It shows how out of it I was in trying to be in it, acknowledging that I was out of it to myself, and then thinking, “Okay, how do I stop being out of it? Well, I get some legitimate illogical narrative ideas” — some novel, you know?
So I decided on three writers that I might be able to option their material and get some producer, or myself as producer, and then get some writer to do a screenplay on it, and maybe make a movie.
And so the three projects were “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” “Naked Lunch” and a collection of Bukowski. Which, in 1975, forget it — I mean, that was nuts. Hollywood would not touch any of that, but I was looking for something commercial, and I thought that all of these things were coming.
There would be no Blade Runner if there was no Ray Bradbury. I couldn’t find Philip K. Dick. His agent didn’t even know where he was. And so I gave up.
I was walking down the street and I ran into Bradbury — he directed a play that I was going to do as an actor, so we know each other, but he yelled “hi” — and I’d forgot who he was.
So at my girlfriend Barbara Hershey’s urging — I was with her at that moment — she said, “Talk to him! That guy really wants to talk to you,” and I said “No, fuck him,” and keep walking.
But then I did, and then I realized who it was, and I thought, “Wait, he’s in that realm, maybe he knows Philip K. Dick.” I said, “You know a guy named—” “Yeah, sure — you want his phone number?”
My friend paid my rent for a year while I wrote, because it turned out we couldn’t get a writer. My friends kept on me about, well, if you can’t get a writer, then you write.”
~ Hampton Fancher
“That was the most disappointing thing to me in how this thing was played. Is that I’m on the phone with you now, after all that’s been said, and the fundamental distinction between what James is dealing with in these other cases is not actually brought to the fore. The fundamental difference is that James Franco didn’t seek to use his position to have sex with anyone. There’s not a case of that. He wasn’t using his position or status to try to solicit a sexual favor from anyone. If he had — if that were what the accusation involved — the show would not have gone on. We would have folded up shop and we would have not completed the show. Because then it would have been the same as Harvey Weinstein, or Les Moonves, or any of these cases that are fundamental to this new paradigm. Did you not notice that? Why did you not notice that? Is that not something notable to say, journalistically? Because nobody could find the voice to say it. I’m not just being rhetorical. Why is it that you and the other critics, none of you could find the voice to say, “You know, it’s not this, it’s that”? Because — let me go on and speak further to this. If you go back to the L.A. Times piece, that’s what it lacked. That’s what they were not able to deliver. The one example in the five that involved an issue of a sexual act was between James and a woman he was dating, who he was not working with. There was no professional dynamic in any capacity.
~ David Simon
I enjoy Holm’s writing and have greatly missed it; my check’s in the mail.
It’s a damned shame that hardworking people who get seriously ill have to resort to fundraisers to pay for their medical expenses.
i wish i could help. we have a similar situation with an actress in town who is in need of a heart transplant and has no insurance. i just donated some money and a bunch of memorabilia i’d collected over the years for a silent auction.
as i get older, i see a lot of my peers in situations like this. it’s great when people can come together like this to try and make a bad situation more manageable.
Sorry to hear. Hope things turn out well for him. My capacity for sympathy is greatly reduced by the fact that he seems to blame “America” for a lack of insurance. Most likely, its his own fault.
I am self-employed. I make less than America’s average per capita GDP. I insure myself, my wife, and my two kids. I pay 100% of my premiums.
There is a small percentage of people who can’t afford insurance, and don’t qualify for help. A small percentage. The rest of the whiners need to get their priorities straight.
Man mysteryperfecta, you’re just so much better than Holm and so many other people. Is it difficult living day to day knowing you’re just that much better? I feel for you, I really do.
All the best to Holm.
I have no doubt mysteryperfecta is anxious to vote for McCain and regularly basks in the glory of Jesus.
Here’s hping mysteryperfecta gets the full advantage of his wonderful insurance plan: I’m thinking an oozing boil on the tip of his dong, followed by a kidney stone.
Mysteryperfecta: YOU SHOULD’NT HAVE TO PAY 100% PREMIUMS! What kind of delusions do you live under, that you believe what you pay makes any sense? The country should be able to pull this off. The inherent ridiculous belief that paying that much money for insurance in this country is a good thing, keeps the motherfuckers in charge believing they can keep pulling the wool over eyes. Wake up.
Come on guys, let’s not use this post as a space to spout about the merits (or demerits) of health insurance in this country.
D.K. Holm is a damn fine film writer and I’ll be sending a check his way. Regardless of the circumstances, he is a talented man in a bad way who could use some genuine kindness.
“It’s a damned shame that hardworking people who get seriously ill have to resort to fundraisers to pay for their medical expenses.”
Mysteryperfecta didn’t say it like I would have, but please people, use this as a lesson and protect yourself. If you are lucky enough to be in at least average health right now, get health insurance! It’s not nearly as expensive as you think it is. Sometimes it just takes a rearranging of priorities.
