all the voices blur

A few years ago I took the train to Kansas and spent two weeks shooting a film that I am intensely proud of. It’s called The Good Things.
The Good Things, like Neverland and Jane White is one of the very few movies I’ve done in the last ten years that I can enthusiastically encourage everyone to go out and watch.
Hollywood Bitchslap says:

The Good Things (2001) – Sundance
Wil Wheaton stars as a lovelorn young man working in a toll booth of his small, middle of nowhere community. The love of his life is marrying someone else, and his best friend sends missives from far and exotic locations. He yearns for something beyond the isolation and loneliness of life in the booth, but he seems unwilling to reach out or make a choice toward something more. This short is very effective in creating a mood of loneliness and ennui which resonates. The whole thing hits a little close to home, as I look out the window at the same town I have known my whole life. Perhaps there is a difference between being content and being trapped, but the line is a fine one to walk. This well-made short deserves a look. The performances are good, and the writing and visuals are worth experiencing.

Much of my adult acting career is marked by movies that, quite frankly, suck. I mean, there are some that have good moments, and there are some where I’m happy with my performance, but the overall picture falls sort of flat . . . then there are the ones that I’d rather forget entirely.
As I worked on Just A Geek I looked for the answer to the question, “What the hell happened to my once-promising acting career?” Ultimately, it was pretty easy to answer: I made lots of bad choices, based partially on bad advice but based mostly on the arrogance of youth . . . I regret a lot of the choices I made, because I blew a lot of very good opportunities, and lost twice as many more when I didn’t respect the work. When I grew up (literally and otherwise) I knew that I had the acting ability to give good performances, but it was too late. I didn’t have the fame or Hollywood cachet that is so much more important than talent and ability when it comes to getting cast in just about anything (See: Affleck, Ben; Kutcher, Ashton and Simpson, Jessica). It was frustrating that nobody would take a chance on me, but it was doubly frustrating that putting me in a film was seen as “taking a chance” at all! Seth Wiley, who directed The Good Things, and David Latt, who directed Jane White Is Sick And Twisted both gave me an opportunity to perform for them, in very different types of roles, and their leaps of faith paid off for all of us. Jane White has won more awards than I can count (including a best actor award for me, thank you very much 🙂 and The Good Things won best short at Deauville in 2002.
Thanks to WWdN reader Greg, I just found out that The Good Things is airing on The Sundance Channel this Friday, May 21st. It’s only 26 minutes long, so if you hate it, it’s not like you lost almost three hours of your life in The Hulk . . . but I would be very surprised if you guys didn’t enjoy it — Matter of fact, I can hardly ever enjoy things that I’m in, but The Good Things is a notable exception to that rule.
I encourage everyone to record it, and share it with their friends. I think it’s a great movie and I’d like for it to be seen by as many people as possible.

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97 thoughts on “all the voices blur”

  1. Wil,
    Speaking of your acting ability, there are a lot of Trekkies out here who need your HELP. Spike TV has not renewed its contract with ST:TNG and is now showing reruns of Deep Space 9 instead. If you have any pull with Spike TV please tell them there are thousands of Trekkies who want to see the handsome Wesley Crusher. PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE HELP !!!!!!
    It’s not too late for your acting career; you’re only 31…Jeeze. We want to see your face on the silver screen.
    Freeman 🙂

  2. I saw you in another film that I thought was just outstanding: “December”. It explores the different reactions of five boys to the attack at Pearl Harbor. Fine acting by everyone especially you Mr. Wheaton. Why doesn’t this film also deserve to be on a list of good/great work post TNG?

  3. I’d love to see it darlin’, but I don’t have the Sundance Channel. Anywhere else I might be able to take a look at it?
    P.S. That Fwd. Fwd. Fwd. email I sent is worth looking at. It IS a forward, but you don’t have to read the forwarded part. Pass it along. Those emails piss me off something fierce and I’d love to get them stopped.

  5. To everyone who reads this, check out the link that has been posted a couple of times
    (http://www.chryslermdff.com/qualifying2002.asp ) and register and watch. Kinda small on Low Res, but gotta do something when you don’t have DSL.
    The Download time was good, and didn’t get any lag.
    Great performance to Wil and the others who put this together.
    As for the DVD, that probably won’t be an option, but who knows.
    Go watch it now!

