UNWANTED ADVICE TO WOULD-BE DIRECTORS

1. Its absolutely necessary to start with a good plot.
   
2. Book adaptations must be faithful to the book or risk alienating a captive fan base. Starship troopers is an exception to this rule. Even though it departed from the original plot, its still an excellent film.
3. For book adaptations, always consult with the author.
4. Avoid making movies from short stories unless you have a rich plot or a good scriptwriter. “Duel” is one such film that is a disaster because it is based on a short story. Practically nothing happens in the film until the end. “Minority report” is also a short story adaptation, but a success because the plot is rich. You need to have a good script writer.
5. Do not make the drama genre without a strong cast. Take casting cues from Canadian/Australian movies.
   
6. Avoid cop dramas at all costs.
7. Avoid "closed system" movies unless there is a strong cast. I wish budgets for movies were made public so we could figure out if it was shot just inside a studio.
8. Leave all politics out unless that is evident in the title.
9. Above all avoid value engineering. Canadian/Australian films are notorious in this regard. They always have to have some engineering undercurrents. 
   
10. Please avoid adult language in kid’s films. “Yeah right!” Lets reserve all cynicism and other adult expressions to movies for older people!
    
11. Please make sure the film is edited well. Credits go to Canadian and Pinewood studio movies in this regard.