Categories
Let's Make Better Films

Free Directing Masterclass (With All The Best)

The LA Times has been offering a great series of videos in the form of a roundtable with Ethan Cohen, Lisa Cholodenko, Darren Aronofsky, David Fincher, Ben Affleck, and Tom Hooper.  Watch all the episodes and you should be ready to pick up your Oscar.

Categories
Truly Free Film

Should We Accept That Indie Film Is Now A Hobby Culture?

I don’t intend to get down on hobbies here; I love building model rockets with my son, but I don’t harbor any fantasies about earning a living from doing it (well, I do have a plan for a BowlOfNoses Summer Camp, but…).  Thing is, there once was a time when all my friends earned a living making and sharing independent features.  It didn’t feel like a hobby then, but now it does. I wonder if anyone still earns a consistent living making indie films?

Okay, the sales markets of Sundance & Toronto have increased my hopes that the economic situation for filmmakers will improve and, yes, “earning a living” is a relative phrase.  True, many still are paying most of their bills from working in the film biz, but I suspect that either it is at a level 50% lower than it was three years ago, or else the company that pays them is earning substantially less than they were years back and just hasn’t passed the losses on to their employees beyond staff reductions.  Yes, there are still some folks who hit a vein and get a windfall, but don’t mistake that good fortune as a career.  I have seen highs and lows, but I don’t see consistency any more.

It’s not all doom mind you.

Categories
Bowl Of Noses

The 40 Best Robots Of All Time

Thanks Paste Magazine for this list of both real and fictional robots.

Categories
These Are Those Things

Best Performance With A Box On Their Head?

Andrew Garfield of course! In Spike Jonze’s short I’M HERE. A fine example of a brand (Absolut) financing art. Win win.

Categories
Bowl Of Noses

Some NYC Big Cats Discover Snow For 1st Time

The Tigers from The Bronx Zoo made a discovery this winter: Snow!

Categories
Let's Make Better Films

American Action Movies Suck!

This is 1000% cool, imaginative, humorous, and thrilling. I am going to do the US remake and keep it completely identical, including the language and stars!

Categories
Truly Free Film

The Triumphant Return of Good Machine

Yes, it is true.  Good Machine is back.  But in a new and improved form.  Perhaps we should have done a press release, but I thought I should do it here instead.  Press releases are so yesterday.

If you went to Sundance, perhaps you noticed the secret stealth return of our so-called 90’s powerhouse.  Or if you were at the Golden Globes, it must have caught your eye.  Hell, even if you just watched the Golden Globes.  If you missed all that, certainly by perusing the Oscar noms, something should have caused a bit of stir.  I’ve been waiting for some sharp newshound to break with the story, but nope.  So here’s the real buzz…