puredrifting
Major Contributor
Jason:
What an intelligent and knowing observation about the state of the film BUSINESS!
Dan
What an intelligent and knowing observation about the state of the film BUSINESS!
Dan
Why do people hate Michael Bay so much?
- Thread starter Richard J. Johnson
- Start date
puredrifting
Major Contributor
I agree. I was working at Company 3 when he was doing DI for Transformers and from what I saw, working in some proximity with him, he is a wanker. That seemed to be the general consensus with the staff there too. But hey, it is the movie business, right? His films keep a lot of people employed and he is obviously good at giving his audience what they want so he is a successful filmmaker. Lots of directors are idiots but they are good directors. Cameron comes to mind.
Dan
adkimery
Veteran
To hijack a phrase, "What's good isn't always popular and what's popular isn't always good."
Is it really what most of middle America wants or is what most of middle America thinks they want because that's what the corporations tell them they want? Either way, it still comes down to the fact that as long as Michael Bay puts butts in seats he'll keep getting work. I wonder, though, how many films posters here love were financed or purchased w/studio profits generated by one of his films? How many people here would honestly pass on funding or a movie deal if they knew that the money came directly, or indirectly, as a result of a Michael Bay film?
-A
JasonFox
Internet Sensation
Why do people blame middle America for crappy movies? I've lived in middle America my whole life and we're no more inclined to see or not see a piece of junk as anyone on the coasts. It's not "middle America" that keeps Bay making movies, it's "mediocre America." Or, as I like to say, just one of the hundreds of unforeseen consequences of cutting art and music out of schools.
Granted, I was one of the three people who liked "The Island." But "Transformers" just wrankles me every time I think about it.
Granted, I was one of the three people who liked "The Island." But "Transformers" just wrankles me every time I think about it.
adkimery
Veteran
"Middle America" is just another term for "Average Joe", "Anytown, USA", etc.,. "Middle America" isn't a place it's a demographic.
-A
Eastside Parkway
Well-known member
I love Michael Bay movies. I know people who have worked with him and I understand that he can be difficult at times, but I can't get enough of the stuff he makes.
Maybe there's a connection between difficult personalities and successful directors? Maybe there's not much room for love on the difficult path to making a really good movie. There are so many people who want something from the film (like a paycheque to start with), but only a small handful who really care whether it is great or not.
I dunno. Hard to get good help. Hard to get respect. And maybe in the end the ones who do are the a**holes. I wish it were otherwise, but I'm not sure...
I dunno. Hard to get good help. Hard to get respect. And maybe in the end the ones who do are the a**holes. I wish it were otherwise, but I'm not sure...
I'm usually not at a total loss for a metaphor, but comparing Michael Bay to Jim Cameron, in terms of persoanlity, professionalism, and on-set behavior, is like (insert unflattering metaphor I can't think of, here).
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
I have a friend who likens watching The Island to having Michael Bay masturbate in his face.
I think it's because middle America has been overlooked and neglected by Hollywood so you guys tend to Cling to bad movies and then get all bitter about it.
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
george clooney, soderbergh, m. night, judd apatow and most others i've seen in action foster a friendly, sometimes family-like, and creatively nurturing atmosphere on set. being a d*ck isn't necessary to be a "top" director.
It would be interesting to track the performance of "bad Hollywood movies" in middle America (meaning, I guess, everywhere except the East and West Coasts...?) versus the performance of "good indie/good foreign/good Hollywood" movies, and see if the ratios are any different than in the coastal markets.
Although I don't know how one would quantify all that.
Ditto Wolfgang Petersen, Walter Hill, Francis Ford Coppola, Paul Feig, Irv Kershner, James Wong, Ron Howard and Joe Straczinsky.
All of those guys know how to treat their crews, and - I'm convinced - get extra performance out of their people, for it.
Although I don't know how one would quantify all that.
Zak Forsman said:
Ditto Wolfgang Petersen, Walter Hill, Francis Ford Coppola, Paul Feig, Irv Kershner, James Wong, Ron Howard and Joe Straczinsky.
All of those guys know how to treat their crews, and - I'm convinced - get extra performance out of their people, for it.
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That's always refreshing to hear. I know they're out there. Seem few and far between though, and it's the way I like to work. Just sometimes feel like a lone wolf in that regard. I've seen a lot of sharks get very far!
You have to admit there are a LOT of directors who do not have cuddly personalities: Kubrick was hardly a sweetie; David O Russel; James Cameron; etc.
Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
indie/foreign/etc don't really play in rural america, do they? so there's no opportunity. even so, i don't think the people are any different. we're all basically lazy and gravitate to the stuff with recognizable celebrities in front of and sometimes behind the camera. in Los Angeles, the indie/foreign/etc works don't get much support here either. ever been to a shorts program at an L.A. based film fest? the audience is usually limited to the filmmakers' friends and family. a lot of features play to that kind of audience too. surprisingly, or maybe not, it's the rural fests where people are genuinely enthusiastic about seeing something different. still, its a niche audience. but at least they show up.
I don't believe Cameron belongs in the same class of crazy/jerkfulness as Kubrick and Russel, although I can only compare his behavior, to their reputations.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Well, to be honest, I only say Bay working in post, not on set. Cameron is legendary for his crew abuse, but he is a talented filmmaker. I guess Bay is talented at what he does, which is make movies that make a lot of money.
Same with Brett Ratner. I have interviewed him several times, he is a complete ass, but he puts people into theaters to see his films, I have to give him that.
Dan
JasonFox
Internet Sensation
Actually, they do play. My in-laws live on a farm in southeast Iowa and they see just as many small movies as I do. More, now that we can't get out of the house for more than 10 minutes at a time. Sure, some of the truly edgier fare probably doesn't play as well, but beyond that, I don't think there's a huge difference. There are just as many 'splosion-happy boys in LA and Seattle as Kansas City.
Which just reminded me -- at a KC Film Jubilee a few years ago, the audience award went to a film titled "I Hate Michael Bay."
Prodigi Pictures
Carbonite Member
Watch the documentary on The Abyss 2-Disc set. They have some lovely footage of him cussing out the crew.
My favorite quote, after a crew member makes a mistake, is "That's okay. I've worked with children before." hehehehe...people skills aren't his strong suit.
I'm starting to think I was plain lucky on Avatar. I must have just missed the bad days...