Armed with a screenplay, concept trailer, and drive to make it - What's next?

[Anthony Mormile]

Hey everyone,

I am new to the forum. Hope you're all doing well. As my first order of business before exploring the threads further and contributing where I can, I was hoping I could share with you the teaser trailer for a feature I hope to make in the summer of 2013.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIEoV0yJMqE

I call it a "concept" trailer because it serves to give a visual representation of what I would ultimately like to do but on a larger scale (if I can get producers). I am currently looking to get backing for the project so I can make the movie without the usual run and gun no-budget concessions I always previously succumbed to (including in the making of this concept trailer).

That said, I love being a one-man, three ring circus. However, I am at a crossroads in my growth that I need to become more collaborative (which is why I'm not interested in doing a kickstarter). I want to surround myself with individuals with more experience than myself - so, I am not entirely indiscriminate about who I would like to collaborate with.

That said, please take a look at the trailer, share it with your friends and enjoy! And please like the movie fan page: www.facebook.com/closer2014

Does anyone know any promising avenues I can go with this project to "sell" it? To whom can one pitch a project too? I know some industry folks but I rather explore outside of my circle. I have the concept trailer, the screenplay, as well as my personal anecdotes on my long-term goals with this project (I also want this project to serve as a spring-board for my next one which is in the infant stage of script development). All that said (and I know it was a lot) I just hope anyone with the experience could give me some guidance, direction, and/or support. Thank you for your time everyone. Take care!

Warm Regards,
Anthony Mormile

 

[GuerrillaAngel]

Promising avenues for funding? If anyone here knew, they'd have the money for their own big projects and would no longer be here posting.

Seriously, use the search function and you'll see this topic being discussed in a couple dozen threads.

Good luck.

 

[Anthony Mormile]

Promising avenues for funding? If anyone here knew, they'd have the money for their own big projects and would no longer be here posting.

Seriously, use the search function and you'll see this topic being discussed in a couple dozen threads.

Good luck.

It's not just about funding, though. I am looking for partners and mentors. I just felt like this community is one of such places to find that. But thank you for the reply. I have done my research outside of this site, but I'll explore the pre-existing open threads on the topic as well. I encourage other comments/ideas though here if anyone has their two-cents to share. I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[directorik]

I'm always honest. Even when it upsets first time posters.

I have a problem when filmmakers violate copyright. I understand
this is just a "teaser" but it just doesn't look good. Even a no budget
teaser should look amazing.

Does anyone know any promising avenues I can go with this project to "sell" it? To whom can one pitch a project too?

Do you mean a distributor when you are asking about selling? When
you say "pitch" what do you mean? Pitch what aspect of a project?

I know some industry folks but I rather explore outside of my circle.

Pretty foolish in my opinion. You know the exact people who can help
you but you would rather try to find different people. Just my opinion,
but that's crazy.

All that said (and I know it was a lot) I just hope anyone with the experience could give me some guidance, direction, and/or support.

My first bit of guidance is to suggest you focus what you want. Clearly
you need money to make this. You know some industry folks - use
their knowledge and your connections. Make a much better teaser.
The one you have leaves a poor impression - you can do so much better.

 

[Anthony Mormile]

No not upset at all. You are exactly what I'm looking for in terms of critical mentoring. I appreciate your candor, directorik. I too am typically in agreement with you on the use of pre-exisiting music. The reason I opted to, I guess my best defense is that it is just a teaser (not even geared toward a general public but rather to select individuals). For the real deal, I would go by the book and utilize local artists (with permission) etc.

In terms of pitching the project. What I mean to say by that is I want to attempt to sell someone on the idea. I am trying to yes on one hand open people's wallets, but also I'm trying to open their hearts to the idea. The script is a really involved one. Entirely character driven (something that is sometimes a bit abstract to illustrate effectively in a trailer). I made this concept trailer knowing all too well it would not even scratch the surface of what the script covers. That is because I didn't shoot every scene but rather just what I could in a week before returning to college. I'm not excusing myself by saying that. As a matter of fact, I'm using it as part of my reasoning why I need this additional support. The script has so much more potential (not to toot my own horn or anything) given access to the right resources. This trailer is crude in comparison to what the final product will be. My purpose for making it was solely to just provide some visual demonstration regardless of how abstract of one it is. I just wanted to convey the idea of kids in the suburbs because that's the backdrop of the story. If anything it's purpose, is to set the scene as it were.

