On The Lot: New TV show coming to fox! Still taking admissions to be on the show!

Jad Meouchy · January 30th, 2007, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heath McKnight

I wouldn't call it "selling out..." Let me ask you something, if you made a certain type of film that only you like, and no one else (trust me, I've seen these types of movies), would it be selling out if you decided to change your style so more people will dig it, and enjoy it?

Good point. I think I'm not sure anymore how I would define that term. Maybe it has more to do with the internal motivations of the filmmaker than the external rewards.

Heath McKnight · January 30th, 2007, 11:53 AM

However, if I made some cool movies, spanning different genres, including kids movies, but never made a lot of money, then suddenly decided to do run-of-the-mill, formulaic movies (again, different genres) just to make a buck, that might be considered selling out.

heath

Seun Osewa · January 31st, 2007, 03:12 PM

It's not a well-designed concept. Every week, there'll be a set of half-baked movies from the same 16 filmmakers. That's not at all like real life. I don't think the weekly elimination method can work for movie-making at all.

Jon Fairhurst · January 31st, 2007, 04:04 PM

But it's not going to be about the films. It's going to be about the filmmakers working under pressure and the judges' reactions and votes. That's the drama. Not the films themselves.

Seun Osewa · February 1st, 2007, 06:16 AM

The musical equivalent to this show is a variant of American Idol in which each contestant is expected to compose a new song every week, complete with instrumental arrangements and a music video to be judged by viewers!!

You say it's about what goes on behind the scenes, and not about the quality of the rushed films. If so, what is Steven Spielberg doing on the set? Why give a 10 million dollar film development contract to a winner that may or may not be able to produce good films if given enough time to do so?

There's also a big question of whether people care about what goes on behind the scenes of movies, but with the Apprentice being so successful with boardroom drama, I guess it's possible to make people care about such things.

My filmmaking reality TV show would be based on the American Idol model. The filmmakers will create short films every week based on popular scenes from existing movies. But since the success of such shorts depends on actors, I'll require each filmmaker to register with a fixed size cast and crew.

Jon Fairhurst · February 1st, 2007, 12:12 PM

Seun,

My comment comes from watching America's Next Supermodel, or whatever it's called. (My teenage daughter loves it.)

Sure, we see the models do photo shoots and make videos, but the real focus is on their emotional reactions and professionalism (or lack thereof). The judges talk as much about the models' attitudes as much as their talent.

Consider that Spielberg might not care so much about how great the films are *today* from these filmmakers in the rough. If I were in his shoes I would look for somebody who can tell a great story, who has a unique voice, who can work long and hard under pressure, who delivers on time, who works well with the cast and crew, who doesn't break down or lash out, and who is enthusiastic about learning. Oh yeah, and somebody who is charismatic and outgoing enough to get out there and obtain future funding and help market and promote their works. Technical ability would be secondary - that can be taught.

The filmmaker with the best films might not be the one with the most potential.

Brian Andrews · February 1st, 2007, 01:00 PM

I'm going to submit my latest short, a five minute drama. It has it's share of technical flaws but it is worth submitting.

When the show does air, it will be interesting to see how it is edited. It wil be very interesting to see if filmmakers--people who should know something about edting--will fall prey to the typical reality TV tricks where something you said/did a week ago is cut against something totally different in order to manufacture drama.

American Idol is still doing this today. After they show tens of idiots singing poorly and getting kicked out of the room they later show these same people all singing the same current hit song--not the song they sang in front of the judges. The room looks the same and they will even cut to reaction shots of Simon looking annoyed. But there is no way these people were singing the goofy current hit in front of the 3 key judges.

Gabriel Yeager · February 1st, 2007, 01:27 PM

Yes, I think you are right Jon.. This will be like Americas Next Top-Model but in film (sister loves it).

Brian; this will be interesting... I hope that they do not completely humiliate people and twist things to the point that it is just flat out wrong.

And American Idol has a side showing room that they do that in, I have seen it is one of the episodes where they where walking someone out the door, you could see it in the background.

~Gabriel

Yi Fong Yu · February 1st, 2007, 08:16 PM

those of you that actually get on the show, create your own dramas. don't be 'truthful' or 'be yourself'. become a 'character'. if it was me i'd be a drama queen =P.

