To Live and Die in LA
Anyone who knows me knows William Friedkin’s To Live and Die in LA is one of my favorite movies. From it’s synth-crazy Wang Chung soundtrack, to William Petersen’s intense performance, to the extremely weird but incredibly compelling Willem Dafoe, and the absolutely 80’s grimy noir sheen the film exudes (you can almost feel it sweating), it’s everything I love in a good crime movie And it doesn’t hurt that the book and screenplay were written by Gerald Petievich, a former Secret Service (federal) agent, just like me.
If I had the time, I’d no doubt check out a few of the filming spots for the movie, but I’m already busy with my LA adventure, as I’ve captured in a few of these shots—
I’ve spent the week so far settling into my rental, getting access to the studio lot and the bungalow where we’ll be working (as well as my office there), having some great dinners (Mirate and Bacari) and taking meetings on the feature film spec I co-wrote. I’d like to think that particular script is my own homage to To Live and Die in LA, although it doesn’t take place here. Nevertheless, it’s generating some nice interest and wonderful compliments, so we’ll see if anything comes of it.
The room proper starts on Monday, so these are the waning days of my “freedom.” I’m trying to bank some decent progress on the main novel I’m writing, as well as my solo feature spec, since by this time next week, those projects will be relegated (again) to my pre-dawn early morning writing stints, no different than when I was working full-time as a federal agent…just like Gerald Petievich.
I’ll have photos/notes from the room next week!
As always, feel free to—
The chase scene is the absolute best. "We're going this way." Up the ramp into oncoming traffic. The cars are obviously on flatbeds, but I think that just added to the intensity of the scenes, along with the ever-increasing revving of the engines and tire squeals. Defoe is incredible in how he carries himself. He is a scary MF at 6' and maybe 165. Petersen is excellent as the cop who will do anything, yes, anything, to avenge his partner's death. I am a huge basketball fan- when he tells his CI, "Say what you want about Jordan... " and talks about how good Quentin Daley is I loved it. Great movie and soundtrack!