Lani and I decided to do this project because we wanted to know more about romantic comedy as a genre and to draw on that knowledge to make ourselves better writers. We also wanted to do it because we’ve been pedal to the metal on our books for so long, we’re going nuts, and this would mean we’d have to stop working every Friday night and watch something that wasn’t a computer screen and talk to each other about something that wasn’t a turning point. And then there’s the giant Cokes and snacks in little boxes. (Lani will be having wine.) We’re doing a dry run this Friday to test out the podcast procedure, both how we’re going to tape them and thow you’re going to listen to them, and we’re going to use that time to figure out the format for the discussions and solidify our goals. We need a PLAN, in other words.
We’re going to decide what that plan is since we’re the ones who have to implement it, but we are willing to make a concession and listen to what you’d like this project to do for you because it’s always good to know what your audience would like, too.
So what would you like the podcasts to do for you?
23 responses to “The Concession Stand”
I remember when I read what you (Jenny) wrote about Gilmore Girls and the connections between the characters that I never noticed. What he provided for her and what she gave him. So obvious once you pointed it out, but nothing I would have recognized on my own.
That’s what I’d love to have here. The meanings behind the action. Why a twist worked so well, how the characters fit together. The craft of the creation of the relationship on paper and then onto the screen.
But to be honest, if the two of you just get tipsy and make jokes the whole time, I’ll listen then too.
I wouldn’t want to ask you to pin down your format in minute, minute-by-minute detail. (note the pun there? eh? eh?)
Seems to me that sometimes the greatest insights spring up from the subconscious when you’ve had a couple. (Cokes, glasses of wine, pieces of tiramasu, whatever.)
Did you know that Google doesn’t know how to spell ‘Tiramasu’? The poor thing 🙁
Where’s the cake? Didn’t you promise cake? Somewhere recently on one of these many blogs you said something about cake. Can mine be gluten free, please?
Thank you.
There is no cake. Although we’re still making noises about cake decorating classes.
I think that two smart, funny women who genuinely enjoy each other’s company talking about something that they know a lot about but are exploring in a new way… that sounds freakin’ awesome. Talk about whatever you want. I loved Ron Moore’s podcasts of Battlestar Galactica, and the man was just rambling on about whatever he found interesting. But he was smart and insightful and irreverent, so it was worth going with him on the ramble. I’m betting you two will do the same.
I’ll listen to whatever you have to say!
And since I’m interested in writing, I’d like insight into the script structure – how something was set up early e.g. Toy Story early scene with Woody about Buzz – “He’s not flying, he’s falling with style” and then how it was closed of at the end, like Woody to Buzz “You’re flying” and Buzz says “this is falling…with style!”
I only know this one because it was in a screenwriting book, I’d like to know about others because I don’t see them!
As others have said, I’d listen to anything you want to say. I’m amazed by your humor and how your mind works. As for the movies, I would be interested in how they are viewed regarding changing social expectations and gender roles – do you view them differently now then from the vantage point of when you first saw them, or how others saw them when they first came out. I’m always interested in equality for women and men, and the challenges women face due to expectations regarding gender roles. Taking a brief notice of changing styles of dress, make-up and hairstyles may be good.
Ditto to all of the above. I also will be interested to see patterns and pattern breaking, and trying to figure out why some are classics and why others won’t hold up upon second viewing. So I am hoping that at somepoint the discussion will go to the also-rans, and what went wrong. Because seeing mistakes any trying to figure out how things were derailed helps me see my own.
I think you’re already done the biggest thing by allowing us to comment longer. This way, if you start talking about something interesting, and then the conversation drifts into another interesting area, we can follow up with a comment or question if we need to do so.
Oh! And Ninotchka (sp?) has arrived in my library. I’m off to see when the due date is. Our system has been expanded to include more libraries (yay) but there is no way to track where the item is, no way to predict when (or if) it will arrive, and items must be checked out within 3 days regardless of when it is actually due, or the item will be send back to the originating library. (boo, boo, and boo!).
Can we revisit this question after we have one or two sessions under our collective belts? I’m very curious to see what you and Lani come up with organically.
Having said that, from a writer’s perspective, anything that deals with why certain things were done and how they were set up is endlessly intriguing to me – I just finished season 3 of Buffy (again) this time watching all the little interviews with Joss and Jane and the other writers interspersed throughout detailing WHY certain choices were made and how they impacted the overall season – I have a whole new appreciation for the Faith/Mayor relationship now because of that.
Hello, all! I’ve been working behind the scenes while Jenny’s been keeping up the face of the blog, but I thought I’d come in and say hi and tell you all that I love all the commenting. Great to have your input!
