Living life courageously

Does not mean living life carelessly.

--cp

Anonymous defamatory US bloggers no longer immune from legal repercussions

Legal Zoom.com reports that US bloggers who believe they can assail anyone any way they wish by claiming anonymity may start running into a legal buzz saw now after new court rulings hold bloggers accountable for their defamatory comments.

Read the story here.

Basically, the courts ruled that bloggers can no longer post harmful, hurtful, derogatory statements about others anonymously without recrimination. Further, the courts have the power to discover the blogger's identity and hold him or her responsible for posting injurious comments on the www.

Previously, courts gave wide leeway to anonymous bloggers under the First Amendment.

In new decisions, they are tempering freedom of speech and expression First Amendment rights with the reality of the extensive reach and international power of the Internet - the potential damage that can be done to reputations, careers and lives - far beyond the boundaries of the US.

Just because you can physically yell "fire" in a crowded room where there is no fire, putting everyone at risk, doesn't mean it's legal under the First Amendment - because it's not.

One reason you'll see more of these cases because more people who are libeled or slandered are fighting back - including those who might be considered public personalities (or "celebrities;" ordinarily there are practically no recriminations for saying anything about them); one of the cases involved a model, for example.

One thing I love to do - a lot

Be a good friend.

Just being there to lighten the load is the best.

Allowing someone to be there for you is a genuine gift to the people you invite in.

Much love.

Counting down to Nov 2 HEROES!

Elisabeth Röhm joins the cast for several episodes Monday, Nov. 2!

Here's her story line: she plays a kicking serious butt CIA agent, Lauren Gilmore, who at one time was very close with HRG (major Hero for the uninitiated).

They worked together and at one point had the opportunity to get even closer - but both chose to be ethical, since he was married at the time.

Deal is, to prevent any further stress for her (read: sexual tension, unrequited love, which as you know can create a distraction from major booty kicking), he erases her memory of their (Platonic but wanting more) relationship.

UPDATE: As it turns out, the story flips to HER erasing her own memory about their unrequited love - she "goes Haitian" on her own.

Flash forward to Nov 2, 2009.

Lauren shows up again - but even with her "memory" erased, she senses that she knows HRG on a very deep level. As Elisabeth put it, "like a soulmate."

So he's tormented. Only recently single, he knows what they've meant to one another, what they've felt - what he has continued to feel, but should he tell her? Should he allow himself to become close again?

She's confused, but knows there must be an unexplainable connection. A connection that feels strong, undeniable and "right."

As she told TV Guide (the picture is from its online interview with her), Elisabeth believes the idea of a soulmate resonates with her. That there are people with whom we are simply "meant to be." They may not be our spouses, or even in a sexual relationship at all - but there is a palpable, very real yet unexplainable heart, or soul, connection.

So we're left to wonder: will she figure it out? Will he tell her? Will she want to get closer? Will he allow their relationship to re-ignite now that they are both single? Will he tell her she erased her memory of their budding romance?

OK, because I happen to have directed her in THE WHOLE TRUTH I got some backstage ... well, I can't exactly call it "dirt," so I'll call it ... insight.

First and foremost, she has been incredibly "Impressed with the quality of work that everyone here strives to achieve." She says every one in every position at Heroes cares deeply about this program. Producers, directors, writers, actors, crew, no one takes their work on Heroes casually.

I pointed out that Heroes program runners don't have any say over changing program nights or times or delays in airing episodes, all of which have really upset fans. That's the network's doing. Folks associated with the show can only lodge their displeasure, but they are at the mercy of the same folks who have put Jay Leno on every week night at 10pm.

As for the work itself, Elisabeth says that the Heroes actors are the *best!* She says that to a person, every cast member has been professional, great to hang out with and are not afraid to do whatever it takes to make a scene work best.

Also that Heroes staff, cast and crew care very deeply about their fans.

Of course they're disappointed in the failing ratings - but they don't blame fans. They know their fans have had to endure some problems with the show and are doing everything they can to turn that around.

They hope bringing Elisabeth Röhm in for their first ever exploration of a romantic relationship in the mix of all those superpowers will strengthen their center, their core. I know I will be tuned in to my NBC channel Monday, Nov. 2, 8pm Eastern/Pacific 7pm Central.

And I can't help but think the greatest super power of all is love.

My favorite new TV show

Of all the new comedies and dramas, for me this fall's breakout hit is THE GOOD WIFE.

The number one reason to watch: Julianna Margulies.

