Spielberg geek luncheon
Partly as a result of a certain online journalist making a call last week to Paramount Studios which led to the "sting" arrest of Roderick Davis, the 37 year-old Cerritos resident who tried to peddle hundreds of stolen photos from the shoot of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull for $2000 bucks, director Steven Spielberg hosted a small "thank you" lunch and set visit today for a small group of fanboy web journalists at Universal studios.
Universal Studios lot (foreground)
The group included CHUD's Devin Faraci, "Quint" from Ain't It Cool and, I've been told, a rep from Slashfilm and Dark Horizons. I'm not sure if Latino Review's Kellvin Chavez (who flew out from NYC for the meeting) and IESB.net's Robert Sanchez attended, but I'm told they were invited at one point.
Spielberg, currently directing Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, was presumably looking to bond with these leading web journos and foster allegiance in case another stolen-photo incident occurs down the road.
The luncheon/set visit was almost cancelled yesterday because "too many people found out about it," I was told by two sources. The invited parties were "supposed to keep it to themselves...they shot themselves in the foot." A guy involved in the back and forth told me yesterday that "some people have gotten their butts very hurt over [this] whole thing, and Paramount is dealing with sites complaining about not getting invites."
Here's Quint's story on AICN about the meeting. a story about Transformers 2 that was sourced directly to Spielberg by way of Devin Faraci was posted a little while ago.
I wrote yesterday about the above-described online journalist who made the call, etc., but I took the story down because the journalist called to express concern that Davis's accomplice (or accomplices) might possibly take revenge for providing information that led to his arrest. I've never written about a criminal matter before, but I decided yesterday that if there was a one-in-a-hundred chance that some kind of payback might be visited on this journalist or his family (a scenario out of a bad TV episode) I didn't want to be involved.
L.A.'s Standard Hotel
I had called this journalist last weekend to encourage him to write a detailed piece about the episode and maybe even sell it to some large, well-paying print publication. It's got everything, after all -- a threat to the profile of a much-awaited film, a big-name director (Steven Spielberg) and big movie stars (Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Shia Lebouf), stolen property, and a secret sting operation arranged in collusion with authorities.
The guy was contacted seven or eight days ago by Davis with an offer to sell the stolen Indy 4 photos or a lousy two grand. A couple of sample photos were sent to prove that Davis had the goods. The online journalist quickly notified Paramount publicity about the offer, they called the L.A. Sheriff's office and a "sting" meeting was arranged to to happen last Tuesday afternoon at the L.A.'s Standard Hotel. (Note: I was told by a Paramount source that the FBI was involved.)
A story about the theft and arrest ran on IESB.net last Tuesday, saying that "the thief was apprehended by LAPD and the FBI" even though, according to L.A. Times reporter Richard Winton, it was an L.A. Sheriffs operation.
The story wrote that the sting happened "with the help of a member of the online press [who] had been offered the stolen property. Sources tell us that an undercover sting operation was set in motion late last night," the story reported, "with the help of the unnamed member of the online press."
"A meeting between the alleged thief and the unnamed online reporter was set up for 4:00 pm at the Standard Hotel on Sunset Blvd. The sting went as planned and the arrest was made. The IESB has been told that the alleged thief was in possession of the stolen property."
A 10.4 L.A. Times story about the bust by Winton and Andrew Blankstein said that lawmen "e-mailed the suspect, saying they were interested in purchasing the photos," alrhough it made no mention of Sanchez. The feds rented a room, Davis showed up and tried to talk business...surprise, busted, cuffed.
Both Winton and the online reporter told me they'd beebn told that Davis had an accomplice or accomplices, and that this said parties are on the loose.
More interesting details, I'm sure, have yet to be revealed. I just hope it gets written up thoroughly some day, and written well.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on October 9, 2007 at 4:49 PM
comment #1
Craig Kennedy
says ...
CHUD is reporting the big news to come out of said luncheon: Spielberg is hot to get going on Transformers 2. So it was a "thank you and by the way feel free to start drumming up excitement about the next turd in our new franchise" luncheon.
http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=news&id=12094
Posted by Craig Kennedy
at October 9, 2007 5:35 PM
comment #2
Walter Sobchak
says ...
Cleaning crews are currently mopping up the gallons of drool left on the floor of the dining facility.
Posted by Walter Sobchak
at October 9, 2007 5:44 PM
comment #3
Craig Kennedy
says ...
You hope it was just drool.
Posted by Craig Kennedy
at October 9, 2007 5:45 PM
comment #4
KevinTC
says ...
The AICN writeup of the lunch:
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34376
Posted by KevinTC
at October 9, 2007 5:53 PM
comment #5
Geoff
says ...
The Standard Hotel is a really trippy place.
Posted by Geoff
at October 9, 2007 6:23 PM
comment #6
Zimmergirl
says ...
Transformers 2. Jeez. More fanboy sticky goo from that announcement, no doubt.
Posted by Zimmergirl
at October 9, 2007 7:56 PM
comment #7
Wes Anderson
says ...
