StoryTroy: The Official Online Home of Writer/Producer Troy DeVolld

Bill O'Reilly vid...

2008-08-15T14:57:22Z

Reposting GLAAD advisory; Fox News.

2008-08-15T11:03:06Z

Hey, blogosphere. As a resident of Los Angeles, you meet a lot of different kinds of people and learn, sooner than some other folks, that basically we're all just people and there's no reason to go throwing stones over our differences. Seems FOX NEWS could use a lesson in good behavior after bashing America's Next Top Model transgender contestant Isis.

Gay, straight, bi, transgender or closeted Martian, we've all got room to get along.

New York, NY, August 14, 2008 – On August 14, Fox News Channel aired a crude and obnoxious segment concerning the recent announcement of America's Next Top Model's first-ever transgender contestant. Isis, who will begin appearing on the new cycle of the popular CW program when it premieres on September 3, was interviewed exclusively in the current issue of Us Weekly. Fox News anchor Gregg Jarrett and Us Weekly Editor-at-Large Ian Drew spent the segment gratuitously insulting the America's Next Top Model contestant, using dehumanizing terminology, inaccurate and inappropriate pronouns and offensive references to her anatomy. While laughing and joking, Jarrett mocked Isis' description of herself as a woman whose "cards were dealt differently," and said, "That's an understatement!" Drew referred to recent instances of transgender visibility on reality television as "The Crying Game '08," going on to call the show "America's Next Top Tranny." Drew then said that she doesn't look any different from other contestants because "they are not exactly the most high-class group of women." Throughout the segment, Jarrett switched back and forth between male and female pronouns, and both Jarrett and Drew suggested that Isis "fooled" people by "blending in."

They went on to make crude remarks about her genitalia and the pitch of her voice. Soon after the segment aired, GLAAD contacted both Fox News Channel and Us Weekly, calling on both to apologize.

Us Weekly issued the following statement: "We apologize if any group was offended by our editor's comments as it was by no means his intention." Fox News did not respond.

The segment can be viewed on YouTube. Please contact Fox News Channel and call on them to apologize for these obnoxious, insulting and dehumanizing comments.

Brain Surgery Pictures

2008-08-12T08:40:43Z

Okay, so the headline's a little too sensational. Sue me.

Writer pal Julie O'Hora's friend Deborah Chesher, the photographer behind the rock-doc photography book EVERYBODY I SHOT IS DEAD, is selling a number of her limited and open edition photos of popular musicians at reduced rates to help fund her daughter's brain surgery.

I've never met Deborah or her daughter, who, by all counts is one of the brightest UC Berkeley undergrads y'ever did meet... but I'm passing the link along in case anyone's interested in one of her works.

http://everybodyishotisdead.blogspot.com/2008/08/brain-surgery.html

Another Allee Willis Bit of Bubbles-ishousness.

2008-08-08T09:46:03Z

Allee Willis, the pied piper of new media (or she would be if she was trying to get you to follow her instead of your own creative gut) just debuted her latest work last night at a huge party at her pad.

Behold... Editing is Cool.

Congrats, Joe.

2008-08-01T13:33:22Z

A hearty handshake and a slap on the back to Joe Lawrence on his new job. Way to go, Joe.

VIACOM

2008-07-31T15:29:01Z

Just read that VIACOM's won a court order that'll force YouTube to hand over a list of all-things-Viacom ever uploaded or viewed by YouTube users.

Any videos of uncertain origin have been removed from the blog today as a precaution. I am so anti-piracy, it's bananas... and better safe than sorry if some content from heaven-knows-where turns out to be Viacom's --- I'd hate for Mr. Redstone to have to get all Metallica-RIAA lawsuity on my keester.

Be safe out there, surfers. And I encourage you to flock to content offered freely by its creators. Anyone seen a good episode of Powerloafing online lately?

Launching Allee

2008-07-28T06:36:07Z

Super-collabo-friend Allee Willis's site just went explosivo with a new look and lots of new content. If you've never been there or haven't seen it in a while, get thee to www.alleewillis.com.

It'll shake your brain until the good stuff floats to the top.

Humanzee

2008-07-27T19:06:39Z

James Gunn's new project for XBox live went public last week. I had a great time as first AD for JG, this being my third project with him and producer Stephen Blackehart.

Offbeat and full of campy gore, Humanzee's at once poignant and puke-inspiring. Enjoy.

Pluggity plug plug plug, or "Full Sail."

2008-07-18T17:31:39Z

If you read this blog (does anyone read this blog?), you hear me mention Full Sail Universty quite a bit. Here's a video glimpse into my alma mater, now grown into an even more hulking, brain-smashing temple of technological wonderment.

