Interesting article I found linked. Quite an ambitious guy.
QuoteWinning Oscar is on teen's 'to-do' list
By BRYNN GRIMLEY
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
He spent the last year and a half writing a screenplay for a feature-length film.
He secured a wing of Swedish Medical Center in Ballard so his movie could be shot in a realistic setting.
He's now managing a production budget of $75,000 and a staff of 15, most of whom range in age from their 20s to their late 50s.
One more thing: He's 17 years old.
"I am the one who has to make the decisions and I'm the youngest one on the set," said Jesse Harris, who will be a senior at Ballard High School this fall. "I'm in control of the adults, so it's interesting."
Harris said he based his film-to-be, "Living Life," on experiences he's observed around him. The movie follows a 17-year-old boy after he is diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer, chronicling the way his life and the lives of his family and friends are changed by his inevitable death.
"The message is to show you really just have to live your life -- to do everything you can with the time you have," Harris said.
Which is exactly how Harris has approached his goals.
At age 8, he created his own detective series called "Sam Spud" and filmed it with a neighbor's borrowed video camera.
By middle school, he had formed an acting class for elementary school pupils who performed plays in Ballard. He also became well-known as "Jesse the Magician," an act so popular he made $150 a show.
By the age of 15, Harris already had completed numerous documentaries, commercials, shorts and a one-hour drama, "Sara Jane," which won a Texas film festival award.
After that, he said it was only logical to take the next step to feature filmmaking.
" 'Sara Jane' was submitted to the festival but wasn't made for money. It was made for my own experience," Harris said. "I think (the award) is what partially inspired me to do a bigger production."
But before he could begin that production, Harris needed funding. He raised some money through family and friends, but the bulk of his budget came out of his college fund. He persuaded his parents to turn the money over to him now because of his drive to become a director and to make "Living Life" a success.
Bud Harrington, the 59-year-old co-producer of "Sara Jane" and "Living Life," said he knows one of Harris' goals has been to direct and produce a feature-length film by the time he turns 20.
Harrington said that although he is co-producer, "Living Life" is Harris' project.
"He's probably one of the most focused people I know," said Harrington, a part-time video producer for the past 15 years. "I would not be surprised at all -- actually, I almost expect it -- he's going to receive an Oscar one day."
To win an Oscar as a director is on Harris' to-do list.
"I want to be a successful director in Hollywood," he said. "Winning an Oscar would be nice, and if I'm starting this early in my life having a career in this business, it's pretty realistic."
Earlier this year, Harris founded his own production company, RainyDay Pictures. He and his production crew have been spending 10 to 12 hours a day over the last three weeks filming "Living Life."
His crew includes Randall Peck, 41, of Seattle, an experienced director of photography who has worked on three other feature films. Peck said he heard from a mutual friend about Harris' screenplay, contacted him and joined the project because he "liked Jesse and liked the script."
Peck said Harris is the most organized director he has worked with in the pre-production planning of the film.
"He can go as far as he wants to," Peck said. "He has a lot more to learn, but we all do. That's what's fun about this business."
Harris planned a $75,000 production budget, which Peck said is common for independent films. He has $50,000 to cover the filming and production of his two-hour movie, but he still needs $25,000 for post-production editing, which he hopes will be done by spring 2004 so he can submit the drama to the Sundance Film Festival and possibly another festival in Toronto.
"There's a lot (of money) to make back," Harris said. "We obviously can't just sell videotapes to friends to make back the money like we did with 'Sara Jane.' "
In part because his college fund was used on the movie, Harris said he doesn't plan to pursue a formal higher education.
"After you've done this, there's not much point to go into film school," he said. "What I need to know I am learning right now. ...
"I wanted to start now. I don't want to wait until after college to get started on my career."
His parents -- Kathy Reichgerdt, a self-employed business consultant, and Frank Harris, a carpenter for the city of Seattle's Parks and Recreation Department -- support their son's decision to forgo an education at a four-year college, but Reichgerdt said she hopes he will attend an intensive one-year film school he visited last year in Los Angeles.
"We decided what he's doing in this month is more valuable than the $50,000 needed to send him to a liberal arts school," she said. "But we also told him we're not a bottomless pit."
Reichgerdt said her son's determination and focus haven't strayed over the years.
"He's always had an interest in putting things together and getting a message across," she said. "He's a child of his generation. He's always liked movies and television."
She also noted that as a director, Harris is respected by adults.
Harrington agrees.
"I don't think they see him as a teenage kid," he said. "They see him as a director who knows what he wants."
With all the production talk, it's easy to forget that Harris has yet to make it through his senior year of high school.
Until he graduates and heads off to Los Angeles, he still has household chores to complete.
"He's still very much 17," said his mother. "We still have the typical parent-kid relationship, and he's always had very clear duties around the house, so we keep him balanced."
She'll be proud of her son no matter what he chooses to do with his career.
"Who knows if he'll be the next Steven Spielberg," she said. "But one thing will lead up to another, and if he doesn't go into film, his experiences will lead him to something else just as good."
JESSE HARRIS AT A GLANCE
Age: 17
Education: Will be a senior at Ballard High School next year
Career objective: To be a successful movie director and win an Oscar
Favorite movies ever made: "October Sky," "Finding Forrester"
Favorite director: Steven Spielberg
Damn rich parents.
I think this calls for a RICH KID SHAKEDOWN!!
aw
The poor bastard doesn't know what he's getting into... ulcer by 22, heart attack by 25, cancer by 28... jeez kid, take your time...
