Everything you need to Everything you need to know about know about

ZODIACZODIAC……and how it relates to you and how it relates to you and the world around you.and the world around you.

Includes info on the Includes info on the actors, director, with news, actors, director, with news, reviews, and photos.reviews, and photos.

Visual ReviewVisual ReviewVisual ReviewVisual Review

visual review bydavid bruce

visualhollywood.com

The rampage of a madman who has never been caught; the elusive cipher The rampage of a madman who has never been caught; the elusive cipher slayer who gripped the nation in fear, America’s very own Jack the Ripper. He slayer who gripped the nation in fear, America’s very own Jack the Ripper. He publicly claimed 13 victims, then more, two dozen more. Police pinned him publicly claimed 13 victims, then more, two dozen more. Police pinned him with seven, five dead. The true body count may never be known. One thing is with seven, five dead. The true body count may never be known. One thing is certain: That count includes the living. certain: That count includes the living.

SHORT SYNOPSISMovies Contain the

Essence of Being HumanIt is th

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Robert Graysmith Robert Graysmith JAKE GYLLENHAALJAKE GYLLENHAAL

KEY ACTORS

Paul Avery Paul Avery ROBERT DOWNEY JR.ROBERT DOWNEY JR. Dave ToschiDave Toschi

MARK RUFFALOMARK RUFFALO

The Cinematic Arts Have the Power to Transform

DAVID FINCHER (Director) made his feature film made his feature film debut in 1992 with debut in 1992 with “Alien 3.” In 1995, he “Alien 3.” In 1995, he directed “Se7en,” also directed “Se7en,” also about tracking down about tracking down a serial killer.a serial killer.

KEY TALENT

DAVID SHIRE DAVID SHIRE (Composer)(Composer)winner of an Academy winner of an Academy Award, a Grammy, Award, a Grammy, multiple Emmy and Tony multiple Emmy and Tony nominations, is one of nominations, is one of the most prolific and the most prolific and honored composers of honored composers of film, television, theater film, television, theater and recordings.and recordings.

JAMES VANDERBILT JAMES VANDERBILT (Screenwriter/ Producer) (Screenwriter/ Producer)

optioned the rights to optioned the rights to Robert Graysmith’s Robert Graysmith’s Zodiac and wrote the Zodiac and wrote the screenplay adaptation screenplay adaptation on spec – a gamble that on spec – a gamble that paid off with only three paid off with only three produced scripts to his produced scripts to his credit.credit.

Our Artists Are Our Liberators

ARTIST HIGHLIGHT

CHLOË SEVIGNY CHLOË SEVIGNY

(Melanie)(Melanie)CHLOË SEVIGNY

CHLOË SEVIGNY

(Melanie)(Melanie)

Known in the mid to late nineties for her status Known in the mid to late nineties for her status as a fashion impresario and "it girl," with over a as a fashion impresario and "it girl," with over a dozen art house films to her credit, Chloe dozen art house films to her credit, Chloe Sevigny also stands out as one of the most Sevigny also stands out as one of the most prominent queens of contemporary prominent queens of contemporary independent cinema. Originally hailing from independent cinema. Originally hailing from Darien, Connecticut, Sevigny attributes Darien, Connecticut, Sevigny attributes weekend trips into nearby New York City in her weekend trips into nearby New York City in her teens as an important early saving grace from teens as an important early saving grace from her super rich and stuffy hometown. It was on her super rich and stuffy hometown. It was on one such trip at the age of eighteen, that one such trip at the age of eighteen, that Sevigny was spotted on the street by a fashion Sevigny was spotted on the street by a fashion editor for Sassy magazine. And so began her editor for Sassy magazine. And so began her career…career…

