Hope and Depair

Although I work in the entertainment industry, there was a time when I briefly unemployed and I was out of work for almost two years before I found the position that I'm in now.   I found this article as I was search for topics to discuss in my current coursework for my Masters Degree program. It struck a chord with me as I read it and the two words caught my eye:  Hope and Despair. The significance of the article “Hope and Despair at a job fair”( Banks, S. 2011) is that throughout the article, hope and despair was intertwined with the blight of people looking for gainful employment at L.A.’s Crenshaw Christian Center – Faith Dome.  There was a job fair in which there were more than 4,000 people looking for jobs.  The words that caught my attention, from a marketing standpoint, Hope and Despair were synonymous with unemployment in this day and age as I continued to read the Time s article. Hope was the word that caught my attention the first time.  From a marketing standpoint, that word is so simple to bring up, but powerful at the same time.   Throughout the article the job seekers themselves were lining up in the hopes of finding gainful employment to help them deal with their plight.   Despair was also prevalent from the descriptions of people who have lost hope in finding a job after being unemployed for so long.  Did the article do its job in catching my attention, it sure did.  In more ways than I care to write about because a year ago, I was one of the “unemployed” looking for a job for almost two years before I wound up with the position that I’m in now.  I am very grateful to be working.  There were times I was very hopeful in finding something, and then there were other days that I was in despair for the fact that I was unemployed.  The marketing for the article definitely did do its job, on so many different levels that I can relate to. For a little while I was one of the ones looking for a job in the hopes of finding one, and was in despair when I didn't.  I hated that it was like a roller coaster sitting by the phone everyday, while sending out hundreds and hundreds of resumes, waiting for a callback for an interview. Up and down, not knowing what the day would bring. Link to the article: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0901-banks-20110901,0,1893364.column?page=2&track=rss

Will there be another “Golden Age” of Black Films?

That’s a question that I tend to ask quite a bit these days.  Twenty years ago when the nineties began, there were already some prominent films by Black filmmakers like Spike Lee who I think ushered in the “golden age” that started with his film “She’s Got to Have It.”  There were numerous films that inspired a new generation of Black filmmakers (like myself) and they made successful films during that time.  Films like “House Party”, “Do the Right Thing”, “Posse” are just a few that spanned different kinds of films that showcased Black talent.

Even still, in TV, there were shows like “In Living Color” by the Wayans Brothers, and “Living Single” that had an all Black ensemble that were not trapped by stereotypes that were established in the late sixties and seventies.  Instead the characters were just as diverse, both in being serious and comedic.  There was no limit to what the new generation of Black artist could do. 

Then at the end of the nineties and a little into the 2000’s, that all changed….

Now, there are barely any Black films that hit the theaters in 2011.  The characters that are now seen on theatrically and TV are mostly supporting ones.  My question is this…”WHAT HAPPENED?!!!”  It seemed like Black artists were making strides in entertainment, and now it has almost grinded to a halt.  Is the fact that Black artists are not a draw to the box office anymore?  What gives? 

I don’t claim to be an expert on the matter, but I would like to see another “Golden Age” like the nineties take place once again.  The films out there now, you can take or leave them.  But there is always something special about a Black film that can’t be replaced. 

I don’t know.  Only time will tell…

Feelings of Dread

I was reading an article about the writer of the current version of the character written by Conan the Barbarian co-writer, Sean Hood, who was disappointed by the box office results of his latest project, Conan The Barbarian (August, John, 2011).  When he wrote about how he compared the success of his project to that of an election night when key politicians are battling for the votes from registered voters who are not in their shoes.  He that feeling of disappointment and dread when the film was released this past Friday. 

Despite pushing past the negative comments, he was still disappointed how the film performed, because that was something that he worked very hard on.  I can relate to his feelings about his film because I went through a similar experience.  My project was initially successful when it was released to home video a few years ago…for about a week.  It was nice to see it on the racks with bigger movies that came out along with it.  After about two months, I saw my film in the “bargain bin” at Blockbuster, and let’s just say my heart sank.  I was happy to get the distribution deal for my film, at the same time, I wanted more exposure so that I could get more work as a filmmaker instead of my administrative skills.  It was very frustrating to say the least, but I can understand and relate to Sean Hood. 

Now, I haven’t seen Conan, but from all of the reviews I had been reading, my heart sank because I wanted this film to succeed on so many different levels.  One, not to take away from what Schwartzenegger did with the original in 1982, I did want to see the character exposed to a new generation.  I’ve been a fan of the character ever since I could read a comic book, and when I heard that this was coming out, I got really excited about it.  

