I've only seen the first 15 minutes of The Leisure Class, but it doesn't bode well for Jason Mann's career. It was uncomfortable to watch such an unfunny shoveling of exposition: Scene after scene of contrived and redundant conversations to inform us that this is a world of money and political power. All without jokes. How does this happen?
Let's look back! Go watch all of season 4 first if you don't want to read SPOILERS.
First mistake: Jason throws out the script given to him and rushes his own script into production. How do I know this is a mistake without having read the first script? Because the first script was vetted without cameras. Certainly, no vetting process in Hollywood is going to be entirely about making the best film--egos and greed will compromise "perfection" every time--but at least that first script wasn't judged with the considerations of what makes a good episode of television. And if it was bad, HBO would own the mistake. Jason would have served himself better to keep his objectivity about quality, and worked with the script given to him. Instead, he gave HBO the opportunity to shoot an amazing twist in their tv show, AND point the finger at Jason for the trainwreck!
Second mistake: Jason insists on film! Wow. Just, wow. Skyfall was shot on digital. Michael Mann shoots all of his movies on digital. What the hell did Jason think he was making?? This is one of those self-destructive tendencies I've seen time and again in directors who put camera before story. They'll spend hours on a dolly shot because they want to feel like Scorcese, and wind up missing the story element that mattered. But, oooooh, look at the lighting! Once again, Jason hands HBO great television, and releases them from blame.
Third mistake: Not getting things from Effie in writing. This is a mistake which he seemed to learn from and adjust to late in the shoot, as he started using email to confirm the decisions from meetings. Look, I don't know who the real Effie is, I only know how she was portrayed: A little two-faced. We watched her say, or at least imply, that she can get Jason's car flip stunt, then crater the option after letting the clock run out on preparation time. Jason trusted the earlier conversation, when he should have gotten it in writing. That being said, Effie was probably doing things for the greater good, because she was dealing with a director who cared more about feeling like Scorcese than about getting genuine applause from an audience.
Fourth mistake: Those first fifteen minutes. Watch them if you can. They're horrible exposition monsters. Then watch the short upon which the film is based. It's quite good, and amazing in comparison!
The Leisure Class from Hakker Shorts on Vimeo.
How does this happen?? Honestly, I have no idea. But it made great TV. Bring on season 5! And to the next director, learn from Jason's mistakes.
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