Tag Archives: screenwriter

Gary W. Goldstein Conquering Hollywood

gary goldstein camera shGary W. Goldstein the producer of movies like Pretty Woman, Mothman Prophecies and Under Siege, talks about his new book Conquering Hollywood.

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Nat Faxon of Ben and Kate Supports Surfrider Foundation

Nat Faxon of Ben and Kate and Oscar winner for co-writing “The Decendents” Supports The Surfrider Foundation

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If you don’t know Nat Faxon you soon will. He will be starring in the new comedy series on Fox Ben and Kate. Nat has also been in countless commercial great commercials and some of my favorite movies like Beerfest, Bad Teacher, Zookeeper and Walk Hard – The Dewey Cox Story

Nat has also been seen on many of my favorite shows like Reno 911, My Name is Earl and many others.

This interview is from the first of the year so Nat had not won his Oscar yet. This is one of those, I wish I knew what I was talking about interviews. I had no clue that Nat was the co-screenwriter on The Decendents movie and it is obviouse. Sorry Nat… It was great to see him win the Oscar as I have seen him at a few events and he is always very nice. Thanks Nat. – JW

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Nat Faxon (c) JW NajarianNat Faxon

From Wikipedia

Faxon’s early years started in the seaside community of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. Faxon is a graduate of Brookwood School(Manchester-by-the sea, Massachusetts), Holderness School, and Hamilton College. As an actor, he is best known for his appearances in comedic films such as Orange County (2002), Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007), and several Broken Lizard films including Beerfest (2006). He co-starred in Darren Star‘s semi-autobiographical satire Grosse Pointe and had recurring roles in several television series such as The Cleveland Show, Joey, Up All Night and Reno 911!. He was also featured in a series of prominent Holiday Inn commercials featuring Joe Buck as well as an ad by Blockbuster.

Faxon is an alumnus of the Los Angeles-based improvisational and sketch comedy troupe The Groundlings.

Faxon and writing partner Jim Rash, whom he met while performing at The Groundlings, most recently co-wrote the screenplay for the film The Descendants, starring George Clooney and directed by Alexander Payne. On February 26, 2012, the screenplay for The Descendants won an Oscar.

He will star in the lead role on the upcoming FOX comedy Ben and Kate.

From TvGuide

  • Started a sketch-improv group called Bobby Peru while in college.
  • Worked in the main company at the Groundlings improv theater in Los Angeles for nearly a decade.
  • Pitched a variety of products in commercials for Swiffer Duster, Saturn, State Farm, Heineken, TiVo and Holiday Inn (for which he appeared with broadcaster Joe Buck in several spots).
  • Considered his role as evil German Rolf in 2006’s Beerfest as one of his favorites.
  • Married Meaghan Gadd, daughter of well-known drummer Steve Gadd, whose tours are titled Mission From Gadd.
  • Voiced characters on The Cleveland Show and American Dad! before landing a lead voice role on Allen Gregory in the fall of 2011.
  • Cowrote (with Jim Rash) the adapted screenplay for The Descendants (2011), starring George Clooney.

Nat Faxon Relationships:

  • Meaghan Gadd – Wife
  • Ruth James Faxon – Daughter

Nat Faxon Awards:

  • 2012 Golden Globe: Best Screenplay – Motion Picture – Nominee
  • 2011 Oscar: Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) – Winner (with Jim Rash)
  • 2011 BAFTA Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay – Nominee
  • College:
  • Hamilton College, Clinton, NY (BA in Theater, 1997)

Ben and Kate

SERIES PREMIERE TUE 8:30/7:30c SEP 25 on Fox

What happens when an exuberant, irresponsible dreamer who always says “yes” moves in with his overly responsible little sister to help raise her five-year-old daughter? BEN AND KATE is a heartwarming new comedy that follows a pair of odd-couple siblings – one an overly responsible single mom; the other, an exuberant kid-at-heart – and their friends as they push each other out of their comfort zones and into real life.

KATE FOX (Dakota Johnson, “The Social Network”) followed the rules all her life…until she got pregnant in college and dropped out just shy of graduation. After the birth of her daughter, MADDIE (Maggie Jones, “We Bought a Zoo,” “Footloose”), Kate put her twenties on hold. Now working as a bar manager to make ends meet and maximize her time with five-year-old Maddie, she’s uber-prepared for every possible catastrophe – except for the arrival of her older brother,  BEN FOX (Nat Faxon, “Bad Teacher”).

