David_koepp says, "I went to UCLA film school"
David_koepp says, "to study screenwriting, then got a disreputible day job"
David_koepp says, "when I graduated, then just started banging out scripts"
Moderator presents the speaker with question #18 from Superwoman:
why were the plotlines of Jurassic Park and the Lost World changed so drastically in the movies?
David_koepp says, "Movies and books are completely different mediums, particularly in the area of plot"
David_koepp says, "On a very literal level, a novel is usually 400 pages long and a screenplay only 120"
David_koepp says, "It's not enough just to condense."
David_koepp says, "You usually have to completely restructure."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #80 from Ghost4:
Will you be doing any more work with Spielberg in the future?
David_koepp says, "I would love to"
David_koepp says, "I've done a couple movies now for Spielberg and a couple for Brian De Palma"
David_koepp says, "and I've become very spoiled working for great directors like this"
David_koepp says, "The best thing about working with Spielberg is you don't have to put up with a lot of the
producer"
David_koepp says, "or movie star or studio bull**** you usually have to endure when writing a move
David_koepp says, "I think the best thing about the first one in particular is that Crichton"
David_koepp says, "accomplished something quite miraculous"
David_koepp says, "He makes an utterly fantastic premise scientifically believeable"
David_koepp says, "All the fun and games that we got to have with both movies"
David_koepp says, "were made possible by that"
Moderator presents the speaker with question #29 from Textbook:
In which scene were you eaten?
David_koepp says, "I was in the San Diego scene. The character name was Unlucky ****"
David_koepp says, "He's the guy running into the video store"
David_koepp says, "I'm still wondering when I can show that to my 3 year old"
David_koepp says, "He's the guy running into the video store"
Moderator presents the speaker with question #86 from Ghost4:
What were the other possibilties plot-wise for the movie?
David_koepp says, "Oh, boy. You got a few days?"
David_koepp says, "We spent a year or two talking through scenarios"
David_koepp says, "Some good, a lot bad."
David_koepp says, "But when Michael announced he intended to write a novel as a sequel,"
David_koepp says, "we tabled the discussion until he was done."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #55 from Sid:
In the book, there was a scene where the velociraptors dragged one of the scientists back to their nest in a
shark cage, only to be eaten by the babies. Why was this left out of the film? It was one of the most vivid
scenes in the book.
David_koepp says, "You know, what can I tell you?"
David_koepp says, "There was a lot of great stuff in both books."
David_koepp says, "Your most precious commodity is screen time."
David_koepp says, "We wished we had room for twice as much, but we didn't."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #25 from Supergleek:
Who is your favorite author?
David_koepp says, "Kurt Vonnegut"
Moderator presents the speaker with question #71 from Ghost4:
What is it about Spielberg that makes his movies so much better than anyone else's?
David_koepp says, "Um, it's a gift. He has the most precious ability that a film director could possibly have"
David_koepp says, "the ability to tell a story with pictures."
David_koepp says, "That's what the whole medium is about."
David_koepp says, "As someone mentioned earlier, the scene with the cracking glass is a perfect example"
Moderator says, "That scene was all Spielberg?"
David_koepp says, "The idea of using the satellite phone to ultimately take out the whole window I think was
my idea"
David_koepp says, "but it's sort of hard to remember who did what after a while,"
David_koepp says, "because in a good collaboration, you're both enhancing the other's ideas"David_koepp says, "The idea of the glass cracking, yes."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #38 from Phoenix:
David, are you currently writing anything?
David_koepp says, "Yes, I'm finishing rewrite on a script called Snake Eyes"
koffyg leaves.
David_koepp says, "which starts shooting July 21st. Brian DePalma is directing it."
David_koepp says, "and Nicholas Cage is starring."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #27 from Wendy32:
what is the best way to begin a screen writing career, do you need an agent?
David_koepp says, "Getting an agent is 1,000 times easier than writing a good screenplay."
David_koepp says, "By far, the hardest thing to do in screenwriting is write screenplays."
dreabaut leaves.
David_koepp says, "I used to have professor at UCLA who said, "Don't worry about an agent,"
David_koepp says, "don't worry about producer, if you write a good screenplay, you can leave it in the
middle of the freeway"
David_koepp says, "and somebody will find it, produce it, and probably screw it up.""
Moderator presents the speaker with question #111 from Mystri:
Who inspired you the most growing up?
