“ WE WILL NOT GO TO THE CINEMA . THE CINEMA WILL COME TO US ” | EXPERT OPINION
LEONID MAZOR : “ WE WILL NOT GO TO THE CINEMA . THE CINEMA WILL COME TO US .”
SHORT STORY
In the USA Leonid actively taught video technology and acting , he studied at Memphis State University and became a Bachelor of Arts with a degree in “ Film and television production .” In the US Leonid staged 20 different shows , among them there were comedies and musicals . He became the winner of the “ Emmy ” award six times . From 1993 to 2005 he worked as a professor at several schools specializing in television ( including the Department of Art at Rhodes College , Academy of Fine Arts in Nashville and County School Shelby ). Leonid is the winner of Russian awards “ Golden Eagle 2011 ” for his TV series “ Doctor Tyrsa ”. Now he is implementing his ideas abroad again . He has built fruitful career thanks to his own hard work . Now Mr . Mazor is sharing his experience and opinion with our readers .
We have talked with famous TV-producer Leonid Mazor , who used to work both in the USA and in Ukraine and CIS countries . About main tendencies inTV-series industry . The fact that movie industry is finally becoming serious about TV production is above all . It changes the approach to TV series as a whole . Even famous cinema-men are now making series . No one thinks it is shameful . There are many brilliant examples both abroad and in CIS countries – Martin Scorsese with his “ Vinyl ” and “ Boardwalk Empire ”, Steven Soderbergh`s “ The Knick ” and “ Girlfriend Expierence ”, Steven Spielberg with “ Extant ”, “ Smash ” and “ Red Band Society ”, Valeriya Gai Germanika and her series “ Brief Guide To A Happy Life ”, “ School ” (“ Shkola ”). “ Flat ” TV picture is now becoming three-dimensional . All characters start talking and feel like normal , ordinary people . We will not go to the cinema . The cinema will come to us . About key differences in TV series production in Ukraine and CIS countries and abroad .
The fundamental difference is in organization of production . The preparatory period takes 2 / 3 of the whole production process . It enables to allow all the things that could be necessary during shooting filming and postproduction . Such an approach discipline . It doesn`t mean to limit the imagination and creative process . Nobody prevents to begin to create behind-the-scenes to be sure that on the scene everything would be perfect . It is necessary to start working with actors much earlier than the shooting begin . One more important thing is that the influence of screenwriter is really huge . And the last moment , but not the list – very high level of professionalism . Abroad professionalism at first point means a set of basic knowledge . But there is almost no place to acquire this knowledge in CIS countries and Ukraine . Some advice for young TV series producers
• You should learn and study as more as you can . It is really very important .
• You should only have strong desire to get education . You`re lucky – you have
Internet , where you could find almost everything .
• These days there are many talented people who are self-educated .
• The other thing – you should find your own Master , someone , who is a moviemaker .
• It won`t be easy for an ambitious person , but this experience worth your while .
• I made a strike , because I had had such teacher . I`ve learnt a lot while standing behind his back during movie making . Well , here is the following structure : 1 . To get basic knowledge . 2 . To learn more through practice on large production . 3 . To be lucky . In our profession His Majesty Luck means a lot . 4 . To tell the truth , without my own efforts I would be nobody . About new projects The premiere of the “ Ivanov ” full-length film , shot in my script is coming soon . It was co-written with Michael Marfin . In USA I`ve led the public educational channel , also I`m teaching and staging performances . I started serious work with documentary . Now I`m working on screenplay about forgotten for some sake incident “ A Massacre in Memphis ”. It is the story about the race riot that shook the nation one year after The Civil War . It is something unusual for me . But as I said , you should try and be brave , without looking to the past . But you shouldn`t forget to analyze what you`ve done .
ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY 2016 | SEASON SCREEN TV REVIEW | 23