I have done my best to have a sense of humor about this site.....
To make fun of the factthat after my very first blog..... Lindsay BLACKLISTED ME!
I truly, honestly, wanted to believe that SHE was joking, having fun, etc.....
But the simple fact that after 31 Blogs..... over 21,000 views.....
I DON'T EVEN RATE AS A SELECTED BLOGGER..... Those in charge here REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ME!
I did everything that I could to be entertaining.... Funny... Informative... & talk about the Hollywood & the New england film community.
I seriously believe that quite a few people ENJOYED READING MY WHACKY BLOGS about life in Hollywood and the difficulty of breaking into show biz here, on the east coast.... But I will never know.
ONLY THOSE SPECIAL FEW...... THAT FIT INTO "The Beanywood Plan" seem to be Hi-lighted here on Beanywood.
This very EXCLUSIONARY ATTITUDE... AND PETTY POWER PLAYS IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WARN PEOPLE ABOUT HERE FROM DAY ONE...
Beanywood (and the many people I have tried to contact about film work out here) seem to be mimicking ALL THE VERY WORST TRAITS OF WHAT'S WRONG WITH HOLLYWOOD!
This is why I left Hollywood after 12 long, hard, soul sucking, heart wrenching years and gave up and came home a COMPLETE BROKEN LOSER OF A MAN!
EGO'S... ATTITUDES... BIG MOUTHS... RAMPANT MEDIOCRITY... PETTINESS... JEALOUSY... FEAR... PHONINESS... HATRED... All abound here on the east coast and in the Film making community. It saddens me and truly Breaks my heart to see this happening here.
I have valuable information and real life stories... DIRECTLY FROM HOLLYWOOD... and I was just trying to pass this information on to THE GOOD, TALENTED AND DECENT PEOPLE OUT HERE ON THE EAST COAST.....
But it seems like it's all been in Vain and I can't even get started again in show business out here because of so many peoples PRETENTIOUS ATTITUDES AND HATRED TOWARDS MYSELF!
I truly believe that I haven't been able to make a dent in Production work out here and meet decent filmmakers because so many people out here... are just PLAIN JEALOUS OF ME AND THE FACT THAT I AM ONE OF THE RARE FEW PEOPLE THAT HAS ACTUALLY LIVED AND WORKED IN HOLLYWOOD!
And to make matters even worse..... now every time I log on to Beanywood.......
ITS FULL OF RACIST CRAP THAT HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH NEW ENGLAND FILM MAKING!!
What the hell is going on here people?????
WHY HAS THIS BECOME A PERSONAL FORUM ON RACISM IN AMERICA?????
WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT IS MENTIONING THIS???
AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT FEELS THIS WAY?
AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT CARES ENOUGH TO GO OUT ON A LIMB AND SPEAK MY MIND OPENLY AND HONESTLY ABOUT THESE DISTURBING THINGS???
HAVE I GONE CRAZY OR IS THIS DUDE POSTING THE WRONG BLOG ON THE WRONG SITE????
HELL YA.... THIS COUNTRY IS A RACIST COUNTRY...... THE POWERS THAT BE DESIGNED IT THIS WAY SO THAT WHILE "WE THE PEOPLE" ALL ARGUE AND BICKER AND HATE EACH OTHER FOR ALL THE STUPID, WRONG, PETTY REASONS..... THOSE IN CHARGE CAN ROB US ALL BLIND AND RAPE THIS COUNTRY OF EVERY LAST GOOD THING THAT USED TO EXIST HERE.........
ITS SAD..... BUT TRUE......... AND MAKES ME SO SAD...... BUT THIS AINT THE DAMN PLACE TO BE POSTING ALL THIS CRAP!!!!
HOW IRONIC AM I?????... I SHOULDN'T BE POSTING THIS CRAP EITHER!
I'M AN IDIOT!
BUT AT LEAST I UNDERSTAND THAT I'M AN IDIOT AND SHOULDN'T BE POSTING THIS CRAP HERE!
I hope some of you decent, creative people out there are living your dreams and enjoying your lives!
Rock on........ Bon Scott says Hello.