Heading a spectacular cast of mega-talented actors - she not only carries the show but has the opportunity to display a tremendous range as she flows throughout the multi-faceted day of her character, Alicia Florrick.

Alicia reminds us of how many roles we play in our real lives - responsible parent, child, in-law, spouse/significant other, housekeeper, worker, colleague/co-worker, detective, citizen, supervisor, supervisee, pet owner, friend, would-be victim or victor - and the list goes on.



















Playing the wife of a jailed, sex scandalized politician (played by the actor-who-can-do-no-wrong Chris Noth, billed only as a special guest star), Alicia is a determined woman who, after surviving the excruciating humiliation created by her husband's cruel, selfish and thoughtless behavior, refuses to be deceived, or tolerate insincerity or dishonesty ever again.

Ever. Again.

So she calls everything like she sees it, even if it creates discomfort for those to whom she directs her honest comments, evaluations, observations and reality checks.

Because she sees the world not as everyone else *wants* to see it, or thinks we *should* see it, but as it really is, she comes up with clever, practical and logical evidence that solves the cases she is hired to unravel in court.

Courts are notorious for finding solutions that are legal - forget morality.

THE GOOD WIFE comes up with ways to, at least so far, serve both masters - legality and morality.

THE GOOD WIFE writers have dumped fabricated script twists and turns - Alicia's disarming honesty provides plenty of relevant, surprising and very real twists and turns along the way.

Interestingly, the side story of her errant husband is also something she is cracking through her new eyes. Intolerance of dishonesty means that she has to look at her own misguided thoughts, self-deception and conclusions. Could her cheating husband actually be ... innocent? Framed?

Having said that, and forgive me for not pointing out the significant contribution of each terrific cast member, including Christine Baranski, Josh Charles, Archie Panjabi and Matt Czuchry - not to mention the tremendous contribution made by terrific guest stars like Martha Plimpton (better than I've ever seen her, btw), the show itself - the concept and the writing - are the real winners here.

One of the first things I thought as I have watched each episode not just as a viewer but a writer-director is that an authentic, smart, mature woman who's been there, done that, is represented here, perhaps for the first time on television, the way an actual smart, mature (at any age) woman thinks, behaves and speaks.

She is a genuine, flawed, human heroine without being an over-the-top superhero. Wait. Come to think of it, I believe Alicia's hypersensitive BS meter is her superpower.

The show is still finding its "legs," but starting out of the gate with strong, distinctly drawn characters, each of whom has his or her own goals, aspirations and Achilles heels.

This ensemble of superb actors has, IMO, been thrashing about on projects unworthy of their talents and skills for awhile; I'm so happy they've all found each other. This one is hit out of the park for all of them, and with the growth that each episode brings to the show's creative team, it's only going to get better.

In addition to watching live, I also dvr THE GOOD WIFE so I can watch it again when nothing else I want to watch is on. I also do this with 30 Rock.

Honest-to-goodness, authentic, believable, intense, passionate characters and stories worth our time. And worth watching more than once a week.

Credit show creators - writer/producers - Michelle and Robert King for that.

Well done.

And well done CBS, for not joining the ranks of desperate network programmers chasing their tails to score a fad megahit with schtick or cheap reality shows. You've developed a fine, modern drama with characters we want to see every week in stories we find believable and worthwhile, dealing with issues we care about.

Congratulations.

Now. Don't screw it up by flipping broadcast times or days or showing reruns way before the season is finished - or all the other things that have killed great shows long before they deserved to be cancelled.

CV's, resumes, and bio's, oh my!

You're probably someone who keeps careful records of what you've done - so you can show people in your CV or resume or bio all those details.

That's what people are supposed to do.

In fact some overdo credentials by making stuff up on their records.

Not me.

I barely keep records of anything I've done, and that is not a good thing.

If it weren't for the actual published books and articles and produced films, I'd have no evidence I do what I do. And I can't find half of them. I've done several online essays and articles, but only my blog is what I have to point to as proof because I can't recall the folks for whom I wrote - there were so many.

Speeches I've made - even keynote, media appearances, classes I've taught - um, I just didn't keep track. I'm very much an in-the-moment person, tend not to look back. I'm not one to "rest on her laurels." That is, bask in something I've done that was well received.

Even awards - I receive them and am very grateful, then stash them .. somewhere. At one point several years ago I had awards and certificates all over the house, and someone told me that I was much more than my awards and that they could put people off - intimidate them.

I certainly didn't want to be known for my awards so I put them all away - in several boxes that I've stashed .. somewhere.

My producer says it would be a good idea for an assistant and I to go through the past many years tracking down specifics so I can list them for those who need to see them.

