Virtually all art is meant to be interactive in that it requires/demands an audience to fully complete it.

And the audience *does* change the work--most noticably in live performance, but even in recorded performance. As each viewer/listener brings their life to the painting, the film, the play, the song--only then is the film/play/song realized.

On occasion, I hear sentiments that round out to "I don't act (sing) for an audience--I act/sing for myself." And I always reply "There's a word for that--masturbation."

BTW, this is a most uncharacteristic mode for me, since I'm the type of person who would rather ask "When do we eat" than "Why are we here" (unless I don't like the restaurant!)

Since to me the internet is a venue for public creativity, and I'm one of those who feels that art lies in the eye of the beholder, is it art?

Please e-mail me if you are interested.

This Brian Friel play stars Joel Grey, John Glover, Kate Burton, Michael Emerson among others.

Art is an organic thing, it changes and grows, as with everything in this world.

I would hope the artist/creator would know before he started a project whether it would be interactive or not, or how it would likely change.

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For example, a director makes a movie and tests it in front of various audiences before it officially opens; based on audience reactions, he alters the ending. This happens weekly; no problem.

But what if I get a "user-friendly" DVD and alter the film according to what I want it to be? I grant you that the film is still art. But whose art? His? Mine? Ours? When he's never met me nor I him? (And if we do meet, does he buy lunch?)

And how are audiences going to perceive a film that they know they can alter?

Nobody would go to the Louvre and paint a smile on the Mona Lisa. They can buy a poster at the gift shop, take it home and paint it on there. But the original is still the art work. Will it be the same with film?

Magda – in answer to your question about art, I believe that due to the technologies you speak of, art is becoming more and more accessible to everyone. People are able to experience many different art forms through the internet, through television and the media.

They are generally more aware of the world around them. They are able to create their own art, whether electronically or using traditional means, and draw on many varied and personal experiences, as well as learned experiences.

Art is one of the fundamental differences between us and the other inhabitants of this planet. Man has always created objects and paintings, even when he was still living in caves.

(1) Saw a feature (on E! was it?--don't recall) recently about how much the youth market is dominating cinematic casting. An implication that could be drawn was that those of us not 20-something are lucky to have anything to watch! May also explain why Mr. Rickman appears to have "broadened his net" in selecting parts these days.

(2) IndiWire, either yesterday or today, posted an editorial about how Hollywood fears the web--the thrust of which was that people are more interested in personal communication than in public creativity. (Seems to me the proliferation of independent film, and the record movie year rather countermand these concerns, however.)

(3) Yes, I think there will still be art at the end of the decade. I fear, however, that Bill Gates will have bought it all!

(4) As to the impact of web sites such as this one, Fausta, I continue in spare moments to read the archives (just a couple of more months to go!) and saw this post from Delia in July 1998:

So here's a philosophical question for you all: Are we living through the last decades of art? With the advent of technologies that will allow us to alter any art form - music, paintings, film - in almost any way we chose, will art still exist? Or will we regress to what it was a bare couple of centuries ago: something that a small minority of people experienced personally?

What do you think?

(Note to AR's agent: Have you noticed that Geoffrey Rush is getting AR-ish parts? Hmmmm?)

I do wonder about this new technology, however. I don't think film-makers have plumbed the depths of what's now possible on these small disks. How about alternate endings? Or alternate casts? Or add your own soundtrack based on the customer's tastes?

On Friday, two cable guys came to repair the problem. When they saw my wallpaper, they asked "Isn't that that actor from Die Hard?" Since the pic was of Jamie, I believe they deserve extra points for recognizing him. ;-) When I mentioned that I had met AR at his book signing, they asked "Does his voice sound like that for real?" HaHa!

It also has trailers and other promotional information from the studios.

In addition to dozens of gibberish phrases like "A rat likes TV", it also came out with "Alias trek TV".

Hmmmm.

If you're planning an autumn trip to England, you'll have further chances to see "Antony & Cleopatra". The RSC will be presenting a week of five "Antony's" at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, from Tuesday, 9 November through Saturday, 13 November

Enobarbus is a plumb part. Both were well played although different. RSC was the older soldier routine .. whereas the RNT was novel in going for a younger player.

