Film Producer Takes Indie Path, Lives to Tell

Author: Meghan Keenan

In his passionate and animated lecture last Friday entitled "Guerilla Tactics for Breaking Into the Film Industry," Josh Newman stated the best part about being a successful movie producer - "It beats having a real job." Although it was not the most profound comment regarding the competitive and often frustrating industry, Newman delivered an engaging account of his duties of working alongside such stars as Giovanni Ribisi, Joshua Jackson and Marcia Gay Harden.

Newman is currently CEO of the indie film company Cyan Pictures - an amazing feat for a young man barely 24 years old. After graduating from Yale University with an economics degree, Newman did not take the traditional Hollywood route to become a movie producer. He worked with venture capital firms following graduation before becoming a producer for Robert DeNiro's TriBeCa Pictures and the Comedy Central network. He then joined Cyan Pictures, where his first film competed in the Toronto Film Festival. He has not looked back since.

Newman gave a frank lecture and did not hesitate in giving his honest opinion regarding the various paths into the film industry. He first discussed the "climb the ladder" approach, which requires visiting every agency possible, looking for unpaid internships and generally being hazed in unrewarding positions. This process can be very long, and requires a thick skin. As Newman bluntly stated, "Basically be ready for crap between now and age 35."

He gave three general rules for more effectively gaining access into the business. Stating tenacity as the first rule, Newman quoted Winston Churchill's commencement speech at Oxford University, "Never give in. Never, never, never." Newman also exemplified Colonel Sanders who pitched his idea for Kentucky Fried Chicken to 171 investors before his proposal was accepted. "You have to love rejection," Newman said. He was also quick to note that potential filmmakers must really love movies, since there is not as much glamour in filmmaking as there appears to be. "If you're really interested in going to the parties and hanging out with the stars, maybe journalism is your better chance," Newman suggested.

Newman cited networking as his second rule, claiming that in the film industry it's all about knowing the right people. He recommended contacting other aspiring filmmakers, screenwriters and anyone who might have a shot at success. Offer to take someone out to lunch, he suggested, and pick people's brain about the industry.

The most important aspect of networking, however, is to maintain the relationships. Even if you add one contact a week to your Rolodex, Newman advised following up on those contacts every few months to improve the chances of "making it."

Newman's final rule was to make sure you have fun. "Fun people are more fun to work with," Newman said, admiting that a person's reputation can definitely impede him or her from obtaining certain roles. It's a very stressful and time-consuming industry, and if you're not enjoying yourself, it's not worth it, he explained.

During the question-and-answer period following Newman's talk, the inevitable question arose regarding the importance of film school. While many students see film school as a necessary stop on their way to making it as a director or producer, Newman sees tuition money better spent on making a few short reels that really showcase one's talent. Newman said if you don't have a director's eye before you go to film school, you most likely won't have it coming out. Newman also observed, "You can't hope your resume will get you there - you just need to demonstrate the skills." It's not necessarily about experience, but a natural eye. Newman frequently considers first-time screenplays and directors solely based on talent, not reputation.

The lecture was extremely well received, as the attending students appreciated Newman's humor, enthusiasm and honesty. As Jason Farkas '04 commented, "It was both encouraging and discouraging. Josh is someone who is young and already made it, and he really gives you the sense that if you love the industry there is the possibility of success. At the same time, he didn't withhold the fact that it's a hard business to break into and is often very daunting."

Newman's lecture offered crucial insights to the aspiring filmmakers in Middlebury College. See Newman's work in Cyan Picture's new psychological film opening in January 2004, "I Love Your Work."