David_koepp says, "A drama teacher I had in high school named Diane Powell."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #121 from Ro_nin:
On the scene when Malcolm etc. first get on the run away boat, there's all these dead bodies, but the rex's are
still in the cargo hold. Were there anymore dinos? I smell sequel! "Dinosaurs invade San Diegeo"
David_koepp says, "No, but I'm glad you asked that."
David_koepp says, "The boat that crashes through the dock is the reference to several other movies."
David_koepp says, "First we named the boat The Venture, after the boat in King Kong"
David_koepp says, "And second, the whole idea of a ghost ship that crashes with the entire crew killed is straight out of Dracula"
David_koepp says, "Now the thing about a ghost ship is that since everyone's dead,"
Rick_dangerous enters.
David_koepp says, "It lands with mysteries aboard."
David_koepp says, "What we intended was that the T Rex was broken out of his shackles, killed or mauled
everyone"
David_koepp says, "except for one crwe member who stayed alive long enough to wait until the animal went
down into the hold"
David_koepp says, "He then pushed the button to close the doors and trapped it there"
David_koepp says, "Then he died, his fingers still on the button."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #15 from Raptor2:
How do you go about scriptwriting? How do you decide what stays and what goes(form the original story)
David_koepp says, "Uhhhh.... well, if it's an adaptation of a novel, I usually read the novel 3 times."
David_koepp says, "And highlight what I think are the best scenes in the book each time"
David_koepp says, "If something is highlighted all three times, then I know I want it in the movie."
Guest leaves, heading for TV Lounge.
David_koepp says, "The rest of the adaptation process is an ongoing effort to make connections between
great scenes and characters."
David_koepp says, "It's like that great advice to all artists, "Only Connect.""
Moderator presents the speaker with question #158 from Paladin:
Have you ever written a scene that you thought was really good that died on the cutting room floor, and if so
what was it?
David_koepp says, "Yes, in The Lost World as a matter of fact."
David_koepp says, "There's a scene between Roland the hunter and Peter Ludlow, the villain that I think is
absolutely essential to the story."
David_koepp says, "Steven has promised me he'll put it back in the laserdisc."
David_koepp says, "Let's see if he makes good!"
Moderator presents the speaker with question #30 from Wendy32:
David why was there so much violence in the Lost World as opposed to Jurassic Park, where was all the
wonder? It was gone in the sequel?
David_koepp says, "Yeah, that's one reason we gave Jeff Goldblum that self-conscious line, "Ooh, ahh,
that's how it all starts, screaming and running comes later.""
David_koepp says, "If you think about most sequels, they're almost always darker than the original."
David_koepp says, "Back to the Future II, Aliens, Godfather II and half a dozen more."
David_koepp says, "The problem is, in the first film you travel the story arc from discovery and wonder in
the first act,"
David_koepp says, "to utmost danger in the third act."
David_koepp says, "Once you've already reached the point of utmost danger, it seems like regressing to take
the audience back throught the naive sense of wonder agtain."
David_koepp says, "Our feeling was that the audience would be saying, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, wise up, you
bunch of schmucks""
Moderator presents the speaker with question #41 from Wendy32:
Why was the answer to the $64,000 question "how did the dinos survive without they're dietary supplement"
answered in one trite sentence "it was in the vegetation on the island" isn't that a little contrite for the thinking
movie goer?
David_koepp says, "I don't think contrite is quite the word you're looking for. Maybe trite."
David_koepp says, "But we found the simplest and truest explanation to be the best."
David_koepp says, "The animals knew what nutrients they needed and they sought out vegetation that
contained it."
David_koepp says, "It makes sense to me."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #138 from Raptor2:
If you could describe Steven Spielberg in one word, what yould it be?
David_koepp says, "Rich."
David_koepp says, "Wait a minute, wait a minute."
David_koepp says, "I want to work again."
David_koepp says, "How about this.... tireless."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #142 from Ghost4:
Did Jeff Goldblum offer any crazy ideas for the movie?
David_koepp says, "Jeff Goldblum is a crazy idea for the movie."
David_koepp throws his head back, cackling with glee.
David_koepp says, "Jeff is great to work with because he has such an unusual delivery that he even makes
lines like, "No, of course I won't""
David_koepp says, "sound quirky and inspired."
David_koepp says, "I hung around with him alot when working on the script."
David_koepp says, "The whole idea of having Sara go to the island first was his."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #168 from Arshon:
Mr.Koepp...the screenplay in LW was excellent! I smell "Oscar Nomination!!" Have you ever been
nominated for any award before??
