A message from Bobby Logan:
My producing partner, Alan Hall, and I have purchased the rights to turn "F Troop" into a feature film. As writer/director of four previous feature films (including the Leslie Nielsen Exorcist spoof "Repossessed" and "Meatballs 4" starring Corey Feldman), I've completed a screenplay for the "F Troop" movie. We are now in the process of finding the financing for the film, since I prefer to produce the movie as an independent feature (as opposed to having the studios finance it). My reasoning is that I want more control over casting--thus allowing me to cast Native American actors in the lead roles of the Hekawis without any interference from the studios.
Matter of fact, one idea I have is to assemble a group of Native America tribes who are doing well in the gaming industry to finance the project. Helping us to spread the word would be most beneficial to us all. Here's where I'm hoping you can help, Robert.
If you'd like much more info, please feel free to call me and I would be more than willing to answer any of your questions.
Best,
Bobby Logan
http://www.bobbyworks.com
12 comments:
Hokay. Now I think I've heard it all. I mean, come on...F TROOP??? Yeesh. This show was childish and dumb even by the standards of 60's sitcoms. I mean, I thought it was funny....but then again, in the the 1960's I WAS childish and dumb. Though I had good reason. I was a child and...
Must be a guy thing. My husband loves Mel Brooks, Naked Gun, Airport, Get Smart, and the Three Stooges.
Guess we women are just more evolved ;)
I'm looking forward to seeing Get Smart when it comes out on DVD. But I find most "spoofs" terribly unfunny. Give me a Woody Allen, Larry Gelbart, or Norman Lear any day.
I've seen a lot of people claim that one show or another spoofs everyone equally. It's almost never that way in reality. If the spoof involves a minority such as Indians, the minority usually comes off worse.
The track record of people doing film versions of TV shows hasn't been good. The Wild Wild West, The Avengers, Starsky and Hutch, Bewitched...none of these captured the charm of the original.
Now someone's going to do a film version of F Troop, which is a slight concept to begin with? Like Carole, I have my doubts.
I'd say the odds of this being one of the few spinoffs that's better than the original are slim. And if it isn't better than the original, it could be very bad indeed.
Because I am the filmmaker who will be turning "F Troop" into a feature film, I must take issue with something that Rob said:
"...I'd say the odds of this being one of the few spinoffs that's better than the original are slim."
With respect, Rob, how can you possible make such a comment when:
a) You haven't even read the screenplay?
b) You have no clue who will star in the film? And...
c) ...YOU HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN THE MOVIE?
Obviously anyone can have an opinion about anything in the world. However, when they are backed by knowledge of the subject matter they are usually taken more seriously.
Comments like yours are on a par with someone saying "...I hate the food in that restaurant" when that person hasn't even eaten there before.
But, then again, that's just MY opinion.
Bobby Logan
Bobby, I was specifically talking about the "odds" facing any movie spinoff, not about your particular movie. I judged these odds based on the long history of movie spinoffs, which is readily apparent to anyone, not on your particular circumstances. I sincerely hope your movie will be an exception to the rule.
Anyway, thanks for posting your thoughts. Feel free to tell us more about your plans.
Think of my comments as a preview of the skepticism you'll face when pitching a spoof of Indians (and cowboys) to gaming tribes and the Native community in general. If I were you, I'd address people's concerns in advance so they become supporters instead of skeptics.
Rob,
Thank you for clarifying your comments. Also, I appreciate the opportunity to express my views here at your blog. Truly.
Regarding the "odds" of movie spinoffs, the fact is that slightly over 100 TV series have been turned into movies. That's a lot. Why? Because, your odds aside, they mostly do very well at the box office. Especially in the ancillary markets (DVDs, pay-per-view, international markets) after the theatrical run.
Believe me, Hollywood is all about making money. Period. And if these "TV series turned into movies" were not successful, Hollywood would stop making them in a minute. The odds are definitely in their favor -- not against.
Bobby
Rob,
Regarding the perceived "skepticism" you're suggesting I may receive in pitching a spoof of Indians (and cowboys), I can tell you that I've already been approached by the Oneidas of New York (in particular by Ray Halbritter) expressing his interest in the movie project.
I am most award of the sensitivity involved here -- and this is why I am pushing, so very hard, to have nothing less than a 100% Native American cast in place with this film. And, further, that the storyline features the Indians as being "heroes" in the end, helping to save the troopers from disaster.
FWIW.
Bobby
Russ,
Sorry (truly) to hear what you went through back then. FYI, I have yet to strike a deal with anyone regarding the financing of "F Troop," including Ray and the Oneidas. I will certainly keep your warning in mind.
Thanks.
Bobby
I was thinking more of the critical reaction than the box-office receipts. I know that many movies break even, at least, when you include the ancillary markets. Even if no one likes them very much.
As "not a sioux" said, see the IMDB.com discussions under "F Troop" for more on this subject.
You know how I know this probably won't be good? Because it doesn't have the same actors as the show. The terrific acting and comic genius of the actors is what made the show great. Also, you keep talking about finding real Native Americans to play the Hekawis. Have you forgotten that Chief Wild Eagle was an Italian? It was a SPOOF, it's not supposed to be authentic that's why it was funny. Honestly trying to go that authentic could kill it.
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