I have to respectfully disagree on the point about looking to my circle. They are pretty significant players I have had the good fortune of meeting on independent movies I have crewed on. I do intend to eventually speak with them, but I don't want to go to them first solely because I want to have a little more than just my word to present to them as both a courtesy and out of respect. I need more than that in order to get their attention. If I went for it otherwise, I could jeopardize the connection or just get written off.

 

[directorik]

No not upset at all. You are exactly what I'm looking for in terms of critical mentoring. I appreciate your candor, directorik. I too am typically in agreement with you on the use of pre-exisiting music. The reason I opted to, I guess my best defense is that it is just a teaser (not even geared toward a general public but rather to select individuals). For the real deal, I would go by the book and utilize local artists (with permission) etc.

You still have violated the right of a fellow artist to make a
decision about their work. A public teaser to attract interest
to your project and to you is “the real deal”. To me, it's
disrespectful to violate copyright.

In terms of pitching the project. What I mean to say by that is I want to attempt to sell someone on the idea. I am trying to yes on one hand open people's wallets, but also I'm trying to open their hearts to the idea.

If you want people to embrace the idea you need a much better
pitch. A good teaser needs to scratch the surface, it needs to sell
others on the idea. You don’t need more resources, you need a
more clear pitch. You need to set up two lights. You need better
music. All within your power and talent - none of which shows in
the teaser you have presented.

This trailer is crude in comparison to what the final product will be. My purpose for making it was solely to just provide some visual demonstration regardless of how abstract of one it is. I just wanted to convey the idea of kids in the suburbs because that's the backdrop of the story. If anything it's purpose, is to set the scene as it were.

You have achieved YOUR purpose. A crude teaser looks like a crude
teaser. I looks exactly as you say; something thrown together in a
week. To me, that’s an ineffective way to get others involved in your
project. Don’t show the talent you have, HOPE people will see the
potential if they help...

What you haven’t done is create a “pitch” that will sell someone ELSE
on the idea. You know you can’t show this to your industry connections
because you may jeopardize the connections and be written off. I agree;
you show them this pitch and they will write you off. When you have
an excellent, creative, interesting pitch (including teaser) then you will
have something other people can get behind. That is how you attract
others to your project.

 

[Anthony Mormile]

Y
What you haven’t done is create a “pitch” that will sell someone ELSE
on the idea. You know you can’t show this to your industry connections
because you may jeopardize the connections and be written off. I agree;
you show them this pitch and they will write you off. When you have
an excellent, creative, interesting pitch (including teaser) then you will
have something other people can get behind. That is how you attract
others to your project.

Which brings us back to the topic of this post... armed with a screenplay, a concept trailer (which we will omit for the timing being), and the drive to see it made, what do you suggest should be included in a good pitch? In your experience pitching or having ideas pitched to you, what do you look for? I know it cannot be just the word and insistence of the writer. How does someone with only their two feet to stand on make a good impression? And please, I appreciate your honesty (that's all I ask for) but the antagonism is unwarranted. Thank you for your advice. It means more to me than you realize.

Best Regards,
Anthony

 

[rayw]

Looking over this thread and the teaser vid it looks like you've written a feature length screenplay (90-110page/min) that you don't have the funds to produce and I'm guessing you don't want to direct it, correct?

So you're primarily looking for a producer for funding and to get the ball rolling on actual production. What would your contribution to the final product be after that point?
Or are you just looking to sell your rights to the screenplay?

Also, what is the genre of the final product and it's target quadrant(s)?

BTW, FWIW, there's no simple answer to the OP question as posed.
There's no number or website or organization everyone in the film community knows that we can just link you to or give out a 1800 number for.
Sorry.

 

[directorik]

And please, I appreciate your honesty (that's all I ask for) but the antagonism is unwarranted.

I apologize. I didn't even realize I was being antagonistic. I'll bow
out now. I wish you the best with this project.

 

[Anthony Mormile]

Looking over this thread and the teaser vid it looks like you've written a feature length screenplay (90-110page/min) that you don't have the funds to produce and I'm guessing you don't want to direct it, correct?