  9. Those folks that you mentioned might be popular today, but who knows about tomorrow? I don’t know how you couldn’t consider yourself a success…look at all of the things that you’ve done in your short life.
    I’m especially jealous of your writing. I’ve been wanting to write for years but don’t know where to start. Congrats for finding your muse and writing books. They will still be on shelves long after the TV shows and movies have been forgotten.
    You’ve already left quite the legacy, and this is just the beginning. I hope life isn’t over at 31 because I’m the same age, and I have a lot more to do! I’m finally becoming the person that I’ve always wanted to be.
    Keep writing and reaching out to people.
    H.

  11. There is a basic flaw in American society that says if you haven’t achieved fame/big bucks/etc. by the age of 30, you’re a failure. It’s a fragment of the larger flaw that worships style over substance and prefers the easy answer to the hard one. And heaven forbid that you should actually want to be HAPPY while you earn your daily bread (or steak, for those on the Atkins program…).
    Not that I have anything against style, mind you, but I prefer to see it backed up by talent rather than praised as the be-all and end-all.
    Wil, maybe you’ve made mistakes, but we ALL have. (I myself am trying to figure out if I’ve been living MY life the last twenty years–or only my mother’s idea of my life.) Maybe it’s time to forgive the you who made those arrogant decisions a decade or more ago and realize that, if you hadn’t made EXACTLY the choices you did, when you did…
    You might never have met Anne.
    You might not be a (step)father.
    You might not be a writer.
    Wesley might still be hated. (I don’t hate the character, but you know what I mean.)
    You might not have gone into voiceover work.
    You might have lost more friends than you’ve kept.
    You might even have gone down the path that claimed your friend River.
    I, for one, don’t believe your film career is over, but I acknowledge that it may be harder now that it might have been. But you are one hell of a fine writer, Wil Wheaton, and in my not-so-humble opinion, the voice you’ve developed in your writing is rich and warm and mature and well worth listening to.
    Be who you are, warts and all, and go kiss your wife and your boys and play with the menagerie and be glad you made the “bad” decisions that have brought you to the life you have.
    We are.

  12. I can think of three reasons why I know you made all the *right* decisions. Two of them are teenagers, and the other is their mom.
    And you don’t need any more reason, justification or excuse than that.
    For my part, I know my decisions in life have caused me and others pain at times (and I think it’s safe to say some of them could be classified as “bad” ones). But in the end, I am who I am and where I am now becasue of the decisions I made, and to wish otherwise is to slap life in the face. I guess I decided at some point not to do that anymore.
    You’re a sharp guy with people that need you. And as a bonus, even more people that look up to you and respect you. Those are pretty good consequences for “bad” decisions in my book. 😉

  13. Ummmm….I like The Hulk. Does that mean I DIDN’T waste 3 hours of my life, or does my enjoyment get outweighed by the non-enjoyment of others….?

  14. Good Wil Wheaton hunting:
    Stand By Me Tuesday May 18 2004 early morning on MOMAX.
    The Buddy System Fox Movies in the afternoon Saturday May 22 and Sunday the 23rd early morning.
    And the ever crappy Arena on TechTV (merging with G4TV) on Sunday May 23 in the afternoon. (Sorry Wil. It’s a sow’s ear.)

  15. Well I just logged onto the website and watched the movie and I really liked it. I think it had the best ending out of any movie I have ever seen, you half expect him to be on the ship, so funny.
    I agree with so many who have commented here, you have so much to be proud of Wil and I will give a few reasons which are more personal to me…
    1. You inspired me to write; I have always loved writing but always thought it was beyond my grasp, now I have my own weblog and I am working on my first ever story.
    2. You inspired me to read; Seldom have I ever read so many books as after I read Dancing Barefoot. I read it and afterwards just couldn’t help picking up book after book.
    3. You gave me my favourite website; your own. I can’t even log on at a net cafe without jumping onto WWdN to see if there is an update. It’s not an obsession, I just love your writing so much.
    That’s my two cents worth. Stay cool and congrats on reaching your $25,000 goal! 🙂

  16. I just rented “December” starring
    (rented Jane White a few weeks ago & loved every minute include Wil’s commentary)
    WIL WHEATON & a bunch of other’s
    (chris young, balthazar getty….)
    a coming of age story set in “DECEMBER” 1941
    so I’ll give anything a try..
    AND! there are no leeches or running around in any underware!!! and unfortuately no greek
    skirts worn by Wil killing anyone from TROY…
    HEY! What has Wil have that Brad doesn’t?!
    answer…. Anne, HOW CAN JENNIFER EVEN COMPARE!!!
    (& one hellofa green lawn! TOO )
    Hey Wil? when is that big TEEN TITAN 2 part gig
    of your airing???
    later Wil!

