THE MOVIE PRODUCER’S LAMENT
10 things to consider and reconsider
10 things to consider and reconsider
1. FAITH
You call agents; they don’t return your calls. You check your email; the studio cancelled the meeting; the actor didn’t read your script. You read an unsolicited screenplay. This could be the one! Everything is an act of faith. You reinvent your life every day.
You call agents; they don’t return your calls. You check your email; the studio cancelled the meeting; the actor didn’t read your script. You read an unsolicited screenplay. This could be the one! Everything is an act of faith. You reinvent your life every day.
2. POLLYANNA
Every year at the Oscars you hear the same speech, “Everyone in town turned it down.” Yours keeps getting turned down, too, but could it use another draft? Doesn’t matter that your mom loved it; are you gimlet-eyed about its flaws? Simply put, good isn’t good enough
Every year at the Oscars you hear the same speech, “Everyone in town turned it down.” Yours keeps getting turned down, too, but could it use another draft? Doesn’t matter that your mom loved it; are you gimlet-eyed about its flaws? Simply put, good isn’t good enough
3. PAYING DUES
You’re a ‘baby’ producer. You’ve devoted years to a project. Good news! A studio wants to make it! Bad news: A movie star wants a heavyweight to ‘take the lead.’ e.e.cummings wrote, “there is some shit I will not eat.” This suggests there is some shit you will.
You’re a ‘baby’ producer. You’ve devoted years to a project. Good news! A studio wants to make it! Bad news: A movie star wants a heavyweight to ‘take the lead.’ e.e.cummings wrote, “there is some shit I will not eat.” This suggests there is some shit you will.
4. VISION
You develop an original idea with a new writer. Miraculously, you get it financed. Everything about the process conspires to diminish that first rapturous vision. Casting compromises. Studio notes. Budget woes. Only one thing to do... Vanquish them! Live your dream.
You develop an original idea with a new writer. Miraculously, you get it financed. Everything about the process conspires to diminish that first rapturous vision. Casting compromises. Studio notes. Budget woes. Only one thing to do... Vanquish them! Live your dream.
5. RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD
The studio wants you to fire the director. He developed it with you. E.M. Forster said,“If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country.’ He wasn’t worried about his next deal.
The studio wants you to fire the director. He developed it with you. E.M. Forster said,“If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country.’ He wasn’t worried about his next deal.
6. MANAGING CREATIVITY
Artists are volatile creatures. The director is at war with the male lead. The female star hates the DP. Imagine yourself the GM of a sports franchise. How to make everyone feel loved and essential? Long talks. Dinners. Gifts. Massages. Think I’m kidding?
Artists are volatile creatures. The director is at war with the male lead. The female star hates the DP. Imagine yourself the GM of a sports franchise. How to make everyone feel loved and essential? Long talks. Dinners. Gifts. Massages. Think I’m kidding?
7. MANAGING CREATIVITY
You’re the good cop when the director’s a beast, a tough dad when he’s a petulant child. An intervention, a therapy session, or a hissy fit...just do it.Freddie Fields carried tourniquets for Judy Garland in the trunk of his car for her suicide attempts.
You’re the good cop when the director’s a beast, a tough dad when he’s a petulant child. An intervention, a therapy session, or a hissy fit...just do it.Freddie Fields carried tourniquets for Judy Garland in the trunk of his car for her suicide attempts.
8. FASCISM
In the 15th century, the Borgias were lecherous, treacherous monsters. Also, patrons of the arts with exquisite taste. This describes Harvey Weinstein and many others. Aggression and intimidation are useful attributes. Until they’re called out. And punished.
In the 15th century, the Borgias were lecherous, treacherous monsters. Also, patrons of the arts with exquisite taste. This describes Harvey Weinstein and many others. Aggression and intimidation are useful attributes. Until they’re called out. And punished.
9. THE PERSONAL TOUCH
A successful producer left his appointment book on a dubbing stage. Every page noted a movie star's birthday, anniversary, favorite flowers, restaurants, children's names. He understood that artists are very good at receiving. And that schmoozing works.
A successful producer left his appointment book on a dubbing stage. Every page noted a movie star's birthday, anniversary, favorite flowers, restaurants, children's names. He understood that artists are very good at receiving. And that schmoozing works.
10. PRODUCER IN NAME ONLY
These days a manager often takes producer credit when his client stars in a film. Until I see a manager standing all night long in the pouring rain with 102-degree fever, I will hold to my belief that a manager is a manager and a producer is a producer.
These days a manager often takes producer credit when his client stars in a film. Until I see a manager standing all night long in the pouring rain with 102-degree fever, I will hold to my belief that a manager is a manager and a producer is a producer.
P.S.
An old Canadian wrangler offered this valuable piece of advice to a young producer. “Don’t ever wrestle with a pig. You’ll both wind up covered in shit, but the pig will enjoy it.”
An old Canadian wrangler offered this valuable piece of advice to a young producer. “Don’t ever wrestle with a pig. You’ll both wind up covered in shit, but the pig will enjoy it.”
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