Beating the Entertainment Business at Its Own Game Part III

The Writer-Director Combination and 5 Insider Tips to Thrive

What do Quentin Tarantino, James Cameron, Roberto Rodriguez, George Lucas, and Christopher Nolan have in common? They’re all writer-directors.

Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino was never a loss when it came to making films. Although he never went to film school, he was obsessed with films and fed his encyclopedic knowledge by working at a video store in California for five years. He knew the importance of writing and always wanted to write and direct. Quentin attended acting classes at the James Best Theater Company to up his improvisation & writing chops.

His bank heist movie, “Reservoir Dogs”, was a success and put him on the map as one to watch. “Pulp Fiction”, an ode to pulp novels that Quentin was into, was his writer-director follow-up. A smash hit that also resurrected John Travolta’s career.

James Cameron

James Cameron also knew the power of writing and used that to jump-start his directing career. He famously sold the rights to his Terminator script for a dollar with the provision that he would direct. The success of that movie allowed him to write and direct the sequel, “Aliens” and led to the eventual Terminator 2 movie.

George Lucas

George Lucas had massive success as a writer/director with his film “American Graffiti” which earned him 5 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Director. He bombed at the box office with his dystopian sci-fi movie follow-up, “THX 1138”.

He had wanted to direct the Flash Gordon movie and was turned down by the major studios. George decided to create his version of a space opera using all of his influences. He did a genre mash-up of Kurosawa, westerns, Knights of the Round Table, and the samurai meet 2001 a Space Odyssey. He wrote and directed Star Wars and the rest is history.

Be a Jack of All Trades

The producer’s job is to know all aspects of production. Knowing the costs for things and who is the best hire for these areas is key. What if you could do more than one thing in the production pipeline?

After seeing Star Wars, James Cameron knew what he wanted to be. He left his job as a truck driver and taught himself the technical aspects of film production at the USC library. He got a job working for Roger Corman Studios on “B” movies. First as a model maker, then art director, and eventually production designer. He was hired as the special effects director for Piranha II and wound up directing that movie before writing the script for The Terminator. Cameron was known to maximize camera set-ups and getting his shots done quickly.

Cameron was also a great artist and was able to visualize characters and environments. His skill was put to good use in the creation of the Terminator and Avatar franchises.

Roberto Rodriguez

Roberto Rodriguez used $7000 raised from medical testing participation to film the action movie El Mariachi. Shot guerilla-style, Rodriguez did just about all production roles except act. Writer, cameraman, lighting, sound, and editor. His journey was documented in his book Rebel Without a Crew. The film was a winner at the Sundance Film Festival and got him a three-picture deal at Columbia Pictures. The Spy Kids franchise, and collaborations with Tarantino, Frank Miller, James Cameron, and Lucasfilm were soon to follow. Talent recognizes talent.

Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan was interested in filmmaking as a child. At age seven he borrowed his father’s super 8mm movie camera to make short films. At age eleven he knew he wanted to be a professional filmmaker. Studying English literature at the University College in London also gave him access to filming and editing facilities on campus where he thrived making 16mm films over the summer. After earning his bachelor’s degree in English literature in 1993 he worked as a script reader, camera operator, and director of corporate and industrial films.

His big break in 1998, was his first feature film, “Following”, which he wrote, directed, photographed, co-produced, and edited. Made on a budget of £3,000 it got rave reviews from the New York Times and the New Times LA. This paved the way for his major hit, “Memento” in 2000 and led to his later success with the Batman franchise, Inception, Interstellar, and Oppenheimer.

Being a jack of all trades not only gives you a bigger paycheck but also gives you more artistic control, longevity, and more opportunities down the road. What have we learned? Here is a quick recap.

• Learn to write and direct, and increase your odds of creative control.
  
  

• Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something.
  
  

• Use genre mashups to create something new (like Lucas did).
  
  

• Be a Jack of All Trades and teach yourself as many aspects of production as possible.
  
  

• Regardless of your budget, do quality work.

  A Bonus tip:

• Talent recognizes talent. If you are that good, an insider will help you out.
  

