Prequels, Sequels, and Remakes Oh My!

Written by Mitch Santell

Prequels, Sequels, and Remakes Oh My!

Hollywood is broken in my view and if you want to know why, I will tell you.

Here in 2024, the majority of movies being produced are not “original content.”

When there is a Film, A Documentary, or a TV Series that is “Original,” if you look behind the curtain, you will notice that you may be watching a story line that has already happened before.

We all have a story to tell. During my 66 years on this earth I acquired the rights to make two films.

These were both “development deals,” and it inspired me for 18+ months to rent offices at Warner Brother Studios.

Both were original stories.

Both can’t be copied.

Both had the potential to be big hits.

Why did I fail?

Back in the mid to late 1990’s the studio system which many claimed was dead by 1960 was once again in transition.

Hollywood Is Pay To Play

For those who don’t know, if you have the funds to do something, it will get produced. If not, it just stays in the filing cabinet. 

When the money shows up? This is when things will get weird, so my insight on this is to set up a: “Business Escrow Account.”

Why?

All funds go into the Escrow account so you can show your investors line by line and dime by dime how the money was “spent/invested” in the project.

My Favorite Movies

We all have a favorite genre or style of movie that is produced, but for me it is when a film is written and directed by the same artist. 

Each time I see a film where the Director and The Screenwriter were the same person, I can’t wait to see it.

Here are three examples:

Before Sunrise (1995)

Director: Richard Linklater

Writers: Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke

Story: Nine years after Jesse and Celine first met, they encounter each other again on the French leg of Jesse’s book tour.

---

Defending Your Life (1991)

Director: Albert Brooks

Writer:    Albert Brooks

Story: In an afterlife way-station resembling a major city, the lives of the recently deceased are examined in a court-like setting.

---

Me And You And Everyone We Know (2005)

Director: Miranda July

Writer:     Miranda July

Story: A lonely shoe salesman and an eccentric performance artist struggle to connect in this unique take on contemporary life.

---

So there you have it! Hey, I made a documentary in New Zealand back in 2009 with a budget of  156 thousand dollars. The writer of the film was also the director of the film.

As soon as someone tells you: “Not you, not now, can’t happen, won’t work,” simply smile and say:“Thank you for sharing”and walk away. Start researching films in all genre’s where the writer is the director. It could take your project to a whole new level!