Hi. My name is...Mike Rael

Posted by MikeRael 11 years, 11 months ago to The Gulch: Introductions
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I'm glad to be here, since I've been into Rand for, oh, 40 years or so. Unfortunately, I rate the Galt movies, thus far, at about a B- for various reasons. In Galt 1, there were a number of spots where Rand's own words would have been more dramatically effective than what I saw. In Galt 2, long stretches of action came on that made it seem more like a typical action-adventure movie rather than something that expresses philosophy by cinematic demonstration.


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  • Posted by $ dhinet 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Sure, I will put something together. I am just the seed planter. I just see the need for more of this.
    I am not a producer or in the business. I am a dreamer, an early adopter....
    Naive to the mechanics of getting it done, but one who asks how we can get it done?
    There are thousands of talented people here. Need to get them excited.
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  • Posted by MikeJoyous 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hi Bill:) I think you got to be a lot more explicit so I understand very clearly what you are saying, my friend. So far, I get the time is now ripe for change and that writers have more freedom to make changes. You seem to be suggesting that an article be written? Tell ya what, Bill: my email address is mailto:mikerael50@yahoo.com Why not write me there and tell me everything that is in your mind about this, OK?
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  • Posted by $ dhinet 11 years, 9 months ago
    Hi Mike, welcome to the Gulch, Glad you made it! Don't forget to watch the final day of filming (for us Producers Only), Friday 2/14. It has been a hoot.
    Learned a lot about the movie making business. Chat with other producers as they are filming live.
    Hope to see you there or here in the Gulch.
    Bill PS I hope AS III is more to your liking. They say it will be the best one yet. But I am pushing for a Netflix original series to go in depth.
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  • Posted by $ dhinet 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hi Mike, This is the type of action that could change the landscape. I have been planting the seed with all the people on the filming set. Associate Producers, actors, ...anyone I get to that might listen or pass the word. Mike, this could be the start of something really big. First of all, the media is hungry for product. Years past you had to pitch a studio, have them block you because of their political point of view, or if the did it, they would pressure you to tone down the scripts. Now with Netflix, The Blaze, Amazon Prime... the stream is open.
    And now with the Gulch, you the writers have all the help you need to make the content AMAZING. In the little time I have been here, I think this is the best mix of ideas writers could find. These Galts Gulchers are amazing, they would keep the scripts and storylines on track and on message teaching young and old. We need to write an article to post a new topic. Get this rolling. There will be lots of new interest when AS III is released in September. Need to move on this to catch the wave. Mike, I think this is very doable. John and Joan Aglialoro own the book rights and I am sure would be interested. I am 62, had a hardware business and have left the business to work with a Chinese engineer on some new lock ideas.
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  • Posted by MikeJoyous 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I like the idea of that Netflix original series, Bill. I sure wish I could participate in that series.I'm thinking in terms of screenwriting. I recently rewrote "Julius Caesar" by Shakespeare, and I gotta admit it's pretty darned good!
    What do you want to do now, Bill? Do you want to eventually make a movie of your own?
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  • Posted by Lucky 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I put myself in for this one. The answer to your question I don't know.
    Suggestions, use the search box near the top right hand side under the word, history. You will get pages of responses probably, it would be good if they can be limited to the category Movies but I cannot see how. The search facility is a bit basic.
    If you want only the posts of person XX. Put XX in the search box, press, search. You may, or may not, get a screen with a view box which allows choice of, submitted, or, comments. It seems to be inconsistent when I try it, may depend on the person.
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  • Posted by Lucky 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Names- The question is ok to put and to decline.
    Rand's language- but your point was good. There is a certain stiffness which could be explained by translation. I reckon it took decades in concept so she was planning it out, words as well as plot, well before publishing.
    My opinion about the AS movie- As I am busy/lazy at the moment may I suggest you take a look at earlier posts? I have given some brilliant insights (self praise is no praise - bah!) other people here have also made great comments.
    Yes, that scene in the book where ALL the train drivers ignore the union advice and volunteer, great drama, good message too.
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  • Posted by $ Mimi 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Okay. Thanks! There will be a quiz in the middle of next week. (Just joking.)
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  • Posted by 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hi Mimi:) I began today posting my first thoughts about the first 10 minutes or so of ASI. I'll add to it tomorrow.
    Mike
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  • Posted by 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I've never been a fan of paintings. I guess that's because I've gone to art galleries and have seen one hideous painting after another:( I do have one semi-nude in my place that gives me a sense of the sublime. It's the only painting I own.
    What kind of subjects do you paint?
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I am a painter in oils, acrylic and watercolor. I prefer oils but enjoy the other two mediums. Also a big fan of charcoal. I also play around with photography.
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  • Posted by 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Danke schon, O Non:) Don't you get tired of being called "Non?" Doesn't make you think of non-A?? anyways, do you paint? Write? Sing? What kind of artist are you? So far, I've written what I know is a unique version of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," filled with poetic flow, loads of clarity, and an insight into the depths that makes it not just pleasant to read but enlightening:) I've been procrastinating typing it out again to be published on amazon kindle. I'm thinking of charging nothing for it because there is such skepticism among folks about the worth of this product. After all, Shakespeare has another 20 plays for me to work on, and I'd like to do it to aid in my own evolution as a person. I figure once folks try out my first effort at no cost to them, they'll be eager to pay for my future works.
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Personal protection, as referenced by the second amendment :-)
    I'm sorry to hear that your copy was not returned, and surliness followed your queries. There are,unfortunately, sucky people everywhere. Less so here. Usually :-)
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  • Posted by 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I actually gave a copy of AS to a supervisor at my part-time job, Non. She didn't read it and didn't return it when asked. In consequence, she no longer is very friendly with me:( I learned about Ayn Rand through...well...we just came to a place I prefer not to talk about on a public list. If you'd like to say Hi, I'm at mikerael30@yahoo.com
    You're an artist and you carry. I'm almost afraid to ask: what do you carry?
    Mike
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  • Posted by Eudaimonia 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    And... she has a bottle of bourbon that needs to paired with cigars.

