Red Ruination Blue - a production blog
- Thread starter taormina
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taormina
Hates to Rent
I can role with that, although allot of things the founding fathers intended has since been abolished, thank god. In any case I will be following with interest.
10s
Veteran
Hopefully you include a scene where a young undereducated fool is caught slamming the founders while unwittingly promoting the collectivist dogma of power hungry monopolists. Upon such foolish banter the hero can no longer hold himself back and instinctively steps up and knocks him flat, whereupon the fool wanders off to lick his wounds and contemplate this event, while the hero continues to right his world.
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
Hey and one more thing, it always makes me wonder why some indies are so hell bent on putting those arbitrary business restrictions on them self. It seems kind of self defeating, no one is going to give them a shot at a studio picture because they can emulate there business model. And it seems like the string of self produced "genera" movies featured on dvxuser haven't had such a straight path to the bank as was predicted. So why do it? Why not aim for a film that breaks the mold instead of one that emulates it? I think any film whatever the subject is allot easier to stomach if it represents a truly personal unique (and so interesting) point of view (even one that one does not agree with) v.s. a made to measure exploitation racket. If the goal is not to become a studio your self, what's the point? What is the long term strategy as a film maker? What is it that keeps them going in this direction?
I think these are fundamental questions, more important than, money, script, actors... it's the base. I only throw this out there as you are about to embark on another enormous undertaking and I would be interested to hear what you think about it now a year later.
I think these are fundamental questions, more important than, money, script, actors... it's the base. I only throw this out there as you are about to embark on another enormous undertaking and I would be interested to hear what you think about it now a year later.
taormina
Hates to Rent
I don't quite understand your question. I'm going to take a stab at this but I'm not sure what you meant.
First, if you think that picking a target audience is "exploitation" you're only half right. Everything in the world that is marketed is marketed to a certain audience. If I was selling saddles, I'd market to Cowboys. And it wouldn't cost much, only having to advertise in the equestrian mags and such.
If I sold Coca Cola, I'd have to advertise to everybody. Everybody across every income, age, gender, and cultural range. Do you realize how much money that costs?
So first, you pick topics that you're passionate about. Then, you identify a target audience. After that you ensure your target audience will enjoy your film.
You mentioned earlier about Holocaust movies being targeted to Jews. Dude, that IS the target audience for those movies! Just because they've had broad appeal outside that range, doesn't make them any less effective in their targets.
Second point was the "passion" part. You have to believe in your idea. I've come to realize that not everyone shares my political, economic, or religious views (DUH!) and I really don't care. There's enough people like me to make the movie successful in it's niche.
No one will force you to watch RRB, I promise you.
So can a dyed in the wool greenpeace supporting, hybrid driving democrat voting person like Red Ruination Blue? Sure! It's got lots of entertainment value. It's the same thing as me going to see "Milk" and not being a supporter of homosexuality. I may not agree with the content, but I will probably be entertained. It wouldn't be my first choice of films to watch, but they've got enough people in their demo to carry it without my ticket.....see?
taormina
Hates to Rent
So the script has been sent off to the people who've been designated to read for me. There's nothing to be done now except sit and wait.
After those people get it back to me, I'll change whatever needs changing and then send it off to the people who are actually going to be working on the film so that they can provide their feedback and do the budget. Then it goes out to talent....
After those people get it back to me, I'll change whatever needs changing and then send it off to the people who are actually going to be working on the film so that they can provide their feedback and do the budget. Then it goes out to talent....
Jason Sanders
Well-known member
sounds like my kind of movie.
- right wing gun nut here lol
- right wing gun nut here lol
Martay
Veteran
Wow. I feel like this is fairly accurate. I've got 3 produced features as a screenwriter but only 1 as a director thus far. So I need to ensure that I get another made instead of allowing it to be a goal in perpituity to get to it.
And Adam, will follow this thread, good luck with Development.
-M
This is a really good question/thought and, since this is an open discussion and although Adam's already responded, I'm gonna leap in and say: there is no straight path to the bank. However, there are "tried and true" paths that have a better chance of working than the others.
Adam touched on exploitation and Coca Cola sales, I'm talking more about making your way through The Forest:
Consider that there are several different types of species of animals living in "The Forest" and some of them are bigger than you, smarter than you in said forest and probably run faster than you. You're armed with very little, but oh hey look...
Someone already made a path through the forest, albeit a dangerous one. Do you go to the right and dash down the same path that's clear and present and hope to touch the other side so that you can begin your adventure through The Ruins...
Or do you want to go and cut down trees with your machete while being assailed upon by meat-eatin' quadrupeds? The former not only sounds a lot easier, it honestly is if you've honed your survival skills before you even attempt to walk said path. Savvy?
