Hummm...how do I say this, working with creative geniuses

T

teresaslo

I am tempted to work with a relative who had experience in film, has had award winning productions and has a viable story and script. The problem is he has a substance problem...living in the heart of 'Hollywood' does not help matters. The story takes place in Hollywood also.

I have worked with him for a while in pre-production for sometime and he has gotten funding and I believe he has used it for personal living. I have been reading 'the Guerilla Film Makers Handbook' which tells me that is the WRONG thing to do. I have used personal monies for little things but realized that he was not forth coming with $$$ promised for production costs. He has received specific grants.

I told him I couldn't work with him as co-producer after seeing the movie "The Producers" and realizing he had some substance issues (big surprise in Hollywood?!)

Any suggestions on how I could suggest to him that he work only as Director and/or screenwriter...

I have worked on films before with 'Columbia University' grads and to tell the truth I see my cousin as being more promising that semi-sober CU grads that I worked with. I think his script is really good and I also have the copyright papers for it....I just am worndering how to 'restructure' things
 
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The first question I'd have in this situation would be "Why does your cousin want to do this project with you?"

He's got an established reputation, some budget and a hot script... and yet he's prepared to let you produce, when your only history is working with media students.

What that implies to me, is maybe he's burned too many bridges in the industry... link that with the substance abuse issues and you've got to ask yourself whether he's into the self-destructive cycle of addiction, where he's going to trash anything he touches.

I could be wrong about this, but based on what you've written I'd be incredibly wary... and I definitely wouldn't sink any of my own money into the project.

Addicts are incredibly predictable... providing you remember you're talking to the addiction and not to a person.
 
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I think you are absolutely right...it seems like there is so much substance abuse in the industry, it almost seems like the norm...the films I have worked on that seemed to be the case. Lots of party only a little work. One person said that socializing was part of the job...
somehow these movies get made though!
 
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