The New Year is a time for reevaluation and reconsideration of your life's priorities. For the average man or woman in the street it could be a decision to go on a detox regime, or a pledge to go to the gym more than twice a year, or a promise to take up salsa dancing or learn a foreign language.
Here at FilmInFocus, however, movies is what we live and breathe, so went reached out to a group of fine film folk and asked them to send us their movie-related resolutions for 2009, both as filmmakers and as film watchers. Some people decided to write lists, others to write a paragraph or two collecting their thoughts on the year ahead. Some were earnest and noble in their statements, and others threw in a dash (or sometimes a dollop!) of humor in there too. Some contributions expressed the year's planned trajectory in just a few words, and others laid out at length where they wanted to go.
The filmmakers:
Scott Prendergast and Elissa Down
Damian Harris, Michael Tully and Joe Swanberg
Craig Zobel, Michael Skolnick, Todd Rohal and Tom Quinn
Yung Chang, Amir Bat-Lev and Mike Gibisser
Daniel Barnz, Azazel Jacobs and Georgina Riedel
Morag McKinnon, Greg Mottola and Craig Chester
Gary Tarn and Marianna Palka
Gavin O'Connor and Astra Taylor
Caveh Zahedi and Matt Wolf
Scott Prendergast
Director: Kabluey
In 2009 I Will Not See:
- - movies about the Holocaust
- - movies about drugs and drug trafficking and drug smuggling and drug taking
- - movies about immigration and how hard and sad it is
- - movies about diseases
- - any movie that uses the word “important” in its preview
In 2009 I Will Only See:
- - movies involving teenage girls who win the lottery and get makeovers and are then devoured by rampaging dinosaurs
In 2009 I Will Make:
- - a movie about my mother. Revenge is sweet.
Elissa Down
Director: The Black Balloon
- - Thou shalt take ample tissues to any movie claiming to be “moving”. I’ve been caught out too many times and my sleeve or scarf make a poor substitute.
- - Thou shalt not drink giant soft drinks before or during a movie. I have an infant bladder and I must accept that fact.
- - Thou shalt watch all films nominated for Oscars. It means I can bitch and complain if my favourites don’t win with authority.
- - Thou shalt ask for catering during the writing and editing process. Why can’t I get cooked for, for the entire film-making process?
Damian Harris
Director: Gardens Of The Night, The Rachel Papers
Here's what I resolve:
- - to make films less expensively (you really don"t need the whole circus), this I learned first hand on Gardens Of The Night (which in fact could have been made for even less money than it already was) and from meeting other film makers at the festivals I attended during the year.
- - to keep attending festivals, there are a lot of great films from all over the world that never get shown here (US)
- - to not finance the next film myself. You need to bang heads with the money person.
- - and to keep trying to make films that "make visible that which without you might perhaps never be seen" (to quote Robert Bresson).
Michael Tully
Director: Cocaine Angel, Silver Jew
I actually have one, which is nerdier than ever...
Every year, I say that I'm going to keep a thorough journal of every film that I watch, whether it be at a festival, on DVD, or in a good ol' fashioned movie theater. But something always gets in the way and by the end of the year that journal—or, in this case, Excel spreadsheet—always peters out not long into the year. But in 2009, I am determined to stay on the ball and make sure I have a comprehensive document—in one easily accessible place—of any and every movie that I see! (Check back with me in December to see if I succeeded this time around.)
Joe Swanberg
Director: Nights And Weekends, Hannah Takes The Stairs
My filmmaking resolution for 2009 is to make my work more wild. Why aren't films more wild? I don't know. But I will try and change that.
Craig Zobel
Director: Great World Of Sound
To make a film with increased transparency throughout the production, encouraging all crew members of the film to be aware of and trim costs, as well as look for other efficiencies. If all we want to continue to tell the stories we've all come to desire from the independent film world, we are gonna have to find a way to make them with greater fiscal responsibility. Otherwise, they will get very hard to make.
