Category Archives: Inspiration

1,000 True Fans

Posted on by Ben Phelps

Now, this is an interesting. We only need 1,000 true fans to finance ourselves as artists:

I am suggesting there is a home for creatives in between poverty and stardom. Somewhere lower than stratospheric bestsellerdom, but higher than the obscurity of the long tail. I don’t know the actual true number, but I think a dedicated artist could cultivate 1,000 True Fans, and by their direct support using new technology, make an honest living. 

Actually, it might a few more True Fans to support filmmakers:

Lastly, the actual number may vary depending on the media. Maybe it is 500 True Fans for a painter and 5,000 True Fans for a videomaker. The numbers must surely vary around the world.

via The Technium: 1,000 True Fans.

Aaron Sorkin is back in TV Land

Posted on by Ben Phelps

I’m currently revaluating the dialogue of an important character in our feature script, The Hitman’s Cookbook. So where do I go for inspiration? Aaron Sorkin.

I love Sorkin’s work. His dialogue pops. And I love the ‘behind the scenes’ machinations of the TV industry. His latest HBO series, The Newsroom, blends both of my loves. Good times!

I can see elements of Peter Finch’s memorable speech in Network. I like it.

Life through the lens

Posted on by Ben Phelps

20110703-054400.jpg

I’m going to start posting photos I’ve taken during the week that inspire my filmmaking, starting with this incredible sculpture. It’s actually the trophy I received after my short film, Nice Shootin’ Cowboy, won the Narrative Short Jury Award at Austin Film Festival 2009 (USA). The win subsequently qualified our film to be in the final 80 films eligible for a 2011 Oscar nomination. We didn’t make the final four films but we gave it a bloody good shot!

 

Tonal Tunes

Posted on by Ben Phelps

I’ve been researching music for The Hitman’s Cookbook. Music to listen to while I write. Music that I can imagine in the finished film. Recently I’ve been captivated with Adventureland. Great film. Fantastic soundtrack. You can listen to samples of the tracks here.
1. Satellite Of Love – Lou Reed
2. Modern Love – David Bowie
3. I’m In Love With A Girl – Big Star*
4. Just Like Heaven – The Cure
5. Rock Me Amadeus – Falco
6. Don’t Change – Inxs
7. Your Love – The Outfield*
8. Don’t Dream It’s Over – Crowded House
9. Looking For A Kiss – The New York Dolls
10. Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely – Husker Du
11. Unsatisfied – The Replacements
12. Pale Blue Eyes – The Velvet Underground*
13. Farewell Adventureland – Yo La Tengo
14. Adventureland Theme Song – Brian Kenney
* Click For Song Lyrics
(This song from the trailer is not included: Blister in the Sun – Violent Femmes)

Low budget case study #3 – Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane

Posted on by Ben Phelps

Film – Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane (1998)

Filmmaker – Joe Carnahan (Writer/ Director/ Producer/ Editor/ Actor)

Age at completion of film – 28

Country – USA

Budget – US$7,300 (plus finishing funds from IFC backed Next Wave Films for a blow up to 35mm and sound remix)

Shoot duration – 19 days

Format – Super 16mm

Key points

  • Much of the equipment used for the film came from the TV station where Carnahan was employed
  • Several of the crew also starred in the film including producers Ken Rudulph and Kevin Hale. Mitchell Wayne Richter is played by Matt Carnahan, the younger brother of writer and director Joe Carnahan. Other relatives in the film include Leah Carnahan and Chuck Leis
  • “Thirty-hour” straight edit at the editing console of the same TV station
  • Sundance Film Festival (1998), New York’s Independent Feature Film Market (1997)
  • Sold to Lion’s Gate Films
  • Led to… Narc, Smokin’ Aces and The A-Team

Rotten Tomatoes (ie. aggregated critic reviews) – 48%

Listen Up

Posted on by Ben Phelps

I ride a bicycle (a push bike, not a Harley!) and catch public transport every day. In that time, I actively think about our characters and the plot. Three years ago I also discovered some fantastic podcasts to supplement my musings. These are my favourites. Most of them are film related. They’re all available FREE on iTunes. You can also DONATE a small amount which I’m sure they really appreciate:

  • Creative Screenwriting Magazine (Q&A series)
  • USC School of Cinematic Arts (Q&A series)
  • Filmspotting (film reviews)
  • /Filmcast (official podcast for /Film: www.slashfilm.com, film reviews, insightful chatter)
  • Meet the Filmmaker (Q&A series)
  • Dr Karl on Triple J (great ideas for Science Fiction!)
  • ABC Culture and Society (lecture series)

I’ve learnt more about screenwriting and directing from the Creative Screenwriting and USC series than I learnt from film school (Robert McKee’s story and some of Syd Field’s books are also invaluable). In these podcasts, the writers reveal the secrets of their journey – first break, getting an agent, surviving production, securing the next job, etc. Great career tips. They also talk about their unique approach to creating characters and stories. Check ‘em out.

Motivations

Posted on by Ben Phelps

There are many motivations for why writers write. Here are two that relate to me:

1) Some filmmakers write for the longer term goal of directing their own story – ‘Reluctant Writer/Passionate Director’; and

2) Some filmmakers write for the love of writing – ‘Passionate Writer’.

I used to be a Reluctant Writer/Passionate Director. I’m currently a Passionate Writer/Passionate Director. If I could write full-time, I can imagine myself  evolving into a Passionate Writer.

Passionate Writers often complain about the Reluctant Writer/Passionate Director. But they sometimes miss the point. I’d happily direct a script written by another writer and adopt the role of Passionate Director Only. But I find myself in the same quandary as many colleagues – I haven’t encountered a feature script, written by someone else, that I connect with. Therefore, first time directors often write themselves a job because the best scripts go to Steven Spielberg.  That is, write yourself into a directing gig. That’s how I began writing. Then I began to discover my love for writing. Sure, it wasn’t love at first sight. More like two strangers cautiously developing a friendship first. Then it evolved into something deeper. I used to hate sitting down at the computer. Writing used to be a ‘means to an end’ so I could direct a story that I felt a connection with. But now I get anxious if I’m not writing.

It’s been five weeks since I stopped writing to focus on producing The Hitman’s Cookbook. And it’s killing me. I miss the rhythm. I miss the challenge and satisfaction of putting words on the screen. Last night I jumped back into Final Draft (screenwriting software) to get my fix. It’s a large scale Science Fiction/Action feature screenplay that Gabe and I began last year. In the tradition of Armageddon, Enemy of the State and The Matrix and 2012. It’s the type of big budget script we’d like to sell in the US as Passionate Writers Only. But that’s for a later date and a few more drafts down the line…

Now, back to producing The Hitman’s Cookbook!