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Why I Don’t Mind Sparkly Vampires, Pretty Aliens or 30-Year-Olds Playing Teenagers

Posted on May 8, 2014 Written by ripitup

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matt-lanter-star-crossed-roman-emery
Matt Lanter, born in 1983, stars as the lead alien Roman in the TV series Star-Crossed.Image via justjared.com. Pretty alien, and a 30-something playing a high school kid. I approve, though:)

It doesn’t matter if the ratings of a supernatural TV show with pretty supernatural characters is high or low. It doesn’t matter if the book about the love between a shining pretty vampire and a human girl tops the bestsellers list or is published into oblivion.

If the said creatures were formerly written as ugly, weird and vicious at one point, there’ll always be people complaining about the beauty of these characters.

If you are lucky and have hooked your audience with your actors, stories and characters, the vamps looking gorgeous won’t be a problem. True Blood (yeah, yeah they show teeth but Billy and Eric aren’t your average-looking guys, let’s be fair.) and The Vampire Diaries managed to bypass the problem. While watchers, fans and haters critique the hell out of the show (Vampire Diaries), they’re concerned with plot points, and not beauty issues. They’ve accepted the fact that the cast members look like they have sprung from a fashion catalogue. They can act, and they fit their roles.

So whether I like the episodes of a certain supernatural show/movie or not, it feels refreshing when the criticism focuses on plot, and not looks.

As much criticism as Stephenie Meyer faced about the quality of her writing, people were a lot more passionate about the “shining” vampires. How dare she make a vampire not burn in the sun? Frankly, I embrace vampires who don’t burn in the sun. It’s refreshing. As a 29-year-old entertainment addict, I’ve seen enough ugly-ass vampires who couldn’t go out in the light.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Dracula in NBC's Dracula
Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Dracula in NBC’s Dracula. Image via fandomobsessed.com. Jonathan is one hot vampire, and he doesn’t even look his best in the show.

Dracula (starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers) series got its fair share of the complaints, and Star-Crossed series discussion boards are filled with people comparing it to Twilight. Yeah because why should other writers explore a love story between a supernatural creature and a human? And how could a writer allow himself to envision an alien without disgusting features? Yes, I’m being sarcastic.

Man, writers can’t catch a break. We sweat and bleed to get our work sold. And if we’ve managed to sell it to TV, have it made into a pilot and have that pilot picked by a network, we then have to struggle week after week to not just create an enticing story, but to try to create an enticing story that will bring high ratings.

As viewers, I get “we” don’t care about the writer’s (hard) work. We demand compelling, fun work. Fair enough. There might be writers out there who give in to the popularity of a certain (sub-)genre, but in general, writers write from heart, mind and soul. I know I do.

 

Image via ign.com. Vamped-up Angel (David Boreanaz - pre-Bones days). Not the ugliest undead guy out there, but he has looked better See the pic. below:
Image via ign.com. Vamped-up Angel (David Boreanaz – pre-Bones days). Not the ugliest undead guy out there, but he has looked better See the pic. below:
David Boreanaz, Sarah Michelle Gellar
Image via comicvine.com. David Boreanaz with Sarah Michelle Gellar. And people are complaining Twilight vampires are pretty?:)

One writer depicts vampires are sparkly creatures, one with ridiculous fangs, one with a made-up ugly face (Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel, anyone?).

One writer can make a serial-killing psychotic couple protagonists (Natural Born Killers), and one can choose to make a hitman protect a 12-year-old  at all costs (you know this one too well).

I don’t care if a vampire looks horrendous or gorgeous. I don’t care if an alien is a green reptile or birth-marked teen or just a regular-looking human with special powers. Do I care for the story? Am I invested in what they do? That’s all that matters.

So yeah, as a writer, I’m completely on the writers’ side.  Yes, it helps that I don’t mind attractive characters. You can go all the way to my childhood and blame it on my parents for taking me to see Dirty Dancing at the age of 3. When you introduce Patrick Swayze to a girl, it’s unsurprising she’ll grow up to have a thing for good-hearted rebellious hunks (and romance and dancing). Don’t almost all the male protagonists of mentioned shows/films/books fit this criteria?