Michael Skolnik
Director: Without The King, Lockdown, Usa
My film resolution for 2009 is to listen to the words my mother always said -- "if you know a craft, it is your duty in life to teach it to others." -- which was passed down to her from Ansel Adams, when she studied with him in the 70's. So, this year, I want to pass on any knowledge I have to some incredibly inspiring filmmakers who I have gotten to know over the years. I look forward to watching other people shine!
Todd Rohal
Director: The Guatemalan Handshake
2009 is the year to get rich. I'm resolving to finally make some money through film this year. Something like The Spitfire Grill, but much more religiously aggressive, to fit with the times.
Tom Quinn
Director: The New Year Parade
2008 was a pretty awesome year for myself and The New Year Parade starting with Slamdance and ending with the IFP Gotham Awards. There was much talk of the sky falling, but in 2008 I was the closest I’d ever been. I learned a lot about the festival and distribution worlds, as well as my own strength and weaknesses as a film promoter. In 2009, I look forward to growing further – taking The New Year Parade to its audience, while laying the groundwork for new projects.
If 2008 marked a boom in regional voices on the festival circuit, I hope 2009 will explore models for regional release strategies. Old doorways to distribution are closing, and it’s easy to feel trapped in a parlor with no exit. But new ones are opening: tucked behind bookcases and hidden beneath the throw rug. It’s an exciting time of discovery and exploration. My resolution is to feel empowered and to be pro-active! There are so many excellent resources – IFP, The Workbook Project, Self-Reliant Film, and Truly Free Film have all been inspiring me. I look forward to sharing what we find.
Yung Chang
Director: Up The Yangtze
If I have any sort of resolution, it's definitely to get cracking on my next project. 2008 was spent on the road, traveling all over the place...it was amazing. But I've been warned to avoid getting stuck in the festival circuit because it's easy to lose yourself. So for 2009, my resolution is to make new films. I'm working on a documentary adaptation of a book by Adam Gollner called The Fruit Hunters about the fruit underworld. I just shot a super short film in Taiwan for a festival in Beijing. And I'm working on my first narrative feature about Chinese wedding photography. I hope this keeps me going...
Amir Bar-Lev
Director: My Kid Could Paint That
I resolve to see all my friends' films on their opening weekends.
I'm currently working on a feature documentary on Pat Tillman.
Mike Gibisser
Director: Finally, Lillian And Dan
Filmmaking resolutions for 2009:
- - shoot another film in the Fall
- - shoot the film on film; don't use any musical score; pay everybody that works on the movie
- - shoot a scene just before it starts snowing
- - shoot another one in an apartment during crepuscule, lit only with open windows and a refrigerator bulb
- - shoot it with someone else's money
- - get help producing it
- - be aware of its social relevance but not at the cost of any individual character
- - try to figure out what 'social relevance' means exactly
- - write it, maybe, but avoid being precious; try to be writerly
- - be patient; remember that you think moments that seem insignificant are actually quite fascinating
- - avoid overt causality
- - shoot the scene with the light and the window shade that you have been meaning to shoot forever
Film watching resolutions for 2009:
- - re-watch the Hou Hsiao-Hsien catalogue
- - track down some Albert Serra movies
- - carve out some time for The Wire so I can stop feeling out of the loop
Daniel Barnz
Director: Phoebe In Wonderland
- - Play hookey; see matinees.
- - Be better about buying tickets for indie films on their opening weekends.
- - Read books without wondering if they can be movies.
- - Conceive the dream project that can be made for no money. There must be a way.
- - Support and make films to fight the anti-gay marriage forces.
- - Enjoy the blessing of having an indie movie distributed in 2009.
- - Show my pre-schooler and first grader the classics; make Friday night family movie night.
- - Read more filmmaker biographies.
- - Make more films my husband produces. Going through it together is so much better than going through it apart.
- - Live Ben Azzai’s words: Action generates more action, while wishing generates only frustration.
Azazel Jacobs
Director: Momma’s Man, The Goodtimeskid
To be honest, I didn't make any resolutions and don't believe I ever have - I could say that my hopes for 2009 is to stay home more, talk less, take myself and Momma's Man off of Google alert and take a drawing class.
