Just watched this movie on Netflix the other night and really enjoyed it. As a writer, I could feel the direction and formula the film has, but nevertheless, the juxtaposition between the characters motives, yet still bound by the same desire; to make music - was an emotional journey.
Anyways, this isn't about a review of the film, rather, a curious look at how it came to be. Eddie Sternberg first wrote and directed the original film of the same name which was released in 2015 in the UK. It won tons of awards, yet all was silent till Fiona Lamptey, director of UK features at Netflix, picked it up in 2021. (or earlier, I don't know)
I just thought it neat that it was Eddies first film but was eventually picked up by Netflix 6 years later. Wondering how Fiona came across it and the process of turning a short into a full feature. This means there is hope for your screenplay/film being picked up one day. Just something was on my mind and wanted to start a conversation about it.
2 people like this
That’s amazing. I knew this was a slow game, but that is quite something, waiting for six years for a film to be picked up, I know Damien Chazelle waited 8 years to make his breakthrough film. I think it was longer for the writer of Sliding Doors and how long did it take Scorsese to make Silence? 30 years?
Well so far it’s taken 9 years and counting to make ‘Seeing Rachel’; which was/is to be my first feature length film.
3 people like this
Thanks for sharing, James Goodwin. "Wondering how Fiona came across it and the process of turning a short into a full feature." I've heard about that happening to a lot of filmmakers. It shows the importance of short films. And thanks for the encouragement ("This means there is hope for your screenplay/film being picked up one day").
1 person likes this
Geoff Hall Yeah, just goes to show if you have a great story/idea, it will get found. The original short had many accolades so I imagine it was on many peoples radar… it was just waiting for the right moment.
I also forgot to mention it was his first and only short he did (according to credits on IMDb) but looks like he has another one in the works for Netflix.
3 people like this
Maurice Vaughan of course! That’s what I hope Stage32 is all about, encouragement and sharing as a community to build our dreams. We all hope to get there one day, but it isn’t what defines us as writers.
5 people like this
James Goodwin "That’s what I hope Stage32 is all about, encouragement and sharing as a community to build our dreams." That's definitely what this community is about. I experience it every day.
"We all hope to get there one day, but it isn’t what defines us as writers." I saw someone say something similar on Twitter the other day. Something about finding happiness in the journey, not the destination (selling a script, getting a script produced, etc.). I think a writer can find happiness in both.
1 person likes this
^^^ this.
But looking at this from an investor/business side, did the movie make profit or not after 6+ years?
1 person likes this
Dan MaxXx Considering it is a Netflix film... is it about profit or adding content to the streaming platform? If you look at any of the numbers regarding "profitability" on newer releases directly to streaming services, it's clear they are not. In the end, a film was made. Eddie Sternberg got to write and direct it. Ed Skrein and the other supporting cast got credits and another film to add to their respective resumes. 100's of people were employed and got paid. And it's received a 6.7 IMDb rating so far, which I can only assume is on par or even higher than many of the other newer films out there. To me, those factors far outweigh the profit question, and in the end it's a good addition for Netflix which, undoubtedly, has millions upon millions of dollars to burn on content creation.
1 person likes this
James Goodwin it is a Netflix acquisition. Could be a low $100,000 for ten-year license on their website. And they cut checks in payment plans. Just saying thats a bad investment for investors/whoever put $ to fund
2 people like this
Dan MaxXx Sure, whatever it is, it is. You're concerned about ROI, but my initial conversation was about screenwriters getting a short turned into a feature.