2013 (Production)

2013-06-17 (Production)

English

Interviewee: Martin Bregman
Interviewer: Sienna McLean LoGreco

Professional production

United States

Producer Martin Bregman is interviewed by Sienna McLean LoGreco at his home in New York City in 2013. Bregman explains how he became a manager and transition to film producer. He speaks about his eclectic roster of entertainment clients and experience producing films, from SERPICO (1973) and THE SEDUCTION OF JOE TYNAN (1979), to SEA OF LOVE (1989) and BLUE ICE (1992).

Producer Martin Bregman is interviewed by Sienna McLean LoGreco at his home in New York City on June 14, 2013. Bregman begins with a description of growing up in the Bronx in a lower-class Jewish household. He credits this tough environment as an asset in preparing him to survive in the business world. He describes his entry into the entertainment industry, recalling his early career as a nightclub agent then becoming a talent manager. Bregman jokingly muses on his lack of experience but cites an aptitude for salesmanship as a key to his success. He goes on to discuss his discovery of Al Pacino in an Off-Broadway production of THE INDIAN WANTS THE BRONX. He elaborates on the establishment of their professional relationship and tells how he became Pacino’s personal manager. Bregman describes his first credit as a film producer on the Pacino- starring vehicle SERPICO (1973) and talks about his strategy in developing motion picture projects around his client. He details the making of their second film, DOG DAY AFTERNOON(1975), and reminisces on working with director Sidney Lumet. Bregman goes on to discuss the trajectory of Pacino’s career following the success of these films. He provides insight on his long-standing collaboration with management client Alan Alda and elaborates on producing their film THE SEDUCTION OF JOE TYNAN (1979). Bregman goes on to talk about reuniting with Pacino as a producer on SCARFACE (1983), while musing on his relationship with director Brian De Palma. Bregman speaks on producing his next Pacino project SEA OF LOVE (1989) with an emphasis on the circumstances in financing the film. Bregman takes an aside to explain how he succeeded by following his instincts when choosing screenplays, working with directors, and casting performers. He goes on to detail the 1992 formation of M & M Productions with actor Michael Caine. Bergman briefly discusses his role as president of the Mayor’s Advisory Council for Film and Television in New York City and why he chose to film movies in New York. The interview concludes with Bregman explaining that the story is the most important part of a film, lessons learned in his career, and listing some of his favorite writers and directors.

Martin Bregman (1926-2018) was a film and television producer. Born in New York City, Bergman was educated at Indiana University and New York University. He began his entertainment career as a nightclub agent before transitioning into the capacity of personal artist management. Bergman would discover Al Pacino in an Off-Broadway play and help nurture the actor’s film career, helping him land his first starring role in PANIC IN NEEDLE PARK (1971). Developing film projects around Pacino, Bergman produced his next films SERPICO (1973) and DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1975). The two would later reteam for SCARFACE (1983), SEA OF LOVE (1989) and CARLITO’S WAY (1993). Bregman had a similar relationship with his client Alan Alda, producing the Alda-starring films THE SEDUCTION OF JOE TYNAN (1979), SWEET LIBERTY (1986), and A NEW LIFE (1988). In 1992, Bregman formed M&M Productions with Michael Caine, producing the Caine-starring film Blue Ice that same year. Other notable films Bregman produced include MATILDA (1996), THE BONE COLLECTOR (1999) and the 2002 sci-fi comedy THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH.

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