Production Crew on Set of TROOP 491: THE ADVENTURES OF THE MUDDY LIONSThere's a saying in the film industry -- you're only as good as your last movie. Considering that film festivals receive upwards of 2,000 submissions each year and only accept less than 5% of these works to screen at their event, moviemakers are pitted against a lot more than our own work.
The competition to gain favor among audiences, media outlets, studio executives and judging panels is high -- especially now that YouTubers and Vine stars appear be to landing television shows, sponsorships and movie deals more often than those of us who have studied and practiced the craft of filmmaking.
Oftentimes, it seems like we’re competing against four different areas including our previous work, Hollywood flicks released by the big-boy studios, other independent films and new media stars in who are killing it in the online video arena. While taking this into account where my own filmmaking endeavors are concerned, I also welcomed “Khoobi” director Amir Motlagh and “Troop 491: Adventures of the Muddy Lions” director Praheme to add some further understanding on how these matters affect them, or not.
For me, knowing that my latest short film “ABYSS: The Greatest Proposal Ever” is a much better movie than most of the movies I’ve made so far, brings a certain level of contentment. It tells me that I’m not spinning my wheels – at least not right now. Competing with one’s last movie can be a good thing; it’s worthwhile to consider this form of competition to be a sign of progress if the work we produce now is better than our previous creations. Competing with movies that are backed by studios and come out of Hollywood, however, is a disaster waiting to happen.
Filming scene on set of an Amir Motlagh production.“I have no interest in looking back, so my previous work is not a concern. However, I do strive to push myself anytime I have an opportunity to work. Often that means refining elements and avenues that might have been previously pursued or explored.
You can always build on thematics or aesthetics but in the end of the day, comparing is not helpful for me.”
– Amir Motlagh, director, “KHOOBI”
l-r: Director Praheme and actor Kimani Coleman on set during scout meeting scene in TROOP 491: THE ADVENTURES OF THE MUDDY LIONS“I hope that with every movie I make, I can improve somewhat from the previous film. I don’t feel any pressure at all because it’s a natural progression. That is what makes a successful career – my movies getting better with each one.
I can see some growth in my first feature [Troop 491: The Aventures of the Muddy Lions] compared to the work I’ve done in film school, [particularly with] my writing and story. I feel like I’m decent; I don’t feel like I’m really good at anything right now and if I keep that mindset, that’s how I will keep making good work. I’m always working on my craft. On my second movie, I will be able to see my improvement as a filmmaker."
– Praheme, director, “TROOP 491: The Adventures of the Muddy Lions”
Not all independent filmmakers try to go toe-to-toe with studio productions but over the years, I’ve noticed some in the indie film world who do attempt to make movies that rival studio fare – particularly in the case of genre films; which never ceases to amaze me because it doesn’t make much sense. Studios have the juice to pull off all sorts of scenes containing stunts, special effects, crazy action sequences and hire the likes of George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Zoe Saldana.
Zoe Kravitz and Shailene Woodley star in DIVERGENTNo matter how much some independent films try to duplicate what Hollywood does, an ultra-low budget independent film is almost always going to come up short. That’s why it’s best to stay in our lane and do what we can with the resources we’re working with.
“'Superior' is a strange word in arts because it implies absolute standards of judgement, whether personal or from an outside source. That type of judgement is probably detrimental to your mental space whether immediately, or in the long run. One might as well concentrate on the tasks that lay directly in front of him/her.” – Amir Motlagh, director, “KHOOBI”
Over the years, other independent films, as well as online video series, have been two forms of competition that I considered to be useful to me in terms of knowing what resonates with people and what doesn’t – as well as what is possible and noticing opportunities to make or showcase my work in a way that has yet to be done by anyone else.
“I don't want to sound like I just picked up a GO GET' EM incantation; but really, the only competition is the self. The rest is a real drag. If this were basketball, then we're talking about something else. The rules are set, the standards are set. Filmmaking is not basketball. "Best" doesn't exist. Collaboration is a much better tool than competition.” – Amir Motlagh, director, “KHOOBI”
Director Praheme on the set with actors Kimani Coleman and Michael A. LeMelle during a prison scene in TROOP 491: THE ADVENTURES OF THE MUDDY LIONS
“Competition helps us because the higher the competition, people have to work harder to get their work seen in a very crowded workplace. There’s so much material out here now – yours has to be really good to stand out. So, that means you have to find better stories, better actors and get the best cameras in order for your work to get noticed, because there is so much competition. I think competition is great for every form of business; people get lazy if there’s nobody competing against them, and I love it!” – Praheme, director, “TROOP 491: The Adventures of the Muddy Lions”
Of all the concerns I’ve had for a long time regarding competition, I’ve been starting to come to terms with understanding that it doesn’t really matter at the end of the day, since the audience ultimately decides what is good and what is just Blah. That begs the question: How do we compete against other players in our field when the audience is in control? That’s just it -- we don’t!
Being aware of what’s out there in the marketplace is key to knowing how audiences respond to certain genres, cast members, plots, etc. but it is unnecessary to size up the quality of one’s work based on the characteristics and trajectory of another person’s creations. It’s better to give a project my best shot and not worry about competition in any area of the film industry. Instead, I choose to view competing films as motivational tools (even to learn from, where necessary) rather than a barrier, which is freeing because whatever happens will happen.
How has competition influenced how YOU operate in your profession, area of study or other pursuits?
Also, stay tuned for more from Praheme and Amir Motlagh! Be sure to check out yesterday's post: What Ben Affleck can Teach us about Bravery.
TROOP 491: THE ADVENTURES OF THE MUDDY LIONS is about Tristan, a reluctant new Scout who is conflicted after witnessing a homicide. Will he follow the code of the Streets or the code of the Scouts?
Directed by Praheme, this family film is showing:
Arizona International Film Festival
- Saturday April 12th - 7pm at the Screening Room (127 East Congress; near Scott)
- Sunday April 13th - 12:00pm Noon at the Grand Crossroads Cinema 6 (4811 East Grant Road; at Grant and Swan) in the Crossroads Festival Mall
Watch Amir Motlagh’s short film “KHOOBI” about young man born with an obsessive compulsive drive, whose dreams are faced with obstacles, including a war torn childhood that shake his soul to this day.
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Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 7:00PM 
l-r: Skyy John with models Raychel Gregg, Keziah Okonkwo and Kristina from the YouTube show 'Tipsy Bartender.'After meeting various actors, directors, film students and producers over the years, I get the impression that some people who make movies are not so much trying to create motion pictures as much as they are reaching for a place in Hollywood -- and all its trimmings – to call their own. By this, I am not exactly referring to fame, but rather, one’s attempts at being associated with the scene.
l-r: Rapper/Comedian Timothy DeLaGhetto and model BOBBi Dean with Skyy John on the set of 'Tipsy Bartender.'Have you ever spotted a filmmaker who constantly longs to hang out with superstars like Brad Pitt, indulge in orgies with Charlie Sheen, have personal assistants at their beck and call, and party all night with Lindsay Lohan? Although there’s nothing wrong with these interests, if they’re the main reason why someone would make a film, then there’s no point in even bothering with all the obstacles popping up during development all the way through the distribution stages of projects.
