Saturday, January 22, 2011
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Slate Piece #3
With my third humor piece for Slate, can I start referring to myself as a "regular contributor?" While I ponder that, why don't you enjoy my trip down zombie memory lane: "The Corpse Stays in the Picture."
Friday, October 29, 2010
The Flop House Episode Sixty-Eight is ONLINE!
At long last, all three of our intrepid co-hosts have returned, which can only mean one thing -- finally we get to do the CONTEST-WINNER-SELECTED MOVIE! And what movie has he selected? The wish-fulfillment-for-tween-girls-of-the-late-80's spectacular Teen Witch. Meanwhile Elliott explains the new Subway Teenwich, Dan objects to Gawker's misuse of the English language, and Stuart reveals his new erection-based rating system.
0:00 - 0:35 - Introduction and SHOCKTOBER theme.
0:36 - 6:17 - Your regular co-hosts waste six minutes talking about how nice it is to all be in the same room again.
6:18 - 32:15 - We are all giddy, GIDDY, to be watching Teen Witch -- a classic bad movie -- rather than the usual modern, sub-mediocre Hollywood crap.
32:16- 37:15- Final judgments
37:16 - 49:44 Flop House Mailbag
49:45 - 54:39- The sad bastards recommend.*
54:40 - 56:09 - Goodbyes, theme, and outtakes.
0:00 - 0:35 - Introduction and SHOCKTOBER theme.
0:36 - 6:17 - Your regular co-hosts waste six minutes talking about how nice it is to all be in the same room again.
6:18 - 32:15 - We are all giddy, GIDDY, to be watching Teen Witch -- a classic bad movie -- rather than the usual modern, sub-mediocre Hollywood crap.
32:16- 37:15- Final judgments
37:16 - 49:44 Flop House Mailbag
49:45 - 54:39- The sad bastards recommend.*
54:40 - 56:09 - Goodbyes, theme, and outtakes.
*A correction -- Dan says that the director of The Invisible Maniac also did The Hazing. He was thinking of Rolfe Kanefsky who helmed the similarly "using supernatural powers to see naked ladies"-themed movie Pretty Cool. The Invisible Maniac was by Adam Rifkin who went on to Hollywood projects like Detroit Rock City.
Download the MP3 directly, HERE.
Paste theflophouse.libsyn.com/rss into iTunes (or your favorite podcatching software) to have new episodes of The Flop Housedelivered to you directly, as they're released.
Download the MP3 directly, HERE.
Paste theflophouse.libsyn.com/rss into iTunes (or your favorite podcatching software) to have new episodes of The Flop Housedelivered to you directly, as they're released.
PLUGS CORNER
Elliott is hosting another Closely Watched Films screening, this one of the great 1936 drama "Dodsworth", the somehow uplifting story of the dissolution of a marriage.
Wednesday, Nov. 3rd, 7:30pm
@ 92YTribeca
200 Hudson St.
New York
Elliott is hosting another Closely Watched Films screening, this one of the great 1936 drama "Dodsworth", the somehow uplifting story of the dissolution of a marriage.
Wednesday, Nov. 3rd, 7:30pm
@ 92YTribeca
200 Hudson St.
New York
Check out Dan's Halloween article over at Whim Quarterly.
And, for the few in America that haven't had the pleasure...
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Thanks to the WGAE Foundation for the Fantastic Screenplay Reading
Thanks to Mark Delabarre, Paul Jones, Gil Zabarsky, Alex Flores, Austin Torelli, Emily Kinney, Jane Gabbert, Sarah Lord, and Gabriel Millman, none of whom will probably see this, but all of whom were amazing in my screenplay reading. If anyone was actually interested in making the movie, you'd all get cast, as far as I'm concerned.
And, of course, thanks to Shira-Lee Shalit for directing and Susane Lee for arranging the event. To have a great cast perform your material--every writer should have such a wonderful experience.
And, of course, thanks to Shira-Lee Shalit for directing and Susane Lee for arranging the event. To have a great cast perform your material--every writer should have such a wonderful experience.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Dan Has a Screenplay in the Writers Guild of America East Reading Series!
