I’m Leonardo Ramirez, a screenwriter, author, and voice actor who writes science fiction and fantasy stories that aim to inspire hope even in the darkest places.
For me, the first movie that lit the fire was The Empire Strikes Back. The asteroid chase had me hooked—and of course, we all know the twist at the end. And the pew-pews - love those pew-pews.
Tied for first, I would have to say, The Iron Giant as far as animation goes - so full of heart.
“You stay...I go.”
So I’d love to hear from you:
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No Star Wars? Or are you avoiding that to not sound cliché? My sequel to DNC Chairman I named The Republican Empire Strikes Back. As you can see, I'm very politically attuned, probably less so in the mega-dystopia we're now in, so maybe that means I'm not, or that they've successfully struck back. So mine is more sociological fiction if there is such a thing. I wrote it about my "first" (fictional) female President as she begins her first (and what turns out to be her only) term in 2009, in contrast to the real President who had that charm and charisma to extend his tenure to two terms before the bottom dropped out; I guess when reality overtakes fiction, that means it's time to get out. This very appealing lady in the previous election cycle played by Glenn Close, spends a good deal of the time in the Striekss Back sequel complaining to her old buddy, Mike, the chairman until he resigned to be her campaign manager, how disempowered she feels and all the inside Washington real power players who are stymieing all her initiatives (somehow I don't see Trump ever letting that stop him) but the movie has a hopeful ending as a convalescing Mike prepares a bid for New York Senate seat, which will launch the third in the trilogy "Return of the Green", in which his campaign plays upon his name, Greenbaum, to advocate the double green of his campaign being both goos for the environment and for people's wallets. But he is murdered when a secret package he is bringing to an appearance in Dallas on November 22, 2013, explodes revealing a nuclear devce that an energy company executive, forced ibti a deal with him, had deliberately placed inside (Mike having compromised on nuclear power to appease the energy companies who were losing oil production under his measures (he was a little more bold like Trump))
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Hey, Leonardo Ramirez 2. Happy Introduce Yourself Weekend. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze is one of the movies that made me want to be a creative. Harriet the Spy, Jurassic Park, Office Space, and others too. The Star Wars movie series probably had a part in it too.
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Leonardo Ramirez 2 , seems like we share the same taste. The Empire Strikes Back is also the one that truly sparked my passion for storytelling. The Lucas era defined so much of my creative vision, it still inspires me today.
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Hello, Leonardo Ramirez 2 I grew up watching '80's flicks and the style and feel of those Actions, Comedies, Sci-Fis, and Horror really captured my overr active imagination. I didn't believe I could pull it off until the Indie surge in the '90s with Rodriguez, Tarantino, and Smith capturing the spotlight. So, in a long winded way of answering your question...I would have to say I was inspired by many movies. My favorites being JAWS, BACK TO THE FUTURE, ROBOCOP, and GHOSTBUSTERS
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For me, it was Berry Gordy's THE LAST DRAGON, 1985
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I remember the TMNT live action series Maurice Vaughan - very well. Loved Jurassic Park too. Happy IYW!
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Looks like we do Daniel Danitto. And I think you're right. That era really influenced my creative vision as well. The first story I wrote was a cross between Star Wars and Rikki Tikki Tavi. It was a fable about how the serpents and mongoose became enemies...Star Wars style.
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I love the 80s Bobby Baham as well as the indie surge you mention. My first Tarantino flick was Kill Bill. And yes, I remember the bombastic brass fanfare of BTTF. The animated series was pretty cool too.
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I saw "The Last Dragon" in the theater B. E. Davis. I remember Bruce Leroy very well. Sho'Nuff reminded me of Gene Simmons.
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Leonardo Leonardo Ramirez 2 , I hear you on TMNT and Tarantino, they definitely left a mark on me too. Honestly, I could make a list so long it might look like a video store shelf, but Star Wars, Indiana Jones, T2, and plenty more from the 80s and 90s still sit at the core for me. Let’s just say the ‘90s and that indie wave shaped a whole generation of us. And let’s not forget gems like Tango & Cash, pure late-80s madness, but unforgettable.
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Bring back Blockbuster Daniel Danitto!!!! As much as I hated dreading whether or not my title would be available, that was a fun experience. But with respect to the movies, I remember being so WOW'd when I saw the first Indy. But yeah, could easily make a list.
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Rain drop,
Drop top,
I'm here with Rocksteady and Bebop :) Leonardo Ramirez 2
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Haha, nice Daniel Danitto!
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The Pew-Pews are the best! I haven't worked with a lot of Sci-Fi yet, but would love to explore the genre more.
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“Pew-pew!” Back at ya friend! They are the best Dawn Church. Happy IYW!!
