FYI, the people at Survival have told me that the event raised over �8,000 and they're very happy about that and the positive feedback on Colin's speech.

(Kimberley)As an actor I can see it being alot easier to ignore the original book and work solely with the script/adaptaion in front of me. best to do that, than perhaps have too much conflicting info (from the book, the current script and the director) bombarding me at once . .stick to one thing and base the performance on that. Perhaps SJ with more experience will be able to balance the different sources as Colin does.

(Kimberly) The hard thing is to find an amalgam of all three: be truthful to the text, yet follow the director's guidance and be true to yourself as an actor. That is multiplied when you are doing an adaption of a current work. Can you be true to the author as well? To the fans of the novel? (Karen) This isn't so unusual. They go off the script, which is what the director is working from, plus his own vision. The director may be inspired by the book, but ultimately the actor has to take direction from the director, not the source. I see your point ladies, and yet this still bothers me. I fully agree with SJ's approach in the case of a movie that is not based on a book. But in GWAPE's case (and many others) I feel that everyone involved in the adaptation must tread carefully if they intend to be truthful to the novel. I understand an actor's need for artistic freedom, but ... It's hard for me to put it into words, I'm quite biased here, it's the selfish part of me speaking. I fully realise that once the author sells the film rights to her book the filmmakers are pretty much free to do whatever they want with it. Thankfully PW did sort of state his intentions to remain faithful to the book (and that made me sigh with a bit of relief), and that's why I find Scarlett's approach baffling me. Actually, I find myself a bit incensed, although I know I have no right, and bless my lucky stars that I did not read about this before I saw the movie, or I would've been a nervous wreck until it came out. I heard my old flame Harrison Ford say in an interview once that he plays a role as he wants it, and he doesn't give a f*** what the writer says about it. I found it disturbingly disrespectful, since without the writer there would be no story, and now I can understand why some authors are hesitant to sell the rights for their book. I cannot imagine the heartbreak some of them must be feeling when seeing their work turned into something they never meant to be. But then, that's the risk they take. And us fans? Well, we either get lucky or we suffer with the author. And this time I find myself feeling lucky. *Sighs with relief, but wags a finger at Scarlett* I wonder what Colin's general opinion about this is. I'd love to ask him the question.

I know exactly how you feel, Ildi, about book adaptations and especially if you're very fond of a book. But that's the reality of movie-making. The author does give up all rights. Peter Webber didn't adapt the novel; Olivia Hetreed did and he accepted that version to work from when he signed on. The reality behind filmmaking is tough to accept from an artistic standpoint (go read the Possession topic), but that is how it is, i.e., no one has an obligation to be true to a novel. Then the sadder thing is that a viewer often thinks the film is the novel. :-( Very few authors will ever say anything against the film versions of their novels. Only one in recent memory did come out in public because he got reemed by the press and that was Louis de Bernieres because of the Captain Corelli unfaithful adaptation.

(Karen) Peter Webber didn't adapt the novel; Olivia Hetreed did and he accepted that version to work from when he signed on. Actually, that's not totally true. He said in his response to my question about the ending, that he wanted to make it more ambiguous. And said what he left in the final cut was different from the script because that's the way *he* wanted it. Very few authors will ever say anything against the film versions of their novels. Only one in recent memory did come out in public because he got reemed by the press and that was Louis de Bernieres because of the Captain Corelli unfaithful adaptation. Anne Rice did, too, initially about Tom Cruise in Interview With a Vampire, but then she did an about face and praised it. Of course, my timeline may be off with that. Not sure if she had actually seen the movie yet (if it was even filmed) at either point.

to work from That was his starting point. I didn't say that a director is even required to be true to a script, when most of them make huge changes, and it pretty much always becomes "their" film, based on *their* vision (See DG-WGA arguments about film crediting, please.) ;-)

"Girl With a Pearl Earring" Brings Painting to Life By Glenn Bossik November 20, 2003 "Girl With a Pearl Earring," an upcoming film, is the story of Master Painter Johannes Vermeer's (Colin Firth) relationship with his maid, Griet (Scarlett Johansson), and the conflict this relationship creates for both of them. Olivia Hetreed adapted the story into a screenplay from the novel by Tracy Chevalier. Just as Vermeer worked with Griet in the story to capture the maid's spirit on canvas, so too did Olivia Hetreed work with Tracy Chevalier to capture the spirit of the novel about Vermeer's relationship with Griet on film. Hetreed says, "For me Tracy [Chevalier] is the ideal author; sharing research, positive about the transformation wrought on her work and yet able to step back and allow me a free hand." Chevalier transformed the world of Vermeer's real-life painting, Girl With a Pearl Earring, into a novel that captured the essence of the relationship between Vermeer and the woman model who served as the subject of the painting. Producer Andy Paterson says, "�I loved the way Tracy had taken the few known facts about Vermeer and created a perfect story about the girl who inspired the painting." Scarlett Johansson, the actress who plays the girl as Griet in the film, comments on the the actual painting by saying that the girl in the painting "�is strange and intriguing. I felt she was just about to do something [on canvas] which would tell us more about her and her life." Author Tracy Chevalier used the painting as the inspiration for her novel about Vermeer and Griet. "�I thought, `What did Vermeer do to her to make her look like that [in the painting], happy and sad at the same time?'" says Chevalier. "Within three days I had the whole story worked out. It was effortless; I could see�it all in her face." The facial expression of the girl in the painting might be explained by the experiences of the character, Griet, in the fictional story, "Girl With a Pearl Earring." "The repressed romantic obsession that builds between Griet and Vermeer [in the story] inspires him to paint her," says Director Peter Webber. "�but the perfection of that painting will lead to her downfall." So, perhaps Vermeer did indeed have a love-relationship with the woman model of his painting. Producer Andy Paterson feels that Author Tracy Chevalier was factually accurate about Vermeer's life. "The story Tracy created perfectly fits the few known facts of Vermeer's world," says Paterson. "His family and financial woes, his dependence on a patron, a fascination with the camera obscura." Tracy Chevalier's story is true to the life of Vermeer. And, Chevalier has found that the film will be true to the story depicted in her novel. She says that "[Screenwriter] Olivia [Hetreed] understood�[the novel] so well and was able to develop themes further than I had taken them." When the film, "Girl With a Pearl Earring"( www.girlwithapearlearring.com), debuts in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on December 12, 2003, Vermeer's legendary painting and the mystery behind it will be brought to life on screen. http://www.scriptologist.com/Magazine/News/news.html

( Evelyn ) Perhaps SJ with more experience will be able to balance the different sources as Colin does. I concur. Colin has honed his skill through trial and error and it shows(most of the time-we don't talk about HS, do we? Or have we decided that was poor directing/writing/poor choice of vehicle on Colin's part) in his delivery. In the end, however, the discussion becomes moot (although still interesting) once the film is completed and released. Colin enjoyed the process in his approach and that propels him onto the next project....good for us since we get to see him in more productions!Good for him as he *a jobbing actor*.

