Renowned SF Writer Ray Bradbury Visits San Diego
Written by Ian Cullen on April 9, 2004 – 12:17 am -By Dr. Joe Di Lella
Ray Bradbury, appearing for the Learning Annex, arrived in San Diego, California on March 6th and spoke at the University of San Diego about the act of writing. As always, Ray spoke of his past and gave his opinions on everything from TV writing to the Mars rover landing. If you’d like to comment on Ray’s opinions or send a greeting, you may reach him at: www.raybradbury.com.
Here, in summary, are a few of his best comments and opinions . . .
Ray Bradbury: Revisited: The last time I heard Ray speak in 2003, he gave a rousing lesson concerning the writing process. Yet when Mr. Bradbury was a ‘no show’ for Forry Ackerman’s (formerly Famous Monster’s Editor and Chief) birthday party in late November of last year, I was afraid I might never see the great author again. At the beginning of ’04, Ray had just lost his wife, fallen off his strict diet, and seemed from rumours to be down for the final count.
No one knows the heartbreak of Mr. Bradbury, but still, he fights on. His personal valet wheeled Ray into the small college auditorium that first Saturday of March. Ray smiled, waved to the small crowd in the auditorium and showed more spirit and fire than I could have ever imagined. I had forgotten that Ray is not a man to let circumstances stop him — even if it means losing a loving companion of more than 56 years. Oddly, Mr. Bradbury seemed more focused and ready to speak his mind than he was last year. And of course, he hit hard those patrons who came only for ideas on how to make quick cash.
“If you’ve come here for me to teach you how to make money at writing, well, you’re in the wrong place.” At that moment, I thought half the audience would scurry for the exits, but they didn’t dare. Each one knew, in his or her respective hearts, that this man could teach them the true essence of what it takes to write for a living. “If you only write for the money, you’ll never write anything worth a damn . . .If you write for others, you’ll never get in touch with your true self.”
Talking about his youth, Ray mentioned his love for libraries. He spoke about times when nothing in his world beat spending countless afternoons and weekends with his favorite people: Dickens, Steinbeck, Hemmingway, Poe, and others. “If you love the classic writers, you’ll succeed”, says Ray. It certainly has worked for Ray.
Yet, Mr. Bradbury’s career didn’t start off like a rocket shot to the moon. He sold his first — and only story the year he turned pro — for a mere $8. Ray sold two more the next year for a grand total of $21. The third year, the author sold twenty-two stories; the year after, forty stories, all to a diverse field of pulp fiction, dime magazines. After selling, The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man a year later, his career skyrocketed.
As a writer, do you need a support group? The renowned Sci Fi writer suggests that serious bards must form a writer’s workshop if only to bounce ideas off of each other. “Don’t collect a bunch of people writing the same type of stuff, vary the dynamics,” Ray suggests.
Ray went on to say that in his first writer’s group, no one was in competition with each other — thus, no jealousies arose — because each one wrote in different disciplines. “One man was a poet, another a novelist, still another, a script writer. When a person gave hard, but honest critiques, each one knew the remarks came from the heart,” commented Ray.
The most important thing an author must do is publish, proclaims Ray. In Mr. Bradbury’s day, that meant getting stories out in pulp form. Today, it’s easier to make a name for oneself through the internet (publishing on popular sites or through personal webpages).
Can publishing actually bring you closer to fans for your type of genre? “One day you’ll meet someone who’ll say, ‘Gee, you thought of that? So did I’. You both will fall in love, or at worst, become lifelong friends.”
It happened to Ray and Federico Fellini, the famous Italian director. ‘My American twin,’ is what Federico would call Ray. Fellini loved the way Bradbury would create stories; Ray loved the way Federico would illustrate them on the silver screen. Both the Fellini and Bradbury families spent many a days in the Italian’s villa between movie shoots. “It is with Fellini I grew to understand the importance of others as teachers and mentors.”
Then Ray grew quiet and asked the audience a question. “What do you think I am?” No one spoke up, afraid they might rile the playful author. “Well, doesn’t anybody know? I’m not a Sci Fi writer. I’m not a fantasy writer, either. I’m . . . a teacher.”
That’s what Ray wants to be remembered for — if he has it his way.
