Building the personal network at what expense?

W

wheatgrinder

Hi all,
just a bit frustrated.. I try to go to see local filmmaker premieres etc to build my personal network.. let me just put it this way..

Am I debasing my self by supporting what is such obvious poo with the hope that Ill grow my network of personal contacts in the local scene?



Thanks
 
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wheatgrinder said:
Hi all,
just a bit frustrated.. I try to go to see local filmmaker premieres etc to build my personal network.. let me just put it this way..

Am I debasing my self by supporting what is such obvious poo with the hope that Ill grow my network of personal contacts in the local scene?



Thanks
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say you are debasing yourself, there is no shame in being supportive of people that are making an honest effort. If you're a grown man trying to curry favor with people trying to shoot each other with fake guns in their back yard, then it's possibly worth re-examining where that is going to take you.

The best advice I can give you is to directly pursue finance. Then people will try to network with you, and you can handpick the ones you actually derive some benefit from. Saves on gas, better results.

The most compatible way to do this in film is to study the lens rental industry. It's a very stable investment, and can supply you with needed hardware, connect you to other serious filmmakers, and fund your operation simultaneously. I owe a lot of my progress to cold calling owners of lens shops and striking up friendships and business arrangements with them. They like people that talk their language, and can bring you income streams for days when you aren't using your gear.

It's very rare for someone to loose money on a lens rental operation. Find a successful one and take the 50% commission, and your new 65k camera will cost you an adjusted 10 grand over 2 years. The life expectancy of a good cine lens is about 25 years, and you can recoup completely in an average of 3.

Forget about those festival kids and pull out that excel spreadsheet Wheat, you know what to do.
 
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Debasing yourself? No. Endearing yourself? Yes.

By simply showing up to watch something, there's really no possible way for you to come out looking bad. If you don't have time to watch a local premiere, or if you've got something more important to do, then don't feel guilty skipping the premiere. But if you can, and want to, I think it's silly to worry about debasing yourself by watching the work of people who may not be as talented as you.

Worst-case scenario -- you may have added a couple volunteer PAs to your contact list.
 
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While I think it is great to meet people and network, I personally don't think just networking with anyone is a good thing. Your goal when networking should be to network with people that are more talented then yourself. Look for people that are going to inspire and challenge you. People that are going to hold your standards up higher then they have been. These are the people who are going to push you to become a better film maker.

Murdock is right though. Even though an independent film might be horrible you have to find the aspect about it that is good. Did they nail the sound? Is the story any good? Is the cinematography good? Did they produce it in only a few days? Did they make a very low budget piece look very high end? Don't simply network with the director for the sake of networking. Many people worked on those films usually, look for the people worth networking.

Your time is valuable and worth something, make sure your are spending it wisely.
 
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Networking is about building a diverse list of contacts, not necessarily deep, but broad. But the important part is keeping your face and name out there. You want to be the one they call when Uncle Phil kicks off and leaves them $50,000.

The thing to do is look for the positives in every piece you look at. Did it have a good location? Was there a cute girl that would make some nice eye candy as a background extra? If you get the chance to speak with the filmmaker you can comment on flaws by suggesting how to improve a scene, cut, etc. by cloaking it as your artistic choice.

And never burn bridges; "Todays junior pr1ck, tomorrows senior partner."
 
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wheatgrinder said:
Am I debasing my self by supporting what is such obvious poo with the hope that Ill grow my network of personal contacts in the local scene?
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Yes. You are debasing yourself.

Only, ONLY, support filmmakers who are making absolutely excellent,
professional, serious movies. Never, EVER, support anyone making poo.
Limit your personal contacts to only the very best.
 
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Start with street dealers.
Work your way up to to cartel distribution.
Meet & greet with the producers in Columbia and South Asia.
Don't use the product.
Acquire influence rather than an addiction. ;)
 
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directorik said:
Yes. You are debasing yourself.

Only, ONLY, support filmmakers who are making absolutely excellent,
professional, serious movies. Never, EVER, support anyone making poo.
Limit your personal contacts to only the very best.
Click to expand...

I get your point.. Thanks for pointing it out in your subtle way. I forget that I frequently make poo. :-) Its all good, I can find something to like in any situation, and generally the people are interesting.

Good comments all, lots of kernels or the grits mill.
 
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wheatgrinder said:
I get your point.. Thanks for pointing it out in your subtle way. I forget that I frequently make poo. :-) Its all good, I can find something to like in any situation, and generally the people are interesting.
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I figured you would get the sarcasm.

People do not intentionally make bad movies. Some, frankly,
have no talent, some are still figuring out how to make it
all work, most are doing the best they can. Building your
base of connections is a great way to learn the difference.
You may work on some terrible movies (I know I have) and
you may stop working with some people (I know I have), but
every project is a great learning experience and every person
you meet helps you in some way.

What happened? Did you just have a bad experience with
someone?
 
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Specifics no, I did not have a bad experience. I was just disappointed with the film, more importantly I guess Im jealous of the positive reaction, even though I have nothing to be jealous of. Its hard being a human .. I have to work on that.

I normally don't respond so critically, I guess the thing that bothered me the most, as irrational as it seems, is that I went there to support a specific actor, and found his performance was AWFUL. I KNOW he could do better, even I got a great performance out of him (Iv worked with him twice so far) I wanted to jump up and say "Director\writer, you RUINED my friend, how dare you put crap like that in his mouth!" of course I didn't say anything..
 
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