  17. Wil,
    I am moving to Cali very soon. I am looking at majoring in Mass Comm/Film. If my career sucks as yours does-I will be a satisfied man. I guess I’m trying to say I look up to you and what you’ve done in your “sucky” career.
    –Jason–

  18. I don’t care what common sense says, Python is/was damn enjoyable. Between Wil’s performance and Richard Clabaugh’s commentary track, Python is worth at least the nine dollars that most chains ask at this point. Personally, I can’t wait to take Clabaugh’s effects class (that will be taught within a year or so, hopefully). I mean, he’s bound to have learned something, at least how not to make a CG, y’know.
    Oh me oh my.

  19. It was one of the M Channels where I saw it, not sure which one.
    It wasn’t the Sundance channel that’s for sure.
    I’m in Ottawa and it was on the Rogers network, but I’m sure you would get the standard Movie channels on Bell as well.

  20. Not to state the obvious, but Wil is a great writer and a great actor.
    Wil, why don’t you write a screenplay and produce it / act in it yourself?
    I think you should go for it.

  21. I saw it the first time around too – loved it.
    Wil..I think your success meter is skewed. The pretty boy actors you mentioned will have short shelf lives until the next new kid comes along. Although I enjoy a good flick with some sweet eye candy just as much as the next person.
    BUT
    I don’t check their websites daily for a post. I am not interested in how their cat is doing or whether or not their friend Kris is in remission …..their performances don’t make me think, feel, laugh or cry like your writing does.
    Years from now when you have another book on the best seller list…people will be saying….Ashton who?
    I only wish I could fail even half as well as you have!
    Much continued success your way Uncle Willy.
    Sharfa

  24. I loved you in Jane White too, Wil, you just cracked me up! Hey you mighta wanta wear that fro to some auditions, just occasionally, to mix it up. Waddya reckon?
    I seriously have loved you in every film I’ve seen you in. You are always the stand-out, the real talent in the room.
    One movie I have wanted to ask you about is Mr Stitch. I loved it and you were wonderful, and I just wondered was that a good experience, as shoots go? You had some great co stars too.
    Wish I had cable to catch your shorts! hehehe 😉

  25. I haven’t seen “The Good Things” Wil, but I will certainly try to. I’ve always enjoyed your work, most recently a film about 2 roommates, the name of which is eluding me at the moment.
    I can understand your frustration when it comes to Hollywood. There are so many terrible actors and actresses and it upsets me that looks is considered a more valuable asset than skill.
    I also find I respect performers who give live theatre a try more than just your movie actors. While I have done film, I much prefer the stage. That is where one can truly judge acting talent. Have you done live theatre?

  26. Well I just added that tier, featuring SunDance to my cable line up – told cox, emailed sundance that I joined to watch the short, because of your presence and planned on sticking around.
    Watched and enjoyed the shortfrom the url posted above – thanks! Looking forward to seeing it and will probably tape it.
    Side bar comment, maybe there is some room for you Wil-san on the new G4 techtv lineup moving to LA. We really enjoy when we get a chance to see you doing your techie thing!
    Enjoyed the post and the reflections you made about your choices, most of all.
    Chop Wood Carry Water, mi Amigo!

  27. Is anybodys life is as it was planned? I can telll you mine was not. That will change soon, when i move to the BIG APPLE. And the finnally my life will go the way i want it to go.

  29. Wil,
    Did you know on River Phoenix’s site it was talking about the biography that was on of him, I think it was last year but if it was the year before, man, time really flys. Anyway, they were saying Corey Feldman’s part in it was sweet and sad because you could tell how much he misses and cares for River, and you on the otherhand, they said they saw no emotion in you whatsoever and thats why when I read that i was like whattttt? because I remember the day in January when you posted on your site how upset the whole thing made you and that you had to stop the camera a few times because you felt like you were going to cry, So if you were upset and everything I don’t understand why they’re saying your not? That’s stupid. It’s hard to believe that you narrated it I mean when I watched it I was like wow, that definitly is not Wil Wheaton, it sounds nothing like him! I hope you read this and write back.

