Why is it so hard?

Why do young filmmakers who want to make it in the business and don’t want anything else (like myself) have to struggle so much in this day and age? Also why can’t studios and people in the business give young filmmakers a chance. I mean there are so many young filmmakers who want to be in it and then quit cause its so hard for some to sign them a deal. I just watched an interview of Brett Ratner on youtube and that guy is everything commercial. He has not one good original idea in his body. He doesn’t even write anything, i hate that guy so much especially after how he did the last X-Men movie. There is so much talent out there and people who make good stuff. There are people who create a unique original story and have it shot, lit, and edited also very well but they can never get signed. A lot of those people give up and its talent thats being thrown away cause some aspiring filmmaker feels like he can’t go on that he is getting older and older and he has to move on. I don’t want people to feel like that, to feel like they can’t succeed. Theres so much talent thats not being known. I know its also really competitive cause there is a lot of talent some people might like some guys idea but hates yours and it could be the complete opposite, but even though there is a lot of competition. I feel the business is not giving enough people still a chance to make it. Instead you have people like Brett Ratner making films for a living. Also I know there is still a lot of good films out there and good filmmakes like QT,PTA, coen brothers etc etc. But with all of those good filmmakers there are so many bad typical lame movies being created and it sucks. Why the business not give us aspiring filmmakers a chance why do they make it harder for us?

Forgive me for being so cynical, but it all boils down to money. Its just so much safer for them to go with well known names who they know are gonna bring in the money than give a young filmaker a chance.

It’s kind of for the same reason studios keep pumping out sequels and remakes. Financing films is expensive and a lot of them don’t turn that big of a profit so if the original was a hit they’ll keep making them until they stop being profitable. I think for directors a lot of it also has to do with who you know and lucky timing. In Brett Ratner’s case he was friends with Russel Simmons and when the original director of Money Talks backed out Russel Simmons suggested Ratner. He’s been making studios money fairly consistently so he keeps getting work.



It’s hard for new film makers to break in because very few people in Hollywood want to take a chance on someone who has yet to prove themselves. You’ve got to really knock people’s socks off to get your foot in the door.

Yeah. The entertainment industry sucks spunk these days. It’s all about increasing profit and decreasing risk. It’s money. Money, money, money, and fuck creativity.



But you’re still so young dude. QT was in his late 20s before he ever caught a break. If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen. Just don’t give up. Don’t sit on your arse and watch life pass you by because “it’s too hard.” Get into film school, meet some people, make connections. Don’t be so discouraged already.

There have always been just a few really great minds in every era. The only difference is that now every asshole with a camera thinks he is the next best thing but gets denied by the industry. Fuck that.



Like Dex says:

[quote]You’ve got to really knock people’s socks off to get your foot in the door.[/quote]

And so it should be. Of course, connections, luck and all that help. But in the end its unlimited passion, talent and a lot of persistent hard work that will maybe get you where you wanna be.



Genius isn’t spread out to everyone. Plus there is a huge independent scene in which you can make name if you have the goods to do something.



Blaming it on the industry is just denial of your own incapacity. If you are good enough, keep knocking on every fucking door and you will get the opportunity to get somewhere with it.



Lot’s of great people have been rejected. But it should make one stronger…

One more time, you were faster than me and said everything.



Nothing to add, you pointed out the best : it’s sure a matter of luck, connections but also of talent and genius. If you are really talented, then you’ll get opportunities. Because if you are too, your passion will be illimited, your motivation won’t stop and doors after doors, you’ll find the right producers, the right crew and the right way to have some recognition.



Real talents and real talents are never unknown all their lives, soon or later they get the recognition they deserve.

[quote=“Seth_Gecko”]
There have always been just a few really great minds in every era. The only difference is that now every asshole with a camera thinks he is the next best thing but gets denied by the industry. Fuck that.



Like Dex says:



And so it should be. Of course, connections, luck and all that help. But in the end its unlimited passion, talent and a lot of persistent hard work that will maybe get you where you wanna be.



Genius isn’t spread out to everyone. Plus there is a huge independent scene in which you can make name if you have the goods to do something.



Blaming it on the industry is just denial of your own incapacity. If you are good enough, keep knocking on every fucking door and you will get the opportunity to get somewhere with it.



Lot’s of great people have been rejected. But it should make one stronger…
[/quote]

I do agree with you, with having luck and connections and hard work. Having to be a genius as well. I don’t agree in some cases. There are a lot of bad directors and filmmakers that have a lot of money and are signed but they don’t have any good stuff to show but they have the money to make it look like a hollywood picture. With those directors and filmmakers I don’t consider them genius’s I just considered them being lucky, having connections and also at some points being very passionate and hardworking but that doesn’t mean all of them are genius’s. Just look at some of the names out there today.

