I think the idea might be right uner our noses:
A group of filmmakers from all over the world colaborate on a project through an online forum.
The concept is simple, follow a dramatization the film from start to finish. I'm not talking about documenting this process, I'm saying create a fictional narrative about the process.
Using
Filmy's Four Act Structure (this is all fictionalized, including a fictional version of Contempo):
Inciting Incident -- Feeling like a lost voice in the world of filmmaking, one board member (our protagonist, Contempo) casually throws out the idea of creating a feature length film througfh collaboration by forum members.
Act One -- The board goes abuzz with talk of the new project, a concept is decided upon, Contempo starts to feel the burden of the project -- he still feels like that little voice, yet he's been asked to steer this massive ship out to sea -- What can he do, he's just one man?
Turning Point -- One of the more prominent members steps up as a director, thus really kicking the project in the pants.
Act Two -- As the board members throw out ideas, Contempo gains more and more of an idea as to how to accomplish this monumental feat by seeking advice from board members -- he also gains faith in himself and the project -- the project becomes his purpose in life.
Turning Point -- Contempo gets funding from a major investor.
Act Three -- The writing begins, and all hell breaks loose -- board members begin to squabble about ideas and credit, the writers begin flaking out, the director starts to doubt his involvement. Contempo has to pull it all together or it will fall apart cause the investor is also starting to doubt.
Turning Point -- Some board members drop out of the project in anger and begin to develop their own
project to rival Contempo's. The investor hears this and pulls funding.
Act Four -- Contempo risks everything to keep the project afloat. He sells his house, his car, cashes in war bonds his beloved grandfather gave him as a child -- he goes for broke. But the ship continues sinking. In the eleventh hour, he goes to the forum and posts a giant article on the project -- why he tossed out the idea in the first place, how he felt when he was asked to produce, how seeing the board act together as a whole made him proud, how certain board members gave him good advice, how the director pitching in was the best thig to happen to the project, how he felt when the bickering started, how the seperation of the site hurt him, how he sold everything to keep the project alive, but ultimately how he failed the board. He apologizes not being a good captain. He logs off and goes to bed a broken man. He goes back online the next morning to find that everyone has responded to his article in a positive way and people are offering all kinds of things -- money, services, etc. The board is charged by his post and the project's engine revs back to life. A new investor with deeper pockets hears about the project and fully funds the film. FLASH FORWARD: One year later, the premiere is taking place at an old theater, many of the board members in attendance are meeting face to face for the first time. Contempo stands up in front of the packed house, thanks everyone for coming. He congratulates the board members on accomplishing this feat, but one by one the board members rise in standing ovation for Contempo because he was such a good captain. The curtain rises and...
THE END
I just threw this together as I typed it, I'm sure it could be improved. But I think this could be a winner. So basically the concept is --
a group of filmmakers collaborate through the internet on a film about a group of filmmakers collaborating through the internet on a film.
That's High Concpet, and it could be done low cost.
A lot of the action takes place in houses while the board members sit in front of the computer screen. The only board member we follow outside of the forum is Contempo because he is the protagonist. We see Contempo's doubt and fears through his interactions with the outside world. We see his leadership through his interactions with forum members. So sets and locations are minmal.
We need a clear cut antagonist (a board member who is pissed at Contempo because his/her idea wasn't chosen). He needs to be dastardly and petty, willing to say or do anything to disrupt Contempo's idea -- maybe Poke should be his name (in all seriousness, I'm not trying to sabotage Contempo's work, I just want to be immortalized as a bad guy that i truly am beneath this soft, lardlike exterior).
I'm still rolling this around in my head, but I want to hear from other members.
Poke
PS sory if therez sum mispeld wurds.
Appreciated!
Point well taken!