Comments on: "Speechless" #3: Sean Penn

By: Big John

Big John — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:37:12 +0000

Sean Penn is such an asshat. The writers are about the only ones in Hollywood I DO support.

By: kudzu

kudzu — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:54:37 +0000

penn hasn’t sounded so intelligent since “i am sam”

By: spacemonkey

spacemonkey — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 06:03:14 +0000

Penn’s most compelling work since “Fast times”-
I give it 2 shuts up!

By: Dimitris

Dimitris — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 01:52:52 +0000

I don’t find the video inspired. It’s poor, a bit confusing and doesn’t convey any real meaning. However, I am happy that some actors support screenwriters. And people should realize that films are not created by directors only. All characters, dialogue, events, plot twists, surprises, rhythm (how fast or slow the movie is), atmosphere (mysterious, light, serious, dark, etc.) and mood (funny, scary, exciting, agonizing, sad, sentimental, etc.) exist in the script. Read a few scripts if you like and see for yourselves. This does not mean, of course, that directors, actors, musicians, etc. are not essential for cinema. It means that screenwriters are not given credit for what they actually do. How many writers do you know? How often do you see them being invited to avant premieres or giving interviews? They are not even allowed to watch the production of their scripts. Why do you think this happens? Producers pay tribute only to directors because they strongly wish to avoid giving the screenwriters the money they truly deserve. Do you know what a-class screenwriters get compared to a-class directors and actors? Do you think it’s fair when, for example, a movie earns its producers 200 million dollars worldwide, the main actor gets 20 million, the director 4 million and the screenwriter 200 thousand? I don’t. People should be paid according to the value of their work and the screenwriters are systematically underestimated since the creation of Hollywood. This has to change eventually.

By: CosmicConservative

CosmicConservative — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:35:50 +0000

I don’t read lips, but what he seems to be saying is:

“I thought the writers were on strike, but I guess it was the hair stylists and groomers instead. Geez, look at my hair! Somebody get me a comb! And a razor! STAT”

By: DynaHunk

DynaHunk — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:28:24 +0000

Are writers also responsible for sound effects and ambient noise or is this just a half-baked concept in service to a good cause?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:31:05 +0000

A-list stars routinly piss on writers scripts.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:55:44 +0000

Is it just me or would it be a lot more effective if he just stood there not saying anything, as though he wouldn’t have anything to say if they didn’t write it. As it is it seems more like a sound problem, like maybe if the sound mixers were on strike.

By: DC Perry

DC Perry — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:21:39 +0000

Only in Hollywood can you look like a homeless guy and still get a job. Nice Sean.

By: red_delia

red_delia — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:08:54 +0000

MurphytheDog above hits a key note, without a whole team of creative, hardworking individuals a script is only a script. The “vision” remains unrealized and stays on a two dimensional page, however funny, dramtic, terrifying or suspenseful though it may be. I’d be curious to see if such A-list talent would go to the mat for those “below the line” as well. I guess I’m a skeptic though…

By: Marley

Marley — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:09:50 +0000

Steveo, of course its lame, thats the WHOLE point, Try watching movies without sound, they are lame too.

By: romaniac

romaniac — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 18:50:19 +0000

I the speechless campaign it is pretty direct and to the point. The discreepancy between the actors, who may be extremely talented, and the writers, without which there wouldn’t be anything to showcase their talent, (excepting perhaps Christopher Guest productions where the actors are improvising all the way thru) is pretty ludicrous. A good actor can’t save a bad script. A great script can make a mediocre actor look good.

By: Judd Trichter

Judd Trichter — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:05:51 +0000

Kudos. Best thing Alan Sereboff ever wrote!

By: Lip-reader

Lip-reader — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 21:00:29 +0000

I read lips. He is saying:

“…For your consideration, INTO THE WILD. Directed by Sean Penn. From a screenplay by Sean Penn. Starring Emile Hirsch, a talented young actor who reminds me of myself at that age…”

By: paul

paul — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 19:59:21 +0000

“Sean Penn’s finest film to date”–Fox News