A first look to Ron Howard

In my approach to become a better filmmaker, I like to analyze the different responses of several leaders in the industry. I found this old interview made to Ron Howard about his film “Frost/Nixon.” Here, Ron Howard depicts his views as a director on what he evaluates as a good story and what makes him get on board with projects. The interview is an interesting piece that allows you to see how experienced directors work the craft. You realize after viewing the video that it doesn’t take a mastermind story in order to make a film. It only takes a story, which doesn’t have to be that “original”, but well told. Films have to be provocative. They have to incite the public to view more and more. Of course, many people might find “Frost/Nixon” a very slow paced film. However, we have to remember that good films should always have a target audience, and in the case of this film, it targets a political issue, which demands an audience that craves these types of subjects.

In the interview, Ron Howard explains that he watched the play and fell in love with it. He immediately called Brian Grazer, one of his producers, and told him about his interest in making an adaptation of the piece. Also, he is asked about how he approaches a story in the beginning, and he answers that he always views it in the beginning as an audience member. Now here I believe is one of the keys: we forget many times as filmmakers that films are meant to be watched and that audiences have to believe in the characters and the stories. Now in order to do that, we have to set aside our egos and understand that it is not about telling a story for us, but telling a story for the audience with our point of view. It is crucial to remember that films are products meant to be watched and to be given exposure.

I encourage you to watch this interview. Ron Howard also talks about other of his films like “Cocoon”, “A Beautiful Mind”, and “The Davinci Code.” He portrays stories that have twists, mystery, and overall they are provocative to various types of audiences. We always learn from other craftsmen of the art, and if we listen well, we will always keep our minds focused on what really matters when we make films.

BLOOD AND SAND

It is intriguing how TV is slowly turning into short format versions of feature films. The quality and the effects are being improved every day on television. From a business stand point of view, I believe that the series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" is a perfect example for this. In the following behind the scenes video, you can see how the production approached their effects work in a very unconventional way for a TV series. It actually resembles the ones of high budget studio films, and I even dare to say that it operates to a whole new level by adding some styles not even seen in Hollywood features before.

I believe the future of television has been changing with the passing of time and the evolution of new technologies. It is imperative as filmmakers to realize TV series are also career targets, ever since so many filmmakers only dream with making feature films. Stories are stories, and good content is good content. It can be told throughout multiple formats and platforms. The industry is leading to high quality and easy-access platforms already which do not only involve Blu-ray and other 3D technologies, but also Netflix and Amazon-on-demand online streaming. That in the mixture with this evolving trend of feature film quality TV series raises the bar for all of us filmmakers. It is our task to change our mindsets to keep the good content flowing, but with the goal of also selling it throughout these new platforms and formats. We cannot forget that in the end we are also “sales men” which bring new products to the table. I agree, we have the freedom to choose our styles and type of content. It is in deed however our task to understand that we still need a target audience beacuse we are selling entertainment, and not showcasing free personal projects to our families and friends. We are showing it to people who know nothing about us and only value what they see on screen.

“Spartacus: Blood and Sand” is a series that sets an example for us. Regardless of the type of content and your personal taste or opinions about it, the product sells. It rejects the soap opera look and regains a cinematic view that is admired by audiences worldwide. The show brings elements that we have seen before such as in “300” and “The Matrix”. Yet, it also brings new elements to the TV series format such as a more intrinsic storyline than “300” but with a superb production value. Just like with “The Sopranos”, the series is taking time to produce and deliver its seasons in the market, but it already has an assured audience craving and waiting for the new episodes to be released.