Spring Break
Filmmaker discusses independent films, fame, his new book
Eryn Rubey, Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/19/05 Section: Lifestyles
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"Angry filmmaker" Kelly Baker visited the UA to give students the opportunity to learn how to make an independent film firsthand. Baker tours colleges, film festivals and public events sharing his experience and passing it on to everyday people.
Baker started as a sound technician in the movie industry, but quickly developed interest in other aspects of movie production. He was the lead sound designer in Gus Van Sant's hit movie "Good Will Hunting".
With a working history in the industry, Baker was well-prepared to make a movie. On budgets of $4,000 and $5,000, Baker has produced movies within eight nights.
"Birddog," one of his first films, was shot over the span of 18 days and funded solely on unemployment checks.
Baker explained that independent films are the perfect calling for college students for many reasons. Financially, independent films are dramatically cheaper than bigger films, which appeals to the budget of a college student. But, even more importantly, "...creative juices flowing in college-aged students is unequivocally amazing," Baker said.
Baker has written and directed three full-length features. Awards at various film festivals around the world, including Sydney and London, are a testament to Baker's success.
Baker was quick to remind students that being angry is not a must when making a film.
"Just make sure you have some strong emotion that can push you past the breaking-point," he said.
Baker coined the term "angry filmmaker" for the simple reason that he is, above all other things, angry, he said.
In the workshop, Baker pointed out that in today's society people associate the term "independent film" with movies such as "Napoleon Dynamite", whose success was a rare circumstance. Seldom are independent movies picked up by big motion picture companies, he said.
"I'm pissed off by the way that movies are going. Independent film is a fashion statement.You have all of these rich people or the kids of famous directors making 'independent movies'," Baker said. "They spend like 10 or $15 million on a star, shoot in a foreign country, test the movie in front of audiences, [and] come up with a multi-million dollar marketing campaign...that's independent?"
Baker started as a sound technician in the movie industry, but quickly developed interest in other aspects of movie production. He was the lead sound designer in Gus Van Sant's hit movie "Good Will Hunting".
With a working history in the industry, Baker was well-prepared to make a movie. On budgets of $4,000 and $5,000, Baker has produced movies within eight nights.
"Birddog," one of his first films, was shot over the span of 18 days and funded solely on unemployment checks.
Baker explained that independent films are the perfect calling for college students for many reasons. Financially, independent films are dramatically cheaper than bigger films, which appeals to the budget of a college student. But, even more importantly, "...creative juices flowing in college-aged students is unequivocally amazing," Baker said.
Baker has written and directed three full-length features. Awards at various film festivals around the world, including Sydney and London, are a testament to Baker's success.
Baker was quick to remind students that being angry is not a must when making a film.
"Just make sure you have some strong emotion that can push you past the breaking-point," he said.
Baker coined the term "angry filmmaker" for the simple reason that he is, above all other things, angry, he said.
In the workshop, Baker pointed out that in today's society people associate the term "independent film" with movies such as "Napoleon Dynamite", whose success was a rare circumstance. Seldom are independent movies picked up by big motion picture companies, he said.
"I'm pissed off by the way that movies are going. Independent film is a fashion statement.You have all of these rich people or the kids of famous directors making 'independent movies'," Baker said. "They spend like 10 or $15 million on a star, shoot in a foreign country, test the movie in front of audiences, [and] come up with a multi-million dollar marketing campaign...that's independent?"
