From: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com (aml-list-digest) To: aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: aml-list-digest V1 #328 Reply-To: aml-list Sender: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk aml-list-digest Saturday, May 19 2001 Volume 01 : Number 328 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 18 May 2001 10:07:28 -0600 From: Scott and Marny Parkin Subject: RE: [AML] Public Domain http://www.centerforthepublicdomain.org/ This is an interesting general resource on issues of public domain, intellectual property, inventions, copyright, and the like. I don't know that it has any specific information on the Emily Dickinson issue, but it certainly is a good primer on established law as it relates to the general issues of the public domain. Scott Parkin - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 18 May 2001 11:05:21 -0700 From: Gary Davis Subject: [AML] Mormon Cinema After reading Kieth Merrill's review of The Other Side of Heaven, in Meridian Magazine, one wonders if the question, "Have you seen The Other Side of Heaven, and have you taken your loved ones to see it?", will be added to to the temple recomend interview. I attended a screening of the film in Hollywood a few months ago. Writer/director Mitch Davis is my nephew and I had the opportunity to read the script and offer my input prior to shooting. He didn't give me a writing credit tho, so I'm a little ticked off at him. Probably I didn't get a credit because he ignored all my suggestions. Anyway, I agree completely with Kieth's glowing recomendation but I do have a problem with something he wrote: "...do not mistake The Other Side of Heaven as having anything at all to do with the recent buzz about "Mormon Cinema." Was that a bit of a cheat shot at Richard Dutcher? Frankly I think he is doing great work. I haven't had the opportunity to see Brigham City yet but it has recieved some terrific reviews. Ampersand, another LDS production company recently made it's appearance with a film about the Martin handcart company, a powerful story, long overdue for the screen. I wish them all well. I'd like to see an LDS comedy, in fact..I think I'll write one. Incidently, I spoke to Mitch about God's Army. He liked it. Gary Davis - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 18 May 2001 13:35:21 -0600 From: "Benson Parkinson" Subject: [AML] Re: Public Domain The Church sued the fellow who posted the Book of Mormon to the web under = a different title, and it's my understanding they asked individual members = who had posted versions with the correct title to take it down. My = impression is they care very much about keeping control of the scriptures. Ben Parkinson >>> lauramaery@writerspost.com 05/17/01 09:10AM >>> The pre-1923 text itself is in the public domain. More recent edits are not; nor are chapter headers or notes. If you were to scan in your in-your-lifetime edition of the Book of Mormon, and post it to the Web, you'd be in violation of copyright. Like it matters.=20 - --lmg=20 - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 18 May 2001 14:29:06 -0700 From: "Stephen Goode" Subject: [AML] Roy CLARK, _Keeping Up Appearances_ Gary mentioning writing a Mormon comedy reminded me of an idea I've been meaning to run by all of you. With all of the British import sitcoms that have had huge success here in the colonies, I know of a great British sitcom that would make a delicious Mormon American sitcom. I'm speaking of _Keeping Up Appearances_, written by Roy Clarke (no, not the American guitar player of Hee-Haw fame). If you have never seen it, let me describe it for you. Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced "Bouquet") is a middle-class, middle-aged woman married to Richard. Richard is a middle manager at a local utility. They live in a nice house, have a nice car, nice furniture, etc. They have a grown son at college--Sheridan. Hyacinth is way off-kilter. She imagines herself some sort of grand lady of the manor and does everything in her power to impress everyone she meets. She is Anglican, of course, the dominate faith in her London suburb. Many of her antics happen at the church, to the dismay of the poor local vicar and his wife. The hook is, that Hyacinth doesn't have middle-class roots. She has relatives that completely embarass her and she does all she can to not claim them publicly. Unfortunately, they keep popping up just when she's working so hard to impress someone of real breeding. Every time I watch it, I howl because I know Hyacinth a hundred times over. What a Mormon she would make! I should tell you a little about the other charcters, because they would be perfect foils for a proper Mormon lady trying to look a little too respectable. Richard Bucket - It was pronounced "bucket" until he married Hyacinth. He's the most longsuffering man you've ever seen. Hyacinth is dedicated to elevating him in the business world. Sheridan Bucket - We never see him, but his "mummy" talks to him on the phone frequently. He usually wants money. He usually wants it to buy flamboyant clothing, and there are hints that he might be gay. Daisy - I don't think we ever know Daisy's last name. She's Hyacinth's sister. (All of Hyacinth's sisters are name for flowers.) Daisy is an overweight devotee of romance novels. She has to read romance novels, because the flame went out of her marriage long ago. She lives in a dumpy house with husband, Anslo, sister, Rose, and Daddy. No one seems to ever keep house. The sofa is full of old beer cans and magazines, under and between the cushions. The front door window is cracked and taped. There's a beat up old car in front, in which dwells the family dog. The front picket gate is only attached at one hinge. Daisy is so warm for Anslo's form that she's always trying to perk his interest. Anslo - Anslo does little more than