Nick
QuoteCareer objective: To be a successful movie director and win an Oscar
Favorite movies ever made: "October Sky," "Finding Forrester"
Favorite director: Steven Spielberg
*shakes head*
Onomatopoeia, I was thinking the same thing.
Quote from: OnomatopoeiaQuoteCareer objective: To be a successful movie director and win an Oscar
Favorite movies ever made: "October Sky," "Finding Forrester"
Favorite director: Steven Spielberg
*shakes head*
Yeah, exactly. I guess that rules out his films being interesting. Oh well, good for the kid anyway, that he's got a production going.
I was sitting there thinking "Wow, he must have a good taste in movies if...Favorite Director Spielberg...ah nevermind..."
anger.
..last nite over drinks, a mate was tellin me that it ain't healthy to hate rich kids like i do.
really tho, is this reality? expect a burn out by 23. and lots more money, no doubt.
look im a spoiled little bitch no doubt, but my folks would never give me $50 grand for a movie. geez, lucky little bastard.
but really, even if i had the money at that age i dont think i would do it. i wouldnt be ready. ive read stuff ive written at 16 and its laughably lame. besides, i think in order to make a good film u have to go out there and experience life, travel, read stuff... i cant imagine this kid has done much of any of that, but i may be wrong.
favorite movie finding forrester? pfft... his movie's gonna flop.
It's too good a story to flop. Even if it's a shitcan movie, some newspaper could make it into a great article, and all of a sudden people will give the kid money to make another. And since he sings the praises of the 'Berg, maybe he will be looked on even more friendly. See, it's a perfect story to help make the kid in Hollywood. Kinda like how Ben and Matt beat out PTA for best script in 1997. It was such a great "story" of these two actor buddies who wrote this "wonderful" script. Fuck. It makes me kinda sad.
As I said before though, anybody making ANYTHING when he's 17... that's pretty amazing.
That was my plan. I was supposed to make my first feature right out of high school -- 16mm B&W. I was going to use my college money. I'd written 3 feature-length scripts at that point. Money didn't happen. And since back then there was no decent consumer DV technology, you had to shoot 16mm. The last short I did on mini-DV cost $50 -- if it was 16mm it would've been an easy $10,000. People don't realize how lucky they are right now.
At 17 though, you'd expect the kid to have a harder edge. Finding Forrester and October Skies? Please.
I don't take this any more seriously than that little girl who was hailed as a genius painter for doing stuff that resembled Picasso. It's all hype.
Last year, when I was sixteen, I had a feature I wrote produced by a director in Canada, who was also sixteen. It was a fairly dark piece [it was weird, actually, let's be honest]. We are going to be submitting it to Sundance 2004, most probably.
We made it on nothing though, like, on the good will of others. We got given the cameras [I think he shot on D9], the sets, the studio space. Everything. The performances.
Since then though, we've both sort of come to the realisation that it isn't the best thing either of us have ever done. The performances are very monotonous, and the script was pretty choppy and all over the shot. We've written better things since. How could it be bona fide brilliance? We were too young when we wrote it. We began developing the story when we were fifteen!
Anyway, what I wanted to throw out there was, if you did have one of these "wunderkind" stories, would you milk it for all it was worth?
Of course I would. That was the point. But the truth is, I don't think the wunderkind thing is such a great idea. I think in the shadow of Orson Welles there's like this media propaganda about making it really young. The problem is, most people don't have anything to say that young. And it's not a matter of making a feature at that age, it's a matter of making a good feature. Although it's been a lot of hard work, I'm kind of glad it didn't happen when I was 18. I'll do it when the pieces come together. Scripts are there. I know I can do 'em. I'd just rather do 'em right.
One thing to REALLY think about is how many indie movies get made each year. How many of them are ever released? Think of all the people trying to become directors. How many really make it? Of the thousands in the last decade, maybe a dozen have actually gone on to do bigger and better things... Technology is more widely available than ever. Doesn't mean there's any more talent though. And nobody makes it strictly on talent, no matter how good you are.
Heh, this would be a good story if he had gotten someone to front the cash for him to make the movie. The fact is, it's mainly his money (college fund) and he's spending it by shooting some story about "life observation" on film? C'mon, the kid is 17, what kind of mindblowing outlook on life could he possibly have? What a waste of cash.
Quote from: Pexpect a burn out by 23.
cocaine being his downfall...
...late hollywood nights, no energy, lotsa moola.....what can I do?
I find nothing wrong with making big movies like then when you're 17, but don't act like you're something else. It looks to me like this kid is trying to front like he's all perceptive, and he's got some great outlook on life, when we all doubt that he does (and plus we're jealous, at least I know I am). They say "Write what you know." If the kid knows some great profound things, great. If he doesn't, but he still tries to write something, then it comes off lame. And the same goes for everyone. That's why I a lot of times I don't try to "say something" important in my scripts, because frankly, what I have to say it's that amazing and pertinent in society these days. But what ever happened to art for the sake of art? One thing I loved and still love about Seinfeld is that at the end of the day, there's no hugging or crying, meaning there's no "oh, he's engaged, let's all go 'awww'" or "uh oh, Kramer got his feelings hurt. Play the sad music!" And I think if you don't have a great outlook on things to reveal in a film, then just make it cuz you love making film! Why am I saying all this? I totally forgot.