I'm glad they busted this dumb crook, and kudos to the guy that dropped a dime on him.
But I'm having a good laugh while jumping from site to site, reading these "My Lunch With Spielberg" stories tonight. The nerds are falling into line, like the mainstream press before we invaded Iraq.
I'm glad Hollywood has figured the best way to deal with these internet geek-spoiler sites is to shut them down with minor access. A magical little studio tour, private phone call, micro-sized table scraps from the production... a small price to pay for good, soild, 100 percent positive nerd press coverage. Any strong opinions these fanboy "writers" (I'm sorry, "journalists") boasted at one point can easily be swayed by a little "Hollywood Insider" juice, served nice and cold on the Universal Backlot.
Grouchy, "I-know-more-than-you-about-the-sequel" man-children like "Moriarty", Faraci and those maniacs from IESB and Latino Review have always seemed to suffer from a delusional sense of entitlement when it comes to fantasy film projects. This Robert Sanchez gentleman even implored He-Man screenwriter Justin Marks to contact him for story notes: "Justin, let's just talk about this, send me an email." Ha. Ha-ha. A great read, that was. These jokers all want to be Hollywood Players, and on that rare occasion they get a stolen draft, production art, or casting scoops, they act like your schoolyard mate's overweight older brother. The one who managed to get his greasy hands on a Playboy, and now he's sharing it with the horndog crowd... one... page... at... a... time. Good for them. It gives their lives value, I suppose.
But why do these tough as nails New Media Writers want to be labeled Journalists, then turn Cherry Jell-O at the sight of Harrison Ford in costume? Where were the rapid fire, hard hitting questions to Spielberg about the idiot extra who violated his contract and will never work in this town again? How about his take on Blu-Ray versus HD DVD? How about Darabont? Will Indy carry a gun or not? Does Shia get to wear the hat in the last scene? Is George Lucas sane?
You can bet your ass the coverage leading up to May 22 will be good and positive from the nerd sites.
And all it took was handshakes and autographed posters.
But anyway, I can't wait for the full story on Roderick Davis.
What a maroon.
Posted by Wes Anderson
at October 9, 2007 8:25 PM
comment #8
christian
says ...
Don't tell me that Spielberg isn't a brilliant director.
Posted by christian
at October 9, 2007 8:40 PM
comment #9
DarthCorleone
says ...
Wes Anderson? Here?!? This internet is so confusing.
As for the topic at hand, I think Spielberg owes me a thank-you lunch too. I was one of the few people polite enough not to swarm him at a special event several years back. Bunch of jackals at that thing.
Posted by DarthCorleone
at October 9, 2007 8:58 PM
comment #10
lazarus
says ...
Spielberg still owes me a lunch for sitting through War of the Worlds.
He'd probably owe me another one if I had bothered to suffer through The Terminal too.
Christian, exactly what about Wes's post says anything about Spielberg not being brilliant? It's about damage control and appeasement and the weak-kneed, easily-bought and placated geek online media. Also, Spielberg isn't above criticism anyway.
Posted by lazarus
at October 9, 2007 9:05 PM
comment #11
christian
says ...
Iazarus, my post had nothing to do with "Wes Anderson."
It was a stand-alone.
And there are many types of journalists. I'm interested in craft and ideas rather than gossip and that's reflected in my own interviews. I was excited for these folk and I wasn't expecting them to demand answers. Is there a huge gap from getting a set visit to getting a lunch at Four Seasons? Publicists are always nearby.
Posted by christian
at October 9, 2007 9:51 PM
comment #12
soap-and-water
says ...
the real wes anderson or not, that was a cracker post.
that '... one... page... at... a... time' bit sang!
'twas the cherry on top of spending my morning reading the different sites' takes on the same awkward situation.
the choreography behind driving that busload of web writers away just as the principal cast came in for lunch was sublime.
Kudos Paramount! Kudos Wes! (or faux Wes)
No tape recorders?! what difference did it make?!
Posted by soap-and-water
at October 9, 2007 10:26 PM
comment #13
Devin Faraci
says ...
This was not a set visit. We did not see any sets or filming. This is only one of the inaccuracies in this post.
Posted by Devin Faraci
at October 9, 2007 10:28 PM
comment #14
soap-and-water
says ...
Really? What are some of the other inaccuracies?
and hey, it needs to be said, most of these web guys are decent, conversational writers when it comes to first-person stuff, but that Garth Franklin over at dark horizons is a joke. His language skills are shocking.
here's how he leads his Resurrecting the Champ review:
Whilst it's wall-to-wall preachy in its desire to be one of those inspirational redemption flicks, the seemingly cliched 'Champ' shines in small moments thanks to smart writing, glimpses of grim realism and a strong performance by an almost unrecognisable Samuel L. Jackson.
it's like something from an 11-year-old (well, an 11-year-old who's somehow learnt the meaning of the words preachy, cliche and redemption).
now, what about those other inaccuracies? this little episode's really got me interested...
Posted by soap-and-water
at October 10, 2007 12:08 AM
comment #15
BurmaShave
says ...
