Dov Simens Wikipedia ✦ Genuine & Quick

A proper biography—even one not on Wikipedia—must address the controversies. Dov Simens is a polarizing figure.

No biography is complete without criticism. Detractors of Dov Simens argue that his method is "lowest common denominator" filmmaking. Critics say that focusing on profit and speed over artistry has led to a glut of "VOD garbage." They argue that his $10,000 model is a myth—that real distribution requires legal fees and E&O insurance that he hand-waves away. dov simens wikipedia

Simens’ typical response, which would likely be cited on Wikipedia under "Reception," is: “I don't care if you make art. I care if you make a movie. Make your art on your second film. Finish the first one.” Detractors of Dov Simens argue that his method

In the late 1970s and 1980s, Simens produced low-budget independent films, including The Honeymooners (1980) and The Night Before (1988). None achieved major commercial success, but they provided him with a practical education in the challenges of independent production: raising money, securing permits, hiring crews, and distributing on a shoestring budget. He has often described his own early failures as his most valuable teaching tools. I care if you make a movie

Details of Simens’ early life are sparse, a fact he often downplays in favor of practical experience. He was born in New York City and grew up in a working-class family. He attended the City College of New York (CCNY) before serving in the United States Army during the Vietnam War era. Following his military service, Simens moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s with aspirations of becoming a filmmaker. He has stated that his formal education in film was minimal, and that he learned the industry “from the bottom up”—working as a production assistant, script reader, and eventually a producer.