I'm wondering if anyone has ever tried to approach a tv channel with a screenplay or a movie already made. Would your chances of getting work be greater? Would it be just as hard as trying to get a movie made with a major studio?
I'm wondering if anyone has ever tried to approach a tv channel with a screenplay or a movie already made. Would your chances of getting work be greater? Would it be just as hard as trying to get a movie made with a major studio?
Not greater.. just as hard, yes.
So I should get an agent then. I was just wondering this since to me it seems it should be easier to sell a movie or screenplay to a channel like scyfy. It's not like they're looking for the next revolutionary movie or something.
Never underestimate the need for low budget projects. To you they areSo I should get an agent then. I was just wondering this since to me it seems it should be easier to sell a movie or screenplay to a channel like scyfy. It's not like they're looking for the next revolutionary movie or something.
Never underestimate the need for low budget projects. To you they are
not looking for the next revolutionary movie. To them they are. They
are looking for the next “Sharknado” - something that will spawn sequels
and generate a lot of money. Something that to them is the next
revolutionary movie.
Interesting - tell me more about the need for low-budget movies.
I mean, how do you know if your idea is really all that good or not? Because if your idea is just an idea, and not even a full script, and if it's not much better than what Syfy does anyway, then it's probably something just about anybody could think of, really.
If you have a really great idea you'll know!
As a generalisation, from my observations of the amateur/indie filmmaking scene, I would disagree! Individual amateur filmmakers know what they personally like (genre, style, etc.), what is within their resources and what would be fun to make. A "really great idea" is therefore one which simultaneously fulfils all these requirements. This is a hobbyist approach to filmmaking though! Not that there's anything wrong with filmmaking as a hobby but the industry doesn't give two hoots what a hobbyist's personal opinion of a "really great idea" is, what is within their resources, how much fun it is to make or how well they've done with what they had! Broadcasters are interested in things like; target demographics, how a film/show fits into their schedule, repeatability, potential for further development/spin-offs, marketability to their viewers AND advertisers, appeal to wider territories, meeting QC requirements, cost vs revenue, etc. In other words, a completely different notion of what is "a really great idea"!! The chances of a hobbyist's approach/idea aligning with what broadcasters actually want, are tiny. Successful makers of broadcast content (and there are many!), work the other way around: They understand the broadcast market, know/identify what broadcasters want and design and make products to fulfil those requirements.
Unless you have a good understanding of the market and of designing and making products for that market, I don't believe you will know you have a "really great idea".
G
But if you've told the idea to 20 different friends and all 20 absolutely love it then I'd think you're on to something.
It's a special thing to have an idea that everyone you tell about it loves
It's not just 20 youtube views. It's 20 people that love the idea so much they would all for sure share it with everyone else they know.
Just like a stand up comedian doesn't need to know about demographics and business studies, if they have performed at 20 different clubs and one joke kills in every club regardless of the type of audience.. then that joke is a great joke.
What you're describing is the difference between and artist and a businessman, and this is a business yes. But it's a business where the customers seek out art.
No it's not! It's a business where TV broadcasters sell advertising time by targeting those demographics which are attractive to commodities manufacturers. Art may or may not have anything to do with it, as the products sold using TV advertising may or may not be aimed at those who have any interest in art, however you define "art".
G
You can take an educated guess as to whether or not you have a marketable product.
By definition you can't take an "educated guess". By definition, to take an "educated guess" you need to have some sort of education, without that education/knowledge all you can do, at best, is make an uneducated guess!!
Making uneducated guesses about what is product (as opposed to an amateur film) and what is a marketable product, is arguably the most major reason why so many aspiring filmmakers find it so hard to cross that line between amateur and commercial/professional!
G
I'd say it's the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning–Kruger_effect
People are too stupid to know how dumb they really are, and they're too unskilled to know how skilled they aren't. They think their ideas are good when in reality they aren't.
I was told that TV shows are less risky, but they don't offer the potential rewards that film can offer.