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Name: Ben Affleck
Username: BenAffleck
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Producer
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What attracted you to the Entertainment Industry, and what was your first job or big break in the business?
I was always a precocious child, often performing and mimicking. At seven years old a friend of the family cast me in a small role in a movie called "The Dark End of the Street." I was the younger brother of a character played by Laura Harrington. It was directed by Jan Egleson.
What is the biggest challenge you faced trying to break into the industry, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge was trying to be taken seriously as a leading man by people who wanted only to cast those they'd already seen in movies and T.V. The break was me trying to simply get in the door.
What advice can you give those trying to break into the "industry?"
Persist, work hard, have faith in yourself even though it may seem that no one else does. Set your own standards for what success means to you.
Please describe your job for those who might not know what a Producer is.
Basically, my job was to try and allow Pete as much room (in terms of time and money) to make the movie as well as he could. I essentially saw my role as advocate for him and occasionally intermediary between the filmmaker and the studio.
Can you share any tricks of the trade that help you work faster/cheaper/better?
Spend your money on time. I.E. performance and attention to those details make the difference. The return on other expenditures is often less than those spent on taking the time to do it right.
Are you a writer, and if so, how many screenplays have you written?
Yes. Several. One Produced: Good Will Hunting.
What's the best lesson you've learned in regards to working in Hollywood?
Pick your battles but fight like hell for what you care most about. You'll never forgive yourself if you don't.
What advice would you give to writers on how to craft a script that addresses practical production issues?
Simply keep in mind that several potentially superfluous things can cost money: Too many locations, effects, shooting in high cost locations.
What advice would you give a director on how to make production easier?
Don't worry about the producer, they'll worry about you. Just make a good movie. If you are worrying about the production then your producer is doing a very bad job.
List your top 5 favorite films
These change daily...
- Midnight Run
- Hoop Dreams
- Paradise Lost / Burden of Dreams
- "Gerry" (Yet to be released)
- Usual Suspects / Blade Runner / Memento
**Please feel free to add other comments here
- Shawshank Redemption
- Magnolia
- Fargo/Slingblade/Big Lebowski
- Empire of the Sun
- Indian Runner
- Reservoir Dogs
- Clerks
- Best in Show
- Swim/The Game
- Traffic
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