Spring Break
The Daily OrangeGraduating film majors launch company despite risk
By Caitlin Dewey
Posted: 5/6/09, 6:46 PM EST Section: Feature
Brendan O'Neil is the pragmatist. Tuan Le is the artist. Mike Perdew holds the middle ground somewhere in between. Together, the three graduating television, radio and film majors from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications make up the close-knit and enterprising team that won't be flying to Los Angeles for jobs this summer, like many of their peers - they'll be starting their own, yet unnamed production company.
Le, O'Neil and Perdew became best friends and collaborators this semester while working on their senior thesis film, "Dan(ielle)."
Now, as they leave the world of school projects and cramped editing suites behind, the trio has decided to collaborate on an independent production company, taking a leap in a constantly evolving industry.
"We all agree that we don't want to get into an industry … [where] we might not be doing what we originally intended, which was to produce stories that really captivated people," O'Neil said. "We have to take a risk and do it on our own, because we're not going to be handed that opportunity."
Le, O'Neil and Perdew understand starting a production company is a difficult task. The company will begin by making freelance music videos, commercials, trade videos and short films in the New York City or Philadelphia area, with the eventual goal of producing a full-length feature film.
They won't make enough money the first year and will have to take part-time jobs to pay the rent - "You can get health insurance as a waiter at the Red Lobster," Perdew said - but their hope is that, by the end of five years, they'll have the resources and the investors to make a feature film.
Their plan is ambitious, and it's a route that few other TRF students take. Most graduates flock to Los Angeles or New York, where they work under an established director, said Tula Goenka, a TRF professor and the executive producer of "Dan(ielle)."
"They're courageous, really. They're brave," Goenka said. "The film they're working on now is very ambitious … It's beautiful. It's the best-looking project I've seen in my years of teaching. I know they can pull it off."
Le, O'Neil and Perdew became best friends and collaborators this semester while working on their senior thesis film, "Dan(ielle)."
Now, as they leave the world of school projects and cramped editing suites behind, the trio has decided to collaborate on an independent production company, taking a leap in a constantly evolving industry.
"We all agree that we don't want to get into an industry … [where] we might not be doing what we originally intended, which was to produce stories that really captivated people," O'Neil said. "We have to take a risk and do it on our own, because we're not going to be handed that opportunity."
Le, O'Neil and Perdew understand starting a production company is a difficult task. The company will begin by making freelance music videos, commercials, trade videos and short films in the New York City or Philadelphia area, with the eventual goal of producing a full-length feature film.
They won't make enough money the first year and will have to take part-time jobs to pay the rent - "You can get health insurance as a waiter at the Red Lobster," Perdew said - but their hope is that, by the end of five years, they'll have the resources and the investors to make a feature film.
Their plan is ambitious, and it's a route that few other TRF students take. Most graduates flock to Los Angeles or New York, where they work under an established director, said Tula Goenka, a TRF professor and the executive producer of "Dan(ielle)."
"They're courageous, really. They're brave," Goenka said. "The film they're working on now is very ambitious … It's beautiful. It's the best-looking project I've seen in my years of teaching. I know they can pull it off."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
tv
posted 5/11/09 @ 3:09 AM EST
I think the potential reward is definitely worth the risk. It may be an ambitious plan but they can always go back and work for some established director is things don't go well later on. (Continued…)
Durrie
posted 5/11/09 @ 3:17 PM EST
good luck!
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