tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post5467740987958820171..comments2023-09-06T02:35:01.994-07:00Comments on SutterInk: STAR BUCKS AND THE DEATH OF THE CREATIVE MIDDLE-CLASSAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06050973510165942367noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-35722983845436183522010-05-23T15:55:10.476-07:002010-05-23T15:55:10.476-07:00I think this is a great era for anyone with vision...I think this is a great era for anyone with vision and creativity. Hollywood can continue to make the bankable big-budgets, but eventually small cult followings become big followings and Hollywood will want in again.<br /><br />Cable TV and the Internet are like the farm system for Hollywood. They can see what develops and pick and choose what they like.<br /><br />Which makes you like A-Rod playing for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.<br /><br />By the way, thanks for promoting my cats-recapping-lost video. That was cool of you.Dee from Tremendous News!http://twitter.com/tremendousnewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-26075801925150258922010-05-03T00:08:07.050-07:002010-05-03T00:08:07.050-07:00Cable TV over the last decade has fueled what I fe...Cable TV over the last decade has fueled what I feel is the golden age of television. There is more quality content on TV (mostly on cable) than in movie theatres lately.Ike Diamondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755594584263134835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-75117119519239495472010-05-01T18:15:48.302-07:002010-05-01T18:15:48.302-07:00I'm just waiting for the first big budget &quo...I'm just waiting for the first big budget "TV" serial to be released straight onto the internet. It really can't be that far away. <br /><br />If most of your overseas fans are torrenting your show anyway, leveraging that for revenue is much smarter than trying to fight an inevitability. <br /><br />Just sell the space where the station/network ident goes to advertisers. Make it unobtrusive enough so that no one feels it worth the effort to obscure it, and then release the episode into the wild (and maybe offer a push option for a small fee - for all that torrenting TV shows is easy these days, it's still not a trivial task). <br /><br />The problem is of course getting the advertisers to see the value, but any sharp global brand should at least begin to understand just how much exposure they could get that way.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15590754415950614036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-44820671605874074292010-04-30T11:57:15.249-07:002010-04-30T11:57:15.249-07:00This is so true, Kurt. So what's the solution?...This is so true, Kurt. So what's the solution? I mean - you would think some of these upper level studio excecs could do the math and see that investing $20 million to make $100 million is far better than investing $100 million to make $105 million or $2 million to make $13.45, but then,maybe they weren't hired for their math skills...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-80737614692290830402010-04-29T20:53:24.907-07:002010-04-29T20:53:24.907-07:00Thank you thank you for Paula! Three isn't eve...Thank you thank you for Paula! Three isn't even half of half, so more casting announcements?! Jesus Christ, I hope you didn't hire that horse Steve fucked.therealzenobiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14950221062039534337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-46138262049883883192010-04-28T15:51:40.084-07:002010-04-28T15:51:40.084-07:00I'd work for you for free man, too bad I ain&#...I'd work for you for free man, too bad I ain't an actor and I live in Sweden. What you're saying is so true. Now it's gonna be forever till I can watch season 3 when it hits in the States, but keep up the good work! (I also want more Tommy Flanagan, he rocks!)flippenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05918194379023357284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-64991950374949369062010-04-23T16:26:35.743-07:002010-04-23T16:26:35.743-07:00I think you're dead-right on this -- the creat...I think you're dead-right on this -- the creative demise of features and network TV set against the rise of cable. For the viewer, it's not a disaster -- there are so many quality shows on cable these days (this really is a New Golden Age of TV) that the networks bilge is easy to ignore. The last decent network drama was "Southland," and Jeff Zucker's NBC was too stupid to understand what they had -- so the second batch of shows aired on cable. It's a shame to lose the ten-to fifteen million dollar features, but as you point out, new talent will arise using cheap modern technology, and the cream will eventually float to the top. <br /><br />The rise of cable is a mixed blessing for those of us who do the heavy lifting on set -- the men and women who actually make the shows. Network shows pay full union scale with double-time kicking in after 12 hours of work on set,but cable shows can pay their hard working crews 20% less per hour with double-time after 14 hours worked. When you're 22 years old and can take the punishment, that's not so bad, but 30 years later, working much harder for considerably less money is a real bitch.