Joni eccentricproductions.com.au

“Live and Become”

In a new era of film making it is important to understand how to get projects off the ground. Producers are now looking to have work financed by multiple entities. Live and Become is a joint Israeli/French production. Furthermore, what I found interesting about this partnership is that France is well known for being an anti-Semitic country. Thus, it is interesting the Government would choose to co-finance a film about Judaism.

The Story is about “Shlomo”a Sudanese refugee. In a Sudanese refugee camp which is sheltering Ethiopians who have been displaced by civil war and famine in 1984, the Israeli secret service started a secret mission to airlift thousands of Falashas/Ethiopian Jews, to Israel. Shlomo and his mother are not Jewish but Shlomo’s mother convinces a Falasha woman whose own son died, to allow Shlomo to assume his identity. The story is about Shlomo’s internal struggle to live a lie, and how the so called Promised Land turns out to be rife with racism.

Although I loved the film and felt very close to its subject matter, I did feel that it was often too emotional. And, I did not like the end, clichéd!

However, as previously stated the partnership between Israel and France to create the film was what initially sparked my interest. I know I have already dealt with this topic briefly in my entry “Burberry Productions”, but now that I am aware of how many deal structure are associated with producing a work I am noticing this same structure in many productions. Even if one company gets a deal off the ground they involve so many other production houses and people. Of course the advantage is that the risk factor is reduced for all parties involved. However if a film is a success everyone is still able to make money.

For instance “Memoirs Of A Geisha” was financed by Spyglass, Sony, DreamWorks, Columbia and Amblin entertainment. Each entity takes credit for the film. However, if the film had not been successful none of the studios would have had to worry about to much of an economic loss. In this case they were all successful.

Kate Dennis has an impressive resume and a good attitude to her job-TV/Film Director. She has clearly taken a few knocks but has not let these get the better of her. Her first piece of advice for working on a set was “never sit down and learn when to shut up”. Okay learning when to shut up has never been my strong point!

The majority of her talk was a timeline of her career. She started as a clapper loader, then worked as a continuity person and directed second unit’s on films. She is now receiving job offers as a both a writer and director. Gosh, the truth is the more she talked the more I realized how much I would not want to direct.

At the moment on the little projects I am doing for Uni I am directing my work because I am enjoying the control it gives me. But, lets be honest I do not want to direct. The way Kate talked about it, it sounded so tedious. And, continuity would bore me. I wish I was good at jobs I dislike but unfortunately when I am intellectually un-stimulated I am not good at my job.

Kate also alluded to the glass ceiling that exists for females in the industry. From what I have seen it is still predominantly a boys industry. People such as Sherry Lansing have certainly paved the way, but I think men are still preferred in this industry.

I admire Kate for her ambition and constant up beat attitude to the industry. Regardless of her setbacks she has continued to reach for her goals. An interesting point Kate mentioned was that she thought she might have been too cautious at times. She mentioned some in the industry who take a “don’t care attitude” and just leap in not knowing everything but simply with a desire to achieve. I think I have also been too cautious in the past and would prefer to be a person who jumps and looks later.

So Carpe Diam!

Lawyers are often considered a dirty word. If they are any good you know you will not be able to afford their services. As a student starting out in the industry I have already needed to procure their services and after only a few moments of their precious time I parted with two weeks worth of pay. However, as a Producer I think it is important to align myself with great entertainment lawyers as soon as possible. I think even a blossoming career can be cut short due to some silly issue, which might have been negated had a lawyer been involved.

Dan Pearce is one of the Partners at Holding Redlich and he deals primarily with entertainment law. Pearce spent an hour of his time (which I was not billed for), explaining the in’s and out’s of some important legal technicalities related to producing original work. The two most important pieces of information I garnered from Pearce was 1) Detail is what makes a work original. For example Romeo and Juliet has been recreated in many different formats e.g. West Side Story, Dirty Dancing. However, it is the detail of West Side Story and Dirty Dancing that made it original. Neither story could be accused of copywriter infringements.
2) Secondly, Pearce mentioned many Producers when starting out simply run with ideas, and only formally put together contracts once money is put into the idea. I always assumed Producers armed themselves with as many lawyers as possible from day one. It’s good to know some issues can be corrected after the fact, although I do also understand this is not the desired practice.

