"On the Lot" -- Directors in the Making

I am not the biggest reality show fan. But I think that Mark Burnett (producer of "Survivor," "The Appretice," and other reality shows) and Steven Spielberg have created a fantastic show in "On the Lot." The show pits young filmmakers in a competition for a development deal with Dreamworks Studios.

Unfortunately the ratings for "On the Lot" have not been very good. I imagine that FOX is disappointed with the low ratings for an original summertime show. But the show itself has been very good. The 18 semifinalists produce films (at the rate of 5 or 6 per week). A celebrity panel of three judges, featuring two big Hollywood names -- Carrie Fisher (not just an actress, but also a respected author and screenwriter and, rumor has it, respected script doctor) and Garry Marshall (director of such good films as Pretty Woman and Overboard and such not so good films as The Princess Diaries 2) -- and a third guest judge each week. Just like "American Idol," the show appears live each week and viewers can vote for their favorite films/directors after each show (though unlike "Idol," the voting is basically free through phone calls, text messaging, and Internet voting). Directors receiving the fewest votes are sent home. The others live to direct another short film.

So far, the competition has been straightforward. Evidently, 12,000 people submitted films to try to earn a spot in the competition, and 50 aspiring filmmakers were on the first 2-hour episode. But of the 18 semifinalists, but even among these, there was a clear distinction between the top 5 or 6 directors and the others. All of these people have talent, and perhaps all of them will someday work professionally (though not all as Directors -- many probably as 1st and 2nd Assistant Directors), but a few of them have demonstrated real talent. Now that the competition is down to the final 8 (and 6 as of next week), it is a competition amongst the cream of the crop.

In a future post, I will comment further on these really good contestants individually. One is a special effects whiz; one is a fantastic visual storyteller; one is the most polished; one has the best heart in his stories. What I am impressed by is that these people are clearly making the most of their chance to use Hollywood level talent (both actors and crew). My guess is that, regardless of who wins the development deal with Dreamworks, at least 4 of these aspiring directors will sign development deals with studios by the end of the year and some of their films will be released in 2008.

So if you're not watching, you should be. It will give you a greater appreciation for the craft of movie-making, and it will give you hope about some of the up-and-coming behind the camera talent -- especially those that seem to have real story-telling abilities.

For example, last night's program featured Action movies (each movie is a 2 1/2 minute short). All of the action sequences showed skill; in fact, I thought it was, on the whole, the best evening of short films in the series so far. The biggest surprise was from Jason, whose action short was an action comedy called "Sweet" about a guy trying to buy a last minute anniversary gift. It was perfectly done -- an inventive spin on a familiar story, well paced, with great visuals and great action, and with humor and affection. Jason's earlier films had shown promise, but this was fantastic, and suddenly moves him into contention in the competition.

Lastly, a few words about the judges. Carrie Fisher and Garry Marshall have both been very strong, particularly Carrie Fisher, who has been unafraid to be fairly honest with the contestants, but who also has been supportive of them even in her criticism. Garry Marshall tries too hard to be funny, but there is a great deal of wisdom in many of his comments. The guest judges have been a mixed lot, but mostly good. The one real surprise was blockbuster director Michael Bay, who was exceptional -- all of his comments were to the point and on the nose.