High concept gave a lot of insights into hollywood life and the circles in which don simpson and probably many more big names live, and if flemings researchknowledge are accurate, then this must surely be the insiders bible into how hollywood works. The period was when high concept films gained popularity, where movies were to be easily marketable and understandable, and, therefore, they had short cinematic plots that could be summarized in one or two sentences. Simpson, along with his producing partner jerry bruckheimer, produced such hit films as flashdance 1983, beverly. Movie insiders credit simpson with inventing high concept moviesthe actionpacked, loud, flashy, simplistic, but tightly structured films, that crowd the multiplexes every summer.
Movie insiders credit simpson with inventing highconcept movies. The high life, as described in flemings addictively readable book, exemplifies carrie fishers hollywood mantra. Don simpson and the hollywood cultures of excess pdf, you have definitely come to the right place. Once you click the link, the download process will start, and you will have the book. Hollywood didnt want this book to be written, but im happy charles fleming wrote it. A high concept work is one that can be explained with a short, tothepoint and it is to be hoped, intriguing description. Donald clarence simpson had an unlikely start for a. Don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess and the coauthor of the goomba diet. High concept book hennepin county library bibliocommons.
Total film once every blue moon comes a book about hollywood so. Apr 17, 1998 if you read just the first two chapters of charles flemings devastating, depressing high concept. See all books authored by charles fleming, including my lobotomy, and secret stairs. If you have visited this website and you are looking to get by charles fleming high concept. Simpson succeeded all too well in bringing his personal vision to the screen. Its a high concept movie, he said, like groundhog day. Don simpson and the hollywood cultures of excess fleming, charles on. Don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess charles fleming fleming, charles book.
Like a good cocaine high, simpson s movies blasted from moment to. Outrageous hollywood super producer don simpson wants to do something good with his life. When film producer don simpson died of heart failure in 1996 at the age of 52, no one. Dom simpson made his broadway debut as elder price dom simpson. The story of his life,his rise to the hollywood throne, and his rapid downfall. What follows is an excerpt from high concept, a new book by weekly. Don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess read online free. Several of heidi fleisss girls got bit parts in don simpson movies.
High concept a low move for hollywood by patton, charlie. Posted on 102019 by matt p, director robert altman once said of his classic 1992 satire the player. Don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess and coauthor of the 2003 new york times bestsellers three weeks in october. Don simpsons life and lifestyle is a fabulous expose of the power of drugs and the ability, for those to whom they are accessible, to destroy their lives. What follows is an excerpt from high concept, a new book. Twentyfive years ago today, the hugely successful top gun premiered. Son of a pitch pleasantville marks the twentieth birthday of the high concept movie. Lots of sex, lots of drugs, and even a little rock n rolltheres something for every scandal lover in this rollicking, dirtdishing account of the life and times of hollywood producer don simpson. Don simpson and the hollywood culture of indulgence. In 1998 charles fleming published a book about a powerful film producer titled high concept. Don simpson, who died in 1996 of an excess of almost everything, chiefly. We all like the idea of saving a bit of cash, so when we found out how many good quality used books are out there we just had to let you know.
Today we look back on one of its producers, the late don simpson, whose career both symbolized and helped define 1980s hollywood. The most shocking thing about the book is the pulp fictionlike combination of decadent horror and slapstick comedy that constituted everyday life for don simpsons cronies. He created the threeact structure that we all use, the one that robert mckee and syd field use and take credit for. Publication date 1998 topics simpson, don, 19451996. But unlike his movies, the producers life did not have a happy ending. Whathit and runwas to hollywood financial impropriety, and whatyoull never eat lunch in this town againwas to sex, drugs, and selfdestruction,high conceptis to the evolution of todays driving business philosophy and simultaneous backlot grotesqueries of the contemporary entertainment industry. The author argues that the profligacy and moral emptiness of its key. For the comic book artist, see don simpson cartoonist. The manhunt for the serial sniper and a goombas guide to life.
The others are peter fondas tumultuous memoir, don t tell dad hyperion, and charles flemings high concept. Best seller what high schools don t tell you and other parents don t want you toknow. Using the life and career of producer don simpson as a point of depart. Veteran showbiz news hound charles fleming argues that the short, insanely foolish life of producer don simpson flashdance, top gun, bad boys stands as a larger. Iscriviti a prime ciao, accedi account e liste accedi account e liste resi e ordini iscriviti a prime carrello. For over two decades simpson was hollywoods reigning bad boy, yet through the same period he and his partner, jerry bruckheimer were the most successful independent producers in the hollywood history. His reputation was such that he is the subject of an entire chapter titled don simpson. Don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess movie producer don simpson, producer of top gun,flashdace,bad boys. The details and excesses of simpson ran rampant until, like they always will, took control and left him another of hollywoods wasted talents. Living large, the goombas book of love, a goombas guide to life, my lobotomy, three weeks in october. Charles fleming using the life and career of producer don simpson as a point of departure, high concept takes readers on a journey inside the hollywood of the 1980s and 1990s.