Thanks Maria... AND...OMG...Vermeer at his manipulative best! Thank you Karen. Great look (and the hands Louisa! So veiny and ...stubble....Fabio hair...and....must remember to breathe!)

(Bonnie) most of the time-we don't talk about HS, do we? Or have we decided that was poor directing/writing/poor choice of vehicle on Colin's part *tut tut tut* We haven't decided anything. I've come to certain conclusions, as I'm sure you have. ;-) As Kimberly pointed out, every actor has his/her own way of preparing for a film. It is all what works for him/her. Ultimately, what gets released may be a collaborative effort (depending on the way a director works), solely the director's vision (if he has final approval), or the studio's (marketing dept's) vision if it has final cut approval.

P.S. There are films where even the director has insisted on having his/her name removed too. This isn't a one size fits all situation and no one way is correct.

Love Actually slips down US charts Staff and agencies Tuesday December 2, 2003 It has attracted the mushy affection of British filmgoers, but despite making an estimated �8.9m worldwide over the weekend, Love Actually looks set to fall short of its predecessors in Richard Curtis's hugely successful portfolio of romantic comedies. The screenwriter's directorial debut, which features an ensemble cast including Hugh Grant and Martine McCutcheon, is currently languishing in ninth place in the US box office following mixed reviews. Until last weekend - the important Thanksgiving holiday in the US - Love Actually had been climbing up the charts as it expanded to more screens. But as other films capitalised on holiday audiences, Love Actually slipped four places. While Curtis' first major hit, Four Weddings and a Funeral, took time to make an impact stateside, it now seems unlikely that Love Actually will take off in the same way as that film or Notting Hill. Four Weddings made �160m worldwide, beaten by Notting Hill's �230m, with both relying on excellent American box office figures to reach those heights. Curtis himself has defended the film, insisting that it needs time to build a solid American audience. He said: "Love Actually is having a gradual release in the United States. We're hoping word of mouth will do the trick.The reactions of cinema-goers in America seem pretty good." Critics were not so kind. New York Times critic AO Scott labelled the festive-tinted tale of eight wildly varied but interlinked couples "an indigestible Christmas pudding", while the New York Observer called it "unfunny, uninspired and unoriginal". http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1098138,00.html (Jane)I've gotta say, I'm with Dorine on that one - why did he even answer that question?? Goodness knows he's shut down reporters with questions like that before... Recently too, at the NY premiere he shut down the woman reporter who had interviewed him at TFF, and she only asked how he met his wife and was it romantic. Colin responded, "that's not for you, not here"

Hi Everyone don't know if this was already mentioned or not but Colin will be at this weeks sneak screening of GWAPE at the Beverly Connection here in LA Thursday night. Take care!

correction, not this week. He will be at the screening at the Beverly Connection on Dec. 11th! Sorry :(

I have no idea what the Beverly Connection is, but that's ok.;-) Is this considered the GWAPE premiere or are they likely to do something else? They should be doing more than a screening.

(Linda) Recently too, at the NY premiere he shut down the woman reporter who had interviewed him at TFF, and she only asked how he met his wife and was it romantic. Colin responded, "that's not for you, not here" Which is kind of ironic considering not 10 feet away before that, he was telling Booker from ET (on the ET Online clip) that he proposed to his wife very much like Jamie. Was probably sick of so much talk about love and romance. ;-)

JaneGoodness knows he's shut down reporters with questions like that before... I think he's reluctant to be anything other than extremely accomodating to the Italians. IMO. Good insights into varous approaches to acting, Kimberly. By all acounts, SJ has done a superb job in this film, so why find fault. It worked for her, and I say, go with what works for you. Besides, she's filming the script, not the book. The film has to stand on its own.

(Guardian)Until last weekend . . . Love Actually had been climbing up the charts as it expanded to more screens. But as other films capitalised on holiday audiences, Love Actually slipped four places. Faulty logic here; those other films were new releases and/or were second-weekers that were adding more screens. The U.S. is a very competitive movie market and this is a very busy time of year when 3 or 4 new films debut in wide release each weekend. Unrealistic to think that a movie that's been out a month will be climbing. $43 million so far seems pretty good to me; Lola, what say you--I can't imagine Uni has been disappointed?

Karen - great pic!!! Lola - Thanks for the info!! . .Wish he was coming to the screening on the 10th in NYC!!!!! . .Ahh to be on the West coast!!!! (Karen)That was his starting point. I didn't say that a director is even required to be true to a script, when most of them make huge changes, and it pretty much always becomes "their" film, based on *their* vision Ain't that the truth . .even from a stage persepctive . . I've seen and have had experiences with directors taken an editorial stance and changed scripts from their original versions, for various reasons, due to time constraints, technical constraints, their own vision of the final production. . .I even worked opposite an actor once (in Taming of the Shrew) who took it upon himself to take his "magic editing scissors" to various bits and pieces of our scenes together . .and that was Shakespeare!!! Ildi - I completely understand, being an avid reader, the wish for everyone to stay true to that original work that inspired any adaptations in the first place. I think the wonderful thing that the written medium does is that it inspires you to create your own mental imagery. In my mind I have already created how the characters look and how the places appear based upon descriptions the writer gives me. My acting side, however, sees each adaptation/project as an opportunity to take a peek into another person(s) vision of a written work. To see how much their imagery inspired by the writing differs or coincides with my own. To see how things change from page to screen or page to stage . . .I try to go into it with no expectations of the project being any semblance of the book , partially not to be disappointed, and partially to try to see it again as an independant creation, yes, inspired by an existing work, but itself an original take on that first idea (Ildi)I heard my old flame Harrison Ford say in an interview once that he plays a role as he wants it, and he doesn't give a f*** what the writer says about it. Do you know, that when going in for cold readings (that's basically an audition where you are right then and there given with a scene from a work and asked to present it to various people - no prep time or memorization allowed), I've been told by the majority of casting directors I've seen, that they prefer actors to ignore any and all stage directions/descriptions put in by the writer as in regarding to the delivery of lines. Usually this is done for a couple for a few reasons: One, to see originality in an off the cuff performance. Two, to see flexibility in an actor. (Many times they will have you do the scenes various diferent ways. Some actors are so married to a script, they will not give way to variations suggested by the director, fellow actors, etc.) I'll stop while I'm ahead . .again a long post, sorry!!!!!