Needless to say, I felt the same way when Green Lantern came out as well earlier this summer.  I wanted that to succeed as well, but we all know what happened to that one…

Link: http://johnaugust.com/2011/what-a-flop-feels-like

10 Worlds Studios

This blog that I writing about is about a very good, personal friend of mine, and comic book industry expert, Joseph P. Gauthier who happens to own and manage his own independent comic book company (along with his partner Alex Lugo who is also another good friend of mine as well), 10 Worlds Studios.  He and I had the opportunity to work on a screenplay adaptation of his graphic novel based on the biblical figure named Lazarus, which was well written (I might add), before the screenplay was written.  The name of his graphic novel is Lazarus: Immortal Coils.  Needless to say, when the opportunity arises again, I would love to work with him on another script. 

            Joseph’s managing direction of his product, again I say about the Lazarus graphic novel, has been of dedication and proper management.  In the brief time that I worked with him, I’ve seen him tirelessly work to get his story out there and at the same time, get another story that he’s working on as well named, Goryo-Dog which has heavy influences from Japanese anime from the past to the present.  He is always managing his ideas with his books (on top of being a family man as well).  I do also have to say that I admire his dedication and smarts about getting his product out to the masses.  Whether it would be at a comic-book convention (San Diego, and Wizard-World just to name a few…), or at a comic book specialty store, or just talking to the average comic reader.

            Even with the odds stacked against him being an independent comic book publisher, he’s managed to overcome the odds and get exposure for his story.  I’ve seen him talk and networked with key people in the comics and entertainment industry.   I’ve also seen him pick up new fans in addition to the ones that he’s already established from his Lazarus work alone.  Whenever I talk to comic readers and film buffs (such as myself), I always try to slip his story into the conversation because it is not only a good read, but it also challenges pre-conceived notions about…well you’ve got to read the story for yourself.  One of these days, I’ve got to get myself up to the level that he has built himself up to.  For now I feel honored and privileged to work and write with someone who doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. 

Link to his website: www.10worldsstudio.com

GREEN LANTERN – The Death Knell of Superhero Films?

A few weeks ago, Green Lantern opened in late June to very tepid box office numbers.  After this film has been hyped time after time, it still came up short.  I’m not going to post a negative review of the film because I haven’t seen it yet (with a family it’s pretty difficult to find a babysitter).  It’s highly likely that I will see it on Blu-Ray DVD this fall.  However, the reviews that I received ranged from “It was just okay” to “It could have been better if they weren’t trying to over-explain the origin story.”  I mean setting up origins is already tough enough for this kind of film (i.e. the slow moving Phantom Menace comes to mind), in addition to appealing to the fan boy masses (such as me) and the majority of the film goers who have no idea who this character is.  I mean it was a tough sell to get it out there, and there were people excited.  However, people weren’t excited enough for it to make up its budget (including advertising) $200…ouch!  Still, I applaud Warner Bros. for making an A+ effort for film that had C+ writing.  With that being said, what it boils down to is the writing.  The writing can make or break the film and the old adage that I can’t stress enough is, “What looks good on paper, doesn’t necessarily looks good on film.” 

                Hopefully, Green Lantern won’t be the last of the superhero films that continues to make strides in filmmaking and with the audience (especially with the box office).  Alas, the summer isn’t over yet and I am still looking forward to checking out Captain America.  If it is any good as Thor, then I think people will overlook the disappointment that was Green Lantern, and move forward with the other films in the pipeline such as, The Avengers, The Amazing Spider Man, and the stuck in development hell, The Wolverine. 

                Lastly, I think that superhero films, even though they are tent-poles for the summer time, not all of them can be a hit with the masses.  In addition, just because Green Lantern came up short, doesn’t mean that Warner Bros. is going to abandon the franchise.  They are moving forward with a sequel to the film and the biggest lesson that they would have to definitely learn is that just because you spent a lot of money on a spectacle that people will come.  The key factor lies in the story itself.  It has to be quality.  The story is the backbone of the film and if it isn’t done correctly, then they would be shooting themselves in the foot once again.  Honestly, I think they should have Chris Nolan as a supervising producer on the next one so that he can pick the right creators to get it done right.

                Look at what he’s done with the Batman franchise; two films are major blockbuster hits, and a third on the way.   Don't get  me started with Inception, that was a moden classic and loved it.  Chris Nolan is doing something right. 