Interviewed here is Garry Jones, one of the founders and easily one of the top ten most influential people in both my career and the way I approach life.

More on Writing Reality.

2008-07-18T14:33:27Z

Another informative video for those with an interest in writing for reality tv.

Je t'adore, Gogosha Optique!

2008-06-25T20:03:06Z

I've spent 30 plus years in glasses, but never had as much fun getting a new pair as I did from Gogosha in Silverlake. Go! Patronize! I command thee!

Okay, how about if I just act nice and suggest it?

And as long as you're there, go across the street and have the best fish taco you've ever had.

http://gogosha.tumblr.com/

Reality Television and the "No-Aftermarket" myth; Story Producer pay

2008-06-22T20:24:50Z

Okay, it's no secret that I've been a great proponent of organizing reality television writers, but today a discussion with a dear friend and reality producer drove me over the edge.

Once again, I was offered the argument that reality television shows can't afford to go union (you know, like Gary Benz's wonderful INTERVENTION, which is WGA signatory, and DANCING WITH THE STARS, which is WGA signatory if only to the benefit of the wunnerful Mr. Dave Boone) because reality television shows can't be reaired. There's just no shelf-life, my friend argues.

In the past few months alone, I've watched the same episodes of many shows multiple times on cable networks like HGTV and others, and have seen my own work on THE BACHELOR, FLIPPING OUT and THE SURREAL LIFE reaired on networks other than those they originated on.

I'm passionate about organizing, but have always considered myself a pretty civil guy about it. The "there's no money in the aftermarket" argument for ever-decreasing non-union story rates, though, is really getting under my skin.

By the way, I've heard of some younger story producers taking jobs at 1000-1200 a week, and just wanted to let you know that most of the folks I know that are worth their salt are commanding two thousand to twenty eight hundred a week. Taking low-paying jobs, in the absence of minimums being set by a collective bargaining agreement, only serves to lower the bar and reduce your future earnings. You've getting your foot in the door to a business you're simultaneously hurting your earning potential in... so get the rate you deserve, and remember --- if you turn one down, there's always another job.

Illness is not my forte.

2008-06-15T21:38:37Z

So I've been feeling crummy since this afternoon... well, crummy is the polite word for it. There's a possibility I might be calling in at work if this doesn't let up, which has me concerned even though I'm in pretty good shape as far as my stuff-that-needs-to-be-happening goes on this show.

Think a happy, non-crampy thought for me in the meanwhile, won't you?

A Little Nightmare Music

2008-06-14T17:21:58Z

I'm up to my eyeballs in edit this weekend on a passion project, but a few minutes of YouTube goofoffage produced this... two very talented fellows who have yet to play in America.

Jeff Shonert, Total Pop Star!

2008-06-08T20:26:08Z

Please enjoy the attached video from our friend Jeff Shonert, one of the funniest people we know. Patricia (my girlfriend, if you don't know me) was in Bill Dyer & Dick DeBenedictis' musical TROLLS with him during its recent run in Los Angeles, and you can't imagine a more talented guy. Somebody cast this man, already.

Queen Bees

2008-06-01T16:19:42Z

In addition to TruTv's BLACK GOLD, another series I story produced for, QUEEN BEES, will be coming to The N, Noggin's nighttime network for kids, on July 11.

And since I gave Black Gold the same treatment, here's a little something something.

Black Gold... and not.

2008-06-01T16:20:29Z

Black Gold, the reality series I'd spent the last eight months on for Thom Beers' Original Productions and TruTv as Lead Story Producer, will be making its debut on Wednesday, June 18 at 10pm.

Just thought you should know, in case you're not already Tivo-ing Curling With the Stars, VH1's Celebrity Barbecue or whatever else may be up against us.

In the meanwhile, here's some unrelated "Black Gold" material to tide you over.

Happy Cookie De Mayo!

2008-05-03T08:50:03Z

We've all heard of those 24 and 48 hour film festivals, right?

Last year, I co-wrote COOKIE DE MAYO with MIND OF MENCIA's Cristela Alonzo for producer pal Carl Hansen. Seemed appropriate to post it here in honor of its inspiration, Cinco de Mayo.

Enjoy!

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

2008-04-18T11:48:32Z

Another LOLLILOVE alum at the movies this weekend. Jason Segel's in FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, which he also wrote.

Morristown on DVD.

2008-03-23T09:58:19Z

Christo Garcia's MORRISTOWN is finally out on DVD. Fun film for the young dancers in your life.

Check it out at www.morristownthemovie.com.