The Cult

 A guy once asked me why I don't like things that are cool.

I don't follow the zeitgeist and I certainly don't grab onto a trend.

Someone who says this sadden me. Because they follow trends, most likely to know what society wants. I don't care what society likes. As a whole, as we've discovered, they're dumb.

Now I get if you said something like: "making movies is VERY hard and I respect anyone who would even try" That makes sense.

But to like everything.

That makes you a retard.

It is okay NOT to like something because it is the mainstream. I hate Marvel movies because they look cheap and is a freight train of whichever actor is out of work. To me, they are the dumbest factory films out there. And it slowly draws in even the staunchest of people who are critical to these movies. People like Robert Redford who shows up in one of these. They gather talent...and wastes them.

Comic book movies USE to have some significant merit into American pop culture, but that doesn't exists anymore. The creators of these shot themselves in the foot when they made a gazillion of them. Or keep rebooting them or "re-imagining" them into our world. It's tiresome and adds nothing to our culture.

Think about it, can you name a distinct thing about the last decade that stands out in terms of identifying a decade?

There are shows dedicated to the 1980's and 90's.

I'm not saying they had any cultural impact, but they certainly had originality.

As it stands now, being disgusted by the obliteration of distinct style is warranted. They don't even build on what is there. They either flat out steal or blandly take from themselves. It has no...unique quality.

Because that's difficult to crack.

And we are adverse to work...I guess.

Dummy Up, Dummy

 I've recently had conversations that went like this:

Dude: Hey did you see the new Bill Murray movie?

Me: Nah. Not really a Bill Murray fan. He annoys the shit out of me.

Dude: Oh, well there's also this new documentary on Bill Murray, have you seen it?

That's when the patient side of me lost any patience:

Me: Hey Genius, just so we're on the same page here... when I told you Bill Murray annoys me, what in your fucking mind told you I'd go seek out a Bill Murray documentary?

And thus here we are as a society.

Too dumb to listen.

You will succeed if you do. People will think you're a fucking wizard simply by processing what you hear.

Over-Promise Under Deliver

 Have I mentioned this before?

The very worst thing you can ever to...EVER...is to over-promise and under-deliver. If anything do the opposite. Under promise and OVER deliver.

Nothing is more grating than someone puffing up their own efforts or others or offering other people's services only to have them do a last minute shit work.

This is VERY common. It is typical of how we cram from exams at the last minute. This business is far more egregious towards it because everyone wants to be involved. Then they realize the actual work is daunting.

STOP volunteering if you even suspect you even won't deliver. This has happened to me more times than I can count. Too many people make these grand plans and then they fizzle. This is what most people who work here are referring to when they call everyone "flakes" They're flakes in the sense of being in the moment.

As I get older, I try more and more to be aware of making promises because of it.

I know also that people don't want to lose jobs over it. Or that they missed out on the fun. or credit or whatever. The point is to say what you're going to do, and DO IT.

Conversely as a filmmaker, you also owe the cast and crew to make the best possible project to your ability. TOO many projects fizzle out. I would feel so sick to my stomach if anyone paid for my projects and it ended up being shelved for not being finished. Too many of these. Then your energy is sapped. And then you'd rather look at midget porn than your own movie.

Be aware that you owe people...specifically yourself to complete something. That is the greatest feeling you can have. Better than not. That feeling is horrible. When something lingers over your head when it was never done. That's got to haunt a lot of people.

The Popular Kids

 Once you get to Hollywood you might notice this...

...it's high school again.

Pretty girls and handsome men get the attention and they get undue credit when they are generally useless. 

Popular kids have always gotten what they want. They know the system, game the system and believes the systems should work for them. Nothing is as entitled as a popular kid.

And nothing is as glorious as watching a popular kid fail miserably when they attempt to flex this entitlement.

Pretty people who have come to this town learn a very harsh lesson fast. There is always someone prettier than you. Smarter than you. More ambitious than you. It goes without saying, a TON of starlets and pretty boys have done whatever it takes to make it. The unspoken thing. They were willing to do unspeakable things to get to where they are. These truths will most likely be buried with them. Unless you're Corey Haim. Or Corey Feldman.

I was never the popular kid. I did popular things and recruited many of the "in-crowd" to my nonsense. But, in whole, I kept with a very close knit crew in high school. We played in a band. The popular kids were wealthy, pretty people who were vacuous and didn't seem to have ambition in terms of what they wanted to do (happens more often with people who have things given to them). I always pitied them in that sense. Mostly because I wasn't wealthy and always knew what I wanted to do.

But I think in order to succeed in this business you do need a chip on your shoulder at the "cool kids" If people shut you out of their orbit say to yourself "fuck them!" And then succeed. Your success is their worst nightmare.

I love that I have thrived where others plummeted. This isn't to say I celebrate their failures. Or their struggle. In truth, I'm glad my decision to not chase after people to like me and be the coolest person in the room as a victory.