Plus Garth Franklin was one of the only critics to shit on NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN.
Posted by BurmaShave
at October 10, 2007 12:32 AM
comment #16
soap-and-water
says ...
that can't be true!!!
the thing's a fucking symphony!
glad i'm not the only to hear fingernails on a chalkboard every time he types.
Posted by soap-and-water
at October 10, 2007 1:27 AM
comment #17
Mr. Kockum
says ...
Mr Faraci, pardon me for being ignorant of these things, what is the difference between a visit to Mr Spielberg on the set of Indiana Jones, as AICN's Quint labeled it in his article, and a set visit?
And I'd prefer it if you addressed Mr Anderson's post. Journalists getting chummy with the targets of their articles, sometimes downright fawning, can't be conductive to healthy journalism. But this seems more and more to be the case with web movie journalists.
Posted by Mr. Kockum
at October 10, 2007 3:58 AM
comment #18
Josh Massey
says ...
The first thing we can do is stop using the word "journalists."
Posted by Josh Massey
at October 10, 2007 4:05 AM
comment #19
alynch
says ...
These geeks get a chance to speak with Spielberg and not a single one of them bothers asking about the status of his Lincoln movie. They're more interested in asking about Transformers 2, a movie he's only marginally involved in. That's some fine "journalism".
Posted by alynch
at October 10, 2007 7:42 AM
comment #20
Joe M.
says ...
C'mon, guys... there's nothing wrong with web journos who cover and enjoy genre films getting a blast out of having a meet with Spielberg on the Universal lot. If you've ever read people like Faraci and Quint and then think that their gaining a great memory of meeting Spielberg and glimpsing the Indiana Jones actors in full costume on set will prevent them from ultimately spewing the vitriol if the film turns out to be a mess, then you're naive. As a PR flak in an unrelated industry, I've learned time and time again that showing those that cover you a great time at a press event does NOT guarantee great press or even a more sympathetic attitude toward you. And Spielberg knows that, too. It sounds like he just wanted to encourage further responsible behavior on the leaked info/photo front, which is realistically doable.
Posted by Joe M.
at October 10, 2007 8:40 AM
comment #21
IndiSB
says ...
Who cares? A set luncheon, big deal. Let them get influenced, at least the public gets to see movies the way they're intended-on the screen and not a bunch of "Oh, I remember reading that part in the script" or "I'm a kiss ass and got to meet the director."
Posted by IndiSB
at October 10, 2007 12:45 PM
comment #22
Mr. Kockum
says ...
Joe M, I'm sure they will write honest reviews of the film once it's out. But there's a difference between being a film critic, once the film is out, and covering the film up to that point.
If they were working in any other field, politics, let's say, or sports even, then a deal like this, where a number of journalists are just flown over to meet a major representative of the field they are supposed to cover objectively and critically, and then act exactly the opposite, would not be viewed in as favorable a light.
IndiSB, I am not worried about the film, but what kind of coverage of film in general I will be receiving. If the journalists cannot be impartial then they become little more than press release machines for the studios.
It's nothing personal against Quint or Faraci, or any of the people who flew to the set. I've read many of them for years, and they all seem like nice, intelligent people. But their roles as critics is not what this is about, anyone can be a critic, but their role as journalists.
A number of years ago Knowles defended himself from the accusation of partisanship by claiming to be nothing more than a guy writing about movies from his bedroom. I had hoped that the people continuing to write after that, be it for AICN or CHUD or any other webzine, would have raised their standards by now.
Posted by Mr. Kockum
at October 10, 2007 1:46 PM
comment #23
Devin Faraci
says ...
The film finishes shooting tomorrow. There will be a poster, a teaser trailer and then a final trailer. The movie will almost certainly not be tested. There's a big window of time for Spielberg to edit the movie, unlike say MUNICH. Paramount will disseminate a handful of stills from the film, but it'll be mostly generic junk. There will likely be almost no review screenings until the week of release (except for a big newsweekly or two, I am sure). The 'covering' phase of this film is essentially over for sites like ours, so I guess you won't have to worry about how we cover it.
Posted by Devin Faraci
at October 10, 2007 2:43 PM
comment #24
storymark
says ...
Maybe. But what were those inacuracies you spoke of...?
Posted by storymark
at October 11, 2007 7:31 AM
comment #25
Joe M.
says ...
Mr. Kockrum: Good points, which honestly did occur to me when I looked back on my post before sending. But, in the end, I think that entertainment jounalism gets a slightly freer pass than hard news journalism... I mean, c'mon, you're writing about what powers a villain will have in a hotly anticipated film rather than whether the prez lied to Congress. A chummy relationship with a director can actually lead to BETTER entertainment articles, as it may make the director open up a bit more to discuss his influences, goals, etc. Make no mistake, there ARE lazy entertainment writers who allow themselves to be spoonfed, but I do believe the rules are slightly different for entertainment journos vs. regular news journos.
Posted by Joe M.
at October 11, 2007 12:34 PM