Janet Fitch's Blog - Posts Tagged "paint-it-black"
Paint It Black the Movie
Very exciting time for Paint It Black--the feature film is more than a gleam in Mama's eye now, it's wrapping! Written and directed by Amber Tamblyn--and what a force of nature! It's starring Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) as Josie and Janet McTeer (yes, OBE--Tony award winner, two time Academy Award nominee) as Meredith, Alfred Molina (whew!!) as Cal, and the list goes on.
I've been able to drop in on the set, and the intensity of this drama is blinding--sometimes I can't even breathe. Just saw them shoot the confrontation between Josie Tyrell and her best friend Pen (played by Emily Rios) at Meredith's house, it was as good as anything I'd ever imagined. Such a strange feeling, visiting the set on one's novel adapted as a film. Like being in a dream where you know it's your parents' house but it's not quite your parents' house…
Can't wait to see the finished version. As I'd said in the author questions, a movie can never be the book, it has to make it as its own work of art--cannot wait to see the work that Amber's making right now. It's really going to be something.
I've been able to drop in on the set, and the intensity of this drama is blinding--sometimes I can't even breathe. Just saw them shoot the confrontation between Josie Tyrell and her best friend Pen (played by Emily Rios) at Meredith's house, it was as good as anything I'd ever imagined. Such a strange feeling, visiting the set on one's novel adapted as a film. Like being in a dream where you know it's your parents' house but it's not quite your parents' house…
Can't wait to see the finished version. As I'd said in the author questions, a movie can never be the book, it has to make it as its own work of art--cannot wait to see the work that Amber's making right now. It's really going to be something.
Summer Update
It's summer and I've been away for a month, working non-stop on the Russian novel that's been part of my life for eight or so years… I'm a draft-writer, and need to get foundations dug and 2x4s pounded into place before the woodwork and lighting and windows go in. At last, it's safe to say that i am working on the finish carpentry now. What a luxury, to be crafting sentences.
Some exciting news from the Paint it Black the Movie front--the director, Amber Tamblyn, just told me that she's finished the film. It's called "picture lock." The next step? Bringing it to screens! I'll keep you posted on its progress into theaters--it's going to be such a thrill to see another artist's take on my book. It's such a compliment, when your work inspires someone else to take it as a basis for a new creative endeavor.
Wish you a good summer, and good summer reading!
Some exciting news from the Paint it Black the Movie front--the director, Amber Tamblyn, just told me that she's finished the film. It's called "picture lock." The next step? Bringing it to screens! I'll keep you posted on its progress into theaters--it's going to be such a thrill to see another artist's take on my book. It's such a compliment, when your work inspires someone else to take it as a basis for a new creative endeavor.
Wish you a good summer, and good summer reading!
Paint It Black--Fall Movie News
Last month, I was treated by director Amber Tamblyn to an ultra-top-secret screening of the finished Paint it Black movie--starring Alia Shawkat as Josie, Janet McTeer as Meredith and Alfred Molina as Cal. And treated is the word! As I've said in this very blog, to have someone make a work of art based on your work of art is the most extreme compliment an artist can give another--'your work made me want to do this.' Something I did in that book stimulated another artist to create a work based on it. And now I get to experience this again...
It's a bit of a grandparent experience, I imagine--all the pleasure and none of the work!!!
It's brilliantly acted--my god, what can't Alia Shawkat do? She's never starred in a movie before, but I bet that's going to change after Paint It Black comes out. She reminds me of a cross between Maria Schneider in Last Tango and Giulietta Massina, Fellini's wife and star. Janet McTeer is absolutely terrifying as Meredith, and Alfred "Call me Fred" Molina gets both likable and 'this is not my problem' Cal, exactly right.
But the most wonderful revelation is Amber Tamblyn. As director (and screenwriter) of the film, her vision is absolutely original. She had never expected to direct it, but she saw it so vividly that in the end, it was up to her to bring it to the screen. It was wild. WILD. Not a beginner attempt, a full blown assault on the screen. I'd say somewhere in the David Lynch filmmaking camp.… bit of Fellini too! I predict a big directing career ahead for Ms. Tamblyn (actor, poet--her new collection, Dark Sparkler, way worth a read, and now, auteur…) Paint it Black the Movie will be heading for the festival circuit this winter, so hang onto your seats.
It's a bit of a grandparent experience, I imagine--all the pleasure and none of the work!!!
It's brilliantly acted--my god, what can't Alia Shawkat do? She's never starred in a movie before, but I bet that's going to change after Paint It Black comes out. She reminds me of a cross between Maria Schneider in Last Tango and Giulietta Massina, Fellini's wife and star. Janet McTeer is absolutely terrifying as Meredith, and Alfred "Call me Fred" Molina gets both likable and 'this is not my problem' Cal, exactly right.
But the most wonderful revelation is Amber Tamblyn. As director (and screenwriter) of the film, her vision is absolutely original. She had never expected to direct it, but she saw it so vividly that in the end, it was up to her to bring it to the screen. It was wild. WILD. Not a beginner attempt, a full blown assault on the screen. I'd say somewhere in the David Lynch filmmaking camp.… bit of Fellini too! I predict a big directing career ahead for Ms. Tamblyn (actor, poet--her new collection, Dark Sparkler, way worth a read, and now, auteur…) Paint it Black the Movie will be heading for the festival circuit this winter, so hang onto your seats.
Paint It Black the Movie to Premiere
I can finally say it out loud--Paint it Black the Movie will have its world premiere at Film Independent's Los Angeles Film Festival. Individual tickets go on sale on May 10.
It's a mind-blowing thing, to see your characters and your story--something that lived in your head alone for so many years, and then in the minds of your readers who recreate or reconstitute it as they see fit, a journey as personal as a fingerprint--now embodied, translated, filtered through another artist's vision and offered up to a broad audience, a thing in itself, related but not mere replication. What a privilege, that Tamblyn was inspired enough to pull this whole thing off. She's going to be a director to watch, I can promise you that.
I can't wait to see what you think of Paint It Black the Movie! I hope you can hit the LA Film Festival, it's scheduled for June 3, 7:30 p.m--and that it comes soon to a theater near you!
It's a mind-blowing thing, to see your characters and your story--something that lived in your head alone for so many years, and then in the minds of your readers who recreate or reconstitute it as they see fit, a journey as personal as a fingerprint--now embodied, translated, filtered through another artist's vision and offered up to a broad audience, a thing in itself, related but not mere replication. What a privilege, that Tamblyn was inspired enough to pull this whole thing off. She's going to be a director to watch, I can promise you that.
I can't wait to see what you think of Paint It Black the Movie! I hope you can hit the LA Film Festival, it's scheduled for June 3, 7:30 p.m--and that it comes soon to a theater near you!
