Film making is a craft that helps artists channel our experiences and share them with the rest of the world from our own perspective. Unfortunately, like the famous film title, “There is no business like show business.” The truth of the matter is that films get made because of the producers behind them who actually deal with the business side of the craft. Yes, there is a business side to film making. I had the pleasure of interviewing Duran, a Colombian artist that produces, records, and edits all his films and music. The purpose of the interview was to find out more information about the negotiation process and how the business requires an artist to be able to understand the process.
“ It is all about the people you know.” These were the first words that came out of his mouth as I asked him how he got to where he is in his career. Although he is not internationally acclaimed, Duran just signed a contract with the Warner Music Group and is in the process of starting his second tour. He is very well known across the south of the Equator, and he attributes his success to his social skills. Duran continued explaining that “...the music business is like any other type of art, if you want to get exposed, you need to be exposed.” The truth of the matter is that the more people you know, the bigger the chance is for any type of artist to find that one person that can make things happen.
We also talked a lot about emotions and how to deal with other people’s reactions. Art is subject to criticism and sometimes artists do not know how to deal with it at the time of the negotiation process. Duran explained something to me that was very clear as to why this happens. He said that the problem is that as artists, we are so attached to the work we do that we become the work. When people criticize something you do, things are normally not taken personal. But go and criticize somebody’s baby, or somebody’s house and you will find an entirely different reaction than you would by criticizing something else. “We become so attached to our creations that when a producer tells us to change something, it’s like a stranger telling a mother to have plastic surgery on her baby.” The best way to deal with these types of situations is preparation and acceptance. If you prepare yourself to face the worst when it comes to other people talking about your work, there is a better chance of understanding that the criticism is towards the piece and not the artist. “ It is always important to be able to tell the difference between you and your work...” Duran had several things to say, but in conclusion he made it a point that in the moment of making a deal, people want to talk about money, not talent. So in the long run, they are not criticizing your work, they just want to commercialize it; which is their job. “Otherwise, we would never need producers.”
When making a business deal, it is extremely important for artists to understand our role in the process. In the long run, the producers have that business side that some artists don’t quite understand. “The good thing is that I know a lot about music and a little about business, I always look forward to making business with people that know a lot about business and a little about music.” This is the most important lesson of this interview.
As artists, we must understand the business and negotiating process in order to understand both sides of the table. This will help every negotiation to run smoother and with less conflict, which is ultimately what both parties desire.
So I leave you with this note my dear filmmakers, hoping that you go out there and negotiate your way up the Hollywood ladder.