I always thought that as long as *I* knew about these things, that would be enough; but no, apparently there needs to be a record of specifics so they can be posted for the world in places online that verifies we are who we are, we do what we do and everything we've done.

Does that go back to 5th grade? That was when I wrote and starred in my first play, "Fishnet." No it did not refer to the stockings, it referred to catching fish, but was a spoof of the old show Dragnet.

Or 6th grade, when I earned a leadership award. But that was instead given to a boy because school officials said, "Girls don't need a leadership award to get ahead in the world." So the boy basked in his award. I was, however, given a consolation prize of some sort they made up because of their gaff.

Hmmmm.

Maybe that's why I didn't keep track of these things.

I moved 17 times by the age of 17 (military brat), so collected recognitions for one thing or another along the way. I recall I won a journalism award .. somewhere. As I recall I was co-editor of the school newspaper in 7th grade. I received a debating award .. somewhere else; and selected "best thespian" in high school.

I'd never mention them anywhere else but here because I'm just now remembering them; it seems too minor to list on a resume. Or the awards I received when I was in the US Air Force. I know there were pictures taken.

Perhaps because I've done so many things - and more than one thing at a time (at one point I hosted a radio talk show, worked as a freelance reporter for a TV station and fill in radio reporter for another station than that for which I hosted the program) - I've been a little sheepish about looking like either a dilettante or desperate overachiever.

Basically, I've done what I wanted. Almost never for money, even when I needed it, sometimes desperately.

It's not a way of life most would prefer, but it's been really enlightening, fulfilling, rewarding and quite a bit of fun for me. I just haven't kept careful track of all I've done; it's locked in my heart and mind.

But let this be a lesson - keep track, don't exaggerate - of all you do, because one day someone may tap you on the shoulder and tell you it all has to be listed so people will have proof you are who you are and that you've done what you've done.

As I say, my life's ambition is to learn everything. And I still have so much to discover.

I guess I better start at least listing stops along the way, and any special notice my work has achieved.

Another heart broken needlessly

A friend of mine just had to put her young dog down.

A wonderful bulldog with a great heart and loving nature, he was plagued with so many physical maladies I think even his veterinarian could not list them all in one breath.

The pup was sold to my friend at a considerable cost by a "qualified" breeder in another state. When my friend told the breeder the puppy was excruciatingly sick, had bone problems and more, the "qualified" breeder didn't return her calls.

Nor the desperate emails.

The pup continued to cost my friend considerable money in vet bills she really didn't have.

It takes only a few hours to bond with a sweet puppy, doesn't it. The veterinarian felt badly for my friend; the bills were so massive a discount was given.

Friends and the vet told my friend to get an attorney. At the very least the breeder should pay for the thousands of dollars worth of bills encountered for the pup, and return the purchase price.

Even with a lawyer, the breeder was difficult to deal with until another breeder - well known among breeders with an excellent national standing - agreed to look at the dog to see if my friend was in fact the cause of the pup's problems.

She examined the dog and declared he should have never been sold. Filled with so many genetic conditions, the breeder should give my friend her money back and help with the medical bills - there would be many more to come.

Which led up to yesterday.

When the pup of just a couple years, so beloved and well cared for over the short and yet forever time he was with my friend, was at last freed from his pain and miserable medical treatments meant to extend his life - a life intended to be happy, carefree and overflowing with affection.

The dog is now free from the agony he endured for every one of those many months; free to run and jump and do cartwheels or whatever dogs do in doggie heaven.

But my friend? She's left with a heart broken beyond repair because a (fill in the blank - merciless?) breeder sold her a dog he should not have considered giving away.

Excellent breeders would never allow such a blighted pup out of their care - they'd be sure he had as good a life as he could have for as long as possible; they would be responsible for the pup's care since they brought him into the world and something went wrong in their breeding practice.

Excellent breeders would also take a dog back if it were the case that genetic conditions created such medical misery for a dog. Or any animal sold by a reputable breeder.

My friend will someday miss her pet less. I still miss pets I've had who died in my arms many years ago.

But I'm left to wonder how many thousands of times this same crushing scenario continues because of uncaring, unethical breeders. PETA would say all breeders are the same, in it for money, believing none genuinely care about the animal whose numbers they continue to increase in our world.

I would not go that far, but I do know this is a scene replayed all too often with tears that do not cease, with arms that go empty missing the enthusiastic reception and cuddles that came no matter how short a time you've been away.