It took me a while to get to this point. I don't need the popular people in this town. There is a massive weight that is thrown off you when you discover this as well. All you can do is keep making the things you want to make. Enjoy the process and forget the social media climb that has infected our collective minds.

I had a friend who casted a popular girl in his movie. Because she had so many Instagram followers. She is terrible. But she's so popular.

Probably want to decide if this is the world you want to work in.

I Beat This Town

 I left Los Angeles in 1993. Yeah, I think I've told this story plenty.

But I knew I'd come back. Because this fucking town is like that thorn in your side that you need removed.

I came back for graduate school and I earned my Masters degree. Many people continue to wonder about that.

What I can tell you is this...

...It is not what I can recommend for everyone.

It is a sacrifice I don't want anyone to deal with. I left a great girl, a great family and have let time slip away from those loved ones. Most of you probably left because you don't have any of that. Or don't have ties to good people. I came from a great town that has built up and now can sustain filmmakers.

That's the best part of the democratization of filmmaking. People...don't...need...Hollywood.

In fact, anywhere is better to make movies. Though the studios are still here and if you seek out the "traditional" path of Hollywood, it exists if you build it yourself. It doesn't mean you have to pay inflated prices on rent to do so.

It also means you don't have to suffer through struggle to do so.

Everyone will support you, IF you want it.

Stubborn people tend to think Hollywood is the place you need to be. Completely understand. We've had over 100 years of indoctrination that this is the center of entertainment. In theory...yes. But in practical sense, it will only hinder you.

For me, at the time, there was no other option. All the gear and technology was here. It's not anymore. And it probably makes the the big dogs paranoid. For me, I did conquer this town because I live a great life.

For those still in this town who struggle, I pity the mindset. And also applaud your stubborn-ness. Your dreams exceed your common sense.

They Were Gods

 Movie stars don't exist anymore.

Yeah, I know. I say this a lot. But it's true.

Americans don't care about them. Because they don't care about Americans.

You can see that even back in the day, the Lefties then...still cared about America.

Today, their opinions on the state of the country are so radical, it sickens the stomach.

Now a lot of actors, directors or writers just want to work. Unfortunately, the ones who have already been established and are famous are rich enough to say these things that have ruined the mystisque of Hollywood.

Fucking assholes.

All we wanted to do is make movies. But that doesn't have the glamour it once had.

The ones who we saw in pictures no longer have that thing that made Hollywood so great. The "stars" today, have a big fucking mouth and no brains.

Of course they are entitled to their opinion and free to express it. That is what makes America so great. BUT, they want THEIR voices heard and not yours. If you go against anything they say...entitled fucking actors today have no idea the thing that made stars great are that they only existed in illusion.

Today's famous people don't understand their position in life is extremely privileged and therefore...need...to be...grateful.

It's a damn shame.

Coming Back To Hollywood

 I have a friend who just left Los Angeles. And went back home.

Her parents are ailing and I completely understand. She also ran out of money.

I had a conversation with her about this place. And tried to tell her there are MANY other places that provide the validation of her talents. And nicer folk. Here, she struggled. Couldn't make real money to survive properly.

She will be there for a while. But then something she said TRULY baffled me: She wants to come back to California.

Now...look, I don't know the misery to which town you grew up in, MOST of you who can't shake this fucking town. But if you know the odds of your career, haven't done anything of merit and struggle to get by...THIS fucking place isn't for you.

Life is too short to be this way. Not enjoying life in full. Don't come back, you idiots. Once you are out of here...freedom is anywhere but here.

Think about the common sense part of this... you COULD NOT survive on the shitty jobs you do to live. You are not willing to live under some standards (which is typically a young person mentality). You suffer in a place that doesn't allow you to create. And you still want to come back? Jesus, that's dumb.

For the weather, I get it. Cold weather sucks.

I knew someone who disappeared for a while and came back. Which is so boneheaded, considering they really didn't have anything to come back to. Or was leaving a really shitty situation from "back home"

Now you idiots probably are wondering what I'm still doing here. Here's a clue:

I can afford to live here.

I make a decent living...living.

I enjoy doing things to spite the industry. I do not suffer to make my films. By all metric, I should be a colossal failure. Which I'm not. Everything is comfortable. I am NOT rich by any means, but don't worry as I use to.

Clearly the decision making for me to stay here makes more sense than yours to come back.

Any way, again, I don't know what misery you come from. I can tell you this. If everything I worked for is lost to the hands of fate and I left for my hometown, I would make the best of it there. There are good people where I come from. Those of you who have nothing in your home town to get back to, or have people whom you want to work with...it's you, not them. I would desperately try to create my own industry there (which it has built up since I left).

There are great stories to tell. And frankly, Los Angeles/Hollywood hobbles your brain into activity.

Rough Cut

 Forgive me if I'm mentioned this before.

But a lot of people have no clue what they're looking at until it's done.

When people see a rough cut, it's very hard to figure out how the thing plays. Try as you may, it's not easy to differentiate how moments play without finished audio, picture or anything else. People are trying to help but typically, they have no clue.

