AF’s Tip of the Day

I know it's Sunday night, but here is Monday's post.

The best way to show respect to the people who supported you, worked with you, and believed in you is to finish the movie and make it the best movie possible. - - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide (coming Fall 2007)

AF's Guest Quote of the Day

Since I am on the road I can't always post every day. Sometimes I don't have access to the internet. Oh well. I do my best. Hollywood is like being nowhere and talking to nobody about nothing. ~ Michelangelo Antonioni

AF's Tip of the Day

No one in Europe has ever asked me why I don't make funny films anymore.
- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide
(coming fall 2007)

AF’s Tip of the Day

When people start realizing what a pain in the ass it is to have a crew shoot at their house, things change.
- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

AF's Tip of the Day

When you're on the set, restrict your talking to what is going on, on the set. Everyone will appreciate that, and more work will get done.

- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide

(coming Fall 2007)

AF’s Tip of the Day

What? Ask the crew members if it's okay to work longer? You're goddamn right!

- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide

(coming Fall 2007)

AF's Tip of the Day

Screw famous "Indie" actors! I'm going with good actors that I know.

- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

AF's Tip of the Day

(I am on the road so even though I am posting on a Sunday night, this is for Monday.)

Watching a movie is much easier than making one.

- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide (coming Fall 2007)

AF’s Tip of the Day

So many of those great directors had things to say. It's a pity that so many of today's directors don't.

- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

AF's Tip of the day

There is a clear chain of command on a set and it should be followed.
- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

AF's Tip of the Day

I never waste my time lecturing people who claim that they "used to write."
- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

AF’s Tip of the Day

No one ever thinks about post! Like once you get through production the rest of the film will take care of itself?
- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

AF's Tip of the Day

As the director you need to listen to your actors. The good ones are doing everything they can to breathe life in to the characters that you've created. Support them!
- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

Thoughts on Rich People (like you didn’t know how I feel)

I ran in to a friend of mine a couple weeks ago at a bar near my house. I know, what am I doing in a bar? It was hard to believe I was there. Anyway, we had tossed down a few beers and were talking. He is a good guy and I have known him for long time. So he is asking me what I have been doing and if I was shooting anything. I told him that mostly I was on the road and writing. I have been shooting some documentary stuff and I was trying to find time to edit it together but time is my enemy right now. Never enough.

He started telling me that I had a lot of fans here in Portland especially among the production crews. He said that all the crews he had ever talked to had lots of respect for me and my work. That's great, I feel really good about that. You all know that I have always respected my crews, without them I am nothing. These are the people that do the heavy lifting on any shoot, and the ones who deserve respect.

Then he starts telling me that the only negative thing he ever hears about me is my "hatred for the rich!" He says I gotta cool that down. A "lot of people" respect my work" but I need to lay off showing wealthy people in a bad light. I don't write nice things about them.

Say what?

I show wealthy people in a bad light? I have a bone to pick with them? I am not nice when I write about them?

Let's set the record straight. I don't hate ALL wealthy people. In fact I respect people who have made money through honest hard work. I can't stand people who come from money and feel like things are owed to them. What the fuck is up with that? Nobody owes you anything! Especially if you didn't earn it yourself. You have a fucking trust fund!

I don't hate anybody actually. I look at the "inherited" wealthy with disdain. It is not worth my time or energy to hate them. They're not worth it. And while we are on the subject, I am sick of reading articles about people who have worked really hard, paid their dues, and really suffered for their art, music, movies, whatever, until they FINALLY break through and are successful at the grand old age of 22, 23, 24...

Give me a break! What about the people in the 40's and 50's who have worked their asses off for 20 or 30 years and refuse to compromise! What about success for them? Well success has nothing to do with money my friends. If you do good work and are happy with your work, then you are a success. I am so tired of, as my friend Tim likes to say, "Gucci to Riches stories". Those people who come from money and do something "on their own" just like Mom and Dad (usually in the same business) and they become famous in their own right. They worked hard and had family money and connections to fall back on. It's not so easy for the rest of us.

Sorry, I can't stop bashing some rich people. Why? Because I still remember how they can treat others who don't come from such a background. And that's something I hope always stays with me. I want to remember where I come from.

Besides, if wealthy people are bothered by what I have to say ... What does that say about them?

AF’s Rant of the Day

I was told by everyone in the know, next time I made a film, I needed at least one recognizable actor, and to spend more money!
- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

AF’s Tip of the Day

Knowing lots of people is sometimes better than money. When you have no money you need a lot of friends to get your movie done.

- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

Kelley's Fall Tour

The leaves are starting to turn, the air is getting crisper, the spider webs are multiplying, and gas prices are going up again. We all know what that means, it's time for the Angry Filmmaker's Fall Tour.

I believe that the future of Real Independent Film Distribution doesn't lie with so called "Indie" distributors in New York or LA, or those internet companies that give you distribution contract, put their name and logo on your movie and then expect you to promote it!

The future is Independent Filmmakers going around the country and showing their work wherever they can get an audience! In addition to colleges and media art centers, I have shown my films in bars, art galleries, private homes, and even a wine shop! We need to get our films out the same way the Punk Bands did in the 80's. DIY!

My Fall Tour is coming up and I have some holes in my schedule that I want to fill. Like any good touring band I don't increase my audience when I sit in a motel room watching TV. I want to see as many people as I can. My goal is 50 screenings or work shops in 60 days!

This tour starts in Washington, DC on September 20th at American University and doesn't stop until San Francisco City College the week of November 5th! I have bookings in West Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arizona, and California. I will be driving thru Virginia, South Carolina, Iowa, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, and Nevada.

If you are in any of those states and don't feel like you can afford my rates, Think again! Contact me and let's see what we can work out! It won't do any of us any good if I can't meet filmmakers, film students, and people interested in film.

Check out my site (www.angryfilmmaker.com) or drop me a note. Let's talk and get me booked.
Book Notes - - I want to thank everyone who has donated to my book so far. I am about $400 away from my target. So...

You can still go to my web page (www.angryfilmmaker.com) follow the book link, and make a donation there thru PayPal. If you want something for your money, you can purchase a DVD, or a T-shirt. For the next 30 days I will put everything I make off the web site towards the book.
Or we can do this like PBS. Anyone who donates $50 will get a signed copy of one of my movies (your choice), $75 gets you a T-shirt and a signed DVD, and $100 will get a signed copy of the book when it is available. (I wonder if Ken Burns does it this way.) I am going to add a page to the book with the names of all those responsible for helping me make my book possible.

I look forward to hearing from everybody. Moses and I will see you out on the road.

Kelley

www.angryfilmmaker.com
angryfilminfo@aol.com

AF’s Tip of the Day

Do NOT charge anything on credit cards! That's bad! Don't do it! Sell your blood first!
- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)

AF’s Tip of the Day

This business is not for the faint of heart, I don't care how much you think you know.
- - from The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide
(coming Fall 2007)