Mo vies

What draws anyone to work in the movie business?

I have been attracted to the movie industry for what seems like my entire life. Do I know why? Maybe. I mean, I often have formulated quick little answers that touched upon why but they have never felt complete or exact. I believe now I have a clearer picture of what it was and still his. Maybe it is for you too?

My short answers were along these lines; “I loved watching movies as a kid”… or… “Star Wars changed my life”… or… “I wanted to reach for eternity and movies have the potential to live longer than I do.”

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Id dicta repellendus ea omnis odit et modi similique ut odit I am not the first one to come up with these quick answers. If you look at that last answer why not design and build a uniquely designed function structure like an office building? They usually outlast their designer/builders.

Now that I have been in the movie business for several decades, I have seen many types of people want to get in too. Some stay and many leave.

I was convinced my entry point was as an actor. Why? I guess because the draw of fame and fortune was part of it. Actors are visible and are identified with. They are human and without them there wouldn’t be a movie - in most cases. Now I am strictly talking about fiction here. I have other views about non-fiction, documentary films which I may or may not write about at some point in the future.

I have to ask myself at this time in my life, was it really the actors who drew me to wanting to be in movies as an actor? Since I managed to successfully land roles in some pretty high profile movies and TV shows, I would have to say, “No.”

I must say, that landing those day player and guest roles was not an easy task for me. My bullheaded persistence got me there and I am extremely glad it did. For there they sit in a digital form (some even on celluloid) that could last in time and even reach that ever evasive concept of eternity.

While I was booking those roles, I started teaching actors and found that I could help actors to rise to a professional level and book work too. I had a knack for it. I felt that I could help them avoid the time consuming pitfalls I fell into. And I did. And I still do help them safely cross that chasm from “How do I do this?” to the world viewing them on the big screen.

This teaching of actors experience has gifted me with the observation of many people wanting to enter the movie business and be part of something magical and wonderful.

I digress. Back to the “thing” that drew me to movies.

What really woke me up was apprenticing as a film editor in LA cutting 16 mm film back in the early 80’s. That’s when I discovered that fame was a part of what lured me to the business but not everything. Film editors didn’t get enough public recognition or fame I thought. Therefore, it wasn’t for me. Yet there I was. I arrived there, I believe, in a roundabout way because I did want to be an actor. And I needed a lesson.

I was lucky enough to be working with a post production crew that were totally in love with the entire process of filmmaking. Their admiration for the art of editing and timing (similar to “grading” today) rubbed off on me. I discovered something meaningful that was more than just an attraction to the industry. I attribute it to a harmony with aesthetics and rhythm and transferring that beauty to the audience through colour and pacing.

I wish you well on your journey. And, if you need any help along the way, I may be able to assist you.

To you young actors embarking on this wondrous and difficult journey, feel free to contact me through my website at www.neilschell.org