WGA STRIKER CRITIQUED BY AWARD WINNING WRITER/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
JAMES L. BROOKS ON PICKET LINES OUTSIDE FOX
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA December 17, 2007
First time writer and WGA picketer Rodney Peterson had his work critiqued on the picket line in front of Fox Studios Monday afternoon by legendary writer/producer/director James L. Brooks of Terms Of Endearment, Broadcast News, The Simpsons, Mary Tyler Moore, etc. fame. The work was a picket sign Peterson had written earlier in the day. Crossing the street in front of the Motor Avenue gate, Peterson saw his chance to introduce himself to Brooks. “With a guy as famous and successful as James L. Brooks, millions of people are approaching him and I didn’t feel comfortable just walking up to him while he was picketing himself or talking with other writers on the picket line, but I did want to meet him and talk to him-thankfully I had the chance to make that a memorable meeting.” Peterson introduced himself to Brooks then asked him to critique his picket sign, which Peterson had written to look like a script. It read EXT.-DAY OUTSIDE FOX STUDIOS HUNDREDS OF HOLLYWOOD’S MOST CREATIVE INDIVIDUALS ARE ENGAGED IN AN IMPORTANT STRIKE DECIDING HOLLYWOOD’S FUTURE. SUDDENLY THE ENTIRE PICKET LINE BEGINS TO “WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN”. STUDIO CHIEF: “LOOK, IT’S THE CURSE OF RAMSES!” LACKEY: “I SUGGEST YOU GIVE IN TO THEIR DEMANDS, SIR!” STUDIO CHIEF: “WE BETTER. MAGIC SCARES ME.” “He (Brooks) couldn’t have been more friendly and gracious”, Peterson stated, then added “He smiled and grinned as he was reading the sign and I could tell he liked it which was very cool. And then he said “That’s great, man!” I also told him I was writing a unique script entitled Cutting Confessions and now wasn’t the time but that I hoped to talk with him about it at another time.”
Peterson has been a fixture at the Fox picket lines for several weeks now and always pickets wearing a highly recognizable red white and blue U.S. flag felt hat that is nearly a foot tall. “Some people assume I’m very patriotic”, Peterson stated, then added “But the truth is it’s part of a promotional ensemble I wear around town along with some other (non picketing) signs I’ve written to attract attention to my script which has some of the elements of the 1975 Best Picture Winner One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest but it’s also a very different kind of love story based on real life events between a very unusual and talented Beverly Hills girl and myself. It’s the reason I became a writer.”
“Then I realized that the WGA strike was about me as a future writer and member of the WGA as well as the current talent pool of writers, actors, directors and Hollywood professionals. So I decided to start picketing with my fellow writers and I’ve really been impressed by the resolve of all the writers. I’m confident we can win this strike and I’ve learned a lot about why this strike is so important. It’s a privilege to be out here with the WGA.”
Peterson has posted the WGA registered film treatment along with portions of the WGA registered script for Cutting Confessions online and they can be found at www.cuttingconfessionsfilm.blogspot.com along with his personal thoughts as he walks the picket lines with the WGA.
Rodney Peterson
cuttingconfessionsfilm@gmail.com
310-498-6394
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