Georgina Riedel
Director: How The Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer
I had resolved not to make any resolutions this year and then wondered whether or not my resolve constituted an unwanted resolution...in the midst of this confusion I had a conversation with a good friend of mine who bemoaned the fact that it was a week into the new year and he had already had two bad dates to add to a rather long string of bad luck started roughly two years ago. I, in turn, complained about yet another setback I was having in getting a project of mine set up. He very succinctly asked, "How hard is it for me to get a girlfriend and for you to direct a movie?" Hmmm, good question. So, my film resolution is to simply direct a film.
A shorter response would be that I plan to watch that film from Netflix that has sat at the top of my TV since June 2008. Which I really do plan on watching it, really, really I do.
Morag McKinnon
Director: Rounding Up Donkeys
- - Work with like-minded people
- - Demand transparency of budgets and fight for some ability to prioritise.
- - Become a tyrant (in the absence of no1).
- - Forgive enemies, but not forget.
- - Take up phyiscal exercise for increased fitness, stamina and clarity of mind
- - Remain hopeful in the face of adversity
- - Don't assume anybody knows any better.
- - Learn from mistakes
- - Suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
- - Take up arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing, end them.
- - Beware the nuts in May
- - Always look on the bright side of death.
- - Carry On
Greg Mottola
Director: Adventureland, Superbad, The Daytrippers
Filmmaking Resolutions
- write a movie about people my age, that's set in NYC and is more ambiguous and challenging than anything I've done before.
- design the above-mentioned movie in a way that is relatively cheap to shoot so it can actually get made the way I see it in my head.
Film-Watching Resolutions:
find more time for interesting new films and filmmakers. Watch more old movies -- in particular: film noir, screwball comedy, musicals, silents, and anything by John Ford.
Craig Chester
Director: Adam & Steve
My resolution for the film industry this year is that the collapsing economy throw us back to the recession of the 1970's when studios were run by hippies and filmmakers made brilliant films that didn't have to make billions.
My personal cinema resolution - to watch less cinema and read more books about cinema.
Current projects: Clift
You Attracted Lee Boggs
Gary Tarn
Director: Black Sun
Shoot More & Travel Lighter
My current project is The Prophet, from the book by Kahlil Gibran, and if I stick to my resolution, it should be complete later this year.
Marianna Palka
Director: Good Dick
I made New Year's resolutions for my and Jason Ritter's company, Morning Knight, so it would relate to Filmmaking:
For Morning Knight In 2009 I Want:
- To continue to make films about the unassembled life.
- To free people from victimhood through story.
- To employ lovely people, there by feeding their beautiful babies, giving them a respectful place to come to work, that happens to be organic and eco friendly.
- To enable all those around us to let their light continue to shine as bright as possible, brighter and brighter into infinity.
- To fight the good fight in every way, Cassevetes/Mullan/Loach style, making films for art first, that happen to make money.
- DO NO HARM. WE ARE ANTI NOTHING, WE ARE ONLY PRO WHAT WE ARE PRO. WE FOCUS ON (AND SIMPLY ARE) WHAT WE ARE. WE ARE KIND.
- Our films change and help people for the better. They make places better places and people better people.
- To state the truth in film as it has been, as it is, as it will be.
- There is no "To DO List" there is only being and being kind at that.
- Our company has a strong back/ soft front, like it is in perpetual meditation.
- Art blossoms all around us. We add to our community- as it grows, we grow and as we grow, it grows. We love our friends, our dreamers, our mentors, our parents, our families. We love each other and our unique ways of being.
- We have no apologies/no explanations.
- Clear Word= Clear Deed= Clear Film
In terms of Film Watching:
- I want to see Eric Edelstein in Hotel for Dogs
- I want to see Mark Webber's film Explicit Ills at The Nuart when it comes.
- I read Lynne Ramsey's new script and it is incredible.
- I am going to Sundance again this year so I am looking forward to seeing some great films: Peter And Vandy I am most thrilled about.
- I want to see Alex Holdridge's and Scoot McNairy's work in 2009.
