Truths Hurt... Even When We Wake Up
20 Additional Film Business Truths you need to know right now.
When I launched this newsletter about two years back, one of my initial lists was on the film business truths that I found we weren’t yet recognizing as givens. I hope you seem them a bit better now, but I don’t really think we’ve walked that path of clear perception yet, alas.
To know where we are going, we have to know where we are. That original list still holds quite true, and deserves another examination from you. Time’s short though, and beyond just moving, we have to keep building too. JIC you were wondering, that original list of truths was meant to help us understand what the business is and has been, as well as the challenges inherent within.
I have more to add to that list. And I probably always will too. I know I have another twenty to follow this new list with. And I am sure you have some choice nuggets too. to offer. C’mon take them out of your pocket and put them on the table for us all to consider!
This is all part of both a creative and business practice I urge you to adopt — or at least try out and see how it fits. Finding a creative process is how we all make this thing better for all of us. Here’s my suggestion: periodically sit down and try to define the reality of your world, your industry, your community, your relationships, and your self. I have shared some of my thoughts of the world and the industry, and will continue to do so. I suggest you keep your relationship contained to that relationship, and regarding ourselves, lets be careful there too.
One way to think about this sort of thinking, is to think of it perhaps as all an encompassing inverted pyramid. Start wide and narrow down to the specific. Break it all down into components. Your work will improve because of it. I am confident of that.
Ted’s Film Business Truths, Pt 2 (of 3).
This list includes many truths that go well beyond the FKATheFilmBiz — so don’t hesitate to give it a read if you are not a card-puncher at the dream factory.
01. Start with my initial 20 Film Business Truths.
Streaming and Cinema are very different businesses, and they are profoundly different arts and entertainments — and needed to be treated as such. Look at what succeeds on Netflix and then look at what wins festivals or box offices — they are two very different things and should be treated as such.
The number one priority of film executives is to keep their job (and the easiest way to do that is to say “no” to projects). I have called this the #1 Rule Of The FKAFilmBiz.
The film business is full of narcissistic, lying, cheating, scheming, malcontents and misanthropes. But it could be worse; we could be working in politics.
You need to know how you are going to last a good long time despite it all. Ask yourself “What will make you feel better in fifteen years from now, even if you are doing the same thing as you are now.
Talent representatives are NOT going to represent you (generally speaking) until you no longer “need” their help.
It is really hard to make a good movie. Or rather: it is really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, REALLY hard to make a good movie. There are not enough “really”s to capture how hard it truly is.
Filmmaking is about things going wrong. It is all but a miracle when things go right.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Hope For Film to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.