(Mari) I have no idea what the Beverly Connection is, but that's ok.;-) Just an AMC theater at 100 N La Cienega Blvd.(between Beverly & 3rd Street, across from Beverly Center) http://www.digitalcity.com/losangeles/movies/venue.adp?vid=506 (Mari) s this considered the GWAPE premiere or are they likely to do something else? Good question!! The 11th is one day before it opens in LA/NY. Shouldn't there be a premiere sometime that week in LA? Thanks Hola for the info! (and, no, Kimberley, your posts are not boring me in the least) Re: Guardian Faulty logic here I hate to say that I've always gotten a chuckle over their interpretation of what goes on here and am usually highly entertained by their Oscar watching commentary. ;-)

Seems GWAPE is the big draw for Lions Gate screenings in NY. Called for clarification on something and the message said all 4 GWAPE screenings are full. Maybe only 2/4 of The Cooler and Shattered Glass (wasn't really listening for them, though, RSVP'd for one of The Cooler a while ago, but forgot to write down for when. ;-P).

(Karen)The 11th is one day before it opens in LA/NY. Shouldn't there be a premiere sometime that week in LA? Hmm . .perhaps then ODB will be on the Late Late Show w/ Craig Kilbourn on the 11th . .if he is in town that day? (Dorine)Seems GWAPE is the big draw for Lions Gate screenings in NY. Called for clarification on something and the message said all 4 GWAPE screenings are full. I'm assuming these are the screenings available to Acadamy and guild members only . . .not the one on the 10th that Little Bee and I are planning to go to . . Dorine, are you a lucky academy/guild member? . .I envy your ability to get into the screenings!!!!

Hi again, quick clarification...Lion's Gate and Back Stage West are presenting the screening of GWAPE on Dec 11th at the Beverly Connection (AMC)at 8 pm and both Colin and Scarlett will be in attendance for either a Q and A or something similar. Hope those in the Los Angeles get a chance to see him. Take care!!

Hola Lola: Lion's Gate and Back Stage West are presenting the screening of GWAPE on Dec 11th at the Beverly Connection (AMC)at 8 pm and both Colin and Scarlett will be in attendance for either a Q and A or something similar. Yippee! I'll definitely be there. Is there a number I have to call to rsvp or passes ... and this has nothing to do with BAFTA/LA?

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"Trauma" will apparently have its premiere at Sundance in Jan. 2004. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2043743

Thank you Zing! GAH! Must now make a decision. Was asked by a friend to go with her to Sundance and I said "Nah....I'll save up my points for another premiere". Now an ODB film is showing and that changes everything!

(Tress) Must now make a decision. I know what I would do...if I could, that is. ;-) I am about to go into my busiest season at work, not to emerge until April at the earliest. So I can only look on enviously and get a vicarious thrill through the lucky Drooleurs who are able to attend these gala events. Maybe we can take up a collection for you, Tress, or I can give you some of my frequent flyer points? Anyway, you go, girl!! ;-)

(Zing) Anyway, you go, girl!! ;-) Crikey! My bubble burst quite quickly. Have jury duty (how easily that can slip one's mind) the week before so cannot make definite plans. Oh well...have already spoken to my friend and sent her on a mission. She was looking for films to see and I have assigned her Trauma. Hopefully she will go and report back!

(Tress)Have jury duty (how easily that can slip one's mind) the week before so cannot make definite plans Uh, I'd be out of that jury duty...prontissimo! In the flashiest of flashes! Doctor's note?? Colinitis can be quite serious and maybe even contagious. IMO, Trauuuma is the way to go;-) Thank you, Lola, for stopping by. Now, I'm dying to go to LA. Another Q&A would be fine for me.

(Tress) and the hands Louisa! So veiny and ... wow, Tress, a woman after my own heart! i love veiny hands and arms as well ;) and now i have to deal with Sundance - a good friend of mine is going and damn i MUST make him go to the screening and tell me all about it!

(Dorine) Seems GWAPE is the big draw for Lions Gate screenings in NY. Called for clarification on something and the message said all 4 GWAPE screenings are full. wow, for a second i thought that you meant there were 4 screenings in NY alone! ...then again, maybe that is what you mean. ;) if they had 4 screenings in NYC i'd try to go to every one. (Kimberly) not the one on the 10th that Little Bee and I are planning to go to the screening invite is co-sponsored by The Onion - either it's an Onion joke, or else they've got to have special "Onion-ticket reserved" seats in there. 5:15! i'm telling you! i swear! ;)

