The men who run Mendelson Management wanted the women to just shut up and do their jobs. 4,267 words. Illustration by Thomas Warming. A handful of women managers working at the same management firm controlled a growing group of hot young talent that Hollywood was just beginning to beg for. The women had signed these actors and […]
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What script notes for Shakespeare would have said if Hamlet were in movie development. 772 words. Illustration by Mark Fearing. FROM: DENISE MEZZOGIORNO, KEVIN OKRA TO: BUZZ KAPLAN RE: HAMLET, 9TH DRAFT (April 23, 1599) Though we think the writer has moved forward in this draft, there are still a number of problems with the script. In the next […]
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A successful film studio is run with an iron fist. But is that the best strategy for its future? 2,711 words. Illustration by Thomas Warming. The old man was packing his things in a cardboard box – doing it himself. I just watched. Jake Simon was going – really going. Hard to believe. After 15 years, 15 […]
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A struggling actor has a career epiphany made possible by a pooch with an unexpected plan. 2,377 words. Illustration by Mark Fearing. I was in the bathtub about to slide the straightedge into my wrist when I heard Marlon Brando call out, “Don’t do it, Paul.” “Ronnie?” I called back in a voice that alarmed […]
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A new assistant to a famous actress gets hired only to find out the reality of working in showbiz. 2,354 words. Illustration by Thomas Warming. “First off, you’re not going to meet the actress who’s not Katherine Heigl, so let’s just get that little fantasy out of your head right now.” Clutching her resume, Ally […]
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Will ambition kickstart his movie career or kill his marriage? 2,292 words. Part One. Illustration by Thomas Warming. “So, yeah, this is risky. But life goes fast, Emma. We’re both starting to realize that. In two years we’ll be invited to our fifteen-year high school reunions and the next fifteen years will fly by. I […]
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Every movie career has ups and downs. But every marriage has a breaking point. 1,924 words. Part Two tomorrow. Illustration by Thomas Warming. Jim pushed his glass aside and leaned forward. “Let me tell you what’s really going on,” he said. “Bill Terhune has a deal going.” “Bill Terhune always has a deal going,” Mike […]
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Temping in Hollywood can be boring or blissful or even brilliant. 2,886 words. Illustration by John Donald Carlucci. “It’s an insurance company,” she said, idly swiveling in the black leather manager chair with the receiver cradled against her shoulder. “Yeah, Culver City. It’s in the movie business but as borderline as you can get. It’s […]
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Is it a case of mistaken identity or masterful acting? 2,153 words. Part One. Part Two. Part Three. Illustration by Mark Fearing. "I’ve solved the case." In the name of showmanship, I had come through the tunnel and into the house from the wine cellar, though without any wine. Jade barely lost her composure, greeting […]
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Clues start coming together for the P.I. and his film actress client. Prose poem. 2,084 words. Part One. Part Two. Part Four. Illustration by Mark Fearing. Jade had walked me to my door the night before, and draped one of the plumeria leis around my neck before kissing me goodnight on the cheek. Her breath […]
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The film actress assists the P.I. in uncovering his father’s police past. Prose Poem. 2,257 words. Part One. Part Three. Illustration by Mark Fearing. I found a stack of yellowing index cards. On them, in scrawled handwriting I knew well from long-ago Christmas and birthday cards, were my father’s case notes about that night at […]
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Elusive film actress hires P.I. to probe a mystery. Prose poem. 2,438 words. Part Two. Illustration by Mark Fearing. It was Halloween for eye-candy around the pool, starlets, models, actresses of considerable reputation, trophy wives on the arms of powerful producers. But they were all extras on this set, a backdrop for Jade Bellinger. Even […]
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Everybody knows the dreams and desires of a Hollywood actress are ageless. 2,147 words. Illustration by John Donald Carlucci. “It was too clichéd. That’s why I never forgave him. To drop dead after cutting the grass? Really? Just charmless.” There was no venom in the old woman’s voice. In fact, her tone was coquettish — […]
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A perverse concept for a Reality TV show turns into an even more perverse shoot. 2,122 words. Illustration by Thomas Warming. It was the dumbest Halloween pitch anybody had heard in forty years. So, naturally, it sold. The reality show was suggested as a joke at a party on Friday night, and by Monday morning […]
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A screenwriter uses every Hollywood trick to keep control over his project. 992 words. Illustration by John Donald Carlucci. “Averill, no. We cannot make Jennifer an alien.” “I didn’t mean alien, Zack. I meant… anything else.” “I’m not changing her.” “But now Jenny’s a—“ “I don’t know this Jenny. My character’s name is Jennifer. She […]
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