Ceasar at RSC (Guy Henry) was pretty good and suffers only by comparison with Sam West who was excellent at RNT - West is a *great* verse speaker.

How did Finbar Lynch (who created quite the ruckus on Broadway earlier this year due to his star behaviors!) compare with the RSC version of Enobarbus (whom you rated heads above the rest of the cast)?

Also, was "Thursday the 20th" at the RSC or last year at the National? I'm a wee bit confused is all concerning your remark about "not taking the blame" for the ladies not returning. Was this at the RSC performance or the RNT performance? Go ahead, Rickmanites .. bop me on the head .. I'm slow these days.

Here it goes again:

At http://www.cinescape.com/ there are the same "GQ bubble gum card pictures" as at the AICN site but they're better quality and you can click on them to see them at near screen size.

BUT!

I looked at AR's photo card in large format (and I have a very good monitor screen) and it looks like...I don't want anyone to panic here - I'm trying to be responsible...it looks like, in addition to covering up his hair, ...they...also...put...a...putty...bridge...on...his...nose.

:)

Check a new movie photo of AR gritting his teeth and swinging a battle ax (either a cropped two-bladed one or he's holding it backwards).

"I received an early press kit on this flick [GQ] last week at the TV station where I work (we get stuff like this all the time). The one-page release spun the fiction that this film originated as a 1979-83 TV series that "finally" is being made into a motion picture. A weak tongue-in-cheek attempt at creating a false history of this film-within-a- film...and I should note that the release presented it totally straight. Unwitting journalists are going to fall for this. Look forward to seeing all kinds of erroneous references to this flick's TV origins in articles and reviews. The release came with some GQ trading cards."

So we can watch the hype unfold (unravel?) from a safe seat in the front section.

This can also be seen as a preventive health measure as it will also cut down on the need to resusitate people.

"While at Stratford, she started writing and performing her own shows, enlisting the help of other RSC performers, including Jane Lapotaire, Ian Charleson, Zoe Wanamaker, Alan Rickman, Jonathan Pryce and David Suchet. The "Johnson Wax Floorshow," which she devised with Darlene Johnson, transferred from Stratford to the Young Vic Theatre in London, with a cast that later included the popular British comedian Rik Mayall. This success was followed by "Desperately Yours," which Wax wrote and starred in alongside Juliet Stevenson. Along with director Alan Rickman, she later took the show to New York, where it became an off-Broadway hit."

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw- cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=147888529

" 411 giving a look at GALAXY QUEST

Well here's a report from an agent who's very name means information... That's right, 411, is here with the listing and info for GALAXY QUEST. I can't wait to get a glimpse at this film as it sounds like it is right up my alley. We should be able to tell alot from the trailers. It sounds funny... but will it look right? Hmmmm...

Just a short note to let you know that I read the GALAXY QUEST script and, if they hew close to the draft I read, it could be one of the funniest sci-fi films ever! It's almost a direct take-off of Star Trek (i.e. the egomaniacal Captain that is hated by the rest of the cast, the "serious" actor that gets stuck playing the alien, etc.) It starts off at a sci-fi convention where the cast is reluctantly making a personal appearance. The Thermians, disguised as fan geeks, spot Nesmith and soon after approach him to help them in their fight against the evil Sarris. He thinks it's an acting gig and agrees, but then they transport him halfway across the galaxy to their ship -- a faithful recreation ofthe NSEA Protector. (The joke of all this is that the Thermians don't realize that the Galaxy Quest TV show was fiction -- they think it was a historical record of the crew's voyages).

Well, Nesmith soon recruits the rest of the cast to help him and, as they say, hilarity ensues. All of the characters are well-drawn and funny -- especially a character named "Guy" who once played a "red shirt" in the original series and now is petrified that he is going to be killed on this adventure. Believe me, Harry, this is every sci-fi film (esp. Star Trek) geek's dream flick!"

Had to relate this snippet of a Guardian UK review of Wild, Wild West.

"There isn't. Like two glum pandas munching bamboo in London zoo and refusing to mate, Kevin Kline and Will Smith simply decline to create any sort of on-screen chemistry."