Quote from: LinkI find nothing wrong with making big movies like then when you're 17, but don't act like you're something else. It looks to me like this kid is trying to front like he's all perceptive, and he's got some great outlook on life, when we all doubt that he does (and plus we're jealous, at least I know I am). They say "Write what you know." If the kid knows some great profound things, great. If he doesn't, but he still tries to write something, then it comes off lame. And the same goes for everyone. That's why I a lot of times I don't try to "say something" important in my scripts, because frankly, what I have to say it's that amazing and pertinent in society these days. But what ever happened to art for the sake of art? One thing I loved and still love about Seinfeld is that at the end of the day, there's no hugging or crying, meaning there's no "oh, he's engaged, let's all go 'awww'" or "uh oh, Kramer got his feelings hurt. Play the sad music!" And I think if you don't have a great outlook on things to reveal in a film, then just make it cuz you love making film! Why am I saying all this? I totally forgot.
maybe this belongs in the what is/isnt art discussion
i'd love to see chris smith make a doc off of this kid. that'd be something.
Quote from: TheVoiceOfNickThe poor bastard doesn't know what he's getting into... ulcer by 22, heart attack by 25, cancer by 28... jeez kid, take your time...
But he wants to "live life".. most likely a la Finding Forrester (except with lots of money). Which is more than depressing.
Quote from: ewardi'd love to see chris smith make a doc off of this kid. that'd be something.
...or Terry Zwigoff.
Quote from: ewardchris smith
woohooo...one of my alum.....oh wait, I bailed out early....ah....cool to see his name mentioned though.
Quote from: aclockworkjjQuote from: ewardchris smith
woohooo...one of my alum.....oh wait, I bailed out early....ah....cool to see his name mentioned though.
maybe had you not pulled out early he wouldnt be one of your alum butt a steady bum bum drum...
the thread forum or whatever is called "in the can"
say my name say my name
pee annointed me sew whore knee and it must follow that eye love u long tyme
Maybe this is where we revive the Jennifer Connelly "ass to ass" conversation.
Quote from: Jeremy Blackman
Quote from: ewardi'd love to see chris smith make a doc off of this kid. that'd be something.
...or Terry Zwigoff.
ooh, even better...
I'm 15 years old and soon I'll start to shoot a short (see thread "Some questions").
But curiously I never had the desire to go to Hollywood as a filmmaker. I don't know, for me it's like a factory of nightmare. I mean, when I'll be someday a real director (hopefully) I don't want to end in Hollywood as big blockbuster director.
I would like to be an independent filmmaker, who makes small low-budget-films.
My favourite films are "Magnolia", "A Clockwork Orange", "Once Upon a Time in America", "Taxi Driver" and "Heavenly Creatures" and my favourite directors are Peter Jackson, P.T. Anderson and Martin Scorsese.
Quote from: SpikeI'm 15 years old and soon I'll start to shoot a short (see thread "Some questions").
But curiously I never had the desire to go to Hollywood as a filmmaker. I don't know, for me it's like a factory of nightmare. I mean, when I'll be someday a real director (hopefully) I don't want to end in Hollywood as big blockbuster director.
I would like to be an independent filmmaker, who makes small low-budget-films.
My favourite films are "Magnolia", "A Clockwork Orange", "Once Upon a Time in America", "Taxi Driver" and "Heavenly Creatures" and my favourite directors are Peter Jackson, P.T. Anderson and Martin Scorsese.
i wish u lots of luck. i think u have the right idea in attempting to make small, low-budget independent films in ur own country. and who knows, one day if u make a good one, u might get the opportunity to jump back and forth between hollywood mainstream stuff and ur own, kinda like what lee tamahori did w/ once were warriors, or what ang lee used to do.
remember ur still really young, and have plenty of time.
wow ©banger, i didn't know u knew lee tamahori. is that common knowledge out there? well, i'm impressed u gave him a shout out.
well we watched once were warriors in contemp. film criticism, so that's how i was introduced to him. im not sure how well known he is around here, but i know a couple of my buddies in england were very familiar w/ once were warriors, which is a remarkable film.
it's pretty well known over here, it's been on tv several times.
Quote from: SpikeI'm 15 years old and soon I'll start to shoot a short (see thread "Some questions").
But curiously I never had the desire to go to Hollywood as a filmmaker. I don't know, for me it's like a factory of nightmare. I mean, when I'll be someday a real director (hopefully) I don't want to end in Hollywood as big blockbuster director.
I would like to be an independent filmmaker, who makes small low-budget-films.
My favourite films are "Magnolia", "A Clockwork Orange", "Once Upon a Time in America", "Taxi Driver" and "Heavenly Creatures" and my favourite directors are Peter Jackson, P.T. Anderson and Martin Scorsese.
That's great, man. You're on the right track. Just watch absolutely everything you can (old, indie, foreign, cult), and keep up the love of movies!!! Oh, and check out the local university library for their film section. Usually you can use your public library card to check stuff out (I think...). There's lots of killer books to add insight we just may not be able to get to those older flicks.
Quote from: SpikeI don't know, for me it's like a factory of nightmare. I mean, when I'll be someday a real director (hopefully) I don't want to end in Hollywood as big blockbuster director. I would like to be an independent filmmaker, who makes small low-budget-films.
:-D :yabbse-thumbup:
Quote from: mutinyco
One thing to REALLY think about is how many indie movies get made each year. How many of them are ever released? Think of all the people trying to become directors. How many really make it? Of the thousands in the last decade, maybe a dozen have actually gone on to do bigger and better things... Technology is more widely available than ever. Doesn't mean there's any more talent though. And nobody makes it strictly on talent, no matter how good you are.
Yeah, I've thought about this fact and it gets me depressed a little, when I think about going and becoming a director.
Quote from: cecil b. dementedmaybe this belongs in the what is/isnt art discussion
I tried searching for that thread...I can't find it. Links, anyone? I'd like to read it.
