By Comic Relief
Even if responsible artists are present, business department filmmaking should be rejected. Instead replace envious business grad filled departments with film production alumni who should then hire a bunch or professionally trained creative people to execute film projects. If studios don’t do this, we will continue to see these greedy bean counters Frankenstein develop feature films. The problem is you need independent talent, individual intuition, learned instinct, and artistic passion to pull these creative ventures off; for some reason business grads never understand this. I think Warner Bros. is the worst at this kind of filmmaking yet they are not the only studio to try it. Take Summit Entertainment’s latest enterprise as an example.
This obsession with replacing artists with business strategists is absolutely visible in Summit’s and director Jonathan Levine’s “Warm Bodies” which is of course a dead ringer for it’s desired influences “the Walking Dead” and “Twilight.” Though star Nicholas Hoult has made a number of good decisions in his short career like acting in “About a Boy,” “X-Men: First Class,” and “A Single Man” this new project isn’t nearly as brave artistically. Playing the character with the uncanny name of “R” to help relieve audiences of their Robert Pattinson obsession, Hoult makes a passable stand in. He also happens to be British and minimally resembles the Twilight actor. What many may consider an improvement, narrative wise, this story relieves audiences of the complications brought on by female novelists and female directors.
Click here to view example.
Of course the Twilight essentials are present; as in Twilight a high school student Julie played by Teresa Palmer, falls in love with a monster. Despite his ghoulish origin and undead status “R” still manages to display that he has a heart of gold. Actually by the way USA’s Bryan Alexander [3] describes it, he falls in love with her because he eats the brains of her boyfriend and adopts his pre-death interests, fascinations, and affection for Julie. For Stephanie Meyers fans, this should not sound like a plot similarity to “The Host” her most recent science fiction novel. In terms of a potential film franchise we should consider “Warm Bodies” as an improvement with a familiar ring to it. Better than the relationship between Edward and Bella, this exchange of affection better explains the amorous obsession of the lead characters.
Click here to view example.
I don’t want to pan the venture too quickly, yet it’s likely that Summit will be disappointed by the box office returns and realize that this golden formula will not sell this product alone. Inspired by Seattle, Washington author Isaac Marion’s decently reviewed novel [4][5], I doubt the movies performance will reflect Summit’s expectations despite Stephanie Meyers’ endorsement [6].
Instead experience, timing, talent, and inspiration and not business department recipes are the way to take audiences by storm and or inspire narrative appreciation. “Yawn,” the mysteries of creative development endeavors.
Please join us for a discussion Thursday 1/19/2012@7pmE/12UTC
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References:
[1] http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DF-03596.jpg
[2] http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DF-02897R.jpg
[4] http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7619057-warm-bodies
[5] http://www.lovevampires.com/imwarmbodies.html
[6]http://www.screenrave.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5135:isaac-marions-novel-warm-bodies-read-it-before-the-film&catid=127:books&Itemid=276
comicreleaf
comicrelief2
Comic Relief
parisienne
littlebells
Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
LIH
linkedinhollywood.com 
SMH! I have to come back to this one.
Great article CR!
OB,
Well I and we will be waiting.
Oh. My. Gosh.
LB,
Yeah,
I was surprised too.
I would have never wrote this without Paris’s Twilight TV show article. The time I heard about this topic I just thought it was pathetic. The “Twilight TV show article” made me want to hear other people’s responses.
They cannot be serious! Great article, CR! I love your remark about the “greedy bean counters Frankenstein”, what an adequate description…
Thanks Sony,
Hope you can be at the discussion, though I don’t want you to strain yourself. Germany isn’t remotely in our time zone.
Love that she is so frequently there but I always feel uncomfortable for Ozzie.
Awwww, you are so sweet! *hugs* Insomnia helps alot! 🙂
Doesn’t this fall in line with past discussions with regards to no original thoughts in Hollywood? Were the almighty dollar supersedes art?
Hi Francesa!!!!!!
Creativity is being ignored for greed. What a shocker. I can only hope that it will bite “them” in the bum eventually.
Francesa,
OMG, this is big surprise yet it is nice to hear you again. Glad you liked the article.
Of course you have to wonder whether the sequels are already ordered.
