Schuyler Weiss opened his masterclass at an MPA event during the Tokyo International Film Festival ‘s TIFFCOM market by tackling the most frequently asked question in his career: What does a producer actually do?

Comparing himself to “a sort of cartoon sheepdog, endlessly moving the flock forward together, unrelentingly driven, but always relentlessly positive,” Weiss emphasized the protective nature of producing. “Above all, protective of the group, and most importantly, protective of the entire creative endeavor,” he said during the session.

The producer, who has worked with Baz Luhrmann for approximately 20 years, described filmmaking as an exercise in balance and tension. “The most quintessential tension of all in show business is probably between art and commerce,” Weiss said. “Y

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