Articles:
For me, the best thing about journalism is that I get an ongoing education; I learn something with each new assignment. I've been lucky to get the chance to cover a wide range of subjects, from terrorism and the aftermath of the September 11 attacks to movie stars and extraordinary new world of visual effects in film and television.
Most of the clips below are from Variety, where I've been on staff for some time. I've selected some highlights below. If you want to peruse a more complete list, click here a list of the Variety articles that have appeared under my byline, in reverse chronological order.
ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS & NEWS
| Lucas tilts
at studio tentpoles 'Star' man sees shrinking pic biz Daily Variety; Oct. 4, 2006 George Lucas was in a good mood at the groundbreaking of the renamed School of Cinematic Arts at USC. His opinions on the state of the movie business were front page news in Variety. Rocky's still fighting for respect Sly warms up for one more round Daily Variety; October 16, 2005 The announcement that Sylvester Stallone would play Rocky Balboa one more time was worldwide news. |
Hollywood Gets
Religion
Christians embrace formerly evil biz Weekly Variety; May 28, 2006 Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" took many by surprise, but it reflected a profound shift in attitudes toward cinema among churches and parishoners who once shunned movies. Iraq Won't Rock Oscar Show will go on, Acad sez Daily Variety, Feb. 7, 2003 Before I came on staff as a reporter, I got a freelance assignment on how the imminent threat of War in Iraq might affect the telecast of the Academy Awards. When it began to break as a news story I wound up writing it as a front-page story. |
PROFILES AND PERSONALITIES:
| Katrina's
Wake Actors Fund comes to aid of those in need Variety V Plus Features; Sept. 14, 2007 Our 2007 look at the Actors Fund's 125th anniversary provided an opportunity to catch up with New Orleans musicians and actors still displaced and struiggling in the aftermath of Hurrcane Katrina. Pacino Tackles Each New Role Like a Novice AFI honoree arrives with desire intact Variety V Plus Features; July 6, 2007 I'd written about Al Pacino several times over the years, interviewed many of his friends, watched his films, but never met him until it was time to write about his AFI honor. (Older stories on Pacino here, here and here.) Don Rickles Recalls His Career Feb. 27, 2007 I spoke to the legendary "Mr. Warmth" about his persona, what he thinks of today's young comics (Hint: Not so much.) and his famous epithet "You hockey puck!" Denzel, Inc. 'Gangster' Star to Receive BAFTA's Kubrick Award Variety V Plus Features, Dec. 6, 2007 Denzel Washington has assembled a tight-knit team that helps and guides him through his career. |
Deeds, not
words Variety's Showman of the Year lets his blockbusters and hit TV series do the talking. Variety V Plus Features; July 9, 2006 I'd interviewed Jerry Bruckheimer several times but still found out something new for this profile, which led Variety's 2006 "Showman of the Year" section. Mirren's made for max emotions Thesp commands respect from colleagues Variety V Plus Features, June 4, 2006 I spoke to Helen Mirren on the occasion of her Marquee Award at CineVegas George Lucas: Building a Legacy Variety V Plus Features; Feb. 13, 2005 Besides his love of movies, George Lucas has shown one more enduring passion: architecture. Women's Impact: Chrissie England ILM topper brings back VFX company's mojo Variety V Plus Features; July 30, 2007 Women's Impact: Anna Behlmer Sound mixer boasts nine Oscar nominations Variety V Plus Features, July 30, 2007 |
VISUAL EFFECTS AND HIGH-TECH:
| Cameron
Supercharges 3-D 'Avatar' helmer reveals the art & science of stereo Variety V Plus Features, April 11, 2008 Director James Cameron's upcoming "Avatar" must rank as one of the most anticipated film projects in recent memory. His first narrative film since making the No. 1 box office hit of all time, 1997's "Titanic," "Avatar" will be the realization of Cameron's long-held dream of melding digital 3-D stereo with epic bigscreen storytelling. This is the director's most extensive exploration of 3-D to date. The complete interview is long and sometimes technical, though still interesting for lay readers. If you'd prefer to read the abridged version that appeared in print, click here. VFX supervisors growing in importance Tech pros move up in film production hierarchy Variety V Plus Features, Dec. 11, 2007 Once an eccentric corner of post, visual effects now touch nearly every creative department on a film, including sets, costumes, camera/cinematography... even acting. As a result, vfx supervisors are becoming a more important -- and respected -- part of a film's creative team. Searching for the New Grail Digital artists can duplicate nature in minute detail. So now what? Digital artists can duplicate nature in minute detail. So now what? Variety V Plus Features, July 26, 2006 A Digital Nip/Tuck 'X-Men' thesps drink from Lola's fountain of youth Variety V Plus Features; June 19, 2006 The opening scenes of "X-Men: The Last Stand" provided a rare chance for LolaFX to discuss one of the vfx industry's most hush-hush assignments: Digital Cosmetic Enhancement. FX Take Off the Years Weekly Variety; July 16, 2006 Another, wider look at Digital Cosmetic Enhancement. Oscar's Big Blur CG Complicates Oscar Categories Daily Variety, Aug. 2, 2005 The advent of digital filmmaking techniques are giving the Motion Picture Academy a silicon-fueled headache. As job categories blur, the Oscars are quietly getting the most extensive review of their categories since the advent of talking pictures. Should Oscar Honor Animation Effects? Variety V Plus Features, Dec. 11, 2007 Academy Struggles to Define Animation Variety V Plus Features, Nov. 6, 2007 Lucas Launches Digital Digs Sprawling studio driven by games and f/x design may prove model for H'w'd Weekly Variety, June 12, 2005 The opening of the Letterman Digital Arts Center in San Francisco prompted a look at the future of studios soundstages and backlots. Why a Few CG Toons Play So Well on Wall Street 3-D toons accounted for 7% of all B.O. grosses from 2003 to 2005 Variety V Plus Features; Dec. 13, 2005 CG animated films are huge moneymakers and the stocks of the companies that make them are Wall Street darlings. But they behave like almost nothing else. Here's why. |
Bigger!