There won’t be cake, but there will be wine (for me) and if I can get Jenny to have the occasional rum and Diet Coke, then you guys will be amazed by the pure fun of it. I love her when she’s sober, but there is nothing funnier than Jenny Crusie with just the tiniest bit of alcohol in her. And it only takes a tiny bit – the woman almost never drinks!
OK – I’ve loaded up the Netflix queue for the first three sections (though I’m definitely missing Adam’s Rib and Some Like It Hot even if their absences are valid) and am ready to rock and roll – next week. This blog plan is especially great b/c I’m looking at my usual hell month this June at the office and now I’ll have fantastic movies – many of which I tragically have never seen – to look forward to at the end of the week. Also, I freakin’ love movies! And you two too!
FYI – It Happened One Night is available on iTunes, although not for rent. However, Bringing Up Baby is available to rent for $2.99.
My best friend and I almost never get to go shopping together anymore but we invariably have a running conversation about everything we see – everything fom who the h*ll created gold lame’ to the inappropriateness of most anything made for girls ages 8-16. Occasionally, we sit at her house and watch NCIS reruns and do the same thing now. That way we can drink wine.
Since y’all know structure, writing, arcs, etc, and are great friends, I kinda think it would be like hearing your running thoughts on what you see as you walk through the ‘store’ that is this movie. What works? What doesn’t? What steps out and trips you up? What draws you in even though you hate it? What gives you energy? What brings in the audience? Why do we like it even if we shouldn’t? What dates the movie? What makes the movie timeless? Would this work in a book?
And if you want to talk about hideous clothing/ hairstyles and gold lame’ that works, too.
I guess I’m most interested in hearing what you think works well, and what doesn’t and why you think the movies are such classics. But then, I’d tune in for whatever ends up happening. 🙂
Have either of you guys read books on romantic comedies? I love analysis like that. Heck, I’d love it if you guys turned your podcasts into book fodder later 🙂
Okay – just to add my two cents and to see my monster again, I think the ideas about talking about why the movie is great – and how it holds up is important. Because some of these movies may have not been box office smashes when they came out. Do we like the movie now because it seems so “modern?”
And I have to add this cause I’m in libraryland – if you are looking for a good nonfiction book on romantic comedy movies try – The runaway bride : Hollywood romantic comedy of the 1930’s by Elizabeth Kendall. 😉
There are certain things I’d almost always like to hear comments about, even though, like most of the others, I’m interested in what comes to your minds as you watch the films and after you’ve digested the whole film.
I’d always like to hear your comments on:
– how each main character is introduced (surprises, clues, basic or back story, etc.)
– what social world(s) each character comes from (families, best friends, jobs, etc)
– physical settings, including especially homes of the main characters
– fairy tale or other story analogies (e.g., Clueless as Emma) that kind of set the structure
– who gets changed during the movie, and by what or whom
– anybody or anything that for you guys basically steals the movie
– things that make you gasp because times have changed so much
These are kind of things that would interest me from the perspective of how you react during the movie. More important to me, though, would be the insights you end up after the movie is over — stuff that you think was done well or poorly; ideas or situations you wouldn’t mind stealing; reasons why you feel the film worked or didn’t work, and so on.
Oh, and I’d love to know which ones of the Happily Ever Afters really gives you the sense that the characters really WOULD be happy. Or not.
And I shall make my own lovely popcorn and enjoy your commentary.
Honestly, I’m perfectly okay just listening to you guys giggle. My favorite moments of Will Write For Wine are the ones where it’s just giggling and joking around.
Not to say I wouldn’t also enjoy something with more substance — like, why do the stories work, or what’s wrong with them, or why do they work even though they shouldn’t. But please throw in lots of giggling and snark, too!
So, the first trial podcast is tomorrow, Saturday? What time will it be available, and how do we access it? Thanks.
Okay – just to add my two cents and to see my monster again, I think the ideas about talking about why the movie is great – and how it holds up is important. Because some of these movies may have not been box office smashes when they came out. Do we like the movie now because it seems so “modern?”
And I have to add this cause I’m in libraryland – if you are looking for a good nonfiction book on romantic comedy movies try – The runaway bride : Hollywood romantic comedy of the 1930’s by Elizabeth Kendall. 😉
Here’s to hoping that Jenny gets good and toasted. 🙂
No, really, this podcast sounds great, and I can’t imagine two better people to listen to and learn from. Two of my favorite writers discussing the genre I’m trying to write… doesn’t get much better than that. Thank you, Jenny and Lucy.
Plus, this gave me the perfect excuse to sign up for Netflix.
I’m not ignoring the book recs, I’m looking for the box that has my romantic comedy books in it so I can say, “Yes, I have that,” or “Will have to get that one.” Stay tuned.
And I’m closing the comments here because we have four posts open for comments and I’m getting confused with the conversations. Go to the Depression post. You can talk about anything you want there.