A Lesson from Levinson

09-poliwood-009I attended the New York premiere of Barry Levinson’s film PoliWood at the Tribeca Film Festival with my friends from The Creative Coalition. The film both examines lobbying efforts by Hollywood celebrities as well as how the television media has changed since it’s origins as “profit” has overtaken “public service”.

While I was working on the book Art & Soul, I was invited to a rough cut screening while Levinson was editing his film. Watching the transformation from rough cut to release is a fascinating process if you’ve never seen it. After the rough cut screening I was asked by Levinson and producers Robin Bronk and Robert Baruc, for suggestions about what they should change. I must say that I thought the idea of giving “notes” to the Oscar-winning director of Rainman may seem absurd.

Levinson wasn’t after a critique of camera angles. He wanted to know how he could better communicate his message.

Better Communicate Your Message

Can’t we all learn from that? If an Oscar-winning director like Barry Levinson wants to know how to communicate better, shouldn’t we all?

independent film
“PoliWood” world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.
“PoliWood” director Barry Levinson with Frank Luntz, Matthew Modine, Tim Daly, Josh Lucas, Wendy Malick and Ellen Burstyn at the Tribeca Film Festival world premiere.
"PoliWood" producers Robert Baruc, Robin Bronk, director Barry Levinson and producer Tim Daly at the "PoliWood" after-party.
“PoliWood” producers Robert Baruc, Robin Bronk, director Barry Levinson and producer Tim Daly at the “PoliWood” after-party.
Tim Daly and Brian Smith at the "PoliWood" after-party.
Tim Daly and Brian Smith at the “PoliWood” after-party.

EQUIPMENT:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300

Sony Releases More than 45 Updates for Alpha 1, a7S III, a7 IV & a9 III Cameras

Published: March 27, 2024 Sony releases more than 45 Firmware Updates for Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III & Alpha 7 IV cameras to improve Shooting

Read More »
Sony-a7R-V-Firmware-2-02

Sony Releases a7R V Firmware Update 2.02 with Multiple Bug Fixes

Published: March 27, 2024 Sony a7R V Firmware Update 2.02 adds multiple bug fixes via the memory card firmware update process. Benefits and Improvements •

Read More »
Sigma-50mm-F1-2-DG-DN-Art-Lens-E

Sigma Announces Ultra-Fast 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art Lens

Published: March 26, 2024 Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art Lens ($1,399) is the lightest in its class and the brightest in Sigma’s 50mm prime

Read More »

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *