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Pete Jones - On Chris Moore
Monday Morning Quarterback
The purpose of these columns I have been told is to comment on the episode that just aired and to attempt to give my insight on what I think really happened. Unfortunately, at this point, my view of the production of this movie and the view of the HBO reality TV show begins to differ greatly. Previously, I think they have been callous in giving the viewers perspective on how much time has elapsed in our budget and casting decisions, and I also believe they cast Aidan Quinn in an unfair and untrue light. Other than that, I really have no serious qualms. I wish I had a problem with the way they showed the first day, but truth be told, I thought the first day was worse than HBO depicted it. From here on in, I feel we were better than you will see. Since you will see the episodes first, my column might seem as if I'm trying to cover my ass (partly true), but what I hope it does is give a more complete truth than a half hour show has time to do.
First and last in these next few episodes is my relationship with Chris Moore. Most of my crew lost respect for Chris Moore after he berated me in front of all of them in a situation that didn't really warrant a public humiliation. But in fairness to Chris, he was attempting to make a serious point that in retrospect had real merit. Our job was to get shots that were called for before we attempted to "pop off" shots that might end up being happy accidents. And his job as producer was to make sure we knew it. And he was right, except I would contend he made his stand on the wrong "pop off". Sorry for the sports analogy, but Chris in this situation is much like the basketball coach who gets the technical foul to spark his team to play better.
Chris was on set for only two or three days of the entire 25 day shoot and this had a negative effect on the other producers and crew. He was in a tough spot because he had to be home for the birth of his baby but "Stolen Summer" definitely needed his leadership on set and I needed his guidance personally. In his attempt to motivate and create accountability in just three days, he instead produced hesitancy and ineffectiveness. He was like a tornado. Unfortunately, he was not around long enough to sort through the damage that his winds twisted. Had he been, I think the movie would have greatly benefited and the viewers at home would be seeing a different show.
My final point is a personal beef I have with the HBO show. In their attempt to show the failures of this project, they manipulate the truth to make their point. Case in point. They show the little kid never catching the baseball when in fact he catches it many times. Why don't they show him catching the ball? It doesn't fit the story they are trying to tell. It is a microcosm of the entire show. Why do I bring up such a minor example? The little kid is my nephew. I'm not saying my nephew will be scarred, actually, he will probably laugh about it, but in the end, if the purpose is to show my failings as a director or the project in general, why manipulate the truth?
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