no worries man.
The production world is a big game a lot of the time and setting up a pitch meeting with people at VH1 and A&E is only a small part of it, with meetings like that you usually will be rejected for an idea or have your idea suggested towards somewhere more "fitting" for it.
If the project can be made into a reality I think it would be a great move. documenting a mans passion is something that I think would be of interest to more than just me and other strutters on the board. I just hope something can come of it, however I'm not holding my breath.
Those that want to say "I knew about him when he was underground" will most likely be able to rest easy
Adam, no disrespect, but I think what everyone is getting at is, the whole thought of Viacom doing a special on Banksy goes against everything he's about.
I think the thought of it is a good idea, but even if you get the green light I highly doubt he'd go for it. Then again, who knows. I wouldn't be surprised if he somehow used it to his advantage.
totally understood and I know that going through some major corporate monstrosity is not the way this would be approached in a perfect world. however I am a big fan of documenting events and figures like this and if I can get people on board to allow me and whoever else plays a part in this to document it the way we want (free of mainstream shiny lights and shit) than I'd be happy. I've got other avenues to go. the only reason I even brought up those 2 networks is cause it was what I was able to get off the bat. This does not mean thatr Viacom, time-Warner, or any of these other major players are the only viable option. just tried to express how serious I'd be about making such a project.
Things like this should be documented. How many of you enjoyed
Style Wars or
The Decline of Western Civilization? This is not an attempt to cash in on Bansky but rather leave something for others to understand his work and, down the road, let younger generations know about.
For the record, and this is pretty ancillary to the conversation...
VH1 is not the WORST network on the planet...yes, big corporate conglomorate, blah, blah, blah...BUT, their HEAVY: THE METAL YEARS special was great TV. I don't like or care about Metal, but it had me and my lady riveted. Ditto their not quite as good, yet still well produced, DRUGS documentary series.
I understand people like to hold these artists to their chests, and not see them become mainstream crap...But, VH1 has presented some decent programming over the last year or so, and might not be the worst spot for this to air.
No, you see, I don't think you do get it.
You are cashing in on Banksy, unfortunately, in one way, or another. Be it just reflected glory or whatever.
And its definitely not a case of 'holding him to our chests'. He???s not really that underground, my father likes Banksy???s work, he???s relatively well known in the UK.
The point is. Banksy, is not like Obey, or other similar street artists. He has a very clear political agenda, one that doesn???t fit into the mainstream. And never will do. But is shared by many who neither, fit into the mainstream.
And which network is going to let you talk freely to someone who is, pro Palestine, Anti; Bush/Guantanamo/US/Capitalism/Advertising etc?? If you try to put him into that square peg, you have to loose the parts that don???t fit. And it???s in doing this, by default, the ???mainstream??? ruins, things like Banksy.
That said. if you really want to make it happen, and are willing to do it independently. Then all credit to you. I'm sure he has some kind of PR person involved in his gallery exhibition in LA, get in contact with them, and see if you can work something out.
*crackle*
Years ago, when Banksy was still in Bristol, my ex girlfriend very drunkenly sidled up to Banksy and explained to him how he'd sold out, and was now crap.
*snap*
No. I don't think you get it...that is some narrow view stuff you just wrote, my friend.
man, maybe i'm rosey eyed because i work in TV, but it isn't just cashing in on Banksy. If you put your time and effort into writing, shooting, and editing a piece on a subject that you are interested in, be it biographical, documentary, or fictional, more power to you if that makes it good tv.
while i'm on the topic...
I'll go return my Banksy book, because that was just a publishing company cashing in on his name.
And, I'll send a missive to his art dealers to stop selling his work, and sending him checks, because they are just cashing in on his name.
Look, dude. Biographers and non-fiction writers of all types aren't always just cashing in on a subject- they may actually see an interesting story, that they may actually be able to tell from the new and interesting perspective.