From your Deranged..... and yet, amazingly still happy and friendly X-Hollywood Reject..... Craig Amabello
PS: Don't forget to check out my INSANE VLOGS ON YOUTUBE!
So here's my report from the the set of This Side of the Truth, the new Ricky Gervais movie shooting in Lowell (written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Matt Robinson, starring Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, Louis C.K., etc. I had a little part in a scene that shot last Friday.).I had 9:00 a.m. call, which was great (6:00 a.m. calls are not fun). I had a few bites of bacon 'n' eggs 'n' home fries before I was called in to hair and makeup. I was done with all that by 10:00, but my on-set call wasn't until 11:3o. So I popped over to my trailer (the "honeywagon") and got settled in.Now, the "rider" on my contract specifies some very extravagant amenities that I require if I am to perform at my best. The most important? Two bottles of Poland Springs water and an extra tiny sink (I like to feel giant in my trailer). And fancy paper towels that I think were made from sandpaper and rusty nails.I also require a very tiny piece of foliage in my trailer. I call it a tree and feel EXTRA giant. (seriously, this was in my trailer. I don't know why.) As I said, my on-set call wasn't until 11:30. They weren't actually ready for me until 12:30. So I hung out in my trailer with some weirdo. (But seriously, I was treated great by the ADs, PAs, wardrobe, and everyone else. Especially craft services...mmm...snacks...)
So, it was time to shoot. This was a short but big scene. Over 200 extras. The other actors in the scene were great. Remember the Seinfeld episode "The Pilot" where they're shooting the TV show? With a TV versions of George, Kramer, and Elaine? One of my cohorts was Elena Wohl, who played "TV Elaine". She was great to work with. Also in the scene were Nathan Corddry (real nice guy), who you might know from "The Daily Show", Roz Ryan (she sings in her trailer), and co-director Matt Robinson had a cameo. And, of course, Ricky Gervais (very funny--check out his blog at www.rickygervais.com/thissideofthetruth.php).
Shooting went well. A bit cold, though. We got most of the shots without any problems. But then the rain came. Back to the trailer for me. And lots of waiting. And drinking coffee. And chatting. And looking for good snacks because lunch wasn't until 4:00 and we were getting hungry. But mostly a lot of sitting in my trailer, hiding from the rain, staring at the wall. Which reminds me. ALWAYS bring a book or newspaper or crossword puzzle with you when you go to a shoot. I, of course, had not planned for this. So I stared at the wall. A lot. And listened to my belly rumble.The rain let up briefly, but Jennifer Garner had just popped by, so they shot a quick scene with her. I was in my trailer at the time, but I hear she did fine without me.
Finally it was lunchtime. At 4:00 (I think they call that dinner in some places). Yummo. And more rain. And more waiting. And then they sent me home without shooting anything else. Sort of anticlimactic, I know. All in all, I had a great time, met some great people, and can't wait to do it again.
I saw a final cut of THE GATEWAY MEAT, filmed in Massachusetts. I appear in the film, I get brutally murdered and got to write my own death scene. Unfortunately my face is bound up with duct tape and we shot for 8 or 10 hours and I couldn't see and was covered in cold fake blood all day. The DVD will be out soon. The film is AMAZING- oh my god- so gory! I was only in a small part and did not see the script so knew nothing about the plot of the film or anything about it except my scenes.
Also out soon on DVD:
Countess Bathoria's Graveyard Picture Show, which debuted at the Fantasia Film Fest, and which I co-wrote.
I am writing for The Independent Magazine website and will be interviewing Jeremy Kasten, director of the upcoming remake of The Wizard of Gore.
I have an interview in the next Girls and Corpses magazine with Erik Ruhling, author of Infernal Device, an illustrated book of torture devices.
Although I put it aside months and months ago it looks like my script A Fistful of Anger may be optioned.
I don't know what it takes to get recognized, respected & noticed on this website by the people in charge?
I can't get an email back from them about how to become a "Selected blog".
Or, How to become Acknowledged as a legitimate blogger on this site?
I am like a Ghost in the Machine... A phantom dream... I can't get no damn RESPECT!
They won't put me as a Selected blog.... Or put me on the front page of Past blogs... Or even acknowledge my existence by returning my emails... But they do it for so many others....
