MANILA, Philippines?Dov Simens gave Super an exclusive interview and talked about his profession, his passions, and his belief that film is not about art, but strict business. Sit down, relax, and enjoy the show.
Who have inspired you to venture into the world of film?
When I was young, I loved all the movies made by Alfred Hitchcock. I am inspired by Orson Welles, the man who said that ?everything you need to know about filmmaking can be learned in two to three days,? and Rod Serling, the amazing writer-storyteller.
Who are your heroes?
Today, I love entrepreneurs?like Richard Branson (Virgin fame), Mark Cuban (Internet mogul), Bill Gates (Microsoft), and Steve Jobs (Apple)?who started with little to nothing, but built large empires by filling voids and creating businesses from scratch.
What about your favorite filmmakers?
I think John Sayles is the greatest Independent filmmaker, Roger Corman the greatest genre low-budget filmmaker, Clint Eastwood the most efficient studio director, and JJ Abrams the greatest studio-storyteller.
What is the biggest misconception of new kids in the industry?
Without a doubt, it is the sole fact that everyone approaches the film industry as if it is an art form. Filmmaking is a business. It?s called show business. It is not called ?show art.? And, in my forthcoming Manila ?2-Day Film School,? I will teach the business of making a feature film on Day 1, then on Day 2, I will teach the business of selling a feature film.
For instance, what I mean by business is that when you make a feature film from beginning to end, no matter what the budget is, you will eventually write 38 bank checks, and I teach these 38 bank checks as the ?38 Steps-of-Filmmaking.? Then I?ll teach you how to market your film at film festivals, which are not free. Have you ever wondered what (Robert) Redford charges to get into Sundance? What does it cost to go to Cannes?
I know that it is necessary to have talent to succeed but with all my heart I truly do not know how to teach talent and I truly know of no instructor in the world that can really teach talent. You either have it or you don?t.
You conduct a complete film course in two days. Are film schools around the world still relevant?
Film schools are relevant for 16 to 20-year-old children who need to learn how to socialize and make their beds. However, for adults, those two- to four-year $25,000-$200,000 theory-laden film schools are a massive waste of money and time. I promise that if you are a mature adult (20-60) and attend my ?2-Day Film School? that I will give you all the information you need to launch your filmmaking career as either a writer, producer, or director. I say this because I have over 3,500 graduates who have instantly gone on to make feature films that have grossed over $6 billion. Yes?that?s right?billion.
What/where is the future of the global film industry?
Filmmaking, thanks to inexpensive digital video cameras, is no longer the rich boys game. Plus, thanks to the Internet, a feature film in the Philippines can be made for as little as $3,000-$10,000 and be distributed around the world directly to the consumers, and garner huge profits from foreign licensing, DVDs, Cable, downloading and streaming. Hollywood will always make their Mega-Budget Movies, but more and more, the smaller no-budget, low-budget, independent films made in the Philippines will be able to generate sales, revenues, and profits.
Will you ever stop teaching film?
Absolutely not?I love teaching filmmaking. I love having an audience thirsting for information, especially in this mysterious industry called ?Hollywood.? I love explaining producing, writing, directing, financing, distributing, or whatever to students in sound bytes that they can understand, and then watch their eyes light up. When you find something in life that you are?first?good at, and?second?helps people, then there is no desire to do anything else. I, on a monthly basis have agents, studios, and networks in Hollywood asking if I want to produce any movies or TV series, but I always pass because I do not want to stop teaching filmmaking. I will never ever stop teaching Filmmaking.
Simens promises to create the next breed of successful Filipino filmmakers. The 2-Day Film School will be on Jan. 26-27 at the AIM Conference Center. To enroll, you can register online at www.filmmakingnow.com, or call THINK CREATIVE at +63 905 3387959.
