Stop Trying To Make A Great Movie - Joston Ramon Theney

WATCH 'WANTON WANT' TRAILER

Screenwriter, Author, Producer, Director Joston Ramon Theney grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He is known for films such as Wanton Want (2021), Axeman at Cutters Creek (2020) and Jurassic Hunt (2021).

CONNECT WITH JOSTON RAMON THENEY

(Affiliates)

SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A MEMBER

CONNECT WITH FILM COURAGE

SUBSCRIBE TO THE FILM COURAGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL

LISTEN TO THE FILM COURAGE PODCAST

Stuff we use:

AUDIO

*These are affiliate links, by using them you can help support this channel.

#writing #screenwriting #film

[AmericanActionReport]

In business classes, I've always told my students, "If everybody says it's a great idea, it may be a good idea, but it won't be a great idea. The great ideas are the ones everybody says are crazy until somebody makes them work." That was the story of Disneyland ("Why should amusement parks have a theme?"), drilling for oil in 1856 ("The guy's crazy. Nobody's ever done it before."), "Stagecoach" ("Who'd want to watch a big budget western?"), "Star Wars" ("Science fiction films are on the way out, and besides, the budget is too big for a sci-fi."), and so on.

[primordialcreative]

I found this about 3 months into abandoning all social media and friends from a previous life. Hearing Joston articulate how he got rid of the social media to focus and grow is what I needed to hear to keep going, finally finish that film, that comic, that book or whatever we obsessive creatives are putting our energy towards. Wonderful talk in this one.

[kuramobay]

The actor's name he's trying to remember is Ray Winstone who was also in The Departed.

[joshbryant]

the best artists compete only with themselves

[miguelfmyers]

I love hearing this guy’s opinion. Thanks film courage for existing.

[JuliaMayn]

This is a good mindset to adopt- Don’t try to be great, just try to be truthful and honest with your characters 🙏🏽💯

[andyserkiz]

Paradoxically, if you are truthful and honest you might create something great.

[christophermoonlightproduction]

"Great is the enemy of good." It's an old saying but a wise one. I also think that goes for people's preoccupation with being original. They place so much importance in it before they even know how to be serviceable in their craft. I always tell people, learn to be serviceable and good will come. Strive for greatness and you often won't even accomplish serviceable. If you happen to become great, it's a product of paying attention to the former.

[level_ken]

“Focus and grow.” That’s where it’s at.

[TeeUrm]

Joston's idea of what a great movie is, is healthy and accessible.

[ray-dentertainment]

There's so many unique 80's films that I think are so underrated. Sure, they may not have the best "production value" and they aren't the most realistic stories, but I think that's what makes them so great. They're creative and intuitive, and that's something you can't replace: someones subjective imagination.

[AllThingsFilm]

First, I have queued up "44 Inch Chest" to watch later. Joston Theney convinced me with his review to check it out. Secondly, a great film for me is one that 1) makes me care about the characters, or at least the main character, 2) completely immerses me in the story world 3) Keeps me engaged throughout the film no matter where the ride goes, and 4) never insults my intelligence or has the main character make stupid choices - as we most often find in horror films. There are probably more factors, but, I'll stick with those for now.

As a perspiring - er, aspiring writer, I know one of the main keys is to write what you know. Which for me means that my story has a premise that I have some emotional experience in. Whether or not I learned from it, is another story. Thanks again, Film Courage - and Karen - for imparting more invaluable gems for me to absorb and store for future reference.

[leonardoneomokoena]

Wise words, I’ve always told people everything starts with you, wether on life or business, everything starts with how you see it.

[seanferguson]

"Why is it so hard to make a great movie?" If greatness in anything were easy everything would be great. If there were an easy formula or a technique that led to greatness we'd all employ it. So the question is unanswerable but Joston's response to it is pleasing and enlightening. And I have a new movie to watch: 44 Inch Chest. Many thanks, as always.

[blackentrepreneur]

This was great advice. I had writers block for about 3months. This inspired me to pick up the pen again.

[matthewgordonpettipas]

I try my hardest not to compare myself to other writers I know. Its hard but it keeps me sane. I know for others it motivates them but for me it holds me down and makes me focus more on what I'm NOT doing more than my current projects

[slikdiggy]

Great video. Great speech. Great for life

[AironExTv]

Thanks for the film tip. Always looking for good British/Irish films.

[fiddlersontheramp]

This guy has the right attitude to life.

[hankthepatriot]

If you're curious:

44 inch chest: Ray Winstone (Black Widow) Ian Mcshane (John Wick) John Hurt (Alien, Doctor Who) Tom Wilkinson (The Patriot, Batman Begins)

Writers: David Scinto, Louis Mellis

I'm ABSOLUTELY am curious now!