(Zing) "Trauma" will apparently have its premiere at Sundance in Jan. 2004. Was kicking myself because I scoured the listings earlier today, but I see this is a new, more complete article. Excellent! A little bit of info on the GWAPE premiere. It will be on Dec 10; I don't have a location yet, but hope to tomorrow. Big article about Lions Gate and its Awards hopefuls here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/search/search_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2043807 A couple of important paragraphs: (Grove) In "Girl," which takes place in Delft, Holland in 1665, Johansson plays a 17-year-old girl who to support her family becomes a maid for the artist Johannes Vermeer (Firth) and winds up becoming his model for what became one of the world's most famous works of art. In the process, the young girl is drawn into the artist's world and his chaotic household run by his jealous wife, ultimately leading to her downfall. Watching "Girl" at home the other night, I couldn't help thinking that this is exactly the sort of film I might well have missed had I not had the opportunity to see it on DVD. Not everyone who covers the film business will admit it, but I'm quite certain that I'm not the only person who typically finds it necessary to make time to go to the screenings of high profile major studio films at the expense of lower profile independent product that just doesn't seem as essential to see at that moment. That's why screeners have been such a valuable awards marketing tool for distributors. In the cas of "Girl," having seen and thoroughly enjoyed it, I now intend to put it on my best films of the year list. [Ed note: not that his matters] Johansson, in particular, is outstanding in her lead actress role as the young maid/artist's model. She also, by the way, is marvelous opposite Bill Murray in what I would consider to be a supporting actress performance in Focus Features' "Lost In Translation," directed by Sofia Coppola, which is another of my favorite films this year. (Ortenberg) I believe 'Girl With A Pearl Earring' is a contender in all categories from all awards committees for everything from best picture to best score (Alexandre Desplat) to costumes (Dien van Straalen) to art direction (production designer Ben van Os) to cinematography (Eduardo Serra) to, of course, the acting and writing and directing. It's a very special movie that we have been really overjoyed (about given) the response so far and are looking forward to continued terrific response both commercially and critically. Pathe have been terrific partners on the picture (and) we couldn't be happier with that relationship." Focusing on Lions Gate's trio of awards contenders, Ortenberg explained, "'Girl With A Pearl Earring' is such a special film and has been such a rewarding, wonderful experience. I'm just hoping that it gets all of the recognition both in theaters and during the awards season process that it deserves. We're focusing the campaign on so many different areas (such as) Scarlett Johannson's lead role as Griet, the girl with the pearl earring. Scarlett's obviously becoming a movie star before our eyes. But every scene in 'Girl With A Pearl Earring' is a work of art. Lions Gate has had a fair amount of success in the awards process over the last several years. "'Girl With A Pearl Earring' probably affords us the best chance at numerous awards and nominations as any film we've ever been associated with. Eduardo Serra's cinematography (for example). Eduardo was nominated in 1997 for 'Wings of the Dove.' The score, the costume design, many performances, the art direction (are all categories that could generate nominations). Being a beautiful period piece really gives the film a chance to highlight its specialness in a number of areas -- the costumes, the set decorations, the score, the cinematography. So we're really very bullish on the film. Most importantly, it's really a terrific motion picture."

(Karen)...[quote from Hollywood Reporter article] "I now intend to put it on my best films of the year list." [Ed note: not that his matters] Thanks for the wet blanket, Miss Cranky Pants! ;-);-) You're right of course, but still it's loverly to have an ODB film mentioned as an Oscar contender.

(Zing) but still it's loverly to have an ODB film mentioned as an Oscar contender. He's been in two Oscar winning Best Pictures! The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love (and MCP won't make any other snide remarks about the direction of his career after those...) ;-)

(Ms CP) (and MCP won't make any other snide remarks about the direction of his career after those...) ;-) A long and winding road? But it led to GWAPE and that is a good thing. Don't know if Trauma and TEOR will keep the momentum up...and with TDW being precipitous....it could be another interesting journey...but I'm game! I'll go! ;-)

(Karen) He's been in two Oscar winning Best Pictures! The English Patient and Shakespeare in Love I know, I know, but he didn't have top billing in them (far from it!) as he does in GWAPE (though SJ seems to be getting the lion's share of the media attention). (and MCP won't make any other snide remarks about the direction of his career after those...) ;-) OK, here's my rose-tinted glasses/glass-half-full view: for each crummy movie there was at least one good movie to balance it out: Londinium/HS/WAGW vs. BJD/Conspiracy/TIOBE -- I'll settle for that kind of tradeoff (and WAGW is actually quite sweet--my niece loves it!). And there's hope yet that ODB can improve his hits-to-duds ratio to better than 1:1 -- with LA, GWAPE and now Trauma, he's on a roll! (Hey, somebody has to help dry that wet blanket!) ;-)

Check this link to find Personality of the Year- Vote Here! Click and scroll through article to find qualification and email voting link at bottom. Positive Publicity. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/entertainment/

(Zing) ...for each crummy movie there was at least one good movie to balance it out: Londinium/HS/WAGW vs. BJD/Conspiracy/TIOBE 'Scuse me, but what is WAGW doing in the crummy movies section? :-) I'd switch that with BJD any time. *dodging tomatoes* Kimberly, I love reading your long posts. It's nice to get that kind of info from someone who is actually in the job. Thanks! (Mari) ...SJ has done a superb job in this film, so why find fault. She did indeed, and I didn't find a fault in her performance. It just unnerves me that she'd taken such a risk with a much loved character of "mine". It is a biased, very selfish attitude on my part, and none of my business I know, but..., can't help the feeling.

Thanks Karen & Zing for those articles!!! (Zing)but he didn't have top billing in them (far from it!) as he does in GWAPE (though SJ seems to be getting the lion's share of the media attention). I think it's just a matter of time for Colin to recieve the recognition he deserves . .I think of Anthony Hopkins and his winning his Oscar late in his career . . .let's put out good vibes for him;) .as to SJ . .god bless her, she's the "it" girl for the moment .I hope it lasts for her. . .did enjoy her preformance very much in her in Lost in Translation and cannot wait to see her in GWAPE next week . (Risa)the screening invite is co-sponsored by The Onion - either it's an Onion joke, or else they've got to have special "Onion-ticket reserved" seats in there. 5:15! i'm telling you! i swear! ;) You know, when I saw "The Onion" on the pass . .I thought the same thing . better not be a joke, or else they'll catch hell from me! (Karen)A little bit of info on the GWAPE premiere. It will be on Dec 10; I don't have a location yet, but hope to tomorrow Hmm . . Litle Bee . . .would you rather try to go to the premiere? . .wonder if we could get tix? . .or perhaps just to try to see if ODB shows? I know the dates were posted for this, but an in case you'd like to read up on GWAPE on the Anatomy of a Scene on the Sundance Channel: http://www.sundancechannel.com/anatomy/?PHPSESSID=7bddfa1385e540f63797e9cf4fcc4b7e And for all you lucky ladies who will be heading over to Sundance to see Trauma here's the festival site, so you can start buying passes and planning your trip! They are still in the process of updating the site and listing titles and screening dates, so I wouldn't be worried that Trauma's not listed yet! http://festival.sundance.org/

On the second page of the Sundance "Anatomy of a Scene," they have a bunch of people to click on, but not Colin. :-(

