Helmers Debut Their 'Reel Talent'

Helmers Jon Turteltaub and James Foley were back where it all began for the unspooling of their first student films at USC's Eileen Norris Theater last week. Turteltaub and Foley along with USC alumns George Lucas and Robert Zemeckis have allowed their first short films to be compiled into a DVD, “Reel Talent: First Films By Legendary Directors,” released by Fox Home Entertainment, as a fundraising project for USC’s film school. “When you’re in school you're always worried your film is going to suck,” recalled Turteltaub. “But stop worrying: It is going to suck. It’s a learning experience,” he said before adding, “But now they’ve put it out on DVD those f—s!” Foley displayed the same humility during the Q&A. “I never understood when I was sitting in this room and listening to directors on stage and people would ask directors ‘so what did you think of your movie?’ and they would say, 'I never watch my films.' Well, now I do: It’s painful!” (E. Bertet)