Harlan Ellison On Screenwriting

[LiamTheGreat]

Normally I would dislike a video that has a misleading title, but Harlan saying "She done butt fucking my brother" has reduced me to tears. So thumbs up!

[SenorCajones]

Is this the guy who treid to rape Louise...or was it Themlla?

[usernameunavoidable]

Anyone complaining about this video is probably one of the dumb arrogant people Ellison is so angry about.

[WalterLiddy]

@usernameunavoidable Or they expected to hear something about screenwriting.

[SatanicFilmHouse]

Who do you think would win in a fight between Harlan Ellison and Charles Bukowski?

[SenorCajones]

@SatanicFilmHouse Aunt Jemima would kick both of their ball-bags all over a basketball court, I know that.

[SatanicFilmHouse]

@SenorCajones Uh-huh.

[SenorCajones]

@SatanicFilmHouse Is that an Auntie Jemima "Uh-huh"? Like "Uh-huh, chile.."?

[maitrejim]

Harlan Ellison speaks from experience. Most of us over 15 yrs old can too! You know EXACTLY the Doofuses he is talking about... you work for them, work with them, try to overthrow them. The man didnt endorse anyone for Mayor or President, he alluded to WRITING! If you want to banter politics, watch Monica Crowley on TV... Ellison is gifted and best of all, not afraid to right some wrongs with our society.

[MultiSmartass1]

@maitrejim Does he! The world is full of dumb people-so true. Arrogant dumb people are indeed the worst and there are more than a few of them in Hollywood. Which i think is really his point. Those posters who are complaining don't get that.

I have never been a screenwriter-thank goodness-but Iam a writer and I know from filmmakers I have met every year that Hollywood can be a frustrating place.

Proceed wisely.

[screamwriter1]

I was there. Harlen was speaking during most of the busy lectures so this was where we went to eat lunch. Crazy place.

[blazefleur]

"Dumb, arrogant people -- Jack, forget it! You cannot go over them, under them, 'round them, or through them ! They are THERE..."

So true. Brings to mind the Westboro Baptist idiots.

[hanshotfirst1138]

"All he does all day is fuck up your job!"

God, so true. Our whole store is understaffed because, rumor has it, our store director, get a nice fat bonus. As well as continue to employ people who he knows damn well can't do the jobs properly, then sends other people out to fix their mistakes, and won't give out breaks. It's he way of things

[Beauxdeauxfinglok]

What I enjoy is that he has "the audactiy" to demand the fruits of his labor, for himself. He will not compromise.

[KentAllard]

yeah Criminal Intent is very much in the tradition of the old English locked room mystery

[randomartist01]

Wow, what's with all the clueless assholes in this comments section? The very idiots that Ellison delights in taking apart are the ones who are turning out in droves to scrutinize him on the 'net. Go figure.

[igottabigwon]

OK, I've looked at some of the more negative comments. Maybe you're sort of right, randomartist. There are some idiots here. I like the person bragging about pirating Ellison's work. He's tracked down pirates to China and Russia before and "corrected" them. I hope he "corrects" the jerk who commented below. I DESPISE internet pirates.

[randomartist01]

Thanks for removing your initial comment, igottabigwon. And for your information, I don't "consider myself an artist"; it happens to be how I make my living. I'm sure Ellison WOULD appreciate that, but without the derision that your words conveyed.

[igottabigwon]

Now you just made yourself look stupid again. If I removed the comment, why would you respond to it? I was being nice with my second comment, but I take it all back now.

[igottabigwon]

After thinking about it for a long time, I've decided Harlan Ellison is just a pompous asshole. Entertaining, but pompous.

[DejectedPanda]

Yeah. He's an excellent writer and speaker, but he can also be a hypocritical, hyper judgmental, arrogant douche bag. I hear he can also be a very generous, helpful person too. That's probably why he's both one of the most hated and loved people in SF.

[igottabigwon]

I agree. Loved his book "Partners in Wonder." Was actually at the lecture featured here and had a great time. Sometimes I just get sick of hearing him bash this and bash that. He's a hero in the war on internet piracy, though. I think I'll retract the "asshole" accusation. He's pompous, but he's also important.

[hcvang]

@igottabigwon he's got a bag to carry it in, though, which is more than can be said for the likes of TRULY arrogant people in the industry, who care for noone but themselves and dont even make work worth watching, listening to or reading.

[slbiggs36]

Joe Pesci as Sci-Fi writer!

