Chemical Pink - the movie

[hansk01]

I just posted this on Genex after talking to Katie Arnoldi, the author of Chemical Pink:

http://genexmagazine.blogspot.com/2008/04/chemical-pink-movie-update-theres-some.html

It's a pretty interesting idea - a female bodybuilder playing the lead in the Hollywood movie. Obviously the bodybuilder would need to be able to act. But the question is, how many of you would actually want to be associated with the movie? As anyone who has read it knows, the book does not exactly portray women's bodybuilding in a flattering light. So, would any of you competitors consider auditioning for it??

Hans

[Femphysiquefan]

Interesting that you bring this up, Hans. I had a similar thread over on MD.com related to this very same topic. Reality is, there are probably several FBBs out there who would want to be associated with this film, because unfortunately there are FBBs out there who have no problem with the types of things that Chemical Pink portrays. Like it or not, there is a "dark side" to this sport and lifestyle as the book all too well shows, and there are some ladies who are very heavily involved with it. The other major motivator besides interest is money. From what I've seen there appear to be several FBBs just barely able to pay the bills in many cases who would jump at the chance to be in a film like this, even if it means that they are ultimately portrayed in a negative light. I mean, consider the recent controversy over the FBBs that posed in "Hustler" magazine, or the female bodybuilders that were involved in the "Order of the Serpentine" commercials for Axe Snake Peel a few years ago. This is of course just my opinion. I too am interested to hear from the competitors on this board when it comes to this subject.

[Siouxcountry]

Thanks for the update, Hans!

I have never read the book. Is it worth a read?

[hansk01]

It's, um, interesting. lol

Hans

[Siouxcountry]

It's, um, interesting. lol

Hans

That bad, eh?

[Femphysiquefan]

Thanks for the update, Hans!

I have never read the book. Is it worth a read?

It's pretty much a schmoe's wet dream put on paper, SC: a 100% negative portrayal of female bodybuilding. There is not a single redeeming character in the entire story that portrays FBB in a positive light, from what I recall. I don't deny that the things and people Arnoldi brings up are real; I was just upset that it was so one-sided in the negative that it wasn't balanced with the POSITIVE aspects of this lifestyle. Someone who read this book who didn't know apples from oranges when it comes to FBB would more than likely go away vowing NEVER to get involved with female bodybuilding, either as a fan or competitor.

[NYCStrongFox]

I have it and read it twice. Interesting book. Amazon.com should have it.
Another good book I read years ago too was Women of SteelFemale Body Builders and the Struggle for Self-Definition by Maria R. Lowe

[NYCStrongFox]

It's pretty much a schmoe's wet dream put on paper, SC: a 100% negative portrayal of female bodybuilding. There is not a single redeeming character in the entire story that portrays FBB in a positive light, from what I recall. I don't deny that the things and people Arnoldi brings up are real; I was just upset that it was so one-sided in the negative that it wasn't balanced with the POSITIVE aspects of this lifestyle. Someone who read this book who didn't know apples from oranges when it comes to FBB would more than likely go away vowing NEVER to get involved with female bodybuilding, either as a fan or competitor.

I agree. It didn't put a positive light on it at all. I read the book just when I started competing in bodybuilding, but for me, it just showed me an unfortunate side in the sport that does exist. It was an interesting read though. No matter what, I continue to be a fan! :D

[GirlyMuscle]

I have the book. Read it twice. I think it's a negative portrayal of women's bodybuilding. Still, if they make it a movie I'll have to watch it.

[Mightymouse]

Too bad one of us or some of us couldn't get together and write a book that protrays the positive side of female bodybuilding. I wonder if that would be interesting to anyone and how would one go about it. I know alot of us have interesting stories to tell. I have actually never read the book and I have only heard what people have said about it.

[Siouxcountry]

Too bad one of us or some of us couldn't get together and write a book that protrays the positive side of female bodybuilding. I wonder if that would be interesting to anyone and how would one go about it. I know alot of us have interesting stories to tell. I have actually never read the book and I have only heard what people have said about it.

