Filmmaking / Directing

I've only seen a few "Comedians In Cars..." and can't recall finding humor in any of them but outside that, I've not had a glimpse into Jerry's persona until this article. Because I am a fan of the show, I've imposed the character onto Jerry the person so it never occurred to me he harbored the sentiment expressed in the article and I am very disappointed. I think you've articulated the disconnect very well. But I guess there's room in the Woods, Baio, Sorbo, Caviezel, Kid Rock, Nugent, and Rock camp for him.

I have to agree with Mr. Seinfeld.The only comedic freedom these days is on the stage. But is that really the issue? Is it so bad that we are more culturally aware than we were 10, 15 or 20 years ago? I hope not. Remember, “Seinfeld” gave us the memorable phrase, “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

Times have changed, and as leaders of the creative community, it’s our job to embrace that change.

I love JS and all his work but I think he is getting it wrong in a way, or at least the writer of the article is interpreting his words wrong. I think we have a lot more options to get our comedy fix. Netflix doesn't have any issues with comedians having to be PC for sure! I think our "TV" culture has changed. And for sure TV exec's don't want to mess with "PC" but they never really did. I gotta say that Sienfeld the show was quite non "PC" on some shows. And we probably wouldn't do the same stuff anymore which is a bit sad in a way but maybe it's time we figured out how to be funny, free, and not offend a selected group of people because they are different and that makes them funny for some reason. Our sense of humour needs an update? Poking fun at people is not funny? Or is it? Having been at both ends of the stick, the only one not really laughing is the one who is being laughed about (most of the time) but then again it's fun to get roasted sometimes too.

Yes, except for the few comedians with enough money to weather the woke community Jerry is correct.

No, because his argument doesn't make sense. Besides the fact that there is no extreme left, or at least in the way he is describing. I think since more and more unheard voices from minorities and LGBT people are becoming more heard, and the general society is finding more unity and sympathy for them that people no longer find his jokes funny, and for certain people never found him funny in the first place.

Or at least people no longer find jokes that punch down cleaver or amusing, people see it more as bullying already vulnerable groups of people.

And more points against him is the fact that there are plenty of comedians who are left wing, and engage what he calls "pc culture" that are successful and hilarious. John Oliver, John Stewart, Trevor Noah, Roy Wood Junior, John Mulaney, Bo Burnham just to name a few all found great success, and in general don't offend anyone.

It really seems to me that Jerry is just stuck in the past, he could easily adjust his jokes so they could work in today's world but he is unable or unwilling to move on.

The Red Balloon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Balloon

I love this question, Noah! I particularly like this one for its use of clever edits, fun concept, in a low-budget setting!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7OQHIpDlvA

Noah Mccay "Happy Birthday My Dear" https://youtu.be/KWYLLmtKPlw?si=-hmdFEwzkE3mmjYr

The film is by Max Sappa (www.stage32.com/lounge/introduce_yourself/David-Lynch-Ari-Aster-David-Eg...)

The Whiplash short film is really well structured. Also, we are breaking down Wes Anderson’s Oscar winning short film today in the writers’ room: https://www.stage32.com/writers-room

I’m not 100% familiar with storyboarding software, but we do have this really great storyboarding webinar: https://www.stage32.com/education?p=8944884515123

Oh I need to watch Whiplash this week!!

This is a great list! Whiplash, both the short and the feature are SO good! But so are the rest of these examples.

YASS!!! Thank you so much for sharing! I think part of the discussion should also be - when should you do a scene directly from the large property, and when should you just bottle its essence?

You're welcome, Karen "Kay" Ross. Great questions!

That’s cool. I haven’t seen all of these. Great to know there is a path sometimes for short films to grow up and be a feature!

Robin Gregory hi Robin, yes, Juliette Binoche is a tour de force. Love her to bits.

Ok, I'll check out "Dekalog" too, Geoff Hall.

Maurice Vaughan episode one, will blow you away.

Some of his early stuff like No End and Camera Buff are worth checking out as well.

David Melbourne agreed, David. He was a master craftsman.

Hi Mark DePonte! Great question and happy to jump in here! I would agree with what Daniel Husbands says about making sure that you have the right mindset going in and don't think of one pitch session as your "only shot." You can pitch your project to whenever you want until an agreement is signed. In terms of Stage 32 Pitch Sessions, they are designed for feedback first and foremost, and while they can lead to great Successes, the goal with them is to let you know how strong your pitch is and how to make it better. The Stage 32 Executive Liaison, Nick Phillips, vets incoming executives that are featured on the platform. And if you have any questions about who you should pitch to, feel free to shoot the Success Team and email at success@stage32.com and we'll try to point you in the right direction :)

Indeed Mark DePonte, my colleague Emily J is correct. After assuming the Executive Liaison position earlier this year, I have built upon the vetting standards that were already in place here at Stage 32, and we are all conscientiously increasing those standards as we continue to bring on executives to work with our writers. We truly do try our best to bring you all the best. And as mentioned above by Simon Foster and others, doing some additional due diligence on your own about an individual exec could be a way to additionally ameliorate those concerns. Lastly, I also concur with the notion of not giving up. I have been fortunate enough to eek out a living in this business for nearly 30 years, and there are still, to this day, plenty of moments where I feel that same frustration, and I look at this business (and my bank account) and go what is this is all for??? But please trust me when I say that it gets better, and please know that we strive to make sure you are talking to quality execs to work with who will ideally ease those frustrations as opposed to exacerbate them.

First,

I would like to truly thank everyone who commented and shared all of their (Pros and Cons) of what they have experienced with pitching. It is VERY helpful.

Second, to Maurice, Emily and Nick...

Last week I did purchase a "pitch" session (your order: 3521424816789793902) and the deadline is this Saturday. But I am NOT a pro, never pitched anything, etc.

I NEVER wrote a 2-page before, but i cobbled one together anyways last week AND sent it to "writerhelp@stage32.com" to look at it before submitting it. They acknowledged they received it and said they would gladly help which was very nice. BUT...I never heard back.

So maybe you can find out what happened before it's too late.

Just saying...

Do a google search on the "exec" before any pitch. Caveat Emptor!

You're welcome, Mark DePonte. I don't have a way to find out what happened, but I could email you Stage 32’s most recent written pitch examples. One sample is for a movie and the other is for a series. If you want me to send you the examples, DM me your email.

This is really interesting, thank you for sharing Martin Reese!

Thanks for sharing the article, Martin Reese.

"Stripped of nuance, the definition of movie jail has always been: Lose the studio a lot of money and you don’t get to do another studio feature for a while, if ever." I'm not feeling movie jail. There are things that are outta a director's hands when it comes to a movie's success (like the economy and marketing), so I don't think one flop should keep a director from making another studio movie for a while, and especially not forever. But that's the way it is right now.

The article mentions how mid-budget studio movies went away. I think making mid-budget studio movies will help directors avoid movie jail because if a mid-budget movie flops, the studio won't lose as much money as they would if the movie was a big-budget flop, so the director might get a chance to direct another studio movie sooner.

Thanks for sharing!

Mmm... this feels like an extention of teachers being held responsible for absolutely everything when you literally can't micromanage. Interesting...