Pearce also briefly discussed the issues of pitching unsolicited work to TV channels and studios. Due to the nature of the entertainment industry and the difficulty in protecting ones ideas, it is easy for people to choose not to buy your idea but to then re-create is somehow on their own terms. With out sufficient evidentiary support that a project is your idea, you are at risk of having your idea stolen and produced. This can also be witnessed in the current legal issues surround the making of the “Da Vinci Code”.

As my film slowly comes to finish, I am paying for attention to the marketing/packaging of the piece. If I had been savvier I would have started this process in the pre-production stage. However, we all learn and it certainly has not hurt the piece.

Marketing a film is something that should take place from the initial conception of the film. Yes, a good story is a great start but an even better start is a film which understands branding and the power associated with merchandising. It’s not enough anymore it is a good film, as upcoming film makers we need to know how to market our films so that people will actually have the opportunity to view them. Mark Pesce was the one who stated that what sets good indie films apart from big budget films is the marketing involved.

In such a competitive industry creativity is also very important, when the movie “The Hills have Eyes” was being promoted the distributors sent out severed ears check out one of the severed ears: Severed Ear

Marketing and distribution are paramount (excuse the pun) for successful films. Distribution is much like Marketing; it should be sorted out prior to the production of the film.

Gosh, so here I am trying to put the pieces together at record pace after the fact. Wish me luck.

Some Marketing Done After the Fact:
Check Out Monty Pythons Silly Walks
http://www.sillywalksgenerator.com/

Fiddler On Da Roof

An old high school friend of mine is the lead singer, and driving force behind the punk band Yidcore. A bunch of Jewish boys who were too much make-up and have too many peircings but certainly have a devoted fan following. Anyway, believe it or not me and the lead singer were in Fiddler on the Roof at our local synogogue over 12 years ago. I am sure it was his great experience that led him to re-make the traditional fiddler on the roof into a punk version!!! Everyone song has the origjnal lyrics but the tunes are are up beat. I thought it might be fun to re-collaborate with Bram on the the musical and help him with the music video for one of the songs. He suggested “If I were a rich man”, not to be confused with the Gwen Stephanie adaptation (no I do not like the most Yokish looking girls attempting to sing If I were a rich man)!

What is important to me in this collaboration is that I ensure the piece is representative of the band but with my voice in there somewhere. The band is renound for being controversial, and far be it from me to mess with their image. The truth is I love their controversial image. Althoguth I might look like your typical nice Jewish girl when it comes to my art, I belive in making a statement. I am not as in your face as some, I like to be a little more subtle about my points. And, if one chooses to pay attention to the work I create one will notice I am anything but PC. Consequently, the collaboration is sure to be an excellent adventure.

As for my collaboration on my dating Jewish boys doco, that is still moving ahead. I have not scrapped the idea, I am simply moving slower on the project. I thought I would make this a priority, but still put the other together.

Individual:

Continuity: Is there continuity? One of the factors I was let down with in my short film is the continuity. Although I thought I asked a person to help who had in the past performed continuity jobs, it appears I was incorrect. Creating a short film is often more difficult than a feature because you are often working with little if no budget. I had a, “if needed budget” (if I had to spend money on something I would, food was non-negotiable I provided great amounts of food each day and after production gifts). However, if you are not paying people to work for you, this is where your skills are truly tested. I was told by many that the reason they chose to work with me was because of my enthusiasm for the piece and knowledge on the subject matter. I am a great believer in “build it and they will come”. I worked hard to surround myself with people that I believed were truly talented and committed. Naturally with everyone we always make a few mistakes. But that is part of the learning process.

