studentfilmmakers.com

golden double sprigs · Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Austin, TX

Hollywood is a name that figures prominently into the film opinions and theories of every movie buff. The term is heard and used everywhere. So the question is, "are you Anti-Hollywood?" And if so: "what does Hollywood represent to you?" I am going to shout out my beliefs.

I am Anti-Hollywood. For me, Hollywood is the style most movies use in the States as well as the foreign industries that have succumbed to the method which I call "guideline filmmaking". Most people think of the money aspect of the American film industry as Hollywood: millions of dollars, glamorous stars, epic productions and commercials. Unfortunatly I cannot put my finger on the specifics of the Hollywood style I am so opposed to, but I do get a feeling [as does everyone] when watching a movie and I decide for myself whether or not it appears Hollywoodish. For example, I recently saw The Passion of The Christ and thought it was very Hollywood. I was hoping for something different, something uniquely spiritual, but the film was pieced together the way anyother movie would be. My reasoning does not matter. However, if you would like to have a chat about it send me a PM and we can discuss the film.

Back to the topic. I am not saying Hollywood makes movies the "wrong way" and that there is "one correct way" to make a film. I am a supporter of diversity at all costs. Hollywood needs to stay. What needs to go is the monopoly. I am aware of many organizations and festivals and programs helping independent filmmakers with the movie making process which can be very stressful and dissapointing. I don't have any definite answers either. My goal is to ignite a film movement unlike anyother with the mission of establishing a universal respect not only for personal filmmaking but also for the language of cinema. Right now, the movies with the most success are shallow Hollywood productions distributed to make money. Hollywood does not make art; they make money. This is not a new concept, but one that very few people take seriously; I am one who does. Recently I was motivated strongly enough to compile all my ideas into an Anti-Hollywood manifesto that you might be interested in reading; PM me if you want to see it. I just think that cinema needs to be treated personally for image artists to create personal films and for the diversity of mankind to be cherished on all levels through the medium of film.

This is a great website to discuss film in a mature and individual way. What is your take on Hollywood?
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Cherish diversity and keep it holy.

Digigenic · Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 44 Location: TX

Welcome GDS,
It’s no surprise to see a fellow Texan announcing support for an indie insurgency against the monopolization of the film industry …you're in good company

However, without being too critical of your concepts, I feel compelled to direct an opposing observation towards the conflicting ideologies of the film movement you’ve envisioned.

Ok, If one were inclined to ignite such a movement of universal proportions, wouldn’t they also be inclined to maintain it?
And if so, when the current monopoly has ended and/or is divided, and your goal to establish a “universal” movement for filmmaking is successfully implemented, wouldn’t it eventually lead to another monopoly?

I’m an artist/filmmaker, and I believe that creating an open environment for any art form or expression is an admirable cause, but principles of uniformity can't be applied to an artistic revolution. How can you expect artists, who in nature are generally opposed to the establishment to rise up and create another establishment?

If one were destined to start a revolution, I believe that the decision to incite uprising within the film industry depends more on the sheep, the general audience, than the Shepard, the filmmaker. It’s a numbers game, it’s critical to have the general audience on your side, and so far, the indie community doesn’t have that kind of momentum to start a revolution.

I don't know if the general audience will ever feel compelled to make change? Most of the people who make up the general audience don't bother to differentiate between an artist at work, and an opportunist behind a camera. And they tend to only show interest when their favorite actor or actress is staring in it, most often captivated by the way the images rush, shoot, dance, and hump its' way into their hearts. It's an unfortunate set of circumstances, but that's the way it goes.

As much as I’d like to agree with the notion that a revolution within the film industry will improve circumstances for artists, I also understand that the notion isn’t feasible unless there is overwhelming support from the general audience to assist in this revolution. But when you have that kind of support, you basically have a monopoly, so it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario.
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let there be me

golden double sprigs · Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Austin, TX

Well, Digigenic you say something very true. I agree with it all. I know what I say is a dream. The best outcome would be to broaden the independent opportunities. A big help would be to maintain more art theatres to make films more available. Though this alone would not provide the support needed for a movement because . . .

. . . "the sheep must decide" . . . I agree with you on that all the way. It never fully occured to me that the only effective way is to target the audience; the fodder for the film industry. And like you say, that change seems unlikely.

Maybe the characteristics of independent filmmaking that make it so special is that it is independent; free from an industry and free from the major crowds. If this is true, I sure wish a film career was a whole lot easier.

And the independent film scene does not offer the security Hollywood does. I guess the best thing is to just make personal films the way you want them to be and do as much as you can to support festivals and societies. What else can you do?
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Cherish diversity and keep it holy.

Digigenic · Joined: 27 Feb 2004 Posts: 44 Location: TX

GDS,

Regardless of what I or anyone else say, you must keep your dream alive. I wish that when I was your age I had been as committed to the craft as you are. I was always pretty stubborn. I'm still stubborn actually. But, in spite of my stubbornness, I understand that it’s still important to dream, no matter how far-fetched it may seem. As my good friend always says, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”.

So do you intend to further your studies in film? Being in Austin, you have the opportunity to crash UT and their Burnt Orange Film Program, the first and only program of its kind. I’m considering a transfer to UT, but I must first pull up my GPA, haha. I also don’t want to pigeon hole myself into one field, film is a risky business, and I certainly wouldn’t feel safe with it being the only crown of knowledge on my head.

Anyhow, on the subject of making personal films, it reminds me of an online conversation I had with Dale Launer on Ebay during a fraudulent auction for a Panasonic AG-DVX100. We started talking about the camera and the illegitimacy of the auction. It was pretty funny, I didn’t even know who he was at first. I thought he was a recent college grad or something, trying to get a good deal on a camera for an indie. But, after searching for his name on IMDB I realized I’d been talking to an established Hollywood writer and producer. Soon, we were into the discussion of student and indie filmmaking, and the number 1 thing he emphasized was that while you’re young, you should try to do all of the personal films you can possibly make while you can. Because once you get clustered into the business, you may never get the chance to make that movie you’d always dreamed of doing while you were young, and it will haunt you throughout your years. At first, I was just stubborn, because I wanted to know the secret to making big movies, but now I’m beginning to see the significance of his advice. Making personal films helps you realize who you are as an artist, and as a person, so that when/if you enter filmmaking as a profession, you do it with an unmistakable sense of certainty.
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let there be me