Bio
Marty Martin is an American reality contestant on the filmmaking reality show On The Lot.
Marty's On The Lot Q&A:
Location: Seattle, WA
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Occupation: Creative Director of a Multimedia Company
Age: 26
Why am I here?
Not only do I love to watch films, but I understand what makes great films from an artistic and marketing perspective, and I understand their audience.
A quick tour of my life
My life has been a whirlwind of experiences from growing up in a strict household where my imagination was the best place to escape, to living in France for several years and really honing in on my artistic skills.
I was brought up to believe that you can accomplish anything if you set your mind to it and, from a young age, I have been an artist and entrepreneur who isn't afraid of putting myself out on a limb.
In France, I met my wife, with whom we now have a wonderful one-year old daughter. Thanks to them (and other family and friends), they keep me very grounded.
I have been teaching myself to be a filmmaker for only less than 5 years, but my gift as a visual storyteller and my business instincts have carried me very far. But it has been tough. Being poor for the past 5 years hasn't been easy!
Describe yourself in one sentence...
A nice, grounded, determined, talented artist and entrepreneur who isn't afraid to take big risks.
Your theme song?
Carmina Burana. It just sounds so powerful and epic!
First movie you ever saw?
Probably Bambi. But the first movie that made me think twice about the magic of films, was Batman when I was 8.
Favorite line from a movie?
My pee smelled like marshmallows for a week. - Blades of Glory
What made you want to be a filmmaker?
I have always been a dreamer and an artist and, one day, I realized that movies had the power to allow me to not only escape into another world, but also to share that world with other people.
When you make a film what do you want the audience to leave with?
The feeling that it shouldn't end...that they want to go back and watch more.
When I'm behind the camera...
I have the power to develop a story that only I can tell.
What do you think it will be like working with other Directors?
It will be eye opening, fantastic, and frustrating all at once. There will be so many new points of view, which is wonderful but, at times, strong-minded people collide. Ultimately, we should try and learn from each other. We all have different strengths.
Favourite joke about Directors/Actors?
I can't even remember lines out of my own scripts! How am I supposed to remember a joke? I seriously have the worst memory ever.
Movie that best encapsulates who you are?
Amelie. I'm just a dreamer who gets lost in his imagination.
While On The Lot you have a week to make a film every week. What's the biggest challenge?
Not being able to direct, DP, and edit my own work. I have a very synergetic and organic way of working, which involves all of my skill sets combined. As I direct, I think about how I will edit and, as I edit, I think about the shots I DP'd. It's a very important element that I am afraid is going to be a bit tough to deal with.
When you get the power, how will you use it?
Wisely of course! Directors have a unique power to allow people to escape to another reality for a couple of hours. This is something that can be respected or abused.
What's more important talent or ego?
Talent. But confidence is sometimes mistaken as ego, and having that confidence can allow you to make it.
Marty's favourites:
FILMS
Braveheart, Am?lie, Gladiator, Apollo 13, Jurassic Park, SNATCH, Man On Fire
DIRECTORS
David Fincher, Steven Spielberg, Michael Bay, Wes Anderson, Brett Ratner, Tony Scott, Ridley Scott, Chris Nolan, Alfonso Cuaron
PRODUCERS
Jerry Bruckhemier, Steven Spielberg, Joel Silver
WRITERS
Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, William Goldman
ACTORS
Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Leo DiCaprio, Shia LeBeouf, Will Ferrell, Denzel Washington, Russell
Crowe. Jeremy Piven
ACTRESSES
Natalie Portman, Kate Beckinsale, Helena Bonham Carter, Jennifer Connelly, Eva Green
SOUNDTRACKS
Gladiator, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, Edward Scissor Hands, Kingdom of Heaven