John Yost is many things, but would probably like to be best known as a filmmaker. I first met John back when I started down the road of filmmaking at RIT. For the Spring Quarter of my first year as a film student, John was my TA. I recall one conversation we chanced upon. Alone on a Friday evening, I was editing a project in the lab when John rushed in to take care of some errands. Before leaving, he stops, turns to me, and asks, "what do you think about your classmates?"
After spending a year in the program, there was only one thing I could respond with, "some of them don't take it as serious as they should." With a nod and a smile, as if agreement, John wished me farewell and went off into the night, probably to take care of his own projects.
Eight years later, John continues working in the film industry, with the same, if not more, enthusiasm and determination he exuded while at RIT. He curates a column on Filmmaker Magazine, The Microbudget Conversation, has produced three feature-length films and is in the process of producing his fourth. It was a favorable circumstance that our paths would intersect once again, and I used the opportunity to ask him a few questions:
What type of filmmaker would you classify yourself as?
I'd say I'm a micro-budget filmmaker. I've been working at making something from nothing for so long that I don't think I could work with a million dollars, yet. I think it would blow my mind to have that much cash. I also don't think film is moving in that direction, it should cost less to make more. The people who make giant blockbusters have just convinced the entire world that their idea is worth the budget of a small country. Do we really need three 'Transformers' films?! Frankly I ask anyone to name me one great movie made for TONS of money. Not just, "it was okay, but the effects were great", but GREAT overall. Take your time.
Do you feel that there is enough support from the public for such films (micro/low budget)? Does it upset you that such films are not supported as well as the blockbusters?
Sure, it's rough to have people rather see 'Transformers' than a well put-together indie film, but they both have their place. Sometimes I love a good mindless action film. I also think there is a lot of support out there for indie film and good no-budget films. Time will tell if the avenues will open up for more to connect with an audience hungry for them.
What inspired you to pursue this craft?
It's the only thing I really enjoy doing. I've tried a lot of things and went through a lot of school to find out it's the only thing I like. So it's a bit of all or nothing for me, can't really see myself doing anything but make some sort of cinema the rest of my life. Maybe that's why I'm not in a huge rush to become famous. A slow uphill battle of a career sounds better to me.
Do you pursue this craft to entertain an audience, to spread a message, or are you compelled by some other reason?
I think it comes from the need to tell stories. From there I would say it's because I'm a visual person and that's the best way to do it. After that, entertaining an audience is a necessity to keep folks listening to the visual story you're trying to tell. If it changes a perspective or connects with someone, that's a total bonus.
Do you find it difficult to acquire funding?
I find it difficult to raise large sums of money. The last three budgets have totaled less than $30,000. I think with less money comes more freedom. Some will say it also means less choice, but I enjoy a challenge. Making it harder pushes the boundaries of what you will do and what you can do. However, I would never turn more money down, just find a better way to spend it.
Is the indie scene saturated? Could that be a reason for the limitations of available funds?
The scene is totally saturated. However, the new DIY environment is a great soup where new no-budget films are crawling to the shore. We are at the beginning of a very exciting time. I don't know if there is such a thing as a lack of funding for no/micro budget films. But I think I see what you're saying. I'm not too sure how to answer this because I've never had problem finding the little bit of scratch needed. Kickstarter is a great resource. I think as we democratize filmmaking we need to democratize gatekeeping and funding. We'll see what happens next.
How do you feel about the idea of making feature-length films for an online audience?
I think it's a great idea. I see some folks fighting it, but for someone who has never shot on 35 mm or had his features play in a giant movie theater, I'm quite alright with a little change, a little chaos. I say let's open up the internet and make it all one big theater. With films made all from DSLR's, why not, shake things up a bit.
The internet - is it helping or hurting filmmakers?
Depends. It helped me distribute my first film and soon my third. Without it, I would have never hooked up with IndiePix and made my second. I don't think it's up to speed yet with the amount of content being produced. The gatekeepers are few and hard to navigate. I think soon supply, distribution, and demand will re-align, and a new film industry will be born. It's happened in the music industry and it's bound to happen to film. Once the ground stops shifting for more than a second we can start to set practices into place and I think the internet will end up being one of our biggest tools. On the other hand, once an industry joins the world of technology, it changes.
Do you think you’d be in this field in a pre-internet era?
I think I would find it more of a comfortable place. When I started at film school in 2000, there was a tradition and a process. Now with the democratization of filmmaking, the old ways are gone. I certainly embrace chaos and change, but when I started to become a filmmaker I was hoping for a traditional path through the "family", so-to-speak. Now that that's not possible, it's time to stop whining about how "motion picture film is better than digital" and get with the program. Maybe even help steer things in the right direction; not backwards, but in a better direction.
How do you feel about the way the film industry is treating/reacting to the online generation?
I think change is always tough for those who are in charge when it happens. The next generation has already accepted the change once they take over. We are the next generation who will have no issue with things, but we will certainly hold on to our ways once they start changing for the next generation.
How would you react if you discovered one of your films was being shared on a torrent site?
Has already happened, it felt like I had accomplished something.
John Yost is collaborating with Jesse Borkowski on 'Engram', a feature-length film that will be using not only crowd sourcing for funding, but for personal emotions and memories. It's a very unique and interesting approach for filmmaking. Without funding, the film will not be made, but without the public's participation - there will be no film at all. To learn more about John and his work, check out his website. His previous films can be found at 'Orphaned' and 'The Universal'.
Comments