- I am excited to see everything Sean Baker does in 2009, Prince of Broadway is exceptional.
- I can't wait to see Nick Monsour's Oh My Soul at the Rotterdam Film Festival this year.
- Noah Gershman has a short, Tour Group, which he is cutting right now, me and Jason Ritter are in it, can't wait to see that on the big screen.
- Both Nick Towne and Jocelyn Towne have scripts that I am very thrilled about.
- Frankie Shaw has 2 scripts that I can't wait to see her shoot.
- Simon Helberg and Jeremy Konner are working together in ways I want to watch.
- I look forward to Erin Way on screen as much as possible in 2009.
- I can't wait to see films that Present Pictures produce.
Gavin O’Connor
Director: Pride & Glory, Miracle, Tumbleweeds
9 things to do in ‘09.
- - Apologize to Warner Brothers 32,000 times for Pride & Glory box office performance.
- - Stop promoting movies with Jon Voight in an election year.
- - Ignore Bob Shaye’s letter about directing The Last Mimzy prequels.
- - Quit asking Edward Norton “What are your thoughts on this scene as written?”
- - Begin work on sequel to Miracle from Russian perspective.
- - Erase Bob Shaye’s The Next to Last Mimzy and The Last House on the Left of the Last Mimzy messages. Change phone number.
- - Talk to David Mamet about adapting Entourage: The Musical.
- - Go back to Endeavor to avoid Rahm Emmanuel ordered IRS audit.
- - Call Metro, have Bob Shaye removed from property.
Astra Taylor
Director: Examined Life, Zizek!
Maybe it's just a defense against seemingly inevitable financial disappointment -- diminishing funding sources, unprofitable forms of digital distribution, a viewing culture that wants "content" (one of the most loathsome words in circulation) for free -- but I keep thinking about Lewis Hyde's book The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World when planning for 2009.
Weaving together folklore, mythology, anthropology, philosophy, poetry and more, Hyde talks about art making in terms of a gift, as opposed to market, economy. That doesn't mean creators can't charge money for their work or that they shouldn't be able to make a living; rather, it highlights certain characteristics of an alternative model of circulation that often goes unacknowledged and unappreciated. First an foremost, Hyde argues, art itself is a gift to its maker, something often beyond the creator's conscious control (that's why we call talented people "gifted" and speak of inspiration in quasi-mystical terms). Among other traits, gift economies have a unique relationship to scarcity; art, for example, isn't depleted when it is shared and withers when it is hoarded. Gifts also create social connections that bartered or sold objects don't.
As independent filmmakers in North America we must try to survive and make work in the (crumbling) marketplace. But as art makers more generally we also occupy a gift economy, which too often gets subsumed by its more powerful counterpart. There are myriad ways to extend and strengthen the bonds of this essential system, from reflecting on the spirit in which we undertake a creative labor and reevaluating our assumptions about success, to joining efforts aimed at protecting our rights as artists (for example, asserting our right to utilize public space, defending fair use, even advocating for universal health care), finding ways of nurturing our creative commons (copyright legislation and net neutrality come to mind), and giving back to our fellow creators even if we don't have that much ourselves, which means, among other things, occasionally making a donation to artists in exchange for enjoyment of their work (even if we can find a way to access it at no cost).
Gifts are the glue that bind communities, and this adhesive, as far as I can tell, takes the form not only of finished work but also mutual aid and shared purpose. Could there be a better time to focus on things like this, things with values that won't diminish even if the stock market takes another dive?
Caveh Zahedi
Director: I am a Sex Addict
My New Year's resolution: To make a film that makes some money.
Caveh recently took the Vertigo tour for FilmInFocus.
Matt Wolf
Director: Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell
Here are my resolutions:
- - To read the internet less.
- - To give in to compulsive viewing on my Netflix box.
- - To think freely without limiting myself to film ideas.
- - To stop talking about the recession.
- - To learn a new technical skill.
- - To return all the favors!
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Pariah
Being Flynn
ParaNorman
The Debt
The Broken Tower
Flashback Feb 03, 2010 
Inside Our Movies 
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