The Movie Business starts with the script.

So now, let's talk a little about the Movie Business. First off, it's not nearly as large as you might think. Yes, so many people want to be in the business in some fashion but never really try. They only dream while others try, but for one reason or another, they never succeed. Not only that, most people who do make it into the business seldom work regularly.

In the past pages you have heard me say several things more than once to emphasize their importance. Here goes another; the Movie Business is all about MONEY and CONTACTS! Money can get you contacts, and contacts can lead you to money. So where are you on that list? Do you have the money? Do you have contacts? If not, what do you do?

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Even with the constant changes in the business, movies are basically still packaged or produced the same. Now make sure you are comparing apples to apples. That means compare a studio "A" with another studio "A" movie. It's just not fair to compare a large budget studio film with a small low budget independent film. They really only have one thing in common; they both want to produce a marketable quality movie.

Now don't get me wrong, some low budget independent films also have some money and contacts at their disposal. If nothing else look at the number of smaller films that are being produced with known marketable talent. They may not get a wide theatrical release, but they are getting produced.

Of course, this attached talent helps provide the money. Question is, how did that talent get attached? In a word...generally through CONTACTS! Some evidence of this is seen by how the average cost of independent films has grown. Do some research. See what budget figure now defines a low budget film and compare it to the budget ten years ago.

The changing of the markets also has a constant effect on the Movie Business. The film markets, theatrical and non-theatrical, continue to grow. Is the internet the next explosion? Will it have a comparable effect equal to video and dvd; rental and sales? Have we only seen just a sample of its influence? What's the direction? What's the prediction?

I have a few questions I would like you to consider. I have heard it said many times, a good script will always find a home. Basically, a good script will always get purchased and most likely produced. Really..? So what about all the shitty movies that get made? Were those good scripts produced badly? How did they get made? The producer, director or talent couldn't find a better script? Hmmm....

Oh, and one other minor business changing aspect; going from film to tape. Shooting, editing and now projecting on tape has brought in a new generation of film makers. A low budget producer can now purchase all the tape he needs for a movie for the same cost of one ten minute roll of 35mm film, and of course that doesn't count the cost to process the 35mm film.

The business, she is a changing. Who can predict what lies ahead? From film to tape, computer generated scenes, or even digital projection. However, there is one constant, the original story concept. So yes, we are back to the script. No matter what happens in the business every screenwriter wants, must believe that all good scripts can find a home.

Finally, and I guess as a word to the wise, here's another saying I heard many times while living or visiting LA. Remember me saying, the Movie Business is one of Passion? There are those in the industry who will play on our passion, thus the saying, "Run screaming from the room!"...any time it just doesn't feel right. Any time all your questions aren't answered and you feel your passion getting the best of you, "Run Screaming from the room!"

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