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Why Make Movies? An A-to-Z Challenge Theme Reveal
Friday, March 21, 2014 at 5:25AM 
Chris Chambers in Steve Balderson's action crime comedy "Culture Shock."When was the last time you stayed at a job, in a relationship or pursuit of a goal that cost you more than what you earned from doing it?
How many times have you said to yourself “maybe tomorrow things will improve” only to wonder what happened along the way? No one in their right mind would continue in an undesirable situation or on an unforgiving path, yet, I find myself wondering what I’m doing making movies.
Let it be clear that when I say movies and/or film, I’m referring to independent films. This is not to discount or deny the many difficulties that take place on studio-backed movies in Hollywood. Martin Sheen collapsed from a heart attack during the production of Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now” -- in a tumultuous turn of events that also included Coppola suffering an epileptic seizure; the untimely deaths of Paul Walker and Philip Seymour Hoffman have the forces in tinsel town scrambling to salvage the next installments in the “Fast and Furious” and “Hunger Games” franchises. If it’s hard for the big-wigs, then it’s ten times more difficult for those of us who are trying to make our own way outside of the “system.”
Independent films take so long, require a seemingly never-ending stream of sacrifices and we (filmmakers) have to overcome obstacle after obstacle without ever knowing if we’ll achieve our goals. Maggie Hadleigh-West and her camera crew were robbed at gunpoint during their first day of production on a documentary. Audiences in Washington D.C. got up out of their seats, yelled expletives, threw things at the screen and then walked out of the theater during a showing of Steve Balderson's comedy drama “Watch Out.” I haven’t begun to even scratch the surface in terms of creating a body of work where motion pictures are concerned. Based on the difficulties that I’ve had to deal with so far, however, I’m wondering – what’s it all really worth?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt on the set of his directorial debut 'Don Jon.'I often find myself questioning whether or not I want to do this again. So, during April, I will be sharing my observations on the 26 (or less) reasons why writers, directors and/or producers make movies. In these posts, I also aim to include the perspectives of fine, visual and performance artists at various stages in their careers. It is by exploring such observations on filmmaking from A-Z that I hope you will walk away with at least one -- if not two things:
- Knowledge of a new or little known movie, album, book or related work that you want to check out
- Inspiration to apply aspects of the subject matter to an area of your own life and/or goals
For me, I’m just trying to figure out how to justify or make sense of the ongoing stumbling blocks, rejections, isolation and closed doors that I face at every step of the way in my projects. Maybe it’s the universe telling me that I need to do something else. Maybe it’s a challenge that is meant to aid in my growth and prepare me for the next steps. Maybe I’m just looking at it all wrong or neglecting things that I should be paying more attention to. Maybe I have different goals than when I started pursuing film.
Or maybe, just maybe I don’t know what I want. No matter the case, I do know one thing – the need to figure out a justification for this masochistic path called moviemaking is urgent like a motherfucker.
When (and even before) a film is in the can, it seems like nobody even cares. Filmmakers have to constantly be on-the-go, trying like hell to convince people to watch our work, while all along hoping that they end up liking it or some aspect therein. It reminds me of the Linkin Park song – “I tried so hard and got so far but in the end, it doesn’t even matter.”
We bust our butts to make these movies and then in the end, it doesn’t matter because it seems like no one wants to be bothered watching them or buying them or renting them.
If people don’t want to be bothered checking out independent films, and crews are reluctant to work on them, and actors don’t want to help make these projects be all they can be, and media/industry/communities won't cover our work and theaters/TV channels aren't interested in paying these projects any mind, then why should we even bother making them? This is the question that leads to the central focus of my 2014 Blogging from A-to-Z Challenge theme. So find yourself a good seat, grab some popcorn and enjoy the show!
Also, you might want to keep the kids away because the upcoming posts are approved for audiences age 17 or older. There will not be blood but there will likely be strong language. Reader discretion is advised. I approved this message.
Photos ('Culture Shock' and 'Don Jon,' respectively) courtesy of Anthony Pedone and Daniel McFadden ©2013 Relativity Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Reader Comments (27)
Wow, I'm excited about this. The Engineer and I love indie films. We are way into the vast variety available outside what seems to me the cookie cutter, churn out a sequel Hollywood machine. We look for the weird, the off beat. It's fun to see actors in indie films make it big and become true stars. It's a world I've always been fascinated with. I'm very excited to get a peek inside.
Tina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014
Interesting topic! I think of artists of all kinds whose work was not recognized in their lifetimes, but is now highly regarded. Of course, a little recognition in the here and now never hurts. I guess what I'm trying to say is that "it does matter". Happy AtoZing!
LuAnn Braley
AyJay's Hooligans @AtoZChallenge
Back Porchervations
I look forward to reading your posts. Taking this A to Z journey of digging deeper and understanding the "why" behind it all, that's pretty cool.
But if you get a winner, BOOMPOW it's all worth it, right?
Very cool idea for a theme! I love getting an inside look at film production.
A to Z Reveal post here
Great theme! Good luck on your A to Z journey. :)
I'm all for seeking out individuals who share their unique perspective and passion with the world. Your posts sound intense, educational and inspirational, Nicole. Looking forward to reading them, my friend :)
MJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Writing Tips
Effectively Human
Lots of Crochet Stitches
Look forward to hearing more about what you do and why.
This is a great idea for a theme. I love to learn behind-the-scenes stuff.
This is a courageous theme, Nicole. Especially since this can apply across the board in every artistic venture. Whether you're an author, musician, artist or filmmaker, it's damn hard work, where the payoff is an audience who appreciates it. I'll be here to hear you out, expletives and all:)
WriterlySam
resident bartender for A to Z Theme Reveal Party!
This is a unique Challenge theme. It can be interesting to get inside the creative mind to see what makes it tick.
Tina,
Oh you like the weird and off-beat huh? I could sure recommend some titles for you that might have you shaking you wondering what's gotten into people; some of them you'd be wishing that you don't have to watch them again, lol. The rise of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kerry Washington has been interesting to watch throughout the years as they've "made it big" as you say. Both has a lot to offer the entertainment world.
LuAnn,
You are spot on with my thoughts from high school about work being recognized....I want it in the here and now compared to when I'm dead. The aim right now is to make it matter, just like life, I suppose. Thanks for visiting!
Angela,
We all must go inside of ourselves to find the answers and that's the method behind all this madness. Let's see what comes of it ;)
PammyPam,
Funny you should ask about a winning work being all worth it; that is one of the very subjects I'm exploring with this theme. I just might add your comment to the post, for some added perspective or dimension.
SD Neeve,
Thanks for the well wishes. I could use all the luck I can get!
MJ,
Intensity is there, no doubt! If someone finds some inspiration from them, it will have been worth writing. Thanks for stopping by to find out what my theme will be.
Sydney,
Here's hoping that the observations will be helpful to you in some way. If for anything, to have a wider understanding of a subject you and I both enjoy -- movies! :)
Maurice,
The gathering of all these behind-the-scenes tidbits is going to be a challenge in and of itself but I know the theme is worth doing when you're up to check out the content! Thanks a lot!
Sam,
Tell me about it. I don't know what I was thinking. It's kinda scary but I have to dive into it in order to come out on the other side with a better sense of direction, or at least, in a better frame of mind about my chosen profession than the state of mind I've been in for a while now. Since I know most people can relate to some aspect of the experiences and/or "whys" that I'll be highlighting, here's hoping that the theme helps other artists, no matter what medium they practice in :)
Arlee,
It's great to see you in my neck of the woods! ;) There's nothing like being true to yourself, right? Since I've been stressing about this topic anyway, I might as well go further into it to identify my purpose for taking such a difficult and uncertain path. The A-to-Z Challenge is the perfect opportunity to hash things out with myself while hopefully gaining some insight from others who are dealing with similar concerns...for we all might be able to help each other figure this thing out.
~Nicole
Oh, fun! I love to discover new movies, and everything else that has to do with film. I'm looking forward to this! Happy A to Z!
I know little about indie movies, so I'm looking forward to learning a lot in April! Have fun :)
Jemima
#TeamDamyanti
Blogging from Alpha to Zulu in April
I'm not a fan of Mass market movies, to be terribly honest. I am on the other hand more likely to be interested in indie movies as I believe that the driving force behind them is more artistic than profiteering. I'm more often a fan of the books movies are based on overall.
Movie making fascinates me in the way magic fascinates the 5 year old watching a rabbit pulled from a hat. I'll be very interested to see a bit about the "man(or woman) behind the curtain" in this respect. I'm looking forward to it.
