1. Art Films
Many years ago I gave a screenplay to a producer, a friend of a friend who had then just partnered with another producer known for making some pretty fantastic, critically acclaimed, NYC-based independent feature films. His response to the script was, “It’s good, but it’s an art film. I don’t want to make an art film.”
What he meant was he wanted to make a film that would make a lot of money, like Titanic-money.
This was disheartening for two reasons.
A: I never thought Wigs by Coco could make Titanic-money — nothing I do will make Titanic-money. But this script is entertaining and, I believe, could be made cheaply, could find an audience, and could turn a profit. The problem is the Titanic-profit some producer types want to make.
B: Art Film. Like “art” was some kind of dirty word. And like “art film” and profit were mutually exclusive. Again, the disconnect between me and the producer who rolls his eyes and tsks at the mention of “art film” is based on our perceptions of monetary success.
2. Documentaries
I recently took a gig as a crowdfunding consultant for a wonderful documentary called Humble Beauty: Skid Row Artists. I’m getting paid for my time and effort, but I’m not going to get rich. It’s a film whose message I believe in — the curative powers of art, the hidden lives of marginalized people, the ubiquity of art — and I’m honored that the filmmakers believe in my abilities.
No sane person thinks a documentary is going to make them rich. Some manage to make a paycheck from their work, others, like me, most of the time, don’t. Generally, people get involved with documentaries because they believe the stories are important and because they believe film is the way to tell these stories.
And this is probably why I no longer write screenplays.
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Humble Beauty is a documentary about how art can help homeless and mentally ill people recover and renew their lives. It’s the powerful true story about how painting transformed the lives of talented, mentally ill homeless men and women in the worst area of LA, the homeless capital of America. Humble Beauty is an inspiring, empowering, and illuminating film that has aired on KCET, public TV in LA, and has been offered national distribution on PBS stations. The film is going the crowdfunding route to raise money for re-editing for time requirements, broadcast insurance, music rights, promotional materials, and other necessary expenses.
Click to visit the Indiegogo page.