David Zucker on Why Getting Two Key Things Right Determines Your Movie's Fate

I remember renting Airplane! on VHS and laughing so hard milk came out of my nose. That could have been last week, but it was probably 30 years ago.

The comedy mastermind behind those movies, producer David Zucker, isn't holding his breath for major Hollywood studios to back his kind of movies anymore.

But he still has a lot of advice for the next generation of writers and directors who want to work in Hollywood.

In a recent interview with Film Courage, Zucker breaks down the realities of the modern studio landscape and why indie cinema is probably the way to make things now.

Let's dive in.

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The Two Non-Negotiables: Casting and Directing

This was kind of a weird video because I feel like Zucker was wandering a bit at the top. Once he settled in, there was a wealth of knowledge offered to anyone watching.

Perhaps being that the two things that can derail any movie are casting and directing. So it pays to be as selective as you can be in both those instances.

"If the casting isn't right, then you can lose the movie," Zucker explains. "And if you don't have the right director... what's the point in writing the script?"

Zucker and his crew were really precious with Airplane! When they first started, they knew they would need people to buy in absolutely in order to sell all the big jokes in the movie.

But they also knew making a bad movie would be bad for their careers, so they held out as long as they could until they found a partner who saw the same opportunity.

You could have the best screenplay in the world, but if you hand it to a director who is not ready or doesn't understand it, the execution will suffer.

Be patient and don't chase anyone saying "Yes."

Which brings us to...

Protecting Your Vision Means Knowing When to Say No

Going along with the advice to be patient is having the courage to know when to pass on someone.

Early in a filmmaking career, the temptation is to say "yes" to every offer just to get something made. But Zucker says that can lead you into the trap of those two things that will derail any movie.

In order to get the movie he wanted made, Zucker actually allowed the studio to put in a clause that reserved the right to fire the trio after two weeks of production, but gave them creative control upfront.

Betting on himself paid off, and they had the dailies to show the studio, which laid them off and allowed them to finish.

It helped that they watched the iconic Leslie Nielsen deliver the line, "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley."

Modern Filmmaking Depends on the Indies

Another poignant part of this interview is how much the landscape has changed since Zucker first started in the '70s. We have studios focused on massive IP, sequels, and superhero franchises.

How would someone break in now?

Well, the answer now is the ability to make things yourself and yo go the indie route.

"It's always the time for a good movie," Zucker says.

You just have to find ways to keep the budget low and make the bets on it low risk, so investors and others see the vast potential in your storytelling.

Summing It All Up

Every project presents countless opportunities to compromise your vision, but you're the only one who knows what's best for it. So stick to your guns, find the people who align, and make something work with them.

Bet on yourself, and see where it gets you.

Remember, the industry is always going to change, but the thing that never does is people looking for a great story and an even better script.

Let me know what you think in the comments.