Thanks, Michael, what a great springboard for discussion. I love Cocteau, but I’m not sure I agree with him on this. With cell phone cameras and free editing software, we’ve democratized the tools of filmmaking, yet the art form as a whole has never felt less artful. The inhibitive cost of material can push artists to be more intentional and thoughtful in their work. We've lost some of that friction in the digital age, and I wish it wasn't so. As a filmmaker myself, I want materials to be inexpensive, and it's thrilling that they are available to more people than ever. But I also have to concede that when things are free and ubiquitous, we tend to take them for granted. That's my .02, anyway.
This is an interesting read and I totally agree. You hit the nail on the head when you said that we need to demand better. If we settle for a lesser quality, how can we expect it to improve? This is also why I think The Substance is the best film of the year so far
"Film will only become art when it's materials are as inexpensive as pencil and paper." Jean Cocteau
Discuss.
Thanks, Michael, what a great springboard for discussion. I love Cocteau, but I’m not sure I agree with him on this. With cell phone cameras and free editing software, we’ve democratized the tools of filmmaking, yet the art form as a whole has never felt less artful. The inhibitive cost of material can push artists to be more intentional and thoughtful in their work. We've lost some of that friction in the digital age, and I wish it wasn't so. As a filmmaker myself, I want materials to be inexpensive, and it's thrilling that they are available to more people than ever. But I also have to concede that when things are free and ubiquitous, we tend to take them for granted. That's my .02, anyway.
"The less quality we demand as consumers..."
Ugh, good article but why'd you have to use the other c-word?
Guilty as charged! Sadly, now I'm grasping for a better word and catching air. Any suggestions?
Bravo 👏
This excellent piece comes at an apt time with that horrendous Princess Mononoke trailer remade by AI doing the rounds on Twitter.
I have to be honest, if I was working in Hollywood and someone called what I was doing "content", I'd be too tempted to clock them.
Now that I think about it, maybe it's good I don't work there.
Fromtheyardtothearthouse.substack.com
My Old Ass was great!
I know, right?? It's so, so good.
This is an interesting read and I totally agree. You hit the nail on the head when you said that we need to demand better. If we settle for a lesser quality, how can we expect it to improve? This is also why I think The Substance is the best film of the year so far