"Dogma" to show at NYC Film Festival Sept/Oct

In today's Hollywood Reporter: N.Y. fest goes to 'extremes' NEW YORK -- The lineup of this year's New York Film Festival is dominated by controversial fare, including Kevin Smith's satire of Roman Catholicism, "Dogma," Harmony Korine's Dogma 95-style "Julien Donkey-Boy" and Frenchman Léos Carax's "Pola X," which was booed at its Cannes premiere. (snip)

There are several of the cast in baseball-card type poses (AR is in a mock threatening pose holding a ray-gun) and several scenes. In one AR is slumped over a rock and there are pictures of the aliens too.

If you can't access the above, go to http://www.aint-it- cool-news.com and, under search, ask for "Galaxy Quest" and look for the article on Aug. 12.

While I'm at it, am I the only one who would like to see more of the Maugham works made into films? The Moon and Sixpence is the first, obviously. This man has written some great books. I've not read them all, but what I have I've enjoyed so very much.

Does anyone have a favorite Maugham story or character? If so, e-mail me privately and we'll chat about it/them. I wouldn't want to take up any more space here with my personal drivel.

Why is it that (in this era of remakes and turning novels into films) there is no talk of putting more of his works on the big screen? In my humble opinion, they'd be wonderful as films .. and would put me in a theater seat (if well-done that is) many times over.

Thank you, Georgiana, for sharing the information regarding the Minghella news at the Variety site.

I, for one, am anxiously awaiting his latest (having followed ALL the news with a fervor ever since the days of pre-production). "The Talented Mr. Ripley" will highlight an all-star cast featuring Matt Damon (also to be seen in AR's Dogma), Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, and Cate Blanchett.

The book that this film is based on (and the ensuing series on the devious Ripley) is great. The books, written by Patricia Highsmith, are ones that I would highly recommend to any and all of you. I'd venture a guess that Joan in NY and Debbie in Canada would recommend them as well. Now, whether or not that's true, I do know that the three of us will be there "en masse" when the film finally makes its debut!

Thursday August 12 3:00 AM ET

Connery is century's sexiest man -- poll NEW YORK (Reuters) - Scottish actor Sean Connery is the sexiest man of the century, according to a poll by New Woman magazine.

The 68-year-old actor best known for his series of James Bond films topped the women's magazine Internet poll over Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson and Brad Pitt.

Pitt, however, can take consolation in being named the ``guy you would most like to repopulate the world with after a Martian invasion.'' He was followed by Gibson.

The poll, to which more than 16,000 readers responded, appears in the September issue of New Woman.

Sixty percent of the women polled considered the heart to be the most important organ, followed by the brain at 25 percent.

Penis size ranked 20th, and last, in importance among physical traits, far behind such characteristics as eyes, smile and hands.

Turnoffs for the poll respondents included arrogance, followed by big egos, self-centeredness and rudeness or lack of respect.

And despite his recent box office success opposite Julia Roberts in ``Notting Hill,'' British actor Hugh Grant's boyish charm is apparently wearing off -- 64 percent of respondents branded him ``over.''

Ford topped the list for most appeal among actors in ''mid- life,'' followed by Richard Gere and Kevin Costner.

Other findings included sense of humor as the personality trait most able to make an ordinary guy ``instantly irresistible,'' and jeans as the clothes that make men appear the most sexy.

Miramax styles ensemble cast for 'Better' pic

When I finally got the tapes recently, I sat down in front of my TV and almost swallowed my teeth! The first tape has a 5- minute clip from a movie/entertainment show called Cinema Cha-Cha. The other is a roughly 45-minute press conference of AR fielding questions from journalists. The questions themselves were in Japanese and flash across the screen, but the actual asking and translating parts are deleted to save time; AR had an interpreter by his side, just off camera. It's fabulous! These are also quite special because my friends are not Japanese, (though one of them is learning Kanji on his own), they happened to pick up on these programs in passing. Then they tried several times to tape them at other showings to get entirely with the best quality. It was a most generous investment of their time and consideration (I've thanked them profusely and still want to send them a body part in gratitude!)