[popper666]

I'm taking all of Harlan Ellison's work that is minimally decent (not anywhere near enough of it) and republishing it using On Demand Pub and selling it. Books, Mags, whatever. There are enough Ellison Idiots out there that I make good money with it. Especially with my crappy Spanish xlations I do and sell in South / Central America and Spain. If his writing was better, or more Ellison Puds who pay like the current group do, I could make a lot more. Euro Trash is a growing market, too. FU HE

[mylesh2000]

"Harlan Ellison's work that is minimally decent"

So you are going to republish a single sentence and two words of Ellison's work?

[popper666]

LOL That's about the size of it. It's almost not worth the effort. Except for the idiots who grovel in his banal existence and will pay hard cash money for the sputum that drivels from his mind. They don't even realize that they are getting something better by my slash and burn editing. So they all deserve what they get. And then some.

[mylesh2000]

finally a voice of common sense on this matter!

I am perplexed as to why people brag on this mediocre hack, this self-important prick, so much and nearly ejaculate in their pants at the sound of his name. He uses his fame these tasteless people as a license to be an asshole and a mysogynist.

[popper666]

You're actually being too kind. But good points. p.s. I'm not really stealing his crap, I just like the idea of irritating the holy living cap out of HE in case he hears about my post, which he probably did, because he thrives on people sending him letters written in crayon and stuff like that, and getting self-orgasmic about it all. (especially the thought of possibly suing someone anew) That's about all he has left, and probably all he ever really had.

[mylesh2000]

oh, I know.

He's a petty prick, very vindictive. He sues people for attention because his hacky writing only gets the attention of all five of his conference-hopping disciples.

[sunburstdj]

as someone who works and creates photographic art....I completely agree with his opinions on copyrights and intellectual domain rights.

Would you work for free? Why should a photographer, writer or anyone else?

[mylesh2000]

you may want to re-read, his views on copyrights is not what was being discussed.

[ltum2]

main thing is, how is this on screenwriting? also, it's convoluted. he's rambling. but it is funny tho

[ltum2]

Ok here is why I did not like this video: says it is about screenwriting, so I expected something like scott frank. instead he is yelling about judge judy and some guys girlfriend getting mad, but I cant even tell what he means. Why is he talking about dumb people in court? The title says on screenwriting. Thats misleading. Basically, he doesnt talk about screenwriting, thats my issue, the title. otto, let's reverse this here. why dont you give me some evidence why you do like it.

[ottoskidoo]

This is not Scott Frank - it says Harlan Ellison. And I'm assuming you don't know who Ellison is. This is a great primer. He does talk about screenwriting, he's talking about the idiots one encounters in Hollywood. And how tough it is to work through them. Which he says in the clip.

But this clip is for people that do love Ellison and his work. I hope the 3 minutes it took you to watch didn't cause you to lose sleep...

[Rimsa]

@ottoskidoo

Who the hell is Scott Frank?

[mylesh2000]

agreed: like I said, these events are big pseudo-intellectual circle jerks for these narcissistic celebs and serve NO purpose for the audience of writers (most who are probably better than Ellison) except to pimp them for their money and attention.

[ottoskidoo]

Except for the fact that you weren't there. And if you listen to what Ellison is saying and what he said, he's actually warning neo scribes the reality of what is in store for them and the career futility of these conferences. And the audience that was enthralled by Ellison would disagree. We were there.

[mylesh2000]

Of course those of you who were there will defend this bullshit, no one likes to own up to being suckered.

Look, if you want to write, sit your ass down and write, this is how you make work, and then market your own work and become successful. Hero worshiping and celebrity ass-kissing is NOT writing. I said above what these events are, go to them if you want, drain your pocketbook, it's your money and time you are wasting.

[ottoskidoo]

It's about none of the above. If you're a writer and you're interested in writing, sitting down to listen to the experiences of those who have made their careers is part of the process. It's called LEARNING and INSPIRATION. Good God, grow up.

[mylesh2000]

these conferences are a racket, any self-respecting writer knows that. you can be a writer or a conference hopper.

Have a nice day.

[igottabigwon]

You're right. Ignore all the people giving you a thumbs down. You know they're just the very people you're talking about.

[mylesh2000]

...you mean all of the people thumbing YOU down?

[hcvang]

@mylesh2000 You are so wrong.You should never just sit down and write. You should think about the subject, the story, for a loooong time before you even think about turning on your computer.