Using the life and career of producer don simpson as a point of departure, high concept takes readers on a journey inside the hollywood of the 1980s and 1990s. The modern hollywood blockbuster is the most popular film format from the 1980s. A fresh, unique, and compelling story premise that can be easily summed up in a single sentence or two a high concept is a barebones description of the premise of a proposed movie, show, or whatever, used to pitch it to a producer or an audience. More than the story of the films he made, high concept tells the story of simpson and how he came to hollywood from unspectacular origins to become a star himself. For over two decades, simpson was hollywoods reigning bad boy, yet through the same period he and his partner, jerry bruckheimer were the most successful independent producers in the hollywood history. Using the life and career of producer don simpson as a point of departure, high concept. True to its title, this book focuses on the now late don simpson who seems literally to have died of excess sex, drugs and food.
Whathit and runwas to hollywood financial impropriety, and whatyoull never eat lunch in this town againwas to sex, drugs, and selfdestruction, high conceptis to the evolution of todays driving business philosophy and simultaneous backlot grotesqueries of the contemporary entertainment. The footnote accompanying the following text stated that fleming heard the remark directly from simpson during an interview. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Movies and marketing in hollywood texas film studies series popular colection. High concept don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess by charles fleming. Not ostenisbly a movie book, don hahns brain storm is nonetheless bursting with movie anecdotes. Don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess, and my lobotomy, coauthored with the subject, howard dully. When film producer don simpson died of heart failure in 1996 at the age of 52, no one was particularly surprised.
What that book possesses in engaging sleaze, this book complements with a lively investigation of the. The book focuses on producer don simpson, who died in 1995 at age fiftytwo. Don simpson and the hollywood culture of indulgence by charles fleming, in like new condition. Don s friend lynda obst credits him with creating the high concept movie. With his producing partner, jerry bruckheimer, he certainly hauled in great gusts of money with films such as flashdance, top gun, and crimson tide. Our cheap used books come with free delivery in australia. High concept don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess. Simpson s short, squalid life has a certain entertainment.
Don simpson and the hollywood culture of indulgence fleming, charles on. Donald clarence simpson october 29, 1943 january 19, 1996 was an american film producer, screenwriter, and actor. High concept don simpson and the hollywood culture of. Throughout the period, simpson and his partner, jerry bruckheimer, were the most successful independent producers in the history of moviemaking, responsible for the hit films flashdance, beverly hills cop, top gun, crimson tide, bad. An education in pain in a salacious new book penned by four hollywood prostitutes. Don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess documents the excesses of life behind the scenes in hollywood. Simpson teamed with jerry bruckheimer to create the high concept blockbuster that changed the business for ever. Charles fleming is coauthor of the autobiography my lobotomy, author of the 1998 national bestseller high concept. Don simpson, who died in 1996 of an excess of almost everything, chiefly pharmaceuticals, and who in 1979. The author argues that the profligacy and moral emptiness of its key players, continues to drive the excesses of hollywood. High concept don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess book.
He also referred to don simpson as a supercharged simpleminded creature, an aesops fable on crystal meth. All of simpson s excesses are rehashed in high concept. Don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess, it might seem like a. Using the life and career of producer don simpson as a point of departure, high concept takes readers on a riveting journey inside the hollywood of the 1980s and 1990s. Don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess new edition by fleming, charles isbn. Simpson for most of his adult life, thanks in large part to his brilliant conception of the high concept movie, but also to the indulgences of the industry in which he worked, was able to explore in his personal life the most brutal of excesses with an absolute absence of damage to his professional life.
If you read just the first two chapters of charles flemings devastating, depressing high concept. Among his published works are the bestselling high concept. An account of the life and times of the late don simpson, who produced films such as top gun, beverly hills cop and flashdance and was also reputed to have a legendary appitite for sex and drugs. Once you click the link, the download process will start, and you will have the book you need in no more than several minutes. This is a great book for anyone who has a keen interest in how hollywood works and how films get made.
A high concept is a barebones description of the premise of a proposed movie, show, or whatever, used to pitch it to a producer or an audience. Don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess, it might seem like a long, familiar magazine. What hit and run was to hollywood financial impropriety, and what youll never eat lunch in this town again was to sex, drugs, and selfdestruction, high concept is to the evolution of todays driving business philosophy and simultaneous backlot grotesqueries of the contemporary entertainment industry. Using the life and career of don simpson as a point of departure, high concept takes readers on a riveting journey inside the hollywood of the 1980s and 90s. High concept charles fleming haftad 9780747542629 bokus. Throughout the period, simpson and his partner, jerry bruckheimer, were the most successful independent producers in the history of moviemaking, responsible for the hit films. Simpson was going beyond sex, sinking deeper into increasingly sadomasochistic and destructive behavior, say people who know him. And each is a reason to lock the door and disconnect the telephone for a shamelessly good read. His account is accurate and he is not afraid to tell tough truths. Don simpson and the hollywood culture of excess doubleday. Charles fleming books list of books by author charles. It is to the 80s and 90s movie scene what peter biskinds easy riders, raging bulls was to the 60s and 70s.
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