Since then I'd been in a quandry because I want so much to share these jewels with you all, but I could not imagine the time to tape, wear and tear on everything and the cost to accommodate everyone. I finally brought this dilemma up with a friend who asked me to reconsider a tape tree, and I've concluded this would be the best and fastest way to get them to you. For those who aren't familiar with the term, a tape tree is actually a round robin (with tapes, of course): I make a dub (or a few dubs to have them go around simultaneously and organized regionally in North America) and create a list of you who request it. The dub and the list of names/addresses goes to each one of you to dub for yourselves, with my original dub being passed on so that everyone has the same generation.

--For those of you who don't have dubbing capabilities, you or I can try to find someone on the list who would be willing to make one for you, and I know there are a whole lot of you kind souls out there who would help out.
--For those few of you who can't divulge your address publicly or don't have a PO Box, let me know and we'll try to work something out. I'm intensely discreet and trustworthy (I have references too! :-) ) --For those of you with PAL systems, I have one PAL copy to distribute, though at the end of its run, I'd like to have it back since it's hard for me to get copies in that format.

I think I've covered all bases except if someone asks me if I have a SECAM version, but if that comes up, I'll do my best to accommodate you! All you have to do now is e-mail me at PrisAB234@aol.com (not the other one from the other post--I won't be able to get anything straight, otherwise!)--your full name and address, a phone number for my purposes only and your e-mail address (as a backup; I like to be complete), and I'll compile 4 regional lists. If some of you are within driving distance of each other, you can hand the tape over instead of chancing it in the postal system. I just bought better-than-usual-quality videotapes yesterday, which are thicker and durable for these purposes, allowing for best picture and sound quality and little chance of damage in machines. My copy is right off the broadcast, so the quality is superior.

From the I HAVE SOMETHING TO ASK dept.: I am writing an article for Clarity magazine, a publication that deals with women's issues with a spiritual edge, on people who care for their elderly parents. I have my own story plus a couple of other scenarios, but my editor would like me to contact a woman, single or married, who has a child or children and who has had to take in an elderly parent permanently (that is, into their existing home, not someone who goes to the parent's house sporadically to care for them). The object is to get the impact on the family and the children with such a change. It's to be a helpful article for those who may be faced with these decisions and for those who may be having trouble with this type of situation now.

From my friend at Technicolor, who's been involved in the technical end of the industry for over a dozen years:

The network version of a film (inc. pan and scan) depends on a number of factors, including the spx for the original film print. (35mm? 70mm? Dolby digital? THX? The list goes on, of course.) Transferring a film (inc. the number of channels/tracks available for sound) is a complex process ("when it's done right")--inc. re-EQing sound for simpler forms of stereo than are used in theatres. It can also be a very simple process when it's just dumped into 1" or even 3/4" video.

The original print of DH most likely had digital sound-- which would have enabled someone to alter just one channel of the soundtrack without affecting everything else. However, the videotape version has had both audio and video compressed, and pinpoint alteration would have been a more complicated process, if it were possible at all.

The answer to Gilda's question--without my friend having seen/heard the transfer in question--is that the cable version is very likely 2- or 4-track stereo...and yes, it's possible that to edit out an expletive, sound effects were edited out as well.

I hope this is vaguely comprehensible. If not, let me know what's muddled and I'll go in search of clarification.

• GQ: Variety Aug. 2nd, 1999

If it's on USA again (and it seems it airs about once every two weeks), I'll take a look and see if I can figure it out. Ordinarily, even with pan and scan, the sound is left unaffected. Hmmmm.

Ummmm ...well lots of glasses of the local stuff later here at the keyboard. Yes breathe again, scanner and CPP page update soon as I'm being expelled for importing too many Rickman audio tapes!
Thanks to all the e-friends who have made this such a great tour, you can just never tell where visiting this page will lead. For my family it has been truly the holiday of our lives -- thanks again guys!

UK ‘Dogma’ Release Date?

(But not by me, drat!)

Mr. Rickman appeared as guest instructor at an acting class here in LA that was attended by an actress friend (well, more than friend--she's working on my new piece). She reports him to be charming, passionate (about the work), keen in his critique--and in the company of a delightful woman about half his height...yes, Ms. Horton. Apparently, drinks after class were far more entertaining than class itself and the conversation was "amazing".

