I’ve been professionally
in the film game for about thirty years. In that time I have witnessed a lot.
There has been a lot of changes in technology, audience reception for films,
and the attitudes that people bring to the table when they wish to become part
of a project.
I have met some
really great people in association with filmmaking. People who are a pleasure
to be around and great to work with. I have also met a lot of not so nice
people—people who bring their own weird agenda to the table and/or do some
really uncool things on and off of the set. But, that’s just the nature of the
beast.
One of the main
things I have realized, in all of these years of filmmaking, is that most
people do not want to partake of the craft. Sure, many-many people have dreams
of being a filmmaker but very few step up to the plate and actually conceive of
a project, learn how to actualize it, and follow it through to completion.
There are a lot more people who simply want to walk on a set, spit out a few
line, and walk away a star. That’s great! Good for them. But, not many of them
are going to get very far in their quest.
Being based here
in Hollywood, there are all of these people who come here with the dream. I
have spoken about this subject in a lot of my articles and books on the subject.
Many of them believe that if this certain famous person could do it, so can
they. Sure, that’s a great belief to have. Unfortunately, of the literally
millions of people who come here, maybe one in that group makes a name for
themselves. The rest are left going to auditions (if they are lucky enough to
get an agent) for roles they will never get or being an extra.
All this being
said, early on in my immersion into the film business I realized that the true
art of filmmaking is behind the camera. Actually creating the film. There you
possess some control over what is actually being produced. There, at least you
can create a something, as opposed to hoping for something to be created around
you.
Throughout my
years in the film business, I have actively tried to help other filmmaker
actualize their dream. I offer people crew positions when I have them
available. I give them advice when they ask me for it and so on. I have even
offered to create a movie with some people who seem to be very driven. But, what
I have experienced more times than not is, even the person who really talks the
game, even the person who really expresses the desire, even the person in film
school, when push comes to shove and I say, “Let’s
make a movie,” they always find a reason not to. What happens to their
career? I don’t know. They never do anything. But, the reality is, it did not
have to turn out that way. They could have joined forces with me (or anybody
else) made a movie and got their name out there.
Sure, as stated,
there have been a lot of people who have worked with me over the years. They
did something with their filmmaking dreams. They achieved something. But, there
have also been so many more that have not.
Yes, yes,
periodically people ask me to finance their films. But, I don’t do that. I have
seen way to many people take money from whomever and never finish what they
started. Dreams and promises mean nothing in this business.
As a personality,
I am frequently asked to be an actor in other people’s films. Like I always
semi joking tell them, “The only bad
movies I’m in are my own.” But, the truth is, I am an active member of the
SAG/Aftra Union so I cannot be in a nonunion film—which most indie films are.
But, I am asked by the people who are already out there doing it. They are
living their dream. They are actualizing their creative vision. If they ask me
to help them behind the scenes, I am happy to do. And, that’s the thing,
particularly in the realm of indie filmmaking, you help each other out. From
this, new realities of cinema are created.
So, what am I
saying here? …Particularly in this day and age, there are filmmaking
opportunities everywhere. You can make a movie with your phone! You simply have
to have the fortitude to actually do it. Sure, dreams are great. But, if you
don’t make your dreams your reality then they are nothing more than something
that is locked inside your head. …Lost forever inside of your brain.
If you want to
make a movie, make a movie! Reach out to people that you believe can help you
and get it done!
All creation is
art. It doesn’t matter if it is loved or hated by the masses. Who cares what
they think? The only criteria is, if you get it done, it becomes a something
and from this you have become something, a creator.
Create. Make art.
Make Cinema.
Copyright © 2019—All
Rights Reserved
Originally from the Scott Shaw Blog
