Rock of Ages | Adam Shankam | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Adam Shankman discusses his career as a director, producer, dancer, actor, and choreographer, and shares anecdotes about working on "Rock of Ages."

Transcript

Male Presenter: Well, welcome everyone to another Talks at Google event. We're very, very pleased to welcome to the barrio, Adam Shankman. [applause] I see you've got the horns sign down now. >>Adam Shankman: Yeah. [laughter] >>Male Presenter: So, Adam, I gotta get this list. I gotta read from my notes here. So, Adam is a director, producer, a da... Read More

Key Insights

• 😣 Adam Shankman faced adversity as an untrained dancer and choreographer, especially from teachers who assumed he had years of bad training. However, he persevered and built a successful career in the entertainment industry.
• 🫡 Shankman values collaboration with authors when adapting their novels into movies. He keeps them involved in the creative process and respects their input.
• 🧑‍🏭 The integration of the internet and social media is crucial for marketing movies, and factors like online trends and engagement can predict box office success.
• 😓 The decision to cast Tom Cruise in "Rock of Ages" was a strategic move to attract a wider audience and create an exciting event.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Adam Shankman choose Tom Cruise for the role of Stacee Jaxx in "Rock of Ages"?

Shankman chose Tom Cruise because he knew Cruise was a fan of his previous film, "Hairspray," and he believed that casting him as the lead rock star would create an exciting and memorable event.

Q: What was it like working with Tom Cruise?

Shankman describes working with Tom Cruise as life-changing. He admires Cruise's professionalism and commitment and was inspired by his enthusiasm and energy on set.

Q: How does Shankman approach integrating the internet into his movies?

Shankman explains that integrating the internet is a crucial part of marketing a movie. Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook can be used to predict audience interest and engagement, and studio executives often consider these factors when making decisions.

Q: Are there any plans to reboot classic musicals for a younger audience?

Shankman mentions that classic musicals are still popular on Broadway and are sometimes adapted for television. However, financing and audience demand play a significant role in determining which projects get greenlit.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Adam Shankman is a multi-talented artist who has worked in various creative roles in the entertainment industry.

• He has directed and produced several films and TV shows, choreographed numerous musical numbers, and acted as a judge on talent shows.

• In his latest movie, "Rock of Ages," Shankman combines his skills to create a high-energy musical experience.