David_koepp says, "No, the Academy hasn't wised up yet."
David_koepp says, "Thank you for saying that, but this kind of movie isn't traditionally the kind of thing they
give awards for."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #175 from Paladin:
Have you ever written a screenplay that someone wanted, but they wanted to change it so much that you
refused to give it to them?
David_koepp says, "Yes. It was my second script called Bad Influence."
David_koepp says, "I don't know if you ever saw the film, but it's a pretty dark thriller."
David_koepp says, "Universal wanted to buy it and make it into a buddy comedy."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #104 from Phoenix:
David, did you ever want to do anything else besides screen write?
David_koepp says, "When I was much younger I wanted to be an actor."
David_koepp says, "But a writing professor in college who was also directing me in a play gave me some
good advice."
David_koepp says, "I asked him what he thought of my acting and he said, I think you're a wonderful writer."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #105 from Textbook:
Why the gymnastics scene?? :-)
David_koepp says, "I have to admit, that's not my favorite scene in the movie."
David_koepp says, "But Steven felt if we dragged this girl all the way down to the island and she didn't have
a moment in the sun,"
David_koepp says, "there was no reason for her character to be there."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #182 from Arshon:
With all the hoopla surrounding JP and now LW, do you forsee a sequel in the future??
David_koepp says, "Well, I think these 2 movies compliment each other pretty well. I"
David_koepp says, "If everyone were ever going to run the risk of screwing it up by trying it again, they
would have to have an awfully good idea."
David_koepp says, "And I sure haven't heard one. What else could these dinosaurs do?"
David_koepp says, "Wait! That's not a bad idea.."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #183 from Jubbaba:
What was your favorite effect from The Lost World?
David_koepp says, "My favorite effect isn't much of an effect at all - it's the digital cracks in the glass"
David_koepp says, "in the scene someone mentioned earlier."
David_koepp says, "After that, I think I like the moment where the T Rex uses its forelimb to scratch behind
its ear."
David_koepp says, "It's a wonderful tiny bit of behavior."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #129 from Jinxed:
What type of books do you read?
David_koepp says, "Lots of different kinds."
David_koepp says, "I like nonfiction. and I just finished Into Thin Air, the account of the Mount Everst
David_koepp says, "Once you start that thing, it's impossible to stop reading."
David_koepp says, "I also like biographies."
David_koepp says, "And Angela's Ashes was great."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #74 from Kryton:
Who is the one director you would most like to work with?
David_koepp says, "After myself?"
David_koepp says, "I'm dying to get behind the camera again."
David_koepp says, "As for other directors, like anybody, I would love to have my ass kicked by Stanley
Kubrick for 3 or 4 years."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #120 from Mystri:
In your career,what has been your favorite project that you have worked on?
David_koepp says, "Let's see...."
David_koepp says, "I think I probably had the best time writing and directing The Trigger Effect, a movie I
did last year."
David_koepp says, "Even though it wasn't very successful commercially, I'm proud of the movie."
marckell leaves.
David_koepp says, "The problem with screenwriting is that some point you are always forced to give your
children up for adoption."
David_koepp says, "Sometimes you do it willingly, and the foster parents are good ones."
David_koepp says, "Other times, a bunch of jerk offs break into your house and steal your children."
David_koepp says, "In either case, somebody else gets to watch them grow up."
David_koepp says, "Have I pushed this tired metaphor far enough yet?"
Moderator presents the speaker with question #205 from DarkArts:
What do you look for in a novel that would make you want to adapt it to the screen?
David_koepp says, "Interestingly, what you do not look for is something that seems cinematic."
David_koepp says, "Books that are written like movies are the hardest thing to adapt."
David_koepp says, "All that unsnarling of overlong plots."
David_koepp says, "What I most look for is the kind of thing that we had in Carlito's Way."
David_koepp says, "A very well-developed character. You can always find ways to dramatize the action
that you need."
David_koepp says, "But creating a full bodied character is the hardest part of any storytelling."
David_koepp says, "(Especially when there are dinosaurs running around.)"
Moderator presents the speaker with question #221 from The_Eft2099:
Why was there no dino-poop on the island?
David_koepp laughs hysterically.
David_koepp ponders thoughtfully.
David_koepp says, "I guess they had a bunch of screenwriters around to clean it up."
David_koepp says, "The compys ate it all."
