Starting to think about a 2nd feature

Let's say I'm a director interested in doing a 2nd feature film, but I want to direct someone else's script. No particular script in mind.

Do you think I should:

Go around asking screenwriters for their loglines?
Contact a literary agent to find good scripts faster?
Try to get myself representation?
Contact companies that package films?

These all seem like legitimate options, and I guess the answer kind of depends on the first film's success, but I'd like to hear what you guys would do first.
 
Figure out how I'm going to not be throwing the production budget down the toilet, ie marketing for profitable distribution.

Determine likely revenue.
Half of that should be the total budget.
Half of that, or quarter of estimated revenue, should be allocated toward production.
Depending upon that production budget number determines whether I wanna pay an agent 5-10% finder's/representative fee for doing what I could less efficiently perform, but money's money, so...

Figure screenplay to be about 2-5% of production budget. But then again, I'd only pay to buy a screenplay pretty much guaranteed to have a marketable actor or producer attached - and they may or may not want to work with me/you.

I have no idea what budget ballpark you're even batting in. Screenplay costs + attorney's fees alone via agent may or may not even be worth the hassle to any of the parties involved.

Same for a rep.

I would not bother asking distributors that package films, such as Echo Bridge or Mill Creek.



Note the tabs at the bottom: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...WGNZNExVQVRnMkFEbDUxRldlSHc&usp=sharing#gid=0
Then review the (estimated) budgets, then the ratings and "users", infer like numbers for the films with no estimated budget provided.

Now, some of these films have both not so teeny-tiny budgets -and- have some recognizable stars in them -and- even still I don't believe they ever recovered their combined production budget plus marketing and promotion budget in revenue.
I don't KNOW that. But I suspect that - strongly.

As you may likely observe there is zero correlation between budget and "users" and certainly none between budget and rating nor rating and users.

If you don't want to completely waste your money (and that of your "executive producers") figure out your profitable marketing FIRST.
Everything else follows behind.
 
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I advise my clients not to respond to such ads.

Any screenwriter who is at the point in their career where they can afford or require the services of an entertainment attorney are not likely to answer an ad looking for a film collaborator from a stranger on the internet. However, there are many screenwriters with zero track record and no desire to make their own films. These are the people that might welcome the opportunity to find someone else willing to fund, develop, film, and distribute the project for a writer's credit.
 
I think I'll avoid posting ads looking for screenplays. You guys are right that there are plenty of unestablished writers who would offer their scripts for little or no money, but I don't think I've ever read a first screenplay from a writer that was actually good. In my opinion it's a skill that takes a lot of practice and most writers who have honed their craft are trying to make a living doing it.

That's why film packaging appeals to me. These companies already have great scripts in their possession and maybe they're just looking for the right director.
 
What makes you the right director? I'm not being negative here. What do you have to offer an established writer? If the answer is "a big wad of cash", you are solid. Either way, I'm just curious.
 
Your first (?) feature (?) film EVER -- trailer here https://vimeo.com/62819168

looks to be (I could be wrong) a mumblecore drama with a few characters shot on a shoestring. Are you hoping to direct a script in a similar genre or branch out into something else?

If I were wearing my producer hat, I might be asking: what can you bring to the production that I couldn't find in another director?

If I were wearing my screenwriting hat, I might be asking the same thing.
 
What makes you the right director? I'm not being negative here. What do you have to offer an established writer? If the answer is "a big wad of cash", you are solid. Either way, I'm just curious.

I could be wrong but I don't think when packaging a film the director offers up any money, if anything the director should be paid once financing is secured by the company. But maybe that's why I am the right director, if I'm passionate about the script I'd rather own part of the project than get paid right away.


Your first (?) feature (?) film EVER -- trailer here https://vimeo.com/62819168

looks to be (I could be wrong) a mumblecore drama with a few characters shot on a shoestring. Are you hoping to direct a script in a similar genre or branch out into something else?

If I were wearing my producer hat, I might be asking: what can you bring to the production that I couldn't find in another director?

