Today I saw COYOTE VS. ACME.
On a side note, go see it in the theaters for two reasons:
1. It helps solidify the message to companies like Warner Bros. that they should not shelve movies for tax purposes and should let people's hard work be seen and enjoyed by audiences. Looking at you, Batgirl...
2. It's pretty enjoyable. Legitimately laughed in places.
Now, for those of you who are uninitiated, the general story of most of the Wile E. Coyote cartoons involved his relentless pursuit of the Road Runner. And, you could question why this character would spend all that money on Acme products to try to catch the Road Runner and instead use it to Door Dash meals for himself, and I'd simply argue that he lives outside the delivery area.
The cartoons themselves are pretty formulaic. So much so, Chuck Jones compiled a list of nine rules that must be followed in these cartoons. They are as follows:
Chuck Jones’ 9 Rules for Coyote and Road-Runner Cartoons
1. The Road-Runner cannot harm the Coyote except by going “beep-beep!”
2. No outside force can harm the Coyote—only his own ineptitude or the failure of Acme products.
3. The Coyote could stop anytime—if he were not a fanatic. (Repeat: “A fanatic is one who redoubles his effort when he has forgotten his aim.” –George Santayana)
4. No dialogue ever, except “beep-beep!”
5. The Road-Runner must stay on the road—otherwise, logically, he would not be called Road-Runner.
6. All action must be confined to the natural environment of the two characters—the southwest American desert.
7. All materials, tools, weapons, or mechanical conveniences must be obtained from the Acme Corporation.
8. Whenever possible, make gravity the Coyote’s greatest enemy.
9. The Coyote is always more humiliated than harmed by his failures.
At this point, you're probably mentally scrolling to see if any of the Chuck Jones-era Wile E. Coyote/Road Runner cartoons violate any of these rules. I couldn't think of any. If you do, let me know.
But, it got me thinking: What are some of your filmmaking rules? You know, the ones on-set (or post-production, pre-production, really whatever) that you adhere to? For example, one of my rules is that the crew eats before me. They are hard working and are most-likely due on set way before anyone else after meals. So they eat first.
What are some of your rules?
Doug Kayne "Shelve for tax purposes" is socialist propaganda, I first saw "Occupy Cinema" assert it on this film and see it repeated everywhere. The tax code already allows a full write-off of the production funds. This film's release was delayed because the producer wanted to be paid what it was worth instead of allowing it to be undercut. No one, especially filmmakers should sell their product for less than what it is worth. The more a distributor pays for your film, the more likely they're going to get it into theaters and promote it to more people. That's always been a fact in film.
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Shadow Dragu-Mihai The Hollywood Reporter has a different take on it (as found here: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/batgirl-hbo-max-movi...). As the article states: "Batgirl was a casualty of new corporate strategy from Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who opted to shelve the project in order to take a tax write-down on the $90 million film, multiple sources tell The Hollywood Reporter." This is not "socialist propaganda", this is what happened.
Doug Kayne Sure, but it's nonsense. The tax laws permit a 100% write off election on a film, AND they allow a 100% deduction in the first year your film gets to market, AND revenues are discounted 20% before taxes. So assertions that films are ever delayed for "tax reasons" are nonsense. There may be other factors in play for a delay in release but no CEO is going to tell HR what those really are (nor should they).
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That does not change the reason for the movie being shelved, Shadow Dragu-Mihai. Your assertion just hammers home the point I’m making.
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Great post, Doug, on all levels. When C v. A was shelved because of a corpoarate tax decision (and it was) it was at a time when WB was not being actively pursued by buyers and needed to cut losses. As you've noted it was not the first film shelved after completion and not the last. Many films get shelved at other studios but it is extremely rare that completed films never see distribution of some kind.
I enjoyed the film and was sure to see it opening weekend to help make the point that WB screwed up. Many compare it to WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, it is not of that level, but it is good, and funny.
I also love the "crew eats first" rule. Food on set is of utmost importance and I'm sure your crew appreciates it.
One pf ,my rules is that all department heads get a one on one meeting to discuss their department's budget. Sounds simple but it's surprising how many do not have financial facts to properly understand why decisions are being made (especially ahead of when they may be needed to ask for more).
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Thanks, Laurie Ashbourne. One of the horrible things about the projects being shelved is also echoed by streaming services removing content: Those who work on it have no record of their hard work and dedication. My made-for-TV movie is nowhere on cable, streaming, online, etc. If I didn’t have a copy, there would be no way to watch it. That’s part of the greater tragedy.
Switching gears, that’s a great rule to have. It definitely outlines the importance of each department, and one-on-one meetings like that shows them that they are a valued part of the production.