LB,
We can only hope for originality from some sector of Hollywood.
I have to be honest, for the longest time I was curious or ambivalent about how aggressively Stephanie Meyers set out to have her novel get adapted as a movie.
I imagine aiming to have your book picked up, as a movie is far more lucrative than just attempting to get on the New York Times best sellers list.
The only reason I return to this subject, Isaac Marion’s book sounds like such an deliberate attempt to fulfill a derivative dream project for Summit, it makes me shake my head with embarrassment. Obviously I have a lot to learn about Hollywood.
Hi Francesa-
Nice to see u! Hope u had a nice holiday.
YES! YES! U are correct our past discussions have touched on the lack of creativity in Hollywood. Something tells me this won’t be our last unfortunately…. Especially, if studios continue to churn out warmed over crap. Oops! I mean Zombies.
Hi Francesa!
How are you? Hope all is well with you. 🙂
Hi Francesa! *waves*
CR,
Awesome article! 🙂 Originality. What happened to it? Its gone. Someone needs to bring it back!
Paris,
I’d like to agree with you but some published authors don’t seem to believe that. Listen to what Stephanie Myers said:
“I never thought I could care so passionately for a zombie. Isaac Marion has created the most unexpected romantic lead I’ve ever encountered, and rewritten the entire concept of what it means to be a zombie in the process. This story stayed with me long after I was done reading it. I eagerly await the next book by Isaac Marion.” – Stephenie Meyer, #1 New York Times Bestselling author of the Twilight series
When do you think the public will get tired of the same old story being recycled?
Paris,
this is what I am sincerely hoping for. Yet as Hollywood projects go Hoult’s box office track record will probably impact the success of this film more than any think else. He also has a movie coming movie called “Jack the Giant Killer” coming out this year so it’s success may impact the movies success similarly.
But bad box office and poor word of mouth can have a huge impact as well.
Hi CR/Everyone-
Repetition is the key word here. Many people learn from it and many don’t. The horrible Frankenstein knock off films like “Warm Bodies” (mentioned in this article) represents the acid reflux of ill equipped bean counters who want to replace artist. Today many believe consumers don’t want to take risk or pay for unfamiliar material in this torrential economic climate. Yet, films like Twilight has proven them wrong. Originality and creativity requires risk, we know. Audiences have repeatedly shown their preference for original material even in this economic climate. The first Twilight film should be a clue. The first Victoria is another and lets face it, Robert Pattinson is Twilight.
My point is, there have been a ton of vampire TV shows to follow but none have been as profitable or as successful as the Twilight film series or actors. So bean counters can either choose to learn from repetition and invest in original material or repeatedly invest in knock offs because “they think” its cheap/safe but in reality is wasteful and excessive.
Open Book,
I agree with you, many people learn from the repitition and many don’t. I vaguely remember hearing about the show that CR mentioned on some t.v. show (shows you how much I payed attention) and I remember thinking “They have nothing better to do than to knock off Twilight.”
Some one needs to take a chance and invest in original material.
Paris-
Not to come off sounding too critical of business people. I just think in the long run they end up spending more money on cheap knock-offs because they have to make more of them to try and measure up to the original hit. Look how many vampire tv shows or Twilight bastard films out there? Are any of them as successful as Twilight? NO! So, I go back to your original statement “Less Is More.” It’s time to move on and invest in original well developed material.
I have an odd question, although I may answer it myself while typing it again! True Blood and The Vampire Diaries were well established book series long before Stephanie Meyer wrote Twilight. I think True Blood aired around the time Twilight was released as a film and The Vampire Diaries aired 6 months to a year after I think (I also think that were greenlighted around the same time as Twilight’s release). Would they be considered knock offs or at least jumping on the band wagon? I have heard of a few other tv shows that have been created in the years since then, therefore I would consider them knock offs, but I’m never sure where to put TB or TVB.
TB & TVB I would not consider knock-offs given the story was already developed before Twilight. However, the tv show if it aired after Twilight than yes I’m sure they changed it to appeal to the Twilight fan base.
Cheers OB! 🙂
Hello, new and returning visitors. Please feel free to comment if the urge presents itself.
Here are some storylines I naturally wonder whether we will see again.