Actors are Liberators in Masquerade

ARTIST HIGHLIGHT

Gyllenhaal's first notable film Gyllenhaal's first notable film appearances was in 2001's cult hit appearances was in 2001's cult hit Donnie Darko, in which he played a Donnie Darko, in which he played a troubled teenager. In the 2004 troubled teenager. In the 2004 blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow, blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow, he portrayed a student caught in a he portrayed a student caught in a cataclysmic global cooling event. He cataclysmic global cooling event. He played against type as an angry Marine played against type as an angry Marine in Jarhead (2005) and, that same year, in Jarhead (2005) and, that same year, he won critical acclaim as a "gay he won critical acclaim as a "gay cowboy" in the controversial, but highly cowboy" in the controversial, but highly lauded, film Brokeback Mountain.lauded, film Brokeback Mountain.

Gyllenhaal has taken an activist role in Gyllenhaal has taken an activist role in supporting political and social causes, supporting political and social causes, promoting environmental causes and promoting environmental causes and the American Civil Liberties Union.the American Civil Liberties Union.

Gyllenhaal's first notable film Gyllenhaal's first notable film appearances was in 2001's cult hit appearances was in 2001's cult hit Donnie Darko, in which he played a Donnie Darko, in which he played a troubled teenager. In the 2004 troubled teenager. In the 2004 blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow, blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow, he portrayed a student caught in a he portrayed a student caught in a cataclysmic global cooling event. He cataclysmic global cooling event. He played against type as an angry Marine played against type as an angry Marine in Jarhead (2005) and, that same year, in Jarhead (2005) and, that same year, he won critical acclaim as a "gay he won critical acclaim as a "gay cowboy" in the controversial, but highly cowboy" in the controversial, but highly lauded, film Brokeback Mountain.lauded, film Brokeback Mountain.

Gyllenhaal has taken an activist role in Gyllenhaal has taken an activist role in supporting political and social causes, supporting political and social causes, promoting environmental causes and promoting environmental causes and the American Civil Liberties Union.the American Civil Liberties Union.

Actors help us: laugh, be happy, cry, get angry, and even think. Can there be any better gifts?

JAKE GYLLENHAAL

JAKE GYLLENHAAL (Robert Graysmith)

(Robert Graysmith)

ARTIST HIGHLIGHT

Inspired by the film, Butch Cassidy and the Inspired by the film, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, he began making movies at Sundance Kid, he began making movies at the age of eight with an 8 mm camera. the age of eight with an 8 mm camera. Filmmaking seemed the perfect outlet for a Filmmaking seemed the perfect outlet for a kid who could spend all day drawing and kid who could spend all day drawing and loved to make sculptures, take pictures and loved to make sculptures, take pictures and tape-record. Fincher eschewed the film tape-record. Fincher eschewed the film school route, getting a job loading cameras school route, getting a job loading cameras and doing other hands-on work for John and doing other hands-on work for John Korty's Korty Films. He next got a job at Korty's Korty Films. He next got a job at Industrial Light and Magic in 1980 with his Industrial Light and Magic in 1980 with his first screen credit being for Return of the first screen credit being for Return of the Jedi, and stayed until 1984. Jedi, and stayed until 1984.

Fincher directed big-budget music videos Fincher directed big-budget music videos for artists such as Madonna, Jody Watley, for artists such as Madonna, Jody Watley, Rick Springfield, Steve Winwood, George Rick Springfield, Steve Winwood, George Michael, Aerosmith, Paula Abdul, the Michael, Aerosmith, Paula Abdul, the Rolling Stones, Nine Inch Nails, etc. Like a Rolling Stones, Nine Inch Nails, etc. Like a number of other music video directors, he number of other music video directors, he then moved into film.then moved into film.

Filmmakers are Revolutionaries

Unaware

DAVID FINCHER

DAVID FINCHER

(Director)(Director)

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

Based on the true story of a serial killer who terrified the San Francisco Based on the true story of a serial killer who terrified the San Francisco Bay Area and taunted authorities in four jurisdictions with his ciphers and Bay Area and taunted authorities in four jurisdictions with his ciphers and letters for decades. Hunting down the hunter would become an obsession letters for decades. Hunting down the hunter would become an obsession for four men, an obsession that would turn them into ghosts of their for four men, an obsession that would turn them into ghosts of their former selves, their lives built and destroyed by the killer’s endless trail former selves, their lives built and destroyed by the killer’s endless trail of clues.of clues.

