Michael Ventura
Encyclopedia
Michael Ventura is an American novelist, screenwriter, essayist, and cultural critic.
, a counter-culture bi-weekly newspaper that published in the 1970s. Ventura is best known for his long-running column, "Letters at 3 A.M.", which first appeared in L.A. Weekly in the early 1980s and now appears biweekly in the Austin Chronicle
. He has published three novels: Night Time Losing Time (1989), The Zoo Where You're Fed to God (1994), and The Death of Frank Sinatra (1996). He is currently completing another novel, about Miriam of Magdala
, an excerpt from which was published in the third issue of the CalArts literary journal Black Clock
in 2005. He is the author of two essay collections, Shadow-Dancing in the U.S.A. (1985) (out of print) and Letters at 3 A.M.: Reports on Endarkenment (1994). With psychologist James Hillman
, Ventura co-authored the 1992 bestseller We've Had a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy - And the World's Getting Worse
.
He appears as a fictional character in Steve Erickson
's 1996 novel, Amnesiascope
.
He wrote the screenplay for Echo Park
(1986), among other movies, including Roadie
(1980), co-written with fellow Austin Sun alumnus "Big Boy" Medlin. .
He curated the Sundance Festival's 1989 retrospective on John Cassavetes
.
History
Michael Ventura commenced his career as a journalist at the Austin SunAustin Sun
The Austin Sun was a bi-weekly counter-culture newspaper, similar in nature to Rolling Stone during the latter's formative years, that was published in Austin, Texas, between 1974 and 1978. It is notable for being the newspaper that started the careers of many persons who later became well-known...
, a counter-culture bi-weekly newspaper that published in the 1970s. Ventura is best known for his long-running column, "Letters at 3 A.M.", which first appeared in L.A. Weekly in the early 1980s and now appears biweekly in the Austin Chronicle
Austin Chronicle
The Austin Chronicle is an alternative weekly, tabloid-style newspaper published every Thursday in Austin, Texas, United States. The paper is distributed through free news-stands, often at local eateries or coffee houses frequented by its targeted demographic...
. He has published three novels: Night Time Losing Time (1989), The Zoo Where You're Fed to God (1994), and The Death of Frank Sinatra (1996). He is currently completing another novel, about Miriam of Magdala
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
, an excerpt from which was published in the third issue of the CalArts literary journal Black Clock
Black Clock
Black Clock is an American literary magazine. Edited by Steve Erickson and published bi-annually by CalArts in association with the MFA Writing Program, the magazine is "dedicated to fiction, poetry and creative essays that explore the frontier territory of constructive anarchy." According to the...
in 2005. He is the author of two essay collections, Shadow-Dancing in the U.S.A. (1985) (out of print) and Letters at 3 A.M.: Reports on Endarkenment (1994). With psychologist James Hillman
James Hillman
James Hillman was an American psychologist. He studied at, and then guided studies for, the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich, founded a movement toward archetypal psychology and retired into private practice, writing and traveling to lecture, until his death at his home in Connecticut on October 27,...
, Ventura co-authored the 1992 bestseller We've Had a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy - And the World's Getting Worse
We've Had a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy - And the World's Getting Worse
We've Had a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy - And the World's Getting Worse is a 1992 book by American psychologist James Hillman and American writer and commentator Michael Ventura....
.
He appears as a fictional character in Steve Erickson
Steve Erickson
Stephen Michael Erickson is an American novelist, essayist and film critic. He is the recipient of the American Academy of Arts and Letters's Award in Literature and a fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation., and is considered an important representative of the Avantpop...
's 1996 novel, Amnesiascope
Amnesiascope
Amnesiascope is a 1996 novel by Steve Erickson. Set in Los Angeles after a cataclysmic earthquake, the novel incorporates elements of other novels that Erickson had published, such as the silent film from his first novel, Days Between Stations....
.
He wrote the screenplay for Echo Park
Echo Park (film)
Echo Park is a 1986 comedy-drama film, set in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The plot follows several aspiring actors, musicians and models.-Cast:...
(1986), among other movies, including Roadie
Roadie (film)
Roadie is a 1980 film directed by Alan Rudolph about a truck driver who becomes a roadie for a traveling rock and roll show. The film stars Meat Loaf and marks his first starring role in a film. There are also cameo appearances by musicians such as Roy Orbison, Hank Williams Jr., Blondie and Alice...
(1980), co-written with fellow Austin Sun alumnus "Big Boy" Medlin. .
He curated the Sundance Festival's 1989 retrospective on John Cassavetes
John Cassavetes
John Nicholas Cassavetes was an American actor, screenwriter and filmmaker. He acted in many Hollywood films, notably Rosemary's Baby and The Dirty Dozen...
.
Novels
- Night Time Losing Time (1989)
- The Zoo Where You're Fed to God (1994)
- The Death of Frank Sinatra (1996)
Nonfiction
- Shadow-Dancing in the U.S.A. (1985)
- We've Had a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy - And the World's Getting WorseWe've Had a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy - And the World's Getting WorseWe've Had a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy - And the World's Getting Worse is a 1992 book by American psychologist James Hillman and American writer and commentator Michael Ventura....
(1992) (with James HillmanJames HillmanJames Hillman was an American psychologist. He studied at, and then guided studies for, the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich, founded a movement toward archetypal psychology and retired into private practice, writing and traveling to lecture, until his death at his home in Connecticut on October 27,...
) - Letters at 3 A.M.: Reports on Endarkenment (1994)
- Cassavetes Directs (2007)