Question About Today You Die Release.

TDWoj

Administrator
Staff member
I just had a peek at the credits for Today You Die on imdb.com. Danny Lerner wrote the story for Out for a Kill, easily the worst written movie I have ever seen in my life (and I've seen some stinkers, let me tell you). He's mostly a producer, not a writer, as seen by his credits. Don Fauntleroy has never directed a movie before - he was a camera operator that only has a couple of films as director of photography under his belt. Les Weldon wrote Replicant, which from my van Damme fan friends, say wasn't half bad. Joe Halpin is uncredited, but judging from the other things he's worked on with Steven, he's hardly what I'd call a good screenwriter.

Already I'm worried about the quality of the writing in the script.

(sigh)

Where have all the good scriptwriters for Steven gone? Do they see Steven coming and dive for cover?
 

DiDa

Super Moderator
Staff member
TDWoj said:
I just had a peek at the credits for Today You Die on imdb.com. Danny Lerner wrote the story for Out for a Kill, easily the worst written movie I have ever seen in my life (and I've seen some stinkers, let me tell you). He's mostly a producer, not a writer, as seen by his credits. Don Fauntleroy has never directed a movie before - he was a camera operator that only has a couple of films as director of photography under his belt. Les Weldon wrote Replicant, which from my van Damme fan friends, say wasn't half bad. Joe Halpin is uncredited, but judging from the other things he's worked on with Steven, he's hardly what I'd call a good screenwriter.

Already I'm worried about the quality of the writing in the script.

(sigh)

Where have all the good scriptwriters for Steven gone? Do they see Steven coming and dive for cover?
I know that it is the first movie Don Fauntleroy directed, but this man was director of photography in movies as Terminator 2 and Rapid Fire! He was camera assistant on Raging Bull. I think this man knows how to work with a camera and knows how to bring good action-sequences! I'm very excited about Today You Die!!!
 

rgray_aikido

New Member
hopefully they got seagal's dialog recorded the first time so that we won't have to hear the dubbing again. But since the film is involved in a number of lawsuits theirs probably no money left for post production and the film will probably end up being a mess.
 

TDWoj

Administrator
Staff member
DiDa said:
I know that it is the first movie Don Fauntleroy directed, but this man was director of photography in movies as Terminator 2 and Rapid Fire! He was camera assistant on Raging Bull. I think this man knows how to work with a camera and knows how to bring good action-sequences! I'm very excited about Today You Die!!!

Actually, he was a camera operator, second unit for Terminator 2, and director of photography, second unit for Rapid Fire, which means in neither case was he involved in principal photography. In fact, he's never been involved in principal photography in any of the films he's worked, and in the last film he worked on, he was simply an "additional photographer".

Let's just say his credits and those of the writers of the film are not inspiring a lot of confidence in me as to the quality of the final product.
 

Kcs

Member
TDWoj said:
Actually, he was a camera operator, second unit for Terminator 2, and director of photography, second unit for Rapid Fire, which means in neither case was he involved in principal photography. In fact, he's never been involved in principal photography in any of the films he's worked, and in the last film he worked on, he was simply an "additional photographer".

Let's just say his credits and those of the writers of the film are not inspiring a lot of confidence in me as to the quality of the final product.

Am I viewing the same IMDB as you?

Don E. FauntLeRoy directed 3 movies before Today You Die.

He was the director of cinematography for Into the Sun.

He was the head of cinematograhy for the very successful Jeepers Creepers 1 and 2 for example.

He was involved in a lot of very good projects, I'm sure he has a huge experience, and a professional attitude. And I'm sure Seagal worked with him with pleaseure after ITS, and this will make the movies very good. However the lack of funds will surely affect the overall quality of the pictures.
 

TDWoj

Administrator
Staff member
Director of cinematography is not the same as director of the movie. He did not direct the movie - the action, the actors, interpreting the script, etc. - he only directed the cameras. There's a big difference. And just because you know where to point a camera, does not mean you know how to direct a movie. There's a lot more involved than just knowing where to point the camera.
 

Kcs

Member
TDWoj said:
Director of cinematography is not the same as director of the movie. He did not direct the movie - the action, the actors, interpreting the script, etc. - he only directed the cameras. There's a big difference. And just because you know where to point a camera, does not mean you know how to direct a movie. There's a lot more involved than just knowing where to point the camera.

I know the difference.

I just would like to say that it is not true that TYD is going to be his directorial debut, and it is not true that he was never the responsible for cinematography.
 

TDWoj

Administrator
Staff member
Kcs said:
I know the difference.

I just would like to say that it is not true that TYD is going to be his directorial debut, and it is not true that he was never the responsible for cinematography.

Oh, I give up.
 

Nick

The Writer
I am not going to interfere with this argument because I am already involved in plenty :) I would just like to say that I was initially excited about this film mostly because of Les Weldon. Replicant was a very written for a Direct to Video film. He also was uncredited but did contribute something to Van Damme's In Hell. I felt both of those films were a perfect mixture of action and drama. The Order with Van Damme wasn't dramatic but I enjoyed it as an Indiana Jones rip off. It was actually sort of amusing and the Action seemed to continuously flow and the film never became boring. I haven't seen anything else by Les Weldon but I heard very positive things about Hidden Agenda with Dolph Lundgren. Sure these films mimic other more successful films but Les Weldon seems to add enough originality to make them stand out amongst the DTV Releases. That's the only reason my expectations were high. I think you and me TD look more to the Production being writers. I examine the Writer, Director, Producer, and then make my conclusion. Sure Seagal is in there but to me that's not very convincing. And when I read that he has requested Script changes I lost all my interest. Steven does not know the first thing about writing. I am assuming he contributed a few of his own lines or ideas. Into The Sun was a terrible script. I guess we will have to wait and see. The Plot definitely sounds quite captivating.
 