Quote from: ghostboyMaybe this is where we revive the Jennifer Connelly "ass to ass" conversation.
What was that discussion about?
And overall, I think this kid's reach exceeds his grasp (pardon the idiom). I mean, he's just
too ambitious. Even if he is talented, look how far Orson Welles got...the guy had great movies, but his career eventually fizzled out. This kid says he'd rather not start his career after college. I can't wait to start college(two Mondays from now, fuck yea), and I really don't wanna make any big productions until I get out. Know why? So I can live a little, fuck around, party my ass off, instead of making pretentious movies about some perspective I read about or saw on television. Sure, I'll get my feet wet on some shorts. But you shouldn't go from Sam Spud to some Sara Jane drama (he made his friends
pay for it? what a dickhead) to a feature film. He should at least make it a comedy first. There's room that people could enjoy it.
Quote from: GamblorQuote from: cecil b. dementedmaybe this belongs in the what is/isnt art discussion
I tried searching for that thread...I can't find it. Links, anyone? I'd like to read it.
http://xixax.com/viewtopic.php?t=2982
Quote from: GamblorQuote from: ghostboyMaybe this is where we revive the Jennifer Connelly "ass to ass" conversation.
What was that discussion about?
Not worth bringing up again.
Thanks for the link, MacGuffin. And now I am curious. I'm gonna find that Connelly topic, if it still exists.
I'm finding it funny that so many here believe good art is predicated on living a fully lived life. Doesn't work that way. It's more intrinsic than that. At the end of the day, you either have it or you don't. You don't "get it" through the course of time. Your artistic maturation relies on perception, not experience.
Hard work is a factor. As is trial and error. But passion is probably most important, whether you're young or old, smart or a bit slow...
Quote from: GamblorAnd now I am curious. I'm gonna find that Connelly topic, if it still exists.
Even ass-man, Mr. Xixax, was repulsed:
http://xixax.com/viewtopic.php?t=2581
Again, thanks for the link. Yeah, not too great of a topic.
Quote from: SalYour artistic maturation relies on perception, not experience.
It's easier to "perceive" if you "experience." No, not impossible if you don't experience, but easier if you do.
Quote from: SoNowThenHard work is a factor. As is trial and error. But passion is probably most important, whether you're young or old, smart or a bit slow...
effort is a factor in success.. but not in quality of work. Sal's right about perception, or insight. what u bring to the table and how u lay it down may be perfected with experience, and u can get away with bringing disposable fluff if u can make a big show of it.
the role of the young artist (in an industry) is that of a whore.. the trick is to serve the paying customer in a way that gives u most satisfaction, that is, to make them want what u want.. instead of simply scratching their basic urge to just get off.
i don't think spike meant for this to become a discussion about art/truth/whores, he's just a kid who believes that low-budget independent = integrity. that is not so. as an example, PTA is making films that are anything but hollywood norm, but he's made it with their money.. how did he do this? as i was saying, he wanted sumthing and made others want it too. his experience in the biz has only increased the number of ppl he's seduced. kubrick got to the point where just his name was a marketable brand of "good art".
what's special about these ppl and many other artists, is that what they said and how they said it meet in a place that strikes at sumthin inside ppl which regardless of time must eventually be recognized. supposedly this was their ambition, who's to say how happy they are anyway about their work and the reaction? So back to our Spike, if u want to assign urself to a specific budget-bracket and popularity-level, ur only feeding into the lie that
(in increasing magnitude):
- u must sacrifice integrity for success
- art/beauty is a factor of reaction and not essential truth
- money wins
even tho spike didn't want a lecture on art and modern times, i want to conclude, it's ur choice and duty to find sum inner voice, to amplify it and color it how u please. the only condition is that u feed it passionately with what is right (not necessarily
good morally, like focussing on a darkness), if u want to grow old with it.. there is no way of knowing how many ppl will agree/feel it, or how powerful those ppl will be. of course, modern marketing has made ppl forget these truths.
Professor P, I really enjoyed your lecture today, will you sign my Mission Statement?
I actually agree with most of what you said, though.
Yes, being artistic is intrinsic. But you need to live life in order to experience life and have something to say. That's why so many young directors make trite, shallow, stylized nonsense.
More life lived equals better movies right?
So then PTA should be pretty bad and Joel Schumacher a wiz right? No, this isn't the case. Why is that?
If you need a life under your belt to make good films then young people shouldn't even try right? And if they do they should make the films with the knowledge from the beginning that it's crap?
I'm a little bit two-minded here. On one hand I totally agree life makes better films but on the other young people can have a unique outlook on life too.
Chris
Quote from: kotte
If you need a life under your belt to make good films then young people shouldn't even try right? And if they do they should make the films with the knowledge from the beginning that it's crap?
I think the point here is the TYPE of movie you make while you are young. It's all about the scope. I'm sorry, but I'm not really too interested in some kid's "observations of life" at 17-years-old. I doubt he has very much to say beyond things that have been said in 500 movies before. Hoping to hit on some resonating truth about how life works that no one has addressed before, especially at that age, seems a bit unlikely.
It's almost like it's some kind of ultimate "wunderkid" fantasy to make some heady film as a teenager and have everyone look at is and say "Holy shit, you know, he's right. I never thought of that before!" like all it needed was just perspective from a younger person. It's not gonna happen.
As a young filmmaker, stick to telling stories and save your ultimate commentary on life for when you have gathered some wisdom and actual life experience.
Quote from: mindfuckAs a young filmmaker, stick to telling stories and save your ultimate commentary on life for when you have gathered some wisdom and actual life experience.
Yes. That's it. That's what I've wanted to put and haven't found the words. Thank you.
