Tuesday, April 30, 2024

YKYMP #227: Train To Busan

Here's another exciting ZOOM edition of the Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast, a lively discussion of the movies that sometimes devolves into a group therapy session.

We asked our Indian viewers what non-Indian films they wanted us to review on our main podcast. The second film they requested was the 2016 South Korean horror film Train To Busan. I must admit that we expected our Indian viewers to request American films, but we were happy to watch this film. If you like train movies and you like zombie movies, this is the movie for you! Check out our review:

                     

Our Podcast is available on iTunes: Yippee Ki Yay Mother Podcast
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Check out our other episodes here:


My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can currently buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble.


Learn more about the book, click Here.

Watch the book trailer:

  

Listen to me read some chapters here:


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Tuesday, April 23, 2024

YKYMP #226: 12th Fail

Here's another exciting ZOOM edition of the Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast, a lively discussion of the movies that sometimes devolves into a group therapy session.

In this Indian Cine-maniacs episode we look at the 2023 film 12th Fail. The film, inspired by a true story, shows how highly valued education is today in modern India, and the tremendous competition for civil service jobs. It is an inspiring tale about a poor young man from a small and corrupt village who battles to overcome the odds to become a high-ranking police officer. Did it win over all of us?  Watch and find out:

                   

Our Podcast is available on iTunes: Yippee Ki Yay Mother Podcast
Subscribe to our YouTube page: Yippee Ki Yay Mother Podcast
Check out our webpage: Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast
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Check out our other episodes here:


My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can currently buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble.


Learn more about the book, click Here.

Watch the book trailer:

  

Listen to me read some chapters here:


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Saturday, April 20, 2024

First Five: Judy

I am awfully quick to give advice about screenwriting in this blog. And some people actually accept it. The funny thing is that none of those people have ever read any of my scripts! They might have seen one of my films, but, with a finished film, it is difficult to say who contributed what. Therefore, to help people decide whether my writing advice is any good, I am posting some pages for your pleasure and perusal.

Inspired by the three-page challenges on the Scriptnotes podcast by John August and Craig Mazin, I have decided to post the opening of some of my scripts in a series of blogs. However, rather than three pages, I am going with five pages because I feel that will provide a more accurate appraisal of my writing and the stories. I am not posting the scripts of any of my produced films. That would be complicated legally since those scripts now belong to their respective production companies. Nor am I posting any script currently under option for the same reason. These scripts are either new or part of my back catalog. Some are ready to be pitched. Others need a little polishing. But you can read the first five pages now.

If you've been following this series of blogs, you will know that I have written a number of scripts with my friend director Lee Bonner, who ultimately co-wrote and directed my first produced feature 21 Eyes. When I met Lee Bonner, he was a top commercial director and a budding director of episodic primetime dramas. He had also been an RCA recording artist with his band The Lafayettes. Their most famous song was Life's Too Short.  Here it is:

  

The band was more popular abroad than it was in the United States. The Beatles used to cover Lee's song Nobody But You during their days in the clubs. (Paul sang it.)  I remember reading an interview with Robert Plant where he mentioned another one of their recordings. I immediately called Lee and told him about it. Lee's response: "Who's Robert Plant?" SMH

Most of the scripts we worked on were mysteries since Lee was a huge fan of the genre. As a result, he usually came up with the initial idea. This time, however, I came up with the hook. Here it is: What if Mac McLane, the aging chief homicide detective of the Scranton police department, discovered that Judy, the unassuming unit secretary, had an innate ability to solve crimes and exploited her skills, without her knowledge, to earn one of the best clearance records in the country? Then, what would happen after she learned the truth? Would she be able to do consciously what she had been doing instinctively all along? Add a little jeopardy and romance and voila!

Lee loved the idea and we wrote it up. We were very happy with the script and I started pitching it. A producer, whose name sadly eludes me now, requested it. I sent it. He called me back a few days later. He said he liked it, but he thought it would be much better if Judy was aware of her skills but unable to exploit them herself because of her over protective father, who happened to be the chief of police. It was a great discussion. We talked about it for over an hour.

