Quick question: using controversial voices

One might think that having a big Hollywood name as the narrator of your doc would help attract positive attention to it. But in these politically heated times, the added weight of stars that are controversial for questioning the government could either help or hinder the sales of a film. Tim Sparke, the managing director of London-based MercuryMedia International and ep of Loose Change Final Cut, feels that since documentary filmmaking is about making statements, it doesn't do any harm to have a name onboard who pushes people's buttons. Loose Change questions the current reports of what happened in New York on September 11. 'We're not afraid of being controversial as long as it's not ludicrous,' says Sparke.

March 1, 2008

One might think that having a big Hollywood name as the narrator of your doc would help attract positive attention to it. But in these politically heated times, the added weight of stars that are controversial for questioning the government could either help or hinder the sales of a film. Tim Sparke, the managing director of London-based MercuryMedia International and ep of Loose Change Final Cut, feels that since documentary filmmaking is about making statements, it doesn't do any harm to have a name onboard who pushes people's buttons. Loose Change questions the current reports of what happened in New York on September 11. 'We're not afraid of being controversial as long as it's not ludicrous,' says Sparke.