Attention movie industry folks! Perhaps it's time to not only think out of the box, but to blow the damn box to hell so you can never climb back into it. With a spring and summer weighted down with remakes and sequels such as Zoolander II, Ghostbusters, Pete's Dragon, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Jesus, why not just shoot yourself in the foot instead) and this week's disastrous Ben Hur, it might be wise for industry folks to give some fresh talent a go. And this coming week, the new (and I highly doubt, improved) Magnificent Seven is being released. I have a nagging feeling that Steve McQueen and Yul Brynner may just turn over in their graves… unless of course they were cremated. A few weeks back, I watched Hateful Eight and posted that perhaps Quentin Tarantino could have trimmed about thirty minutes and had many S32 writers protested the thought of it. And to that I say praise the heavens for that response. As I've stated many times, I march to my own creative drummer and will continue to create art the way I want to see it. And the fact the guys like Tarantino and many other creative folks are making great movies that don't have car chases, constant explosions and cater to short attention spans is a beautiful thing; one that gives me hope that If I continue to do imaginative and god forbid good work, that my efforts will pay off. Typically speaking, I wouldn’t recommend going beyond the accepted industry standard of 90 to 120 pages of screenplay. But if that’s what it takes for you to create your vision, than by all means, don’t be afraid to do it. Hateful Eight is 171 pages and it didn’t stop Tarantino from getting his film made. And for those of you who will immediately say “It’s Tarantino, he can get away with it”, let me remind you that before he made his first film, he was working as a clerk at a video rental shop in Manhattan Beach. Believe!
Screenwriting : 2016: A year of Hollywood remake… flops. by Phillip E. Hardy, "The Pro From Dover"
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No disrespect intended, but I disagree with youse guys. I love every minute of every Tarantino film. I never feel like they are too long - just like I never feel that Scorsese, Fellini , Bertolucci, Leone, Tornatore or Coppola movies are too long. And don't forget the rule that "if your last name is three or more syllables and ends in a vowel, everything takes a little longer than for people with short last names." And video back from Homie my Homing Pigeon Extraordinaire Who Brakes for Geese confirms that The Hateful Nine is now filming in Austin, and that it's going to be 20 minutes longer than The Hateful Eight - mostly because of a torture scene to a character named "That Writer Feller Philo Estes Hardy." At least you're played by Danny McBride, Philo! MAJOR CONGRATS TO ELENA DELLE DONNE!!!!!!!
Thumbs up Phillip.
Owen it might sound vain when I tell you I am the savior (wink)
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Another Hardy rant :) Reservoir Dogs is ranked number 1 in box office gross for an Indie movie. QT is the worst example for aspiring Writers. :))
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QT is the worst example for aspiring writers???? Nooooooo!!!! NOTE TO SELF: Burn my VHS tapes of Carlita's Secret and Vatos. MAJOR CONGRATS TO ELENA DELLE DONNE!!!!!!!
Bill It is common knowledge at Rocket Video Store in Hollywood(when it used to be there) that QT ripped off my original concept, "Senorita Justice", and used it as inspiration for Kill Bill. :P
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Dan MaXxxxxx: Rant? How dare you! Thank heavens that I'm here to make this world a better place for writers. I have to go and get this Daisy Domergue off my hands.
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Dan Maxxx: The one at Beverly and LaBrea isn't there any more? Crikey - that's where I swiped Carlita's Secret and Vatos, and many other videos! Those clerks were always working on their scripts - it was the easiest pickings in town. Dang...it's getting so a good thief can't even make an honest living anymore. MAJOR CONGRATS TO ELENA DELLE DONNE!!!!!!!
Bill Rocket Video's been closed for 5-6 years. That was the place to go for Indie and foreign movies before The Internet.
Dan: Vidiots in Santa Monica was ready to bite the dust, too, but Princess in Shining Armor Megan Ellison saved the day. And I'm pretty sure Videotheque in South Pass is still there. Did you know that Yamashiro and The Magic Castle might close/be forced to move? Last I read...the hilltop property was sold. It would be hard to imagine if both establishments were to close their doors - especially The Magic Castle. MAJOR CONGRATS TO ELENA DELLE DONNE!!!!!!
Bill i thought yamashiro's was city property/historical landmark protected? Damn. I think I have a dinner voucher for 2 for Magic Castle. Maybe ask Ellison and the Pritzker family to write checks to save both from 'foreign' investors :)
Bill There is no offense in regards to your opinion, these are moments when we all share views and that's what it makes it beautiful. Tarantino is a great creator, no doubt....when he wants to though (wink) Sometimes all great artists come to a point when they've given all they have. Room must be given to the new generation of creation. ( For example Tarantino and every Tarantino could become producers for other people's stories and all new creators should be supported and encouraged. In 20 years once my portfolio of scripts are gone I want to produce and help the new generation).
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=> Duck down awaiting incoming debris <= We have to admit we're not fans of QT. We don't think The Hateful Eight was the only film that could have used some serious trimming down. Art aside, we're also part of the normal movie-going crowd and his - to us - overly exaggerated/loud way of putting things onscreen just has zero appeal. Django & Inglorious both were okay until he did what he usually does and does the very predictable: "unpredictable twist" in the end, which we hate. We don't think there's a QT film we've enjoyed since the early nillies. => Stick their heads back out after incoming debris has landed <=
Denis Villeneuve is supposedly the next "Chris Nolan."