I was disappointed with the continuity person because they attempted to direct the film, but did not pay enough attention to their role. I should have been more assertive about their actions, but I have to admit I sometimes doubted my ability. I think that is all a part of directing my first piece. However, like everything in film the problem creates a ripple down effect. I never received my continuity sheets and some of the continuity on camera is less than desirable which creates some issues in editing. Yes, we are managing through this issue and the lack of continuity sheets has not been a problem. However, I am also aware that if this were a feature no continuity sheets would create a huge issue.

What I am most enjoying about the editing process is seeing where my talents lie. It is most evident to me now that I enjoy creating and directing (not necessarily on set) the overall look and feel of a project, but I do not enjoy being the technically hands on person. I enjoy discussing the work with the editor, explaining what I am trying to achieve but then leaving him to perform his job. Trust is paramount! I have to trust I hired the right man for the job. And as previously slatted this does not always happen. Part of this process of exploration of self in the industry has also shown me that I probably would not enjoy the role of line producer; it is devoid of any of the producer roles that I truly enjoy. All jobs involve parts that you do not enjoy but a job focusing on all the roles I do not enjoy, would be a mistake. What I have discovered is that when you do only things you don’t enjoy you can never succeed. But, I do not mind being a personal assistant I have done it more than once in the past for very accredited individuals and I enjoy learning through observation and you become somewhat confidant and end up participating in the roles you would like. I understand that wanting to be a producer will not automatically put me at the top of the food chain….but one can dream.

Although this blog started off as more of an exploration of others roles and the editing process, I think it has become a little more about the next step for me. A thought process of what I am willing to do and not to do. That is not intended as arrogant I simply know, from previous experience that when I am not challenged I become bored and complacent and then make mistakes. It’s actually more just self actualization as one grows.

When I was seven years old we left South Africa, it was a country imploding. Although my parents sided with “equality” and the belief that “all men are created equal”, and did their part in small ways they wanted a better life for their two young children.

However, growing up I always felt something for the land of Africa, and the plight of my fellow man. For so many years Black and Colored men and women in South Africa have been treated as second class citizens. Although the apartheid ended in 1994 not much has changed for so many. It will take many, many years before South Africa can truly free its people from a lack of education and poverty.

Tsotsi (Thug) is one of the most endearing stories I have seen come out of South Africa in many years. It showed a young boy who was deprived of love from his parents and forced to endure a life on the streets with no education. If we were forced to endure only the hardships life has, would we be “honest and just” to our fellow man?

It’s easy to have no compassion when you have been shown none. The film took us on a journey with an unlikable character. Some of his acts where so vile, but you still prayed for his compassion. You hoped that even though he had never been shown love he would learn to feel it. At the end of the film you pray a nation who has never been shown compassion will learn to love. I know that sounds over the top, but for those who have not been to South Africa, I ask that you go first and then decide.

What struck me the most about the lead actor Tsotsi played by PRESLEY CHWENEYAGAE was his incredible screen presence. There was a scene where Presley and his gang walk in V formation towards their destinations with the music blaring behind them; although the image was over used it was incredibly powerful. I thought the actor was so “real” and due to his limited formal acting training it made we wonder why so many of us bother. I do not believe that a person’s presence can be taught in any acting class.

The lead actress Miriam played by TERRY PHETO was another outstanding performance. She played a young mother who’s compassion and understanding was almost enough for both her and Tstosi. I felt what her character represented was “family”. How women are capable of “making homes” and giving people a sense of belonging and love. Okay, these are my non-feminist attitudes. I believe women are better at “making homes” than men.

One other dislike of the film was the constant blaring music. I thought the sound track was great, but I also felt it often detracted from what was going on in a scene.

The film made you think and made you feel. It forced us to look at some issues that we are not comfortable dealing with. For me the highlight of the film was how the writer and director made us so passionate about such a nasty character.

I give it Four Stars.

Interview with PRESLEY CHWENEYAGAE