The Chair

The Chair is an American documentary television series that aired on Starz in 2014. The unique concept of the show was conceived by Chris Moore, the producer of Good Will Hunting and American Pie, who recognized the immense potential reality television held for creative minds and up-and-coming talent in the world of cinema. Consequently, The Chair generates an engaging environment for both the filmmakers involved and the audience, creating a captivating viewing experience and peak into the inner workings of movie-making.

In The Chair, two aspiring directors are given the same screenplay and then tasked with directing their respective versions of the film. Both directors start with the same raw material but are allowed to develop their own personal vision and style. They control casting, crew selection, choice of locations, and every other significant aspect that goes into making a film, from pre-production planning to post-production editing. These decisions provide deep insights into their creative process and the highly subjective nature of filmmaking.

In its first season, The Chair follows two directors, Anna Martemucci, an independent filmmaker, and Shane Dawson, a well-known YouTube personality. Both are given the same comedy script, "How Soon is Now," written by Dan Schoffer, a story about coming of age during the first week of college. The willingness of these two directors, who bring vastly different outlooks and personalities to the table, to be a part of this show and allow their creative process to be filmed adds an extra layer of fascination to the viewers.

As the season progresses, it becomes clear that the original screenplay is just a stepping stone. The directors take the script in contentious directions, twisting the story and its characters to match their personal tastes and the intended target audience, exploring various aspects of creativity, adaptability, and management under pressure. This process consequently shows the impact of individual style, conception, decision-making, and execution on a film project.

The concept of The Chair extends beyond just editing two different films. The series captures an intimate behind-the-scenes look at movie-making and the contrasting methods of two directors. The trials and tribulations, compromises and victories that occur during the production process are highlighted extensively in the show. Combined with masterclass interviews from industry experts and veterans, this approach exhibits a close-up perspective into what it takes to create a film.

One of the intriguing parts of The Chair is the competition itself. Despite the collaborative filmmaking environment, there is also a competitive aspect. Viewer engagement is important as the audience is encouraged to vote for the film they liked better. The winning director is awarded $250,000, highlighting the reward and recognition that comes with such a creative endeavor.

While The Chair is a competition-based reality show, it is far from the ordinary. It presents a unique blend of education and entertainment, providing invaluable lessons about the filmmaking process. It's a show that crafts a dramatic narrative by chronicling the highs and lows of the directors' unique journeys. Compounded by various professionals' contributions in the filmmaking process, the creative evolution becomes an enthralling spectacle.

Furthermore, it broadens the scope for audiences who would like to either enter filmmaking or those who are curious about the nitty-gritty of what goes into creating a film. Serving as an entertaining instructional tool for students and film enthusiasts alike, the series offers a rare perspective into the realities and complexities of the movie-making process.

With high-stakes competition, creative challenges, and a look into the transformative journey taken by two contrasting directors, The Chair is truly a captivating viewing opportunity, pushing the boundaries of television as well as filmmaking. It shines a light on the diverse paths taken in the name of creativity, offering a glimpse into the rarely seen, often turbulent, yet always fascinating world of directing a feature film.