Some Words from Jon Favreau on Filmmaking

I've had a pretty exciting week.  My film, All You Need, was accepted to the Oscar qualifying, LA Shorts Fest, which is going on right now at the Laemmle NoHo 7.  Opening night they gave the Maverick Award to Jon Favreau and he spoke about being an independent filmmaker (and also how he became the director of a little movie called "Iron Man.")

Jon (I've decided I can call him Jon because if he ever met me I am sure we would be besties) has a really inspirational story for any indy filmmaker out there.  He came to LA to be an actor after working on "Rudy," but wasn't getting the opportunities that he wanted so he decided to write his own film.

LESSON #1
That is where "Swingers" came from - the desperation of an out-of-work actor.  He scraped together film scraps and made this movie with his friends.

How many times have I talked about making stuff happen for yourself?  You can't sit around whining that you never get any auditions and think that somehow a job is going to magically fall into your lap.  Do what you can to make the stories you want to act in.  PRODUCE YOUR OWN STUFF!

LESSON #2
When "Swingers" became a hit, Jon thought that his acting career was going to take off - but it didn't.   Instead he started getting meetings to be a writer and a director.

Sometimes life will take you in the direction you are supposed to go, even if it's not the direction you originally planned on going.  I think Jon is really happy with his life as a writer/director.  Yes, he wanted to be an actor, but in doing "Swingers" he found his true calling.  Plus, he gets to act sometimes too.  (I kinda love his character in "Iron Man.")

LESSON #3
When Jon was looking at ways to market "Cowboys and Aliens" he decided to create viral videos.  Instead of doing these himself or through Universal, he decided to ask Freddie Wong because Jon's son would watch Freddie's videos on YouTube and they impressed Jon.  Freddie created this short film: Cowboys & FreddieW featuring Jon Favreau and he got to shoot on the Universal backlot.

You never know who sees what you create.  It is important to maintain an online presence and to create the best things you can.  Jon said, "Everyone gets a shot."  You just have to be prepared when it comes.  Keep working on your craft, so that when your shot comes you are at your absolute best and you don't blow it.

If you want to see my film, All You Need, screen tomorrow night at the Laemmle NoHo 7, you can purchase tickets here: Laemmle Ticketing.