Film Strategy

Overnight | Tony Montana & Mark Brian Smith | 2003 | USA | Format: 16mm, Super 8, Video | 82 min Overnight  should be required viewing for every film student, not because it is the pinnacle of documentary filmmaking but because it is an eye-opening lesson in the dangers of hubris. In addition, it's a glimpse into the business, how political it can be and why you should read the contracts before signing (or have your lawyer read it for you). It's not just a lil luck and a lot of talent that you need to make it, you need a work ethic, some charm and a flexible strategy. The filmmaker is an artist and some vanity is to be expected when you are dealing with expressing a powerful and unique vision but film is also a collaborative art that requires the OTHER people to make that powerful and unique vision a reality. Too many directors forget that as they go into diva mode a la Troy Duffy. You can be eccentric but don't be an asshole. Besides as the history* of this docum

Today John Cassavetes would have been 84.  Aside from watching all of his films in an all-day or week-long marathon, there is no better way to pay homage to the godfather of American indie films then by learning from his words and his methods.  Below are excerpts and documentaries on the making of many of his films like Husbands, A Woman Under the Influence, Shadows and more. John Nicholas Cassavetes (in Greek: Ιωάννης Νικόλαος Κασσαβέτης; December 9, 1929 – February 3, 1989) was an American actor, film director and screenwriter. He acted in many Hollywood films, notably Rosemary's Baby (1968) and The Dirty Dozen (1967). Cassevetes was also a pioneer of American independent film by writing and directing over a dozen movies, some of which he partially self-financed, and which pioneered the use of improvisation and a realistic cinéma vérité style.  He studied acting with Don Richardson , using an acting technique based on muscle memory. ~~ Wikipedia   Here a