Nice to hear your story. All our stories are similar in some ways and totally different in others. I am centered around making films that do more than just entertain or make us forget about our problems. I want to make films that offer possible solutions to the problems we face in the world today. I want to make movies that matter, movies that are more than just movies, movies that are a movement, a movement for positive change. I am always looking for others that feel the same way, because I truly believe that it is the future of the industry, and I doubt very much that the studios or big productions companies will understand.
MZ. REBECCA !!!! You already know that I am one of your biggest fans, as I'm probably one of your many fans always bombarding your inbox, responding to your newsletters. I was gonna send you a personal email responding to this post, but I thought to post here as a public comment to further affirm the important work you are doing. Thank you so much for sharing your story of self in this way. It's so humbling to know that a leader and luminary like you in our field is offering all this wisdom and support so readily. I've been reading Dear Producer since 2020, and it is one of the biggest sources of inspiration for me to navigate the uncertainties of filmmaking journey. Thank you for validating the importance of continuing to tell our original stories, in spite of what the market says. I remember Ravish Kumar said in WHILE WE WATCHED something along the lines of: "Sometimes, it's not about winning the battle. Sometimes, it's about saying that someone was there to fight the good fight." YOU ARE FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT, and I believe that our communities will win. Yes! Sending infinite luvvv and gratitude! Biggest hugs always for all that you are <3 xoxoxo/Set Hernandez
As an up-and-coming producer, I constantly question what the runway for us, and for whoever comes after me, will be. The usual assistant path exists but it is hard, there is a slow down and we keep our hopes up by saying survive till 'xx. Thanks for this new space and I hope to keep on learning and growing.
Appreciate this post, and think you bring up some very valid points! This is a slight tangent but it's been on my mind. I read this article which I found quite fascinating. https://www.matthewball.co/all/movies2024 Especially the part about foreign markets having little or no decline in cinema attendance. The question in our session this week was asked "How many times have you been to the cinema in the last week". And while my answer was none, I have been to the cinema 13 times this year, that's far more than I do anything else. I don't go to sporting events, I've been to one live music event, 2 theatre events. Why do we have to go to the cinema every week to make it more viable? That article says that the average American now spends $117 on sporting events, and only $15 on movies per year, but is that because sporting events are more expensive? Or is it because there's more of a community and culture around sport?
I also had a really interesting conversation with a regional cinema owner a little while ago, who only had one screen. He said to me that he knew if he played a movie aimed at the 50+ market that he would been able to fill his cinema during weekday times. But he had a contract with a major title that he had to play this movie 3 times per day even though his theatre sat empty. And I can't help but think we can't compare the box office of that smaller film that could have had bums on seats but didn't have an opportunity to play, to a film that has the budget to book out a one screen cinema for weeks on end. Is it really that no one wants to watch drama or is it that it doesn't have a chance to play at smaller chains where is could potentially be making a decent amount of money? Zone of interest, and Anatomy of a Fall both made a decent amount at the Box office (Low in the USA, but worldwide $52mil for Zone of Interest) and they were both extremely heavy dramas, and with no big names in them either. I'm based in Australia so my point of view is a little different, and I'm still learning about this industry, but can't help but feel a lot of things don't make sense. x
Very thoughtful. Also a quite touching piece of writing. I sincerely thank you Rebecca and send my regrets hearing about the cancer issue you had to face with family. We have our life battles and they do not stop for production.
I am on a train on my way to teach a Producing class at Temple in Philly. Even one class a week as an adjunct is a challenge to keep up with the changes you have noted. The one thing that has not changed is the requirement for passion. ‘Never say yes to a film unless you are willing to spend the next 2 1/2 years of your life making it - wrong, make that 8 years.’ That is my Tip #1 to students - stay with it Rebecca. Will join the yrly. dc
Thanks for sharing, Rebecca. I moved to LA in March of 2009. The Canon 5D mk II had just come out. I felt like Adrien Brody chasing the train off the platform in The Darjeeling Limit. The ground feels like it’s constantly shifting under my feet, but 15 years later I’m finally directing my first feature!
Keep up the good work. As a producer building our company to stand independently as a major priority for me, your advocacy is much appreciated.
I found this paragraph to be very inspirational: "Despite all the challenges that come with being a producer, I love making movies. For me, it’s less about the final product and more about the process. While it’s daunting to have to start from nothing with each film, I love that I get to build new teams, work with a variety of collaborators, and tell an array of stories that personally resonate with me. I love that filmmaking has taken me to parts of the world that as a kid I never thought I’d see in real life. I love all the random things I have to learn to bring a story to the screen such as figuring out who the tallest man in the United States was when casting the “Tall It” in IT FOLLOWS or learning about the history of Buffalo when I needed characters to drive through a field of Buffalo in DOWNTOWN OWL (thank you Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota). While I can never plan too far ahead, I love that no two years of my life look the same. Yes, it’s stressful to not know where my next paycheck is coming from, but there is no monotony in producing. More than anything, I value my freedom of choice above all. The freedom to only work with those who inspire and respect me, the freedom to move about the world, and the freedom to express my values as a creative person, educator, and leader. "
Nice to hear your story. All our stories are similar in some ways and totally different in others. I am centered around making films that do more than just entertain or make us forget about our problems. I want to make films that offer possible solutions to the problems we face in the world today. I want to make movies that matter, movies that are more than just movies, movies that are a movement, a movement for positive change. I am always looking for others that feel the same way, because I truly believe that it is the future of the industry, and I doubt very much that the studios or big productions companies will understand.