I mentioned the critique to Lee. He thought the idea was worth exploring and we rewrote the entire script from that perspective. Lee liked the result better. I think I did, too. However, there were aspects of both approaches that I liked.

I called the producer back and asked him if we wanted to reread the revised script. He said no. He wasn't interested. That just goes to show you: You only have one chance with a producer so you better get it right the first time.

I kept pitching. We got some good reads, but no options. 

This is a script I would definitely love to revisit. However, it needs some serious updating. When we wrote the story, the most popular online hangout was MySpace, and a subplot relies on some specific aspects of that world. That's danger of being current! Other than that, Judy remains an amusing mystery filled with interesting characters -- or so we think...

Hopefully one day we'll get it made.

Here's a brief synopsis:

Judy has a secret.

A secretary for the Scranton Police Department, Judy clandestinely helped the retiring homicide detective Mac McLane amass an unprecedented 86% clearance rate without the knowledge of the chief of police, who happens to be her overprotective father. Judy would love to provide the same assistance to Mac's handsome replacement Ron Robertson. But Robertson isn't about to let the secretary help him solve his crimes, no matter how much he finds himself attracted to her. Soon, however, their bickering will have take a backseat when they are forced to join forces to catch a serial killer with his sights on Judy.

Here are the first five pages:







I hope you enjoyed those first five pages. Here's the trailer for the film Lee and I made together:

  

You can read about the making of the film here:

21 Eyes, A History, Part 1
21 Eyes, A History, Part 2
21 Eyes, A History, Part 3
21 Eyes, A History, Part 4
21 Eyes, About That Nude Scene....

Here's the pilot of a travel series Lee produced, directed and starred in called Iron John Cruising about traveling on the Chesapeake Bay. It played on Maryland Public Television:

   

Here's Lee on our podcast discussing the film That Thing You Do, about a one-hit wonder band -- a subject which he knew every well.


My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & NobleChapel Street is the tale of a young man battling a demonic entity that has driven members of his family to suicide for generations. It was inspired by an actual haunting. 


Learn more about the book, click Here.

Listen to me read some chapters here:


Read about the true haunting that inspired the novel here:

The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 1, An Introduction
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 2, The House
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 3, This Is Us
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 4, Arrival
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 5, Methodology
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 6, Clara's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 7, Clara's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 8, My Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 9, My Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 10, My Tale, Pt. 3
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 11, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 12, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 13, John's Tale, Pt. 1 
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 14, John's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 15, Come Inside!
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 16, Marion's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 17, Marion's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 18, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 19, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 20, Lisa's Tale
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 21, Recap, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 22, Recap, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 23, Recap, Pt. 3

Let's stay in touch:

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Tuesday, April 16, 2024

YKYMP #225: The Incredibles

Here's another exciting ZOOM edition of the Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast, a lively discussion of the movies that sometimes devolves into a group therapy session.

We're beginning a new series on the podcast. We unexpectedly developed a fine Indian fanbase that enjoys listening to us talking about Indian cinema. However, they expressed little interest in our discussions of American films. So we decided to ask them to tell us what American films they'd like to hear us discuss and 2004 animated Pixar feature The Incredibles was one of them. Will the entire crew get behind this cartoon -- ooops -- animated feature? Watch and find out:

                 

Our Podcast is available on iTunes: Yippee Ki Yay Mother Podcast
Subscribe to our YouTube page: Yippee Ki Yay Mother Podcast
Check out our webpage: Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast
Like us on Facebook: Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast.
Follow us on Twitter: YKYPodcast

Check out our other episodes here:


My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can currently buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble.


Learn more about the book, click Here.

Watch the book trailer:

  

Listen to me read some chapters here:


Follow me on Twitter: SeanPaulMurphy
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Subscribe on YouTube: Sean Paul Murphy

Thursday, April 11, 2024

YKYMP #224: Under The Skin

Here's another exciting ZOOM edition of the Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast, a lively discussion of the movies that sometimes devolves into a group therapy session.

