I was reading this post on Independent Film Blog and it really struck a chord with me. The basic idea is that if you're going to put all the effort into producing a movie, then why not produce a big movie?
But the part that really got to me was this:
How many indie producers with serious projects bother to approach A-list talent (and I'm including both cast and crew in that)? We automatically think that they're out of our price range, and that there's no point, that they'll just say no. But think about how many fewer original scripts from indie producers they actually get (especially if we weed out all the people who aren't really serious about making their film or have no idea of the work actually involved), because people just write them off as unobtainable. And to a large extent, these are the people who can afford to take on the occasional small roll with little or no pay, because they're making their living doing big-budget films.
And honestly, the worst they can do is say no. And you move on to the next one. All it takes, though, is for one of those big-name people to say yes, and you've got this incredible opportunity.
It reminds me of this Tarantino clip, where he emphasizes the fact that there is no "they". (ETA: This is NSFW due to language and content.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARCRJTHdUz4
"They" are the ones who have told us that we can't attract A-list talent because we have very little (or no) money. "They" are the ones who have told us that there is no point in even trying, because we'll just get shot down. That the only way an A-lister will do a low-budget film is as a favor. But there is no "they". "They" only exist because we allow them to.
Anyway, not sure what the point of all this is, other than to maybe encourage everyone to take those chances and don't be afraid to try some crazy things when you're in pre-production and trying to get your film off the ground. The worst someone can do is tell you no.
I guess maybe this is a pep-talk to myself, too. (I've needed one lately...)
But the part that really got to me was this:
How many indie producers with serious projects bother to approach A-list talent (and I'm including both cast and crew in that)? We automatically think that they're out of our price range, and that there's no point, that they'll just say no. But think about how many fewer original scripts from indie producers they actually get (especially if we weed out all the people who aren't really serious about making their film or have no idea of the work actually involved), because people just write them off as unobtainable. And to a large extent, these are the people who can afford to take on the occasional small roll with little or no pay, because they're making their living doing big-budget films.
And honestly, the worst they can do is say no. And you move on to the next one. All it takes, though, is for one of those big-name people to say yes, and you've got this incredible opportunity.
It reminds me of this Tarantino clip, where he emphasizes the fact that there is no "they". (ETA: This is NSFW due to language and content.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARCRJTHdUz4
"They" are the ones who have told us that we can't attract A-list talent because we have very little (or no) money. "They" are the ones who have told us that there is no point in even trying, because we'll just get shot down. That the only way an A-lister will do a low-budget film is as a favor. But there is no "they". "They" only exist because we allow them to.
Anyway, not sure what the point of all this is, other than to maybe encourage everyone to take those chances and don't be afraid to try some crazy things when you're in pre-production and trying to get your film off the ground. The worst someone can do is tell you no.
I guess maybe this is a pep-talk to myself, too. (I've needed one lately...)
