How do the big stars play an important part of getting the film into production?
They’re everything. At this particular time in the industry, actors run the show. There is a tremendous glut of movies, cable, pay-per-view, video stores, and TV which over hundreds of selections to choose from. “Who’s in it?” That’s the first question you almost always hear when you’re with a group of friends and trying to decide which movie to see. It’s very important to get a name which can ensure the success of your project. Without a name, and without the gamble that critics will rave about it, why would anyone go see it? What is most important to you, commercial film or indie? Both. Indie because that is where true creativity is fostered. Commercial because you need to raise the money in the first place, and you want people to pay to see your film. Would you rather have a script, pitch or treatment first? Script, then treatment, then pitch. The farther away an idea is from getting in the hands of a director and actors, the more time, money, and risk is involved for the producer,