*~MAJK~*
A-to-Z Challenge 2014
Mighty Minion of Co-Host Nicole Ayers
@Safireblade on Twitter
http://www.safireblade.com/
I really, really approve and applaud you, Nicole! It really IS worth it in the end, if for no other reason than you will know you've put out a piece of excellent work. I spent decades in the field of music and that is a tough, and demanding field to compete in. I am now "retired" which is a polite way to say "fully disabled" as you gathered from my blog. This does not hamper me in any way, I just have to change my focus. I may no longer play professionally, but I write, and I decided long ago, that I would surround myself with excellent people, whatever the field. I've become very interested in film-making and story-telling through that art, to the extent that I've chipped in some money on crowd-funded projects. I think that indie art production and movie-making is more the wave of the future, as the mainstream is losing relevance. I cannot wait to read your posts, Nicole and I am so glad we are doing this challenge together! Mary aka ViolaFury and on Twitter @ViolaFury
I am very glad you chose indie films, Nicole. I look forward to your A to Z posts! True that a massive team busts its ass making movies that viewers criticize unabashedly!
Thanks for stopping by my place!
Vidya
Team Damyanti
My April A to Z Challenge 2014 Theme Reveal #atozchallenge #atozreveal
When I graduated university I eventually got a job, it didn't work out clearly I wasn't what the office wanted so I was "encouraged to leave" (basically I think they wanted to sack me but when I knew they were going to shove me out the door I asked if I could leave of my own accord), I then ended up in other job that started as a temp post and I ended up staying for just over five years. By the end I hated it, I genuinely spent like the last month or two hating every day that I dragged myself out of bed to go to work.
I left almost exactly a year ago and for about 2 or 3 months ended up working with a friend of my Mum's. She runs the kitchen in an old peoples home here in Bedford. Making cakes and meals for the ladies and gents was exactly what I needed - it didn't pay alot as it was part time but it was what I needed to try and get myself back on track. I started a new temp job in May last year but carried on helping on Saturdays to cover the lunch run.
I stopped doing the Saturdays in August but am still in my temp job, I'm leaving in a few weeks to go on maternity leave but I actually do like my job now. I work in Customer Service for an energy company (specifically working with customers who have solar panels). It wouldn't have been my first choice but it's funny how life works out it's own path in the end. Sometimes you have to take a risk and step out the boat so to speak - but who knows what it holds.
Sounds like a great idea! Movies are always a favourite, learning why decisions are made in their production will be quite an insight of how it all works.
Best of luck.
I am really looking forward to your posts. I have been asking lately, "Why do I write?"
Good luck with the challenge.
Great idea. I went to film school for a year to learn independent films but ended up writing because they can't take away your typewriter, (I date myself). Not really, I'm married, ha-ha. Anyway, I was once an extra in Dune, and my theme is the launch of my new book, Savior on April 18.
Brilliant, Nicole. Like Sam above said, this questioning the wherefores applies--is even, maybe, a requirement--across the arts. Why do we persevere in what we do if there's so little, on average, to gain? Is it really because we want to be rock starts? Is fame and fortune all it boils down to? I prefer to think not, but I'm a hopeless romantic in some things. (Okay, in most things. Fine.) This is one of those series that make me happy the A-to-Z is a daily thing.
Thanks for stopping over at Quiet Laughter: The Mighty Theme Reveal yesterday, and for the beautiful comment you left. Much appreciated.
Nothing is ever easy. Following your passion often involves missing out on other things. But I'd like to think that striving for excellence in whatever it is you do improves you as a human being. There's far too many out there how sit on the couch and wish they were something, then there are those people (like you) who actually do.
I'm anxious to read your upcoming post(s) on this! And no, I won't be turned away by strong language :-)
Having friends who make independent short films (no movies yet as far as I know), this is an interesting topic to explore.
I'm somewhat involved in local theatre and sometimes seeing the dismal response and how difficult it is to even breakeven, I DO wonder why we bother as well!
anna @ Deeply Shallow
This post right here is EXACTLY why I participate in the AtoZ challenge! It hasn't even yet begun, and I have already found a new blog to follow. Of all the reveals I have read thus far, this is by far my favorite, and I am looking forward to reading as you suss out your feelings on pursuing a vastly under-appreciated and largely expensive artistic venture. My first post for AtoZ will be on the topic of Art for Art's sake, so I was really excited to see someone questioning that very idea. Can't wait to read more!