David_koepp says, "Remember in the first book... they're like the dung beetles of the dinosaur world."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #13 from Raptor2:
What was your favorite film?
David_koepp says, "Rosemary's Baby."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #99 from Phoenix:
David, what do like to do when you are not writing?
David_koepp says, "I have two very young kids, so I'm afraid it's more of a question of what do they like to
do."
David_koepp says, "Once they're asleep, I like to sit down with a beer and read."
David_koepp says, "I'm a sucker for stories."
David_koepp says, "I just finished Robert Lewis Stevenson's collection of short stories. Fantastic."
David_koepp says, "And, pathetic though it may sound, I go to as many movies as I can."
David_koepp says, "I'll watch shadows on a wall if it's got a plotline."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #210 from The_Eft2099:
Did you see LW with a 'real' audience or did you settle for a press screening?
David_koepp says, "Both. The problem with a press screening is they are all professionally constipated."
David_koepp says, "You couldn't get a verbal reaction out of them with a cattle prod."
David_koepp says, "I saw it in the Valley at Universal with a real audience. That was extremely satisfying."
David_koepp says, "This kind of movie is made for the audience, not to satisfy the filmmakers inner need to
express themselves."
David_koepp says, "So to watch an audience have fun is like, the payoff."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #215 from koffyg:
What your favorite movie that you've seen recently and what was your take of the screenwrite?
David_koepp says, "Hands down my favorite movie of the past year was Breaking the Waves."
David_koepp says, "It was so embarrassing. I cried for half and hour after the movie."
Leon enters.
David_koepp says, "The people I was with were saying, "For God's sake, enough already.""
David_koepp says, "Lars Von Trier who wrote and directed it is to my mind, a true artist."
David_koepp says, "Giving up everything for an unlikely love."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #261 from Jinxed:
you ever theatre jump whe you go to the movies?
David_koepp says, "Yes, it drives my wife crazy."
David_koepp says, "I spent one memorable night at the Hellplex."
David_koepp says, "I saw "The Pest," "Fierce Creatures," "Beverly Hills Ninja" and "The Shadow
Conspiracy""
David_koepp says, "All four only took me an hour"
David_koepp says, "I don't mean to be mean. I've got a few films that belong at that same Hellplex."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #266 from The_Eft2099:
Do you see any future for movies -ON- the internet?
David_koepp says, "Well, maybe as a delivery system."
David_koepp says, "Well, maybe as a delivery system."
David_koepp says, "It would save a trip to the video store."
David_koepp says, "But, I think most people feel that they spend too much time alone in front of their
computer already."
David_koepp says, "The communal experince of movie going is hard to replace."
David_koepp says, "For one thing it gets you out of your friggin' house."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #272 from Paladin:
If you were on a desert island and you could have two movies. What would they be?
David_koepp says, "Amadeus, because that's like a trick - you get the movie and Mozart's music."
David_koepp says, "And Rosemary's Baby, which I could watch every day."
Moderator says, "Year One!!!"
Moderator presents the speaker with question #277 from Wendy32:
David we need to know why was Dr. Malcolm's daughter a mixed racial child..we were trying to fugure this
out before you came in
David_koepp says, "Well, I think it's kind of obvious. Her mother was black."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #286 from MurphysLaw:
How is it working with Mr. Crichton? You 2 together must be a real "scream"!
David_koepp says, "Curiously, Michael Crichton and I have never met nor spoken on the phone."
David_koepp says, "But that's Hollywood for you."
David_koepp says, "There's this terrible fear in Hollywood that if you allow writers to get together in the
same room that they will conspire to take over the business."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #292 from Arshon:
Did Mr. Speilberg let you have any memoralbilia from JP or LW??
David_koepp says, "Uh, let's see. Actually my favorite memento just came the other day."
David_koepp says, "It's a digital composite, a photograph of me, being eaten by the Tyrannasaurus."
David_koepp says, "I'm going to send it to my acting professor from college, "See, I can act!""
Moderator says, "Here's the final thought for the evening...."
Moderator presents the speaker with question #295 from Wendy32:
David. you're the best...thanks for taking this time to chat with us.....take care of yourself and your family..all
the best
David_koepp says, "What the hell is a crack like that supposed to mean?"
David_koepp laughs hysterically.
David_koepp says, "Thank you very much."
Moderator says, "Thanks a lot David!!! It's been great!"
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geocities.com/hotsprings)