MZ. REBECCA !!!! You already know that I am one of your biggest fans, as I'm probably one of your many fans always bombarding your inbox, responding to your newsletters. I was gonna send you a personal email responding to this post, but I thought to post here as a public comment to further affirm the important work you are doing. Thank you so much for sharing your story of self in this way. It's so humbling to know that a leader and luminary like you in our field is offering all this wisdom and support so readily. I've been reading Dear Producer since 2020, and it is one of the biggest sources of inspiration for me to navigate the uncertainties of filmmaking journey. Thank you for validating the importance of continuing to tell our original stories, in spite of what the market says. I remember Ravish Kumar said in WHILE WE WATCHED something along the lines of: "Sometimes, it's not about winning the battle. Sometimes, it's about saying that someone was there to fight the good fight." YOU ARE FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT, and I believe that our communities will win. Yes! Sending infinite luvvv and gratitude! Biggest hugs always for all that you are <3 xoxoxo/Set Hernandez
As an up-and-coming producer, I constantly question what the runway for us, and for whoever comes after me, will be. The usual assistant path exists but it is hard, there is a slow down and we keep our hopes up by saying survive till 'xx. Thanks for this new space and I hope to keep on learning and growing.
Appreciate this post, and think you bring up some very valid points! This is a slight tangent but it's been on my mind. I read this article which I found quite fascinating. https://www.matthewball.co/all/movies2024 Especially the part about foreign markets having little or no decline in cinema attendance. The question in our session this week was asked "How many times have you been to the cinema in the last week". And while my answer was none, I have been to the cinema 13 times this year, that's far more than I do anything else. I don't go to sporting events, I've been to one live music event, 2 theatre events. Why do we have to go to the cinema every week to make it more viable? That article says that the average American now spends $117 on sporting events, and only $15 on movies per year, but is that because sporting events are more expensive? Or is it because there's more of a community and culture around sport?
I also had a really interesting conversation with a regional cinema owner a little while ago, who only had one screen. He said to me that he knew if he played a movie aimed at the 50+ market that he would been able to fill his cinema during weekday times. But he had a contract with a major title that he had to play this movie 3 times per day even though his theatre sat empty. And I can't help but think we can't compare the box office of that smaller film that could have had bums on seats but didn't have an opportunity to play, to a film that has the budget to book out a one screen cinema for weeks on end. Is it really that no one wants to watch drama or is it that it doesn't have a chance to play at smaller chains where is could potentially be making a decent amount of money? Zone of interest, and Anatomy of a Fall both made a decent amount at the Box office (Low in the USA, but worldwide $52mil for Zone of Interest) and they were both extremely heavy dramas, and with no big names in them either. I'm based in Australia so my point of view is a little different, and I'm still learning about this industry, but can't help but feel a lot of things don't make sense. x
Great post. I love origin stories, and while I knew part of yours, nice to read it all the way through and placed in historical context.
Very thoughtful. Also a quite touching piece of writing. I sincerely thank you Rebecca and send my regrets hearing about the cancer issue you had to face with family. We have our life battles and they do not stop for production.
I am on a train on my way to teach a Producing class at Temple in Philly. Even one class a week as an adjunct is a challenge to keep up with the changes you have noted. The one thing that has not changed is the requirement for passion. ‘Never say yes to a film unless you are willing to spend the next 2 1/2 years of your life making it - wrong, make that 8 years.’ That is my Tip #1 to students - stay with it Rebecca. Will join the yrly. dc
Thanks for sharing, Rebecca. I moved to LA in March of 2009. The Canon 5D mk II had just come out. I felt like Adrien Brody chasing the train off the platform in The Darjeeling Limit. The ground feels like it’s constantly shifting under my feet, but 15 years later I’m finally directing my first feature!
thank you for sharing! also Joe is a great soul.
Thanks for your post today.
Keep up the good work. As a producer building our company to stand independently as a major priority for me, your advocacy is much appreciated.
I found this paragraph to be very inspirational: "Despite all the challenges that come with being a producer, I love making movies. For me, it’s less about the final product and more about the process. While it’s daunting to have to start from nothing with each film, I love that I get to build new teams, work with a variety of collaborators, and tell an array of stories that personally resonate with me. I love that filmmaking has taken me to parts of the world that as a kid I never thought I’d see in real life. I love all the random things I have to learn to bring a story to the screen such as figuring out who the tallest man in the United States was when casting the “Tall It” in IT FOLLOWS or learning about the history of Buffalo when I needed characters to drive through a field of Buffalo in DOWNTOWN OWL (thank you Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota). While I can never plan too far ahead, I love that no two years of my life look the same. Yes, it’s stressful to not know where my next paycheck is coming from, but there is no monotony in producing. More than anything, I value my freedom of choice above all. The freedom to only work with those who inspire and respect me, the freedom to move about the world, and the freedom to express my values as a creative person, educator, and leader. "