Discouraging web essay ("Don't make a film...")

[Joe999]

I came across this website today when googling for "what does a producer do"; anyhow, it is sure is discouraging -- spells it out that competition is so fierce for filmmaking that one's chances of making an indie film that gets seen let alone makes money is all but zero. I would be interested in thoughts or feedback on this article, how realistic or unrealistic are the essay author's thoughts, etc.
http://www.stillbreathing.com/onlocation/tenthings01.html

 

[directorik]

I used to think that too until during this last year I met several producers of direct to video fare... They flat out do not give a damn if the movies they make are any good. They are all formula films -- meaning that they have devised their very own formula to make these films.

I've worked for those producers.

One producer I shot several movies for had five things he needed:
1) exactly 80 minutes including end credits
2) 3 scenes with nudity (didn't really matter how - a shower scene,
a skinnydipping scene, a love scene)
3) 2 action scenes (again it didn't really matter - a chase, a fight)
4) shot in focus.
5) 2 attractive women

He didn't care about story, lighting, sound or the actors except for
the two attractive women (for the box cover). In a way, it was really
freeing for me as a writer/director. I could do anything I wanted.
He came up with the title and the poster and that was it. He could
sell it and I got paid.

Sometimes I'd have under three days to make it - pick up the equipment
at 4PM on Friday and return it 10AM Monday.

Say what you want, hate it all you want, but I learned a lot about making
movies. While my friends who went to film school were teasing me and
working their weekend job at a video store I was on set directing a movie.

 

[Unknown Screenwriter]

rik,

I've worked for those producers.

One producer I shot several movies for had five things he needed:
1) exactly 80 minutes including end credits
2) 3 scenes with nudity (didn't really matter how - a shower scene,
a skinnydipping scene, a love scene)
3) 2 action scenes (again it didn't really matter - a chase, a fight)
4) shot in focus.
5) 2 attractive women

He didn't care about story, lighting, sound or the actors except for
the two attractive women (for the box cover). In a way, it was really
freeing for me as a writer/director. I could do anything I wanted.
He came up with the title and the poster and that was it. He could
sell it and I got paid.

Sometimes I'd have under three days to make it - pick up the equipment
at 4PM on Friday and return it 10AM Monday.

Say what you want, hate it all you want, but I learned a lot about making
movies. While my friends who went to film school were teasing me and
working their weekend job at a video store I was on set directing a movie.

I think I met that guy...

And 4 of his clones... LOL.

filmy

EDIT: Which is why I said that every once in a while, someone comes along who's part of the in-house formula but definitely brings another level of quality to the overall production... Sometimes it's a screenwriter -- sometimes a director or a directorik -- and sometimes it's just an actor...

And I think this is a great thread by the way... Lots to learn.

filmy

 

[knightly]

I write and shoot WHAT I WANT because I have a vision. Sure, my movies suck but I enjoy what I do. I like being creative.

Don't forget that you have a fan base...that part isn't listed in this diatribe