Where Did All That Drama Go?

So, if you've read the blog recently, you know all about the threats of legal action taken against me and such. You'll also notice that all previous references to that nonsense has been removed. Sometimes it takes a while for things to sit in with me, but eventually I will come around to being the bigger man. The following is my email response, and the only mention of that ridiculousness that will appear on this blog ... I hope:

From: King Talent [kingtalent@babyhippopotamus.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 12:16 AM
To: 'jillynmck@aol.com'
Cc: 'andyacting@yahoo.com'
Subject: RE: Final chance to avoid legal action...

… and lovely to hear from you as well …

The videos in question (Remembering Abnormal Stew & Monkeypiece Theatre) have been removed from my public YouTube profile and will remain private. Although I have to admit to at first resenting the idea that you would want them removed I have done so, not in response to your threat(s), but simply to avoid the drama that was certain to follow.

Photographs from the stage production of Abnormal Stew continue to appear on our website as a historical record of the work we’ve done. I will endeavor to have those removed as well … which is unfortunate, because I am proud of the work we did with that production. Additionally, on a personal note, I made two very close and dear friends in Laz and Giselle in that show.

Because I continue to think fondly of both you and Andy, I do, however, feel it wise to give you this small piece of advice: please be weary about continuing to burn your bridges. You’re better than that. Lord knows this is the pot calling the kettle black … I’ve burned more than a few bridges in my day … and frankly I’m ashamed to have done so. In fact, I am ashamed to have even been bothered by your request. I’m better than that too. Much better. Your “request” and my initial response was a nice reminder that I, too, am far from perfect.

On a side note … is this why Hudson Shakespeare hasn’t updated their site in two years? If so, I would advise you to make peace with Luther and Ciccy, at least in-so-far as allowing them to publish pictures of your performances on their website. You did lovely work with them that you should be proud of and should celebrate.

Finally, the most disheartening thing about all of this is your tone. Had you simply called and said, “Hey King, would ya mind taking down those silly videos with me in the Sock Monkey outfit?” I would have done so in a heartbeat. Our relationship, whether personal or professional, was never formal. It would’ve been a great opportunity to catch up, see what one another is up to (heck Andy, I’m sitting on a killer part at the Midtown International Theatre Festival that you would steal the show with) and move forward from a better place.

I hope that you are well, healthy and happy. As always, you have my best wishes.

Sincerely,
~King

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From: jillynmck@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2007 10:11 PM
To: kingtalent@babyhippopotamus.com
Subject: Final chance to avoid legal action...

To: Mr. Richard Warren aka King Talent
From: Jillyn M. McKittrick and Andrew G. Jacobs
Re: Our likenesses on your website

This is the third request we have sent you. The first was sent via email on April 4, 2007 the second on April 17, 2007. This is your final chance to avoid legal action!

We are once again writing to ask that you remove our images from your personal page on the website www.youtube.com. Although we both gave you verbal consent to use our images during the run of the show, Abnormal Stew, for promotional and performance purposes – we never gave permission for continued use of those images. No verbal or written agreements currently exist between us and therefore we would both demand that you remove our images from your website and refrain from using our likenesses for any reason in the future.

We are aware that our images are used in your videos titled “Remembering Abnormal Stew” and “Monkeypiece Theatre.” If our likenesses appear in any other pictures or videos on this or any other website you control that we are unaware of, our request is applicable to them as well.

This letter is being sent via email on May 13, 2007 and I have left a message on your phone informing you of this letter. We expect removal of our images or other suitable response to this request no later than May 27, 2007. Should you fail to comply, you will hear from our lawyer in early June.

We expect you attend to this matter immediately.

Jillyn McKittrick and Andrew G. Jacobs