I recall when my roommate about 20 years ago, were watching the rough of "The Mummy" The one with Brendan Fraser. The effects weren't in. The audio was bad. This was meant only for the advertising/marketing company my roomie was working at. As a film student at the time, I thought this to be a disaster. Clunky and chunky with bad scratchy picture and so forth. And some temporary effects were edited in. It LOOKED horrible.

Boy was I wrong. The movie is glossy and fun. And it worked.

Had director Stephen Sommers listened to people like me, he'd kick me in the nuts.

NO ONE knows what works and also...with a rough cut, you have no idea how it plays. There's so much to be done.

For a lot of filmmakers, they NEVER show a rough cut.

I typically do to show actors and crew what we've done. Sometimes it's a mistake. But at my level (low budget) it keeps them engaged. Though it's also a risk because an actor can lose complete and total faith in what we're doing. As well as the crew.

There is so much effort being put into any production.

If you were to ask me whether YOU should show anything...I'd say...yes. Do it. Who cares? But I'd also suggest getting it mostly shot before hand. Many people only look to what they've done. A production designer will only look at the art direction. A cinematographer will only look at lighting. An actor will only look at themselves. That is how we function.

The more experience you have, the less you put much merit in any of it until it's polished to final.

That is the downside to most films is that you have to let people know their efforts are not at a loss. That they are appreciated for anything that they've done thus far.

Never Listen To Anyone

 Not even me.

If I told you you couldn't make a movie. Ignore it. Do it.

That's how you succeed.

Now I'm not saying that you don't take sound advice, but for the most part...your ignorance is your best weapon.

I was watching the making of "Night Of The Living Dead" These were grown ups (20's and 30's) that had no idea how to make a movie. Most likely didn't have a script written perfectly. And still made a classic. I suspect this to be the case with "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" as well.

It doesn't mean you have to make a splatter movie. Or overspend. But be proud of taking the first step. Whatever failure that comes with it...remember...not everyone does this. Or can do it. You can. If you want.

The thing with being in Hollywood. You have so many fucking bugs in your ear. So many people who work "in the business" have an opinion of how things are done. Because they're absolute failures. And need a project. Goes back to what I was saying about how people only chime in when they have no idea what to do, but know what NOT to do. These aren't filmmakers. They are second stringers, if anything.

Most people will never be happy with themselves if they never do. Don't talk. Stop talking. Do.

Sorry to sound Yoda on you all.

And those nagging questions as to whether or not you are doing it right? You are. If you are simply doing it.

My actress told me that a director/producer/writer heard we were shooting film...he undermined it. Said we were most likely shooting on "scrap" and that it will be garbage.

Yep. These are the people that will never be happy with themselves. And want others to be unhappy as well. Because he's failed at life. He isn't given the opportunity he feels he is entitled to. And he's miserable fuck. That makes the industry that much more dim.

He isn't abnormal. This is the virus that infects anyone who wants to make anything.

In my "day job" there is a TON of resentment. Failed filmmakers (meaning, they haven't launched anything) because they're so worried what others will think of them. This cripples anyone.

Don't listen to that. Or them. Or if your project isn't up to standards...so what?

It...was...made.

As long as you try, you did what you are suppose to. And I will support anything you do.

Make Your Own Film Then Have An Opinion

 When you set out to make a movie, a few things happen.

Everyone has an opinion of how it's done. And most of them, if not all, come from people who have zero skin in the game. In other words...they know, in theory it works, but have no fucking clue that it doesn't.

People who DO makes movies know the limitations...sometimes.

This isn't me being defensive, it's me aggravated by people who have never invested in their own projects to understand the nuts and bolts.

Most of you will never get it. Because you won't spend your own money to make anything. OR, you try to hustle others to do so. That's not enough.

Most people who want to get into the business are theorist. They have been watching and studying movies. BUT, that is not, nor has it ever been making movies. Making movies requires a different set of skills. Time management, details, people personality and so forth. Most people lack this because when things go awry, you lose your mind.

It is so different from page to screen and you desperately need to have practical knowledge in order to create.

I think what frustrates a lot of my filmmaking friends is that they are trying to articulate this difference.

Being on set is miserable. The ones who think it's a joy simply have not gone through making movies themselves. Therefore, have no empathy for what goes into it.

"Well, if it's your passion than it isn't effort" you sideline commentators may say.

Again, make a movie and come back with that statement. Passion is pushing things to your will. And pushing people isn't remotely desirable. If you think so, you are a sociopath. Any subpar production that you see in RedBox does this level of shit. Abuses the hell out of their workers. Yes, Roger Corman was able to get away with it for so long. Because somehow he has garnered that reputation. Sure, when you're starting off, that's fine. But eventually, you will suffer...for your art.

If you care to make movies, I suggest you make one and shut up about other people making theirs. I never give advice or even suggest something when I see where they're going with something.

A friend just recently sent me his animation project to look over. Made one suggestion that had nothing to do with the actual piece. Because I don't know shit about animation. But it was so awesome, I had nothing to add.

So shut your fucking face and make a movie.