But........... NOT FOR ME!.... WHY?
Did I do something wrong???
Did I kick their little doggy??
Did I strangle their Pet Kitty??
This is starting to remind me of my Good ole days in Hollywood when nice Show Biz Celebrities like: Gene Simmons, Lemmy Kilmeister, Jane Seymour, Kirstey Alley, all Hated me & yet I don't recall ever doing anything to them to get such a Violent reaction.
But yet, Sean Lennon enjoyed my company... Angela Bowie thought I was a darling... Ronnie James Dio Protected me... Burt Reynolds told me I did a really great job & my Only True Hollywood Friend "Bruce Campbell" Loved me!... What did these people see in me that so many others couldn't???
Am I to be forever Misunderstood & maligned?
From Coast to coast to Sea to Shining sea...
From Hollywood to Beanywood...
Peons to Stars vacillate between their love & hatred of my personality...
CAN I EVER GET A DAMN BREAK?
I have gotten off the track again...... Back to my point:
I have written 20 blogs here which have included various info on:
Productions in the New England area... With such varied content as: Real Television commercials... Presidential candidate web promos... Motor-cross X game stunt show coverage... Documentary shooting for ER Doctors... Rock & Roll live concert events... Quasi-Religious Short films... I've spoken on such Hot topics as: Show Biz deals, heartbreaks & Busted dreams from the very Beast Herself... "Hollywood".....
But still it seems I do not seem to RATE HERE... Why?
If a guy that spent 12 long years slugging it out in the trenches of Hollywood California...The very CessPit that is Show biz Hell itself... can't get acknowledgment here.... Then what does it take?
I have attempted to broach such topics as Human kindness... Hard work... Creativity... Dedication... Respect for others... Being a Team player... The ethics of doing REAL PAYING gigs....
BUT STILL..... NOTHING... NADA-- ZIP.......
What does a guy gotta do to get recognition here by the POWERS THAT BE?
Am I like some Bastard Step child?... The Black sheep of the family?... The drunken Uncle that says dirty, awkward & embarrassing things at the dinner table in front of mixed company?
I am ever so Confused... Is this Professional Jealousy?... Pettiness? Or just plain Childishness???
What can a poor boy do, But sing for a Rock & Roll band?
Anybody have any clues out there for me?
Anybody wanna give me any pointers on the Human Condition that I don't seem to have a clue about?
Am I just so far gone from banging my head against the brick wall of life that I have lost all of my sense?
I attempt to truly be Enlightening... Humorous... Insightful... Educational... About Hollywood... Life... New England Productions & REAL show Biz Examples....
Is this not what this site is supposed to be about????
I just don't know anymore......
IS IT ME?
So I propose this:
If any of you fine folks of Boston want to see me gone....
To VOTE ME OFF OF THIS BEANYWOOD SITE...
Then please POST YOUR VOTES!
I am SERIOUS!
IF THERE ARE 10 VOTES POSTED THAT WANT ME TO DISAPPEAR....
THEN I WILL GLADLY GO...
I don't want to be were I am not Invited.... Wanted... Or appreciated....
PLEASE.... POST YOUR VOTES...
SHOULD CRAIG AMABELLO STAY BLOGGING ON THIS SITE?
OR DO YOU WANT ME TO GO?
The choice is now left to THE PEOPLE OF BOSTON.
We live in a Democracy.... (Albeit, a very crooked, Corrupt & at times, Insanely Inept bureaucracy, that borders at times on being a Fascist, Dictatorial, Totalitarian Nazi Regime).... So lets see if THE PEOPLE WILL TRULEY SPEAK UP....
CAST YOUR VOTES TODAY... DO NOT DELAY.... TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE....
If 10 of you want me to go... I will go, with my tail between my legs, running back to the Hills, (The Hollywood hills that is)... A place were I seem to fit in much better than here in New England... The place of my Childhood.
IT IS ALL IN YOUR HANDS NOW FINE FOLKS OF NEW ENGLAND.
Oh ya..... Thanks to the few people that have answered my ads... Said nice things about me... & seemed to understand my Eclectic style.... I truly do appreciate your understanding & good will.
