Deep thoughts on filmmaking

Re: Deep thoughts on filmmaking

That’s one way to look at it.

Another is that mo money = mo better able to do whatever you want despite the Hollywood “machine.” Witness “The Passion,” which never would have been made if Gibson hadn’t made it out of his pocket.

Sure, money is generally the enemy of creativity, but it’s also a ticket to freedom. It all depends on your motivation.

Point being, Spielberg is only as trapped as he wants to be.
 
Re: Deep thoughts on filmmaking

Money is a great enabler. I know a lot of people who hoard money for their (read: their bank's) Net Worth valuation. If I had a million bucks, I'd do my best to spend it all - making movies, learning to fly, travelling, starting a foundation...

For sure I wouldn't buy a mansion, nor would I let the cash rot in a bank account.

It's okay if you make a lot of money. It's not okay if you want to take it with you to your grave.
 
Re: Deep thoughts on filmmaking

natob2, I understand the cost of today's film. That is one style of film the public is buying and will continue to buy, because we love the new experience it brings us. It reminds me of the production of the 30s...lots of glamour, big sets, etc....=$$$$$ then came the French New Wave & other movements of the 50s...these things cycle and they are not mutually exclusive. They can & do coexist. A market consumes more than one style item day after day...otherwise they get bored to death.

I see big budget going more into CG compositing & given the costs and manpower needed I would assume it's a matter of time before some of the grunt labot is offloaded to a Bollywood style compositing industry.

There is always a new generation, a new revolution in the making and there are always those who say it can't happen anymore. I say, it'll happen again & again, and then the new folks will clam they're totally new & different, only to find out they're just a new (but valid) interpretation of the same ole thing. And then they'll be the new titans and claim that's how it is, no more changes, it's over, blah blah blah,...same ole story!

Porter, Griffith, Buster Keaton, Chaplin and those early people  pioneered most all things we currently use & do.  We just refine it & reinterpret it. So while what we have is new & appears fresh to some degree...it ain't as fresh as it use to be!
Folks a hundred years ago experienced the real revolution.

So while the studios powers try to profit ( & rightfully so, otherwise no new growth...) there is equal risk in not taking risks. Stale product is just that. The gamming industry has given movies a run for the entertainment dollar and will continue to make inroads. The one great protection Hollywood & all others have is the Story. It's part of the Human psyche to consume stories. From the neolithic caves of France to todays mass neomedia caves of our world, we consume & function on story as a guide for understanding our world and being entertained. We too still sit around the campfire and hear stories...but in many cases the new fire has an LCD screen.
 
Re: Deep thoughts on filmmaking

natob2, what did you really like about the Pes presentation?

I would think a strong sense of confidence from the presenting film maker would be a key factor given the uncertain nature of the film market. Since it's not a science where predictability is the cornerstone, we might turn to all sorts of methods to find some degree of predictability & calm our nerves. Anyways I'd like to understand your appreciation for his way of presenting himself.

thanks
 
Re: Deep thoughts on filmmaking

[quote author=10s link=board=Offtopic;num=1105391219;start=15#24 date=01/11/05 at 13:54:07]natob2, what did you really like about the Pes presentation?

Anyways I'd like to understand your appreciation for his way of presenting himself.

thanks[/quote]

Number one thing about the presentation by directors I work with is their representation. This representation is often my first introduction to these directors and their work. These "reps" call me. They email me. They come into my office. They send me letters. Etc. Etc. Some "reps" are OK at this, some are excellent, some are flat out annoying.

It may seem shallow, it may seem superficial, it may seem a tad irrelevant, but a director's representation plays a huge factor whether or not I am going to remember them.

Top notch directors tend to get the top notch reps for obvious reasons. If I was a director or in any other craft where I needed an agent, I would pay very close attention to their personality. They are ultimately a huge part of your presentation and how people will perceive you and your work.
 
Re: Deep thoughts on filmmaking

Hmmm, it sounds like the rep/agent is the piece you're talking about rather than the actual director. Yes, I'd imagine that heavy competition pressures and the unknown really stir up anxiety. I agree it would rack one's nerves listening to endless gibberish.

My favorite agent story is about Elvis. His agent/manager Col. Tom Parker got him the biggest deal to date back in 1957? and I guess the Colonel said to the record executives when the offer came through, " well that's good enough for me, but how bout my boy?" ;)

I also agree that it's nice to surround oneself with good people, it's quite often necessary, but many inexperienced folks are simply going to be unaware about these issues so great opportunities for all parties might be missed.

I think it's the body of we work we stand on that is the relevant factor, not the representing agent. While these representational things do factor in, I would hope top producers can & will see beyond agents for the that which they are really after. Afterall, that's a producers job, to make the best pieice they can.
 
Re: Deep thoughts on filmmaking

Luckily for the people with good work, they often have some of the best representation out there.
 
Re: Deep thoughts on filmmaking

So the question might be, how does the good work & the good representation come together?

Since both are value statements it's a difficult thing to speculate. Maybe it's a situation where smart people make smart movies that other smart people see & want to represent, in other words, birds of the feather, flock together..... you got me!

All I know is that we have our freedom, our tools, and our spirit to create the movies we ourselves would like to see. If we can create these movies that is success. If what we have is also valued by many then the road will be wide & open to freely walk down to our chosen future.
 
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