Hey fans, and/or readers of this blog that only exist in my imagination, as I post into the Internet ether -- I have a screenplay that's gonna be read (well, 20 pages of it) at the JCC in Manhattan this Monday. Should be fun, and there's a WINE RECEPTION to follow. Here: I'll just let the WGAE press release explain...
* * *
Get your tickets now to see the latest performance in the WGAE/WGAE Foundation's Screenplay Reading Series. Excerpts from original screenplays by Guild members will be performed with a top-notch cast.
ORIENTATION written by Dan McCoy
ELLIOT BLOOM GETS SHOT written by William Farmer
Monday, October 18th, 2010 at 7:30pm
JCC in Manhattan
334 Amsterdam Avenue, at 76th Street
Wine reception follows readings
WGAE & JCC Members Ticket price $8.00 Please call 646-505-5708 to purchase.
Nonmembers: Ticket price $10.00 Click here to buy online.
Orientation by Dan McCoy is about teenager Eric Hardy whose college prospects haven't been helped by an indifferent guidance counselor and his mother's mysterious illness. Still, he never would have knowingly applied to a university run by demons, even as a safety school. Sure, his adventures in matriculation involve making friends with Stuart, the cool guy across the hall, and falling for the spunky and self-possessed Claire. But they also include protecting himself and his dorm-mates from being actually possessed. Turns out, his college is just a front for a hellish recruitment station, and Eric needs to defeat faculty, upperclassmen, and alums (including his own brother) if he hopes to survive welcome weekend.
Read Dan McCoy's Bio
Elliot Bloom Gets Shot by William Farmer is about Elliott Bloom, a middle aged writer whose life is going nowhere, and who blames his misery on everyone and everything around him. He has alienated all his friends and loved ones with his arrogance, constantly flaunting his genius-level IQ and considering himself the only intelligent being in a world of fools. An anti-social outburst lands him in a small town jail, where the local librarian, a woman named Pine Davies, recognizes his pain as well as his potential and becomes fascinated by him. Faced with the opportunity for yet another grab at career success, Elliot must choose between a last shot at the fame and fortune he feels he deserves, or the simple comfort of remaining with Pine and living out what's left of his life in anonymity "among the fools." Complicating the matter is the fact that he's losing his mind, as characters from his unpublished "great American novel" refuse to stay on the page, inconveniently manifesting themselves in an attempt to influence his decision to their advantage.
Read William Farmer's Bio
WGAE President Michael Winship, Emmy Award-winning senior writer of Bill Moyers Journal will lead a Q & A after the readings which are produced by WGAE lifetime member Susane Lee.
The Flop House Episode Sixty-Seven is ONLINE
John Kingman is INVITED to join Stu and Dan for a discussion of The Uninvited. See what we did there? Sigh. The quality of our clever intros is slipping just as much as the likelihood of all three co-hosts being in a room together. But that doesn't keep this second Shocktober episode from being shocktastic. Meanwhile, Dan reveals a surprising knowledge of Alanis Morrisette's ouvre, Stuart turns the audience into his personal assistants, and John patiently waits for an introduction that's a long time coming.
0:00 - 0:39 - Introduction and SHOCKTOBER theme.
0:40 - 35:46 - Turns out "The Uninvited" isn't a horror movie about an angry guest who didn't get invited to Elliott's wedding. Instead, it's about ghosts or crazy people, or some shit.
35:47- 39:13- Final judgments
39:14 - 45:44- The sad bastards recommend.
45:45 - 46:39 - Goodbyes, theme, and outtakes.
Download the MP3 directly, HERE.
Paste theflophouse.libsyn.com/rss into iTunes (or your favorite podcatching software) to have new episodes of The Flop House delivered to you directly, as they're released.
Wikipedia synopsis of The Uninvited
PLUG CORNER
Dan's screenplay (well, 20 pages of it) gets a staged reading by professional actors, along with an excerpt from another "hot screenplay" (as the press release puts it), courtesy of the WGA East, THIS MONDAY, October 18 at 7:30 PM at the JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave, at 76th St.
