Project Greenlight [Ongoing Discussion]

Hey guys

Just wanted to chime in. I've just now read EVERY post made in this thread and what everyone needs to remember is it IS all in the editing, watching the first couple seasons (and most reality shows for that matter) the editors go CRAZY when concoting (sp?) drama outa nothing. And listen to the music, that low rumble suspense **** they play all the time actually really is effective. Take it out and the show would feel completely different.

Basically if ur really enjoying the show like I am, then good, but everyone seems to be taking it too seriously. Personally I give EVERYONE the benifit of the doubt. Gulager AND all the studio guys. I understand ALL of their concers equally. And not actually witnessing the events myself, theres no way to know which conflicts were as important as the seem.

Too much stuff to go into every piece of drama in this season but just to say it:

Casting Directors are a GOOD thing... but that *****, well, she's a *****. And considering she wanted to help a friend nobody else wanted (director AND Producers) she did an amazing job of covering her ass. If u didnt catch it, watch it again and see how a casting director can say **** u to everyone else on the project and STILL be safe from Studio retaliation. That was slick and came through loud and clear on the show, not much way information edited out could have made her look better.
 
I agree that it's all in the editing, but that's all we have to go on.

I agree that they they threw Gulager in the deep end of the pool. Everybody works differently, and someone that's never been on a production of this size will have no real grasp of what is involved. It's unfortunate for him, but at the same time there is a tremedous opportunity. I'm not referring to the "opportunity" of directing this film. I'm talking about the real opportunity of being on a set with trained, seasoned professionals who can teach him a lot. He can't seem to get far enough out of his own head to realize that.

At the same time, the first AD and the DP should take Gulager out for a few beers and loosen him up; try and develop some rapport. It's obvious that the DP doesn't respect him, but that's no excuse. As the guy with the experience he needs to suck it up and try and take Gulager under his wing a little, IMHO. It's easy to ***** about the guy (I'd be doing it myself) but your goal as a professional is to create the best quality end product as possible. If that means swallowing your pride a bit, and being the one to offer the olive branch, then that's what you do. I'm not saying that everything Gulager is doing is okay (they don't show you enough to understand it all) but trying to take the guy aside to give him some guidance is the least you can do. I don't see how anybody can win in the situation they are currently in. Somebody has to bridge that gap. My bet is that it will be the first AD and/or the line producer.
 
i kinda think the DP needs to cut him some slack. Who knows how much of a pain gulager is, but i have a feeling the dp is getting pissy because this new guy with no experiece isnt doing it his way.

no way to know for sure whats going on, but i get the feeling the dp needs to get over himself and open himself up to helping the director achieve his vision. At the end of the last episode I heard gulager say "i dont even think they looked at the story boards I made".

or he might just be an ass coming up with new shots every second, who knows
 
It's probably a combination of the two. Gulager asking for a crack pipe out of the blue in the shot on his first set-up doesn't bode well. The guy is used to going slow, having people do things his way, and not being pressed for time. He doesn't have a clue, but that part of it isn't his fault, IMHO. We all enter a new situation with only the toolbox we have with us. He needs to adapt a little, but they need to help him along. IT all seems way too adversarial.
 
the only reason they picked gulager in the first place is because they knew they would have problems with him.
 
No Ca$h makes a good point though. I'm not sure how much of an impact Gulager's potential personality problems had on the decision making process, but I do know that a peaceful, pleasant production wouldn't help the ratings much.
 
i think y'all overestimate the desire of this producer to shape a reality in PGL. Movie production has enough variables and wild cards without a need to cook anything up. Anyone wanting to see how reality beats fiction on a set, just needs to rent "Lost in la Mancha."

Sure, there are shows like "real world," with casting choices meant to spice things up with manufactured conflict. But it doesn't strike me that this is what is occuring in PGL. Chris Moore's primary objectives are to make a good film and nurture his relationship with the studio. I think the vision of PGL is to create room for a different model in hopes of making the next breakout movie, a model not unsimilar to that responsible for the original success of Chris Moore's more famous Partners Matt Damon & Ben Affleck. This is a production model he has pitched and the studio has accepted and I am sure none of them want to come off looking like a-holes to a national audience.

I think many of the bumps in the road encountered in the early episodes demonstrate (and previous seasons) 1. how hard it is to write a good script 2. how hard it is to put the pieces in place for an independent movie 3. the difficult nature of "creative" people and the pressures they face in executing a vision.


***btw: Did you see the shot in the episode with all the casting drama, where the mike windscreen is in the upper right corner of frame. Same exact problem I encountered with some of my earliest dvx footage, not realizing that the viewfinder didn't portray entire shot when at full wide. Bet they use DVX on at least some of the show (if not all).
 
one other note. I admit I have only seen the "casting drama" episode. But had been trying to figure out why casting director was not fired the second she went behind the producers & Director's backs. Sooooo out of bounds. Period.

My thought is that someone at Miramax brought her on board and has her back. Perhaps this was someone's way of instituting a control on a model they are not entirely sold on. This was my only possible understanding as to why the producers did not address the problem with the studio as soon as it occured (ie why pick a battle you might not win, and all the ramifications that go with that).

to me, extending an offer to the actress is the type of moment that can set the incorrect tone for the rest of the production. not to excuse the director of his rather large initial failings, but that moment sure didn't portend well for the success of the movie.
 
The previews are so misleading.....haha...

Did Gulager make a mistake casting his father?
While they show a clip of his father saying "You Motherfucker!"
and John going "Dad."

So we think he's either saying it to him, or that he's a crazy old man.
Turns out he was just a little cranky that day....and rightfulyl so.

Then we see...
"So how was your day John?"
John: "Meh"
"What, did you get fired?"
John: "Kinda"

no he didn't get fired, he just got a reality check, and was depressed....

He'll pull through this, but I don't know how he'll react once its done, and if he'll do more projects.

I really don't think I would want to win this contest for some reason.....it doesn't seem like I would be able to avoid the stress and politics.
And having all that put on television for millions to watch, is kind of demeaning.....especially with those damn editors.
 
Gulager finally said what he should have said a long time ago. If he can't have input screw it. I just wish he told the powers that be that.
 
I think he does have input, especially in the beginning. BUt he doesn't articulate things very well. When that happens, and you are leaking money and time, something has to be done.
 
I concur!

what an ass, I keep thinking how much of a waste it is to see him on set.
Tomarrows episode looks awesome though; Its like a nascar race, I wait
with anticipation to see him crash and burn.
 
yeah, Im pretty sure the editors this year just went over board with the drama and conflict. I mean, I dont think they made any of it up, but im sure alot of other nicer stuff happened too, and the ****ing low end rumble music they put under eberything to made mundane feel like something really horrible was occoring really bugged the hell outa me.

So I think its more likley Gulager did a good job than a poor one, end result aside.

So i was happier with this episode, more resembled the other seasons. They went into some of the nasty stuff, but it didnt feel so heavy, which is good. Hopefully the rest of the eps will be like that, a little more upbeat.

:)
 
Showing the cast/crew a rough cut was something the producers should have suggested the first or second week. EVen sharing dailies would have helped others ot see that John was doing some good work and smoothed much of the friction. I have to believe that the show producers control the movie producers. Maybe next season (or after that?) we can see "the making of Project Greenlight", or a BTS of BTS... Gets sort of confusing, doesn't it??

BTW, for anyone who missed any episodes, Bravo is doing a season 3 marathon on Sunday from the first ugly episode...
 
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