  30. You may have made some bad choices, and these may outnumber the number of good ones – but the important thing is that you *actually MADE a choice*. It would be worse if you were still sat on your ass in some office job, reading the blog of an actor who was out there making his mark on the media, and wondering what happened to your own dreams. Too many talented people live their lives unnoticed because they are too scared or lazy to take the hard option. You’re not.

  31. You cannot know what lies ahead! Every bad choice was part of the steps that led you where you are. (Me, too!) Gotta be thankful for even the bad crap.
    And…I’m sure it helps to believe in what you want for your future, right? That’s faith – believing what you cannot see.
    We are all wishing blessings and favor to pour on your head, young Wil.
    Make it so.

  33. I really hate that I missed The Good Thing, especially since I’m not as familiar with your later works……but give me a break. I live in the swamps of Louisiana and Star Trek still comes on prime time.
    Just wanted to chime in and acknowledge the fact that you do still have many fans and we are still looking you up on the net……it just took some of us a little bit longer to get here.

  35. Good acting, but the movie was to depressing for me but i guess its part of the whole idea.
    lol Wil with a g.o.a.t.e.e lol.
    i don’t know what you been through, erhh in fact don’t know you at all besides the stuff you post in your web blog but i do know this, the past is the past . . simply learn from it, like your dear fans keep on telling you, everybody makes mistakes. you said your paranoid. . . who wasn’t once in a while!!!,Paranoia comes and go . its simply means you value your career that much. Besides if your uberly famous you won’t even bother talking us at this level.
    cheer up hommy

  36. I watched “The Good Things” when it first came out two years ago. In fact, I watched it several times. Great short, with a great performance by Wil. I, for one, would rather see him in a major motion picture than a lot of the no-talent hacks performing these days.

  37. So, you’re like, tollbooth Willy?
    Sorry, I couldn’t resist that reference, especially when you listed some other talentless actors… some of whom are enjoyable for their own reasons…
    I’ll keep my eyes peeled for the short, but now that DirecTV is down I’m fairly certain I’ll have to… eep… download it.
    Cheers.

  39. Hey there, I just wanted to thank Nicole for posting the url to The Good Things, and the many others who have as well, I am envious of all the other readers who have the Sundance channel, I have the movie channels and like 200 more, but not one of them are that great, except space, which always plays TNG, I am going to watch the Good Things now. I can’t wait. I think you are doing a great job as a person Wil, how many actors find time to sit and talk to their fans as you have. Write books as great as yours. Your family must be lucky to have a man like you in their lives.
    To the world you may be one person but to one person you may be the world.

  43. 🙁 I have the Sundance channel but will be on a plane to Cleveland on Friday. Someone want to record it for me?

  44. Hi, Wil & Anne. I’m here on my first visit. Hope you don’t mind that I added a link to your blog on my blog site. I hope it helps, even a little, with your fundraiser. Since you have met your stated $25k goal, have contributions ebbed off a bit? If so, is it possible to raise your goal? I know this sounds terrible, but I think Jerry Lewis originally set his telethon goals so impossibly high because he thought a reasonable goal would discourage further contributions for competitive givers. Otherwise, the average American mindset doesn’t think a lot about doing “above and beyond the call” type of giving… They feel good enough about themselves if they’ve helped you to reach a stated goal. It sounds backwards, but the consumer mentality is, “If that is all he says he needs, why give much more? My money would be better spent where it is more needed.” Just a thought… Best wishes for a safe and successful walk! Shana

  45. Oh,sure…and here I am, just having killed my television.
    I guess I’ll need to go beg someone to record it for me 😉

  46. bad choices? So you made decisions that well… didnt win you an Academy Award, or bring in 20’s of 40’s of millions of dollars… so what?! Your co-star, River Phoenix, he was a great actor, and he made a lot of good choices in movies and STILL fucked up.
    Be glad for your bad choices… because it’s your bad choices that have made you what you are and have brought to you the people that you consider friends and loved ones.
    Whenever someone mentions making bad decisions or screwing up… I tend to think of an interview a long time ago with Harrison Ford. A man with money, fame, power, etc etc… and he was asked (not in these exact words) but basically, what is missing in your life? He said “peace”.

  47. Hey, I just caught this on Sundance, and I wanted to tell you what you already know: it’s a great film. I thought it was beautiful and funny and familiar yet unexpected, and I sincerely enjoyed. Thank you.

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