There's the absence of that special soul with whom doing nothing is perhaps even more noticeable than doing something, whether it's a walk, a trip to the dog park or a weekend to hang out with your out-of-town family, where the kids play with your affectionate pup - the pup they adore.

Kids who won't understand why he can't ever visit them again.





Rest in peace and play your heart out in heaven, little guy.

One step closer

Finished the rewrite of THE LONELY GOATHERD ("All Harry ever wanted was a wife and kids ... he got half his wish.") last night; two days of fun finessing and it goes to the producer.

With all the potential distribution/theater screening activity surrounding THE WHOLE TRUTH, it's important to be ready to roll with feature #2, and I'm also looking forward to writing our next feature script.

Exactly which project that will be should be determined next week; we're looking at the possibility among eight whose scripts I've written our outlined.

I like to be one script ahead. Have one film in the can, one script/project ready to go - complete with finished shot sheets - for pre-production, and one script written that is good enough to read by folks who work with us so they'll understand what's coming up.

The earlier crew and actors who are pre-cast can read it the better, I believe. It gets everyone thinking about the project - and the ideas we develop over a period of time can be very fruitful; it also helps us make decisions that waste less money while still providing the quality performances and production values that mark a Heart Break Production.

Who REALLY loves you?

Want to know who REALLY loves you?

Force your spouse/significant other and your dog into the trunk of your car.

Drive around a couple hours on treacherous roads - potholes, tree limbs, speed bumps, rocks.

Return, park your car and open the trunk.

Which one is still happy to see you?

---------------------------------------------------------



NOTE: For anyone who doesn't understand that this is a joke: this is a joke.

A joke I probably should not laugh at, but could not help myself.

Do not ever force anyone into the trunk of a car - animal or human.

Hanging out with Friars will do this to you. ;-)

Writing is such sweet misery...

I'm in the throes of rewriting my new film script THE LONELY GOATHERD ("All Harry ever wanted was a wife and kids. He got half his wish...") - which inspired my recent blog on the hair-pulling, breathe-in-a-paper-bag, sleepless, eat-everything-in-sight to "carb up" to prepare for my writing marathon.

And how different - lost and crazed - I look when I actually write than how I appear in the photos of me they attach to the work, in which I appear so calm and collected.

Having butted heads with the important changes I see and how I need to make them in the script thanks to insightful - and affordable - notes from LA script analyst Michael Cheda, who was referred by the dearly missed, late screenwriter and author (Save the Cat!) Blake Snyder.

While still a whole lotta fun, the story has a little more truth injected into its structure and characters; in an edgy comedy script like this it's easy to get goofy, and therefore unbelievable. That doesn't serve the characters or the work as a whole.

Like all writers, I LOVE to do minor but important tasks that take me away from my computer - alphabetizing my sock drawer, painting the dogs' toenails (choosing the right color can take hours), checking my horoscope to see what Christmas gifts I should get friends - or if I should.

I mean, if my horoscope says I'm in for a stormy time with pals ... well, there ya go. Money saved.

Or, if-

Right.

Right.

Back to work.

Rick's working overtime at THE OFFICE!

THE WHOLE TRUTH's own Rick Overton ("Uri") plays the dad of Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) this coming Thursday night on The Office.



















It's the episode millions will be watching because Pam and Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) are getting married!

We're so excited for Rick - that's us as the TWT premiere.

What a fine show to be in; hopefully the editing room does not leave too much of him lying on the floor - his first appearance as Pam's dad ended up without lines. Blasphemy! ;-)

While Rick is always working - he's been in half dozen big films this past year alone, I hope he gets the chance to become a program regular on The Office, or at least more of a recurring character than he is now, so audiences can get to know the great talent that he is!

Meanwhile, TV history would indicate that as soon as a pining, yearning, jonesing couple finally gets together, their programs die.

Mark my words - this will not happen on The Office.

The reason?

The other shows focused too much on the couple and their unrequited love and sexual tension. Like the goal was to do it, rather than be it - be a couple. Like couples who focus so much on getting married they do not focus on how to be married.

Pam and Jim's relationship is based on being a functional couple, their work, their sense of humor, the interaction they have with all the characters in The Office - not just one another. And their own interaction and dialogue is not so extremely sexually based; they talk and kid about everything and everyone.

Will and Grace made the mistake of making it a one joke show; all about sex. Funny for awhile, then like all functional relationships, we talk about something else.

More, Jim and Pam are good people, good representatives of their genders. They don't lie, cheat, drink, drug, deceive or denigrate others; they have fun; they respect one another and their priorities are in the right place.