Potential storyline ideas we can’t but expect?
1. Do we get a Zombie Nomads the same way we received a Vampire Nomads at the beginning of the series. For instance: James, Laurent, and Victoria?
2.Do we get a Zombie Volturi like we received a Vampire Volturi?
3.What would constitute a Jacob, if we get a romantic triangle again?
Sorry; can’t HELP but expect
CR and everyone,
Are there any genres or story lines you would like to see played on TV?
LB,
IMHO, though I am not realy as interested in Twilight as in the past, I would be happier if they just continued with the Renesseme, Jacob, and South American kid ( sorry I do not remember his name) and supporting cast triangle that I assumed they were headed toward in film.
I could imagine cameos from Bella, but Edward and she would be redundant.
Me buying tickets would be unlikely and I’m sure I would not watch on TV.
Sorry CR,
I wasn’t clear in my question. I meant if we could get rid of twilight nonsense and other monster ahows, what kind of television would you like to see or created?
Cable drama’s seem pretty fresh, haven’t seen it but I would love to see that boardwalk period TV show. the movie seems to be about prohibition. Seems like an original premise.
Was that the kind of answer you were looking for?
haha yes! I want to watch it as well. I actually love Mad Men. 🙂 Love original ideas.
Yeah “Mad Men” is another example of shows that make Cable an interesting viewing option. Obviously in tems of a track record it’s not that new.
Hi CR!
Maybe they will name the other male lead, J? LOL If they have a romantic triangle.
I’m sure you are right. The business department can’t help but show us their maketing hand.
Though Jacob did not seem to carry out half the stunts Robert and kristen did.
I have one! How a studio listens to fans and then makes their stars do what the fans want? What are the pros and cons of this to the actors? Does that make sense?
I think this would make a great series. 🙂 I should stop throwing ideas out there. LOL
Paris- they would not know how to steer the boat without the captain. None the less no need to give the milk away for free. LOL!!
very true. 🙂
Oh! U mean studios that make actors into voodoo dolls for fans. I imagine the results are just as damaging to the fans as they are to the actors in the end. Why? The fans loose the authenticity and artistry of the actor and the actor looses interest and ownership of the character.
I can only imagine what this fandom would want the actors to do…
No it does not make sense.
Other than get an opportunity to be seen what is Nicholas Hoult’s motivation for taking this role?
Paris,
I really don’t understand Nicholas Hoult; he has to know he’d expected to be in a relationship with the movie’s leading lady. True Blood, Twilight, etc. made this mandatory whether the relationship was true or not. Why would he find this interesting unless he and Teresa Palmer are already hooked up or headed in that direction?
Maybe they hooked up and decided not to be more than that but I’m reading an article where it says he says he hates attention. maybe he doesn’t want what is happening to R/K to happen to him? http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/jan/31/nicholas-hoult-skins-bafta-hollywood
Paris,
That was really long article. The only thing that seemed applicable was the question about wheither he was single or not.
OK, do you have a girlfriend then? “No.”
I can’t imagine Summit not having plans for him.
That was a really long article. One thing that was telling was his fear of not acting again when he’s not working. So perhaps this move to do Warm Bodies is a response to his fear?
That was a long article. sorry. 🙂 Maybe it is in response to his fear.
MONEY!! DESPERATION…..Oh! And Uh! Desperation and money.
Already???????? …..he just started.
Perhaps he’s trying to retire early?
like amanda bynes. 🙂
Yes! But didn’t she come out of retirement?
I think soon after the announcement.
Hi Everyone
Hi Open Book!
Hi ya’ll!
Hi Paris, LB & CR!
Hi, OB.
Hi all! This week’s headache has now evolved into a migraine so I don’t know how long I’ll be around for or if I’ll ask or add anything useful to the disscussion, loll!
Great article CR! I did have a question but I answered it my self which is good because it really was a stupid question! I’ll try and think of some better ones. 🙂
I’m interested to see the trailer when it finally comes out as pretty much everything I know about zombies seems to not apply to this story (I guess like Twilight vampires compared to normal vampire cannon). Ummm…..I’ve lost my line of thought, I’ll come back if I remember it, lol!
Hi Ozzie.
Hi Oz!
By the way take your time.
