A Journey Continues: Returning to Miami Vice
by Rick Eager

Hello Vice fans! It’s been a long time since I posted here. My apologies… as I’ve been busy. I’ve had some small roles and been in a few movies since my last post. I’ve recently worked with Michael Madsen (nice guy BTW) and I could see him in a future new generation episode of Vice as a heavy. How about you?

I’ve also had the pleasure of working with Milla Jovovich, Rory Cochrane, Famke Janssen and Bill Pullman just to name a few. I find it very fascinating to be on a film set. There is so much to learn and I talk to everybody. The stories I’ve heard are pretty cool too, although you’ll never get them out of me. I’ll plead the fifth, pal!

I’ve had nothing but good experiences on the film sets not only with famous celebs, but with the crews as well. The guy holding the boom mic might have a more interesting story or experience to share than one of the celebs. You never know.

The first film I was in was a bar scene. After that I felt like I had a very small glimpse into Michael Mann’s world of cinematography. I could finally appreciate what his work was all about. The lighting had to be just right and colors had to match with nothing left to chance.

The Director of Photography or “DP” as their known, walked onto the set and took one quick look at the bottles and glasses behind the bar which was to be the back drop. He immediately began to point and say, “That bottle, those glasses, those bottles and so on are outta here! The colors aren’t right or I don’t like the way the light shines through them! Replace them with those!” as he pointed over to another area of the bar.

Wow! That was a quick free lesson in cinematography! I might have actually watched the film if I could. You see I can never watch myself on screen. I don’t know exactly why, but I can’t. Maybe it’s that I’m too critical of myself, I don’t know. I just love the energy while working on the set, going out there and nailing the scene. I know if it wasn’t good the Director will ask for another take and tell me what they want changed.

I’ve since wrote several more screenplays with more in the works and have just finished the first draft of my new book which is based on a true story called, “Raped & Jailed in Divorce Court”. There’s been a lot of changes in my life the last few years including my move to Southern California.

Speaking of change there’s been some major changes up at Universal. I think we could be in better position for actually getting our reunion film made. There has been a change of the guard so to speak. The people that were so against getting the screenplay made are no longer there. Jeff Zucker and Jeff Gaspin have moved on.

These guys walked into a network that was number one with top shows like Seinfeld and Friends and then in a few short years at the helm became the worst rated network on TV. These were the guys that were so defiant about a reunion of Vice. Maybe it’s just as well. No telling what the film would have looked like.

This is a new day for NBC/Universal. They’re in the process of rebuilding. It could only take one or two good shows to begin rebuilding the network. This could be our moment fans. I still have faith and vision for the reunion film to be the Pilot episode followed by a new generation Miami Vice weekly show. The new show would include some stories interweaved from the original and cameos from the original cast.

On the business side the market is there. The old fans haven’t gone away and new fans haven’t been exposed yet. The real reason shows like Burn Notice, CSI Miami and others have done so well is truly at the cost of Miami Vice. The demographics alone spell a better than potential success.

Michael Mann and NBC/Universal still hold the franchise rights to Miami Vice. I really think despite what has been said about Michael Mann’s 2006 film, he could still do a great job with a new generation of Miami Vice for TV. There is untapped value in the franchise. It worked once and still has a large following.

The new head player up at NBC sounds promising. His name is Bob Greenblatt and he’s their new chairman. If you’ve never heard of him let me introduce him to you. Bob came from Fox and was Executive Vice president in charge of all ongoing programing and development of all new comedy, drama, reality, and late night series. I believe if we could get a green light from him it’d be a done deal.

Here’s where you can read an updated version of my script for a Miami Vice reunion TV Movie: Screenplay: Crockett Returns (updated)

Here are the new players at NBC/Universal and how to get in touch with them. If you’d like to see this movie made send them a letter or two…

Steve Burke
CEO NBC/Universal
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City CA 91608
818.777.1000
NBC Universal

Bob Greenblatt
NBC Chairman of Entertainment
3000 W. Alameda Ave, Burbank CA 91523-0001
818.840.4444
NBC Universal

Michael Mann Productions
12233 W. Olympic Blvd, Ste 340
Los Angeles CA 90064
310.207.7378

For more info on me and the films I’ve been in:
* My IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2176279/
* More Head shots with different looks/characters: http://s827.photobucket.com/albums/zz193/58Silck/Head%20Shots/

My latest voiceover radio commercial doing my “Cheech” impression of Cheech & Chong (I can do both)