. If Apatow is involved this might mean Seth Rogen would be one of the new recruits. And maybe if they think along the lines of throwing someone like Seth Green in there as well, the casting could be really inspired.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IT'S OFFICIAL!: "Greatest American Hero" movie in the works!

AT LAST!!! Sci-Fi Wire reported today that Stephen J. Cannell has in fact signed a deal to create a "Greatest American Hero" theatrical feature! This was part of the buzz surrounding the GAH panel at this year's Comic-Con, with cast members William Katt, Robert Culp, and Connie Sellecca in attendance.

The concept right now seems likely to surround a new guy getting the suit, possibly include a Bill Maxwell type character trying the run the show, with Katt's Ralph acting as mentor. This hot on the heels of news that Sony is prepping a new "Ghostbusters" sequel with the original line up (Ackroyd, Murray, Ramis, and Hudson) guiding some new recruits.

I think it's definitely the right time for a GAH movie, especially with movies like "Iron Man", "Dark Knight", and a whole legion of superhero flicks riding high now. While I was standing in line to get William Katt and Robert Culp's autograph I spoke with a fellow fan who had the inspired idea of having Owen Wilson play Ralph and Tommy Lee Jones play Bill Maxwell. O.K. so maybe Jones more like ten years ago, circa "Men In Black. But Wilson could be fun.

I am incredibly psyched for this new incarnation of "The Greatest American Hero", and I hope with Cannell's guidance it won't turn out to be half-assed and kid-ified.

I saw this on movieweb.com this morning, and thanks, Allen, for the link to the Sci-Fi Wire article. Click on the photo for the full report.

Trailer VO God, Don LaFontaine dies at age 68

Don LaFontaine, the supreme and unmistakable voice of over 5,000 trailers, died Tuesday at age 68. The man who invented the phrase "In a world..." began his career producing trailers at Kaleidoscope Films, a trailer house I've also been trying to get into for six years. One day, a voice over artist didn't show up for a gig and Don had to voice the trailer himself. The studio loved the result and Don's career and life changed forever.

This was certainly the buzz story around Happy Hour on Tuesday, being a trailer house of course. A couple of people there actually worked with Don in the past. It was great to hear a few of those stories. Trailers will truly never sound the same again without Don's very versatile, commanding voice.

Read more in these LA Times and Hollywood Reporter articles about his death.

Also, enjoy these two videos spotlighting his career and ability to laugh at what he did best. The first is entitled "Don LaFontaine: The Voice".



The second, "Voice Over By Don LaFontaine"