Film

Things and Such....

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Project Updates:

Planning to start our release cycle shortly, which includes multiple media types.  On the film side, we have gotten multiple offers on the two films but none of them seem favorable to someone trying to retain rights all while viewing things in on a longer cycle. This is a game of leverage, and I'm perfectly comfortable waking away even though I have to rely on my own platform. Which is the great lesson of our time. Build your platform. 

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Recent stuff....

Why have I not been updating consistently? I guess you will see soon enough friends. Ok, not to be cryptic, but yes, projects have been consuming of late. My development house ANIMALS  has had a couple commercial projects due, and I helmed one of them. 

And between that, and the film I currently have in post, its a nice balancing act that I enjoy, but I have to subtract somewhere.

This is the subtraction, but only for a brief time. 

Also, THINGS WITH AMIR MOTLAGH is going to continue, regardless of how you feel about it.

Cheers,
am

Video Killed The Movie (at least for today)

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Video is the new mainstream form.  I've been saying it for a few years now, but as it's producers have gotten more savvy with technology and techniques, they can mimic, but more importantly, innovative trends and styles in the visual medium at a hyper kinetic pace.  This is why individual music video directors are not as sought out as before.  Because, anybody with some visual map can do it.  And they are.  In droves.  You get the good and the bad, but, you get it all.  And fast.  And new, and fresh.  TV anyone?

That in lies the huge challenge for Hollywood and feature films in general (especially ones that really on novelty and gimmicks).  The human appetite for novelty knows no bounds.  And video quenches that thirst weekly, for 1/100th of the price.  Plus, for its consumers, hell, it's free.

That's why, in some weird essence, a movie like SPRING BREAKERS competes with RiFF RAFF and his once a week music videos (the man who I believe is the genesis of the film, even if it be subconscious).  RiFF RAFF has been around for a few years, doing videos which are in the same spirit of the feature film.  For people familiar with his work, the movie feels tedious and outdated.

Of course, I'm exaggerating to make some point.  But, we cannot turn a blind eye to this phenomenon.  It exists.  Just today, I watched a well made, action POV music video that is buzzing the net. Comments include, "best thing I've ever seen", or "hollywood can never touch this".  Of course, this happens almost weekly and is a by product of internet hyper hyperbole. And, once the surface of the video is scratched, the novelty wears off quick.  But, the savvy generation has seen it, internalized it and moved on.  

You can no doubt see that this is where the wellspring of ideas originate these days.  And, by the time Hollywood or some indie director rips it off and places the same scene in a larger context, it's already old news for the next generation.  They've seen it, experienced it, and moved on to about 20 other new things.  This generation doesn't place the same importance on scale as they did before.  In the game of originality, who done it first is as important as who done it better.

For feature films to keep a footing in its proper place, it must rely on it's core strengths, that of unique storytelling, expression and originality no matter how difficult. The rerun, sequel game is not a long term strategy.  If it is, ruin is almost guaranteed.  Once the nerds turn away because there favorite comic book video game is better than the movie, well, then what?  You don't think that's going to happen?  

Long form films must also adapt to a faster distribution strategy.  One that keeps it fresh in a market that changes faster than a blink of an eye. Certainly not an easy task.

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The Plans

​With this newest website update, I made some commitments to myself.  One is that I will keep this journal section more active.  Before, I would only post promotional stuff, and with a bit of lazy infrequency.  I am putting an end to that by diversifying content.    

I want to keep it interesting, and document different things of interest.  However, it will never get political.  ​

Also, I'm starting the process of making another feature.  And my thoughts on this are that instead of keeping the whole process hidden, I'd also like to document it.  From this initial point of just finishing the screenplay, to all the other things involved in making it come to life.​  Although, I am not sure where to stage it yet, but the most likely place is in the FILM section under CAMEL WEST.  That's probably a good place to start.  This CAMEL WEST journal will most likely be included in some form when the film gets released  as an ancillary addition.  On my journey, rest assured, no real names will be used in this ongoing journal until completion, and unless formally agreed upon, anonymity will remain a very important component of trust.  Coming from someone who's life is always described as "mysterious", this is a good time to change the habits, since, that type of methodology doesn't resonate with people in todays world of hyper sharing.

I also want to make these two journals separate from one another in content.  CAMEL WEST will only focus on the filmmaking process, and the one you are reading now will be more diverse in scope.​  Although, I'm not sure that's the best way to go?  Got to ask around.  But, if you have a suggestion, I would love to hear from you.

Best
am​