I'm quite sure Ronnie saw this in Entertainment Weekly Mag, but the University of Southern California Film School is offering a course this semester called:
The Genius of John Hughes
Here's the details directly from the USC website:
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CTWR 431 Screenwriters and Their Work (2 units) Description: Lectures and readings on creative problems in screenwriting: current scripts; interviews with visiting screenwriters.
The Genius of John Hughes
An exploration of the career and influence of screenwriter John Hughes, from "National Lampoon's Vacation" to "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "The Breakfast Club." Hughes' work and the work of writers he inspired will be analyzed from a screenwriter's perspective.
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I totally thought the name of the dean of the film school was interesting: Elizabeth Daley! .. .. spelled differently.. but hilarious.
The coolest part is that they bring in a special guest speaker each class to help them dig deep into the John Hughes film of choice.
Molly Ringwald was the guest when EW was there..
1. Jake Ryan was almost Viggo Mortensen instead of Michael Schoeffling?
2. Judd Nelson was almost fired from "The Breakfast Club" for his method acting style and replaced by John Cusack.
3. Ringwald wanted Robert Downey Jr. to play Duckie and even begged John Hughes to cast him. What would have happened to Jon Cryer?
4. John Hughes really struggled with Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall growing up and wanted to work with other filmakers. It eventually created a major rift between them.
Why didn't they offer this class when I was in college?
[ 01. May 2011, 11:30: Message edited by: Valley ]
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
val, i actually did not read this article.. which issue was it in?... was it the one with Nathan Fillion on the cover? haha
i actually think this is quite awesome. there's just some things, that college should offer..be it music appreciation and/or film appreciation! and the career of John Hughes should definitely be explored.
haha i think i would have dug downey jr., as duckie..who knows.. but he got to chase her around in The Pick-up Artist.
i love the guest speaker thing.. what if Michael Schoeffling came out of hiding to help out? ya right...ha
great find, val! and too funny on the "Daley." Posted by Logan 5 (Member # 1467) on :
I'm gonna be a little more negative about it...
quote:Why didn't they offer this class when I was in college?
Because college used to be about a practical education with practical career applications, but now it's about numbers and filling out courses? 'Populist' is the order of the day.
I love the idea as a fun course to take, but as with anything else - you want to see the genius of John Hughes - watch his movies.
Someone smarter than me once said; the problem with taking something apart to see how it works, is that you have to destroy it to do so.
I wonder what John Hughes would make of a course about his movies?
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Logan.. my only problem with taking things apart .. is the extra pieces I have leftover when I put it back together. ha .. I figured you'd be a fan of a course similar to this because you've always enjoyed analyzing things.
Ronnie.. the John Hughes article is actually in the new issue with Twilight on the cover. Not sure what was in the issue with Nathan Fillion on the cover, because I burned that issue on my patio grill 'Pump Up The Volume' style upon arrival. Posted by Bernie_Lomax (Member # 8571) on :
If John Hughes actually taught the course I would take it for sure. He truly was a genius.
Posted by Veronica Sawyer (Member # 2221) on :
I think it would be way cooler to teach the class than be a student in it. I mean, seriously, if that were my job every day to talk about John Hughes movies, how awesome would that be??
On another note, I hope that they also discuss his non-teen movies like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and Uncle Buck because there was so much more to Hughes than just Breakfast Club and 16 Candles.
Posted by Logan 5 (Member # 1467) on :
quote:Logan.. my only problem with taking things apart .. is the extra pieces I have leftover when I put it back together.
quote:ha .. I figured you'd be a fan of a course similar to this because you've always enjoyed analyzing things.
I like the idea of the course (who wouldn't?) I'm just not sure it has any practical applications. Plus, I've met one too many 'film students' who think that because they sat through a class on something they know the 'true' meaning of it (in other words; someone elses opinion):
"Did you know that each John Hughes movie is actually a metaphor for coming to terms with latent homosexuality and the decline of American manufacturing since the ratification of the Taft-Walker agreement in 1965?" "No I didn't. Mainly because it isn't true. Did you know you're a d!ck?"
I always think about the Woody Allen 'Annie Hall' scene:
"You know nothing about my work."
quote:I think it would be way cooler to teach the class than be a student in it. I mean, seriously, if that were my job every day to talk about John Hughes movies, how awesome would that be??
I agree - much better to teach it. Ah, Veronnie... I think you'd do a great job! Technically, it is a part of your contribution to society (unpaid), to discuss John Hughes right here, with us
quote:On another note, I hope that they also discuss his non-teen movies like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and Uncle Buck because there was so much more to Hughes than just Breakfast Club and 16 Candles.
So true. Heck... I even like National Lampoons Class Reunion!
Posted by Muffy Tepperman (Member # 1551) on :
quote:Originally posted by Valley: Not sure what was in the issue with Nathan Fillion on the cover, because I burned that issue on my patio grill 'Pump Up The Volume' style upon arrival.
This made me laugh sooooooooo hard!! My boss watches Castle too and we both talk about what a hunk he is....some weirdo brings those magazines into the breakroom so i'm reading People and it's an article about Nathan....I tear it out and leave it for my boss to read she draws a big heart around his head and left it for me.....totally made me laugh he's a HUNK!
Posted by rymo (Member # 9684) on :
Posted by SHOGUN (Member # 477) on :
^it's funny watching him in Big Love..i still attach him as the jug head bigger bro!
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