Seagal's Motivation In Film Making.

[Mason]

Instead of going off topic in the KZ thread, I thought that I would create this thread.

Personally I dont think that Seagal is as motivated in film making any more as he used to be. Maybe as a producer, but not as an actor. His acting has gotten worse over the years and he spents less and less time on set. As a fan this is not good, and I'm not happy paying money for it..

What is your opinion on this ??

 

[NCS]

It's a vicious circle, his films are of poorer quality (perhaps not in comparison with the 2003-2005 period when he was dubbed and doubled to ridiculous levels) but less and less people buy them due to the poor quality; every single plot is the same, it's the exact same people appearing in them all, the exact same thing happens (Seagal plays the same character, he wins all the fights hands down, there's a scene and fight in a strip club, a scene in a big mansion, Seagal wears exactly the same clothes - what other actor even does this?!) The result is the budgets decrease, therefore the shooting period decreases, therefore Seagal is on set for less, almost being reduced to a secondary character, but being credited first in order to get him on board for less money but still put him front and centre on the DVD cover. Seagal doesn't help by not bothering to act, not doing his fights and not staying on set. It won't get any better though, the only way it would improve is if Seagal truly put in the effort, his films received consistently excellent reviews on DVD and then the sales figures would perhaps increase through time, prompting companies to invest slightly more in Seagal if his 'stock went up in price/value'. That will not happen though, he's 64 and is near the end of his career as an action actor. The last things to do would be to have one more directorial effort, even if it's low budget, where he actually puts in the time and puts aside his ego, and accepts a role in The Expendables 4. Other than that, I see that nothing will change. The direct to video landscape has changed, Dolph barely does any lead roles now and instead takes character parts (a little bit like Seagal as of late) and Van Damme hasn't made anything in quite a while. I think DTV action is pretty much dead, as theatrical stars begin to do DTV movies, essentially people like Seagal and Van Damme move further down the peg - whereas once before they were the cream of the crop regarding DTV, now theatrical actors are starring in them also. Who would the general public rather pick/watch? Easy answer.

 

[lee nicholson]

I've moved my opinion of such matters to this thread (and deleted it elsewhere)

I think his lack of motivation, is not so much laziness, but more likely attributed to his ego. He seems to want to have too many other projects going at the same time (Humanitarian, singing, police, MMA, interviews, not to mention having a private life, family, etc) To be honest, if he turns up for a week on a movie that takes 3 weeks to shoot....That's pretty much par for the course (compared to some A-list movie stars involvement on a big-budget Hollywood movie with a 2-3 month shooting schedule)
I'm fully aware he SHOULD put more effort in with these movies (post production, etc) but given his constant globetrotting (and other projects) I'm not sure it's possible. I'm not trying to make excuses for him, because I think he should give 100% at all times, but as it's been stated before, I'm sure he's doing everything the directors are asking of him. I just don't think they're asking enough of him. And then (when they add 'pointless' doubles) he picks up the flack for it...When a lot of it is out of his hands.

Personally, I'd like to see him take direction (and not always think he knows better than the director...Even if he actually does know better) and stay on set longer, spend more time choreographing fights, come back for post production, and actually promote his movies, however low-budget) But unfortunately Steven Seagal is (or at least see's himself as) more than a movie star (and sadly, it's the fans that pay for it) But for all his faults, I would never label him lazy (just a bit too over-ambitious in his other public roles) They needs to be a better balance in his career

 

[Kotegashi]

Seagal stated many a times that movies are not his key interest, but it pays the bills. And that he doesn't like acting a lot.
With such an attitude it is no surprise that his motivation on set is lacking big time.
There have been a few directors (and/or producers) that have been able to push his buttons and make him put in his a-game. Unfortunately they haven't been around lately.

Although a couple of his DTV-flicks have been pretty entertaining, most of them have been exactly the same over and over again like NCS said. Pretty girl in distress, stripclub scene, fights that Seagal wins without a scratch etc.

