Open Letter To RKO Pictures

I have tried to email this directly to Ted Hartley, the current head of RKO Pictures, however emails have been returned and phone calls have born no fruit.  Now I’m posting it on my blog.

Mr. Hartley,

I am writing you today because I have an interest and a proposal for RKO Pictures.   

When most movie fans think of RKO Pictures they are thinking about the classics that were produced by your company in the 1930s and 1940s.   Movie fans who know of RKO think of classics like King Kong and Citizen Kane.  However, what most movie fans are not aware that RKO Pictures exists today.

Today the internet is a treasure trove for movie fans.  There is information and content readily available at a moment’s notice.   Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter keep fans in close touch to what is going on with their favorite actors, directors and studios.   Yet, RKO Pictures has yet to utilize any of these free resources.

I personally am a huge movie fan and I have a tremendous appreciation for RKO’s contribution to the movie industry.   Additionally I host an internet radio talk show called The Radio Dan Show that uses the movie business the main part of its show.   Five nights a week I talk about the goings on in the movie business, refraining from getting into gossip about stars.   The show is broadcast on TalkRadioX.com and has been syndicated by several small town terrestrial stations as well.   Additionally each show is archived on TalkRadioX website and available as a podcast.

What I would like to do is to collaborate with RKO Pictures and help spread the word that your company is still here and still relevant.   I would accomplish in several ways.

1.       DVD giveaways – Once a week (or month) I would give away to a listener either a classic RKO Pictures title or a contemporary one.   Under a title such as ‘RKO Spotlight’ I could highlight one film a month to discuss the history of and give one copy away.  Additionally we could also make an RKO Pictures shirt or hat with the classic ‘Transmitter’ logo on it the prize.

2.       Interviews – I would love to do interviews with RKO related talent.  Either people who are involved with new RKO releases or classic ones.

3.       Social Networking – I would run an RKO Pictures Twitter account.  Several studios have accounts that inform of new releases, special screenings, or even DVD sales.  MGM and Screen Gems are two examples of studios who are using Twitter to connect to today’s movie fans.

I would also like to discuss the possibility of hosting screenings in the future of some of RKO Pictures classic movies as well.  That is something that perhaps could be discussed in the future.  I would like to thank you for your time in reading my proposal and due hope that you consider it.

As a lifelong movie fan it would be a thrill to be affiliated with RKO Pictures and I would proudly to whatever I could to help promote it.  If you have interest please contact me at your earliest convenience. 

Thank you,

Dan Delgado

Can’t Slow Down

I remember hearing Lionel Richie talking about his smash 1983 album Can’t Slow Down.  He described the title as a description to where he was in life.  Every was going great and he had things to do. 

I feel this is the period in my life that I’m in.  I have a feeling that people in their 30s generally feel that way.  It’s reaching that make or break point.

Right now I am working hard on The Radio Dan Show and I do my best to make the show entertaining.  I make sure not to miss shows because I think that you never know who may be listening that night.  

Also I find myself vested in TalkRadioX more than ever.  I am looking for new shows and new outlets for the ones we already have.  Each day I am waiting on replies from people regarding new possibilities.  Granted, how many of them pan out?  Eh, I’d rather not say. 

I’m also attempting to write something for the radio as well.  I’m just starting out and I don’t want to jinx myself so I won’t get into any details. 

I think that I am 30 days from turning 35 has become a great motivator.  I can feel the sands of the hourglass running, dramatic as that may seem.  I know that I wasted a good part of my 20s creatively.  Granted I did spend the last few years of my 20s writing bad screenplays no one wants to make into movies.  So at least there was an attempt. 

But the truth is that for years I just figured walking around being clever was going to be enough to get over.  It’s ridiculous but it’s true.  Then as I began writing I realized that this was not going to be an easy task.

Starting the radio show three years ago I was able to at least put my efforts into something that would bare at least a little fruit.  While screenplay rejections piled up in my inbox, the radio show has afforded me a slight amount of appreciation.

Regulars are in the TRX chatroom.  People call in here and there.  Someone is actually listening.  And that is nice. 

But it’s not enough.  And I have more work to do.  Just like Lionel.