new funded features.

[Cop]

Some interesting comments. As with most British Filmmakers, the older people get they have different priorities with money, relationships and children etc, and may no longer have enough free time to give a full commitment to filmmaking, in whatever capacity.

It's a tough industry to get into and sometimes you have to be realistic financially, but people (particularly on this forum) spend a lot of time doing what they love doing, its a passion.

Even if what a film-maker produces is good or bad there should be some kind of outlet for people to form that opinion. Sadly there isn’t at the moment as filmmakers want people to see what they have made even if it utter shite, or Oscar worthy. Most are not utter shite, but most are not Oscar worthy either.

It’s true that you find people sulking about not being able to make their project, blaming resources and funding, however I think everybody who has commented on this thread do make films, and obviously they would like more money to spend to help develop their reputation.

Look at "Diary of a Bad Lad" for example, I work with the creators of the film, I’m not afraid to say “yes, it has its flaws”. But it’s not a bad film, I don't think so anyway, I really like it - also, read some of the reviews.

If they waited for funding, Bad Lad would have never been made, but they went out and did it anyway. I don’t think Jon and Michael went out to make a ground-breaking or inspirational movie, but with the quality of most of the performances, the editing and drama, and what they produced overall - I think it’s a commendable achievement and it something they should be very proud of. It should certainly be worth screenings in this country, but what’s the point putting all that hard work in if nobody is going to see it?

Without doubt, it is much better than some of the cheapo-nasty American “tosh” I have seen at the Cannes Film Market. And I think it’s a great shame that nobody can see it, or the guys can’t make any cash after all their hard work making it.

Also while opinion and discussions on the forum is encouraged, could I remind all posters to respect each other and keep criticism constructive please

 

[gepetto]

Cop..

Spot on post and all good....Couldn't agree more.

 

[gepetto]

Cop..

I would just say though...it is all about the hard work. I know the gist of "what's the point if it can't get seen" but that's no excuse for falling short on anything - and not to suggest that you or anyone else here would intentionally by the way.

Like I've said earlier, the amount of spade and donkey work you do yourself or others do with you for the greater common good is the only thing that is truly only yours...and will probably be the yardstick you're going to be measured by.

Taking into account the hope that the one who gets to do said measuring will hopefully have more celluloid savvy and film cred than the likes of Chris Moll, it couldn't be more important that it's the best it can be...

At least then you'll know that the abs are ready for any sly kidney slams......

 

[curtinparloe]

On the funding issue, I attended a Q&A with two Spanish directors at the weekend, and they were saying how hard it is to get funding in Spain - "There are around 200 feature projects all applying, and only 20 get the funding to be made."

With odds like that, I feel like I should invest in a Spanish-English dictionary.

 

[Chase]

That's strange with the rising crop of spanish directors from Alphonso Cuaron to Guillermo Del toro. Matter of fact those guys have a production company along ith guys like Gael GArcia. ANyway, brazil and Mexico seem to be the hot crop spot for the Americans to find SPanish Directors. SO why not Spain? Who knew?

Chase

 

[Booth]

A friend of mine, Alexia Muinos, a Spanish film director has just made her first feature. She said that actually the support in Spain has become much better across all stages of film production. I think this is because of directives from the EU who are trying to get countries back up and running with domestic film production. I'll probably be speaking to her again in May, I'll see how things have gone for her.

I also heard that Pedro Almodavar was enjoying the changes in Spain. I think he's got a couple of features in production.

 

[curtinparloe]

I got myself one of those Cineworld cards last month, so I've been watching pretty much everything.

Slumdog Millionnaire (UK mostly) - $15,000,000

Very good, love the collision of cultures.

Franklyn (France/UK) - $12,000,000

Some reasonably big names, a bit pretentious but I liked it.

The Young Victoria (UK/US) - loads, probably

Lots of big names, well made, a bit wishy washy.

Hush (UK - Warp X inc. Screen Yorkshire and EM Media) - £1,000,000

Some tense moments, but I thought the acting, cinematography and script were diabolical. Within 15 minutes my girlfriend wanted to leave, and afterwards she said "if I'd funded that film I would never have let it be released".

Bronson (UK/Cayman Islands - EM Media) - Less than it looks, I suspect.

Flamboyant, exciting, funny and moving. Hot contender for best film I've seen this year (including Slumdog Millionnaire).

Worst film so far this year? Hush.

However, I've heard so many good reviews of it, so I'm starting to think I'm out of touch. to be fair, the first 15 minutes were the worst (apart form the ending), as after the girlfriend disappeared the acting improved.