Make great movies with stories while you are young, move into films that have some perspective the more you get some (perspective, that is...).
And both sets of films (young kid super-style vehicles AND older think pieces) can be great.
Quote from: kotteMore life lived equals better movies right?
Think of it like this: I sure as hell wouldn't want Doogie Howser slicing me open.
a seventeen year-old's observations on life are just that: the observations of a seventeen-year old. it doesn't mean he doesn't have an important perspective on life; it just means that it's a seventeen year-old perspective and that people of other age groups might not identify with it. I wouldn't watch Blue's Clues for money, but my 4 year-old cousin gobbles it up. It's all about the target demographic. As far as art goes, fuck defining it.
see: duchamp
see also: yves klein
see also: bruce nauman
see also: damien hirst
BUMP. whoops.
err... alright, i just registered on this forum. found it while i was trying to get more information on this movie.
well, i actually know jesse harris in real life. i went to middle school and i goto the same high school with him right now. and yes, he has a very skewed view of life. im not saying that i know everything about life, but you can just tell by his character that he knows absolutely nothing. he lives his life as a prep kid that has a german shephard, blah blah blah. it's almost as if hes living a TV show. he's rich as fuck - well, at least richer than i am. no way could i ever pull $30,000+ out of a college fund - i mean, jesus christ, i can't believe he sacrificed higher learning for a movie that would've been delayed for maybe a few months.
i actually used to be this guys friend. he then went on to backstab me and made friends with the other asshole upper class white people in my school. i know, its a bit childish to say all this crap, but it really shows what his view of life really is.
Quote from: blahi actually used to be this guys friend. he then went on to backstab me and made friends with the other asshole upper class white people in my school. i know, its a bit childish to say all this crap, but it really shows what his view of life really is.
fuck this kid...like I said, he will be in rehab sooner than later. Your comments make me realize I don't feel bad for talkin' shit about his ass.
ps. Welcome aboard...stay but a while, and show us some of yer style.
yeah... this forum seems interesting enough :D
Holy Shit...I couldn't make it past the first page of this thread for all the bitter jealous bullshit. Someone tell me please that at least someone is on this kid's side.
Bunch of snobs. :roll:
Good for you kid. Let me know if you need help.
Quote from: metroshaneHoly Shit...I couldn't make it past the first page of this thread for all the bitter jealous bullshit. Someone tell me please that at least someone is on this kid's side.
Bunch of snobs. :roll:
Good for you kid. Let me know if you need help.
If you actually listened to what we wrote you would realize we're not jealous snobs. If you think what he's going through is good for a child then I guess you're not big on realizing stuff.
QuoteIf you actually listened to what we wrote you would realize we're not jealous snobs. If you think what he's going through is good for a child then I guess you're not big on realizing stuff.
As I said, I couldn't make it past the first page. And I challenge you to show me anything worth while or productive/constructive on that first page.
Yes Mommy :shock:
Quote from: So NowThenI guess that rules out his films being interesting
I don't know is this is constructive/productive but I think what we've written boils down to this.
And what the fuck do you mean by jealous snobs by the way??? There are many young directors out there we would or should be jealous of, PTA (in his mid 20s when he made Hard Eight) or The Coen Brothers who were in their 20s when they wrote Blood Simple.
How can it be a good thing to do what he's doing at his age? But I guess you're right...it worked out well for Macaulay Culkin.
QuoteI don't know is this is constructive/productive but I think what we've written boils down to this.
If I'm not mistaken, this was in reference to him liking Spielberg. How can anyone claim that none of spielberg's films are interesting? That's just elistest snobbery at it's finest.
QuoteAnd what the fuck do you mean by jealous snobs by the way??? There are many young directors out there we would or should be jealous of, PTA (in his mid 20s when he made Hard Eight) or The Coen Brothers who were in their 20s when they wrote Blood Simple.
OK, then. What should you call it when you haven't seen this kid's films, don't know anything about him...just harp on how he doesn't deserve this opportunity. Why doesn't he deserve it? Why doesn't he deserve the money to do it with? You can't fault him for using his resourses. Anyone would.
QuoteHow can it be a good thing to do what he's doing at his age? B
ut I guess you're right...it worked out well for Macaulay Culkin.
How can you at once support young directors (see above) and then compare young folks to Macauly Culkin in the next paragraph. This is a very weak argument.
Sorry but you're not convincing me.
Quote from: metroshaneQuoteI don't know is this is constructive/productive but I think what we've written boils down to this.
If I'm not mistaken, this was in reference to him liking Spielberg. How can anyone claim that none of spielberg's films are interesting? That's just elistest snobbery at it's finest.
Hahaha. All 'Berg fans get so jittery when you don't like their master. "You must be a snob. Only a SNOB could not like him. Only a SNOB could not see the brilliance in Lost World. SNOB! Fucking SNOB!!"
Nazi. Chill out. I could call you a child for liking him, but I don't. I don't care if you do or not, but seriously, enough with this "If you don't like 'Berg you're a snob" shit. If you're using that as your hard line standard for snobbery, then you are the biggest facist snob of them all.
Read it again. I'm not a huge Spielberg fan and I didn't say that you are a snob if you don't like him. I said to blanketly pronounce all his work as boring and to further say someone who likes him will never produce anything interesting is the highest form of snobbery. It's just as bad as what you described...which I can't for the life of me understand how you drew that parrellel. I don't believe I implied that at all.
And furthermore, from your usage, I gather you haven't the slightest understanding of facism or Nazis. You can attack me ad hominem all you want, but I'm still waiting for a valid reason to dismiss this kid.
