To have a clear idea about global film industries we need to be aware of the misconceptions about filmmaking, and only then can we carve out a distinctive niche for us in the market. Below I tried to debunk some common misconceptions with simple facts, plain argument and common sense.
Film business is dirty!
Generally speaking, films are not the last resort of the illiterate, immoral people who could not do anything better in life. It is as good and as bad as any other business. Satyajit Ray made the same point in “Nayak,” where everyone points their fingers at the movie star for a scandal, but the true villain is the elite corporate man trying to seduce the advertiser’s wife.
Big films are bad, small films good!
It is possible for a lot of people with a lot of money to put their heads together and make films. It is also important to note that a significant portion of the budget is spent on marketing. There is nothing wrong in making a film solely to earn money. As a matter of fact, some of the greatest films ever made were made for the sake of ‘commerce,’ rather than for the sake of ‘art.’ “Gone with the Wind” and “Casablanca” are classic examples. ‘Commerce’ tends to absorb ‘art,’ not the other way round.
Films are made by directors!
It is wrong to assume that all the decisions in all films are always taken by the directors. It takes a lot of money to make even the cheapest of films, and the person with the bag of cash makes the movie. Directors cannot make films without the backing of producers. The common idea is that producers are moral dwarves (the enemies) and directors are true artists (the saviors). Well, from Chaplin to Fellini, many great directors have confessed their primary desire to make films – to impress beautiful women.
Films require the latest technology!
The basic technology for films have been available for over half a century. The fact that a new camera is brought out every month is not ‘technology’ - it is ‘consumerism’. Companies always release ‘technology’ in small increments, so the public keeps sticking its tongue out. True technology is stable and the rest are all illusion. Films do not look bad because of lack of technology, they look bad for lack of ‘craft’. Just watch “Sunrise” (made nearly 90 years ago) and “Beauty and the Beast” (made nearly 70 years ago) – two of the most beautiful films ever made.
Films are the modern art form!
Films are not the modern art form made by the modern man. There is no such thing as ‘modern man,’ we are all as primitive as the first humans who walked the earth. The human body itself is primitive. As a matter of fact, all of science is ancient knowledge. Just think about it, our universe and everything in it is over 13 billion years old. So the best ‘art’ should focus on understanding that very old phenomenon – the human condition. So Shakespeare would make the better filmmaker, not Edison!
To sum it up, films are primarily commodities, and consumers have the right to seek out better products. No emotional blackmailing will work otherwise. We need to come up with good films or perish.
It is high time to explore new territories and create our own place in the world film map.
But we cannot expect the film producers to initiate a revolution, they would rather sink with the ship than risk their own money. We need to bank on creative individuals to fight for us and show us the way and everyone else will follow in due time.
Automatically, people will think of young filmmakers. But that's another misconception.
‘Youth’ is an abstract idea and it does not guarantee success. After all, Kurosawa made “Ran” at the age of 75.
The truth is, anyone alive - be it man or woman, young or old - is capable of making good films. So where are you? Speed it up please.