<br /><br />I love the quality of cable shows -- "Breaking Bad," "Mad Men," "Justified," and "Sons of Anarchy" -- but can no longer take the low-rent flogging such shows are contractually allowed to inflict on their crews. I'm sorry, but a 14 hour work day (at least 16 hours when you count meals and drive time) is just too damned long.<br /><br />Not all cable shows abuse their crew, and I'm not suggesting "SOA" does -- I don't personally know anyone who works on your show -- but the sidebar cable contract allows for such abuse. I took my share of punishment day-playing on HBO's "Tell Me You Love Me" a few years back, a show that took full advantage of that odious sidebar deal to grind the crew into the dirt every day.<br /><br />Too bad. Just once it would be nice to work on a show I could truly believe in.Michael Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02569781786039595929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-84906472100726401082010-04-23T14:26:27.931-07:002010-04-23T14:26:27.931-07:00What? You don't have private detectives slip y...What? You don't have private detectives slip your scripts into actors faces and force them to read the first pages at gunpoint? <br /><br />You could try a coordinated snag campaign through Twitter and Facebook. One of their followers or friends has to be a fan of yours.Ericnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-78942306966177979322010-04-23T09:40:27.373-07:002010-04-23T09:40:27.373-07:00This post got me thinking that if a person of your...This post got me thinking that if a person of your stature is having a problem getting his film made that it doesn't bold well for the screenwriters and filmmakers like myself who are outside the system and want to get their stories on a big or little screen. Hot mess. <br /><br />I guess we all have our struggles and even when you're a big fish in a small bond or a big fish in a big pond the system of elites can screw you. I'm starting to understand why so many people in Hollywood are shallow opportunists, it seems like it is the only way you can get your stuff out there, another hot mess. <br /><br />Oh well, life goes on right. Thanks for the post. I'm going to ponder this for a while.Aaliyahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04592146576233426623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-18518167075219267502010-04-22T13:40:40.332-07:002010-04-22T13:40:40.332-07:00Kurt: Congratulations on signing the GREAT actor,...Kurt: Congratulations on signing the GREAT actor, Hal Holbrook! Big, big 'attaboy!' <br />I was wondering if you have ever considering using an actor named William J. Sanderson. He played Larry on Newhart and, more recently, he was Farnum on Deadwood and he was (I think the Devil) on Lost. Really talented guy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-62202900851399724132010-04-22T12:07:03.651-07:002010-04-22T12:07:03.651-07:00So excited about Hal Holbrook in SOA next season. ...So excited about Hal Holbrook in SOA next season. Can't hardly wait to see him and Katey working together, it should be magic. Great casting choice for Gemma's dad.Marjorienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-80366069810422254622010-04-19T17:12:26.532-07:002010-04-19T17:12:26.532-07:00I see this same phenomenon in other fields -- I...I see this same phenomenon in other fields -- I'm a university professor who works closely on federal grant projects. Ideas for new and creative projects go no where -- if you want the grant you have to develop another shade of gray to attach to the "accepted" vein of thought rather than try to develop a new creative solution to a problem. The freedom to creatively explore is dwindling away as the freedom to fail has become an unacceptable alternative, even though we learn a great deal from our failures. Federal programs are a lot like Starbucks -- place them in a community and make the community pay for it and accept it, even though the community likes neither the cost nor the taste.