They have no schemes of grandiosity, no ego maniacal melees - they leave that up to their boss Michael Scott (Steve Carell), and learn valuable lessons from his poorly pounded path.

I don't know about you, but I'll have popcorn at the ready to enjoy - and record - this week's episode.

Oh - good luck, Pam and Jim! Don't forget to put your dad in lots of scenes, Pam! ;-)

The only mistake the network could make with these two? Give them their own show.

Would. Not. Work.

Image vs Reality

Every time I see the picture of a writer, any writer - book author, screenwriter, playwright, yadda yadda - he or she always looks very cool. Calm. Collected. Smart. Sharp dresser. With a "knowing" sort of look.

Like their life is easy. At least compared to the rest of us.

They all have this "life is a piece of cake" expression. Like Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Richard Russo's photo here.

You know what I mean.

As much as we're aware those are professional shots, carefully choreographed and styled, we still tend to believe the image.

I think that's half the reason just about everyone I meet tells me they want to be a writer. Because they look like they have the best ever understanding of how to be successful. Or at least look successful. And completely stress-free.

Did you know an author's photograph is directly tied to the marketing success of a book?

I write about this because regardless of whether the photograph is the picture of the actual writer, to a snapshot, they're all lies.

Lies, do you hear me?

Because writers wouldn't be writers in the first place if we had life by the tail. Something happened to us somewhere along the way that makes us want to tell you our story - in a way we trust someone will pay attention to. Someone will listen to us - read us, watch us, whatever.

It struck me that while people can help me look assembled, relaxed and casually on top of the world - like this old picture of me that's on my book Mind Over Media, it is in no way even close to how I look when I'm writing.

When we write we all suffer at some point(s), stressing out about whether we have found just the right word, if our stories (non-fiction or fiction) are strong, impacting and well constructed enough; characters clear and sharp enough; arguing and laughing with our muses and spiritual sources in the universe if we have them.

And we tend to personally and physically dis-assemble while we undergo the process of purging words into the world.

Creating something out of nothing.

You know where I got the idea for the meltdown scene look for Elisabeth Röhm's character in THE WHOLE TRUTH? The photo currently featured on our poster for the film? Looking in the mirror as I wrote the script.

Despite looking fashionably poised in this 1938 photo, I bet Martha Mitchell went just a little crazy when she wrote Gone With the Wind.

Some writers are so sensitive they can't stand the sweet misery that is writing. It gets too painful for them, and my heart goes out to them.

Some resort to chemical and other pain-killers to cope, but I stopped doing any of that decades ago because it takes off my edge and I love my edge.

So why do it?

It's just something we can't NOT do.

We simply have to do it because ... well, because it's something we're evidently created to do.

Created to create, that's why we're here.

Frequently I ask myself, "How did I get myself into this situation?" What am I doing here in this scene with all these characters? Why can't I be happy with a more secure, easier way to make a living?

There are those writers who simply put in their four hours, going to their offices, putting out the verbiage they are capable of producing that day.

I'm too passionate and physical to just sit there calmly; I need to grapple with all that I expect from myself. I talk to my characters; I listen to them, my muses and other voices in my head that hopefully result in something that makes it worth your while to watch, read or hear.

I maintain, however, no matter how cool those post-publication/production pictures look, we - most of us, anyway - go through a hair-pulling, crazy-making, breathe-in-a-paper bag experience procedure sculpting words on the page, and do not in any way resemble the photographs of us published on our books.

Happy Birthday to me!

While I have a full day of celebrating planned on The Big Day - Sunday: a 90-minute massage, attending the play 39 Steps matinee(British-hilarious), topped off with a sumptuous dinner.

Until then I'll just bask in the quotes about THE WHOLE TRUTH written by Paul Ginsberg, who attended the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival screening.

He's a long-time FBI consultant/professional expert witness. After 1,700 trials, this is what he has to say about our film:

"This is hysterical, and the funniest part is ..... a lot of it is true ! ! !"

"The Whole Truth is definitely a scream. Over the years I've seen lots of it in real courtrooms."

"I think 'Send in the Clowns' was written after watching some of my 1,700 trials. The Whole Truth is a tribute to the judges, clerks and court reporters. They will love it.'

"After 35 years of trials, I have seen much of this movie in real life. This is great, and should be required viewing for all lawyers. Funny."

"Order in the court ? No way. This is much more fun."

"The verdict is in - her hands." That is, Angela's hands - portrayed by Elisabeth Röhm in the film.

After reviews like Paul's, we may well be back in the Big Apple for more screenings soon!