Faster! Cheaper!
Blockbusters take toll on f/x shops Weekly Variety, May 27, 2007 This article became required reading for visual effects pros around the world. One even told me it was "the most important article in the history of our industry." Tears and loathing Digital tweaks bring aid, angst to actors Weekly Variety, Jan. 28, 2007 Digital alterations of actors' takes and choices are becoming more doable, and as a result, more common. And many vfx pros -- not to mention the Screen Actors Guild -- are uneasy about it. (This story was eventually picked up by newspapers around the world and NPR.) Actors Add Punch to VFX Thesps needed to make effects Variety V Plus Features; Aug. 2, 2007 Everybody writes about how dazzling visual effects are. I'm interested in how they're affecting everything else. Actors' Chops Meet Techno Shops New Techniques Make VFX More Actor-Friendly Variety V Plus Features, Dec. 11, 2006 People said digital effects would spell doom for actors and acting. But it turns out motion-capture is making actors' lives easier and opening up new opportunities for them. Digital Cameras Have Actors Reloading High-def revolutionizes the craft of actors, director Variety V Plus Features, April 12, 2007 Digital capture isn't just a revolution for cinematographers and colorists; they're revolutionizing the craft of film acting. Gibson Digs Digital Action Filmmaker finds new technology a dream Variety V Plus Features, April 12, 2007 Mel Gibson talked about how shooting digital helped him make Apocalypto. Lucas Left Pixar Party Early, Disney Came Late Variety V Plus Features, March 13, 2006 In the beginning, nobody got it. It took long years of struggle for the founders of Pixar to convince the world that their vision of animated movies made on a computer wasn't a fever dream. Digital Proves Problematic Weekly Variety, April 20, 2007 Digital was supposed to be the solution to scratchy records, fading photos and yes, decaying film stock. Just one problem: There are no proven technologies for long-term digital archiving, and today moving images are in more danger of being lost than at any time since the dawn of movies. Academy to Preserve Digital Content AMPAS joins Library of Congress initiative Daily Variety, Aug. 3, 2007 Biz Balks as MPAA Digs Hole for Itself Weekly Variety, Feb. 26 2006 The Hollywood Post Alliance tech retreat doesn't make a lot of news, but when the MPAA showed up to talk about its digital rights management scheme for high-def DVD systems, the technologists got a bit testy. EA says audience wants control Future of gaming to be more customized Variety.com, Aug. 6, 2007 At SIGGRAPH in San Diego, Electronic Arts' Glen Entis suggested that people crave the chance — and the tools — to entertain themselves by creating their own content. |
WRITERS AND WRITING:
| Authors Rocked By
Roles Characters have a way of wrecking writers' best-laid plans Variety V Plus Features, Dec. 7, 2006 The premise of Stranger Than Fiction — a character who confronts his author, refusing to die — is all to familiar to fiction writers. Characters act up, misbehave and even wreak havoc with writers' plans. |
Novelists
Second-Guess 2006 Scripts Variety V Plus Features, Jan. 7, 2007 Authors' views on movies often differ from entertainment industry insiders. |
TELEVISION:
| Cast
chemistry essential to hit
shows Shows click when actors mesh with roles Variety V Plus Features, Aug. 7, 2007 Chemistry. Robin Williams had it as Mork from Ork and turned an old concept into a hit sitcom. George Clooney didn't when he was an actor-for-hire on several unsuccessful series, but found on "ER," and became a movie star. Casting directors make their living searching for such chemistry... |
Writer-performers
stage balancing acts Hyphenates add fresh take to genres Variety V Plus Features, June 5, 2007 Some of TV's hottest comedies are flourishing by abandoning the factory-line approach and having performers help as writers — and vice versa. |
MISCELLANEOUS:
| Equity Flows to
Indie Shops Investors bank on post-production services Weekly Variety, Aug. 17, 2007 The studios may be pushing into post, but some investors are betting that in the long run they're not going to stay there -- or at least that there will be plenty of business to go around. Back to the Future Variety's Centennial Issue; Oct. 16, 2005 A look at 100 years of entertainment technology, from the Nickelodeon to the iPod, and how new inventions changed performance styles — and audience expectations — through the decades. Post Pendulum Swings to Studios Majors look to tech facilities to bring profits Weekly Variety, Aug. 17, 2007 No one claims post-production is a sexy business, but it seems to have found its allure, at least as far as the studios are concerned. |
Execs say
prayers for next 'Passion' Faith-friendly theme no guarantee of success Variety V Plus Features, April 3, 2007 I revisited the business side of Hollywood's newfound interest in faith-based entertainment for a special feature section in 2007. Uganda Builds Its Film Industry on the Fly No infrastructure for filmmakers existed in country when 'King' came calling Variety V Plus Features, Nov. 12 2006 The Last King of Scotland gave Ugandan pros a chance to prove they could support a western-style film shoot. Are We Overachieved Yet? Now ubiquitous, career honors spawn their own quirks and qualms Variety V Plus Features; Oct. 29, 2006 Lifetime achievement awards. Enough already? |
Some of my profiles from the South China Morning Post are on the Older Articles page