0:00 - 0:39 - Introduction and SHOCKTOBER theme.
0:40 - 35:46 - Turns out "The Uninvited" isn't a horror movie about an angry guest who didn't get invited to Elliott's wedding. Instead, it's about ghosts or crazy people, or some shit.
35:47- 39:13- Final judgments
39:14 - 45:44- The sad bastards recommend.
45:45 - 46:39 - Goodbyes, theme, and outtakes.
Download the MP3 directly, HERE.
Paste theflophouse.libsyn.com/rss into iTunes (or your favorite podcatching software) to have new episodes of The Flop House delivered to you directly, as they're released.
Wikipedia synopsis of The Uninvited
PLUG CORNER
Dan's screenplay (well, 20 pages of it) gets a staged reading by professional actors, along with an excerpt from another "hot screenplay" (as the press release puts it), courtesy of the WGA East, THIS MONDAY, October 18 at 7:30 PM at the JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave, at 76th St.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
The Flop House Episode Sixty-Six is ONLINE
We come roaring... well, stumbling, back with 2/3rds of The Flop House crew, plus Spanish-language podcasting superstar Federico Hatoum. And the good news is, we've returned in time for Shocktober, with the incorrectly-named Blood: The Last Vampire. Meanwhile, Elliott and Dan engage in a competition as to who can get divorced first, and Fed beguiles us with the beauty of his native tongue.
0:00 - 0:37 - Introduction and SHOCKTOBER theme.
0:38 - 8:47 - We spend nearly ten minutes introducing our special guest Federico Hatoum, and explaining why we've been M.I.A. for over a month.
8:48 - 28:49 - We talk about Blood: The Last Vampire... or, more accurately, "CG Blood: The Last Vampire."
29:50- 34:36- Final judgments
34:37 - 47:54 - PLUGS! which eventually devolve into a series of mouth-sounds.
47:55 - 58:52 - The sad bastards recommend.
58:53 - 1:00:12 - Goodbyes, theme, and outtakes.
Download the MP3 directly, HERE.
Paste theflophouse.libsyn.com/rss into iTunes (or your favorite podcatching software) to have new episodes of The Flop House delivered to you directly, as they're released.
Wikipedia synopsis of Blood: The Last Vampire
PLUG CORNER
Listen to guest host Fed Hatoum's hit Spanish-language Mac podcast PuroMac... if you speak Spanish. And like Apple products.
Elliott screens The Black Cat as part of his series "Closely Watched Films" at 92Y Tribeca, 200 Hudson St., Manhattan, on Wednesday, October 6 at 7:30 PM.
Dan's screenplay (well, 20 pages of it) gets a staged reading by professional actors, along with an excerpt from another "hot screenplay" (as the press release puts it), courtesy of the WGA East, on Monday, October 18 at 7:30 PM at the JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave, at 76th St.
0:00 - 0:37 - Introduction and SHOCKTOBER theme.
0:38 - 8:47 - We spend nearly ten minutes introducing our special guest Federico Hatoum, and explaining why we've been M.I.A. for over a month.
8:48 - 28:49 - We talk about Blood: The Last Vampire... or, more accurately, "CG Blood: The Last Vampire."
29:50- 34:36- Final judgments
34:37 - 47:54 - PLUGS! which eventually devolve into a series of mouth-sounds.
47:55 - 58:52 - The sad bastards recommend.
58:53 - 1:00:12 - Goodbyes, theme, and outtakes.
Download the MP3 directly, HERE.
Paste theflophouse.libsyn.com/rss into iTunes (or your favorite podcatching software) to have new episodes of The Flop House delivered to you directly, as they're released.
Wikipedia synopsis of Blood: The Last Vampire
PLUG CORNER
Listen to guest host Fed Hatoum's hit Spanish-language Mac podcast PuroMac... if you speak Spanish. And like Apple products.
Elliott screens The Black Cat as part of his series "Closely Watched Films" at 92Y Tribeca, 200 Hudson St., Manhattan, on Wednesday, October 6 at 7:30 PM.
