WHO WORKS FOR FREE?

I've read a couple of posts this week from, I guess, industry people ranting about producers that are looking for free labor. "Demand minimum wage" one of the writers insisted.  While another just said, 'people looking for free labor are scams.'

If I blindly agree I would be doing everyone trying to get into the world of film making an injustice. Do I agree?   Yes.  But there are exceptions to every rule.  How do you create a resume?  I'm listed on a few of those Movie Job sites including Stage-32 and Mandy and apply to most directing and writing gigs offered.  I've got to admit, this person who posted didn't have a clue what a director does.  I had one nameless person who said I could direct and my pay would be ten percent of what I brought to the project.  I'm serious.  Yes, I passed.  It seems that most of these posts are from people that have never made a film or understand the commitment it takes to make a film.  Yet they have an idea and want you to take their idea and turn it into a film.  Their dream, not necessarily yours.

However, sometimes when you haven't worked on a film in a few years it's time to lower your standards.  Is this a script you believe in?  Is this a film that can showcase your talents to perhaps put you in a better position for another job?  Film is art and there are many artists out there wanting to put their vision to the test.  Some actually might have credits.  Look 'em up!  IMDB is there for you to search who is starting out versus who is looking to make a new vision come to life.

Did you know that in the state of Florida it's legal to NOT pay Interns?  That's right, provided the interns in question are learning and not taking the place of another person who was getting paid.  Did you also know that if you are a student right out of film school you really don't have any experience?  Over the years, I've interviewed several students for features I was producing.  Their resumes consisted of several student projects and not much else.  I even asked a young student, "where he'd like to work on my film?", his answer was, 'to be the director.'  Seriously, that's what he said at the interview.  I told him, "that position was filled. Was there something else to maybe help him reach the goal of director."  Deer in the headlight look.  You feel we should pay these people?  I believe we should help train these people because perhaps the film schools are missing a valuable part of reality and that's the interview process.

You want to work for minimum wage?  Get a job at Burger King.  The hours are much shorter.  However, unless you're going to another fast food chain for work, that tidbit on your resume isn't going to move you along in life.  When I was in LA I had to work at McDonald's on the overnight shift to pay my bills. Yes, just over minimum wage (hey, I was a night shift manager).  I got offered a job on a movie set for four hundred dollars cash and four hundred dollars deferred.  I took it and learned that in the film business sixteen hour days is the norm and I made more at McDonald's, but that wasn't what I wanted to do in LA.

What I am trying to explain is, research before you jump into a film project.  Will this film have a chance in getting seen?  Am I losing money or am I learning something that can be applied to future film jobs?  Are there filmmakers out there that need someone to tell them where to point the camera? Absolutely, but there are others that just might make a difference in the business and when they do don't you want to be on their "First Call" list?

Until next time.

Bob Cook
Director.

BOB's RANT ON OSCAR SELECTIONS

I waited a couple of days to cool down.  Not because I wasn't nominated but because I still can't figure out the formula the Academy of Arts and Science uses to nominate films and performers in each category.

They are allowed to nominate ten features for BEST PICTURE.  This year's nominees include; "Call me by Your Name," "Darkest Hour," "Dunkirk," "Get Out," "Lady Bird,"  "Phantom Thread," "The Post," "The Shape of Water," and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri."  Notice anything? There are only nine nominees.  You couldn't find a tenth?  Seriously?  Are we judging films by their artistic content or is this politics?  What possible reason could you give for not adding a tenth film?  It couldn't be you didn't want the award show to run long, it already does that every year?  Could it be that "The Greatest Showman" portrayed a racist in a positive light?  I could make an argument for at least two nominated films to not be included and an argument for at least five to be at least included as the tenth best picture.  Someone told me, "Maybe there were several tied for tenth."  THEN PICK ONE!!!  You're allowed ten!  "I, Tonya" received nominations for Margot Robbie and Allison Janney. Not tenth place?  How about "Molly's Game."  Wonderful script (yes, nominated), well performed and Aaron Sorkin's directing debut fell on blind eyes and ears.

"Roman J. Israel, ESQ," is another film.  Another great performance by Denzel Washington in what isn't the tenth Best Feature by this year's Academy standards.  Let's not forget, "All the Money in the World."  They had to fire Kevin Spacey and re-shoot with Christopher Plummer (who was nominated).  Making a film twice should at least wind up in tenth place.  Don't you think?  I don't even want to get into the omission of "Wonder Wheel."  Rehashed drama from thirty years ago should have no effect on the performance by Kate Winslet.  Woody Allen's writing was top notch and the camera work as good, if not better, than at least two of the current nominees.

Another beef.  Nominated films should have been able to be seen by the general public in more than one theater in Los Angeles and New York.  Growing up watching the Oscars I rooted for the movie stars and films that I, as general Q. public, were able to go to the theaters and see.  Who actually got to see Daniel Day Lewis' performance in "Phantom Thread"?  Cast and crew screenings shouldn't count.  I still haven't had a chance to see "The Florida Project" AND I LIVE IN FLORIDA! If the producer's or distributors can't open in eight to ten major cities in the U.S. give them an Independent Film Award nomination and move on.

We used to have Oscar Parties to watch and guess the winners.  We've all done it rooting for your favorite film of the year and favorite performance.  But over the past ten to fifteen years what used to be called Oscar Buzz has died down because the top Oscar Nominees have already won a dozen awards making the Oscars a ho hum, after thought.  How can we guess who wins the Oscars if we haven't been able to see the movies?  Guessing is based on previous results at other award shows and not from going to the movies.

In a few weeks I will rant about who I believe should win the Oscar's in the major categories.  In the meantime, I will see where some of these nominees are hiding.

See you at the movies.

Bob


Bob Cook
Film Director