Jad Meouchy · February 5th, 2007, 02:44 PM

I'm also curious as to how they will do the 'challenges'. I can only see this working for very short shorts, like commercial spots. Or if they use the same actors/settings for each film. And if there are no recognizable actors, how appealing can it be to the general public?

How I see it: many cameos by TV actors under contract, using partner production company's existing movie sets and crew, and prewritten storyboards with maybe one or two key shots left to finish. Of course, putting such powerful resources in the hands of an indie filmmaker could be very exciting to watch. I just don't know how they will be able to cover more than one or two filmmakers in each episode without seriously compromising the creative quality of the films or the credit to the cast/crew. Behind-the-scenes specials typically focus on one week of a film shoot and they have no trouble making a solid half or full hour of programming.

Raji Barbir · February 5th, 2007, 05:49 PM

i had to say something here. Those of you who have already or are thinking of submitting your films, don't ever forget that you're dealing with FOX... Aside from all the tricky editing they'll do for the show to make you look like a jackass, there's lots worse things they can do, except on the legal side of things.

Do yourselves a favor and go the the following link and read the "Career Control" segment. THAT is EXACTLY what i'm expecting the winning filmmaker to get in the end, besides the lure of a $1 million contract. And in case you missed the line i'm thinking of, here's a paste of it:
"In essence, the agreement stipulates that the finalists are "forever and throughout the universe" properties of 19 Management." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_idol_controversy

And for god's sake, i don't want to hear people saying "but it'll be different for filmmakers!!!". No. It won't. It's FOX. They're gonna "legally" rape their victims.

Jon Fairhurst · February 5th, 2007, 10:39 PM

Raji makes a critical point. Their lawyers are better than your lawyer. And if your lawyer wants to change a single word in the contract, they won't let you near "the lot".

Evan C. King · February 5th, 2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raji Barbir

It's FOX. They're gonna "legally" rape their victims.

They probably have this on t-shirts and banners on the fox lot.

Raji Barbir · February 5th, 2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evan C. King

They probably have this on t-shirts and banners on the fox lot.

lol that was awesome

Ben Winter · February 5th, 2007, 11:45 PM

I'm not doing it simply because even in the event I got on the show, or even won, I'd have the tagline "the guy who won that show." The industry would never take someone seriously after that. They'd all know the "real" reason you got there. Because you won "some contest."

Good luck creating any kind of movie after you build your career off a Fox show. Tinseltown at it's finest.

January 30th, 2007, 11:53 AM	#32
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	However, if I made some cool movies, spanning different genres, including kids movies, but never made a lot of money, then suddenly decided to do run-of-the-mill, formulaic movies (again, different genres) just to make a buck, that might be considered selling out. heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

January 31st, 2007, 04:04 PM	#34
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	But it's not going to be about the films. It's going to be about the filmmakers working under pressure and the judges' reactions and votes. That's the drama. Not the films themselves. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

February 1st, 2007, 12:12 PM	#36
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Seun, My comment comes from watching America's Next Supermodel, or whatever it's called. (My teenage daughter loves it.) Sure, we see the models do photo shoots and make videos, but the real focus is on their emotional reactions and professionalism (or lack thereof). The judges talk as much about the models' attitudes as much as their talent. Consider that Spielberg might not care so much about how great the films are today from these filmmakers in the rough. If I were in his shoes I would look for somebody who can tell a great story, who has a unique voice, who can work long and hard under pressure, who delivers on time, who works well with the cast and crew, who doesn't break down or lash out, and who is enthusiastic about learning. Oh yeah, and somebody who is charismatic and outgoing enough to get out there and obtain future funding and help market and promote their works. Technical ability would be secondary - that can be taught. The filmmaker with the best films might not be the one with the most potential. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

February 1st, 2007, 01:27 PM	#38
Gabriel Yeager Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Washington, NorthWest USA Posts: 788	Yes, I think you are right Jon.. This will be like Americas Next Top-Model but in film (sister loves it). Brian; this will be interesting... I hope that they do not completely humiliate people and twist things to the point that it is just flat out wrong. And American Idol has a side showing room that they do that in, I have seen it is one of the episodes where they where walking someone out the door, you could see it in the background. ~Gabriel __________________ Gabriel Photography

February 1st, 2007, 08:16 PM	#39
Yi Fong Yu Trustee Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vulcan Posts: 1,564	those of you that actually get on the show, create your own dramas. don't be 'truthful' or 'be yourself'. become a 'character'. if it was me i'd be a drama queen =P. __________________ bow wow wow

January 31st, 2007, 03:12 PM	#33
Seun Osewa Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Africa Posts: 255	It's not a well-designed concept. Every week, there'll be a set of half-baked movies from the same 16 filmmakers. That's not at all like real life. I don't think the weekly elimination method can work for movie-making at all.

