As part of the 22nd Annual American Film Market, the DGA programmed the seminar, "Joined at the Hip: The Director-Producer Relationship" The panel was part of AFM's Finance Conference and Seminar Series run concurrently with the market, in an effort to help educate and assist aspiring filmmakers. DGA Assistant Executive Director Elizabeth Stanley kicked off the discussion with a quote from producer/author Lynda Obst. "A producer must marry her director, no matter the gender; the relationship between a director and producer is so intimate that many come already assembled so they don't have to suffer the indignities of a forced marriage."
Just like a good marriage, compromise, trust and open lines of communication are what make a successful director/producer relationship said author, documentarian and film critic Richard Schickel, who moderated the distinguished panel of DGA member directors and their producing partners.
Director Christopher Coppola and producer Alain Silver, both fed up with the studio system, and with similar artistic and musical backgrounds, had friends suggesting they meet. When they finally did, there was instant chemistry. Silver has always respected Coppola's filmmaking process, something of immense importance to Coppola.
After being burned on several occasions, Coppola wanted to start his own company. With Silver's help, the duo formed Plaster City Productions. With strong interests in the future of digital filmmaking and a taste for the eclectic, working together has been very enjoyable for this pair. In the four years they've been together they've made
Bel Air, Palmer's Pick Up and
Gunfighter. Coppola feels, "While 95% of filmmaking is pure hell, the 5% that is pure gold makes it all worth it."
Director George Hickenlooper and producer Donald Zuckerman met as a result of Hickenlooper's short Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade, the inspiration for the feature film Sling Blade. Zuckerman was impressed by Hickenlooper's talent and sensibilities and a partnership soon began when Zuckerman agreed to find the money for The Low Life. Together since 1994, they've also made Dogtown, The Big Brass Ring and The Man From Elysian Fields.
Producer Mike Finnell warned that "the studios are always suspicious when the producer and director are a long- standing team."
He and director Joe Dante have been together for more than 23 years and share "joint custody" of their Renfield Productions.
"You develop a shorthand when you work together for awhile," Dante said. "That comes from being able to share your aesthetic with the producer." Over the years they have made
Gremlins I and Gremlins II, The 'Burbs and
The Howling, their first foray together as director/producer.
Finnell made it quite simple and clear on what makes a director/producer relationship work, "The producer deals with the money people and does the things the director doesn't want to do, and the director makes the movie and hopefully stays on budget and schedule."