Quote from: SoNowThenQuote from: OnomatopoeiaQuoteCareer objective: To be a successful movie director and win an Oscar
Favorite movies ever made: "October Sky," "Finding Forrester"
Favorite director: Steven Spielberg
*shakes head*
Yeah, exactly. I guess that rules out his films being interesting. Oh well, good for the kid anyway, that he's got a production going.
Read what was written again. Maybe if you do it slowly in will sink in.
I think Finding Forrester is a pile, I've rarely-cum-never been interested in 'Berg movies, and if your blinding ambition in cinema is to win an Oscar, I find that a petty mark to set. Now maybe this article just took out the simple points of what the kid said, but reading it makes him sound like a twat to me, and this movie he's proposing is not one I would be excited to see.
And yet, notice the OH WELL, GOOD FOR THE KID ANYWAY part?
And where did I say "someone who likes him will never produce anything interesting"? Put some more words in our mouths...
QuoteAnd where did I say "someone who likes him will never produce anything interesting"? Put some more words in our mouths...
Sorry, I was confused by...
QuoteYeah, exactly. I guess that rules out his films being interesting.
Did you not just read all the above? As I explained, everything the kid said made me totally uninterested in him. Specifically.
HIM.
I didn't make any blanket statement that anybody and everybody who likes Spielberg will be shit. Scorsese likes 'Berg movies, and he's my favorite director.
I think it's amazing that a 17 year old is making a movie and thinking of making something bigger. More power to them! It's not about rich parents but more about connections. I'm sorry but you can't make a film (not DV) without connections into the film world... whether or not you want to go there is your choice. The rest is nickels and dimes. I've had friends make films with their Hollywood friends off the clock... Life experience of a 17 year old is different than a 40 year old... Maybe a wall is just ahead but maybe not?
I think Finding Forrester is great, but I still shook my head, only because October Sky doesn't seem like to ambitious a film to admire, and because, well, winning an Oscar is both short-sighted and unrealistic. It's like Jodie Foster once said, they just put five names in a hat, pull one out, and it's like "BINGO! You won!" There's no rhyme or reason to it, and it's rare that the best actor/actress/picture/whatever really gets it. It's politics.
Quote from: metroshaneQuoteHow can it be a good thing to do what he's doing at his age? But I guess you're right...it worked out well for Macaulay Culkin.
How can you at once support young directors (see above) and then compare young folks to Macauly Culkin in the next paragraph. This is a very weak argument.
Sorry but you're not convincing me.
Well, I'm comparing the 17 year old to Culkin...not PTA...it's a huge difference between 17 and 25...
It's not like the's making a comedy or something...he's starting off with cancer...as a 17 year old! I don't care if he's had alot of cancer in his family...it wont make an interesting film...since he's 17!
Someone here said (don't have the energy to find out who) that you should concentrate on telling a good story and wait with the heavy films about life, loss, regret etc.
You have your opinion, you're entitled to it but SO ARE WE...why are you insulting us with your name calling??
QuoteYou have your opinion, you're entitled to it but SO ARE WE...why are you insulting us with your name calling??
...because your opinions are baseless. I have yet to see a strong argument to why this kid can't make a good film.
QuoteI don't care if he's had alot of cancer in his family...it wont make an interesting film...since he's 17!
That's flat out descrimination. I guess charlette chruch can't sing because she's young. I guess Mozart's early symphonies are bunk. I probably can't compare him to Mozart, but I can't dismiss him either b/c I haven't even given him a chance. Oh yeah, S.E.Hinton's stories suck.
QuoteYou have your opinion, you're entitled to it but SO ARE WE...why are you insulting us with your name calling??
Yes, my opinion is that you are a snob. That's almost as bad as calling someone a facist or nazi :roll:
Quote...because your opinions are baseless. I have yet to see a strong argument to why this kid can't make a good film.
You're not giving good arguments why his film will rock the world.
And we ARE giving good arguments...his age. Sure you can dismiss it but it's still an argument. A good one. As I said, why start off with a film like this and not a comedy or whatever? You need life experience to make deep films and films about cancer are deep.
QuoteThat's flat out descrimination. I guess charlette chruch can't sing because she's young. I guess Mozart's early symphonies are bunk. I probably can't compare him to Mozart, but I can't dismiss him either b/c I haven't even given him a chance. Oh yeah, S.E.Hinton's stories suck.
What do you mean discrimination? I ain't discriminating anyone. It's my opinion. I'm not saying he can't make a film because he's black or chinese. I'm saying he can't make an interesting film about cancer with an original point of view because he's 17.
Sure, Charlette (or whatever her name is) can sing but is she the one who writes the songs? My cousin Sandra can carry a tune like no one else and she's only 6 but I sure as hell don't think she knows what "I will always love you" is about.
QuoteYes, my opinion is that you are a snob. That's almost as bad as calling someone a facist or nazi :roll:
And you're just a nice guy....
QuoteYou're not giving good arguments why his film will rock the world.
I'm sure everyone is facinated by this, so I'll just make my point short. I'm not saying his film will rock anything...it might suck. But, jeez, give the kid a chance.
I'm sorry but age has nothing to do with experience on a certain level. If life experience around cancer is a theme then so be it. Many people I know have experienced things well beyond their age... it just happens. Then again I have experienced much more than most teenagers, but does that entitle me to disregard their projects. Experiencing life through many perspectives is just part of cinema... whether it be 17 years old or 80 years old.
Quote from: WitkacyI'm sorry but age has nothing to do with experience on a certain level.