Stories are Transforming

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

Of the four, Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) was the wild card. Of the four, Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) was the wild card. A shy editorial cartoonist, Graysmith didn’t have the cache and expertise A shy editorial cartoonist, Graysmith didn’t have the cache and expertise of his seasoned and cynical colleague Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.), of his seasoned and cynical colleague Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.), the San Francisco Chronicle’s star crime reporter. He didn’t have Avery’s the San Francisco Chronicle’s star crime reporter. He didn’t have Avery’s connections with San Francisco Police Department’s celebrated and connections with San Francisco Police Department’s celebrated and ambitious Homicide Inspector Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and his low-ambitious Homicide Inspector Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and his low-key, meticulous partner Inspector William Armstrong (Anthony Edwards). key, meticulous partner Inspector William Armstrong (Anthony Edwards). What he did have was a crucial insight no one anticipated. It first What he did have was a crucial insight no one anticipated. It first appeared Aug. 1, 1969. appeared Aug. 1, 1969.

All Kids are Born ArtisticWhat is Natural is Essential

Paul AveryPaul Avery(Robert Downey Jr.)(Robert Downey Jr.)

Inspector Dave Toschi (RuffaloRuffalo) meets with newspaper cartoonist Robert

Graysmith (GyllenhaalGyllenhaal)

A crudely written Letter to the Editor arrived in the day’s pile of mail. One of A crudely written Letter to the Editor arrived in the day’s pile of mail. One of three penned to the Chronicle, the San Francisco Examiner and the Vallejo three penned to the Chronicle, the San Francisco Examiner and the Vallejo Times-Herald, its contents brought the newsrooms to a standstill. “Dear Times-Herald, its contents brought the newsrooms to a standstill. “Dear Editor, This is the murderer…” of David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen, and Editor, This is the murderer…” of David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen, and of Darlene Ferrin and the attempted murder of Mike Mageau. He didn’t call of Darlene Ferrin and the attempted murder of Mike Mageau. He didn’t call them by name, but he gave a laundry list of details only the police could them by name, but he gave a laundry list of details only the police could know. know.

Stories Embody the Essence of Being HumanEXTENDED SYNOPSIS

Zodiac inadvertently had turned detectives Toschi and Armstrong and Zodiac inadvertently had turned detectives Toschi and Armstrong and reporter Avery into overnight celebrities. Characters based on Toschi would reporter Avery into overnight celebrities. Characters based on Toschi would prove pivotal roles launching three movie stars’ careers. Graysmith prove pivotal roles launching three movie stars’ careers. Graysmith remained committed to his armchair sleuthing from the sidelines, injecting remained committed to his armchair sleuthing from the sidelines, injecting his input when Avery would allow. Zodiac was always one step ahead, his input when Avery would allow. Zodiac was always one step ahead, covering his tracks, peppering his lettered taunts with more threats. And covering his tracks, peppering his lettered taunts with more threats. And then they became personal. then they became personal.

Cinematic Story Telling is a Profoundly Humanizing endeavor.EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

Infamy would eclipse fame as Toschi fell from grace; Armstrong, Infamy would eclipse fame as Toschi fell from grace; Armstrong, frustrated moved on; Avery left the paper, crippled by his addictions. frustrated moved on; Avery left the paper, crippled by his addictions. Zodiac would no longer reveal his targets. Copycats sprang up coast to Zodiac would no longer reveal his targets. Copycats sprang up coast to coast. The key suspect was still out there. Graysmith’s moment had coast. The key suspect was still out there. Graysmith’s moment had come. That moment would change their lives forever. come. That moment would change their lives forever.