But my tendencies aside, this is the writer’s child. Their story. Yes, they want to be read/watched and admired. But from idea inception to the end product, it’s the writer’s baby. It’s her choice if she wants to go with Bram Stoker’s baby-eating dracula, or she wants to make him a tortured, a handsome, revenge- warrior like the series (Dracula).

The "ugly" leads of Supernatural: Jensen Ackles (on the right) and Jared Padalecki. Image via supernatural.wikia.com.
The “ugly” leads of Supernatural: Jensen Ackles (on the right) and Jared Padalecki. Image via supernatural.wikia.com.

It’s their choice if they just want a show on vampires, or if they want to add all sorts of creatures we have never heard of (Supernatural introduced some bizarre stuff). And despite being created by a guy, the two human leads of Supernatural are not exactly ugly. (Yes, major understatement here.)

A Note on The Cast Ages:

Of course the other famous complaint is the casting of “older” actors as high school peers, but I for one can speak for myself: they are possibly doing it for the “older” crowd like me. I like romance and supernatural stuff. But I don’t write YA, and I don’t particularly seek to watch/read YA. So what can you do to make it more appealing? You cast actors aged 20-30 so we get to be “attracted” to the leading character. I see the logic, since at 29, I find Dylan McDermott way more appealing than, let’s say, Taylor Lautner. OK, I find Dylan McDermott more appealing than a lot of people, but that’s another issue.

dylan-mcdermott
Dylan McDermott image via tvguide.com. A terrific actor who happens to look awesome. Did I mention he is over 50?

I don’t watch shows because they are set in high school. I watch them despite of that.

Besides, actors playing younger characters is such an old tradition. Michael J. Fox was born in 1962, so in the first Back to the Future film, he was 23. Grease is a favorite across generations, with high school students Olivia Newton-John being 29 and John Travolta 24. Would you even consider replacing them with actors at the “right” age? I wouldn’t dream of it.

 

*

What’s your take on pretty creatures and “older” casting?

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Filed Under: Books & Authors, Movies and Actors, TV shows Tagged With: david boreanaz angel, dylan mcdermott, jonathan rhys meyers dracula, matt lanter, matt lanter star-crossed, pretty aliens, sparkling vampires, star-crossed, star-crossed tv series, Supernatural, supernatural tv show

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

Posted on June 10, 2010 Written by ripitup

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The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. Image via phrenetical.files.wordpress.com.

Epidemic means a “rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of something”. (dictionary.reference.com)

The Tipping Point:” the levels at which the momentum for change becomes unstoppable.” (The Tipping Point)

So have you ever wondered how things turned into epidemics? Think in terms of diseases, fashion trends, social movements, religious movements, Sesame Street, crime rates, advertising campaigns, military actions and much, much more…

In his best-selling book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell takes you on an very interesting ride that explains how any epidemic gets to be one and also how it stops. He also talks about how a person or a company might even successfully and intentionally start an epidemic and keep it going. I don’t think Gladwell has left any area out. Plus he combines academic findings with real life examples. He talks about psychology, religion, advertising, business, marketing, television, wars, music, fashion, smoking, diseases, suicides, book sales and more.

This is one solid and interesting book. Whether you are just curious about how instant and shocking interesting and changes occur or you do want to start an epidemic on your own, concerning your area of business or passion, this is the book. I know I was late to read it as the book first came out in 2000. But the release date is irrelevant because what the books’ teachings have no expiration date. It is safe to say that it is better late than never.

The book is extremely relevant in my case:

–          I am a business and an advertising major who wants to make it really big as a writer and blogger.

But the beauty of the book is that it is just as relevant if you are working for an NGO, if you are a criminologist or a news reporter. Or a high school teacher…

Now, although this book is quite a page-turner full of fascinating and highly intriguing facts, probably not all chapters will hold your interest equally. You might even resent the idea that Gladwell states results, findings, definitions and connections all too often. However this may not be such a bad thing. Yes, he might do your head in but when you are finished, you will remember every crucial detail, which parts of the book you might want to come back to and what exactly you need to do when it comes to creating or preventing epidemics. Still, please keep your magic marker by your side. There is a lot to study and highlight.

Some Quotes from the book:

“..Simply by finding and reaching those few special people who hold so much social power, we can shape the course of social epidemics. In the end, Tipping Points are a reaffirmation  of the potential for change and the power of intelligence action.”