“everything I know about zombies seems to not apply to this story (I guess like Twilight vampires compared to normal vampire cannon). ”
I was wondering that earlier myself. My impression was zombies were doing their best not to disentegrate while trying to steal a meal. It will be hard to build a story around immortality when the lead actor is trying to avoid leaving souvenirs everywhere he goes.
And could you even talk about sexual activity if the lead can’t hold on to his parts. Yuck. I’m sorry, that can be interpretted too many ways.
Oh CR!!!! That’s such a horrible image that I can’t seem to get out of my brain right now!!! Ugh!!!! Thanks a lot! hahahahahahaha!!!
Not to imagine the horrible smell. I mean dead bodies have problems with BO. U can’t chew a mint and expect all is well here?
Eeewwwww!!! ya’ll are grossing me out!!!! Maybe he will wear a bunch of those pine cone air freshners around his neck.
Sorry, that was gross. The Pine Cones are hilarious though.
Now tha’t worse than my comment by far.
Is he going to be a zombie that only eats animal brains?
*shudders* I hadn’t looked at it that way! But that was what I was wondering too CR.
Omg LB! That is so funny! 🙂
HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
…wouldn’t he have to have a Carlyle Zombie father to even have that idea?
I guess if he ate a squirrel he would want to find and hide acorns.
Dan’t! We may be giving away too many story line! hahahahahaha!!!! 🙂
Leading from OB’s last statement; what will the sequel be called?
“Warm Bodies: Breaking Wind?”
Sorry, that was unacceptale.
unacceptable.
Ok, so apparently he does refuse to eat humans after meeting this girl…………
http://www.crazycritics.com/page/official-image-from-warm-bodies
Oh! For the love of originality. Please eat my brains now…..
I CALLED IT!! I CALLED IT!!! What do I win???
See predictable is predictable.
U Win! Two tickets to see Warm Bodies. LOL!!
Mmmm…no thanks. I’ll just wait till that Hawaii trip pops up.
He refuses to eat humans….
I agree, eat my brains too.
Lol! I think that is the best reply ever!
Ah! It’s easy to end up here CR!! There’s really no place to go.
Obviously I can’t argue with you.
Everyone,
I’m going to go for the evening. CR, great article. 🙂
Thanks see you Paris.
Take Care Paris!
Bye Paris!
Ok, I’m out of questions and any snark I have left is just going to be crude and lewd, so I will call it a night! Great discussion everyone! 🙂
Bye LB!
Goodnight LB!
LB,
I have to agree. I think Summit has stumped all of us. I can’t believe how fast and how stupid this topic has gotten. Twilight was at least sincere.
Thanks for coming. Good night everyone.
Goodnight CR
Great article & discussion. This was fun! I’m going to head out as well.
Take Care!
GN-Ozzie
Hope u feel better!
Thanks OB! Night all. Hope you all have fun!
Hi to all – late as usual but I just wanted to add one thought: I think whenever a movie appears that “resurrects” an old and forgotten type of film it is the ONLY ONE that will really be successful. – and no movie which tries to ride its coattails will gain the same amount of “hype”. Best example apart from Twilight (which depended to 99 % on RP’s charisma and gave the whole topic a “new appeal”) IMO was “Gladiator”. The reasons for its success were Russell Crowe playing the role of Maximus and Ridley Scott being the director. And no movie or actor which/who tried to follow their footsteps was nearly half as successful (Spartacus and so on). TBH, who would have thought that a “sword and sandal movie” would ever be successful again after the crap they filmed in the 1960s? But the bean counters in HW think they can repeat every new topic and repeat this until eternity…always beating an already mighty dead horse.
SONY!!!!!!
Thanks so much for that 🙂 !!!!!
This is the only reason I feel good about the “Warm Bodies” movie. Because the film forces audiences to declare their allegiances with films that have integrity and vote with their pocketbooks. Retread, rerun franchises are an insult to our intelligences.
Your research makes me optimistic others will express themselves and keep this film from being as productive as odd films like “Vampire Sucks.” Though a parody it obviously was inspired by Twilight also and turned a decent profit.
CR, so happy that you liked my contribution! I’m so sorry that I couldn’t participate at the live discussion.