James Gray on "the struggle of the middle-class filmmaker," or why Marvel is ruining everything

[FierceRedBelt]

Yes. Though as a rule I think that directors ARE underpaid.

Look at superstars like Tom Cruise. They might make $20 million per picture.

Then look at a director like David Fincher. He's one of the superstar directors. A Tom Cruise of directing, if you will. But he asked for $5 million to make Steve Jobs and the studio told him to fuck off and hired Danny Boyle instead.

That's shocking.

 

[RabidJesus]

Yes. Though as a rule I think that directors ARE underpaid.

Look at superstars like Tom Cruise. They might make $20 million per picture.

Then look at a director like David Fincher. He's one of the superstar directors. A Tom Cruise of directing, if you will. But he asked for $5 million to make Steve Jobs and the studio told him to fuck off and hired Danny Boyle instead.

True but it is a lot more complicated than what gets reported. Fincher is known for being difficult. Youd be giving him $5m and pretty 100% control of the film too. If memory serves i think it came out through the Sony hack that Fincher dropped out to work on another project right?

 

[Guestx]

That's shocking.

It's shocking but true. I'm reminded of Joseph Kahn--he made Torque, a very interesting and underseen film called Detention, and the Power/Rangers short film from a couple of years back--when he said that he takes a pay cut every time he makes a feature film, as directing music videos is a lot better for him financially.

 

[FierceRedBelt]

It's shocking but true. I'm reminded of Joseph Kahn--he made Torque, a very interesting and underseen film called Detention, and the Power/Rangers short film from a couple of years back--when he said that he takes a pay cut every time he makes a feature film, as directing music videos is a lot better for him financially.

Are they actually making big money off of youtube music videos? While that sucks, music videos can be an art form in themselves.

I never imagined there was big money in it; I guess the views are there but I'm not really sure how that translates.

 

[Guestx]

True but it is a lot more complicated than what gets reported. Fincher is known for being difficult. Youd be giving him $5m and pretty 100% control of the film too. If memory serves i think it came out through the Sony hack that Fincher dropped out to work on another project right?

Just did some quick research and it looks like he was asking for $10 million instead of $5 million, so I guess I was wrong there.

Here's an article on the topic:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/david-fincher-steve-jobs-movie-696044

 

[Guestx]

Are they actually making big money off of youtube music videos? While that sucks, music videos can be an art form in themselves.

I never imagined there was big money in it; I guess the views are there but I'm not really sure how that translates.

I'm not sure where all music videos are seen now. YouTube obviously, but I know they show up in other spots as well. A few years ago I was in the Student Union building at school and they had TVs around the lunch area with music videos playing.

Are there still channels on TV that play music videos? I dunno.

But even on YouTube, the real money is in the way that the music video is an advertisement for the artist, just like with MTV back in the day. People see the video and then want the album. They buy the album (maybe they BUY the album?) and then want to see the artist in concert.

 

[bubbleboyjones]

I definitely don't watch nearly as many movies at the theater as I used to, but I think that no matter how good our TVs get, they're never going to be able to compete with the massive screens and surround sound set-ups of the movie theater. I mean, I will always want to see something like Inception or Pacific Rim or the latest James Bond movie in the theater, regardless of how many K my TV is or how big it is.

No they'll never be as good, when I said "tough for a theater to contend with" I meant the gap between theaters has been closing for a long time and the next iteration of tech(4K Blu-ay and OLED) will continue to close this gap even more. There are some movies that are completely different experiences as I mentioned before. 65mm IMAX in person or 48fps 3D....completely difference ballgame from home. 'Normal' movies are better in the theater as well but its more 'bigger' version and then you start trading off your time spent driving...getting seats, dealing with theater assholes..etc vs home.

 

[bubbleboyjones]

Guy Ritchie talking about how Hollywood is all about the blockbusters