Michael's Musings

November 5, 2012

I'm back!

The Son of Monsterpalooza horror convention in Burbank, CA, was okay, if not as well attended as I would have liked.  But, I got to spend time with my son, my stepsons and my brother, which was nice.

One other person that I did spend some time with was actor Clu Gulager, who co-starred in such films as THE LAST PICTURE SHOW and the remake of THE KILLERS, and also was a regular on THE VIRGINIAN television series.  Clu and I have a couple of things in common.  Not only are we both former students of the University of Washington Drama Department (at different times), but we've also both played "Osric" in HAMLET.  I did the role at the UW, but he played it at Baylor University under the direction of Charles Laughton...with Burgess Meredith as "Hamlet".

I also spent time at the show with my friend, Bruce Kimmel, and finally met face-to-face with Fred Frees, who is recording my book, DRACULA MEETS JACK THE RIPPER And Other Revisionist Histories.

I got back to Austin with a terrible cold, the first I've had in many years.  Indeed, I'm still fighting it.  But, that didn't stop me from giving final approval to the audio recording of SHADOW WATCHER, which should be available for sale within 2-3 weeks.

Now, I'm starting to work with the actors on the recordings of my FLYNN and LOMBARD plays.

Next Monday (12), I give a talk about Basil Rathbone to Austin's Sherlock Holmes Society.

That's it for now.  Be sure to vote tomorrow...for Romney.

Have a creative week.

Michael

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October 22, 2012

This blog entry is going to have to last you for two weeks, because later this week, I will be traveling to Los Angeles (actually Burbank) to do the Monsterpalooza horror convention next weekend, and with the exception of possibly checking my e-mail once a day in the hotel's business center, I really won't have much Internet access.

This past weekend, I "worked" the Austin Film Festival.  I sat in on two roundtable sessions, playing Yoda to some very nice folks who want to be professional screenwriters or filmmakers, and I also sat on a panel.  They were fun, albeit exhausting sessions.  I found that my voice started to give out rather quickly...which meant that I consumed a lot of water in that 3 hour period and, during the last 30 minutes or so, all I could think about was getting to the bathroom as soon as the session ended.


Alan Douglas, a superb narrator, has finished recording my novel, SHADOW WATCHER, and is now editing it.  He'll probably upload it to the ACX website this coming week, which means that you will be able to download it 2-3 weeks from now.  Stay tuned.

Also nearing completion is Fred Frees recording of my book of short stories, DRACULA MEETS JACK THE RIPPER & Other Revisionist Histories.  Fred has only one more story (plus my Introduction) to record before we wrap that one up.

Other titles in the recording pipeline are (Carole) LOMBARD and (Errol) FLYNN, but those are just starting and I don't anticipate having them finished until after the first of the year.

I'm going to be pretty busy the next few days preparing for my trip, so I may have to put off reviewing a couple of titles for the Best Bets on DVD site until I return.

Now here's a joke that I was sent:
 
Advice for an old guy:

I was working out at the gym when I spotted a sweet young thing walking in.

I asked the trainer standing next to me, "What machine should I use to impress that lady over there?"

The trainer looked me over and said; "I would recommend the ATM in the lobby."
 
You have a creative couple of weeks.

Michael

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October 15, 2012

I am very happy to announce that my one-person play, ORSON WELLES is now available on audio.  As I write this blog entry, it can currently be obtained at audible.com, and if you become a member of that group, you can get the download for free.  (If the above link doesn't work, just copy the following address into your browser and you'll be taken right there.)

http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_2?asin=B009P8KNYQ&qid=1350144222&sr=1-2

Later this week, the download will also be available on both Amazon.com and iTunes.

If you enjoy listening to you "books," rather than reading them and you are a fan or admirer of Orson Welles, I know that you are going to enjoy this adaptation of my stage play.

Ed French, who plays Welles in the recording and is terrific in convincing you that he is, indeed, the late actor/filmmaker, and I have constructed this recording in the style of a radio drama, complete with sound effects and music cues.

It was a pleasure working with Ed, and I do hope that you will listen to our finished production.

This coming weekend, I will be doing two roundtable discussions plus sitting on a panel at the Austin Film Festival, then the following weekend, I'll be in Los Angeles (actually, Burbank), appearing at the Monsterpalooza horror convention.

I continue to work on my Basil Rathbone play, as well as my second set of Hollywood memoirs, and give notes to the other actors/narrators who are turning my books and plays into audio adaptations.

Finally, I am about to upload a review of  the British TV series, KINGDOM staring Stephen Fry, onto the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.  So, please take a look.

You have a creative week,

Michael

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