Influential Films
I just wrote a lengthy email to someone that runs a very independant very low buget film company.
In all seriousness I’ve just about had it with the industry here. It’s been an extremly rough go since I’ve been in this country. As my agent tells me: they will hire a brit with less experience, skill and talent before hiring a foreigner.
Up until now, my profits in SL were to make up for when I couldn’t get work. Now, it’s looking more and more like SL is my primary and I edit when and if I feel like it. My dream had always been to do indie films because they are more real and aren’t so dumbed down for the mass market. So, maybe this will work out of the best.
In my email, I asked what I always do before working with someone. List your top influential films. Not to be confused with favourite, influential in terms of film making, or any other film snob crap. What films make you love the harsh, overly critical and annoying biz?
I’ll start just for shits and giggles. (Plus putting off working at least a bit longer)
1. October Sky
Reason: Yes girly coming of age film. I saw it at the time when I was working 3 jobs to pay for my first year of film school. Its about a kid who surpasses all the negative reactions of everyone in order to follow his dreams. Cheesy I know, but ‘eh it pushed me through working at a crappy video store in
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Reason: Other then Charlie Kauffman being the god of screenwriting? I loved the point of the story. I loved the way it was told. I loved how it took two actors I hate and made them into realistic characters. I saw myself and different parts of previous relationships and was able to connect to it in a way that I rarely do. A film is a story told in the dark… anything that makes my analytical mind suspend disbelief is a good thing.
3. Duets
Reason: If you haven’t seen it, then you’ll never see that this poorly marketed film has some of the best scenes in one movie. In one of my screenwriting classes we had to go to the video store and pick something we would NEVER see. I chose this silly little no name film about karaoke. But Paul Giamatti’s character’s realization on American culture was thrilling to say the least.
4. The Limey
Reason: Ok I know I said keep the film snob crap out, but I just have to say it. I love the use of editing in this film. It makes me happy, at least for a short while, to be an editor.
5. Joise and the Pussycats
Reason: Don’t laugh yet. I’ll pretty much try any film. I especially love it when I put it in the dvd player thinking its going to be shit and it turns out great. This film is the definition of bad marketing. You’d think its some lame teeny bopper film, but it’s oh so not. I knew there was a reason why the indie diva Parker Posey is in it. Nothing like a bit of silly fun with mass marketing, evil corporations, mtv as the devil, and Seth Green in a boy band singing a song called “back door lover.â€
6. Cinema Paradiso
Reason: It’s all about the love of film. What more could you ask for?
7. CQ
Reason: Finally a movie about an editor. Yay! Roman Coppolla, editing, and bad sci fi movies. Fun fun fun.
8. The Apartment
Reason: Billy Wilder.. Jack Lemon.. corporate snobs.. adultery in films(!)… suicide.. well written, well acted, and very cutting edge topics in its day.
9.
Reason: I like this film. I like Zach Braff as a writer and director. If you asked me who I’d want to work with, he’s who I say first. There is just something real in this film that you don’t see very often. It’s just certain scenes that leave their mark on you.
10. Almost Famous
Reason: Speaking of scenes that leave a mark on you… who does that better then Cameron Crowe? He started with the scene in Say Anything with John Cusack holding up the boom box in the rain. Then gave us Almost Famous with the awkward moment between Hoffman and Fugit, the almost cry of Husdon, the rooftop “I am a golden god†and of course the entire bus singing Tiny Dancer.
