June 21, 2007 | JAMES TELLA
America’s Filmmaker
Two USC Alumni Compete For The Deal Of A Lifetime
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| "If I win, everyone who’s watched and voted will also expect something from me," said Friedlander. |
“There is nothing like live network television,” said Stark Alumnus David Goffin ’97, who, along with creators Mark Burnett and Steven Spielberg, serves as On the Lot’s executive producer. (Andrew Frank '93 serves as supervising producer.) No stranger to the pressures of putting together a live broadcast, Goffin has held the same position on both American Idol and Rock Star. “Every week we create an energy and buzz on the stage that is different than almost anything else on TV.”
Initially chosen as part of the top 50 from over 12,000 video submissions, production alumni Sam Friedlander and Adam Stein are two of the talented directors to be a part of that thrill. During their time at USC, neither could ever have imagined the experience of being judged by millions of Americans and both agree that being part of On the Lot is one of the highlights of their careers.
“What made me comfortable was the pedigree of the people involved,” said Stein. “It’s just incredible to be a part of this.”
“Regardless if I were doing this on my own or through this show, there’s a lot of pressure to be the best,” said Friedlander. “The only difference is if I win, everyone who’s watched and voted will also expect something from me.”
Living in bungalows where the only viewing allowed on the flat screen televisions are movies from the local Blockbuster, the 12 remaining contestants have literally been holed up on the lot of CBS Radford in Studio City since the program began on May 22.
Even though they will stay sequestered without email, Internet or contact with friends and family for as long as they remain in the running for the $1 million dollar DreamWorks deal, Stein added, “It is great to be surrounded by people who love what they do and share your passion. It’s like being at filmmaking camp.”
When it comes down to goal of the show—striving to be the next great American filmmaker—the contestants have access to some of the industry’s best resources. After writing and filming a short based on the assigned genre, the contestants debut their work in front of a live audience and the American public. They also face the thumbs up or down of three Hollywood professionals giving their critiques. The triumvirate includes actress/author/screenwriter Carrie Fisher, director/producer Garry Marshall and a rotating guest judge who is an expert in the week’s featured category.
So far, both graduates feel their USC experiences like Jerry Isenberg’s pitch
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| “I definitely feel more comfortable behind the camera,” Stein said. |
“You never know how long you’re going to be here,” continued Friedlander. “In that respect what I’m doing is similar to the process of every film I’ve ever made. There’s always a chance it will get shut down, whether it’s from lack of funding or permits. The main focus is that you make your film as good as it can be.”
For Stein, who produced Friedlander’s thesis film at USC, being in front of millions of viewers takes some adjustment.
“I definitely feel more comfortable behind the camera,” he laughed, saying that the possibility of the public also forming an opinion of him by his wardrobe choices “is a weird feeling.”
And unlike other talent shows where the finalists are expected to perform live each week, Stein says that knowing their work is finished when the public tunes in on Tuesday night makes it more bearable. “It’s not easy to stand up there and smile, though” he added.
“I don’t know what this will do for my career,” said Friedlander, who agrees with his friend that the time on the lot has been an immense confidence builder. “But making movies is what both Adam and I love to do, and this summer we get to do them full time every week.”
To watch Stein and Friedlander’s films and vote them through On The Lot, tune in on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. (Los Angeles) on Fox and log on to www.thelot.com.
