The Fast Times and Long Career of Cameron Crowe




Here's The Thing with Alec Baldwin show

Summary: <p>Cameron Crowe's teenage years are familiar to anyone who's seen his autobiographical <em>Almost Famous</em>: 16-year-old writing prodigy convinces Jan Wenner and <em>Rolling Stone</em> to let him tour with and profile the greatest rock musicians of his generation. But what came after is just as interesting: going undercover as a high-school student to write <em>Fast Times at Ridgemont High</em>; falling into the <em>Say Anything </em>director's chair after the two first choices turned it down; hanging out with Led Zeppelin to get their blessing of the songs in <em>Almost Famous</em>.  Crowe and Alec are friends, and it comes through in their affectionate back-and-forth about movies, writing, family, and the bands they love.  And throughout this extended interview are interspersed some great tunes that demonstrate how Crowe is a master of the "needle-drop," using music to further the story, character development, and dramatic tension of his films.</p>