The catalogue number for Tubular Bells 2 is (from what I can discern here on the CD) 9 45041-2, distributed by Warner Brothers in 1992. AR does his speaking on a cut (number five) called "The Bells", and he is credited only as Master of Ceremonies, A Strolling Player.

You really must get a copy, if at all possible...."The Voice" is quite remarkable as he introduces the instruments, as detailed in Georgianna's previous post!

DENNIS POTTER: A Biography

by Humphrey Carpenter

St. Martin's Press

If you or someone you know likes Shakespeare or Branagh or both, the Kenneth Branagh list is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the release of Branagh's Henry V with a commemorative T-shirt/ sweatwhirt, with all proceeds to the Ulster Association of Youth Drama. A link to the design (which is great) and details are at :
http://www.branaghcompendium.com/randomnotes.htm#henry99

You can get an e-mail order form from ngoc@uclink4.berkeley.edu or from me at reniept@hotmail.com. Act soon, orders due by Aug 31! Thanks, everyone!

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALAN RICKMAN

Some of you may remember that a long time ago I posted a note that I had written a crime novel with Alan in mind as the inspector. His unique way of bringing characters alive is such an inspiration.

And now (after just two years of being swamped with rejections :-) ) I sold it to a publisher. Hadn't it been for Alan, I wouldn't have had the stamina to get my dream fulfilled. I'm so happy and grateful, and a little proud, too.

And, to Renie: as long as you pitch a good concept, you don't really need a script. A loose outline, with some "temporary" dialogue will do you just fine. I'm not sure that a writer/director has substantially more control over his/her work (than what? the gardener? the chauffeur? the laundress? the massage therapist? the f****** poodle's manicurist?) Producers step in. (Or should that be "on"?) Studio executives step in. On more occasions than we officially know, editors step in. Real control is in the checkbook--if you can write the check, you more often than not get your way.

"Last month squashed all prior July box office records, with a $917.3 million tally — 13% better than the former championship season of 1998. The frame also squeaked by 1994’s ticket-sales heights by 1% with an estimated 182.7 million admissions. The moviegoing landscape took a complete about-turn from 1998, when the marketplace was dominated by a couple of distribs and a few blockbuster titles. "

The article goes on to list the various cash intakes of the summer's movies. I expect that we'll be seeing Wild, Wild West and Inspector Gadget sequels and knock-offs for some time to come.

But nowhere in the article does it suggest that the combination of searing summer heat waves and air- conditioned theatres might, just might, have had something to do with it.

Not are you the only Rickman here, I think you're also our sole male perspective. . .

On a personal note, I didn't meet one of the branches of my tree--also second cousins, until I was in my early twenties and we are incredibly close now. It was amazing to meet people who shared the same sense of humour, the same mindsets and ideals, as well as some common relatives. If I had to explain it, it was if I'd suddenly been introduced to some longstanding friends whom I'd never met, if that makes any sense whatsoever.

Makes an intersting case for the 'heredity VS. environment' arugement.

1) Are you older than AR? Do you have blue eyes, salt-and- pepper hair and a greyish sort of trenchcoat, and were you on the purple line of London's underground last April 17th? If so, I know you!

2)Your family isn'tt very close, is it? I mean, you're second cousins, and yet you've only met once? (Please don't take offense, this is an innocent question!)

3) Are you married, and if not, will you marry me? (This is not-so serious, but I would like an answer, as well as for you not to take offence again.)

Enjoyed As You Like It last night here in Marin, and the Jacques looked eerily like AR might have (tall, lean, prominent nose, sonorous voice), except not as young, and not nearly as handsome. (And nothing like AR's hands.) Really made me wish I'd been able to see AR's performance, as melancholy but amusing Jacques sings as well. The "court" was a modern icky 80's chrome hotel, full of briefcases and "suits"--even the women. The Forest of Arden crew were a pre-LL Bean bunch (earth shoes and plaid flannels.) Touchstone, in a colorful vest and a knit rasta cap was funny, and my son Brennan was taking notes on the sight gags for his upcoming performance. (Forgive my crowing.) Jacques was faintly beat generation, with a black beret and shirt, and grey suit.

BTW, the UKAAS currently has a nice TMD pho! to as the background on the main page. http://members.tripod.com/~BASKERTON/indexpage.html