Paint It Black– THE MOVIE PREMIERE
YES, it’s a movie! The world premiere of Paint It Black the Movie has been announced, and at last, I’m allowed to talk about it! It will debut at the Los Angeles Film Festival, held June 1-9, our screening on June 3, with individual tickets going on sale May 10. What a long strange trip it’s been. Amber (Tamblyn, the director) and her writing partner Ed Dougherty reminded me that they’d started writing their screenplay in 2009. And now it’s set to see the light of day–or at least the projector–seven years later.
What a tumble of changes it–and we–have been through since I heard that Amber Tamblyn wanted to option my novel. The actress? Yes, and she was poet too, something I didn’t know about her. I just remembered Joan of Arcadia.
That first night we sat down at a tiki bar in L.A., we’d been brought together by a mutual friend, the poet Derrick Brown. Over Scorpions, talked about what a Paint It Black movie would look like. Although she’d never written a screenplay, I was impressed by her passion–I’m still impressed by it. The book had been optioned before, a terrible experience about which the less said the better.
At the time, she was planning to star in it, and bringing someone else on to direct. But as time and the winnowing and changes of casting and personnel went on, the learning-as-you-go, discovery and the desire to protect the vision she’d created, she did something she had never imagined doing. She decided to direct the movie instead of starring in it. She cast the amazing Alia Shawkat to play Josie Tyrell, and prepared for her directorial debut.
I was able to go to the shoot whenever, as it was often right around the corner, a very different experience than I’d had with White Oleander, a big deal Hollywood movie. On Paint it Black, they sent me the daily schedule, the where and the when, the pages they would be shooting, and I just went over when I wanted to take a break from writing– slipped in among the lights and sound guys and gaffers, got a set of headphones and quietly stood by the monitor and out of the way as I watched Amber and the actors and cinematographer make the magic happen.
She really rode that horse all the way to the end. I saw her skill with the actors, her leadership ability with the crew. I heard about the agonies of casting, and the horrors of having to cut beautiful beautiful scenes in the editing room. I got to see it with her and Ed in her parents’ homey apartment in Ocean Park. Now the premiere. As the novelist, I have the best job of all– all of the fun and none of the headaches. Can’t wait to see it appear in the world.
04/27/2016 at 9:37 am
Darling–cannot wait! Much love and many congratulations. Hugs.
Toni DeVito
>
04/27/2016 at 9:42 am
YEAH!
04/27/2016 at 10:35 am
OMG, this is going to be amazing!!! Paint It Black is my favorite book of all time and I can’t wait for the movie. Since I live in Austin TX I can’t attend the premier but I’ll be the first one to see it when it comes to my area. Just wondering, will you be signing autographs at some of the screenings Janet? If you are then I’d be extremely happy (Janet is my absolute favorite author).
Thanks to all,
JEFFREY L. WEINTHAL
borg3of4@yahoo.com 🙂
04/27/2016 at 10:38 am
sO EXQUISITELY DESERVING and EXCITING FOR YOU! oh! and for all of us too! YAY!!!!!
04/27/2016 at 3:10 pm
Congrats. I adored the book. Can’t wait.
04/27/2016 at 3:10 pm
Reblogged this on skyhillan.
04/27/2016 at 6:54 pm
Must buy ticket, AM, May 10! Love it!!!
04/27/2016 at 7:29 pm
Thanks for the heads up. It would be great to see a reminder to buy tickets Tristine
04/27/2016 at 7:46 pm
I’ll do that! Thanks Tristine!
04/28/2016 at 6:49 am
YES! Yay! M ________________________________
04/28/2016 at 10:00 am
I can’t wait to see it, Janet. White Oleander is still one of my favorite books and films, and I’m sure Paint it Black will place high as well. Congratulations to you and the others!
04/30/2016 at 10:46 am
Oh, would love to be at this grand event, but just returning from east coast trip. I’ll pop some popcorn, put on a sexy dress and be with you in spirit. Celebrating!
05/01/2016 at 9:34 pm
Hi, Janet: Donna Pizzi here! Congratulations, can’t wait to see it. Always love your work. Coincidentally, we have just launched a site for indie filmmakers that will revolutionize the filmmaking industry. http://filmfestfinder.com With 7,000 worldwide film festivals, it is the ONLY site that allows filmmakers to write about their experiences. I bet the producers of “Paint It Black” could have plenty to say about that…. Again, fantastic news… Bravissima!
05/02/2016 at 4:56 pm
It’s been a long time coming. I can’t wait to see Josie in the flesh!
05/10/2016 at 8:42 pm
Juts got Allison’s call: her number does not workl Your 664-1607 has not worked this week.
M ________________________________ From: Michael Falcon Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2016 7:48 AM To: Janet Fitch’s Blog Subject: RE: [New post] Paint It Black– THE MOVIE PREMIERE
YES! Yay! M ________________________________
05/18/2016 at 7:33 pm
OH MY GOD!! i just gasped out loud! i’m so so so so so excited for this. oh, i hope it’s wonderful. it has to be.
05/20/2016 at 2:27 pm
Thanks, Ash!
06/27/2016 at 1:54 am
Hi Janet,
I’m glad the movie is finished and premiered in LAFF to positive reviews. Especially thrilled for the two female leads getting good ink. Any news on the distribution? Has it been bought? If not, may you please suggest to you friend Ms. Amber Tamblyn that she shop the film to A24. They’re known for enthusiastically bringing low-budget films to the big screen.
Hope to hear more good news about this project soon.
02/01/2017 at 4:22 pm
Thanks for this! Good news, we did get distribution. April! Theaters and everything.
07/01/2016 at 9:28 am
Are you kidding me??? I’m SO excited, I JUST looked up your books quick for I could not remember the name of Paint it Black, I wanted a friend to just READ it, I love it so. Talk about cut to the quick..
Anyway I am SO so happy I clicked on your page today. I cannot WAIT to see the movie! Wow.
02/01/2017 at 4:23 pm
Thanks Debra!
07/07/2016 at 3:08 pm
I am so thrilled for you. You certainly deserve it.
02/01/2017 at 4:24 pm
Thanks!
07/09/2016 at 9:05 am
When we’ll see it online?
02/01/2017 at 4:24 pm
Coming out in April!
08/28/2016 at 3:14 pm
Looking forward to it!! One of my favourite books! Loved it so much. Congratulations!!
02/01/2017 at 4:21 pm
Thank you Chrissy! Sorry to be so behind on my blogging!
02/01/2017 at 4:55 pm
No worries!! When is the movie coming out?
02/01/2017 at 6:20 pm
April!
Yay!!
02/01/2017 at 6:44 pm
Omg congrats! I can’t wait. I love your book so much!! I read it when it first came out and it left such an impression on me. It inspired me. Bless you!!
09/25/2016 at 9:17 am
I wasn’t able to attend the film festival. Is it possible to still watch this?
12/28/2016 at 2:29 pm
When and how can we rent or by the movie? I can’t find anything online and I live in Portland so I wasn’t able to go to the screening in LA. I’ve been waiting to hear more news but, nothing…