In the studio system, things are expected of a film. By the first, second, third act, there's a generic language that comes out of the more commercial system.
You've got these big studio films and these tiny independent films now. It's very much either/or. With the independent films, it's always a beautiful risk - it might never be seen. With the studio films, you're conforming to the formula of what's always been in place.
There is certainly no formula of making a successful film, but there are means to make a sensible film.
If the entire script feels formulaic, then you know that the film will be like that. But if it's a really interesting script, and the character happens to be formulaic, then maybe there's a way of making them more interesting.
Films must all have the same structure. All of this to guarantee box office bonanza, which of course it never does, but that's another discussion entirely.
Too many films today feel formulaic and familiar. I prefer it when the familiar is made to feel strange.
Isn't nearly every Hindi film a rehash of some movie or the other?
Hollywood films have become a cesspool of formula and it's up to us to try to change it... I feel like a preacher! But it's really true. I feel personally responsible for the future of American cinema. Me personally.
I think often in film we limit our imaginations a little - well, quite a lot, actually... things get quite formulaic.
When you are successful, there is this tendency to repeat the elements that we believe have worked in a certain film. Then it becomes formulaic, and there is no getting back.
I don't think I take risks. People think I do, but I don't. In fact, I think conventional-formula filmmakers take more risks than me.
My guess is that if they now choose to change of director for every other film, it's just because you can't really change the formula, you can merely try to film it your way.