I also like to say I’m about to graduate high school and I am going to college just to do film i wont have to do math or science or any of that. This yea in high school I been in my 3rd year in the video program. I have made short movies, commercials for school events, music videos etc etc but its not enough to really show off my talent. When i started off my stuff wasnt that good, my music video was in my first year of actually learning how to use equipment and final cut and it wasn’t the best and thats the only music video i made. I made a few shorts but most of them were from previous years. To basically get to my point. To me I haven’t done that much to really show off some real talent. I’m always thinking of ideas and always writing and if I could really everyday make a short film with a group of people or one person even I would love that. I don’t it is hard in high school cause I have so much other classes i have to take to pass in so I don’t ever have time to make a lot of videos whenever I want. Also I don’t drink really and everyone i know always drinks and gets shit faced every weekend which are the people in my video class so they aren’t into as much as me. I just don’t know many people at the moment who really wants to make stuff and work hard on it and I didnt have the chance really cause I had to worry about other classes and i work alot to make money and all this crap so. I’m looking forward to go to a school just for film and video and be with people who are hopefully the same way cause if I be with people who want to make videos all the time or a lot I would always be for it.



I know this sounds crazy and basically just a dream but I would love to know how to do everything basically. I mean i can shoot, edit, write and hook up lights and all taht stuff. I want to learn how to do special effects not just digital but i want to learn how to work with makeup and shit. I did theater in high school for 3 years so I know a little bit about that but I want learn how to do all of that stuff. I have been reading and watching on how they do all of that stuff as well. I’m still finishing up high school but I’m excited just to go to a film school and just work with film and video cause then i will have more time for it then i did in high school.

Have you ever thought about shortening, or breaking up your paragraphs? Maybe try using a bit more punctuation in your sentences?



Your posts are tedious to read. No offense.

[quote=“Geoi”]
Have you ever thought about shortening, or breaking up your paragraphs? Maybe try using a bit more punctuation in your sentences? Your posts are tedious to read. No offense. [/quote]

Yeah, cos what you posted was interesting, but its just a little daunting when you see big paragraphs like that.



You seem really enthusiastic and I think that’s the most important thing. If you get to spend the rest of your life doing something you love and are enthusiastic about does it really matter how successful you are? Just enjoy what your doing and keep on learning :slight_smile:



(I’ve become paranoid about the length of my own paragraphs now!)

[quote=“Tarantino101”]
I also like to say I’m about to graduate high school and I am going to college just to do film i wont have to do math or science or any of that. This yea in high school I been in my 3rd year in the video program. I have made short movies, commercials for school events, music videos etc etc but its not enough to really show off my talent. When i started off my stuff wasnt that good, my music video was in my first year of actually learning how to use equipment and final cut and it wasn’t the best and thats the only music video i made. I made a few shorts but most of them were from previous years. To basically get to my point. To me I haven’t done that much to really show off some real talent. I’m always thinking of ideas and always writing and if I could really everyday make a short film with a group of people or one person even I would love that. I don’t it is hard in high school cause I have so much other classes i have to take to pass in so I don’t ever have time to make a lot of videos whenever I want. Also I don’t drink really and everyone i know always drinks and gets shit faced every weekend which are the people in my video class so they aren’t into as much as me. I just don’t know many people at the moment who really wants to make stuff and work hard on it and I didnt have the chance really cause I had to worry about other classes and i work alot to make money and all this crap so. I’m looking forward to go to a school just for film and video and be with people who are hopefully the same way cause if I be with people who want to make videos all the time or a lot I would always be for it.



I know this sounds crazy and basically just a dream but I would love to know how to do everything basically. I mean i can shoot, edit, write and hook up lights and all taht stuff. I want to learn how to do special effects not just digital but i want to learn how to work with makeup and shit. I did theater in high school for 3 years so I know a little bit about that but I want learn how to do all of that stuff. I have been reading and watching on how they do all of that stuff as well. I’m still finishing up high school but I’m excited just to go to a film school and just work with film and video cause then i will have more time for it then i did in high school.
[/quote][quote=“Geoi”]
Have you ever thought about shortening, or breaking up your paragraphs? Maybe try using a bit more punctuation in your sentences?



Your posts are tedious to read. No offense.
[/quote]
No its fine, I know I have a habit. Usually when I’m on a message board or a blog I usually have a lot to say. I type really fast and I get lazy and/or forget to go back and read and try to fix everything. Its my bad. I can’t finish peoples long rants either at times. I just usually forget about it or am too lazy to fix it.



Also FoxForceFive I agree I don’t need to be super famous and successful but as long as I can do this for the rest of my life thats good with me. I have some bad ADD so I don’t do so well in the regular classes sometimes cause I’m always thinking and most of the time its trying to think of ideas or how I can make an idea better etc.



Also is there any website or places where I can get some FX supplies and make up? I know Halloween stores around my area are all gone but I ordered a DvD on FX and make up but is there a website or a place where I can get some supplies I plan on getting it for my birthday coming up.

[quote=“Tarantino101”]
No, its fine. I know I have a habit. Usually, when I’m on a message board or a blog I have a lot to say. I type really fast, and I get lazy, and/or forget to go back to read, and try to fix everything. Its my bad. I can’t finish peoples’ long rants either at times. I just usually forget about it, or am too lazy to fix it.