Some responses here are so typical… the riduculous ad hominem blather of don lewis and christian, the ignorant nonsense of IOIOIOI (do you know what insurance premiums are?), and drgogol wishing I get sick.
I did not spout about the merit/demerits of health insurance in this country (and both exist), I merely made an appeal to personal responsibility. I gave a personal example only to show that, as Josh Massey reiterated, having insurance is often a matter of priorites more than it is a matter of money.
NOWHERE did I infer that DK Holm deserves his sickness. I simply stated that the apparent finger-pointing at his government was a bit of a turn-off. I LOVE the fact that they’re holding a fundraiser for Holm, and that people are volutarily giving money to meet his medical expenses. I hope he makes a full recovery.
When my mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer a number of years ago, my parents did not have medical insurance. They rolled the dice, and lost. My dad ended up with bills that I believe reached six-figures. It took him years to pay those bills off. Yes, insurance is costly and getting costlier. Yes the system has serious flaws. But coverage is currently feasible for the vast majority of the 47 million uninsured.
Nowehere did I imply that you hoped Holm stayed sick or whatever. I was merely stating it’s bad form to say “well, dude should get his act together” in a thread where we’re talking about his illness.
You can think that and say it to friends, but do you really need to print it out and put it in a thread that’s asking people for help with this? Like Holm isn’t going to read this thread.
If you can’t see how rude and lame that is, you’ve got bigger problems than Holm does with his lack of insurance. Typical BS from one of the webs brave anonymous posters.
Don Lewis: Forget it, man. If the dude is going to say of this parents — “They rolled the dice, and they lost” — after his mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer, I don’t think you’re going to get very far appealing to his compassionate side. Dig?
“If you can’t see how rude and lame that is, you’ve got bigger problems than Holm does with his lack of insurance.”
I doubt anyone would agree that my alleged insensitivity is a bigger problem than Holm’s lack of insurance. That’s ridiculous on its face. And I’ve repeatedly communicated my sincere best wishes regarding his situation. But I do not believe Holm’s unfortunate circumstances give him immunity to make public statements without response. That’s the Cindy Sheehan defense, and I reject it. I took exception to a SPECIFIC comment on a public blog. And again, cancer is a terrible disease that I do not wish on anyone. My best wishes to Holm and his family.
“Typical BS from one of the webs brave anonymous posters.”
Its BS because, unlike you, I don’t have something to shill? Anonymity has no bearing on my points. Your comment is just more ad hominem nonsense.
Joe Leydon: Is THAT what you gleaned from my post? Doesn’t your job entail critical thought? It goes without saying that my parent’s ordeal was devastating to me. It doesn’t take away from the fact that in deciding against coverage, they were rolling the dice. When I was younger, I rolled the dice. Millions of people take their chances, at their discretion. Some lose. A minimum level of comprehension is required to understand that.
Thanks for helping put the word out on this, David.
And for the single best account of Doug’s work and plight, go here: http://culturepulp.typepad.com/culturepulp/2008/04/dk-holm-could-u.html
Shawn Levy
Yes, Mystery. After applying all the critical thought what you wrote is worth — 10, maybe 15 seconds — that is what I gleaned from your post: You are an asshole. And a cold-blooded one, at that. Frankly, if you were my kid, I’d disown you. I would really love to hear what your father would say if you told him about your posting this anecdote here.
BTW: I truly hope — and I mean this sincerely, without any snark or sarcasm intended, that, despite everything, including your cavalier attitude, your mom survived. My wife is about to celebrate the third anniversary of her successful (and early) treatment for breast cancer. Of course, she was able to get health insurance through her employer.
So mysteryperfecta is an asshole but Obama characterizing his grandmother as a racist is brave? He is only an asshole to you because you disagree with his politics.
Monco: No, Obama has nothing to do with it. You are the only one bringing that into the mix, obviously because of your politics. Mystery is an asshole because he is, demonstrably, an asshole. As, apparently, are you. Next question.
Joe-
I don’t know what to say. 10-15 seconds of critical thought should have been plenty to understand what I was saying. For you, it wasn’t. That’s to your own discredit.
There was nothing cynical, cold-blooded, or cavalier about what I said. It was just an unfortunate reality– my parents weren’t insured when catasrophe struck. It resulted in a significant financial burden. I wish it were otherwise. DK Holm doesn’t have insurance, and I wish it were otherwise. I hope his financial burden is met. Perhaps I could have chosen my words more delicately, but I only submitted that the finger-pointing is likely unjustified. It doesn’t make me an asshole because I recognize that fact. And I agree with Monco’s assertion that politics play a part in your response.
My mom died two months after she was diagnosed (which was about six years ago). I’m glad your wife is winning her battle. I’m sorry I derailed this topic.
Sorry for the double-post.
Politics play a part in everyone’s response don’t they? And what the hell does Obama’s grandmother have to do with this topic?