September 1, 2010: DVD Pick: Bullets Over Broadway
Bullets Over Broadway aptly titled as the mob comes to the theater in the roaring twenties. Woody Allen does everything right, helming this great early 90’s comedy. As usual, he puts an all-star cast together with John Cusack in the lead role as an aspiring playwright finally getting his work produced.
The production is not without its price, the local mob boss backs it on the condition that his no-talent girlfriend Olive, (Jennifer Tilly) has an integral role in the play. Cheech, (Chazz Palminteri) is assigned the duties of looking after the boss’ girl while at the theater. Cheech is bored and spends time giving young David Shayne (Cusack) pointers on his script.
Time passes and Cheech’s writing prowess improves. The script is getting better, which excites older woman / leading lady Helen Sinclair, (Dianne Wiest) so much so, that she & David begin an illicit affair. There is much more melodrama, which creates the backdrop for great comedy. I especially enjoyed Ms. Wiest’s role as the over the top harlot / starlet.
Allen has had quite a career and has many great films to enjoy on a Saturday night, but I don’t need to tell you to see Annie Hall or Manhattan. Bullets Over Broadway is one that got by many aficionados. This is a guaranteed laugh riot farce. If you’re a Woody fan, I’m surprised you missed it. If you’re a movie fan, I’m still surprised.
August 29, 2010: The Sunday Morning Supplement: New York City, aka Bubble Land
As a born and bread New Yorker, who has long since left the city for greener pastures, I’m in a position to make observations on the place of my birth. Whether one is born in Gotham City or has made the trek their from Minnesota, the end result is a bubble that develops around them, which disconnects contact from the rest of the population.
People living in New York City are clearly living in their own world. They stay to themselves and do not acknowledge their neighbor. I was sitting on a bench in front of a bar, when a young couple came out of the bar and sat down next to me, just two inches apart. In most parts of the world there would have been some acknowledgement of the space, a reference or an excuse me. In New York, this is natural behavior.
On the subway an a cappella group came in my car and sang a couple rounds of the Gospel number, Get On Board. The subway car was completely deadpan. Even though these subway singers were good, the strap hangers had on their protective glare that states, “Leave me alone, I’m not giving you a dime no matter how good you are!”
The bubble is nothing new in New York. It has been used as a protective force field for years. Manhattan used to be a far more dangerous place and one constantly needed to be on guard, and even though the city’s crime rate has decreased the old habits die hard and the aura of protection is worn by all. If you have never been to New York, you can check out Robert De Niro who adorns the New York grimace in all his movies.
While in the bubble, visibility is small and it decreases if there are more people in the bubble together, such as a family or a group of friends. They are self-absorbed and won’t notice much going on around them short of a Mafia hit. However, once the bullets are dodged it is business as usual.
I will let you in on a little secret. Even though the locals walk around like they are ready to brawl at a moment’s notice, they are actually some of the friendliest people on the planet. The bubble is there and seemingly hard to penetrate, but if you have the impetus to break through, you will find once inside another’s bubble you will be welcome and they will look you in the eye and engage with you. Then you are in for your next problem. Once you start talking to a New Yorker, you can’t shut him up.
August 28, 2010: A Must Read for any Serious Filmmaker: Think Outside the Box Office, by Jon Reiss
Think Outside the Box Office is an indispensible tool for filmmakers who want to get their film out to the public and be financially successful. The old paradigm of going to a festival in hopes of securing a distribution deal is long since dead and buried. It does happen, but there are also people who hit the lottery, they play it, but certainly don’t count on it. I’m not telling you to give up on the festival route. It is still part of the overall package. If your movie is placed in the right festival it could create a significant buzz. What do you do with that buzz if you fall short of getting a deal?
The first thing you should do is pick up this book. In today’s film market the up-coming filmmaker needs to make her own way. If there isn’t enough money, the modern producer must don many hats, such as publicist and marketer, in order to get noticed. Think Outside the Box Office is a guide that will bring you up to speed, let you know what your options are and show you alternative ways to get your film out to the public.
Knowledge is king and as more movies are being made the competition is only increasing. Today’s producer must be his own distributer. Jon Reiss has organized the process and created a system to follow, along with different options depending on what type of film you have to sell.
One may read it cover to cover, but it also may be used as a reference book. Jon Reiss’ book is essential to distribution in today’s movie market. The book will help you figure out your strategy for distribution and the necessity to begin the distribution process before shooting the movie. If you have completed your film it is still a must read. There are many ideas and tips to help you push your movie toward financial success.
If you are serious about breaking into the overly competitive movie market, you must have the right tools. Making a good movie is the hardest part, but without proper publicity and marketing your movie will collect dust on the shelf. It is time to be pro-active, and if you haven’t read this book you are probably still living in the dark ages.