    Wait, your name's *not* NMA?
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  • Posted by Non_mooching_artist 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I keep that to myself, I'm afraid, however, this I am happy to share. I have been interested for many years, but picked up AS 6 years ago, and immediately identified with it. From there I asked everyone I knew if they had read it. If not, I loaned my copy out. I also proceeded to track down her other works, and again have given them as gifts and loaned my own copies.
    I am an artist residing in CT, and I carry.
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  • Posted by 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hi NMA:) OK, what is your first name? How long have you been interested in Rand's work? Tell me somethin about yourself, huh?
    Mike
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  • Posted by 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hi Mimi:) There was a really wonderful modern composer, I don't recall his last name this moment, I think it's Dmitri Tiomkin?==that's probably not it==he makes music for the movies and has, unlike many such composers, done fine serious work out of the movies. He died a while back. He would have been an ideal composer for this movie. His work is complex but filled with melody. Yes, I also felt there was a lack of suspense in the movie, Mimi. I didn't look at Atlas Shrugged I yet today. I'm kind of hooked on the Buffy The Vampire Slayer series of Joss Whedon. I see it on netflix. I feel like I'm learning, by watching that show, what it means to be a reasonably healthy teenager. I didn't have a good teenage life, you might say. I guess I'll have to repeat now what I said to JR. If you'd like to talk a bit more personally, you might write me at mikerael30@yahoo.com I don't know if I'll watch the movie tonight--sorry about that. I apologize, Mimi. Best always, Mike
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  • Posted by 11 years, 11 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hi John,
    Right this moment I really don't know what to say. I want to sound very knowing and smart, but it's not how I feel.
    best always,
    Mike
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