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-23293157164511615982010-04-18T15:39:17.587-07:002010-04-18T15:39:17.587-07:00Damn, your blog left me feeling drained of all wil...Damn, your blog left me feeling drained of all will to live. <br />It wasn't the world becoming a franchise part. I'm from norway, so I'm able to stay blissfully ignorant about that part a wile longer. <br />What really beat me up and left me for dead was the fact that I've had the exact train of thought as the one you presented here concerning cable becoming the stage for quality production as opposed to film/movies<br />(To be completely honest I didn't make the distinction between network tv and cable tv, the reason being I'm from norway so I don't really know which shows come from where (except that if there's cursing it's probably cable, cause it's more accepted there (I think)))<br />I came to that conclusion after reflecting over the tremendous quality that some tv shows have displayed the last few years. I'm thinking particularly about shows such as; the wire, dead wood, the shield and now sons of anarchy. (I know some of these shows are produced by hbo, and hope you'll forgive me if they are competitors. (not quite sure if it's a channel or just a production company))<br />So the reason I feel like a new friendless inmate,huddled up in the fetus postion in the corner of the prison shower after being gang raped by a bunch of white pride prisoners is this; I had the same (or close to the same) thought as a living and breathing genius, and I can't prove it. I didn't share these thoughts with anyone..<br />I'm the freaking definiton of mediocre. I'm so mediocre I don't even fit in anywhere. There is nothing I do above average that gives me some sort of bond/connection with anybody. Of course I have my family, but they don't really count, cause they sort of have to. <br /><br />Before I go one with my mediocre life, I'd just like to add that, in my opinion the creative force going to tv productions is a good thing. After seeing shows like the ones I mentioned earlier I came to realize that the tv medium can do something that film/movies have a hard time doing. That is really establishing characters. <br />In books there's the advantage of a narrating voice, (who can be much more present then in film/tv) and the description of a charaters internal dialog. Those things make the audience feel a closeness to the charaters that film as a medium just doesn't have the time window to match. <br />Tv shows aren't constrained by time like movies. They can give the audience a close connection with the charaters through all the small stories /scenerios that happen while the big picture / story is being unraveled. <br />The season ending of SOA leaft me feeling depressed for days, seriously! The reason was that I missed the characters. I really missed Jaxx.. <br /><br />Well. if by some miracle in hell you, Kurt Sutter, are actually reading this; I would just like to finish by saying; thank you for a incredible show! <br />People in Norway love the story, the characters and the backdrop you've so ingeniously have created. You cannot be anything else then a freaking genius. <br />(it's a really mediocre mind writing this comment, so don't let your ego get to big though ;)Tobiasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-26684713225088385172010-04-17T15:04:26.814-07:002010-04-17T15:04:26.814-07:00Great post. It's an interesting time indeed, ...Great post. It's an interesting time indeed, but I feel like the pendulum is shifting in a new direction. With all of these emerging platforms, the class lines will hopefully continue to blur. It's an era of DIY! Let's hope we can continue to get our work seen.<br /><br />Best,<br />MelissaMelissa Center and Ash Archambeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16662710372488851151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-35631249804180382222010-04-16T10:20:52.284-07:002010-04-16T10:20:52.284-07:00Indie producers like Ted Hope and Scott Macaulay a...Indie producers like Ted Hope and Scott Macaulay address this issue quite a bit on their Truly Free Film and Filmmaker Magazine blogs (essential reading for DIY filmmakers - check 'em out.) <br /><br />Ted and Scott are facilitating the discussion on how filmmakers can bypass the traditional studio system in the age of RedCam, streaming and VOD, and make a return in the process. <br /><br />I think the success of PRECIOUS and HURT LOCKER was a signal that, even in the age of mega-franchises, audiences are hungry for compelling stories well told. And that those well made films can ascend from the festival circuit to Academy consideration. <br /><br />I'm having a similar challenge with my feature project, a grisly gay drama based on a novel by a literary cult figure. A tall order for funding and casting in 2010.<br /><br />I'm confident that you'll be able to make your film, with your track record and impressive body of television work. My guess is that the indie film community would jump at the chance. We def need your voice out there. <br /><br />Big respect, <br />DanUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16726313442007772380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-46478422135076658452010-04-16T02:56:11.412-07:002010-04-16T02:56:11.412-07:00Hey Kurt,
