Tell me how you did it.I posted a thread inquiring as to how some films got financed and no one seemed to be interested or no one had a clue.If you completed a film,sold it and made a return off of your investment,I want to hear your story.I have questions.
How did you get it financed?What was your budget?How did you manage to work around everyone's schedules(I'm assuming of course that you're working with people who aren't full time actors,camera people,techs,etc)?How did you keep these people interested?I've seen projects start with 50 people and end up with 4.Kind of like when you're moving,you can get a dozen people to volunteer to help you,but when it's moving day,you're lucky if one shows up.Did you stay on budget?How did you sell the film?
I'll have more questions later as this thread progresses,if it progresses that is.
Marty Hamrick
Photojournalist/cinematographer
WJXT TV
Jacksonville,Fl
Marty Hamrick
Photojournalist/cinematographer
WJXT TV
Jacksonville,Fl
I've made several movies that have returned the investment and each one would require different answers. I'll answer based on my last film, "dark crimes"
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How did you get it financed?
The producer and I put together a business plan, a line item budget and a show real. We set up an LLC, filed with the SEC and started soliciting investors. The first guy on board helped us find the rest of the money.
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What was your budget?
$60,000
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How did you manage to work around everyone's schedules(I'm assuming of course that you're working with people who aren't full time actors,camera people,techs,etc)?
We set up a short shooting schedule and gave the cast and crew plenty of notice. Some people took vacation time from their regular jobs, some took a leave of absence, some just asked for days off.
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I've seen projects start with 50 people and end up with 4.Kind of like when you're moving,you can get a dozen people to volunteer to help you,but when it's moving day,you're lucky if one shows up.
We didn't start with 50 people. We hired only the people needed. I, too, have seen shoots fall apart when there are too many people without specific jobs. The ol' "We're shooting the movie this week. C'mon down and help out, okay?" just doesn't work very well.
I had a very small crew of 15 people:
Producer
Director
DP/operator
1st AC
1st AD
script supervisor
gaffer
dolly grip/key grip
grip/electric
makeup/costumer
set dresser/props
mixer/boom op
craft service
2 PA?s who each had specific tasks
On three days I brought on a stunt coordinator to block the fights and supervise the scene where a character gets run over by a car and tossed off a cliff. And on one day I brought on a licensed pyrotechnician to do a couple of squib hits.
Even though we were shooting all nights (6PM to 6AM) we treated the cast and crew well, had a caterer bring a good, hot meal every day and fed them a nice "walking breakfast" when they showed up to the set each night.
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Did you stay on budget?
Of course not.
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How did you sell the film?
We had several screenings and invited distributors.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
