Will the real Jace Anderson please stand up?

OK, so I'm fairly new to the whole Myspace thing...and while it's clearly one of the best procrastination tools ever developed, I'm finding that it has a disturbing side. How so, you ask? I'm finding other Jaces out there.

I've always liked having an unique name. I take a perverse pride in not being able to find my name on a souvenir keyring or in a baby name book. I'm used to being relentlessly questioned about what my "real" name is. There's a "JACE Medical Building" on Magnolia Boulevard in North Hollywood that intrigues me, and I once found "Jace" spraypainted on a wall in New Zealand. But when it comes to people, I get very territorial. When someone exclaims that they know someone else named Jace, my gut reaction is "But that's MY name!" Once I actually worked with a guy named Jason who went by Jayce -- poser! -- and one of the saddest moments at that job was when someone walked into the copy room looking for him, saw me and exclaimed "You're not Jayce!"

Most other Jaces are like my co-worker Jayce -- Jasons going with their name's most logical nickname (posers!). Thus most other Jaces are guys, so I'm used to surprising people who learn my name before actually meeting me. The Selective Service hassled me for not registering after I turned 18, finally threatening me with jail time and a fine. And about one out of every five meetings Adam and I go on begins with a wide-eyed exec exclaiming "Oh, I thought you were a GAY couple!" to which Adam wearily replies no, but he's willing to learn.

So it is with one of the Jaces I found on Myspace at this profile. This Jace is a 36 year old guy living in Sacramento who's into horror of all types. Seems like an interesting guy -- I wonder if he's a real Jace?

Then I go to register my unique Myspace URL and discover that someone already has myspace.com/jaceanderson. Holy shit! There's another JACE ANDERSON in the world? My alter ego lives in Medicine Hat, Canada and owns a couple of promotion/outdoor advertising companies. He's a married Sagittarius with kids, and his friends include "300" and "Weird Al." Not only that, it seems that he's beaten me to the punch on www.jaceanderson.com! Yikes! Medicine Hat Jace Anderson's blog has some interesting things to say about marketing and other issues, and he's posted some adorable photos of his kids. He seems like a very nice guy. (Many years ago, before Adam and I were writing much, I googled my name and discovered a "Jace Anderson" posting detailed colored pencil drawings of dragons sucking each other's, uh, dragon parts. I don't think Medicine Hat Jace Anderson would do something like that, which raises the astonishing possibility of TWO other Jace Andersons out there.)

Perusing Medicine Hat Jace Anderson's blog, I discover that -- dammit! -- he's even beat me to blogging about another Jace Anderson. In a post entitled Who Is Adam Gierasch?, Medicine Hat Jace Anderson writes:

"Better yet, don't answer that. If you don't already know, you probably won't care, i know i don't. i've never met him, never talked to him (that i know) and i've never considered him a friend or co-conspirator. Co-writer? nope, not at all.

He and Jace Anderson are co-writers of what appear to be tacky horror flicks. "All things Zombie" Bahhh. By sheer numbers alone, it appears that they have managed quite a career. At least that is what Google says when i *google* myself. Have you googled yourself?"

1:26 PM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Early cut of THE MOTHER OF TEARS...!
Current mood: diabolical

A big day today...Adam and I (and a hungry, uncomfortable friend of ours) went over to Myriad Pictures to watch an early cut of The Mother of Tears. Here's the scene: a small, glass-walled conference room (no blinds and lots of sun, natch.) Uncomfortable wooden chairs. A small TV playing a so-so transfer (sans color-timing and final music) of the film. Myriad staffers popping in and out...some excited, some with no idea of what they were watching. (Guy who said we had some "great, culty stuff" and was shocked to hear the film was the third in a renowned trilogy, I'm talking to you.)

It's hard watching something you've been a part of. The first scene starts and I think "yup, I was there for that shot, standing right behind that tree..." I notice lines that have been cut, remember Dario acting out scenes for us when we were writing, chuckle about the drama that happened on set the day another scene was shot, and marvel that that British actor pulled off such a convincing Italian accent. My head's all over the place.

And then something great happened. During an awesome scene of violence and mayhem (this IS an Argento movie, after all) my head shuts off and I get caught up in the story and images. Asia and co-star Adam James really convince me they're a couple. Coralina's amazing. Crazy-looking witches descend on Rome and I'm right there with them. Needless to say, the gore satisfies. Dario had said he wanted this to be his bloodiest movie ever...and I don't know if it is, but there's plenty of blood to spare.

Were there things I questioned? A few. But even under those crappy viewing conditions I loved the movie. Dario's one-of-a-kind and a great director, to say the least. I know a lot of people want him to re-visit the crazy colors and sets of SUSPIRIA (me, I want a house decorated just like it), but he was very explicit about not wanting to repeat himself. Don't expect purple and green lights...but rest assured that there are some very cool, very gorgeous visuals.

So, there you have it. I love it. But I'm one of the screenwriters, so how can you trust me? I followed the story -- but, hell, I wrote it. Working on the Mother of Tears has been a high point in my life, both personally and professionally. I got to collaborate with a hero. Adam and I lived for a month in Rome, for God's sake, and I fell in love with Italy and the Italian language. Maybe my love for the Argentos and all the wonderful people I've met because of this have given me rose-colored glasses...but I don't think so.

Seeing the cut left me wishing one thing: that I could get my brain zapped, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind style, and watch the movie without knowing a thing about it. I'll never get the "virgin" viewing, the pure rush I got with Suspiria and so many of Dario's movies. Will Mother of Tears be a similar experience? You guys are going to have to let me know.

7:38 PM - 6 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment