CAST: (in order of appearance): Demi Moore, Martin Sheen, Dulcy Rogers, Marguerite Moreau, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Deitrich Bader, Olivia Wilde, Marcia Cross, Chris Redman, Josh Brolin, Jenna Elfman, Elizabeth Pena, Polly Shannon, Kamala Lopez, James Franco
Director: Paul Haggis
Producer: Kamala Lopez
D of P: Dana Gonzales
Sound: Justin Shumaker
Editor: Kamala Lopez
Technical Team: Joel Marshall, Anthony Marinelli, Clint Bennett
This is the 15th of the Writers Guild Of America member-conceived Internet videos for Project "Speechless" featuring A-list Screen Actors Guild talent. For the first time in the TV and movie industry, high-profile SAG actors are together taking their talents directly and exclusively to the Internet, the very medium which is at the center of the current WGA labor strike against the Alliance Of Motion Picture & Television Producers. The project, conceived by director/writer George Hickenlooper and writer Alan Sereboff, made its exclusive weekend debut here on my Deadline Hollywood Daily with 11 videos. The "Speechless" campaign now debuts on its new site, SpeechlessWithoutWriters.com, which will be adding new videos every day in both high-res and low-res versions.
This was pretty cool. The actors got to act a little. It was pretty funny too.
Comment by mla28 — November 28, 2007 @ 10:15 am
I just want to make this point again because I believe it is really necessary right now to put a face to writers. These people might be speechless, but the writers who are creating this material are still faceless. These campaigns deserve kudos of course; however I’d like to see a WGA campaign where these on-camera celebs introduce the writer(s) whose ideas and words make them successful! Remember what this is all about - respect for the writer(s) - faceless men and women who never share the spotlight with DGA, SAG, AFTRA celebrities. I bet if you did a Where’s Waldo on any TV and/or film credit, filled with all the people involved in the creative process, no one would ever spot the writer(s). Put a face on the people who are fighting for their fair share It begins with them and evolves with them - from concept to PRINT (on paper or the screen.)
Semper Fi
Comment by Semper Fi — November 28, 2007 @ 10:33 am
These started out weak, but the newer ones have been pretty good.
Comment by mike — November 28, 2007 @ 10:37 am
That was actually really funny. I don’t think it’s just because my standards have dropped due to no new comedy input, either.
Comment by velveeta — November 28, 2007 @ 10:52 am
Best one yet.
Comment by neverenoughjam — November 28, 2007 @ 11:15 am
I hope someone makes a DVD of these shorts and gives the profits to any struggling WGA member.
Comment by Roy — November 28, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
Of this campaign… finally a spot that makes sense. this one anyone could understand. thx for posting.
will spread around…
Comment by richie rich — November 28, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
In which universe is Elizabeth Pena considered “A-list”?
Kudos on Demi Moore doing this though.
Comment by Francine Fishpaw — November 28, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Brilliant! I love Olivia Wilde and Paul Haggis, Perfect combination! Thank you so much!
Comment by Romanov — November 28, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
Brilliant! I love Olivia Wilde and Paul Haggis! Perfect combination! Thank you so much!
Comment by Romanov — November 28, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Please stop these innane ads. People aren’t retards. They know what writers do.
Comment by stopplease — November 28, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
All this does is show the complete lack of talent that these actors claim to have. Improvisation is a main part of acting and I know that many of these actors probably do improv for many of their roles; however, appearing in a sketch such as this is only makes them seem as though they are tools that do only what they are told to do.
Comment by yeabuddy — November 28, 2007 @ 2:04 pm
I’m sorry but these videos just aren’t working. I know why they’re being made and I applaud the efforts - but they’re all repetitive, unfunny and so on the nose that it’s truly awkward to watch them. We get it already - no dialogue, no performance. How about no locations, no script direction, no plot points, etc. Why does it always have to be about dialogue and actors having nothing to say? Ironically, the only message that’s coming across is the lack of quality in the writing and directing of the spots themselves.
Comment by WGA/DGA Member — November 28, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
Will whoever’s making these “Speechless” videos please stop already. This is what things look like without writing — WE GET IT! I mean, seriously, how many of them do you have to make? You’re going to have to start using Roman numerals soon. For the love of God, one or two was okay, but now you’re embarrassing us and hurting our cause with your pretentiousness.
Comment by Anon writer — November 28, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
WGA/DGA Member, that’s probably because actors only read their dialogue. Few read anything else of the script.
Comment by Mama Needs A New Pair Of Shoes — November 28, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
Well, I thought it was funny! The actors had NOTHING TO SAY becuz the scripts were BLANK becuz the WRITERS are on strike for more $$!! Can’t have scripts w/out writers! I get the point & I think this is a genius way to advertise it.
Comment by Dianna Trent — November 29, 2007 @ 1:06 pm