Not sure about him having too many other projects going at the same time though. Haven't heard anything about Seagal with MMA in recent months, his announced album is also still nowhere to be found and his policework.....don't know if he is still doing that. Don't think he can pass the annual physical .

Yesterday on Dutch TV there were Shadow Man and BTRH......damn they are crappy movies. And that wasn't because Seagal didn't put in any effort. The whole production was crap and I think these things (although partially his own fault) don't help in motivating him.

Peace

 

[DiDa]

I agree with you guys, but I think his movies are getting better. Like Kotegashi said: if you look back at Shadow Man, BTRH and some other dtv movies he made between 2001-2008, THAT are crappy movies.

If you look at The Keeper, A Dangerous Man, FOE, A Good Man and Absolution, they are decent dtv movies in my opinion.

By the way it's good to see some discussion around here. it was getting very silent in here..... I seriously was wondering if all the updates made sense. I hope you guys still like all the new pics and updates for his new movies. I am looking forward to his new projects!

 

[Martin01]

In my opinion his best DTV period was between 2007 and 2010 with some pretty good (“Pistol Whipped”, “The Keeper”) and some pretty decent movies (“Urban Justice”, “Driven to Kill” and “A Dangerous Man”), also there was his role in “Machete”.
Most movies after are pretty boring in my opinion, with “Maximum Conviction” and “Force of Execution” being the worst. They aren’t as bad as some movies in 2003-2007 period but feel very tired and Seagal seems barely involved.
It’s very different compared to movies like “Driven to kill”, were he was a lot involved, slimmed down a bit and had a lot of fight scenes.

I’m still looking forward to his new projects. Even if only one or two of these turn out to be decent (or even good) and on the level of a 07-10 movie, I would be happy. I also hope the movie “Cypher” will go forward soon and in my opinion he maybe should work with Roel Reiné again.
@DiDa: Your updates are great, I’m always looking forward to any updates about his new movies.

 

[lee nicholson]

Not sure about him having too many other projects going at the same time though. Haven't heard anything about Seagal with MMA in recent months, his announced album is also still nowhere to be found and his policework.....don't know if he is still doing that. Don't think he can pass the annual physical .

That was what I was getting at, he's doing too much of nothing.....and who pays for it.....us the fans. He should realise his limitations, take 'direction' (follow a script) and give the fans what they want. Sadly though, it seems like a lack of motivation runs throughout the cast and crews of his recent movies (possibly budgetary reasons.....but the entire DTV market seems like a squalid business in general at the moment....artistry has long gone) I'm not expecting any great eleventh hour upturn in his motivation.....I think the best we can hope for is some good solid generic throwback action movies, before he hangs up his ponytail

 

[bwana-beast]

I agree with you guys, but I think his movies are getting better. Like Kotegashi said: if you look back at Shadow Man, BTRH and some other dtv movies he made between 2001-2008, THAT are crappy movies.

If you look at The Keeper, A Dangerous Man, FOE, A Good Man and Absolution, they are decent dtv movies in my opinion.

By the way it's good to see some discussion around here. it was getting very silent in here..... I seriously was wondering if all the updates made sense. I hope you guys still like all the new pics and updates for his new movies. I am looking forward to his new projects!

I certainly enjoy the information you bring regarding his on-going projects. Seagal's movies since his last days of Hollywood releases to theaters have been a grab bag, with quality depending upon many various factors - his own personal interest in the project being a main consideration. Some have been pretty good, others have at least been entertaining, and some have little or nothing (other than Seagal's presence) to recommend. Still, I enjoy watching his films and do appreciate what he has done for over 30 years.

 

[DaitoSan]

I'm fully agree with Mason. In my opinion, the last DTV movies are just a little better in comparison to what we have got during the 2003-2007 period. Specially, the Waxman's movies, it's getting worse and worse, Seagal is bored and boring, all the stuff is ridiculous.

I'm a big fan of Seagal and i'm desperate to see him in such movies. Maybe Asian Connection and Cypher will be the opportunity for Seagal to make good movies again (even in DTV) but at one point I think that we should consider his career almost over.