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Ooh…good choice. The Star Wars universe (especially the original trilogy) has inspired my writing in many ways as well.
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Doug Kayne I have some good memories of taking my nephew to see the prequel trilogy but my heart is for the original.
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Ben Hur (yea, yea, I know I'm an old fart)
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Leonardo Ramirez 2 Geez that is a hard question, since I started young in music and was creative all my life. Aside from music - Dungeons and Dragons and other role plahying games loooong before video gaming, established "emergent narrative" as a thing and I was and still am very interested in that. In fact, our Virtual Theatrical initiative is partly about emergent narrative. In film itself - hard to narrow down a single one but three come to mind and they are widely different films. Seven Samurai by Kurosawa, Metropolis - both the Fritz Lang one and the Anime feature, and House On Haunted Hill, the Vincent Price flick from 1959. All great movies for many different reasons.
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I hear you and understand Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg as I started out in music as well. I played the French horn in orchestra throughout grade school and into college and that was also due to The Empire Strikes Back and its brassy arrangements that I could not get enough of. Seven Samurai is such an amazing classic.
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No you’re not old Michael Elliott 2. You just know good work when you see it.
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You're right, Leonardo Ramirez 2. Sho Nuff (R.I.P. to Julius Carry) did have a Samurai Gene Simmons thing going on. Oddly enough, it was never about the visuals, to me. It was Louis Venosta's (writer of The Last Dragon and former Director of Grey's Anatomy) words that always resonated with me. He wrote pure magic into every scene of that screenplay! He's the real reason I do what I do now. I actually got the chance to tell him that myself a couple of weeks ago.
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Leonardo Ramirez 2 lovely to read you as ever. With all respect for your taste, can't say science fiction is mine at all. At the same time I could relate to your desire to instil hope amid darkness. Nevertheless, an answer instantly came to mind in response to your question. Not a science fiction but a fantasy film, The Dark Crystal. I remember. being mesmerised by it when I was taken to see it by my mum as a kid. Showing my age here.... hope you're well
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Doing great Alexandra Stevens and yes, I remember seeing the Dark Crystal in theaters so I'm right there with you my friend. Your IG posts are so inspiring btw. You clearly have a heart for actors and to lift them up. Happy IYW!!!
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The Empire Strikes Back was my trigger too:)) That’s why we are brother and sister heheh It pulled at my heart in ways I didn’t expect. I stayed deeply connected to Darth Vader and Yoda (what a combo, I know! ) Love your mission to inspire hope through sci-fi and fantasy. Keep lighting the way, Leonardo Ramirez 2 :)) Happy IYW :))
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I did not know that Sandra Isabel Correia - that is so cool! This one really resonated with me because of the father/son dynamic. I was estranged from my father for many years. I wish it had not been so but a few short years before he passed, we reconnected and our father/son relationship was restored. Sometimes, the best gift you can give someone is forgiveness. He had wanted to know for so long that my siblings and I had forgiven him but in the end, I was able to give him that gift. The tears of joy that flowed from his grateful face was a memory that I will carry forever. Interestingly enough, his ancestry was from Spain. Close enough to Portugal right, my sister?
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Leonardo Ramirez 2, thank you for sharing something so personal and profound. Your story moved me deeply; what a powerful act of love and healing. Forgiveness truly is one of the greatest gifts we can offer, and you both are in peace now, in different realities, but unity in that beautiful bond.
And yes, Spain are Portugal soul siblings too! We are one hour away from the border and sometimes we go there to have lunch: Tapas. I made my PhD in Spain, Sevilha, two hours by car. And I am honored to walk alongside you in this creative journey, my brother <3
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That's so awesome, Sandra Isabel Correia - I didn't know you had a PhD - so impressive! Congratulations! Happy Sunday my sister!
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Yes, in another life at my 30s :)) Thankssss. Economic Sciences:)) But I don’t use it, only what I learned:)) It was very useful for my business life. Thanks brother :)) You too Leonardo Ramirez 2 . Now, I go to read my first Act rewrite:)) Have a great Sunday!
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Happy IYW, Leonardo Ramirez 2. The Empire Strikes Back and The Iron Giant are such amazing films to ignite creativity. For me, LOTR sparked my desire to create, and Avatar inspired me to imagine new worlds.
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You can't go wrong with LOTR, Dwayne Williams 2. And I do love the worldbuilding of Avatar. Happy IYW!
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My mom always said that I was watching Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella the first time I said I was going to "make movies and TV". I was 5.
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Well, my heart just melted into a puddle Ashley Renee Smith. That's such a beautiful memory and proof that when parents love that deeply, we can see and speak positive things about our kids' futures.