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As anyone working in the film industry knows, one of the hardest parts about getting a film produced is the pitch, the attempt to persuade executives and investors into believing that the idea being expressed to them is worthy of receiving the cinematic treatment. Given how expensive the filmmaking process tends to be, Hollywood studios can be pretty picky when it comes to choosing what films they’re going to make, so the pitch must be perfect in order for a wannabe filmmaker to get the resources needed to turn their idea into the next big motion picture. Accomplishing such a feat is no easy task though, and more often than not, one is more likely to be rejected instead of being approved. This is a lesson that has to be learned the hard way by the protagonist of the subject of today’s discussion, “Hollywood Heartbreak”.
The film revolves around Randy, a man from Ohio who wants nothing more than for his story to be greenlighted by a major film studio and given the big screen treatment. Randy pitches his idea to a variety of different executives, and during each pitch, scenes of this potential movie are dramatized for the audience to view. Randy’s story, one that draws heavily from the Bible’s Genesis book, is a dystopian narrative set after a nuclear apocalypse, revolving around four individuals who intend to repopulate the Earth. Despite his enthusiasm and ambition, Randy keeps getting rejected by the agents and producers who hear his pitches, as their artistic sensibilities are nowhere near as vivid as Randy’s. This does little to dissuade the aspiring screenwriter though, and as the film progresses, Randy becomes more and more determined to see his dream become a reality, even as the odds of it doing so start to dwindle.
As the film is a narrative centered around the trials and tribulations of the Hollywood system, it’s only fitting that the actors cast for its characters have had their own share of experience with the system. Leading the picture as Randy is veteran actor Mark Moses, best known for appearing in films such as “Platoon” and television series like “Desperate Housewives”. Appearing as L.R. Sharkey, one of the many individuals Randy pitches to, is Ron Karabatsos, who also has his share of notable credits, including “Flashdance” and “Get Shorty”. Finally, in the last film he was involved in before his death, Jack Starrett, an actor/director who had previously appeared in “First Blood” and “Blazing Saddles”, plays Lou Budowski.
For those who want insight into how films are pitched in the film industry, “Hollywood Heartbreak” is a must watch. Through Randy’s experiences, one is able to get a clear understanding of how one tries to persuade people into making their movie and how said persuasion often has little success. The film is available here for those eager to see just how.
