FilmFellas: Cast Two
Posted on June 24, 2009 in Filmmaking 360 | No Comments
Zacuto USA brings us another series of table side chats, this time with filmmakers: Steve Weiss, Joe Swanberg, Susan Buice and Kris Swanberg covering all different aspects of filmmaking and whatever comes to their minds.
Descriptions are from the Author
5. “Talkin’ About Your Film Generation”
In Webisode 5, cast two has arrived for dinner to discuss their work, which has deeply resonanted with the new generation. Susan Buice reveals what she’s learned from directing her web series, as well as her film Four Eyed Monsters. Kris Swanberg, director of Young American Bodies, breaks down her theory of creating something you love. Whether it’s ice cream or cinema, you are only going to make the flavors that you like. Kissing on the Mouth director Joe Swanberg reminds the group that filmmaking is not always about making money, and Steve Weiss is back to converse about different generations of indie filmmaking.
6. “Mumbling to a Generation”
Film buffs take note: Webisode 6 delves deep into the heart of Mumblecore, as cast two reveals the origin, tenor and target audience of the movement.
Joe Swanberg, Susan Buice and Kris Swanberg reminisce about their experience at South By Southwest in 2005, where four different filmmakers came with similar projects that inspired the press to dub them “Mumblecore.” Steve Weiss argues that Hollywood’s missed the boat by not marketing films that speak to the current generation. Though all three young filmmakers insist that they only create art for themselves, Steve eventually gets them to reveal their own use of focus groups, comprised of close friends and festival audiences. “If you fail to communicate, then you’ve failed as an artist,” Susan concludes.
7. “The Art of Making Money”
Passions flare brighter than ever in Webisode 7, where the filmmakers grapple with the challenge of making their movies both artful and profitable.
Conflict arises right at the start, as Steve and Kris argue about whether a film set should be like a “military operation” or an open “discussion.” Joe explains how his production process begins with bonding and talking among cast and crew members before the shooting schedule locks in around the third week. Steve voices his belief that every single business in America should have a television program, turning corporate entities into multimedia “gathering spaces.” Susan notes that the problem with corporate sponsors is their fear of any material considered remotely edgy. While Joe says he still intends on making his “art projects” small enough so he can continue to make money from them, Steve insists, “You make money when your video is tied to products.”
8. “System of a Breakdown”
“We just had a forty minute discussion about what we love. Now we’re talking about money!” asserts Steve in Webisode 8, which focuses on the current breakdown of studio systems claiming to distribute “independent films.”
Joe opens the discussion by admitting that he doesn’t care where audiences see his films, whether they be in theaters or online. Steve and Susan argue about what should be the first priority of filmmakers: making great art or creating a business model. The debate turns toward studios, as the cast asks who’s freaking out during the economic crisis: Hollywood or independent filmmakers? Joe succinctly offers his view by explaining that it’s the specialty divisions of mainstream studios designed to make “independent films” that are being destroyed. The cast also discusses how the site “quarterlife” attempted and failed to speak to the current generation by misinterpreting the Mumblecore phenomenon.
9. “Recipe for Discovery”
“I don’t think it’s about marketing to your demographic. It’s about making what we make as discoverable as possible so that the audience can find it,” affirms Susan in Webisode 9, the enlightening final bow for this provocative FilmFellas cast.
Joe opens the discussion by suggesting that the iPhone may be the audience’s preferable tool for viewing content, since it approximates the online viewing experience. Susan highlights the differences between push marketing and pull marketing, and why she promotes the latter. Kris argues that her generation is too savvy to be seduced by advertising, while favoring the exposure to media offered by social networking sites. Joe provides an in-depth explanation of why he chose to make his new film, Alexander the Last, available to 45 million homes through Video On Demand, while simultaneously premiering it at the SXSW festival. As the cast proposes various ways films could be made discoverable online, Susan reiterates her belief that Hollywood has given up on marketing to her generation. This inspires Steve to close the discussion by reflecting on the massive door left open to filmmakers.
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