Kimberley/Little Bee: the GWAPE premiere will be in LA on the 10th

(Karen)Kimberley/Little Bee: the GWAPE premiere will be in LA on the 10th Dang!!!! . .that means he definitely won't be in NY (**sigh**) Little Bee, guess we'll be Colin-less next week .we'll have to satisfy ourselves with just seeing him on screen .. .we can always walk by the large LA billboard that's on 48th and 7th;) (Karen)On the second page of the Sundance "Anatomy of a Scene," they have a bunch of people to click on, but not Colin. :-( I know . .that book on the side on the 1st pg of the sundance "Anatomy of a Scene," link . .I think it was called "Vermeer's Camera" looks interesting .has anyone read it? (Ildi)'Scuse me, but what is WAGW doing in the crummy movies section? :-) I'd switch that with BJD any time. *dodging tomatoes* Well, I liked WAGW too. . . I'll admit it . . .but BJD a crummy movie???? Ildi, say it ain't so!!! . . I'd watch out for flying blue soup and orange marmalade . .not tomatoes!!!;)

(Kimberly) . . .but BJD a crummy movie???? Ildi, say it ain't so!!! LOL! Yeah, I know. I must be the only Colin fan in the entire Firthland who doesn't like that one. I don't say it's crummy, it's got funny bits and pieces like the book, but as a whole... I can't make myself like it, and believe me I tried. It just doesn't take. I keep watching the DVD just because Colin looks so bloody handsome in it. I mean let's face it, the whole movie is a spectacular Colin Firth extravaganza. Every scene, every shot of him is dead on, he was filmed to look absolutely perfect from every possible angle, and I revel in it. He is immaculately dressed all the time (save the reindeer jumper), and the Dimples Galore in the kitchen scene is to die for. But that's about it for me. Let's see if the second one will convert me. Or maybe I'm just plain hopeless... :-)

(Karen)On the second page of the Sundance "Anatomy of a Scene," they have a bunch of people to click on, but not Colin I wonder why. I hope he's not excluded on the show. (Anatomy of a scene) At the party, Vermeer, his family, his patron, and his whole world converge. And all the politics, petty emotions, and passion that link them are made apparent to Griet. Sounds interesting, though, this was a great scene.

(Karen)On the second page of the Sundance "Anatomy of a Scene," they have a bunch of people to click on, but not Colin (Linda)I wonder why. I hope he's not excluded on the show. Better not be. I just signed on for Showtime which runs Sundance. They're normally smut-a-vision.

(Karen) Kimberley/Little Bee: the GWAPE premiere will be in LA on the 10th (Kimberly) Little Bee, guess we'll be Colin-less next week .we'll have to satisfy ourselves with just seeing him on screen. come on, Kimberly - you and me. a flight to LA, red eye on the 9th. i have a place you can stay for free. we'll fly back the next day. cmon, it'd be great! it doesn't matter that i'm missing a major relaunch at work - ODB is more important!! ;)

(Little Bee)come on, Kimberly - you and me. a flight to LA, red eye on the 9th. i have a place you can stay for free. we'll fly back the next day. cmon, it'd be great! it doesn't matter that i'm missing a major relaunch at work - ODB is more important!! LOL!!!! . .You are my kinda girl!!!!!! . .ahhh dang if you actually asked me before today, I might have considered it!! . .but just accepted an acting gig for One Life to Live . .and it tapes on the 9th!!!! But if you REALLY want to meet at 5:15 on the 10th . .I can try to swing it . .worse comes to worse . .we could always just catch dinner before hand;)!!!

(Little Bee)come on, Kimberly - you and me. a flight to LA, (Kimberly)But if you REALLY want to meet at 5:15 on the 10th You *Metro* gals are really rubbin' it in! Santa will remember;-))

(Evelyn)I just signed on for Showtime which runs Sundance. They're normally smut-a-vision. SNORT! . .Sorry Evelyn, have to laugh, b/c I actually do temp work for Showtime to help me support my acting career . . .I love working there b/c they are great and let me off for acting jobs/auditions and still keep me pretty employed! Sundance and Showtime (as well as Nickelodeon, CMT, MTV, VH1, CBS . .god knows I could go on and on with the list) is actually owned by the parent company Viacom . .the Sundance offices are actually down on the 8th floor of the building I work in . . Showtime is not all that bad . . .they've had some good series, Ressurection Boulevard, Soul Food . . . Dead Like Me (is my fav) . .I will agree their "After Hours" programming - Red Shoes Diaries . .and well I could name numerous others, (titles of which you would have a good laugh over) are pretty bad . .I think "Skin-a-max" (ie Cinemax)can get worse . . .

(Bee)You *Metro* gals are really rubbin' it in! Santa will remember;-)) Awwwww pullleeeeese, I'll be good! . .I'm hoping for a VCC (Very Colin Christmas) this year . .I put alot of his films/related books on my christmas list . .here's hoping I get them;)

From W (Dec 2003): A Backward Glance In Girl With a Pearl Earring, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson play, respectively, the 17th-century Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer and the woman who is said to have inspired one of his most famous paintings. Here, costume designer Dien Van Straalen had the task of creating a world that looked as if it leapt right from Vermeer's canvas. In fact, paintings were all she had to go by, since there are no surviving dresses from the period. "Was it reality or the painter's vision?" she asks. "We'll never know, but it's fun to use your imagination." Since Johannson plays a servant in Vermeer's house, she had only give mostume changes of mostly simple clothes accented with bright colors. Van Straalen eschewed wooden shoes because "they made terrible clicking noises on the set."

TV ALERT Just heard that Colin will be on Regis and Kelly on Monday

closing bold, I hope

Fantastic! (OK, well, sort of) ;-)

(Karen)Fantastic! (OK, well, sort of) ;-) You said it! If you look up the word *ambivalence* in the dictionary you will see a picture of Colin on Regis....;-))

But the upside is that they're doing press in NY before heading to the other coast.

(Linda) Just heard that Colin will be on Regis and Kelly on Monday *sigh* Thought he escaped them this time around. But yes, the upside is he will be here........sometime. :-) Do the "Metro" gals hope against hope for a little premiere of their own on Monday perhaps? I have a BAFTA cocktail party to go to...decisions, decisions.....go to party or search for possible premiere ;-P (The premiere I was at last night was a pretty small event at the Paris Theater. Lots of people, but only a dozen or less photogs crammed in that tiny lobby. And that was with Sir Michael Caine. The TIOBE premiere was a bigger do than this was as far as press was concerned.