February 1st, 2007, 06:16 AM	#35
Seun Osewa Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Africa Posts: 255	The musical equivalent to this show is a variant of American Idol in which each contestant is expected to compose a new song every week, complete with instrumental arrangements and a music video to be judged by viewers!! You say it's about what goes on behind the scenes, and not about the quality of the rushed films. If so, what is Steven Spielberg doing on the set? Why give a 10 million dollar film development contract to a winner that may or may not be able to produce good films if given enough time to do so? There's also a big question of whether people care about what goes on behind the scenes of movies, but with the Apprentice being so successful with boardroom drama, I guess it's possible to make people care about such things. My filmmaking reality TV show would be based on the American Idol model. The filmmakers will create short films every week based on popular scenes from existing movies. But since the success of such shorts depends on actors, I'll require each filmmaker to register with a fixed size cast and crew.

February 1st, 2007, 01:00 PM	#37
Brian Andrews Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 69	I'm going to submit my latest short, a five minute drama. It has it's share of technical flaws but it is worth submitting. When the show does air, it will be interesting to see how it is edited. It wil be very interesting to see if filmmakers--people who should know something about edting--will fall prey to the typical reality TV tricks where something you said/did a week ago is cut against something totally different in order to manufacture drama. American Idol is still doing this today. After they show tens of idiots singing poorly and getting kicked out of the room they later show these same people all singing the same current hit song--not the song they sang in front of the judges. The room looks the same and they will even cut to reaction shots of Simon looking annoyed. But there is no way these people were singing the goofy current hit in front of the 3 key judges.

February 5th, 2007, 02:44 PM	#40
Jad Meouchy Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 663	I'm also curious as to how they will do the 'challenges'. I can only see this working for very short shorts, like commercial spots. Or if they use the same actors/settings for each film. And if there are no recognizable actors, how appealing can it be to the general public? How I see it: many cameos by TV actors under contract, using partner production company's existing movie sets and crew, and prewritten storyboards with maybe one or two key shots left to finish. Of course, putting such powerful resources in the hands of an indie filmmaker could be very exciting to watch. I just don't know how they will be able to cover more than one or two filmmakers in each episode without seriously compromising the creative quality of the films or the credit to the cast/crew. Behind-the-scenes specials typically focus on one week of a film shoot and they have no trouble making a solid half or full hour of programming.

February 5th, 2007, 05:49 PM	#41
Raji Barbir Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 97	i had to say something here. Those of you who have already or are thinking of submitting your films, don't ever forget that you're dealing with FOX... Aside from all the tricky editing they'll do for the show to make you look like a jackass, there's lots worse things they can do, except on the legal side of things. Do yourselves a favor and go the the following link and read the "Career Control" segment. THAT is EXACTLY what i'm expecting the winning filmmaker to get in the end, besides the lure of a $1 million contract. And in case you missed the line i'm thinking of, here's a paste of it: "In essence, the agreement stipulates that the finalists are "forever and throughout the universe" properties of 19 Management." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_idol_controversy And for god's sake, i don't want to hear people saying "but it'll be different for filmmakers!!!". No. It won't. It's FOX. They're gonna "legally" rape their victims.

February 5th, 2007, 10:39 PM	#42
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Raji makes a critical point. Their lawyers are better than your lawyer. And if your lawyer wants to change a single word in the contract, they won't let you near "the lot". __________________ Jon Fairhurst

February 5th, 2007, 11:45 PM	#45
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	I'm not doing it simply because even in the event I got on the show, or even won, I'd have the tagline "the guy who won that show." The industry would never take someone seriously after that. They'd all know the "real" reason you got there. Because you won "some contest." Good luck creating any kind of movie after you build your career off a Fox show. Tinseltown at it's finest. __________________ BenWinter.com