Film making is a Community Event.EXTENDED SYNOPSIS

LIFE CONNECTIONS in ZODIAC

He was the ultimate bogey man. He was the ultimate bogey man. ““If you grew up there, at that time, you If you grew up there, at that time, you had this childhood fear that you kind had this childhood fear that you kind of insinuated yourself into it. What if it of insinuated yourself into it. What if it was our bus? What if he showed up in was our bus? What if he showed up in our neighborhood? You create even our neighborhood? You create even more drama about it when you’re a kid more drama about it when you’re a kid because that is what kids do. I grew up because that is what kids do. I grew up in Marin and now I know the in Marin and now I know the geography of where the crimes took geography of where the crimes took place, but when you’re in grade place, but when you’re in grade school, children don’t think about that. school, children don’t think about that. They think, `He’s going to show up at They think, `He’s going to show up at our school.’”our school.’”- Director David Fincher- Director David Fincher

Like many children who grew up in the Bay area in the early `70s, director David Fincher, then 7, was spellbound by the invisible monster known only as the Zodiac.

Like many children who grew up in the Bay area in the early `70s, director David Fincher, then 7, was spellbound by the invisible monster known only as the Zodiac.

Art is a Liberating Force

““Fear is a question: Fear is a question: What are you afraid of, and why?What are you afraid of, and why?Just as the seed of health is in Just as the seed of health is in illness, because illness contains illness, because illness contains information, your fears are a information, your fears are a treasure house of self-knowledge if treasure house of self-knowledge if you explore them.” you explore them.” --Marilyn Ferguson--Marilyn Ferguson

THE IMPORTANCE OF FEARTHE IMPORTANCE OF FEAR

CRITICAL OPINION of ZODIAC

The movie holds you in its grip from The movie holds you in its grip from start to finish.start to finish.--David Ansen--David AnsenNewsweekNewsweek

A+ Zodiac never veers from its A+ Zodiac never veers from its stoically gripping, police-blotter tone, stoically gripping, police-blotter tone, yet it begins to take on the quality of a yet it begins to take on the quality of a dream.dream.--Owen Gleiberman--Owen GleibermanEntertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly

Unforgettable Unforgettable --Nathan Lee--Nathan LeeVillage VoiceVillage Voice

Discerning auds worldwide will find Discerning auds worldwide will find deep satisfactiondeep satisfaction--Todd McCarthy--Todd McCarthyVarietyVariety

FILM REVIEW by david bruce

Jake Gyllenhaal observes, “I think what is most Jake Gyllenhaal observes, “I think what is most interesting about this story is that when something interesting about this story is that when something like this happens there’s mass hysteria. And then like this happens there’s mass hysteria. And then it’s given to the experts. And sometimes the experts it’s given to the experts. And sometimes the experts don’t have the same heart that just a kind of a don’t have the same heart that just a kind of a regular guy like Robert Graysmith would have. They regular guy like Robert Graysmith would have. They also have so much red tape to go through, all the also have so much red tape to go through, all the jurisdiction. Robert, a sort of regular person off the jurisdiction. Robert, a sort of regular person off the street, doesn’t have to get a warrant for this, or street, doesn’t have to get a warrant for this, or permission for that.” permission for that.”

Even though I can appreciate experts, professionals Even though I can appreciate experts, professionals and, yes, huge organization. The truth is, however, and, yes, huge organization. The truth is, however, that it is the outsider –the regular person, like Robert that it is the outsider –the regular person, like Robert Graysmith - who gives us our best innovations. Too Graysmith - who gives us our best innovations. Too often we give our so-called “experts” more than we often we give our so-called “experts” more than we should. Organized business is never as innovative should. Organized business is never as innovative as the independent entrepreneur. The system did as the independent entrepreneur. The system did not trust Graysmith as it should and everyone lost. not trust Graysmith as it should and everyone lost. Bottom line: Give place to the innovator, to the Bottom line: Give place to the innovator, to the regular person, to yourself, and never give your soul regular person, to yourself, and never give your soul away. away.