(Linda)Just heard that Colin will be on Regis and Kelly on Monday Ug...they're such idiots. Probably think Vermeer is a new brand of cologne. Why, oh why can't Colin , Peter Weber, and SJ go on the Charlie Rose Show. (Ok, maybe just PW and Colin);-) That's the audience that will go to see this film. Isn't this the weekend that PW is supposed to get an award from the Santa Fe FF? Caribou, where are you?

Linda - Thanks for the heads up. (Karen)But the upside is that they're doing press in NY before heading to the other coast. (Dorine)Do the "Metro" gals hope against hope for a little premiere of their own on Monday perhaps? Will keep my fingers crossed for a premiere . . It is nice knowing that he will be here . . hmm do I dare troll around the Live studio location on Monday for a peek of him? Evelyn - Perhaps if we bombard Charlie Rose with emails requesting to see Colin & PW as guests, it may happen??

Perhaps if we bombard Charlie Rose with emails requesting to see Colin & PW as guests, it may happen?? Why didn't I think of that? ;-) VERY happy to hear they're doing press in NY. Many more media outlets than LA, and it goes beyond the chat shows to the important papers and newspaper columnists. Regis & Kelly don't bother me; would you rather not see him on there at all? I'll take it. Then again, I usually enjoy his talk show appearances better than most of his movies, so . . .;-) Easy way to find out about a NY premiere; Lion's Gate has a NY office, and I'm sure they're in the phone book. Call 'em up. The LA office only knows LA.

(mari)Why didn't I think of that? ;-) You did! I forgot to thank you for the link (#1587 if believe). I wrote but also got interested in the site.:-))

LOL, no need, BeeDee. I 'm just giving the business to these "Metro" girls (love that!). I envy their ability to pick up and go at a moment's notice. Make the fan base proud, girls. Be sure to ask Miz Scarlett (visions of Vivien Leigh) what it was like working with Colin Firth.;-) And Colin, darling, pack your boots; snow is due here over the weekend. You wouldn't want to fall on your ass on those pesky cobbles.;-)

(Mari) Easy way to find out about a NY premiere; Lion's Gate has a NY office, and I'm sure they're in the phone book. Call 'em up. The LA office only knows LA. Am in process of trying to find out . .called NY ofice, they said theatrical was handled out in LA, was put into voice mail of someone in marketing out there. .hopefully will get info soon. Will keep everyone updated!

(mari)Why didn't I think of that? ;-) Durr . .sorry Mari, I had a feeling I was being redundant . . silly, silly newbie . . . .

(Mari)I usually enjoy his talk show appearances better than most of his movies, so . . ROTF. Now there's a new idea for a fan site.

This is bordering on "Firthology" subject matter as its a several weeks old, but the transcript for The View (thank you, Ada!) is finally up (one more Nov item to go--am shivering with excitement!) here: http://www.firth.com/int/03viewnov11.html Want to get all the LA stuff done before GWAPE starts up. Also, any planning for get togethers (i.e., non-CF news *cough cough*) should be done via email or I could give you the keys to the broom closet down the hall, where arrangements for the LA stuff took place. Remember, these boards each have a finite number of messages and they get used up quickly enough in such newsy times. :)

Thanks Ada & Karen for the transcript of the View . . . That Erin girl is a pip .wonder how long she'll last on the show Karen - Sorry about non-CF posts . . .will refrain from them in future .

That Erin girl is a pip .wonder how long she'll last on the show SNORT! I believe that was one of her last days. She was trying out for the position, but I think they picked someone else. I don't enjoy watching The View (even though I seldom have the opp.) because I think those gals just talk all over their guests. This was not a very satisfying CF interview for me, but he DID look good! Now unlike most of y'all, I really like Regis & Kelly, and trust they will do right by ODB. I agree that his first appearance on their show was horrendous, but that was when Chevy Chase was sitting in for Regis and felt the need to make an arse of himself. I'm amazed that CF even agreed to return after that. Signing off from the snowy South -- Deb

Saw this listing for The View: We 12/10: Jeff Bridges, Fabio, Michael E. Knight, Bobbie Eakes Waddaya think? With his wig. LOL! Just kidding of course.

(Dorine)Do the "Metro" gals hope against hope for a little premiere of their own on Monday perhaps? Have found out so far . .there will be a NY screening sponsored by Lions Gate on the 9th (it is not considered a premierebut a screening) at the Gennar (sp?)Theater? . .Am still awaiting another call with more info: Address/times/tix and if ODB will be there.

Sigh, . .Have sneaking suscpision that NY 12/9 screening of GWAPE is for guild members only . . Just read that there will be a guild screening on 12/9 @ 7:30pm @ Landmark's Cecchi Gori Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills PW, scrrenwriter, Olivia Hetreed and composer Alexandre Desplat will be there . . . My guess, the actors will be at the one in NY . .

(Kimberly) Sigh, . .Have sneaking suscpision that NY 12/9 screening of GWAPE is for guild members only . . Which guild...SAG (you're not a member?), BAFTA, WGA, AMPAS? Others? Thanks for calling. (Mari) Regis & Kelly don't bother me; would you rather not see him on there at all? Um, that's a hard one to call. If he hadn't done any other shows, I'd tolerate him being on there better. But otherwise, they don't thrill me. Nor does Mr. Smug Himself, Mr. Craig Kilborn, though I will watch his show from time to time depending on the guest. But, I'm not always happy with him either, regardless if it's a guest I like. I usually enjoy his talk show appearances better than most of his movies, so . . .;-) Be sure to ask Miz Scarlett (visions of Vivien Leigh) what it was like working with Colin Firth.;-) LOL! Maybe *this* time I could remember to ask him about doing theater. ;-P I don't know why The View transcript would be Firthology. It's still for a current movie.