(Rodriguez's collaborations with Tarantino, Cameron, and Lucas are a testament to that) Are you writing your next film/novel/comic book? Get the must-read ebook here. Practical approaches, tips, and techniques to generate great ideas at lightning speed.

You may also like these articles:

How to Beat the Entertainment Business at its Own Game Part I

Beating the Entertainment Business at its Own Game Part II

So You're Thinking About Filmmaking?

Top Ten Tips When Writing for the Entertainment Medium

Is Film School Really Necessary?

Content Creation and Ownership: Keys to the Entertainment Kingdom

The Tenacity of Ridley Scott

 Want to get & keep a dream job? Use Scott’s Advice.

Ridley Scott is one of Hollywood’s longest-running, most successful directors. His films include Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise (nominated), G.I. Jane, Black Hawk Down (nominated), American Gangster, Gladiator (Best Picture and Best Actor winner), Robin Hood, Prometheus, The Martian (nominated), Alien: Covenant, House of Gucci and the latest release, Gladiator II.

  

As executive producer, he produced popular TV shows such as The Good Wife, The Man in the High Castle, Elsbeth, Kaleidoscope, and The Good Fight. At 86 years of age, he is still going strong. How does he do it? During a recent interview, he talked about his start in the business which was an eye-opener to anyone searching for their dream job.

Scott attended both West Hartlepool College and also London’s Royal College of Art. He studied graphic design in school and was very good at it. Graphic design principles impact all visual and creative arts, including drawing, painting, photography, merchandising, filmmaking, etc.

Get a solid education. Apply it to your niche.

Scott discovered that, toward the end of his studies, you could make more money as a fashion photographer. He used his knowledge of design principles, got a camera, and assembled a photography portfolio. His portfolio got him a traveling scholarship, and he decided to head to New York. This was where the professionals and ad agencies operated. These days, if you have a great online portfolio, you can request to work virtually.

Go to where the work is.

In the 1960’s, a simple phone call could put you in touch with the head people at most agencies. Scott called Bert Stern, a famous photographer who invited him to lunch. He looked at his portfolio and told him if you come back in a month I can give you a job as an assistant. Scott had a job waiting but continued with his employment search.

Scott found the office location of Don Pennebaker and Richard Leacock. Don and Richard were two film documentarians at the top of their craft. He waited by a greasy spoon outside their offices and followed them in the building when they arrived by cab. He asked to share the elevator ride and showed them his portfolio. By the time they reached the end of the ride, he had a job.

Be ready to pivot for a better opportunity.

After graduation in 1963 Scott was hired by the BBC as a trainee set designer. By 1965 he was allowed to direct but was disappointed at his salary. Ridley teamed with his brother Tony and founded a film and commercial production company called Ridley Scott Associates in 1968. By the 70’s and 80’s they received acclaim for several successful commercial campaigns including the iconic commercial for Apple computers in 1984 and the popular Channel №5 commercials (featuring music by Vangelis)

Don’t like your situation? Start your own business.

Scott mentioned that he learned so much from directing over 2000 commercials, it became film school for him. He filmed in diverse environments under every challenge imaginable, always against the clock. As Scott has said “ If you see a problem coming over the horizon, cut it off at the head. He learned how to tell a story in under 60 seconds. Something that even Kubrick was envious of.

DIY is a great way to learn.

Motion pictures are visual and have a narrative. Having a good eye and being able to tell a story with pictures is very important. Having a good story that is character-driven is a plus as well. “If you can tell a story in less than a minute, you have something because everything else is enlargement”.

Filmmaking is Storytelling

Knowing how to storyboard is key. You worked out the kinks on paper. If you have a plan, go for it. Make your actors comfortable, and listen to their input, but stick to the plan. Storyboards can sell your movie. You can show the producers exactly what you’re after and they can see it too before you film. Think like a cameraman and get the shots.

Storyboarding is an essential filmmaking tool.

