Sinbad,
I was trying to raise two million dollars to shoot the film in 35 mm and in all the actual countries where the story takes place. That's why it took ten years.

Hopefully, all reviews are "critical" - both positive and negative.

so thats different then, you tried to raise the money for ten years. I understand now. Were you hoping for more commercial success in trying to shoot in 35mm on location, your movie would have been completely different would it not? Where does budget become the narrative?

Sinbad,
Yes, I was trying to make a more "mainstream" film initially. And yes, it would have been a completely different film. So yes, the budget absolutely determined the narrative.

I don't want to be a motor mouth but I find this very interesting. Does it bother you as an artist that your work is dependent on something so banal, how important is it to think of money while writing a script? This says alot of the state of film and creative integrity, we're in a time where businessmen will thrive and true artists will be marginalized and strongarmed. I find this very unsettling as an independent filmmaker and artist, we need to be more aggresive and ruthless, less passive, less naive. I began reading the Gospel according to the Harvard School of Business, and I have come to the realisation that an art education curriculum should include a form of business study. It is quite depressing and yet invigorating.

p.s the solution for me has been to use animation, anything is possible in animation at a very low cost.

Sinbad,
No, it doesn't bother me that a film's budget determines the nature and scope of the film. It has always been that way, and always will be. I embrace limitation, and actually quite like it. It forces one to be more creative and resourceful.

I just can't get over this, it's not setting in me. I guess you have to decide where job and art split and see where you want to take it. I have a job, but i want to make films, i want my job to be to make films but i don't want to lose the art. Heres an idea, I can develop two personas, one who works towards commercial succes, lets call him Hershal Richardman, and then the money from that can go towards the projects of Sinbad O'Conner, this will require a series of disguises and wigs.
I have finally solved the problem, meiosis! thank you for your insights Caveh, good luck (and money) with your new project.

Caveh,
dont pay attention to my son, he is just a typical cry-baby crying poverty and loving it..its not his fault I should have not have made him sit up all night until he ate his turnips that one time when he was little...