Kcs

Member
TDWoj said:
Oh, I give up.

Let me explain:

You wrote: "Don Fauntleroy has never directed a movie before."
Not true. He directed The Perfect Wife (2001), Young Hearts Unlimited (1998) and Saving Grace (1996).

You wrote: "In fact, he's never been involved in principal photography in any of the films he's worked."
Not true. He was responsible for the complete photography of:
Into the Sun (2005), Helter Skelter (2004) (TV), Jeepers Creepers II (2003), Frogmen , Operation Stormbringer (2002), Wheelmen (2002), The Retrievers (2001) (TV), Jeepers Creepers (2001), Aftermath (2001) (TV), The Perfect Wife (2001) (TV), The King's Guard (2000), Sex & Mrs. X (2000) (TV), Lying In Wait (2000), The Perfect Nanny (2000), Seven Girlfriends (1999), Rites of Passage (1999), The Soul Collector (1999/I) (TV), Legion of Fire: Killer Ants! (1998) (TV), Shangri-La (1998), The Only Thrill (1997), Lily Dale (1996) (TV), The Stepford Husbands (1996) (TV), Felony (1996), Saving Grace (1996), An Element of Truth (1995) (TV), Goldilocks and the Three Bears (1995), Prince for a Day (1995) (TV), A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story (1994) (TV), "Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III" (1994) (mini) TV Series, Point of Seduction: Body Chemistry III (1994) (V), Munchie Strikes Back (1994), Night Trap (1993), Mother of the Bride (1993) (TV), The Skateboard Kid (1993), "Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero" (1993) TV Series (partial, episodes 1-3), The Price She Paid (1992) (TV), Munchie (1992), The Frog Girl (1989) (TV)


You wrote: "and in the last film he worked on, he was simply an "additional photographer".
Not true. It was Into The Sun, and he was the cinematographer.


Do you understand now my problem with your post about Don E. FauntLeRoy?
 

BillyRayLancing

New Member
Adding to my above post - i guess we have to hope that on the budget there working on with this movie, it isnt really a big leap from a TV movie and the director can pull off some decent action.
 

TDWoj

Administrator
Staff member
Kcs said:
Let me explain:

You wrote: "Don Fauntleroy has never directed a movie before."
Not true. He directed The Perfect Wife (2001), Young Hearts Unlimited (1998) and Saving Grace (1996).

I'm assuming these were action movies?

Kcs said:
You wrote: "In fact, he's never been involved in principal photography in any of the films he's worked."
Not true. He was responsible for the complete photography of:
Into the Sun (2005), Helter Skelter (2004) (TV), Jeepers Creepers II (2003), Frogmen , Operation Stormbringer (2002), Wheelmen (2002), The Retrievers (2001) (TV), Jeepers Creepers (2001), Aftermath (2001) (TV), The Perfect Wife (2001) (TV), The King's Guard (2000), Sex & Mrs. X (2000) (TV), Lying In Wait (2000), The Perfect Nanny (2000), Seven Girlfriends (1999), Rites of Passage (1999), The Soul Collector (1999/I) (TV), Legion of Fire: Killer Ants! (1998) (TV), Shangri-La (1998), The Only Thrill (1997), Lily Dale (1996) (TV), The Stepford Husbands (1996) (TV), Felony (1996), Saving Grace (1996), An Element of Truth (1995) (TV), Goldilocks and the Three Bears (1995), Prince for a Day (1995) (TV), A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story (1994) (TV), "Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III" (1994) (mini) TV Series, Point of Seduction: Body Chemistry III (1994) (V), Munchie Strikes Back (1994), Night Trap (1993), Mother of the Bride (1993) (TV), The Skateboard Kid (1993), "Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero" (1993) TV Series (partial, episodes 1-3), The Price She Paid (1992) (TV), Munchie (1992), The Frog Girl (1989) (TV)


You wrote: "and in the last film he worked on, he was simply an "additional photographer".
Not true. It was Into The Sun, and he was the cinematographer.


Do you understand now my problem with your post about Don E. FauntLeRoy?

Oh, absolutely. Directing 3 movies that were not action movies, and being a camera operator/cinematographer for everything else he's worked on gives him street cred as an action movie director. I beg your pardon; I stand corrected.
 

GlimmerMan

Huge Member
The only 3 films I have heard of in the list are Jeepers Creepers and Jeepers Creepers II, which, admittedly were pretty good and Into The Sun, which was average at best. A Burning Passion - The Margaret Mitchell Story, anyone? Hahaha! The Frog Girl? Oh dear me...

Pretty photography will not compensate for a poorly directed, bady produced movie.

GlimmerMan
 

DiDa

Super Moderator
Staff member
Come on guys, we must not complain. This man is connected with movies as Terminator 2, Raging Bull and Rapid Fire. We've had Michael Oblowitz and Po-Chih Leong. Don E Fauntleroy must be better!!! I just have a good feeling about him!
 
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