Be you’re your own biggest critic. If a film fails know why. “You can think of 95 reasons not to do something.” Know your audience, know the story, know your limitations, and “just do it”. Scott knows his stuff and just keeps on doing it.

What have we learned from Ridley Scott, filmmaker extraordinaire?

The Tips Recap:

• Get a solid education. Apply it to your niche.
  
  
• Go to where the work is (or work virtual).
  
  
• Be ready to pivot for a better opportunity.
  
  
• Don’t like your situation? Start your own business.
  
  
• DIY is a great way to learn.
  
  
• Filmmaking is Storytelling
  
  
• Storyboarding is an essential filmmaking tool.
  
  
• Stop procrastinating and ” just do it.”

 

You may also like this: Ridley Scott talks about storyboarding

Free Stuff for the New Year - 2025

 Welcome my friends.

It's time for the annual Free Stuff for the New Year. Let's check out the cool stuff to get you going!

Art/Drawing

Love Life Drawing on YouTube details the 11 Steps to Great Gesture Drawing. Great for locking down those poses

Anime Charles shows you a zen-like approach and has a unique take in How I Study Anatomy.

Popular YouTube artist Bobbo Andonova explains her process of Drawing the Stylized Face.

Want to draw Faces a la Disney style?
Leo Drawing SOS describes the Aaron Blaise technique.

21 Draw has a free 40-page excerpt of their book here, Mastering Digital Drawing! Check it out and buy the full book if you like it .

Character Design

Kesh is an artist, illustrator and YouTuber with a big following and keen insight. Here he discusses his Character Design Process for Comics.

Here, Kesh reveals his secrets to Cartooning Faces from Reference.

Need inspiration for your character designs? Take a look at the variety of 100 Modern Character Design Sheets You Need to See.

Pro artist/illustrator Kenneth Anderson from 21 Draw shows you his meticulous method of Character Driven Illustrations:Research.

The guys from Bam Animation are back and they will show you exercises to Improve Your Character Design.

Comics

Here is a blast from the past. Comic Book Greats with Stan Lee. This is the full playlist of the episodes which feature interviews with Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Chris Claremont, Will Eisner, John Romita Jr. and more. Check it out.

 

If you’ve got your drawing groove going, what about inking? Check out 10 Tips to Level up Your Digital Inking.

Speaking of Todd McFarlane, check out his interesting take on the business of comics from Wired Magazine's interview as Todd McFarlane answers questions from Twitter.

Animation

Who is Jorge Bompart?

Jorge Bompart is an expert animator and rigger who works for Sega/Rovio. He has perfected making 2d animation look like 3D (sometimes called 2.5D).

Check out Bompart's amazing work and rig breakdowns here.

He has perfected the 2.5D look using Spine and Moho software.

Want more? Have a look at Moho and Spine tutorials here.

Esoteric Software's official Spine rigging tutorial is here.

If you enjoy links like these, then check out our Cartoon Production Resource Guide which has even more good art resources.

Audio

99 Sounds  has music loops, cinematic textures, nature, sci-fi, foley sounds and more for free. Check it out.

If you like VST’s, check out free sounds, plugins and players at the Native Instruments site. Software like the Reaktor Player, Micro Prism, Komplete Start and Kontakt Player are available.  Each comes with a library of awesome sounds.

Bedroom Producers Blog released the “Readers Choice Awards” for 2024.
This site has links to the top 30 free music production software of the year including effects, instruments, host and utilities.

MusicTech has thousands of free loops, one shots, breaks and synth sounds available by Bandlab for any DAW just by signing up.

If you enjoy links like these, then check out our Audio Production Resource Guide which has even more good audio resources.

Graphic by Vecteezy.com

Free Stuff is a popular topic with Triple A Dude Fans but what else would you like to see? Have we missed any topics? Take a moment to do our 20-second survey. It’s painless and fun, I promise.

My commitment to you is to provide you with more art, animation, and audio content creation tips and resources for 2025.

Subscribe with the upper right box to keep updated.

Enjoy, share this link with your friends, and stay tuned!

You may also like: Free Stuff 2024 & Free Stuff 2023