sit in his easy chair, two feet from the telly, or lie in his bed. He delights in being "bone idle." The television on/off switch doesn't work. They turn it on and off by banging on the top of it. Anslo rarely dresses in more than a sleeveless shirt and pants. He doesn't have a job. We don't know what they live on, probably some kind of income for taking care of Daddy. He routinely turns Daisy's advances away. Rose - Rose is another of Hyacinth's sister. She lives with Anslo and Daisy. She also doesn't work, unless you call her amorous pursuits work. She works very hard at those. She has a different boyfriend every week, is a chain-smoker, and dresses provocatively. None of her boyfriends are single. Daddy - Daddy is a WWII veteran, not in his prime at all. He chases the ladies at the local senior center, and escapes the house quite frequently. He has various manias, reverting back to his wartime days. Violet - Another of Hyacinth's sisters. Violet isn't seen much, but Hyacinth talks about her incessantly. Violet is wealthy, drives a Mercedes and lives in a big house with a sauna and a room for a pony. Bruce - Bruce is Violet's husband. He's got a penchant for wearing women's clothing. He's a turf accountant, which I think is British for grass-seed salesmen or something like that. Elizabeth - Elizabeth is by far my favorite character. She lives next door to the Buckets. She's a truly nice lady, but when she's around Hyacinth she's highly nervous. Elizabeth gets invited over every morning to partake of coffee and biscuits (cookies). Hyacinth is so nerve-wracking in her fastidiousness that Elizabeth insists on drinking from a beaker (plastic mug), rather than risk breaking one of Hyacinths Royal Doulton cups and saucers with the hand-painted perriwinkles. Elizabeth always spills her coffee. You really feel for her. Emmett - Emmett is Elizabeth's brother and lives with her. Elizabeth is married, but her husband travels all the time. Emmett is recently divorced and is a director of a local musical theatre. Of course, every time Hyacinth sees him, she auditions by "singing at" him. He'll do just about anything to not be caught outside when Hyacinth is about. The Vicar - The vicar of the local church is just another of the many people who scurry to hide when Hyacinth comes around. He does his best to be a good Christian shepherd to the flock. Hyancinth always answers the telephone with a rousing, "The Bucket [bou-quet] residence! The lady of the house speaking!" She holds a regular candlelight supper for people she wants to impress, which is anybody. Titled people are her favorite, though. When she rides with Richard, she is an insufferable passenger-seat driver, only the passenger seat is on the other side of the car. Mail carriers and milk deliverers sneak up to the front door to avoid being chewed out for bringing mail with lower quality stamps or delivering the milk in glass bottles that may have been used by lower quality people. Most people must remove their shoes at the front door and she follows them down the hall to make sure they don't brush up against her walls. No matter what Hyacinth does to impress people, her family manages to ruin it. Daddy might disappear and have to be found, or Rose might show up with one of her "gentleman" friends. Everyone tries to avoid or rebuff Hyacinth, but she's oblivious to it all. She's very insistent and the English seem to consider it rude to turn down an invitation. I've seen the reruns about twelve times, and it's still the one television show I try to watch every week. I picture a Mormon Hyacinth-west, living in a suburb of Salt Lake. She invites Elizabeth over for finger sandwiches and herbal tea instead of coffee and biscuits. People at church avoid her, especially the bishop. She politics for Richard to have highly visible callings. Her less-active family shows up frequently whenever she is entertaining. She pressures the Relief Society President to assign her to visit-teach the most notable sisters in the ward. She dominates Enrichment night, even when she's not teaching. Her comments in Gospel Doctrine class manage to be laced with boastings about her husband's job, her candlelight suppers, her wealthy sister Violet, or her studious Sheridan down at the Y who loves his mummy. In private comments to "quality" people, she's appalled at people with less-than-gospel standards, and by coincidence, one of her family members that epitomizes that standard arrives on the scene. It's hard to be Sister Bucket (pronounced bou-quet). _Keeping Up Appearances_ can be seen on many PBS stations. Rex Goode _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 18 May 2001 13:48:45 -0600 From: Thom Duncan Subject: Re: [AML] WEYLAND, _Ashley and Jen_ (Review) I'm currently reading Stephen King's _Dreamcatcher_. I'd say a third of it is backstory, but it's not done in such a way as to draw attention to itself. Of course, King has intentionally broken every known law in fiction writing and still manages to sell books in the millions of copies. I'm one of his devoted fans and will be until the Grim Reaper snatches one of us from the planet. I've only read one Weyland book, and it was years ago, so I can't comment on how well he does it. - -- Thom Duncan Playwrights Circle an organization of professionals - -------------------------- Shameless Plug - ------------------------------- Don't miss the Playwrights Circle Summer Festival at UVSC! *J. Golden* - a one-man play by James Arrington, starring Marvin Payne *SFX5* - 5 original short science fiction plays *Peculiarities* - a new full-length play by Eric Samuelsen For more information about the Playwrights Circle and our summer festival: http://www.playwrightscircle.com - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 18 May 2001 14:12:54 -0600 From: Thom Duncan Subject: Re: [AML] Mormon Cinema Gary Davis wrote: > > Anyway, I agree completely with Kieth's glowing recomendation but I do > have a problem with something he wrote: > "...do not mistake The Other Side of Heaven as having anything at all to > do with the recent buzz about "Mormon Cinema." Was that a bit of a > cheat shot at Richard Dutcher? I don't know, but I've grown to value Keith's opinion on art less and less over the years. This is a man who said that the film "In and Out" is a bad film because it promotes the gay lifestyle. Nothing could be farther from the truth. "In and Out" promotes tolerance -- pure and simple. > Frankly I think he is doing great work. Richard is doing marvelous work. He's probably the first LDS filmmaker to realize that making good films doesn't mean you have to write down to your audience. > I > haven't had the opportunity to see Brigham City yet but it has recieved > some terrific reviews. Ampersand, another LDS production company > recently made it's appearance with a film about the Martin handcart > company, a powerful story, long overdue for the screen. I wish them all > well. I'd like to see an LDS comedy, in fact..I think I'll write one. There's not a genre out there that couldn't be dealt with having an LDS slant to it. And by that I mean EVERY genre. _The Graduate_ is, imo, an excellent example of how a disgusting story (an older woman having a affair with a younger man, her daughter's fiance) can be done with elegance and taste. The scene when Mrs. Robinson presents her nude body to Dustin Hoffman's character is a masterpiece of directing and editing. Instead of lingering on her naked body, we instead see Hoffman's shocked face, Mrs. Robinson's face, all intercut very rapidly. We are not allowed to be pruiently tempted: the cuts are too fast. We instead see the result of the seen, through Hoffman's face. IMO, a perfect way for an LDS filmmaker to broach a touchy subject in a non-offensive artistic way. - -- Thom Duncan Playwrights Circle an organization of professionals - -------------------------- Shameless Plug - ------------------------------- Don't miss the Playwrights Circle Summer Festival at UVSC! *J. Golden* - a one-man play by James Arrington, starring Marvin Payne *SFX5* - 5 original short science fiction plays *Peculiarities* - a new full-length play by Eric Samuelsen For more information about the Playwrights Circle and our summer festival: http://www.playwrightscircle.com - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 18 May 2001 12:06:29 -0700 From: Jeff Needle Subject: Re: [AML] Marilyn BROWN, _Wine-Dark Sea of Grass_ (Review) > "What Has All the Fuss Been About?" > >I can't remember the first time I heard about the Mountain Meadows >Massacre. But ever since that day, it was always in the context of a >shameful act that cast dispersions upon the Church. It's a favorite of >anti-Mormon writers and speakers. An uncomfortable hush seems to fall >upon any group of Mormons whenever its hyper-alliterative name is >mentioned. It is only because I'm very tired and a little giddy that I ask what the phrase "cast dispersions" means. - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 18 May 2001 14:39:27 -0600 From: Thom Duncan Subject: Re: [AML] Re: Public Domain Benson Parkinson wrote: > > The Church sued the fellow who posted the Book of Mormon to the web under a different title, and it's my understanding they asked individual members who had posted versions with the correct title to take it down. My impression is they care very much about keeping control of the scriptures. > Actually, they threatened to sue, and the publisher caved. The Church has no control over the orginal (1930) text. Only the versification and the notes. Also, any other recent additions. For instance, you could use the original text of the BofM but if you added, "an additional witness to Jesus Christ," you would be breaking copyright. [MOD: I think "1830" is the edition Thom means.] - -- Thom Duncan Playwrights Circle an organization of professionals - -------------------------- Shameless Plug - ------------------------------- Don't miss the Playwrights Circle Summer Festival at UVSC! *J. Golden* - a one-man play by James Arrington, starring Marvin Payne *SFX5* - 5 original short science fiction plays *Peculiarities* - a new full-length play by Eric Samuelsen For more information about the Playwrights Circle and our summer festival: http://www.playwrightscircle.com - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 18 May 2001 21:26:04 -0600 From: "Barbara R. Hume" Subject: [AML] Copyright and Congress I recently had occasion to speak with Pat Schroeder of the American Association of Publishers. Since most of our problems stem from inadequate copyright laws, I wanted to know why American publishers weren't lobbying Congress for better laws. She told me she was reluctant to open up the copyright issue because she was afraid we would actually lose ground. She says there's tremendous pressure on members of congress to loosen the copyright laws. She cited the recent Napster case as an example of people wanting everything for free. Senators Hatch and Leahy, co-chairs of the Senate judiciary committee, are receiving thousands of emails from people all across the country. If we want to be heard, we have to fight back. Write your senator, send an email, get your friends to write. If we don't make ourselves heard, they may think we don't care. You can reach Senators Hatch and Leahy at the addresses below: Senator Orrin Hatch Senator Patrick Leahy 104 Hart Senate Office Building United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510 202/224-6331 (fax) senator_leahy@leahy.seante.gov senator_hatch@hatch.senate.gov Harold Lowry RWA President Barbara R. Hume Editorial Empress TechVoice, Inc. barbara@techvoice.com - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ End of aml-list-digest V1 #328 ******************************