Also, FoxForceFive, I agree I don’t need to be super famous and successful, but as long as I can do this for the rest of my life, thats good with me.



I have some bad ADD, so I don’t do so well in the regular classes sometimes, 'cause I’m always thinking, and most of the time its trying to think of ideas, or how I can make an idea better etc.



Also, is there any website or places where I can get some FX supplies and make up? I know Halloween stores around my area are all gone. I ordered a DvD on FX and make-up, but is there a website, or a place where I can get some supplies. I plan on getting it for my upcoming birthday.
[/quote]

fixed. :stuck_out_tongue:









Sorry dude. I just had to mess with ya a bit. It’s all in love.



Oh, I’m A.D.D. too, but I have some O.C.D. issues that keep it in check. Fuck being a Virgo. But you should totally understand why it’s hard for me to tackle massive paragraphs like the ones you type.

Because not everybody can make it in the business. Someone has to fail for others to make it.



Talent isn’t everything. It’s mostly about the inner drive, the ability to turn your ideas into movies, and a bit of luck. If you can stop talking about making movies and actually make them, then you have a far greater chance of being discovered. I can’t tell how many talented people I’ve met in my life who could’ve become fantastic directors, but unfortunately they didn’t have the inner drive and that something that separates the great from the potentially great.



Even Quentin himself when asked what advice he would give to aspiring filmmakers said "“If you want to make a movie, make it. Don’t wait for a grant, don’t wait for the perfect circumstances, just make it.” Some people never stop waiting and they never make it.

[quote=“Pioneer”]
Because not everybody can make it in the business. Someone has to fail for others to make it.



Talent isn’t everything. It’s mostly about the inner drive, the ability to turn your ideas into movies, and a bit of luck. If you can stop talking about making movies and actually make them, then you have a far greater chance of being discovered. I can’t tell how many talented people I’ve met in my life who could’ve become fantastic directors, but unfortunately they didn’t have the inner drive and that something that separates the great from the potentially great.



Even Quentin himself when asked what advice he would give to aspiring filmmakers said "“If you want to make a movie, make it. Don’t wait for a grant, don’t wait for the perfect circumstances, just make it.” Some people never stop waiting and they never make it.
[/quote]

This post is so true I had to quote it to make sure no one misses it.

It applies to everything though, not only film making. Wether you want to be able to get the girl of your dream, make a carrier or get thin.

The time you spend complaining about how difficult it is and how unfair it can be (that F%ING asshole got the girl, this one got the job you were applying to, this model is thinner and eats pizza every week) is time you’ll never get back; While you could get some experience doing the stuff you like probably in the worst way possible, with no money and stuff, but atleast you’d get the skills, that would come handy if you have your great breakthrough.





I also totally agree about how there are a great bunch of disastreous successful directors out there though. And I’m not only talking about US cinema, we get our mainstream sentimental or funny comedies in France that wouldn’t deserved to be seen by 10 people, and I don’t really know how’s the cine-scene in other countries but I guess it’s pretty much the same.

Then again I can’t help but thinking that it’s the same when it comes to the music industry and probably every kind of art. As far as I’m concerned, I think P. Starck is a shitty designer and doesn’t deserve his success either but I’m quite drifting from the topic here.



I hope you get my point though, which is the same as everyone who’s posted so far : keep working and make things happen. Just take a look at Richard Kelly for example, Donnie Darko was a masterpiece and still he can’t get his movies to make a theatrical release, BUT he keeps making them, and the budget keeps growing!

I agree with what you people are saying. Talent isn’t everything, especially in the early stages. You also need to learn how to sell your idea, how to market your movie, how to build contact with the right kind of people. QT managed to be where he is now not only because he was talented, but as Ebert once said, because he has a flair for self-promotion. You need to believe in yourself and your work BEFORE making others believe you have talent.

Right. Like if you say this script is stronger than Morgan Freeman on viagra and it’s gonna blow a white geyser on your face after you read it.

I think some people expect a movie deal to just drop in their laps. If I was investing millions in a film I would not hand it over to some guy I had no clue about or hasn’t shown me anything special. A little hard work and a bit of luck, thats what you need. Now hit the pavement…

In Australia our problem is that the local industry is run by a bunch of fifty year old bureaucrats that don’t have the faintest, f**king idea of what an attractive film is as they have the imaginative creativity of a cardboard box.



All that gets the money is whatever looks like it has the potential to promote the country, i.e Luhrmann’s ‘Australia’.



The Ozploitation Documentary “Not Quite Hollywood” (a must see for any QT fan) fascinated me. I never new that we actually had a cool film industry back in the 80s and the problem is…nor would anyone else my age- i think I’m the only teenager in Australia who watched the film (along with maybe two other adults in the cinema) and appreciated how great it was.



I may have deviated from the initial point of the thread but what i am trying to say is its all about who has the money and what they want to do with it. The people with the money don’t care about film makers, they care about film watchers.