(Karen)I could give you the keys to the broom closet down the hall, where arrangements for the LA stuff took place. We had a lot of fun over there planning for LA premiere...bars,restaurants, menus. *sigh* I miss it:-((((

(Ev)We had a lot of fun over there planning for LA premiere...bars,restaurants, menus. *sigh* I miss it:-(((( Me too......... *sigh*

Girl with a Pearl Earring Rating: B+ Reviewed by Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly 'PEARL' OF A GIRL Johanssen's sublime performance is gives us Scarlett fever The Mona Lisa's famous smile -- a woman thinking about herself smiling -- may be the first appearance in art of modern ambivalence. The works of Johannes Vermeer, the Dutch genius of light, have a similar out-of-time quality. They seem to leap forward, from the middle of the 1600s, to a photographic embrace of the world as a voluptuous nexus of color and shadow. In Girl With a Pearl Earring, Colin Firth, in long, flowing musketeer locks that bring out an erotic dynamism he hasn't shown before, plays Vermeer quietly, with the intensity of the possessed, as if he were looking through people instead of at them. The movie, adapted from Tracy Chevalier's 1999 novel and directed by Peter Webber, is the story of how Vermeer created a single painting, the rapturous ''Girl With a Pearl Earring,'' and it brings off something that few dramas about artists do. It gets you to see the world through new -- which is to say, old -- eyes. Scarlett Johansson is Griet, the 17-year-old maid who comes to live in the noisy, bourgeois, economically fractious Vermeer household, only to become the artist's secret muse. Johansson, with a white cap covering her hair, appears to be nothing but milky skin, overripe lips, and shy, all-seeing orbs: an image of uninterrupted sensuality. The actress gives a nearly silent performance, yet the interplay on her face of fear, ignorance, curiosity, and sex is intensely dramatic. Griet's connection to Vermeer hardly needs to be consummated. Everyone can see it, notably his wife (Essie Davis), who, for all her pettiness, might be the maid's aging mirror image. The movie's soap opera of jealousy and forbidden obsession is standard middlebrow fare, yet when Griet finally poses for that painting, the entire scenario is embedded in her one look, reaching out to us, as if from across the centuries.

Colin Firth, in long, flowing musketeer locks that bring out an erotic dynamism he hasn't shown before, plays Vermeer quietly, with the intensity of the possessed, as if he were looking through people instead of at them. Wot!!!

A mention of GWAPE in an article about thriving movie piracy despite the screener ban. The box-office hit "Elf" was available four days before its Nov. 7 release in theaters, taken from a digital camcorder recording made in a theater, with the sound most likely recorded from a cinema seat audio jack used by hearing-impaired moviegoers. Films not yet in theaters, including "Girl With a Pearl Earring" and "Monsieur Ibrahim," were taken from DVD screeners sent out in advance of the films' release. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-et-piracy4dec04,1,7049529.story?coll=la-headlines-world

I didn't read this far before.... Movies from independent companies that are not part of the MPAA are turning up in a number of Internet sites. DVD copies of all of the movies being pushed for awards consideration by Lions Gate Films, for example, are available illegally online. Lions Gate began sending out screeners to an array of awards voters two weeks ago. The studio declined comment Wednesday. Hmmm, inquiries must be made.

must have been me:-(

(Owen Gleiberman - EW)In Girl With a Pearl Earring, Colin Firth, in long, flowing musketeer locks that bring out an erotic dynamism he hasn't shown before, plays Vermeer quietly, with the intensity of the possessed, as if he were looking through people instead of at them. Hmmm . .perhaps Owen has not really looked at some of ODB's films . . . I definitely have seen the "erotic dynamism" before;) . .and also interesting spin on the Fabio wig . . . (Kimberly) Sigh, . .Have sneaking suscpision that NY 12/9 screening of GWAPE is for guild members only . . (Dorine)Which guild...SAG (you're not a member?), BAFTA, WGA, AMPAS? Others? Thanks for calling. Just got a message from someone in Lions Gate's Marketing dept . .we're playing phone tag, and must try to reach her later on today. Will keep everyone updated. . . Esp when it deals w/ guild attendance . .in the ad I saw about the LA GWAPE screening on 12/9, it did not list any particular guilds . .it just said "Attention all guild members" I currenly am a member of AFTRA (due to soap work and voice over work), will be joining SAG come February (again thanks to a lucky turn w/ OLTL) - and am hinting alot to my DH that I would like to get a friends membership to BAFTA/NY (since I can't technically qualify for a full or associate or even student membership!) (Evelyn) Perhaps SJ with more experience will be able to balance the different sources as Colin does. Meant to answer this earlier . .I am interested to watch and see how she develops as an actress . .have not seen the Horse Whisperer, or any of her other films except Lost In Translation, which I enjoyed very much. Am eagerly waiting to see GWAPE next week! I do believe she is talented, and have a hunch that she will not be a flash in the pan/pretty face/no talent as others I have seen .. .With age, maturity and more experience, there is no telling where she could go.

Scarlett has already established herself as a drama veteran. In additon to THW and LIT, I've seen her in Manny & Lo (excellent), The Man Who Wasn't There, Ghost World, and An American Rhapsody. Anyway, she'll be on: --The View on Monday, 12/8 --The Early Show (CBS) on Tuesday, 12/9

Mari - Ooop . .did not mean to imply I thought of SJ as very new inexperienced actress . . . just saying that with her being so young, she has her whole career still ahead of her and will ineveitably develop even more as an actress . . . .that is what I'm interested in seeing . . . Thanks for listing her appearances and her films .will look up Manny and Lo and her other work and ad them to my Netflix list;)

Article about her today in the Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2003/12/05/bfjohann05.xml&sSheet=/arts/2003/12/05/ixartleft.html

Just a couple of snippets about "Trauma" - maybe they've already been picked up. The screenwriter, Richard Smith, seems to be quite versatile... http://www.rodhallagency.com/index.php?art_id=000041 Alison Davids has recorded something for "Trauma" - I think it's a cover of a Rod Stewart hit. http://www.mindermusic.com/html/newsmicro/news.htm

(Kimberly)with her being so young, she has her whole career still ahead of her and will ineveitably develop even more as an actress I agree, Kimberly. She's certainly chosen wisely, steadfastly avoiding the teen-oriented stuff. On that list, be sure to also check out American Rhapsody. Universal is adding about 150 screens for LA this weekend. On December 12, GWAPE will open on 7 screens in NY and LA. (Don't anybody panic; that's how they do it with the sloooow arthouse rollouts.)

