After graduating, genius director Joel can't get a film made. He spends his days mooching food and a place to sleep in his old friend Loren's basement, driving a truck and waiting to die.
After yet another failed attempt to find a producer, Loren's wife, Ollie, has had enough. She sells the two of them off to a film studio, then hands them a temperamental little brat to look after. The three form a team and decide to make something of themselves!
John, the industry's most discerning top producer and the nightmare of Loren's internship, smiles as he cracks his knuckles. "Welcome aboard. I'll make sure you get to put every bit of your talent to use!"
Joel thinks any boss who says that must be a sneaky bastard!
And sure enough:
For their first film, they can't edit it and take the blame.
For their second, they have no experience and have to rack their brains.
For their third, they have no funding and have to make do with scraps.
For their fourth, they have no technical skills and have to cram at the last minute.
The three of them use every trick they know, and finally make a name for themselves in the film industry. But every new director and actor starts to get twitchy at the phrase "put your talent to use."
Years later, John, the old geezer, uses a new line to lure in rookie directors: No money, no experience, no technical skills? No problem. You can still make a great movie!
*
"You're really letting the police take Loren away?" Zorn cries.
"It's fine. The police aren't the Mafia. They'll just lock him up, maybe beat him a little. We have to trust our teammate. I'm sure he can take it. Let's hurry and finish shooting while we have the chance!" Joel waves them on imperiously.
"He can take a beating?" Zorn shakes his head.
"Even if he can't, it doesn't matter. I haven't even figured out where to shoot the next scene, so he can't give them any useful information. He'll just have to take it whether he can or not." Joel shrugs and sets up the camera.
"What the hell, is this how you make movies?!" Zorn is stunned.
"So, kid, get moving! Put your talents to work!"
*
The Joel, Loren, and Zorn pledge: I swear to create films with value and heart. I will remember that I'm not just making movies for business, but carrying the dreams invested in them. I promise to take part in every crazy, bizarre challenge, whether it's a shortage of funds, actors fighting each other, or ghosts haunting the set. I will put the safety of the cast and the hopes of the audience before my own interests.
Reader's guide: Updated daily. This story draws on the videos Jaws: The Making of a Classic, Saving Private Ryan: Behind the Scenes and Featurettes, The Making of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park Behind the Scenes, The Making of Titanic, The Legendary Life of Steven Spielberg, The Legendary Life of James Cameron, and Eric Soth.
It also draws on the books The Box Office God: A Biography of Steven Spielberg and Anyway, the Race Is Still Long.
Theme: A sense of belonging doesn't mean fitting in, and friends don't have to be alike