And if any of you actors & Actresses out there want to contact me about comedy Sketches I am in pre-production on for really insane, cutting edge & funny Web shows... Please contact me: laconnection101@aol.com.
I am also looking to hitch up with a few cool, dark humored writers to help me put my ideas to scripts for full length feature films & Shorts, please let me know.
Keep believing in yourselves... Don't kick a dog when he's down... & have fun creating cool, entertaining, & Profitable stuff for the Bewildered Masses....
I know I sure am.
Signed, Your truly Demented Reporter & X-Hollywood Reject, Craig Amabello
Moreand more filmmakers are turning to social media tools and strategies like blogs, RSS, and others to spread the word about their films, increase distribution, and attract audiences who are very much engaged with the subject matter of their films. They are finding that these tools can create great opportunities to generate new connections - not only for their films, but also their careers. And, if you are trying to reach a younger audience, this yet another compelling reason to embrace social media.
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This workshop is a practical, hands-on session for filmmakers to begin using social media tools to market their work. The workshop will share simple and easy ways to get started. If you're excited about the potential that social media tools like blogs can offer, but not sure where to begin, this workshop is for you.
The workshop will introduce participants to five different tools, demonstrate how to set them up, and what to do first. The workshop will be very interactive and answer participant's questions. The five tools are:
Technorati.com - find people and listen and connect - blog search engine;
Beth Kanter is well known blogger who writes on the topic of how NGOs are using emerging technologies (social media and mobile tools) for social change. She is the author of the highly rated blog, Beth's Blog (http://beth.typepad.com) and Contributing Editor for NGOS and Social Change for BlogHer and writes a weekly column for Netsquared, a project of TechSoup that focuses on nonprofits and web2.0. She served as an editor for the KM4DEV peer journal, for a special issue on Web2.0 adoption for development organizations. She is a leading screencaster and mediamaker about the using new media for social change. She has written numerous articles on the use of social media tools by nonprofits for many online and print publications and she is a frequent conference speaker and workshop leader on this topic, most recently leading sessions at the national PBS Conference, Cambodian Bloggers Summit, and Nonprofit Technology Conference.
Hello there Beanywood. Yours truly here, Craig Amabello demented reporter and X-Hollywood reject reporting in live, from the Bat cave.
Its starting to feel like Hollywood all over again. I'm liking that feeling. Calls, meetings, bookings, emails with all kinds of eclectic people, places & gigs.
September is off to an auspicious start. Phone talks with a long time Massachusetts producer who handed me a gig shooting some local bands for the locobazooka show (featuring Black Sabbath & Alice Cooper) set for next weekend at the Tweeter center.
A Nice young sweet girl emailed me late last night & said that she needs some publicity stills so that she can try to break into the porn business out in Los Angeles. (thats the 4th girl in 3 weeks that I met that said they were heading off to Hollywood.... Poor kids... little do they know.... The lure of Hollywood to most people... is worse than Heroin is to a Junky).
A presidential campaign committee gentleman has set up a meeting with me next week to talk about shooting some spots for Tv & Web promo's for a candidate he is handling.
And a Director in Boston that is working on a cool Mob movie wants me to DP for him next week. Hell, its a No/Lo-pay gig, but if I can fit a couple days into my schedule, I thought it might be interesting to work with some real local film makers out here. (So far all of my attempts to hitch up with Boston film makers have ended up as total abortions. Maybe this one will be different).
My life is, & always has been, a Hollywood B-movie. A movie that I will soon upgrade into a real life A-List Blockbuster Franchise. Honestly, I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. Its pretty damn weird being me... But then again It must be pretty damn weird being Owen Wilson to!
See what Hollywood does to people. And so many of you fine Boston folks can't wait to run out there & get run over by the damn freight train that is Hollywood.
LA does strange things to good people.
Stay Happy, Be creative & Productive. And don't let the meanies tell you what you can & can not do!
After several years of being back east & getting absolutely nowhere, I am finally, just now, starting to pick up steam again. The Hollywood Vampires had sucked so much of my life & soul outta me, that it has taken me this long just to recoup my energies & get back on that damn horse again... But as dear ole Steven Tyler would say.... "I'm back in the saddle again... I'm Back!"