From the Western Mail (Wales) supplement, courtesy of Jennie: He m@il She m@il Q & A Colin Firth answers your questions Colin Firth shot to fame playing the suave, debonair and ice cool Mr Darcy in the smash hit TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. But he admits he was far from cool about his latest role. In fact the star says he suffered full blown panic attacks as he was about to start filming the eagerly awaited new movie Love Actually which opened in cinemas across Wales yesterday. Q: Did you have any concerns that Richard Curtis wouldn't be able to pull off his daunting task as a first-time director? A: I actually had a panic attack on his behalf and woke up in the middle of the night. I thought, 'How is he going to do this? How will he cope? He's got 10 or 15 stories, some very famous actors and he is going to jump in for the first time in his life and orchestrate all that.' It seemed to be an absolutely overwhelming task and the read through seemed like a premiere or a night at the Groucho Club. I was expecting bodyguards, with ear pierces. Q: You play Jamie, a lovelorn writer who flees to France after being dumped and ends up falling for his young Portuguese housekeeper. Are you really that nice in real life? A: I'm not nearly as nice as that guy Jamie. I don't feel like him at all. I wouldn't be as patient and I'm only sporadically romantic. I don't have a permanent romantic view of life. I'm not necessarily an optimist in terms of romantic love. Q: You're still best known for your wet shirt and jodhpurs as Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Are you amazed by that? A: I'm very surprised it's still so present and I'm surprised it was a success at all at the beginning. It doesn't go away. It's just weird because there is no one way you can feel about that and you do wonder what it is going to mean as your career has to continue. Q: Girl with a Pearl Earring - tipped as one of the big movies of 2004 - is a bit of a change for you isn't it? A: It's a sombre period drama in which I play renowned Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. I was just really ready to do a bit of drama, since there had been quite a lot of light stuff. Q: How has the filming of the Bridget Jones sequel gone? A: I ended up losing my voice. It was because I was freezing cold - we (Hugh Grant and Firth) ended up in the water during our fight. I spent a couple of days in a very very cold pond with Hugh Grant which left me a little worse for wear. Q: Did you have any doubts about playing Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones II? A: A sequel is fraught with dangers. I think most of us were sceptical about it, but my fears were allayed the minute Renee (Zellweger) opened her mouth. I thought, "She's great and we're going to want to see a lot more of this." Q: What's your favourite role? A: Playing dad. My children are the best thing and the main thing. My life revolves around them, everything else matters less. (Firth is married to the Italian documentary maker Livia Giuggioli, The couple have two young children and Firth has another son Will, 12, from his relationship with American actress Meg Tilly). Colin Firth stars in Love Actually in cinemas now. With the accompanying picture:

A couple of newspapers have picked up this reference to Colin being at the Women in Film and Television Awards dinner at the Hilton in Park Lane in London, at which Barbara Windsor was given the Working Title Film Lifetime Achievement Award. She mentions Colin being there. http://www.utvlive.com/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=5933&pt=e

Sorry, apparently, was a lunch today. If the article hadn't said that her co-star gave her the award, I might think that Colin attended on behalf of Working Title, but this could be an org that Livia belongs to.

Goodie, is official; from the Live with Regis & Kelly website. Thanks to Linda for the original tip! http://alliance.zap2it.com/custom/metromix/main_template/0,1846,3-AAISF,00.html

Grrr, here's the right listing for R&K. (But if you click on the above, you can see GWAPe in Chicago on Wednesday.;-) Monday, December 8, 2003 LIVE begins the week with a visit from actor COLIN FIRTH from the new film, "Girl with a Pearl Earring", SEAL performs and a segment on Home Security.

Update on GWAPE - NYC Lions Gate Screening There is no official NY Premiere of GWAPE. Only a premiere in California. There is a Lions Gate Screening on the evening of Tues, 12/9 at 7PM. Via a group called Gen Arts. The screening will be at a Loew's movie theatre in the city. Tickets can be obtained through a contact I made at Lions Gate. If you are interested, email me. There will be NO talent at the screening. According to my contact, Colin is flying into NY for only the 8th then heading out to LA the next day. Dorine, you are BAFTA . .correct? . .I had mentioned to my contact that I knew a BAFTA member possibly interested in the screening.

Kimberly)There will be NO talent at the screening. Oh, but plenty on the screen;-) Thanks, Kimberly for the NY screening news. (Kimberly)Colin is flying into NY for only the 8th then heading out to LA the next day. I originally wondered if the Regis segment was taped when Colin was in NY during those glorious November days. Guess not.

(Linda)I originally wondered if the Regis segment was taped when Colin was in NY during those glorious November days. Guess not. I figured he's be flying in for the A&E Breakfast with the Arts thing that airs on Sunday and Regis and Kelly (Monday). .but maybe he taped that A&E thing earlier . .

The Breakfast with the Arts thing was filmed in Toronto.

From BWTA newsletter EMMY-Nominated BREAKFAST WITH THE ARTS SUNDAY DECEMBER 7, 2003 8:00 AM eastern time Elliott Forrest, host Two of today's most exciting young actors, Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth, talk about their new film, "Girl with a Pearl Earring," based on the bestseller by Tracey Chevalier.

From a survey by Blockbuster - urprising as most critics refer to Fever Pitch as a "flop"! There were 20 movies listed. so second place isn't bad! "ROBERT De Niro�s classic boxing movie Raging Bull has KO�d all challengers � to take the title of best sporting film in history. The 1980 film, which won De Niro a best actor Oscar, beat Fever Pitch into second place. De Niro, 60 � currently recovering from prostate cancer surgery � caused a sensation as troubled middleweight champion Jake La Motta. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film highlights the rage that made the boxer unstoppable. De Niro piled on the pounds to help faithfully recreate La Motta�s final years. Fever Pitch, starring Colin Firth as an obsessed Arsenal fan, headed a good cast of British films in the survey by Blockbuster. Third was a movie made 42 years ago � The Hustler, starring Paul Newman as a mean pool player."

From a survey by Blockbuster - urprising as most critics refer to Fever Pitch as a "flop"! There were 20 movies listed. so second place isn't bad! "ROBERT De Niro�s classic boxing movie Raging Bull has KO�d all challengers � to take the title of best sporting film in history. The 1980 film, which won De Niro a best actor Oscar, beat Fever Pitch into second place. Thanks for the news Bethan. FP is not only my fave, it's one of my only.;-) I do sometimes like Field of Dreams.