Amos Stevens
New Member
NEDITED CUT: Not making the most of its success
Published on May 22, 2003
ACTION!
After being assured that the Tourism Authority of Thailand had set aside a large budget to send representatives to the Locations Expo in Los Angeles last month, the Thai Film Office was told at the last minute that there actually wasn’t any money.
This is really sad, especially since the Bangkok International Film Festival’s was such a success that it seemed obvious that the time was right to cement Thailand’s position in the global film market place.
Are the powers-that-be unaware of Thailand’s “unknowns” who have the potential to bring big bucks into the country by encouraging more foreign film companies to shoot and produce their movies here?
As part of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s bureaucratic reforms, TAT, the Thai Film Office and other concerned agencies should come together and form one unit. Such a venture should focus on turning Thailand into the Hollywood of Southeast Asia. And where better to start than in the region?
o Because government agencies cling fiercely onto their fiefdoms, the Bali Film Commission has lucked out with Steven Spielberg’s new flick, which stars Tom Hank and Nicole Kidman, and is based on a Sidney Sheldon novel. In addition, David Harradine is doing a Mata Hari screenplay and there is also a remake of “Kickboxer” on the island.
No one would disagree that the people of Bali merit a confidence booster after the bombing last October, but dollars that could have been destined for Thailand are now all going to Indonesia.
Eat your heart out, TAT.
o One wonders when the TAT and the Thai Film Office will get their act together, thus preventing us from losing out on millions in foreign exchange. So far, word has it that we have missed out on Bt4.20 billion (US$100m).
Unless all the government departments associated with the film industry work on developing a viable action plan and lighten the heavy bureaucratic procedures, we can’t hope to win.
o Phoenix Films’ Don Balfour must be thinking that “Sons of the Wind” is jinxed. Stuntsmen have been hurt and one has at least one broken bone and is therefore out of the picture (literally). Another was injured during the latest stunt. And to cap it all, Balfour was admitted to hospital with suspected appendicitis.
My source Neo tells me that the project is also running over budget. The French producer has gone back to his country to raise more capital. Let’s hope they get it otherwise the production might be jeopardised – and that would be bad news for all.
o Michael Lynch, who penned the script for Chris Moore’s “God of Darkness” has sent me the following e-mail:
“Re your May 1 piece titled ‘Many Novel-Based Movies in the Pipeline’, I would like to thank you for mentioning Tail Light Productions. It has been my dream, as you say, ‘to build a bridge between East and West’ both in the [film] markets and with filmmakers.
“I firmly believe in the power of cinema, and I think that power can be used to create better understanding between peoples of different cultures.
“Although the quote you attributed to me was in fact an extract from a press release penned by JoAnn Dearing, I do think Chris’ novels do an excellent job in exploring the relationships between Western expatriates and Thais. I chose ‘God of Darkness’ because of the intimate connections formed between Hurley Ransom Conover [the hero] and the Thai family. But while I tried to remain faithful to the book, the focus and style of the script are very different. Luckily, Chris seems pleased with, and approves of my approach.
“Once again, let me say both Tail Light Productions and I appreciate your comments.”
o One last jibe at my “favourite” [sic] actor and I promise [sic] I will stop writing about him until he returns to Thailand.
The hotels where Steven Seagal stayed have apparently voiced pleasure that his “wide butt” has disappeared from the Land of Smiles. While everyone agrees that his staff was well mannered, hotel personnel commented that he and his associate producer were mai suparb (impolite) most of the time, and made unreasonable demands both in Bangkok and Hua Hin.
Perhaps Seagal has yet to learn the five traits of the Buddhist faith with which he associates himself publicly. After all, he does have three or four Tibetan lamas in his entourage.
My Tibetan grandfather must be turning in his grave.
CUT!
Published on May 22, 2003
ACTION!
After being assured that the Tourism Authority of Thailand had set aside a large budget to send representatives to the Locations Expo in Los Angeles last month, the Thai Film Office was told at the last minute that there actually wasn’t any money.
This is really sad, especially since the Bangkok International Film Festival’s was such a success that it seemed obvious that the time was right to cement Thailand’s position in the global film market place.
Are the powers-that-be unaware of Thailand’s “unknowns” who have the potential to bring big bucks into the country by encouraging more foreign film companies to shoot and produce their movies here?
As part of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s bureaucratic reforms, TAT, the Thai Film Office and other concerned agencies should come together and form one unit. Such a venture should focus on turning Thailand into the Hollywood of Southeast Asia. And where better to start than in the region?
o Because government agencies cling fiercely onto their fiefdoms, the Bali Film Commission has lucked out with Steven Spielberg’s new flick, which stars Tom Hank and Nicole Kidman, and is based on a Sidney Sheldon novel. In addition, David Harradine is doing a Mata Hari screenplay and there is also a remake of “Kickboxer” on the island.
No one would disagree that the people of Bali merit a confidence booster after the bombing last October, but dollars that could have been destined for Thailand are now all going to Indonesia.
Eat your heart out, TAT.
o One wonders when the TAT and the Thai Film Office will get their act together, thus preventing us from losing out on millions in foreign exchange. So far, word has it that we have missed out on Bt4.20 billion (US$100m).
Unless all the government departments associated with the film industry work on developing a viable action plan and lighten the heavy bureaucratic procedures, we can’t hope to win.
o Phoenix Films’ Don Balfour must be thinking that “Sons of the Wind” is jinxed. Stuntsmen have been hurt and one has at least one broken bone and is therefore out of the picture (literally). Another was injured during the latest stunt. And to cap it all, Balfour was admitted to hospital with suspected appendicitis.
My source Neo tells me that the project is also running over budget. The French producer has gone back to his country to raise more capital. Let’s hope they get it otherwise the production might be jeopardised – and that would be bad news for all.
o Michael Lynch, who penned the script for Chris Moore’s “God of Darkness” has sent me the following e-mail:
“Re your May 1 piece titled ‘Many Novel-Based Movies in the Pipeline’, I would like to thank you for mentioning Tail Light Productions. It has been my dream, as you say, ‘to build a bridge between East and West’ both in the [film] markets and with filmmakers.
“I firmly believe in the power of cinema, and I think that power can be used to create better understanding between peoples of different cultures.
“Although the quote you attributed to me was in fact an extract from a press release penned by JoAnn Dearing, I do think Chris’ novels do an excellent job in exploring the relationships between Western expatriates and Thais. I chose ‘God of Darkness’ because of the intimate connections formed between Hurley Ransom Conover [the hero] and the Thai family. But while I tried to remain faithful to the book, the focus and style of the script are very different. Luckily, Chris seems pleased with, and approves of my approach.
“Once again, let me say both Tail Light Productions and I appreciate your comments.”
o One last jibe at my “favourite” [sic] actor and I promise [sic] I will stop writing about him until he returns to Thailand.
The hotels where Steven Seagal stayed have apparently voiced pleasure that his “wide butt” has disappeared from the Land of Smiles. While everyone agrees that his staff was well mannered, hotel personnel commented that he and his associate producer were mai suparb (impolite) most of the time, and made unreasonable demands both in Bangkok and Hua Hin.
Perhaps Seagal has yet to learn the five traits of the Buddhist faith with which he associates himself publicly. After all, he does have three or four Tibetan lamas in his entourage.
My Tibetan grandfather must be turning in his grave.
CUT!
Suzi that picture in your signature is soooo hot! 
I need a fan, helllppp....