No wonder you can't wrap it up neatl...Hey Kurt,<br />No wonder you can't wrap it up neatly, it's a subject like a cartoon thread. As you keep pulling whole garments are unravelling until every stitch has gone.<br /><br />Death of the creative classes sounds too remote and like you I don't doubt this human spirit we try and contain in ideas. <br />I don't think we have anything to lose by the death of average, middle-of-the-road mass-produced rubbish. All that promotes is a uniform mediocrity with the chance of a little fame or notoriety, dreams of safety and security.<br /><br />Keep it real and raw as always.Reynard Da Sylvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10358928032166788643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-31380265467484313852010-04-15T09:01:40.410-07:002010-04-15T09:01:40.410-07:00I live in a well-known wine valley, THE wine valle...I live in a well-known wine valley, THE wine valley in California, and I'm seeing on the business end this exact trend. The death of the small family-owned business is rampant here, you see the "for lease" headstones all over town. We do have several big new hotel projects going on though. The word "elite" is being used more and more to describe the direction the city is trying to take. I have no experience in the TV or film production world, but your Starbucks metaphor really hit home with its basic truth. The super-cool camping supply store that was here for 40 years is gone, but you can bet we have a Big 5 and an REI. We also have about ten Starbucks now, while the Smoking Cat (a really cool little coffee house that showed old movies on the weekends and had shelves full of board games available to enjoy on the mis-matched couches) is long gone. I'm a small business owner, but there's no chain that does what I do so I think we're safe. It was really your first few paragraphs that touched me. I better find a way to become elite real fast or my days could be numbered too.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16977742058089834732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-51796507769764752982010-04-15T08:55:32.638-07:002010-04-15T08:55:32.638-07:00Hey Kurt,
Love the show (S.O.A.)rocks.
Is...Hey Kurt, <br /> Love the show (S.O.A.)rocks. <br /><br />Is there any chance your movie could be made in the cable tv medium ?Backdrafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15532826246960028727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-75900788110869227392010-04-15T08:37:44.209-07:002010-04-15T08:37:44.209-07:00Meanwhile I have to say I dug Noomi Rapace in &quo...Meanwhile I have to say I dug Noomi Rapace in "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo". I was supposed to do a project with her but then her recent cult success has made her too pricey....perhaps you could nab herOutsiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11489043078451378956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-44328470331147186752010-04-15T08:36:24.063-07:002010-04-15T08:36:24.063-07:00Quirky David Crumb Snatchers...I like that....
Tel...Quirky David Crumb Snatchers...I like that....<br />Tell me about it on Festival Films....two of the best things I ever did barely made it to dvd and another with a great semi A Lister who did a classic motorcycle film is just squeaking to limited theatrical release. Another friend I've done several films with has a boxed set compared to "Decalogue" that is just to low fi to sell it seems.<br />Anywayz....I noticed the role with the same name as a peacock head....reminds me that I shot a role for the peacock that they didn't have the cojones to air...it involved my Cojones....guess their censors were just a little too squeamish, wriggling with a hair up the butt to throw the dice in primetime...<br />The peacock head needs a figurative Sarah Palin thanksgiving turkey waterlooOutsiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11489043078451378956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-65392183167449006972010-04-15T08:21:48.833-07:002010-04-15T08:21:48.833-07:00Great post Kurt. Building on what Joe Reitman said...Great post Kurt. Building on what Joe Reitman said in these comments, the middle class below the line workers are also being crushed. I know many talented people who are trying to figure out what to do for a living now that their post production career choice has become untenable. The industry is truly in a state of revolution as all of us (including corporate big media) try to see how entertainment will be monetized in this age of new media. I personally choose to seek out the opportunity born in times of upheaval.Charles Sydnorhttp://www.charlessydnor.