The analogy is quite clear, so I won't go on to explain it. I will, however, say that you're right in that you should be doing something with a unique POV (point of view). Something that sets your work apart from others EVEN if it's only incremental enough to be noticed/felt in writing or direction.
You SHOULD have your own flavor, even if it's a mish-mash of your favorites.
And you definitely SHOULD have an original, fresh take on whatever cliche or overdone genre "movie" you're about to embark upon. Quirky is the word that I would use, and Quirky is not bad if you're a no name trying to make a new name.
But, all in all, that's why we all keep following that path. There are some that stray and it works for them, I believe that's even less than the ones that take the road well-trodden but I have no hardlined facts to prove it.
Oh, and, in the end? We all really do want to become a studio. Or, at least a powerhouse that has the ability to produce content internally, independent of outside funding. We don't want anyone breathing over OUR backs but we'll be breathing over someone elses, forming our own microsmic "Hollywood" if the dollar amount permits.
That might just be me.
This is the best part. The good thing is that you've put two rather important names on the list of those to be delivered too. That feedback alone is probably gonna be worth the long wait.
I've had a pretty good "first time in the water" experience, you're on your second time around so it must NOT be any easier. LoL.
jls4
Veteran
It's not just you. This is my plan as well. Why be someone who is constantly asking for help (money, etc)? When you can be the person who others ask.
If I had the choice of playing on a Super Bowl Bound Team as the Quarterback OR being the owner of said team who makes the decisions. I choose the latter - give me the control.
smashedburrito
Well-known member
I am just excited for another thread full of great info. Thanks Adam!
filmman
Veteran
HVX2006:
a graphic designer works for a client to advertise a product
the painter paints what's in his soul
the way the word "genre" is used here is a movie that the current distribution trend accepts for distribution
if a genre movie has a major star, the studios will pick it up
if a genre movie has a B-lister, the foreign market distributor will pick it up
if a genre movie has no names but is horror, sci-fi thriller, it goes straight to DVD
if a genre movie has nothing going for it, it's art.LOL
it's like the difference between commercial art and fine art.
a graphic designer works for a client to advertise a product
the painter paints what's in his soul
the way the word "genre" is used here is a movie that the current distribution trend accepts for distribution
if a genre movie has a major star, the studios will pick it up
if a genre movie has a B-lister, the foreign market distributor will pick it up
if a genre movie has no names but is horror, sci-fi thriller, it goes straight to DVD
if a genre movie has nothing going for it, it's art.LOL
hoofandmouf
Well-known member
even though I dismiss this film as a piece of paranoid propaganda for right wing gun toters.... I am interested to see what lies ahead for this thread 
hoofandmouf
Well-known member
if a filmmaker makes a low brow, exploitative slasher/torture porn flick (Hostel, etc) with a B list actor and a couple sets of tits thrown in, he further corrodes the ethical and moral fiber of the world and he makes a few bucks.... a win win right?
taormina
Hates to Rent
even though I dismiss this film as a piece of paranoid propaganda for right wing gun toters.... I am interested to see what lies ahead for this thread
Did you read the same synopsis I wrote?
filmman
Veteran
No, I meant it the other way.LOL
My logic got messed up. I make films that I like, but I know I'm not practical. I don't like genre, but actually Adam is trying to break out of the genre here....
But not quite ... er ... he still wants to hedge his bets a little and throw in enough action that if the quest of Oscar fails, there will still be the foreign market...
I could be wrong, and maybe this isn't fair. I like Adam; I don't want to upset him (and I know I don't upset you, Adam
but the big furor so far has been that he's not making an Oscar contender, because the opinion here (and I'm afraid in Lala land too) is that you have to make a liberal movie if you're going to be even considered for the Oscar. (Conservative movies by insiders are nominated for awards but not for best picture).And since Adam is shooting for an Oscar winner (and I do believe Adam can accomplish what he sets out to do), the consensus seems to be: stay away from the "right wing" angle. There are supporters here also, to be sure, but for the most part they are being subtle (except for one LOL).
Now, Adam may not care which award he wins, because there are many prestigous awards besides the Oscar; e.g., the Globe Award (foreign press), etc.
What I'm more interested is the topic of why shouldn't a filmmaker be respected for his ability to make great entertainment rather than his political point of view? Why did Chaplin have to leave America? Why did Kubrick have to leave also? Orson Wells made a lot of movies in Europe too. Some European directors choose to work out of Europe despite the fact they are making mass audience movies that appeal to the whole world (like the French New Wave directors and Fellini, Antonioni, Bertolucci, etc.)
We're too intolerant. And now is not the time to be intolerant....
Just my 2 cents worth.LOL