Art is the Language of Liberation

FINDING TRUTH in ZODIAC

““Remember that Remember that fear fear always lurks behind always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person.” happier and more productive person.” --Dr. David M. Burns --Dr. David M. Burns

““InnovationInnovation has nothing to do with how has nothing to do with how many R&D dollars you have. When Apple many R&D dollars you have. When Apple came up with the Mac, IBM was spending came up with the Mac, IBM was spending at least 100 times more on R&D. It's not at least 100 times more on R&D. It's not about money. It's about the people you about money. It's about the people you have, how you're led, and how much you have, how you're led, and how much you get it.” --Steve Jobs get it.” --Steve Jobs

““Human salvation Human salvation lies in the hands of the lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.” --Martin Luther creatively maladjusted.” --Martin Luther King Jr.King Jr.

Society is only as free as its arts. Art is the voice of human freedom.

TRIVIA AND NEWS Zodiac is the first major Hollywood movie Zodiac is the first major Hollywood movie that was created without the use of either that was created without the use of either film or video tape. film or video tape.

David Fincher decided to use the digital David Fincher decided to use the digital Thomson Viper to shoot the film. This will Thomson Viper to shoot the film. This will be the first time the camera has been be the first time the camera has been used to shoot an entire film. used to shoot an entire film.

Michael Mann's Miami Vice, as well as his Michael Mann's Miami Vice, as well as his previous effort, Collateral (a co-previous effort, Collateral (a co-production of Paramount and its current production of Paramount and its current sister studio DreamWorks, and which also sister studio DreamWorks, and which also starred Mark Ruffalo), were also shot with starred Mark Ruffalo), were also shot with the camera but mixed in other formats. the camera but mixed in other formats.

Once shot on Viper cam the files were Once shot on Viper cam the files were converted to DVCPro HD 1080i and edited converted to DVCPro HD 1080i and edited in Final Cut Pro. in Final Cut Pro.

Other digital productions like Superman Other digital productions like Superman Returns or Apocalypto recorded to the Returns or Apocalypto recorded to the mildly compressing HDCAM tape format.mildly compressing HDCAM tape format.

WHY MOVIES ARE SO IMPORTANT

"The meaning of life is the most urgent of "The meaning of life is the most urgent of questions" questions" --Albert Camus (Existentialist thinker--Albert Camus (Existentialist thinker)..

In In “Movies and the Meaning of Life”“Movies and the Meaning of Life” author Kimberly author Kimberly Blessing points out that movies can help us reflect Blessing points out that movies can help us reflect on five of life’s most important questions:on five of life’s most important questions:

1) What is reality and how can I know it? 1) What is reality and how can I know it? 2) How can I find my true identity? 2) How can I find my true identity? 3) What the significance of my interactions with 3) What the significance of my interactions with others? others? 4) What’s the point of my life? 4) What’s the point of my life? 5) How ought I to live my life? 5) How ought I to live my life?

The idea behind The idea behind Visual HollywoodVisual Hollywood is that Movies can is that Movies can and must play an essential role helping us explore and must play an essential role helping us explore the meaning of our existence and our life together. the meaning of our existence and our life together. No other quest is more necessary or important. No other quest is more necessary or important. Movies are powerful. Movies bring personal Movies are powerful. Movies bring personal meaning, and can contribute to a peaceful world. meaning, and can contribute to a peaceful world. Cinematic story telling can be a transforming event.Cinematic story telling can be a transforming event.

Visual Hollywood takes an existential approach to life. We celebrate with human freedom. We use movies and the arts as a means of understanding the human condition and our collective relation to the world around us.

Our basic quest is:

1. To know what it means to be human in the world.

2. The pursuit of human freedom.

To Restrict Creativity is to Restrict the very

Nature of the Creator

visual review byvisualhollywood.com

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