Sure, even when I read: "I've been in the business for some 25 years - is there anybody here who has experience/contact with film investors?" back to myself, it seems contradictory. But since I know my own history, I know why it isn't.
It's only contradictory if you make certain assumptions. If you think all goes well for everyone in it, then you're probably only paying attention to the top ten percent.
And by "in the industry", I mean theater, telelvison production, Hollywood films but mostly Independent films, which is where the money is at because I predict a wave is coming and I intend to ride it all the way in!
Hollywood may miss the boat on this one. Yes, some in Hollywood are doing their best to recognize and acknowledge independent films. But it may be too little too late.
In case you haven't picked up on it yet, I intend that this film will be produced as an "indie" because it automatically has a higher value just by being so. And I made a firm decision that this film will not be produced by any big studios.
Where does that leave me for raising money?
And maybe you're asking yourself: "Why would anybody trade a Hollywood career for being an independent filmmaker?"
Indeed! But I have many colleagues who did exactly that. And the fact is, I know this is the right choice.
The honest truth is, I am spinning my wheels in this town. A lot of things changed in my life recently and I decided, why not just change everything and really start living my life the way I really want now, especially now that I'm single again.
And I want the challenge of getting this film produced, the script for which I have one hundred percent confidence in.
On the other hand, I have made some wonderful contacts in the business, and each and every one of them will be put to good use. One of my contacts is a full service motion picture distributor, who is also banking in on the new wave of independent films.
Another of my contacts, and who has been my friend for some 20 years now, is the owner of the VFX company we both once worked for. With his company behind my VFX, he can produce the same level of excellent quality FX as ILM and Dreamworks. This is truly a miracle for an indie film because good, innexpensive VFX are hard to come by. So I thought I would take advantage of this and use them effectively in our film.
Quoting arguementative: "it seems as if you are saying that you don’t really want advice - just contacts. Did I take that wrong?"
I think you got it right my boy! Quite right indeed! It is a simple request and is not meant to be offensive. Just informative. But think about this really: how many times have you heard the same thing over repeatedly before you just had to put up your hand and say: stop! That you'd heard it over so many times that you knew it by rote!
Well, when you know it that good, you've pretty much reached the objective of repetition. And you don't need it as much at that point.
If I ask (nicely) not to have a lot of advice thrown my way, and just get right to the point of what I'm here to accomplish, then I see a lot of time saved not having to go over the same ground that I know so well.
I did not think you came "off as argumentative". Or at least it didn't seem that way to me.
It's possible you may have some tiny morsel of advice that may be useful to me. But I do know most of the rules of the game and have excellent advisors working for me.
On the other hand, you might have some knowledge pertaining to a bit of trivia about some rich bastard who would love to invest in a movie like mine. I just need to remember to bring him a gift of M&M's, but with the green ones removed or I'll blow the deal.
Or something like.
On the other hand, I would definitely take advice from you if you were part of my team.
But I gotta tell ya: nothing, and I mean nothing makes a movie like hard contacts!
So what's your experience with investors?
And more importantly, what's your name?