Claire I so agree. A national level or pro female bodybuilder needs to sit down and write an autobiography.

I can't think of any biography on a female bodybuilder. Not even the biggest names have written a book.

[jasons805]

Thanks for the update, Hans!

I have never read the book. Is it worth a read?

I thought it was great; read it in less than a day. Also I think they would use a real actress and then use a bbers body.

[Femphysiquefan]

Claire I so agree. A national level or pro female bodybuilder needs to sit down and write an autobiography.

I can't think of any biography on a female bodybuilder. Not even the biggest names have written a book.

I say our pro of the week, Vicki Nixon, should consider writing her autobiography. If there's ANYONE in this sport whose life shows the positive things that BB can bring a person, it's her!! GO VICKI!!

[TomNine]

Katie Arnoldi is blogging about the development process, I found it interesting.

http://www.2forkhwy.com/index.php?cat=9

I wouldn't worry too much about anything coming from this. Only a very small percentage of projects at this stage ever get made into movies.

[Siouxcountry]

Katie Arnoldi is blogging about the development process, I found it interesting.

http://www.2forkhwy.com/index.php?cat=9

I wouldn't worry too much about anything coming from this. Only a very small percentage of projects at this stage ever get made into movies.

Thanks, Tom!

Katie:

In the seventies and early eighties Bill sported 23 1/4 inch biceps–they were thought to be the largest guns in the world.

I can't believe she believes such BS.

[hansk01]

Too bad one of us or some of us couldn't get together and write a book that protrays the positive side of female bodybuilding. I wonder if that would be interesting to anyone and how would one go about it. I know alot of us have interesting stories to tell. I have actually never read the book and I have only heard what people have said about it.

I agree Claire. I've thought about writing a novel about the world of women's bodybuilding too. I think it would be possible to write a compelling fictional account that wouldn't sugar coat everything but at the same time would portray the sport in a more positive.

Actually the person who should write the novel is Steve...

Hans

[anglicanbeachparty]

Too bad one of us or some of us couldn't get together and write a book that protrays the positive side of female bodybuilding. I wonder if that would be interesting to anyone and how would one go about it. I know alot of us have interesting stories to tell. I have actually never read the book and I have only heard what people have said about it.

I would be interested in collaborating on such a project. I think that it would have limited appeal in terms of numbers. It might have to be done as a Publish on Demand thing ... but that is not very expensive.

I think that it would do best as a fictional story that uses fully-formed characters (i.e., not 2D stereotype characters) would be best.

[anglicanbeachparty]

By the way, if you have an account at Amazon.com, you can look up Chemical Pink, and keep clicking on the "Show me a random page" link until you get a sense of it.

I just read about 15 pages that way. I'm not inclined to purchase the book.

[Mightymouse]

I would be interested in collaborating on such a project. I think that it would have limited appeal in terms of numbers. It might have to be done as a Publish on Demand thing ... but that is not very expensive.

I think that it would do best as a fictional story that uses fully-formed characters (i.e., not 2D stereotype characters) would be best.


It would be great though wouldn't it, I agree fictional story just like you suggested. How would we go about you think. :D

[NYCStrongFox]

Hey Sioux, if you want, I can lend you my copy for ya to read. It's not a problem. PM me with details if you want me to send it to you!!

[hansk01]

I just did an interview with Katie Arnoldi, the author of Chemical Pink, for Genex Magazine. The novel came out in 2001 and was reissued last month. Katie told me they are still hoping to make a movie based on the novel - if they can finally find someone with the body and the acting ability to play Aurora Johnson, the main character. Katie was actually pretty cool to talk to. She has received a lot of criticism for the way she portrayed women's bodybuilding in the novel, but she emphasized that she never intended to judge the sport. It was also pretty fascinating to hear about the Mecca in the eighties, when she hung out with top female bodybuilders like Janice Ragain. Katie told me she is now working on a book on Mexican drug cartels and illegal pot farms on public land!

You can read the full interview here (http://tour.ftvideo.com/showgal.php?g=content/genex/articles/2008/5716/8_1&s=5%22).