If you suddenly got a chance to run a major studio, what would you change about the way Hollywood runs?

Question

If somebody handed you the keys to a major motion picture studio company, what would you have it do differently? Is there anything you'd like to change about the way Hollywood currently makes film and television, and how do you think that would help? Be as detailed or vague as you want to, and there's no wrong answers to this one. I'm just curious. Thanks!

Answer 1

I would cut salaries and film budgets, and pass the savings on to cinemas with the proviso that they must drop their ticket prices.

I would blacklist Jim Carrey, Norm McDonald, David Spade, Adam Sandler, and Kevin Costner. ESPECIALLY Costner. While the other are acutely annoying, Costner is like a walking shot of Novocaine -- utterly bland and lifeless.

I would streamline the process of how projects get pitched. There are some talented writers who could be responsible for terrific films, but it's almost impossible to get your foot in the door.

I would not produce lame teen comedies that pander to the lowest common denominator.

Nothing would explode, unless it was absolutely necessary for the plot.

I would instruct all cinematographers that the camera must not pan too quickly or shake too violently, and all editors would be told not to do jump-cuts where something is seen for only a half-second. There has been a trend over the past ten years of footage that is either a blur or jump-cuts too quickly. It causes headaches.

And absolutely no "comedies" wherein child characters are rude/demanding to their parents or other elders, or wherein the adults are made to appear like morons while the child is brilliant. Yes, children need to build self-esteem, but they should not be getting it from entertainment -- and they should not be encouraged to engage in disrespectful behavior.

Oh, and no lame sequels just to make more money. The only truly good and worthwhile sequel was "Aliens" -- but the franchise should have stopped there.

Answer 2

I would immediately take a 10% paycut for myself and all my "upper eschelon"employees; there would be a "cap" on the top dollar amount ANY star is payed; I would give all the crew, et al an immediate raise of 5% of their present salary; only directors, writers, AD's, FX people who actually maintain a consistent level of productivity (productivity=$$$$$) would be retained on a permanent basis-all others would be hired on a per contract basis or "share/loan" with another studio; all "back ended" deals for a % of the films gross' would be capped unless otherwise stipulated/negotiated; Don't assume that because "we" have the technology that we should use it all the time (special fx, for ex.), set standards for star behavior on the set (zero diva tolerance), the mindset should be that no one is irreplaciable; on-set AAA, NA, GA meetings and annual or as needed pyschological evaluations of "top" staff; these are just a few thoughts!

Answer 3

I'd make a section for YouTube-like videos and market them for download online. For instance, all the greatest "Wow!" videos on YouTube would be available on DVD or download. That way, the really great, unmatched stuff available online could become a permanent part of people's offline lives.

I'd also make more movies with universal appeal. The niche market is fine, but there have to be more movies that I can watch with my husband, my kids, and my mom. Come on! There are tons of good stories out there, so why can't there be more movies like "A Walk to Remember" and "13 Going on 30"?

Finally, I'd make movies of all my favorite books. Luckily, the guy who produced X-Men III is doing some of that by making Ted Dekker's books like "Three" into movies, and Michael Landon Jr. is making Janette Oke's "Love Comes Softly" stories into films, but we have to step it up! I want my movies now! (wink)

Answer 4

I would cut out the crap. I would make movies that people need to see and not necessarily what they want to see. I wouldn't be obsessed about the numbers. I would cut the budgets. I would not pay a lot of money to big time actors and actresses unless they were really good. They can act. I would work to bring quality.

Answer 5

First I'd do a documentary about the neighborhood around the studio. Then I'd do a future documentary around the neighborhood after doing all my studio could do to help the neighborhood.

Answer 6

What about good stories instead of computer eye candy? What about spending money on making a good movie instead of having one star making millions? What about original titles instead of Spiderman 15?

Answer 7

More indie type projects. Lionsgate is doing a great job with low budget, big idea projects.

Answer 8

i don't even know the name of any major motion picture studios so i really don't know. but as with with any business i would make it alot better, just don't know how yet

Answer 9

No sequels to movies more than five years old.