If I were wearing my screenwriting hat, I might be asking the same thing.

Ever is a little more ambitious than mumblecore, but it is a drama shot on a shoestring. I'm open to another similar style of film, but even more open to branching out. I think the fact that I was able to make a good film with no budget is a great asset to a producer. I could sell myself as "Look what I was able to do with no money, imagine what I could do with a little more." Also in the end, it's about building relationships. That's why so many bad directors get to make movies.

Anyway, I wanna hear what you guys would do, not just what I should do :)
 
... but I'd like to hear what you guys would do first.
From the answers you've given I would put together a show reel and a "What I can bring to the party" package/list and start approaching producers with scripts looking for directors without producers or scripts.

Producer+Script+Director = (Producer+Script) + Director.

That math look about right to you? :)
 
I think I'll avoid posting ads looking for screenplays. You guys are right that there are plenty of unestablished writers who would offer their scripts for little or no money, but I don't think I've ever read a first screenplay from a writer that was actually good. In my opinion it's a skill that takes a lot of practice and most writers who have honed their craft are trying to make a living doing it.

That's why film packaging appeals to me. These companies already have great scripts in their possession and maybe they're just looking for the right director.

The thing is, thousands of good non-professional screenwriters have a number of screenplays under their belts - not just one. Some have 5+, some many more. A lot of those screenplays will be damn good.

I noted in your other thread that you said lack of finances was a big issue. Given that I would post an ad looking for screenplays that could be shot on a low / micro budget.
film packaging appeals to me.
Okay but those folks (literary agents, experienced/seasoned directors etc) like you coming to them with $$$$. If you don't have that you either need to get it, or understand the situation you are in and seek out good work that can be shot for little $$$. Without $$$, serious credits or contacts, I don't think any will deal with you.
 
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Flicker is right -- "Ever" looks very much like mumblecore, but I don't think that should be taken as any kind of slight. There have been many a mumblecore films with really horrible audio and video, but I don't think that's what defines the genre, nor do I think that's what Flicker was saying your film looked like (which, it actually looks really nice, in my opinion).

For me, mumblecore is more defined by a movie in which a small cast of young adults spends most of the movie talking about relationships, in locations that are available for free (or close to free). This isn't a bad thing, it's just one smart strategy for making a feature film on a barely-there budget. By this definition, "Tiny Furniture" would be mumblecore, and things have worked out well for the people who made that movie! :)

ANYWAY, to answer your question -- what would I do? I'd write my own damn script. Cuz I'm the only person who knows the locations I can get, the talent I can get, the style of movie I'm going for, etc., yadda yadda. It's not that I don't trust other screenwriters, it's just that I don't expect anyone else to know what I'm capable of shooting on a tiny budget. Cuz realistically, that's probably what you'll be shooting your next movie on.
 
I was planning on circling back to this thread when I had the chance...

Yeah, I didn't mean to lump EVER into the mumblecore genre like it was a bad thing, a lot of those films have done quite well over the years, and I am no stranger to drama, just was an observation.

I think your thread/question falls into the "paddling up the same river in separate boats" category as many of the IndieTalk members have one feature under their belt, and a bunch even have several completed features (go Scoopicman :)

I directed a 2nd feature (someone else's script) that was never edited, which is too bad. I need to make another, just haven't been inspired by the right story to tell.

If you can make the most of what resources you have available to you, you're heading in the right direction. :yes:
 
When I said EVER is "more ambitious" than mumblecore, I wasn't saying mumblecore is bad or poor quality or anything like that. I was specifically talking about plot, since those films tend to not have one. Personally I love that genre and wouldn't mind doing a film like that, but I think some of the story choices I wrote into my script disqualifies it from that category.

I guess my ability to get a 2nd feature made will heavily depend on the success of the first one. I'm also interested in collaborating with another writer, or even writing an outline for an improvised film. I just saw Drinking Buddies and thought it was brilliant!
 
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