LBSRmcr
To tell the truth- this is one of my favorite films. I've watched it time and time again. Two ex-sales people get recruited to become A&R people for a new record label. In their journeys they learn to sell dreams to hopeful artists until the main character's conscience wakes up and he doesn't go through with a sale out of compassion for a talented singer. Along with being a commentary on sales in general and a callousness and/or naiveté that is apparently needed to be a salesperson, it also is a sort of parody of the current state of the music business or indeed the arts in general. This is made clear through glimpses of the life of the salesman's girlfriend-she is an artisan who makes crafts for the love of it, puts hard work into them and sells them at craft fairs and as a character she is stable, creative and carefree. He however endeavours to sell the dream of instant fame, believing it sincerely. Until he realises that the people he work for don't- they only do it for the money. In a time where most pop music is brought into the fore by shows such as x-factor, American idol, etc. it is a really thoughtful film, along with being amusing.
roy
I really enjoyed this film. I saw it with my brother the other night on netflix. The African-American actor was amazing. that guy should be and could be in a lot more films... His performance was captivating. I read about the film and heard the scenes with the talent was done with hidden cameras and mirrors. It is clear because the people who come in are all so real and distinct. The film is unique and original and that goes a long way. The film uses humor and an original story to deal with the American dream, and our obsession with recognition and the current wave of talent shows and reality shows, of fame, fortune and morality. Great first film from a new American director-- someone to follow for sure.
bigsurfing
Very well done and entertaining film that shows the worst side of the music business (is there a good side?). The character who played Clarence did an amazing job and really carried the film. The film is about fly by night music producers and the salesmen they hire to swindle would be musicians out of their money. You are left feeling a little sick about the subject matter, as you know it goes on everyday. Not just in music - this structure can and is applied to many different types of businesses. It targets both the folks looking for a career on the business end and the ones looking to create a career in the business.Obviously a low budget film, but it's shot pretty well and the casting was great, as mentioned "clarence" played by Kene Holliday, was standout. Hopefully this opens some doors for him, as he's a very entertaining actor. His co-star, Healy (martin) does a good job as well, however a tad on the stiff/boring side.
rasecz
A musician talent search company, Great World of Sound (GWS), trains salesmen to go out and find talent. Once found, the deal pressed on the budding musicians is that they have to commit to paying 30% of the costs of producing and distributing CDs. Some of that money is extracted before the artist sets foot in a recording studio. Cash or a check payable to GWS, which also happens to be the initials of the owner. Sounds fishy? You bet it is.The point of this comedy is that the musicians are not the only suckers in this scam; the salesmen are too. The ultimate crooks are the company bosses who close shop and disappear when enough money has been collected. The salesmen are lucky if they get their last paycheck.The performers you see are actual musicians. Eighty percent of them did not know ahead of time that the auditions given in cheap motel rooms were fake. What you see and hear is the real thing. Twenty percent knew they were filmed but did not know what the filmmaker's project was about. Only two of the performers were scripted.There are a lot of auditions. The film comes close to having one too many.Best word play: one of the bosses talks about GWS begin a "conduit for talent". Read "con-duit".
AD
