I often hear other screenwriters, especially aspiring ones, talk about how bad and unoriginal movies are these days. And, with Variety Magazine saying the 2017 summer box office was the worst in ten years, perhaps there may be some evidence to support that argument. However, there have been bad film makers like Ed Wood who have inspired good film makers like Tim Burton to create movies about making bad films. The latest, and what appears to be a lovingly funny tribute to a cult film called The Room, originally released in 2003, has moved director-actor James Franco to make what appears to be a very creative comedy called The Disaster Artist. This movie is about Tommy Wiseau’s 2003 film, which apparently cost 6 million dollars to make, and during its limited original release grossed less than 2 thousand dollars. This movie went on to be a favorite on the midnight movie circuit and has since grossed nearly 13 million dollars worldwide. So depending on how The Disaster Artist does at the box office, which by preliminary indications is getting a great buzz, it appears this story about bad writing and filmmaking continues to stack up capital in the irony department. Below are links to an 8-minute clip of The Room, as well as a trailer to James Franco’s tribute movie The Disaster Artist.
Screenwriting : "The Room", a badly written film with a happy ending. by Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique
Other topics in Screenwriting:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
2 people like this
Niche movie with big players involved. A24 distribution. Ratpac Ent funded. Franco starrin and directing.
folks with track records get to play with niche projects. So my advice to aspiring Writers- go make your own movies, build a track record and then ask for money to make a niche movie.
Absolutely one of my all-time favorites. That and "Birdemic: Shock and Terror". Both of them by SF Bay Area director/writers. Go figure.
I remember watching a review for this years ago, I thought it looked like a hilarious watch, I forgot about until now.
The guys from MST3000 did a live "Riff-Trax" on The Room that was hilarious! That was the only way I would watch it!
1 person likes this
Lisa: That sounds funny.
Never seen this before, was fun.
https://www.rifftrax.com/the-room
1 person likes this
Janet, Tommy bankrolled the movie himself. I had a lunch with Tommy about 13 years ago - when the infamous "Billboard" for The Room was still up in Hollywood - and that was something I'll never forget. Long story, but after seeing the billboard and this "movie" I tracked him down and had to talk to him. He treated for lunch and it was a very unusual experience. Tommy had a little $ and bankrolled The Room himself. Also, while The Room has been hailed as the worst movie of all-time, it attained a cult status, and that's part of the joke. That's why Franco and his buddies got this movie made. It's about this bad movie that cost way too much considering what it was made the wrong way that in the end more than doubled its profits. It's also fantastically bad - like all-time bad. But, with the lines of people - MONTHLY - in Hollywood and New York, which included celebrities like Alec Baldwin, it was only a matter of time before this story was told cinematically. After Greg Sestero wrote The Disaster Artist it was inevitable that Hollywood would come calling. Having met Tommy and being very familiar with The Room, the infamous billboard and having read the book, I am anxious to see this film.
Tommy's billboard was a part of my life for several years. It brought joy to my existence on a daily basis. Every time I drove past it, I'd say "You're tearing me apart, Lisa!" It instantly made me feel better. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who said that, or felt that way, either.
Back then, if you frequented the coffee shops or bars where struggling and even successful writers hung out, every half-hour or so you would hear someone utter "You're tearing me apart!" Or "shame on you!" The Room even sometimes played on multiple screens in those midnight showings, due to its popularity.
That is so cool that Tommy's vision lives on in The Disaster Artist. What would be even cooler? If it wins Best Picture of the Year. All would be right in the world - at least for 30 seconds. I'm probably going to buy Tommy's script for The Room from his website - the three pairs of Tommy Wiseau underwear that come with it make it a "Can't Go Wrong" kinda deal, wouldn't you say?
You're tearing me apart, Lisa! Heh-heh. Great post, Phillip! On this very sad day in Las Vegas, you helped make me smile for a few minutes.
MAY THE HEAVENS BLESS THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES OF THE LAS VEGAS SHOOTING TRAGEDY.
Bill C:
1. Thanks for posting and it's good to hear your reflections about this project. I'm really looking forward to seeing the film.
2. When I got up this morning and turned on my usual news program, the Vegas tragedy just kicked the stuffing out of me. I'm so sorry for the families and the city of LV. Such a senseless slaughter continues to boggle our minds on the heels of so much devastation wrought by the hurricanes. I share your last sentiment in your post and pray that we continue to go about our daily lives without letting men like the one who did this try to stop us in our tracks. The heroic souls that helped people last night and during the hurricanes are the people that make us a great nation.