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-57572215091086127432010-04-15T07:44:04.577-07:002010-04-15T07:44:04.577-07:00Being far from the land of make believe that Holly...Being far from the land of make believe that Hollyweird has become, I hope that you can get your project out of developement purgatory and made. <br /><br />Disappointments can be a bummer in Life. Too true that the idiots in charge tend to want guarantees on the return in the form of mega millions, and now everything is going 3d from 2d, making it more expensive for the movie houses to show and the general public to see. <br /><br />That's genrally why I wait for the stuff I want to see to come to 'premium' cable and/or dvd. It's less expensive that way, and if one has to run to the necessary during the show, one can pause and come back and miss nada (TMI, but that's life, folks!). <br /><br /><br />Is direct to video still a factor? When my husband worked as a video store manager, it seemed there were a lot of the direct to video/made for video movies coming out (I think they called 'em 'B listers'?) NOT that I'm sayin' that your movie is less than stellar, but is that a possibility for getting it out to the masses as opposed to the obstacles the so-called 'normal' film making path seems to toss in your way. <br /><br />You're right about one thing, corporate conglomerates have definitely taken over the landscape. The 'mom and pop' stores are a thing of the past, and will soon go the way of Beta video and vinyl records and the dinosaur. <br /><br />Some still exist, like you say, they fill a niche. I try to support them when I find 'em, especially in a metro scene like Indy. You can find 'em if you look hard enough. <br /><br />Hold on to your dream, Mr. Sutter, and don't let it die. Delivering Gen will deliver, and will do so in your lifetime, cause you're the type of person to make it happen.indianacatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-69060503941856470362010-04-15T05:21:03.325-07:002010-04-15T05:21:03.325-07:00That is why I'm drawn to your writing and opin...That is why I'm drawn to your writing and opinions, it's direct and illuminating. <br />What you describe is maybe why I don't watch in-theater movies anymore - too much CGI, light sabers, glitz that requires a mile high suspension of disbelief.<br />SOA is a great example of human condition and emotion. Other than camera angle, there is no slight of hand when dealing with greed, grief, revenge, love, brotherhood, justice, and just Life.<br />I enjoy a great plot any day to a high speed chase or high tech gadgetry..<br />Thank you for providing that through your talents.<br />Good luck on your movie- it has been my experience that when it's time, everything will fall into place.<br />Enjoy the great riding weather!Pointmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08081041559500501814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-88908539762679687622010-04-15T02:27:40.786-07:002010-04-15T02:27:40.786-07:00I totally agree. When I became a middle class hou...I totally agree. When I became a middle class housewife a few years ago, I was deeply disappointed in the options that were presented to me. Not only the extent that huge corporations have taken over, but also their offerings. I have always made my own gear, clothes, home furnishings, etc, and I just can't find what I want in ready made store-bought items. I buy food in bulk and only go to the big chains to get yarn and fabric, spending as little money as possible. I can afford it, but I just don't like what's being offered. <br /><br />I LOVE Sons of Anarchy and as a TV junkie, it's one of my favorites. I hope that first, the baby gets rescued in the first episode, I don't want to have to sit and twitch through the whole season, second, keep Charming...well...charming.The Drizzlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16822179089953541563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6108759479938339169.post-36282125757189212762010-04-15T02:13:40.442-07:002010-04-15T02:13:40.442-07:00How can tv and movie audiences convey to the Holly...How can tv and movie audiences convey to the Hollywood-circus ringmasters that we want the type of quality shows that are moving to cable? FX has been delivering good programming. When I watch SOA and a handful of others, I feel like I'm using my brain. At least I'm not losing additional brain cells ingesting shit. I was always an avid moviegoer. Never complained about the cost, or waited for the DVD (or VHS tape)to come out. Now, I'm not even interested in going to the movies. I'm waiting for the DVD. The Hurt Locker was a good movie, but was able to view that on On Demand at the same time it hit theatres. I believe that, in itself, states the powers that be don't have confidence in their choices. Maybe I've had too much coffee...and it ain't from Starbucks.Pennnoreply@blogger.com