Sure, but you need a couple of years to express those experiences in an interesting way. There are ten year olds in Iraq or Brazil who have experienced more loss, grief and shit than any of us will in our life time but that won't automatically make him a great filmmaker...but there are exceptions of'course.
Quote from: metroshaneBut, jeez, give the kid a chance.
It's not like we're taking away his legs...he can still make the movie.
everyone should go see "thirteen" and then say that teens have nothing to say, or don't have the life experience yadda blah blah blah...
Granted, nikki reed had some help through catherine hardwicke, but nikki reed was the light on that film.
So maybe we should all step back and say "damn this F***ing kid for having the money and ability to do what I am so far unable to"
Grab your laptops, fire up final draft and churn out your masterpiece then take that DV cam and go shoot it.
Sh*t or get off the pot kids
I remember what I was like at 17, and I can tell ya, I didn't know shit about making a good movie even though I thought I did.
But, you know, that wasn't too long ago. I'm 22 now, and I think I have a pretty decent grasp on things... but in another five years, I'll probably look back and say, I didn't know shit about making a good movie!
So, at some point, you have to take a risk and put yourself and your ideas out there. Sometimes sooner is better than later, sometimes not.
I suspect the kid will try to get away with mimicking the style and emotions of other films and TV shows. It's not that kids have trouble understanding subject matter (such as cancer), but misguided ambition is still misguided, no matter how ambitious. When I was 17, I wanted to make a movie just like Seven because I really admired it, and that's a really terrible goal to have. I'm glad I didn't have the money or resources to make a movie then. It would just be embarrassing.
I think most of the frustration on this board comes from our mature realization that a lot of hard work and pure luck stand in the way of our dream career, and this kid just gets it handed to him. There's a definite sense of unfairness, but his work will eventually have to speak for itself...
On the bright side, at least he's not 16. :wink:
Anyways, I think mindfuck put this all into perspective right before it got started up again by the new guy. And I agree with everything alessandro said too.
Quote from: OnomatopoeiaI think Finding Forrester is great, but I still shook my head, only because October Sky doesn't seem like to ambitious a film to admire.
I would rather he admire and strive for films like "October Sky" than crap like "Charlie's Angels 2." I love "October Sky", it is a very touching/heartfelt movie. It might be a cliched, sappy, tug and the heartstrings movie, but the characters and their modivations are winning. You want them to succeed, feel for them when they fail, and cheer and cry when they finally do what they set out to do. We need more movies like this, and less 'money-modivated' brainless films. More power to this kid if those are the films he wants to make.
For starters guys, hes done a lot of films himself, he knows roughly how it all works. So, it's not like he is any ordinary 17 year old. I expect he has read tons and tons of scripts in his little life so far. He has a lot more knowledge on films than say a 35 year old. So, really his age hasn't got much to do with his film making. As hes more advanced in that area than a lot of people.
Who knows if hes had someone in his family die or battle cancer? You don't know. Also, you don't really know what his film will contain on the subject matter.
But not only that, I've worked in hostpitals before, and when I see films or programmes with some kind of ill health related story, a lot of the time things just don't ring true in them. I saw a film (can't remember what it's called), with a girl who was trying to become an athelete and she got cancer. There was this moment when the doctors were doing something or other to her, and the way in which they did it, was all wrong. I found myself shouting at the tv telling them to do it properly.
I say give the boy a chance, who knows, yeah, he may be shit, but he could be quite good. At the end of the day, if the wants to make films, he's got to start somewhere. Even if it does turn out to be a pile of wank.
well... judge for yourselves, guys:
http://www.rainydaypictures.com
id say that it seems like a well put together movie - you can disregard my obvious slanderous comments and just check out the trailer yourselves. i'm still a bit bitter over what had happened in terms of our friendship though :p
I still think 17 is too young to make a movie about cancer.
It's not jealousy that makes us say these things. Not me anyway. I honestly think the guy is doomed in the industry,
I won't be posting here anymore...we've all proved or points.
I'm jealous. Plus, he doesn't sound as cool as me (though few do). I mean, c'mon, PT Anderson's not his fav director? He must be straight trippin'!
Anne-Sophie Dutoit: 16 going on 40
Age is just a number to Anne-Sophie Dutoit, writer, director and star of 'Faded Memories.'
By Susan King, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
Anne-Sophie Dutoit ran into the same snags and pitfalls the majority of first-time independent filmmakers encounter -- trying to persuade financiers to take a chance on her. It took her a full two years to get money to make "Faded Memories," a drama about a teenager with a phobia of being touched by others.
But what makes Dutoit's experience unique is that she was all of 14 when she wrote "Faded Memories" and 16 when she made the film, budgeted at under $1 million. And not only did she write and direct the film -- leading an ensemble cast and an experienced crew of about 60 -- she also stars in the drama.
"I've always been an outgoing person," Dutoit says. "I just do what I have to do; nothing really impresses me. We're all people, so for me age does not matter. You can be 16, 21, 50 -- age is something to keep order in life. I think you can be who you are at any age."
An avid reader and writer growing up, Dutoit adds that directing has always been in her blood. "I was the one who would gather people together and we would do plays. I would direct and I would be in them."
She got her first experience directing film at 15 when she attended the teen program at the New York Film Academy. "Marked," the seven-minute film she shot while attending the program, won some awards. "That's when I realized I wanted to direct."
Dutoit, the granddaughter of famed conductor Charles Dutoit, is not lacking in confidence. She has her own production company: Anne-Sophie Films, headed by her father, Ivan Dutoit, who is one of the producers of "Faded Memories," which is scheduled to open in limited release in spring or early summer. And on her MySpace page (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=156767009) and her official website, there are clips of her speaking fluent French on a Gallic TV talk show; receiving a film award in Swansea, England, for "Marked"; and directing her cast and crew on "Faded Memories" like she was an old pro.
