The key to success is a good story, well told. But the movie industry has never been an easy job for the writer — Scott Fitzgerald tried it, so did Lillian Hellman. The movie credits on old movies are not like today’s crop. Rarely do you see anyone’s name but the credit author. But no one should think that the old timers were anything different than the mix of writers trying to put together a career these days. One difference was the old immigrants that ran the studios and had a pervasive love of “the permanent things” even when their own lives were fraught with evil acts.

The vertically integrated studio has been eclipsed by the sub-contractor and craft boutique with lots of wannabees nudging at the chance for a job in editing or sound. Big studios may muscle distribution in traditional locales but with DVD production and the availability to get financial backing from like-minded people it is possible and realistic to put a low budget film together and promote it to your audience. Knowing and reaching the audience is still a must part of succeeding.

Such a movie was REMEMBER THE GIANTS. We rented it at Blockbuster on the recommendation of a young couple. The movie is painfully acted by amateurs but it was a start for its makers who have taken the profits and moved on with improved product.

My advice: Engage Hollywood to learn who their sub-contractors are. Learn the names and phone numbers and then do the entrepreneurial thing — produce your product. That’s what free markets allow — go for it.