How to Predict Creative Success
I’ve received many emails from former students on the New York Times front page article dealing with the claims of The Worldwide Motion Picture Group that they can use statistics to predict the success of a film while it’s still in the development process. Read more 
Politicians and Filmmakers Follow Many of the Same Principles
The first and one of the most important documents in American history was a press release – something Thomas Jefferson and his collaborators called “A Declaration of Independence.” The actual act of separating from Great Britain took place on July 2nd; what we celebrate as the beginning of our nation was the date the P.R. document was released.
In its very first sentence, the Declaration of Independence states: Read more
“How to Make It in Today’s Film World” – interview
“How to Make It in Today’s Film World” – interview with Howard Suber on The European Independent Film Festival site. http://bit.ly/PHwn2S
What’s Wrong With The Film Industry?
The resignation/firing of Rich Ross as Chairman of Walt Disney Studios, which I suggested was coming when I wrote a couple of blogs on the mentality that produced the disaster of John Carter several weeks ago, demonstrates another point I have made: that the average shelf life of the head of production at a studio in recent decades is in the range of 18-30 months.
An astute analyst of the film industry who had substantial investments in it compiled a list titled “What’s Wrong With the Film Industry?” which included the following points: Read more
“Films Must Have a Happy Ending”: Wrong
The press, audiences, and people in the film industry itself all seem to believe that, to be a success, a Hollywood film must have a happy ending, but as the list below demonstrates, this is not born out by the evidence. While comedies and musicals generally end happily, a very large proportion of the most memorable popular films (those that were popular in their own day and have remained popular) do not. Read more