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You guys have to watch more independent films....there are a ton of great writer/director/filmmakers. Maybe what Big Hollywood needs is more C-Level people like the Weinstein Brothers and Gigi Pritzker.
We watch nothing but independent films (but for the very few we actually do want to watch, Hollywood doesn't really appeal to us with its wide releases these days... independent offers better quality films
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Independent or self produced films are still the best route for a unproduced writer to get a film made. However, my post was really directed at the recent trend towards more retreads. And my QT example was less about debating his merits and more about illustrating a maverick filmmaker that has often violated the sacred rule of overlong scenes heavy with dialogue. I also violate that rule. Eveliendorien Twins... or are they? I never see them together in the same post. And that picture could be photoshopped.
@Dan if Denis were the nest Chris he would be shooting on film.
All opinions stated are joint statements between Evelien & Dorien, haha. While you might not see much difference in both pics, we can assure you there’s quite a few. With regards to remakes, the need to suddenly prequel, sequel, spinoff,... we feel they’re way overdue a time in the freezer. We’re the types of people who don’t feel the need to flesh out every single character of every single movie with a 3 hour (usually bad) feature or series. It saturates an already very crowded market to a very limited number of releases
Twins: Quite right!
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E-Twins: You'd be invited to my screening room anytime, and I'd even serve the popcorn! Well, I don't actually serve the popcorn, but my monkey does! (Please tip him well...he has a big family.)
We’ll take you up on that offer!
Some good points made here Phillip. I will say that, sadly, as long as the big Hollywood studios feel like money can be made by these reboots, then we are going to see them. And as A.S. mentioned, there are plenty of outlets for smaller (in the eyes of big studio) works like Netlfix and iTunes and the such. No need to fear making your project because Sony won't like it or like it but not finance it because it won't draw BIG $$. Which is why this world today in filmmaking is just so awesome it hurts. LOL
As far as "mere mortals' go, they should always reach for the stars and then try to touch them. Believe or not, talky, as well as innovative films existed long before QT showed his doughy face. We all have influences that come out in our work. However, first endeavor to write with soul, passion and originality; and see where that takes you.
Netflix has some GREAT originals. A comedy I watched recently was Special Correspondents (written by Ricky Gervais ) and a horror movie I watched last night, Rogue, about a monster croc in an Australian creek, ticked all the boxes. I don't know if Rogue is strictly Hollywood. I think it is a US/Australian collaboration, but it certainly ticked all the boxes.
We especially remember the following from the article. "After a summer where franchises and reboots have suffered diminishing returns, audiences in recent weeks have been embracing anything that seems new and original. "
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Each one of those remakes puts 200 - 300 people to work for 10 - 20 weeks and results in around $5 - $15 million in salaries. Those salaries help pay mortgages and rents; medical and prescription drug bills; car and house repairs; school tuitions and entertainment expenditures; and restaurant meals and groceries. Those payments trickle down to auto mechanics, appliance repair people, doctors, teachers, entertainers, and restaurant and grocery store owners, who in turn pay their staffs, who then pay for their sets of bills. And on and on. And the taxes, of course, pay for police, fire and school personnel, and help support roads, water, and utilities. It's an amazing thing, how a film like Ben-Hur can keep thousands of families paying their bills for a long time, and keep society's infrastructure going, too. May the heavens continue to bless those who make Big-Budget Films and Re-Makes! In the meantime....there are at least 15 very good independent films playing in the Las Vegas theaters right now, too - just as many as the number of Big Budget Films and Big-Budget Re-Makes. I would suggest you go see them - many are very good! I love this world!
The movie is a classic. What the heck was they thinking.
I know - that chariot race was amazing, and Francis X. Bushman was fantastic! Why the hell did they ever remake a classic film and cast Heston? MISTAKE!
Maybe they can use the eleven million to restore the 1925 silent movie version.
Why would one bother going to see Ben Hur?... The trailer disappoints.
I think you had a back lash because you only asked for 30 minutes to be cut. I watched the premiere with him attending, and as wonderful as he is, his talk was also as long. Sometimes the brakes need to be applied .... even to a genius.
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Thanks for the post Phillip. I will keep some of your advice in mind.
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A.S. - maybe not all spending is good spending, but we live in a capitalist world...America was founded thanks to weapons.....and we're all still animals....well...you know how it works. On the flipside...the new Godzilla film is due out soon....it's the 31st Godzilla film....and I think they are already working on the next one. I bet any writer on this site would have loved to be one of the writers who got $500,000 each to co-write the next one.
A.S. - at least here in Las Vegas we get a nice balance of independent films and Big Studio Films. You should have a nice mix, too, in Seattle. I spent a lot of time there around ten years ago. Are The Big Picture, Cinerama, Grand Illusion still around? And isn't there another place where they play independent films....the Film Center? I hope they are all still around.
A little Ben Hur Follow up. Though it may have provided jobs, it may also lose some for people as well. https://www.yahoo.com/movies/ben-hur-could-lose-100-million-box-office-1...
Larry was knocked out during the filming of the chariot race in The Three Stooges Meet Hercules. Luckily, he survived. Just some chariot race information I know as West Coast President of The Three Stooges Fan Club!
Absolutely! I agreed with you, Phillip. I'd rather watch the master's original - Seven Samurai and the classic Ben-Hur.
Tao: Awesome!