So you're primarily looking for a producer for funding and to get the ball rolling on actual production. What would your contribution to the final product be after that point?
Or are you just looking to sell your rights to the screenplay?

Also, what is the genre of the final product and it's target quadrant(s)?

BTW, FWIW, there's no simple answer to the OP question as posed.
There's no number or website or organization everyone in the film community knows that we can just link you to or give out a 1800 number for.
Sorry.

Thanks for the response. I am actually interested in directing (and editing if the producer would allow it). The goal I have is the following... I want to put together a crew of people more qualified than myself. I know my material and I have a humble understanding of production from my actual work experience on productions coupled with my own personal projects. I want to be able to concentrate my efforts more so on making sure the talent hits their marks and trust the button pushing can be done by others who do it for a living. I then want to see to it that this movie gets an audience of some kind or another. Self-promotion is futile. I need folks who know how to reach larger audiences. I have only been able to get a nice audience twice... Once in the early days of youtube when their were relatively few things to watch (I got 70,000+ hits on a really dumb thing I made in 6th grade) and then again last year I made a music video for a friend of mine which has around 32,000 hits. In both cases, those were short-form projects though. One which only got the hits by virtue of the times and the other just because it had it's audience. For something long-form like this, I need a different avenue and people who make it their business to distribute pieces. So ultimately, I'm looking for a partnership (or partnerships) that can work collaboratively with me from production through distribution. I don't consider all of this lightly. I have made projects before but I have not taken any of them as seriously as this one. I do believe this one is worth it.

The script is about 20 somethings who aren't ready to give up their youth but are at a point where there's little they can do to avoid moving forward. It's about longing for direction but feeling abandoned by a destiny they grew up believing was their birthright. So they fill these voids with drugs, alcohol, revelry, nostalgia and bad relationships. The story maps the progression of it all unraveling to the point they can't take it anymore and they create a destiny of sorts for themselves which leads to a seemingly random act of violence... As I previously stated, the teaser doesn't even scratch the surface. But it does at the very least give me a starting point to branch off from.

So, really it's a project geared for people between the ages of 16-30. The story centers around the four guy friends and two of those guys' respective love triangles - which introduces the female perspective. The whole movie really plays off of all the intimate conversations people have with their friends and the situations they are dealing with... those "real talks" we all have with our buddies but always think are a blessed (or drunk-induced) rarity. So it aims to be relatable to everyone.

I am not naive enough to think that there is a fairy godmother out there who solves the problems and woes of all struggling filmmakers - if there was, we wouldn't have communities like this to rally around and help one another out (a point I echo from other members). But that's just it! This is a community of whom I regard to have it's fair share of professionals or people who work with professionals. I really am speaking to those members with my plight here now. I am trying to reach through the anonymity of the web for guidance and a working relationship. It's all just a matter of six degrees of separation anyway. So I'm not asking for a "help me make this" hotline or a website I'm just asking the members of this forum if they or someone they might know might be interested in entertaining what I have to say further. And if not, what alternative suggestions might anyone have that I have yet to explore? Thank you.

Warm Regards,
Anthony Mormile

 

[rayw]

Question 1 - Looking over this thread and the teaser vid it looks like you've written a feature length screenplay (90-110page/min) that you don't have the funds to produce and I'm guessing you don't want to direct it, correct?
Answer -

I am actually interested in directing (and editing if the producer would allow it).

Do you have a documented history of spending money as a director making critically or financially successful films?


Question 2 - So you're primarily looking for a producer for funding and to get the ball rolling on actual production.
What would your contribution to the final product be after that point?
Answer -

I want to put together a crew of people more qualified than myself... I want to [make] sure the talent hits their marks and trust the button pushing can be done by others who do it for a living. I then want to see to it that this movie gets an audience of some kind or another... I need folks who know how to reach larger audiences. So ultimately, I'm looking for a partnership (or partnerships) that can work collaboratively with me from production through distribution... I have made projects before but I have not taken any of them as seriously as this one. I do believe this one is worth it.