And she was so determined to make "Faded Dreams" a reality, Dutoit even made a short version of it, "Kara's File," to induce the money men -- private financiers from Montreal who her father says believe in his daughter's ability.
This late afternoon in the Encino home of her editor, Zack Arnold, Dutoit is sitting on the sofa in his editing room, working on a romantic scene between her character of Cassandra and 22-year-old Brock Kelly ("Days of Our Lives") who plays her love interest, Lucas. Just like any teenager, Dutoit blushes when asked if this is her first on-screen kiss. "No," she says with a giggle.
Arnold finds collaborating with Dutoit no different than working with an older, more experienced director.
"Honestly, it's just about the same as working with any other director who knows what they want. It's one of those things when you work with somebody who knows what they want. They know the vocabulary and the language. She could be 40 years old and be accomplished and there wouldn't be much of a difference, except that we can't have a Champagne toast!"
Dutoit has been in front of the cameras performing since she was a 1-year-old who appeared in a commercial for Coke. When she was still young, the Santa Monica native and her family moved to Montreal.
"My parents wanted me to be like a kid," Dutoit says. But at 12, she yearned to return to acting and told her parents she wanted to move back to Los Angeles. "At 13, I started acting again and going to auditions," she explains.
She was inspired to write "Faded Memories" because she found most movies she was seeing to be boring. "I wanted to see another kind of movie," Dutoit says. "I started writing a movie I wanted to see and what my friends would want to see. I based my character on people I knew and feelings that I felt. Everybody kind of feels lonely in their life."
Dutoit's father, who had been a script doctor and content analyst for several Canadian film institutions, says that with "Faded Memories," he hopes her films will take off and she'll make a series of movies. "She is trying to change the teen market. She wants to make a difference. She even has some special-ed people in the movie. She has this ability to make things possible. She doesn't have 10 or 20 years' experience as to where the camera should be and how to deal with actors. But she has this organic approach and knows what she wants."
Dutoit had no problems, she says matter of factly, working both in front of and behind the camera. "I have monitors so I can check my performance. "I was really prepared for my part. I could easily get in my character and get out and just be me directing."
The film was shot over three weeks this summer in various locations in the Los Angeles area on high-definition video.
"I like to see my dailies," Dutoit says. "And I really love shooting with HD. For my other movie, I shot on Super 16 and that is totally a different process because you have to wait" to see dailies.
Dutoit has a younger brother with whom she is very close, and two dogs. She admits that growing up she loved the comedy "A Night at the Roxbury." Her two favorite films are "Titanic" and "The Notebook." Her father says that she is becoming interested in boys, but she seems mostly focused on writing and making movies. His daughter has made some good friends since moving back to L.A., but her being "so young and doing so much, there are some acceptance problems. Some of her best friends are special ed. She doesn't really care about social status."
Besides, Ivan Dutoit says his precocious daughter is following in the footsteps of his own father, who decided at 11 to become an orchestra conductor. "He became one of the world's greatest conductors, and has been relentless at it for 50 years and he never took no for an answer."
Dutoit graduated early from high school last June and is set to start majoring in psychology at Santa Monica City College in January; she is hoping to finish the psych degree at Stanford University. She decided not to major in cinema, because "psychology would help me to deal with actors."
And she's already written her next film, for which she is thinking of a title. "I am planning on shooting it in the summer. It's a period piece. I just finished the script. Man, for me, when I'm inspired I'm crazy. It took me two days to do the first draft!"
Quote from: Dutoit's father
"She even has some special-ed people in the movie."
"Some of her best friends are special ed."
dude's obviously got issues with tards.
firstly "good for her", right, that's the standard comment. good for her cos she's young and doing positive things. after watching all her videos on myspace i gotta say she reminds me of just any other broad on youtube. her publicity is admirable, as is her ability to milk her first short for more than it was worth. looking at her introduction to the trailer you can just tell she had to cut out minutes of a random rant about how no one can tell her what to do, she can make a movie, she can own property, she can be atheist if she wants!
the appeal of her achievement is only her young age. she is no child prodigy, and i wonder if cinema will ever have any apart from orson welles or kenneth anger or whoever else. they are good cautionary tales for what happens to any "young genius", which this chick is not. instead this feels like the product of a yearning ppl hav to see kids doing grown up things, however due to cinema's "business" nature and the concerns of the money-men, it will be impossible to ever see truly successful (artistically, commericially, etc) "young" directors below the age of 25.
also, jesse harris is now dealing crack.
did that 11 year old just rape that chick?
why didn't she shoot the rape scene? that would've been awesome.
omgz, just got a brilliant movie idea! i'll bet i can pass for 17 and get an article in my local newspaper. if all else fails i'll just tell them i'm karlheinz stockhausen's nephew or something. or i'll start selling crack.
I think I'm thinking of Chris Doyle when I hear in my head, "You have to live first, you need to get divorced before you make a film, then you'll have something to say." Poorly paraphrased, but it applies here. So she's young, but what does she have to say?
One beef I have with the article is how the say she's speaking fluent French in one of the videos, as if she's multi-talented/gifted. But her dad's from Montreal, so obviously she'll be bilingual. Why play that off otherwise, unless you're trying to amp up the genius element of this girl?
Is this our Julie Taymor fan two years down the road? Across the Universe really did have an effect on her.
Also, I forgot to mention -- "psychology would help me to deal with actors."
How bout theater?