This episode Ralph brought the 2013 sci-fi thriller Under The Skin to the table to annoy his brother John with a few glimpses of full male nudity. Will the more plentiful nudity supplied by star Scarlett Johansson, who plays an alien hunting men for nefarious purposes, compensate?  Check out our review and find out:

                  

Our Podcast is available on iTunes: Yippee Ki Yay Mother Podcast
Subscribe to our YouTube page: Yippee Ki Yay Mother Podcast
Check out our webpage: Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast
Like us on Facebook: Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother Podcast.
Follow us on Twitter: YKYPodcast

Check out our other episodes here:


My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can currently buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble.


Learn more about the book, click Here.

Watch the book trailer:

  

Listen to me read some chapters here:


Follow me on Twitter: SeanPaulMurphy
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Subscribe on YouTube: Sean Paul Murphy

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Grave Tales #42: Captain James Hooper, Jr.

I am an avid genealogist. The past is very important to me. I spend a lot of time in cemeteries photographing tombstones to upload on website the FindAGrave.

I enjoy recognizing long dead people by putting memorials to them online. However, every once and a while something grabs me about a specific grave. It could be the name, or the dates or a ceramic photo. In those cases, I feel compelled to dig a little deeper. That's what this series of blogs is about: The tales behind those graves. Some of my subjects will be heroes. Some will be villains. Some will be victims. And some will linger in between, like most of us. However, don't be surprised if the tales are inherently tragic. These are grave tales. They all end in death.

The citizens of Baltimore had much to be proud of regarding their conduct during the War of 1812. Their vigorous defense of the city, both at Fort McHenry and at the Battle of North Point, was nothing short of heroic. Our humble city, which was deemed a nest of pirates by the British, was not burned and looted like Washington, D.C.

Baltimore's pride in the "Old Defenders" grew as time passed, particularly after the Civil War. Baltimore was a divided city filled with passionate and often violent successionists and unionists. However, all Baltimoreans regardless of the side they took during that war could take pride in our shared victories against the British Empire. Therefore, as we neared the dawn of the twentieth century, the population seemed to sense the end of an era as the last veterans of that war went to their final reward. This blog is about Captain James Hooper, Jr., the last of the Old Defenders, whose grave I ran across in Green Mount Cemetery.

James Hooper, Jr.*

Before we get to Captain Hooper, let's look at another obituary. When 1898 began, only two of the Old Defenders remained. In February, John Lumberson died leaving Hooper with the title of the last Old Defender.  Here's the story:

The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 7 Feb 1898, Mon:

AN OLD DEFENDER'S DEATH
-----
Mr. John Lumberson, Who Was A
Drummer In The War Of 1812 And
Soldier In Later Wars.

     Mr. John Lumberson, who is said to have been the last survivor but one of the War of 1812, died yesterday at his home, 321 Hanover street, aged ninety-one years. He was a drummer boy in the last war with England and until his death drew a pension for service from the government.
     His death leaves Capt. James Hooper as the last survivor of the war of 1812. Captain Hooper was a powder-monkey on his father's boat in the defense of Fort McHenry. Both old men were honorary members of the Society of the War of 1812, and took part in the various celebrations of that society.
     Mr. Lumberson was born near Knoxville, Tenn., May 6, 1806. His father was Philip Lumberson, who moved from Pennsylvania to Tennessee. He was a sergeant in the United States Army, and when he became a member of the First Ashley Corps, to which his father was attached, and served as drummer until he was sixteen years of age. He was then made first sergeant of Company B, Fourth Artillery.
     During a service of twenty-three years, Mr. Lumberson took part in the war of 1812, the Black Hawk war, the Seminole war and the war with the Creek Indians. In 1827 he was transferred, with his regiment, to Fort McHenry where he remained one year, going then to Fortress Monroe, where he also remained a year. He then returned to Fort McHenry, where he was engaged in building fortifications.
     After leaving the army he became a member of the old city watch before the organization of the police department. During the administration of Mayors Swann and Hicks he also served on the police force.
     Mr. Lumberson was married in Baltimore May 10, 1832, his wife being Miss Margaret Neucomer. She died in 1878. He leaves one son, Mr. E.L. Lumberson, chief engineer of the steamer Alabama of the Old Bay Line.

John Lumberson's death apparently left Captain Hooper as the last remaining veteran of the War of 1812. Sadly, he would only enjoy that distinction for little more than a month.

