I left Hollywood. I went to Chicago, bought a used
camera and, using my Miami Vice writing money, shot my
own feature, a romantic, forties-style comedy. It was in the
can for $31,000 and it looked good. Then, incredibly, my
sound tapes were stolen. I finished the film anyway,
dubbing it in its entirety. (Yes, crazy, but so was Cassavetes,
my role model.) The result won foreign distribution and fine
reviews abroad. And I learned a lot.
Art is a technique of communication. The image is the
most complete technique of all communication.
CLAES OLDENBURGBecause I asked “How?” instead of “Why me?” I now
have a modest first feature to my credit. It might have
happened if I had not taken matters into my own hands, but
it might not have, either. Since 1974, I have worked
vigorously and exhaustively as a film writer. I have written
—and sold—features, short films, documentaries,
docudramas, teleplays, movies of the week, and that
bastardized movie, the miniseries. I have directed one
feature and a half dozen short films. Less visibly, I have
labored as a script doctor, credited and not, for hire and for
love.
To boot, I have written a hundred-plus film essays, film
interviews, think pieces, trend pieces, aesthetics pieces,