Deciphering 'producer speak'

[ATP]

I followed up a pitch to an overseas producer for what amounted to provision of on-the-ground research services.

A number of calls and initial discussions had been made - today they all came to naught. I am very new to the documentary industry, and am seeking to learn the language and procedures of pitching.

Essentially, the producer told me a number of things:

- funding “has to be carefully examined” for an anticipated production in my part of the world;

- there has to be enough of a local ‘angle’ for a small production company in that part of the world;

- only 4 people within the company financing/sponsoring the project are allowed to talk to the media;

- there is another like project starting up in another part of Asia (presumably by this same sponsor);

- he is to talk in two weeks to 2 of the 4 from the sponsor/financier who’re allowed to talk to the media, of which he says he knows these 2 well; things could change here;

- things in his work (industry) are ‘fluid’ (at the moment).


I am not sure if he is merely trying to spin a yarn, and let me think and feel one thing, while the reality is another. My own evaluation suggests not.

But, as I am inexperienced in these matters, I would like to ask those more experienced here as to their overall view of this producer’s comments.

Q: Has there been any “producer speak” here, or is this straight talk?

Q: If there has been “producer speak”, can anyone translate for me the meaning?

Q: If straight talk, is it to be regarded as an irreversible ‘no’, indicating that this avenue is to no longer be pursued?

Thanks.

 

[directorik]

- funding “has to be carefully examined” for an anticipated production in my part of the world;

This means he's not comfortable spending money on a documentary
production with a filmmaker he doesn't know very well. Since you
don't have a proven track record as a documentary maker and you live
in a different country than the producer, it's going to be very difficult
to persuade him to give you money.

- there has to be enough of a local ‘angle’ for a small production company in that part of the world;

Kind of the same thing. He can't justify giving you money because the
finished product might not have broad appeal - be of interest to a lot
of people willing to pay to see it.

- only 4 people within the company financing/sponsoring the project are allowed to talk to the media;

You may be leaving something out. I don't why the media comes into
it. Are YOU the "media"?

- there is another like project starting up in another part of Asia (presumably by this same sponsor);

Pretty clear, I think. If he knows of another documentary similar to yours
that is ready to start, he may see a second one as not a good investment.

- he is to talk in two weeks to 2 of the 4 from the sponsor/financier who’re allowed to talk to the media, of which he says he knows these 2 well; things could change here;

This is a typical blow off - this should hold you off for 2 weeks. What it usually
means is he's not interested.

- things in his work (industry) are ‘fluid’ (at the moment).

This means that things change. He doesn't want to just say no to you so he
leaves a little bit of hope in his decision to not finance your project.


I don't think he's spinning a yarn, but I don't think you have any chance of
this guy financing your project.