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Julien Favre
I’m pleased to introduce to you Julien Favre, a Sundance Producing Lab 09-10 Fellow, and a partner of DViant Films, an independent production company based in Toronto and Los Angeles. DViant Films completed their first feature in 2007: NIGHT TRAIN (YE CHE), written and directed by Chinese filmmaker Diao Yinan, which premiered in Cannes in Un Certain Regard. In 2008, DViant Films completed production on a feature documentary about the King of Thailand entitled KINGSHIP, commissioned by the Thai Government. In December 2009, DViant wrapped production on their second feature LONGFELLOW, a dark comedy written and directed by Martin Donovan, starring Martin Donovan, David Morse and Olivia Williams, produced in association with Ted Hope. Next is RETURN, the first feature of Sundance Director’s Lab fellow Liza Johnson, starring Linda Cardellini and Michael Shannon, which will go in production in October 2010.
Julien is a graduate of the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), and holds a Master’s in Entertainment Law and Administration from Sorbonne University, an MBA from Ecole Superieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales, and an MFA in Production from UCLA Film School.
SUSTAINING THE MUSE
A Producing Questionnaire
* Please name all the “hats” you wear as a creative producer.
Story editor, location scout, fundraiser, psychotherapist, graphic designer, lawyer, lobbyist, still photographer and music supervisor would be a good start.
* List all of the jobs you’ve held before or while pursuing a career in producing.
Graphic designer (my original career: http://bluecampsite.blogspot.com), used car dealer (not a joke unfortunately), editor, stenographer, teacher, translator, copy writer.
* Do you have a Big Dream or career goal as a producer? What inspires you to do what you do?
My goal is to produce films I am proud of, the kind of films I watch and think: I wish I had been part of this!
* Please name five essential skills and/or traits a creative producer needs to sustain a career.
Resilience
Creativity
Flexibility
Psychology
Leadership
* Name a movie, or several, that you wish you had produced. And/or, producer(s) you admire (living or passed on).
Definitely Reprise by Joachim Trier has blown me away. Older favorites of mine include Nobody Knows by Koreeda Hirokazu, Head On by Fatih Akin, Thirst by Park Chan-Wook and The Beat That My Heart Skipped by Jacques Audiard. And David Lynch’s! There are so many actually… I could go on. Re: producers, I have a huge respect for Lynette Howell, who has consistently made super high quality films and who, despite her success, has remained very down to earth and generous. I also have tremendous respect for Julie Lynn, who has an incredible energy, great taste, courage and a big heart. And then Ted Hope of course, who has a track record which would make any indie producer shakes their head in disbelief. Not sure how he did produce 70+ films at that constant level of quality and innovation.
* How do you define success for yourself?
Making a living producing quality films, and being asked to produce the next project of a director you already worked with. I find that the notion of establishing long term relationships and performing to the satisfaction of your colleagues and peers is a big part of success for me.
* What’s your motto when it comes to raising money for your project(s)?
This is obvious, but I would say my motto is to keep moving at all time, and keep trying new approaches when the old ones have failed. I am a firm believer in probabilities, i.e. the fact that statistically, the more people you approach, the better your odds become to actually find the money. But another important principle (also totally obvious I am afraid) is that it is key to present a project which is mature enough and contains all the elements you know your potential investor will require. Hence me spending a lot of time in development to make sure the script is ready before I approach anyone… or packaging the project first if I know cast will be essential.
* How long did it take to support yourself as a producer?
I’m not there yet. Working on it!
* Who do you turn to when you need a pep talk?
I have the chance to have a great network of mentors and fellow producers who are extremely supportive. Being part of the Sundance Producers Lab has been a major help in that regard. Partnering with like-minded producers on projects is something I tend to do more and more, too.
* If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would modify my tastes so they are more mainstream! I think it would help me a great deal in my “career”…
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