True, well put.

You bring up a good point Rick. However, I disagree in many respects. I think it's extremely important to make the film you want to make, however to disregard peoples criticism is to think that you already KNOW everything.

Say you decide that you're a cookie maker, and you learn a few things about the craft and think you've gotten pretty good, then you make a batch of chocolate chip cookies and personally enjoy them. Then you share them with some friends who are really REALLY into chocolate chip cookies, and they say "these cookies aren't great, I think you almost got it right, but if you did (such-and -such) differently they'd actually be better," if you don't take their feedback you're simply a bad & stubborn cookie maker and nobody will want to eat your cookies. The other thing is, I can almost guarantee no matter how stubborn you are, or how hard you try, the next batch of cookies will be made with the cookie connoisseurs' insights in mind.

Changing something because you've learned a way to make it better doesn't make you any less of an artist....in fact quite the contrary, it makes you a responsive artist who cares about what they are making, so much that they are willing to make changes to better their art.

Regardless, I like some of the stuff you do and am glad you are making things you love.

cheers!

-zack

I understand. I'm not talking about technique though. But I know it's a touchy subject and everybody has to draw there lines. But I do know what you are getting at.

Rick/Zack,
This is a touchy subject. Is art somewhat of a collaborate venture or not. To Joe, Susan & Kris, they all have multiple directors on their projects, so to some extent that makes them collaborative artists. I personally, would never do that. Jens, my DP and I are a bit more old school and work our shoots more military style. I communicate with my DP and he communicates with his crew. The crew answers to him, not me. That avoids a lot of confussion of "he said this". Joe has told me how on "Kissing on the Mouth" they had four directors and I just freak thinking about how that would work. But their projects come together on set very collabratively and it works for them. Do what works for you. In webisode 7 and 8 they talk we talk about this more.

The cool part Rick is that you have the option to release your projects without any sort of changes to them. Five years ago, we really didn't have the web as a viable option for spreading video content. In other words, we wouldn't be having this converstion right now without the web. So the web gives you this capability. Use it. I commend you for sticking to your principles.

I think to some extenet if you want to have a Hollywood release you have to be willing to give up some of that control, if not, you have the web and self distribution. To each, his own.

Absolutely. I think that the web will be an invaluable place for artists with no compromise to get followings. In that way, it could be a stepping stone of trust. One day if I keep making my films exactly the way I want, Somebody may see the value in it and cut a check. But it will be after seeing a large number of my films and saying to him/herself, wow! That is original, and LOOK a lot of people are digging it!! They'd hopefully see a profit availability that I wouldn't have to consider. Thats one good thing about the web. It's a place to keep a growing portfolio. If somebody with a big check book sees an immense amount of your work they may respect your direction more and make decisions to work with you based on your KNOWN principles. I.E. This guy wont bend, is it worth working with him? I wouldn't mind that reputation so long as it ends up that I don't have to bend.

Another Great Show!
My hats of to you Steve, as well as Joe, Susan & Kris (and who could for get your Crew!).

I LOVE this topic you guys started here about the final choices of the Film. I've enjoyed this debate for years now. I've sat through this argument with varying results;
* One night we laughed, joked and had the entire problem solved (and I’m pretty sure we solved all of the Worlds problems that night as well, but no one wrote anything down… Dohhh!)
* And then one night the debate got so passionate and heated there were almost punches thrown (I told them Tequila & Gin are NEVER a good combination!).

Anyway, for my 2-cents worth, it really comes down to that deceivingly simple question, "Is it working?"
* I know what I "wanted" to do before we started Production.
* I think I remember what we "did" during Production.
* And now I'm putting together everything I actually "have" and I'm trying to stay as true as possible to my original "vision" of the story.
For me, I only seem to get into real significant trouble whenever I obsess too much on what it was I “wanted” instead of focusing my energy on what it is I actually “have” in front of me. But in the end, it’s ALWAYS about whether or not it’s working. I just don’t know HOW you can really be sure without letting people (audiences if you can get ‘em) watching and “constructively” criticizing it for you. (I LOVE the cookie-maker analogy, by the way!)

One thing is for sure… no one is EVER going to talk me out of believing that every Production is absolutely dependant upon good collaboration. And it doesn’t matter if your running the tightest “Ship” on the lot with an impeccable chain-of-command in place, or if you’re runnin’and’gunnin’ with 12 Directors all ridding in the same van. Film “IS” Collaboration (sorry, and so is TV… sort of).

If you find yourself dead-set against collaborating and too set in your ways to change that particular mind-set… well then, I would recommend you get into Photography or maybe Painting.

Awe Man!!, I am a terrible salesman, and I hate that line of business.

You subsribers get an advanced look at FilmFellas. When we release this video to the public on the 15th it will go in the FilmFellas album.

oh cool, thanks!

Thank you Lisa,
We are planning on talking about how the editor can essentially be the writer with regards to documentary filmmaking.

Future FilmFellas casts are going to be:
Documentary film
Wedding filmmakers
Short films
Distribution models
Balancing Artistic/Business models

If you or anyone has any other ideas for subjects for future FilmFellas, please let me know.
Steve

Sounds brilliant. I am also looking forward to Zacuto Indie Basic Training! Cheers from Queensland

Mark,
Maybe more like "Goodfellas meets Indiewood"
We realize Hollywood wants nothing to do with us.
steve