Dan's screenplay (well, 20 pages of it) gets a staged reading by professional actors, along with an excerpt from another "hot screenplay" (as the press release puts it), courtesy of the WGA East, on Monday, October 18 at 7:30 PM at the JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave, at 76th St.
Thursday, September 09, 2010
9 AM Meeting NYTVF Screenings Announced!
9 AM Meeting is an official selection of the New York Television Festival. That means that our independent pilot is competing against forty-some other pilots, (ranging from 4 and 22 minutes in length) for fabulous prizes (including money, development deals, and bragging rights). Our pilot is screening twice: Wed, Sep 22, 9:45PM at Tribeca Cinemas Theater 2 and Thu, Sep 23, 7:30PM at Tribeca Cinemas Theater 1, as part... of a 1-hour "Animation Block." The screening is FREE FREE FREE (although there is a $4.50 handling fee for reserving tickets online, and reservations are highly recommended, due to the popularity of the festival). My co-writer/co-star Matt and I would really appreciate your attendance -- having a receptive crowd could only help our chances in competition, and the festival thrives on having a full, enthusiastic house. Tickets and more info available at NYTVF.com. |
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
9 AM Meeting at Channel 101 TONIGHT
"At Channel 101, the destiny of TV entertainment is in your hands! During this monthly screening, new five-minute shows from the best young writers and directors in NYC battle it out for the right to be turned into a series. The top five shows become the new "prime time" lineup for the following month; losing shows are banished forever."
Come vote for us in our 9th month! See co-9AMer Matt Koff host! Drink copiously from their bar!
92Y Tribeca
200 Hudson Street
New York, NY
8 PM - $6
Come vote for us in our 9th month! See co-9AMer Matt Koff host! Drink copiously from their bar!
92Y Tribeca
200 Hudson Street
New York, NY
8 PM - $6
Sunday, August 15, 2010
The Flop House Episode Sixty-Five is ONLINE
Is it possible John Travolta and director Walt Becker could top Wild Hogs? Well, when it comes to Old Dogs, it depends on what you mean by "top." Meanwhile, Stuart reveals some exciting personal news, Dan explains how this movie is the modern "Kangaroo Jack," and Elliott previews his new one-man show at (great) length.
0:00 - 0:33 - Introduction and theme.
0:34 - 6:13 - So much talk about weddings that you'd think you were listening to three schoolgirls, if not for the World of Warcraft reference.
6:14 - 42:05 - A scintillating discussion of Old Dogs, the family film that's fun for no ages, as well as our longest, most absurd digression yet.
42:06 - 43:03- Final judgments are handily dispensed with.
43:04 - 48:17 - Dan manages to announce our CONTEST WINNER, despite Elliott and Stu's best efforts to not let him get the name out.
48:18 - 55:45 - The sad bastards recommend.
55:46 - 58:24 - Plugs, goodbyes, theme, and outtakes.
Paste theflophouse.libsyn.com/rss into iTunes (or your favorite podcatching software) to have new episodes of The Flop House delivered to you directly, as they're released.
Wikipedia synopsis of Old Dogs
PLUG CORNER
Take a look at a preview of Age of Heroes #4, the MARVEL COMIC FEATURING A STORY WRITTEN BY THE FLOP HOUSE'S OWN ELLIOTT KALAN. Then go buy a copy of the full comic this Tuesday, ya cheapskate!
Check out the music of Lydia Burrell (AKA Alex Smith). He's a friend of Flopper Stuart, and his album was produced by My Morning Jacket frontman Yim Yames. So, you know. Hipster cred.
Dan's webseries 9 AM Meeting is an Official Selection of the New York Television and Video Festival. Check out a screening! Tickets are free, but reservations are required (box office opens September 1).
0:00 - 0:33 - Introduction and theme.
0:34 - 6:13 - So much talk about weddings that you'd think you were listening to three schoolgirls, if not for the World of Warcraft reference.
6:14 - 42:05 - A scintillating discussion of Old Dogs, the family film that's fun for no ages, as well as our longest, most absurd digression yet.
