"In fact, when I get the time, I'm going to post something about successful low-budget indie/specialty films and see if we can identify key narrative elements that they share."

This would be a great. Looking forward, as usual -

Ted

This town is full of candy-ass blowhards. We're in the worst economic crisis since the great depression and every one of these articles is written as if Hollywood existed in some microcosm where none of these things were happening across the world. If people like Charlie Kaufman want financing for their projects a good way to win investors is to quit jabbering about what a lost cause it is.

Though I would not wish to refer to one of my literary heroes as a 'candy-ass blowhard," I must admit Mr. kgmadman has a point. Perhaps in his next script, Kaufman may not be able to write a film that hinges on the recreation of an entire city within a massive warehouse. Pricey little conceit that film carried around its neck.

Strangely, what I'm doing now feels so right considering the state of things. I'm writing films for very small outfits sprinkled throughout the midwest, all individuals and companies with a smattering of film experience (ad agencies, video production houses) who wish to expand into feature films. Will they be successful? Remains to be seen. But that's not my affair. I'm tasked only to write them a good, solid script. They are tasked to pay me. (Interestingly enough, though, most have so far been very open with wanting my input, one even going so far as to wishing my presence during the shoot...)

These people seem to respect the notion of story. They seem to want to actually make a quality film.

Hell, they return phone calls.

I think we'll see more and more of this happening as Hollywood squanders talents like Kaufman in favor of the seventy four writers it takes to get CHALLENGE OF THE GO-BOTS off the ground. Most will probably never see wide distribution (I don't expect any of these projects I'm writing for to go wider than a festival or two and perhaps some weird shelf life in a RED BOX or on the web, that's for sure) but there does seem to be a market for what I'm doing.

Even if it's all just chasing my tail, I feel a great deal more satisfaction with what I'm pursuing now as opposed to my days of query letters and empty pitch meetings.

I could be wrong, but I think that Michel Gondry directed Spotless Mind and Kaufman wrote it. Anyways, I like what you are saying about the cyclical nature of the movie industry. But Kaufman seems to be saying what you are saying too, in that only low budget and super high budget movies will get made in the coming years.

Even though Hollywood is making lots of brainless blockbusters, indy movie and low budget movies are very much alive and kicking.

I think Kaufmans just a bit bitter cause Synechdoche New York didnt do much money. He should have tried making that movie for less, it cost too much for the kind of film that it was.

Kaufman has to realize his movie is not just an opportunity to bare his soul or whatever, it is a product.
There are a tremendous amount of projects in the works that probably need to be shelved or put on hold because society is not financially or emotionally ready for them right now.
I dont want to see a $20 million movie turned into a $2 million cheaper version. Put it on hold and make it for the full budget later.
If it is a good story, it will still be viable down the road.
If you cant come to terms with the fact that most art is eventually just a product, then time to just write scripts and stories for fun and get a job somewhere else.

"If you cant come to terms with the fact that most art is eventually just a product, then time to just write scripts and stories for fun and get a job somewhere else."

Oh boy. The 'can of worms' is open.

With all due respect, ATTATT, this is why modern day scriptwriting and filmmaking is in such a state. Once the writers and directors start thinking like the marketing department and merchandisers, we're in big trouble.

And, um, in case you're wondering... we're in big trouble.

If, by your standard, the cinema is heading into a place where movies will only be a 'product' and films like Kaufman's can't exist, regardless if they SUCCEED or FAIL, then, yes, the love affair between film and I is quite over.

Did SYNECDOCHE have its problems? Certainly. But I'd rather see a marketplace where chances can be taken than the boardroom mentality that puts "30 explosions here, Megan Fox's ass there, sprinkle in some 3-D, and boom, we got a hit!"

I respect your position, ATT, I just don't like it... :D Does this make me a contradictory, antiquated dinosaur? More than likely...

I respect Kaufman as one of the most original minds in film, but anyone who can't appreciate (or at least accept) the business side of movies shouldn't be making $20M pictures.

This isn't a call to throw originality out the door. THE HANGOVER, DISTRICT 9, and PARANORMAL ACTIVITY are all recent testaments to the box office power of an original, marketable movie. But if you're talking tens of millions of dollars, marketability simply has to be a factor.

It's not what you make. it's what you spend.