Mike Browne’s Blog

From IMDb Pro:

In a move that could lead to DreamWorks jumping into the specialty film market, the studio has picked up North American rights to Perfume, the period serial-killer drama based on Patrick Sueskind’s international best-seller Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, which Tom Tykwer is to direct. The acquisition was jointly announced Wednesday by Martin Moskowicz, president of production at Constantin Film, which is producing the project, and Rick Sands, the new president and chief operating officer of DreamWorks. Said Sands in a statement: “The acquisition of ‘Perfume’ illustrates a new direction for DreamWorks: We will be actively pursuing interesting projects throughout the world and thus bringing the works of talented international directors, actors and writers to American audiences.” – By Scott Roxborough and Gregg Kilday

I’ve read Patrick Süskind’s Perfume. It is worth checking out if you haven’t heard of it. Kurt Cobain, late frontman of Nirvana, was, according to himself in an interview with MuchMusic, obsessed with this book. He wrote a song called Scentless Apprentice about the book’s main character, the alienated Grenouille, a man born completely without a bodily scent. The song can be heard on their last studio album, In Utero.

Interesting that Tom Twyker, director of one of my favourite flicks, Run Lola Run, has signed on to direct. This is a real departure for Dreamworks who typically stick with the tried and true Hollywood formula films. Perhaps we’ll get to see some real money thrown at truly interesting stories told from other perspectives than those from the ‘lower 48’. Sounds promising.

Applied for EI today. Geez that’s humiliating. I didn’t think I’d ever have to do something like this again. What a yucky feeling. I went into the office to apply, but I didn’t have to. I was told to come home and do it here over the web. I’m glad I went in though. I got the displeasure of hearing some other gentleman screeching at the nice lady at the reception desk. He didn’t have his permanent residency card and was howling at this woman like it was her fault. Eek! After he left (we were he only two who wanted to see reception) I told her I wouldn’t be that difficult. We both had a good laugh. I still didn’t feel so hot about even being there.

I’m still pretty stunned, and my pride’s kicking up quite a stink, that I have to even apply for EI. Hell I thought I was doing a great job where I was. It felt too easy somedays. I guess ‘work’ has to be hard and you have to spend a lot of time to get things done to appear productive in some people’s eyes, even when you’re handily completing tasks that month’s before you had no idea you could do. How someone could begrudge needing a little direction when new to something is beyond me, but that’s the way it is I guess. I thought admitting to the need for and asking for help was really a strong person’s thing to do. Perhaps not everyone sees it that way.

More reason to get the hell out of here. Thanks Gracie.

If I ever want to drive here to Nova Scotia I don’t really need directions. I’d just hop on the number one and head East. Not according to the directions feature on Google maps. To go from our place here in Maple Ridge BC to Ma and Pa Browne’s house in Bridgewater NS we apparenlty need to go through the US. Perhaps it’s quicker. I’m not sure why that would be any fatser at all, but here are the directions. I guess I’d get to miss the Prairies. Hmmm… maybe not such bad directions after all.

I just finished a script for a teaser trailer for a film I’m writing called ‘Zone 63’. I’m still writing the full screenplay and I plan on using the trailer to help me get funding for the rest of the movie. The teaser is like most, just a snapshot of the bigger picture. I want to shoot it as soon as I can. I have a MiniDV camera, now the script and the will to do it. All I need now is a rainy day in the woods and an actor to kill off. I’m sure I can find those things here in Vancouver. If I can’t find somone else to act in it I’ll do it myself. I would love do the Hitchock/Peter Jackson/Shyamalan thing and show up in bit parts in all my films. Perhaps my own death will be my trademark.

Once I’m done with all the post production, editing, adding sound and titles, I’ll share a link to it here. I’ve already reserved the domain name zone63.com, although there’s nothing on the site yet. Once I have all the copyright stuff squared away I’ll let everyone in on the storyline. All the posts on this subject will be in the Zone 63 category on my blog so you can isolate them from my usual crap.

It’s cool that it’s finally happening. I’ve realized lately that the only thing truly holding me back at all is myself. the cool part of that revelation is that it opens up the door to limitless possibilities. Who knows where we’ll land, but if some of the really bad films I’ve seen can get made then so can mine.

I just wanna make movies.

Baby steps…

Canadians may need ‘laser visa’ to cross U.S. border. Traveling from Canada to the US is about to get a little more complicated. I thought we were friends. Oh well, guess we’re evil too.

This stunt coordinator turned singer seems to have his heart in the right place. But I’m not sure Dennis Madalone should be singing at all. To put this as bluntly as I possibly can without pulling punches – this sucks! His website is awfully cheesy too. Moosh’s ears started to bleed upon first hearing. I think the animal cruelty folks will be around to remove Moosh from an auditorily abusive situation. The video is just as bad but Moosh isn’t interested in that and frankly, neither am I ecept from that ‘car crash’ perspective.

He can’t be serious… Can he? Perhaps one too many ‘high falls’, extended periods with out oxygen during stunt ‘burns’ or years of cranial abuse due to stair tumbles has rattled this guy to the point where he believes he can sing. To each his own I guess. Maybe he’ll make a lot of money for charity. My bet is it won’t come for being a talented singer. William Hung, eat your heart out.

I do. I’m looking like Grizzly Adams of late. I hate shaving as I’m constantly slashing my old mug to bits. I guess you’re supposed to use the razor up and down not side to side. Who knew? Anyway, here’s a great article on getting the perfect shave.

We sold the house on Friday. Four days to sell at full asking price. Holy smokes I like real estate investing. Not everything gives you 34% more than you paid after only 4 years. Call me ‘the Mike’ (as in Trump). I want to buy more just for investment’s sake.

The subjects come off on Saturday and we close June 30 to be out by July 2. Look out downtown Vancouver. Here we come. Looks like we’ll be hitting up craigslist a lot in our quest for a two bedroom place that takes dogs. Wish us luck for that one too. The good vibes are working great so far. Thanks!