A. "a crew of people more qualified than myself" by definition makes you the least qualified member of the team. Correct?
B. "I want to [make] sure the talent hits their marks" is the job of the director. Good.
C. "trust the button pushing can be done by others who do it for a living." is what professionals are paid to do. Who's money is being spent to pay these professionals that have been interviewed and screened for their qualifications? That is the job of the producer.
Who pays the producer with what money?
Where is the money coming from?
D. "I then want to see to it that this movie gets an audience of some kind or another" is the job of the distributor, likely contacted by the producer.
A distributor invests social and financial capitol in hope of making a profit (revenue minus expenses) from theater owners, meaning the theater owners don't make money unless paying patrons pay to see the film.
E. "I need folks who know how to reach larger audiences." is the job of a marketer/promoter. They receive their pay through a fraction of profit, base pay + fraction of profit, or as a function of the distributor.
Likely, you will be GREATLY responsible for your own marketing and promotion. Expect to pay accordingly, keeping in mind every dollar spent on pay is a dollar not spent on actual advertising.
F. "I'm looking for a partnership (or partnerships) that can work collaboratively with me from production through distribution" is nice, but doesn't address WHERE the money to do all of this is actually coming from and how much control the source/provider of the money has.
G. "I have made projects before but I have not taken any of them as seriously as this one. I do believe this one is worth it." is something you should NEVER EVER EVER NEVER repeat again for this or any project for the rest of your life.
The project WILL thrive or die on its own irregardless of your feeeeeeeelings and belieeeeeeeeefs.
EVERY project is serious.
You've ALWAYS taken ALL of your projects seriously.
And you have five other BIGGER and MORE GRAND projects in the pipeline to pursue while THIS project is running its course.

Gotta work on your poker game a little, Tony.


Question 3 - Or are you just looking to sell your rights to the screenplay?
Answer -

Implied "no." But it doesn't look like you have much more to actually bring to the table.​

Question 4 - Also, what is the genre of the final product and it's target quadrant(s)?
Answer -

The script is about 20 somethings who aren't ready to give up their youth but are at a point where there's little they can do to avoid moving forward. It's about longing for direction but feeling abandoned by a destiny they grew up believing was their birthright. So they fill these voids with drugs, alcohol, revelry, nostalgia and bad relationships. The story maps the progression of it all unraveling to the point they can't take it anymore and they create a destiny of sorts for themselves which leads to a seemingly random act of violence... As I previously stated, the teaser doesn't even scratch the surface. But it does at the very least give me a starting point to branch off from.

So, really it's a project geared for people between the ages of 16-30. The story centers around the four guy friends and two of those guys' respective love triangles - which introduces the female perspective. The whole movie really plays off of all the intimate conversations people have with their friends and the situations they are dealing with... those "real talks" we all have with our buddies but always think are a blessed (or drunk-induced) rarity. So it aims to be relatable to everyone.

Somewhere in that meandering morass is a perfect indie film: dysfunction as entertainment for boyz N gurls.
Better make it more for the gurls than the boyz.
Guys take their girls to lovey dovey stuff in hopes of getting a shag out of it.
This story sounds like miserable pie for jaded and broken and bitter peeps.
Girls love this sh!t, but they're a tight-fisted lot.

Guys don't go see movies about guys having ""real talks" we all have with our buddies."
What are the last five films you PAID to go see about ""real talks" we all have with our buddies"?
Effff meeeee! Even for free I'm turning that rubbish off in 0.2secs.

• Writer
• Director
• Producer
• Distributor
• Marketer

Where is the money coming from up front?
Who controls how the money is spent/invested?
How much revenue is made on other films like this?

Profit = Revenue - Expenses.


Investors EXPECT a profit on their investments.
Donors EXPECT a worthy return on their donation.
Fools have no expectations on the money they give away.

Too many people seem to magically believe filmmaking is something different than bringing any other product to market, be it bath towels or bubble gum.
Entertainment is a product.
You have to think of it as such.

Good luck!


