Monkey Business
This weekend was a theatrical triple-header for me. Like everyone else, I had Batman on the brain (or more specifically, a Joker jones), but I didn’t feel standing in a long line. So I waited until Sunday evening to see “The Dark Knight”… and ended up standing in a long line. One that circled the block around the Mann Westwood Village theater. When you’re on your way to a $155m+ weekend, even the “light” screenings are madhouses.
So, that left Friday and Saturday for “Space Chimps” and “Mamma Mia!” (don’t ask). I’ll be completely honest - nothing compelled me to see “Space Chimps” other than a professional duty to view every animated film that is released. So, I did my duty. In “Space Chimps”, the characters are sucked into a black hole, and this experience was certainly shared by those of us in the audience. Whereas “The Dark Knight’s” 2 1/2 hours seemed to fly by, “Space Chimp’s” 80 minutes just draaaaagged on the way to $7 million. (In fact, I almost titled this blog entry “Chimp Change”, but I didn’t want to be mean.)
Now, the poor opening isn’t exactly my point. There’s nothing particularly noteworthy about a weak animated film (especially one featuring Patrick Warburton as yet another big ape). However, this advice to indie animation companies by “Space Chimps” producer John Williams in the June/July issue of Animation Magazine stuck in my head: “Hold on to your hats! You’re in for a wild ride that may not have a clearly defined or ideal decision-making process. And, keep your head down and do the best work you can - and hope that someone who controls the decision process is listening!” TRANSLATION: “Hello, I’m your pilot. I have no idea where I’m going or how to get there, and I’m not really big on asking for directions or listening to advice. So hold on, because it’s gonna be a wild ride!”
Now, when you’re pulling down “Shrek The Third” numbers, I suppose this sort of cavalier sloppiness can be “understandably” excused. After all, massive revenues mask a multitude of sins (even though one has to wonder in retrospect how much profits were compromised in the process). But, with all due respect to Mr. Williams and the fine folks at Vanguard, when you’re dealing with low budgets, low margins and low returns you’d BETTER have a clearly defined and ideal decision-making process. And if you control that decision-making process you’d BETTER be listening - unless burning cash is your idea of doing business.
Of course, this winking “you-know-how-production-is” attitude is pervasive in Hollywood. I’ve blogged and lectured on it many times. But WHY it’s so pervasive in an industry that values money above all else, I’ll never understand. Mr. Williams, if I told you that you could reap a cost benefit of up to 20% on your films simply by establishing (and adhering to) a clearly defined decision-making process, would I have your ear? Or would I have to “hope that you are listening”? That this attitude even exists is illogical, but that it is presented as “advice” is frankly irresponsible. And the kicker is that it’s easy to correct with a little foresight, planning and discipline - to the direct benefit of your production and your pocketbook.
Then again, this IS the entertainment industry. Perhaps the idea of improving quality and saving money with a little diligence is just too… boring.
Enjoy the “wild ride”! 