(no subject)
One Movie I really would like to mention, is "Dead Birds"(2004), it take place during the Civil War. A gang of outlaws robs a bank of of millions in gold, after which they head to a small plantation, to wait until things cool down. Little do they know, that the plantation is haunted....as they settle in for the night, the ghosts begin to make their presence know to all.
At a time when all of Hollywood is stuck in a rut, and choosing to make remake after remake of great classic films, instead of taking a few risks, now and then trying new ideas and not relying so much on multi-million dollar special effects to woo crowds. Personally, given the choice..I would take great acting, and a good screen play over great special effects any day of the week. Some of the best movies I have ever seen were of the low budget variety (less than $5M to make). In many ways, movies are like car shows, people want to hurry and see the car that someone spent $1 million for. When film studios brag that this film or that film cost $200 million, or even $300 million to make, people want to go see it, assuming that it MUST be good, since they spent that much money on it. Is it possible to make a film, in Hollywood, with major stars in it for under $60M? Let's take a look, shall we....
Hmmm, you have found a great screen play, asking price is $400,000, but you know the writer and he owes you a favor so you get it at a bargain $300,000. Next you send out copies of it to Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Halle Berry, and lets not forget Nicole Kidman. In a week you hear back that from the agents representing all the afore mentioned. Saddly, Halle has already signed a deal to do a movie in Spain that will take 18 months to shoot, so can't do it. But, Tom, Brad, and Nicole said they would love to do it. Great. Now, add up their asking per movie salaries and see what we have got : Tom - $25M, Brad - $20M, Nicole - $15. Ouch, haven't even started shooting and already you have spent $60,300,00...and are now over budget.
At a time when all of Hollywood is stuck in a rut, and choosing to make remake after remake of great classic films, instead of taking a few risks, now and then trying new ideas and not relying so much on multi-million dollar special effects to woo crowds. Personally, given the choice..I would take great acting, and a good screen play over great special effects any day of the week. Some of the best movies I have ever seen were of the low budget variety (less than $5M to make). In many ways, movies are like car shows, people want to hurry and see the car that someone spent $1 million for. When film studios brag that this film or that film cost $200 million, or even $300 million to make, people want to go see it, assuming that it MUST be good, since they spent that much money on it. Is it possible to make a film, in Hollywood, with major stars in it for under $60M? Let's take a look, shall we....
Hmmm, you have found a great screen play, asking price is $400,000, but you know the writer and he owes you a favor so you get it at a bargain $300,000. Next you send out copies of it to Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Halle Berry, and lets not forget Nicole Kidman. In a week you hear back that from the agents representing all the afore mentioned. Saddly, Halle has already signed a deal to do a movie in Spain that will take 18 months to shoot, so can't do it. But, Tom, Brad, and Nicole said they would love to do it. Great. Now, add up their asking per movie salaries and see what we have got : Tom - $25M, Brad - $20M, Nicole - $15. Ouch, haven't even started shooting and already you have spent $60,300,00...and are now over budget.