Ben and Kate Official Site

~ Nat Faxon is not on social media and does not have a website.

Surfrider Foundation

The Surfrider Foundation

MISSION

A little over 25 years ago three people in Malibu, California found out that their favorite wave was about to be destroyed. Think about that for a second.

Think about something you love… something that gives you enjoyment. Taken away.

First Point, pictured to the right, the quintessential perfect California wave was about to be destroyed. Those three people organized and worked with the local municipalities until they were satisfied that their efforts to preserve that iconic wave would be successful.

This was the genesis of Surfrider Foundation.

Today, we are doing this same thing in about 18 countries around the world.

Our mission is the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network.

You can think about that as three concepts. “Protection and enjoyment”, we don’t want to put a velvet rope around a beach and tell people to keep off. We’re surfers, we’re beach goers, we’re watermen… we enjoy the coasts. We’re a user group. Next up is “oceans, waves and beaches.” Think coastlines, we’re engaged with environmental issues that affect our coastlines. “Powerful activist network” speaks to how we go about this mission. We are a grassroots organization. We’re local in many coastal regions.

We’re moms, we’re surfers, we’re kids and teens… we’re you. We’re engaged to protect what we love: oceans, waves and beaches.

We would love to have you join us, you can join Surfrider here.

www.facebook.com/surfrider
twitter.com/surfrider
youtube.com/surfriderfoundation

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Thanks to GBK Events – Gavin and his great staff. As always you host the best.

GBK Productions is a Marketing, Public Relations, Fundraising and Special Events company dedicated to providing high quality, tailor-made service to its individual clients. GBK is known for integrating the Entertainment, Luxury Consumer Products and Non-Profit industries to create unique and memorable high-profile experiences that maximize its clients’ brand-building efforts.

Formed in 2000 by Gavin Keilly, the company’s Founder and CEO, GBK consists of five divisions: GBK Celebrity Gifting, GBK Event Production, GBK Weddings, GBK Charitable Consulting and GBK Marketing/Public Relations. Though separate, each entity is interconnected allowing clients/brands a full range of marketing services and benefits.

Protected: JW Friend Exclusive – Meet Gary Goldstein Face to Face

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Gary W. Goldstein – Failing Forward and other Life Lessons

Gary W. GoldsteinGary W. Goldstein Talks About Some of the Failures that Led to Great Success

Author, speaker, coach, consultant, mentor, master storyteller and celebrated Hollywood film producer, Gary’s successes include some of Hollywood’s biggest box-office hits, generating over a billion dollars in worldwide revenue, and receiving numerous Academy Award nominations, People’s Choice Awards, a Golden Globe and various other awards.

Among other titles, Gary’s films include PRETTY WOMAN, UNDER SIEGE, and THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES.

[NOTE: My whole interview with Gary is in audio form below. You can also watch a short video clip of the interview also below]

The skills Gary brought to bear in climbing the ladder from newcomer to up-and-comer to mega-success in the film business can be used to empower any business or career path – and Gary has proven this many times over. His experience and strategies, developed over the recent 25 years, have empowered him to consistently and successfully reinvent and energize other people’s messages, products, businesses and their bottom line.
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Gary also serves as board director or in-the-trenches advisor to start ups and companies poised for greater growth. He helps companies create stronger brands, leadership, advisory boards and strategic partnerships, as well as increase their product offerings, sales and marketing channels, loyal customer base and revenues.

To learn more about individual coaching and mentoring opportunities with Gary, or to discover whether your company is a good candidate for Gary’s advisory/consulting services, please make inquiry through his website. www.GaryWGoldstein.com.

I met Gary a few years back in the men’s room of a conference we both attended. I had no idea of Gary’s many accomplishments at the time, but we were both very interested in commercial real estate and I had some contacts and we both thought it would be a good idea to connect.

I do not remember Gary telling me about his Hollywood career, I am sure I was impressed, but what I really liked about Gary is that he is a incredibly creative and since he was a lawyer, he has a way of looking at things that I really needed then and now.

Gary is my go to person for sage advice and I want to thank him for being a great mentor and friend. – JW

Contact Gary W. Goldstein:

Main Site
Conquering Hollywood
IMDB
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Gary W. Goldstein – Conquering Hollywood