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Panel Stresses Tenacity and Hard Work to Aspiring Filmmakers By Jeff Burns Indie and Hollywood filmmakers converged on the scenic upstate village of Ballston Spa in early August for the first annual Ballston Spa Film Festival. The festival, organized by Daniel DeFabio, featured 28 short films from England, Canada, Los Angeles, New York City, and the Capital Region. One of the highlights of the two-day event was a panel discussion with the festival judges, who had plenty of advice for aspiring filmmakers. “Tenacity is vital,” said Daniel Fried, producer of O, which starred Mekhi Phifer, Josh Harnett, and Julia Stiles. “Don’t quit,” echoed Marcus Dean Fuller, an actor who has appeared in several daytime television series, including All My Children and As the World Turns. He encouraged the audience to keep pursuing their dreams of becoming actors or directors, no matter what obstacles stand in their way. Jim Jermanok, screenwriter of the indie hit Passionada, also emphasized the importance of hard work and perseverance because so many people are trying to make it in the industry. “Competition is enormous,” he said, “for short films, for independent films, for studio films.” He noted that writers have to keep honing their craft: “It’s easy to write a script. It’s hard to write a good script.” Besides tenacity and talent, Fried said there is a third vital ingredient to success: “Luck is also maybe the biggest thing to help you in Hollywood.” Ann Marie Lizzi, editor of film festival favorite Dorian Blues, agreed that luck plays a role in the film industry. After moving to Los Angeles, Lizzi happened upon a film shoot on Venice Beach. It was the last day of work for one of the production assistants on the shoot. Lizzi was hired to take over the position for the rest of the production. Fuller shared his own good luck story. He moved from Toledo, Ohio to Los Angeles when he was 21 with “no money, a pair of boots, jeans, and an Indian blanket.” He slept on a friend’s couch while pursuing an acting career. His friend took him to a party at a producer’s house. The producer saw Fuller, liked his look, and offered him a commercial. Through hard work and networking, Fuller landed more commercials as well as television pilots and daytime television series. Fuller’s ability to network “is insanely important,” according to Jermanok. He encouraged filmmakers “to be aggressive 24/7.” He said filmmakers need to have confidence in their material and not be shy about approaching producers or investors. He advised aspiring filmmakers to find filmmakers who are more experienced and learn from their experience.  The others on the panel suggested going to film festivals and film markets and getting involved in local film and theater groups as ways to network with other film professionals. The panelists also stressed a side of filmmaking that many ignore. “If you want to make a living creatively, you have to learn the business,” noted Jermanok. Fried said filmmakers “have an obligation to not become the 95% of the movies that get made, that’s the end of the line,” and they don’t make any money. Fuller echoed the importance of the business side of filmmaking: “You can sit around with your buddies and talk cinematography until you’re blue in the face, but until you have the million dollars, it doesn’t matter.” In the end, though, Fried and Lizzi believe personal ethics are just as important. “Be honest and loyal,” advised Fried. Lizzi added, “If you say you’re going to do something, follow through on it.” Fuller added one last caveat for filmmakers: “Throw your ego out.” “It should always be about making it [the script] better,” he said. “There’s great old stories out there. Find new ways to tell them.” Jeff Burns is an independent filmmaker from upstate New York. When he’s not making films, he likes to pretend he’s a superhero. He can be reached at knightsfallproductions@yahoo.com |