PS, there's probably a lot of good, useful info you'll find taking your time reading through this thread. ---> http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=39122

 

[Anthony Mormile]

Thank you so much for the in-depth walk through. A lot of great points, reality checks, etc. to take a way from it. All questions I needed posed and will have to work out. In terms of pushing it a bit further... I should say the only reason I said that this is the first project I have "taken seriously" is because A) I didn't want to come off as a pretentious jackass with no track record trying to pass himself as something greater. I would never insult the working filmmaking community like that. Even with all the shorts I have made I have trouble calling myself a filmmaker (since I reserve that term mainly for the elite - Hitchcock, Truffaut, De Mille, Murnau, etc). B) This is the first project I would be directing in a professional capacity (ie. not DIY, Guerrilla style - which is basically what I'm trying to avoid this time around. Though I will say I have crewed on feature films before so I am not totally green). Furthermore, I may not have 5 projects in the works but I do have the ultimate goal to use this project as a spring board for my true dream project. This project here is one I have to make in order to give myself closure on the suburban topic (it's been a form of writer's block in and of itself writing about this theme). My next project is more abstract and in-line with my true filmmaking aspirations. It's an old world (European) love/ghost story suspense. My goal is to have this project in the can so I then can approach either those theoretical partners or others to get an advance to research and write that screenplay (I already have a full outline/treatment for it). Then I would try to make that movie on a larger scale than this one (because unlike a suburban story which would be comparatively much cheaper to produce that one would require bigger funding) - but this one really will be my professional directorial debut, or at least that's the goal anyway. In terms of what I have to bring to the table - I guess it is that. The stories I have written but more importantly the way it should be interpreted (and yes we could get in to discourse about open for interpretation but when I write, I write with the intent to create). I may be the least experienced person on my "wishlist crew" but I have my wits. I also have the naiveté, humility, but also gumption to make this production stand out amid the clutter of other cookie-cutter movies being produced. A good leader doesn't look to surround himself with subordinates who know less. That'd be ridiculous. He wants people he can learn from but also use strategically. It's like any other industry, as you said, and should be thought of as such. What I bring to the table is I am the one bringing these people together. Sure anyone can do that, but not everyone can do that when it's my story. You may comeback and say well that's fine idealism but money talks and whoever has the money has the control. Yes this is true. My next phase is finding someone with money and know-how who has faith in me, but can also be there to steer me clear from newbie mistakes. It's not impossible to find. Me posting on this thread is just exploring one of those avenues and if this isn't where I will find that, so be it. But I am glad I had this discussion because I certainly was given some helpful tips which will make me that much wiser meeting with others elsewhere. I have to thank everyone for that. That said, I still encourage any more feedback anyone has. I'm always receptive to everyone's ideas and thoughts. I sincerely appreciate it.

 

[Lucky Hardwood]

I appreciate your honesty (that's all I ask for) but the antagonism is unwarranted.

He wasn't being antagonistic, he was being brutally honest and playing devil's advocate a bit. It is Rik's unflinching sincerity that makes him such a valued resource around here. If you ask for honesty, don't expect sugar coating to go along with it.
On the surface, your concept sounds a little like a cross between "Singles" and "Judgement Night". I see possibilities there. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[rayw]

LEARN
TO HIT
RETURN.


Keep doing your homework.
1% inspiration. 99% perspiration.

And so begins the journey of today's Midnight Cowboy.

 

[directorik]

It is Rik's unflinching sincerity that makes him such a valued resource around here. If you ask for honesty, don't expect sugar coating to go along with it.

Thank you, LH.

It bothers me when my sincere attempt to offer help based on
my experiences is taken wrong. I'm pleased when people
understand. Sometimes advice, help and opinion is difficult to
take. Thank you for the kind comment.

 

[danosongs]

So you need a pitch and someone to people to pitch too that can help finance and make the film:

Pitch: Basics of a pitch are the title, high concept, logline and summary. If your story can not be told in an interesting way in 15 minutes, then don't bother. That is why industry folks generally like "high concept" plot/situation pitches and not character driven dramas like yours. If you have to read the entire script to "get it" and feel the impact of the story - then you won't have any luck with pitching this project.

People to Pitch Too: You meet people outside your circle at pitch festivals, film festivals, a few online services (like tvfilmrights.com). You can politely approach people through LinkedIn groups. You can also send inquiry letters with a request to submit to agents who represent screenwriters. Agents can then pitch the script to studios. But you never just send scripts to agents, you need to make an initial contact first. There is also old fashioned phone calls to assistants to try to set up appointments or ask about submission guidelines.