Things I’ve Learned as a Moviemaker

by Curtiss Clayton | Published February 3, 2007

Bill Pullman stars as Rick
Photo: Vitagraph Films

Say something.

Say something that isn't just a platitude; something that really is meaningful.

Times are changing.

I've realized that I often feel disillusioned because the kind of films that inspired me are just so rare now. I know that part of it is just where our society is right now. It's not the same country we're living in as it was in the early '70s. People's concerns are different.

Don't buy into it.

Everybody knows that the qualities of persistence and dedication, hanging in there and believing in yourself are so crucial, but I don't know how far that gets you these days. It's discouraging to see so many people take the attitude that 'Well, that's the way it is, so I have no choice. I have to buy into it and go out and make friends with big superstar actors and write a piece of material that's going to find favor with the studio executives.' For me, that's not the solution.

Be true to yourself.

You have to say 'Despite how bad it is and despite that this is the way things are, I'm still going to stand for what I think I should do as an artist.' No matter how long that takes or how many people you offend in the process. You're not being true to yourself as an artist and you're not going to do anything that's significant if you don't approach it that way.

Respect the material.

Something that I've seen happen so often in my experiences in Hollywood is that what's good and essential about a script gets lost in the rewriting process and the collaboration process. I think it comes down to a lack of respect for the material, unfortunately.

Editing Filmography for Curtiss Clayton

Rick (2003) (director and editor)
Texas Boogie Woogie (2003)
Rules of Love (2002)
Made (2001)
Play Dead (2001)
Committed (2000)
Brokedown Palace (1999)
The Man Who Counted (1998)
Buffalo '66 (1998)
Polish Wedding (1998)
Female Perversions (1996)
To Die For (1995)
The Glass Shield (1994)
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993)
Unlawful Entry (1992)
My Own Private Idaho (1991)
A Rage in Harlem (1991)
A Matter of Degrees (1990)
Paint It Black (1989)
Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
Made in USA (1988)
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
A Day on the Grand Canal with the Emperor of China or: Surface Is Illusion But So Is Depth (1988)
X: The Unheard Music (1986)
Río abajo (1984)
Nomad Riders (1981)

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