The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 15 March 1898, Tues:

CAPTAIN JAMES HOOPER.
     Captain James Hooper, a veteran of the war of 1812, who was for many years one of the leading ship agents of this city, died at his home, 121 North Front street, early yesterday morning, aged 94 years. Captain Hooper was in good health until last Sunday night, when he complained of a severe cold. Bronchitis developed, and Dr. James F. McShane was called in. Captain Hooper sank rapidly and expired four hours later. He leaves four sons, Thomas J., Samuel E., George W., and Charles H. Hooper, and four daughters, Mrs. Mary Rex, of St. Louis, Mrs. Julia A. Boyle, Mrs. Annie E. Duncan, of Baltimore, and Mrs. Virginia Clogg, of Walbrook.
     The Society of the War of 1812 held a special meeting last night, at which resolutions of regret were adopted upon the death of Mr. Hooper and condolence and sympathy was offered to the family.
     The following pallbearers were appointed from the society to attend the funeral:
     Honorary--Messrs. Edwin Warfield, Robert T. Smith, Louis P. Griffith, William M. Marine, Ezekiel Mills, Jr., and A. Leo Knott.
     Active--Drs. Albert K. Hadel and James D. Iglehart, Messrs. James E. Carr, Jr., Samuel A. Downs, Augustus Bouldin and Robert L. Gill.

To get a better picture of Captain Hooper's life, I am also including the story below which was printed around the time of his 90th birthday.

The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 6 July 1894, Fri:

Ninety Years Old, But Still Vigorous, --

Mr. James Hooper, of the shipping and commission firm of James Hooper & Co., and agent for the Liverpool Steamship Company, was ninety years old yesterday. A number of friends, including Monsignor McColgan**, called at his home, 1211 West Lexington street, and offered congratulations.
     Mr. Hooper is the son of the late James Hooper and was born on Fell's Point, July 5, 1804. In the war of 1812 and 1814, though only a boy, he was on board the schooner Comet, Captain Boyd, which helped defend the port of Baltimore against the attacks of the British. After the war, Mr. Hooper was a sailor for five years, and although he never became captain of a vessel he has had the title of captain all his life.
     In 1824, with a five-dollar note as his capital, Mr. Hooper opened a clothing store on Fell's Point. Shortly afterward he began the shipping business, which grew rapidly. Mr. Hooper built the side-wheel steamer Tennessee, and also owned the Palmetto and a number of sailing vessels, including the Pride of the Sea, Annie E. Hooper and William Penn.
     He has been married three times, and was the father of sixteen children, nine of whom still live, together with sixty-five grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Wow. In addition to his youthful heroism, it also appears that the Captain was able to leave quite an impact of the city's pool of DNA.

Being a prominent Baltimore citizen and businessman, the newspapers were filled with stories about Captain Hooper. They mostly involved various business ventures and committees of which he was a member. He seemed to a live and full and useful life. However, he will always be remembered mainly as the last veteran of the War of 1812.

Thank you for your service, Captain Hooper!

Remember, there is a story behind every grave. You never know what you're missing when you walk past one....

*This picture of James Hooper was posted on the Findagrave memorial by a contributor named fairies. Used without permission.

**Interestingly, the Monsignor would die the same day as John Lumberson. His obituary was on the same page of the newspaper.

Grave Tales:

My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & NobleChapel Street is the tale of a young man battling a demonic entity that has driven members of his family to suicide for generations. It was inspired by an actual haunting. 


Learn more about the book, click Here.

Listen to me read some chapters here:


Read about the true haunting that inspired the novel here:

The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 1, An Introduction
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 2, The House
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 3, This Is Us
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 4, Arrival
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 5, Methodology
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 6, Clara's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 7, Clara's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 8, My Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 9, My Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 10, My Tale, Pt. 3
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 11, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 12, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 13, John's Tale, Pt. 1 
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 14, John's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 15, Come Inside!
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 16, Marion's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 17, Marion's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 18, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 19, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 20, Lisa's Tale
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 21, Recap, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 22, Recap, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 23, Recap, Pt. 3

Let's stay in touch:

Follow me on Twitter: SeanPaulMurphy
Follow me on Facebook: Sean Paul Murphy
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Subscribe on YouTube: Sean Paul Murphy