STARTING A FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY WITH YOUR OWN IP…

Starting a production company is a lot of hard work.  I talked to an esteemed colleague that helped point me in the right direction.  I agreed not give out his name online, but can mention his initials, A.P. He and I work together and he has given me insight into some elements that I may need to consider when starting a production company with your own Intellectual Property (IP for short).  

There are factors that you have to look out for when starting it.  Especially if you’re starting a film production company (especially in dealing with feature films) and want to avoid as many liabilities as possible.  After speaking with a fellow colleague, the best way to go in creating a decent business plan that could help you avoid liabilities along the way is to make sure that you would have a decent IP’s (Intellectual Properties) to start with under your belt.  It’s best that you start with material that you have created.  In this case, you can avoid the pitfalls of liabilities of using someone else’s work. 

            Having your own, I mean by writing your own material, whether it would be a screenplay or treatment.  Starting with your own is the best way.  It also helps as well (if you can) to have lawyer that can work with you.  A while back, I attempted to start my own production company dealing with just my own material and the end result is that I had a hard time getting things off the ground because at the time, I couldn’t afford it and I thought (with my hubris) that I could handle things the way I wanted to, on my own terms.  You know what people say, “Pride goeth before the fall.”  Little did I know that the world doesn’t operate that way (or I was too stubborn to see).  Without having a lawyer to look at the contract for my first film, RECOIL, I didn’t pay attention to some of the liabilities that I could have avoided.  Ultimately, circumstances didn’t work out the way I thought  they should have gone for the simple fact that I didn’t know any better. 

            Additionally, the main issue that I felt I got right was that I wanted to shoot films under my production company was my own material.  With that being said, I didn’t have to worry about licensing out other people’s material or deal with anyone else’s headaches but my own.  I feel that when I do it again, I will circumvent (hopefully) some of the issues that I went through when I shot my first feature film in the initially.  The liabilities I want to avoid this time around are very crucial to my production company’s development especially when it comes to owning your own IP or creative property.  

Do celebrities enjoy being in trouble?

In recent events in the cases with the law and celebrities, often times after committing crimes, they usually get off with a “slap on the wrist” type sentence.  Usually, thirty days, or  a few month and then they are back on the scene as if nothing happened nine time out of ten.  On the other hand, if there were an ordinary citizen committing the crime, then they would get the whole “book” thrown at them and get many months to years in prison.  The old adage of celebrities with money, they then become something or an individual above the law…to a degree.  Three prime examples that have taken place in recent history involving stealing, becoming inebriated (at the wrong times), or just carrying weapons at the wrong place and time.  These are just a few of celebrities misfortunes that they wrought on themselves.  At the same time, once they are let out or release back into the world, the public embraces them, even when they’re clearly in the wrong. 

            The first example I would like to bring up is the case of T.I. (Tip Harris).  He’s had troubles with the law throughout his hip hop career.  Also, he has been in and out of prison as a result (especially after his last charge of carrying a concealed weapon) and turns around to go back after being out one day and then getting caught with drugs at the airport, and eventually would have to go back again as a result.  I mean where is the logic, or better yet, where is the common sense?

            Lindsay Lohan, has had her fair share of problems with the law, especially with her cases related to her alcohol abuse issues.  But what I didn’t understand was Lindsay stole a necklace from a jeweler and eventually brought it back.  There was such public scrutiny behind it and eventually, she made a deal with the courts because she brought the necklace back. 

            The last example, which took place a little while back (back in 2002), was the issue of Winona Ryder stealing clothes from a boutique.  She was clearly not hurting for money, yet she committed theft and a lot of people were throwing their hands in the air with the feeling of “why?”  Nobody gets it.  I sure didn’t either. 

            The point that I am making with these court cases is that these celebrities have all of this money and power and they are getting into trouble.  Not once, not twice, but over and over again.  It’s as if they have no fear or respect for the law, simply put because they can “buy” it because of their celebrity status.  But if a regular average person were to do the same thing, it wouldn’t get any kind of publicity, but at the same time, it probably wouldn’t even show up on the news.  In turn because of the controversies from these celebrities, on whatever project that they’re working on could be helped or hindered from the negative publicity.  It seems that the public embraces them because once they are free from the judicial issues, it appears that they’ve “bucked the system.”  I know controversy and bad publicity sells, but how long will the public embrace it?  Who knows.

            Lastly, does the bad publicity affect ticket sales for films.  One has to wonder when people still patronize the films or projects that they are in, they increase sales as a result.  Any way you look at it, it still boils down to the bottom line.

It doesn’t make any kind of sense.