“There are times when we need a convenient shortcut, a way to make a lot out of a little, and that is what Tipping Points, in the end are all about.”

About The Author:

Canadian Malcolm Gladwell has been working for the New Yorker and has published 3 other bestselling novels Blink, Outliers, and What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures. He previously worked for the Washington Post.

Tipping Point on Amazon.com

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The Dip by Seth Godin

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Filed Under: Books & Authors Tagged With: advertising, book review, book reviews, Books & Authors, business, epidemic, fashion, Malcolm Gladwell, marketing, online book reviews, psychology, television, The Tipping Point

Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk

Posted on April 22, 2010 Written by ripitup

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Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk
Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk. Image via blog.ryantbrowne.com

 

This post has moved to my writing blog.

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Filed Under: Books & Authors Tagged With: branding, business, Crush it, Gary Vaynerchuk, marketing, social media, Timothy Ferriss

Updated: I heart Hollywood by Lindsey Kelk

Posted on April 16, 2010 Written by ripitup

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Alright. A couple of laziness on my part (meaning my work a.k.a my writing- shame on me) but at least I got to finish Lindsey’s book.
I heart Hollywood by Lindsey Kelk
I heart Hollywood by Lindsey Kelk. Image from: http://img1.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n65/n327007.jpg

For those who haven’t read the introduction post;

The Plot:

English Angela Clark has given her life a total make-over when she moved to New York a couple months ago. Things are looking great: Reunion with the love of her life/sexy musician Alex, freelance blogging job for the high circulation magazine The Look and a gorgeous/life-saver best friend Jenny.

Her life gets really complicated when her boss decides to send her to Hollywood to interview a major movie star, heartthrob- also British- James Jacobs. She is unwilling to leave Alex in New York and she is afraid she can’t pull off such an important gig. However her boss and Jenny don’t give her an alternative. So Jenny joins Angela for the ultimate  L.A. adventure.  Jenny is having fun but Angela is too in love with New York and worried about Alex to enjoy the sun. Moreover, how do you hang out with James and not end up in tabloids? Then there is James’ insufferable assistant Blake, Jenny’s old flame bartender Joe, lots of shopping, drinking and too many paparazzi’s to avoid…

Thoughts:

I hate the term chick-lit. Yes, the movie is aimed more for girls than boys. Yes, the cover includes awful lot of pink and the genre is comedy/romance. But despite my interest in escapism, I still don’t like the label. I feel like it is made up solely by men so that they can look down on women’s reading taste. But whatever. They can suit themselves. After all, I am guessing men won’t be loving a story where the male characters are mainly gorgeous, have insecurities and go through major conflicts.

There will be men who love this, however. Men who like the romance/comedy genre, men into fashion and shopping and some gay/bi-sexual men.

The book is fun. Hell, it is much like something I might have written- storywise.

A blogger? Check

Hollywood love? Check

New York love? Check.

Weakness for rocknroll and musicians? Check

So there are parts that seem unrealistic. Like Angela’s initial unwillingness to go interview a celebrity. Whoa, what? Unless the boyfriend is *John Rzeznik (singer of Goo Goo Dolls. The song Iris, anyone?) and the celebrity is Leonardo Di Caprio, I so wouldn’t hesitate to jump at the chance. But hey, that’s just me. I love my Hollywood and New Yorkers-hold your breath: I prefer California! I am a warm climate girl. What can you do?

That being said: Great read. Lots of funny moments. And the ending is not that predictable.

The Author:

Lindsey Kelk
Lindsey Kelk. Photo from: http://thedarkphantom.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/lindsey.jpg

Lindsey Kelk is a writer/editor and I highly suspect that she’s British. You can visit her blog on: http://www.ihearthollywood.co.uk/

“I heart” is a series consisting of I heart New York, I heart Hollywood and I heart Paris, which will be published in July 2010.

Sources:

The book.

* For those who are wondering about John Rzeznik, there is a live performance of the band below. He is the leading singer.

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U32xyh0OBaU&feature=related[/pro-player]

Recommended: If I heart Hollywood is for you, be sure to check out:

Can You Keep a Secret

It Should Have Been Me

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Filed Under: Books & Authors Tagged With: Books & Authors, comedy, Goo Goo Dolls, Hollywood, I heart Hollywood, John Rzeznik, Lindsey Kelk, Los Angeles, New York, romance

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