Blog Posts Across Tony Lankford's DOWNTOWN The Actors Lounge

(Cue Don LaFontaine voiceover) In a world... where studios once made Cecil B. DeMille-sized epics and independents cobbled together pictures on a shoestring and a cash advance comes gatecrashing, globetrotting Babel. Just how is last year's co-financed arthouse affair an "independent" film if it makes The Ten Commandments look like a kitchen-sink drama? Not long ago there was no such thing as an "indie studio." Things have changed. Sure, back in the 1990s the six major studios owned specialty… Continue

Like it or not, Michael Bay is a successful moviemaker. His films make obscene amounts of money, which in turn allows him to continue to practice his craft, a fairly reliable definition of success. Recently he has become a lightning rod for criticism on all aspects of his work, with an entire song devoted to him (Why does Michael Bay Keep Getting to Make Movies? in 2004's Team America: World Police. He's a guy that people really love to hate. His movies are considered bloated, heavy on effects a… Continue

David Cronenberg has had a long and interesting career. While most of his movies have been labeled “cult” fare (and not for the general public), his most recent pictures have begun changing that image. His last film, A History of Violence, was well received and featured such non-Cronenberg staples as a straightforward narrative and no weird monsters. His latest project, Eastern Promises, will further this idea of a “new Cronenberg.” Not that there was anything wrong with the old Cronenberg, who… Continue

Many of us have made films (short films, long films) and we take great pride in saying, “I made that.” But did we really? We say we’re “directors.” We say we “make films.” We may even call ourselves “moviemakers.” But what do we really do? Think about it: You had a script, maybe you wrote it, and you decided to turn it into a film. You found some money and then you began the process. You worked with the writer, found yourself a producer, hired or begged for the services of a cinematogra-pher, p… Continue

John Cassavetes and Orson Welles were both individuals who tried to function within the system and learned that they couldn't. It wasn't a choice with them, or with those of us who have followed in their footsteps. After my third film, Sitting Ducks, achieved a certain bit of success (which followed my being unable to get anyone to see my first two films, A Safe Place and Tracks), I was approached by the producer of one of the big commercial hits of the time to see if I would direct "two-thirds"… Continue

On Learning There is no greater thing than to keep learning, and you do that when you have the opportunity to work with the most creative people in the world, as you do in the movie business. On Being Serious Taking yourself too seriously is the silliest thing you can do. On Being a Director It looks great from the outside, but, from the inside it’s quite intense. Be prepared to work very hard and sometimes under brutal conditions. On Succeeding If you really are going to be a director, the o… Continue

Nothing matters but the characters and the acting. As a production designer, I would put so much effort into making the set perfect and then I would watch some movies I had done and realize none of it mattered. There are a lot of films with great sets, but we don’t care to watch them if the story and the characters aren’t compelling. Always concentrate on what you’re doing. No matter what happens on the set—who’s having a bad day, whether two actors are fighting or the studio doesn’t want you… Continue

Every where I look I see someone with a video camera. Small large,medium. it's every where. When will it stop? Continue