As for this not being helpful? Ever hear of a masterclass?

[SenorCajones]

@hcvang Ever sold a script?

[mylesh2000]

that's what these expos are for: for these famous pricks to get in front of an audience and sataite their egos

[ottoskidoo]

Yeah, Ellison has nothing to say.

[ltum2]

this is totally stupid

[ottoskidoo]

Fascinating. Tell me more.

[ltum2]

otto, i would love to oblige you but there *is* nothing more. i said it all the first time. ;)

no offense to you, btw

[ottoskidoo]

No you said it, but "This is totally stupid" tells me and the others nothing except how you feel without any actual example or evidence. If you're looking to make a point I mean.

[ltum2]

i think the other folks commenting here made great points; no need for me to reinvent the wheel. but just for you i am gonna relisten and then i will comment specifically. back in a few.....

[hcvang]

@ottoskidoo only tells of the posters ignorance, really... 'this is gay'... that kind of comment... yeah, we cant take 'em seriously, can we? I sure cant.

[SenorCajones]

@hcvang Simply because you're so narrow-minded that you can't imagine the inferential relevance of the statement "this is gay". To me, that means that a person found something sort of little-girlish, perhaps "silly" about the content and the persona that are depicted. 

[gooyzit]

I wanna see the whole thing!

[ottoskidoo]

Me too!

[voidforpurpose]

FADE IN-

INT. CHEEZ WHIZ FACTORY. DAY.

A MAN in a yellow jumpsuit is stirring a vat of Cheez Whiz with a huge wooden ladle in a cavernous room. The SOUND of burbling, viscuous liquid permeates the chamber.

ENTER- HARLAN ELLISON, carrying a pigskin briefcase in his left hand and a severed monkey's head in his other.

ELLISON- Cut, motherfucker!

[BastardfromtheBush]

I don't want to sound like a wise-guy here; but is this guy teaching writing or just being a stand-up comic from the Borsch belt? The only good advice which I gleaned from this diatribe about morons and trailer white trash who stand before 'Judge Judy' is, if you want to be a Hollywood screenwriter; don't live in Wyoming!

I live in Sydney, Australia - that's bad enough! I already knew this.

[ottoskidoo]

This is only 3 MINUTES from a THREE HOUR interview. Not that I had to do anything but sit back and let Harlan go. The crowd loved him and he gave lotsa pearls o' wisdom.

[kaliyugafilms]

If you pan just a little more to the right you'll see me in a black Dodgers hat and dark sunglasses (I don't like making eye contact with other writers.)

Interesting how Harlan makes condescending remarks about "trailer trash" and then makes a distinction between dumb people and arrogant dumb people. In the country you can find a few dumb people. In the city you find NOTHING BUT arrogant dumb people!

[kaliyugafilms]

Yeah, dude, I think this is from 2002. Either that or old Harlan gave the same lecture in 2003.

[keytoothed]

I like Harlan, too bad, though, he doesn't like people who like him. He relishes eviscerating his fans.

[HazenMustaine]

Say what you want about Harlan he is one of the greatest writers from the 20th century. He may be a bit ornery and a little too litigious but you have to love his interviews.

[JonChristopher999]

My god, I cannot imagine a world without Harlan Ellison. May he live forever.

[Forysan]

Everytime I watch him, I nearly have an asthma attack from laughing so goddamned hard. I really would love to meet him. Unfortunately, I come from a Christian family and am a libertarian...chances are I am doomed.

[ottoskidoo]

He would have sympathy;]

[Forysan]

lol Well, nevertheless, I find him to be an amazing writer and have actually loved his social commentary. It still would be awesome to meet him if someone arranged that. Heck, I would be out there marching with him in the strike since I am surrounded by friends and family who are writers.

[ottoskidoo]

You should go out and support them! They'd love it.

[sultanvoices]

Aaaaaahahaha.

As Philip K. Dick said once, "Harlan Ellison just enjoys being Harlan Ellison."

[ottoskidoo]

He sure does. And despite his rep, he was also a pussycat.

[truewealth]

what do you mean was...he still lives doesn't he?

[strangesttribesman]

Alive an' kickin', and on the front lines of the Writer's guild strike.

[truewealth]

Good. May he live forever fighting the good fight. (Or as long as he chooses)...

[crabhat]

Harlan will only die when death plucks up the courage to visit him.

[ilvean3122]

I think death is afraid of being sued by that prick.