When asked in a question-answer session, Mr. Bradbury said that he believes the most pressing social problem is teaching reading techniques to three year. “We should be teaching reading and writing at the first grade,” grumbled Ray. “Even if it’s only comic books, kids must start reading at an early age. But we’re not doing it.”
Addressing a different subject, Ray spoke to the new governor of California. “Did you know that I am responsible for Schwarzenegger’s career? ,” Ray beamed.
Ray went on to tell the story of his time on the Oscar committee when Pumping Iron was on the nomination list. “When a committee member told the projectionist to stop the film after only seven minutes, I shouted out — continue playing that damn movie.” Ray continued to say that he told “those old men” that they were prejudiced against weight lifters. Since Ray’s brother was an ardent surfer and bodybuilder, the author felt a certain kinship to the men and scene of Muscle Beach in southern California of the 30′s and 40′s. The movie ended up becoming a surprise hit the summer of ’77, and was nominated in the ‘Best Documentary’ category. “But you know — Arnold has never thanked me for the help,” Ray chuckled.
When asked about the Mars rover lander, Ray shouted out, “And this should only be the beginning of a 500 year odyssey . . . but no one in the US Senate or the Congress believes in space travel,” lamented the speaker. Regardless of our continued journeys into the heavens, Ray continues to be positive about humanity’s future.
Will Ray continue writing well into his late 80′s. Of course he will because, as Ray says, “I’ve never worked a day in my life playing in God’s field.”
Keep playing Ray, we need someone like you to show us the way.
Tags: Mars, Ray Bradbury
Posted in Convention Reports, Reviews/Editorials, SF-TV & Movie News | No Comments »
Hatch Speaks Out To Galactica Fans
Written by Ian Cullen on April 2, 2004 – 11:42 pm -2 April 2004
Over the course of this evening I have had a little e-mail correspondence with our friend Richard Hatch who has re-iterated to me that although he may or may not take on the role in Ron Moore’s Galactica, it does not alter his love of the classic series or his willingness to support any continuation should one ever get produced.
“My belief is that there is no competition between the old series and the new. You cannot compare them as they are totally different in tone and style, and the original was filmed over 25 years ago.” Hatch revealed in a statement to Sci Fi Pulse.
“I love the original series and will always fight for it and believe in it. This new series for me is something totally different. I don’t know why the studio went in such a totally different direction and I think it would have been much better if the new series had it’s own name or maybe a spin off in the BG universe, however they decided to go in this direction and we have to deal with that.”
The actor also revealed that he understands some of the angry feelings that fans may have, and admitted that he has at one point or another felt the same anger. However Hatch stated that to his way of thinking Anger is a negative emotion which is more often than not ignored by the powers that be.
“I have told people that the failure of this new series won’t help anyone or bring back the original. Rather than try to undermine this show or attack it, fans should give constructive feedback that will give the producers ways to make it better. I’ve learned the hard way that when you attack out of anger no one listens and you just waste a lot of energy and end up exhausted, serving no one’s interest.”
Hatch also added that he will only take on an acting role if it holds some creative challenges for him. He also added that the remake will never be as special to him as the original.
“It will never be for me what the original was, but with enough time and care it can hopefully evolve and grow into something unique and original, and have something special to offer the Sci-fi community. As an actor I make choices to accept a role based on the quality of the role and the acting challenge it affords me. The character Ron presented to me really sounded interesting and I am very appreciative that he is willing to reach out to the original actors and offer them something worthwhile to play. I wouldn’t be doing it otherwise. My greatest heartache is that at this time at least the original series was not continued and evolved, but I have had to put aside my anger and frustration and deal with what is. This has been a major struggle and life lesson for me. The point is I can’t change what is so what can I do now in the present moment that will make a positive contribution to Battlestar. That’s where I’m coming from.”
Sci Fi Pulse would like to thank Richard for sharing these thoughts with us. In closing Richard also thanked the fans for all of their ongoing support and hopes that in light of recent events that they will continue to show support for him and his role in the remake should he indeed take such a role on.
Tags: Battlestar Galactica, fans, reimagining, Richard Hatch, Ron Moore
Posted in Interviews | No Comments »