42:06 - 43:03- Final judgments are handily dispensed with.
43:04 - 48:17 - Dan manages to announce our CONTEST WINNER, despite Elliott and Stu's best efforts to not let him get the name out.
48:18 - 55:45 - The sad bastards recommend.
55:46 - 58:24 - Plugs, goodbyes, theme, and outtakes.
Press the play button above to listen to this episode
Download Mp3
Paste theflophouse.libsyn.com/rss into iTunes (or your favorite podcatching software) to have new episodes of The Flop House delivered to you directly, as they're released.
Wikipedia synopsis of Old Dogs
PLUG CORNER
Take a look at a preview of Age of Heroes #4, the MARVEL COMIC FEATURING A STORY WRITTEN BY THE FLOP HOUSE'S OWN ELLIOTT KALAN. Then go buy a copy of the full comic this Tuesday, ya cheapskate!
Check out the music of Lydia Burrell (AKA Alex Smith). He's a friend of Flopper Stuart, and his album was produced by My Morning Jacket frontman Yim Yames. So, you know. Hipster cred.
Dan's webseries 9 AM Meeting is an Official Selection of the New York Television and Video Festival. Check out a screening! Tickets are free, but reservations are required (box office opens September 1).
Monday, August 09, 2010
9 AM Meeting at the New York TV Festival!
My webseries 9 AM Meeting is an Official Selection of the 2010 New York Television Festival. It will screen in competition against 41 other independently produced TV pilots this September (Festival dates: Sept 20-25, specific screenings TBA). Fellow 9AMer Matt Koff and I will be there... WILL YOU?
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Whim Quarterly #3 Coming Soon!
The third issue of NYC's best printed-on-actual-paper humor magazine (dubbed "the choleric issue") is about to drop, and -- as always -- it features a contribution from yours truly. Start doing your core-strengthening laughing exercises now.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
The Flop House Episode Sixty-Four is ONLINE
Finally we get to watch a truly great movie, Alex Cox's seminal punk classic Repo Man, which... wait, what? We're watching Repo MEN? That piece of shit? Oy. Meanwhile, Stuart retains his man of mystery status by not revealing where he's working, Elliott gives us anecdote after delightful anecdote about Tommy Wiseau, and Dan reveals a secret plot to repossess Abraham Lincoln's organs.
0:00 - 0:33 - Introduction and theme.
0:34 - 27:35 - Jude Law and Forrest Whittaker repossess both our will to live and to discuss the movie Repo Men.
27:36 - 33:19 - Final judgments, and Elliott's rambling Lethal Weapon 2 digression.
33:20 - 49:04 - A brimming Flop House Movie Mailbag.
49:05 - 58:50 - Instead of recommendations, Elliott gives us a firsthand report on San Diego's ComiCon.
58:51 - 59:41 - Goodbyes, theme, and outtakes.
Paste theflophouse.libsyn.com/rss into iTunes (or your favorite podcatching software) to have new episodes of The Flop House delivered to you directly, as they're released.
Wikipedia synopsis of Repo Men
0:00 - 0:33 - Introduction and theme.
0:34 - 27:35 - Jude Law and Forrest Whittaker repossess both our will to live and to discuss the movie Repo Men.
27:36 - 33:19 - Final judgments, and Elliott's rambling Lethal Weapon 2 digression.
33:20 - 49:04 - A brimming Flop House Movie Mailbag.
49:05 - 58:50 - Instead of recommendations, Elliott gives us a firsthand report on San Diego's ComiCon.
58:51 - 59:41 - Goodbyes, theme, and outtakes.
Press the play button above to listen to this episode
Download Mp3
Paste theflophouse.libsyn.com/rss into iTunes (or your favorite podcatching software) to have new episodes of The Flop House delivered to you directly, as they're released.
Wikipedia synopsis of Repo Men
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Another Piece on Slate.com
Following up on the UNMITIGATED TRIUMPH of my Charlotte's Web piece, I submit to you, my faithful (and few) readers this humor essay about Inception, published in today's Slate. Enjoy it. I dare you.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)