Pursue the Impossible

In 1997, James Cameron's "Titanic" was estimated at an enormous budget of $200 million dollars. The set was constructed in seven months in Baja, California, Mexico and took another six months of principle photography and post-production. On several occasions, Universal and Paramount studios came closely in shutting down the set and production due to the increasing budget and little accomplishments from James Cameron. Although, James Cameron is one of two directors whom have directed films over a budget equal or more than $100 million dollars, films includes, True Lies and Terminator: Judgement Day. The film went on to become a major box-office hit surpassing more than $1.8 billion dollars world-wide. Titanic was nominated for fourteen Academy Awards, winning eleven Oscars, which includes Best Director (Cameron) and the coveted Best Picture.

When I was thirteen in 1997, I was inspired and awakened from such a film. I knew from that moment I wanted to become a film director. Coincidentally, I got the chance to meet James Cameron in 2001. I asked him for inspirational notes on my pursuit to becoming a filmmaker, his response was to never give up on and to work hard. Thank you, James Cameron.

- Javier Serrano, founder of Monte Pictures

Winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture

The Sound of Music (1965) directed by Robert Wise., my favorite director of all time, is without a doubt the best musical film ever made. Is it wrong to worship a film? Funny to say: The Sound of Music is my favorite film of all time; Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest is second; Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is third. The Sound of Music is the first film I remember watching as a child. The film impacted me personally. I simply cannot write down nor give you any reasons why I do not like the film. The Sound of Music is different and cannot be compared to any star-gazing musicals like Chicago, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, etc. The Sound of Music currently is the fourth best musical of all time, cited by the members of the American Film Institute, which the award is given every ten years. Gene Kelly’s “Singing in the Rain” holds the first place spot for greatest musical ever made. The Sound of Music had a merely budget of $8.2 million. Typically, any film over four million dollars was cited a big budget film, unlike today 2007 Spiderman holds the record as the expensive film ever made at nearly $257 million dollars, although, few experts can argue that the most expensive film ever produced as of today’s revenues is 1964 Cleopatra, with a budget of nearly $500 million dollars. The Sound of Music is credited as the film that saved 20th Century Fox from bankruptcy, after high production costs and low net gross for 1964 Cleopatra, which Elizabeth Taylor starred in. Don’t be fooled: The Sound of Music is eighty percent accurate and twenty percent inadequate. For example, at the end of the film when the Von Trapp family escaped Nazi oppression in Austria the family crossed through the mountains of the Swiss Alps. Technically, the real Von Trapp family took the train to Italy and later relocated to London then crossed over the Atlantic Ocean where they made a home for themselves in the New England countryside in Vermont. However, the adventurous, the amusement, the score, the irresistible songs, and the performances can only illuminate the horrors of Nazi oppression in Europe during the last golden age of the thirties. Director Robert Wise, also the only producer of the film, suggested the film to be shot entirely in the original concept the story in Salzburg because Hollywood stage production simply could not match the gorgeous landscape of Salzburg, Austria. As of 2008, more than ten million tourists visit Salzburg, Austria because, for one, it’s the birth place of immortal composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; secondly, to get first hand of the settings of The Sound of Music. Julie Andrews (Maria Von Trapp) did not win the Academy Award for Best Actress, loosing to rival British actor Julie Christie in Darling. Christopher Plummer (Captain Von Trapp) failed to get a nomination for Best Lead Actor. Although, the film walked away with the coveted Best Picture of 1965 and Robert Wise (Director) walked away with the coveted Best Director. Therefore, the thrilling and inspiration film, “The Sound of Music” has captivated dozens of generations of family uniting closer and celebrating the wondrous joy happiness. To me: “The Sound of Music” will indeed be the best film ever made in motion pictures.

“If I fail, at least I will have failed my way.” - Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster is tied as my favorite film actor of all-time; Ingrid Bergman is the other actor. I have been a huge fan of Jodie Foster ever since I'd seen her Oscar-winning performance in Jonathan Demme’s 1991 “The Silence of the Lambs.”

I look to Jodie Foster’s creditability as an actor because she is only a few handful of actors who can pull off dozens of performances in the wide-range of genres. Jodie Foster has been working in the show business since the age of three, but it wasn’t until 1976 when Martin Scorsese cast her along side Robert De Niro in “Taxi Driver,” which she garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the age of thirteen.

Jodie Foster is very intellectual; she graduated in 1980 as the class valedictorian from the private academy Lycée Français in Los Angeles in all-girl French Academy. She later went to the prestige Yale University and graduated in 1985 with a degree in Literature magna cum laudaee.
After graduating from Yale, Jodie Foster went into the stage of depression because of lack of confident from limited screen opportunities.

Her last chance to prove to herself as a struggling actor proved to be extraordinary, she has said in several interviews that if she did not get the part as Sarah Topias in the 1989, The Accused she would end her career as an actor and focus in pursuing her educational aspirations.

The Accused is utterly superb performed by Jodie Foster and deeply painful to watch as she portrays a gang-raped victim. The director of the film Johnathan Kaplin has stated that the rape scene was 95% Jodie Foster and there were no doubles to be substituted for Foster’s rape performance. Jodie Foster’s performance in The Accused garnered a second Academy Award nomination this one for Best Actress in a Leading Role and the win.

Jodie Foster won her second Oscar for her brilliant performance as Clarice Starling in “The Silence of the Lambs.” The American Film Institute which honors the best of the best films ever, Jodie Foster was honored and currently holds the position as “the greatest woman hero in American cinema.”

Jodie Foster suffered greatly and experienced hard ships in her early life. For example, she was stalked by John Hinckley during her college years, who attempted to assassinate US President Ronald Reagan to impress her (30 March 1981) because of his fascination from her performance in Taxi Driver. Today, Jodie Foster will leave an interview if the subject comes up.

Jodie Foster is impeccably brilliant as an actor and I am truly inspired by her effortless in cinema and her intellectual.

READY TO BE EXTRAORDINARY!

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to compose and construct my own independent film company “MONTE PICTURES.” I know my journey to achieve the unimaginable will inspire others knowing anything is surly possible. I want to dedicate this blog to my mother, who encouraged me to never give up on a dream and inspired me to never follow in the footsteps of others. Secondly, my sister, Elaine, I simply have no words greater then her dedication, hope, intelligence and guidance for me. Lastly, Jose Meza, my partner-in-crime and my world, thank you.


MONTE PICTURES is currently under construction due to my demanding schedule from my studies. I am on a quest to become the first individual in my family to obtain a Master’s in Creative Writing and to obtain a Doctorate degree in European Studies.
This page is also dedicated to the dreamers and believers. Please, I beg of you, dream and set out to conquer the impossibilities because the moment of achievement will define opportunities and open doors to individuals with aspirations.


MONTE PICTURES will be supporting all forms of arts. Do not hesitate to email me your advices, concerns, comments, and/or feed backs.


Every month I will be composing a newsletter. If you’re interested in receiving a newsletter, please forward me an email, include your full name. The newsletter is FREE at no cost, but I cannot guarantee the membership will be FREE for long. I plan to produce MONTE PUBLICATIONS, and export my objectives and creativity nationally, perhaps internationally. Current MONTE members will have the privilege to sustain their membership permanently, so it’s very important to request a newsletter immediately.


Email: info@montepictures.com


Thank you,

Javier Serrano, Founder


READY TO BE EXTRAORDINARY!