So, I've never made a feature before and I made the brash decision to seek out 5 million dollars for my first. I made this choice two years ago and I've slowly been developing the film this entire time (and with my own money, I should add).
I went into this nearly blind, only reading a handful of books on this topic, but I'm here because I wanted to get a general 'feel' (if that's possible) for how things might transpire from here. Of course, I'll likely fail, but I'd just like to know why and how.
For context, it's absolutely key to note that I've surrounded myself with hugely talented and established artists (by paying them with cold, hard cash for their work on development). Firstly, I'm working with a renowned casting director, someone whose name has landed on the credits of an innumerable amount of my favorite films - and I mean, huge Hollywood films.
Secondly, I've managed to snag Kubrick's lighting cameraman and the cinematographer of a few Winding Refn films - Larry Smith!!! Yes, really! It's probably best I keep this to myself but I had to share this.
I also have a "known" production designer, a "known" composer, and three "known" producers on board (I picked three who worked on Sundance films I'm fond of, and paid them a LARGE sum to help seek funding for my project).
I, of course, hired an entertainment attorney and am currently in the process of finalizing an investment package for the film. On paper, it looks fantastic. Marketable concept, three established producers, a famous cinematographer, a casting director with incredible connections, just an extraordinary amount of talent.
But what's the catch?
Keep in mind, I have no feature experience. Only a handful of amateur short films (which I've kept to myself), and a teaser for the film I shot for $40k which has garnered over 1 million views on YouTube (!). But is this enough? Even if I have the rest of the package lined up, and a trailer with clear interest online, will I still be laughed out of Hollywood?
My next step is to work with my casting director and entertainment attorney to attempt to hire some A-List stars. The casting director has personal relationships with my primary choices (that's why she was hired), but do I even have a CHANCE at letters of intent being signed? Is this ridiculous? Or, with everything going for this project and all the talented people I've surrounded myself with, could they possibly say yes?
My nightmare for this project, frankly, is that we only manage to snag C-List talent and a budget in the hundreds of thousands, and wind up failing like the rest of the straight-to-VOD indie films. But how slim are the chances that any marketable actor will agree to work for me?
And, of course, how slim are the chances that any investor will want to fund my project, even WITH connected producers, famous crew, and potentially A-list stars? How many people go down this road and fail? I've spent a lot of money and I'm afraid I've made the wrong decision. The next step to this process could make or break my entire dream.
Please let me know if you have any information at all, anything that might soften the blow (or potentially give me hope).
I went into this nearly blind, only reading a handful of books on this topic, but I'm here because I wanted to get a general 'feel' (if that's possible) for how things might transpire from here. Of course, I'll likely fail, but I'd just like to know why and how.
For context, it's absolutely key to note that I've surrounded myself with hugely talented and established artists (by paying them with cold, hard cash for their work on development). Firstly, I'm working with a renowned casting director, someone whose name has landed on the credits of an innumerable amount of my favorite films - and I mean, huge Hollywood films.
Secondly, I've managed to snag Kubrick's lighting cameraman and the cinematographer of a few Winding Refn films - Larry Smith!!! Yes, really! It's probably best I keep this to myself but I had to share this.
I also have a "known" production designer, a "known" composer, and three "known" producers on board (I picked three who worked on Sundance films I'm fond of, and paid them a LARGE sum to help seek funding for my project).
I, of course, hired an entertainment attorney and am currently in the process of finalizing an investment package for the film. On paper, it looks fantastic. Marketable concept, three established producers, a famous cinematographer, a casting director with incredible connections, just an extraordinary amount of talent.
But what's the catch?
Keep in mind, I have no feature experience. Only a handful of amateur short films (which I've kept to myself), and a teaser for the film I shot for $40k which has garnered over 1 million views on YouTube (!). But is this enough? Even if I have the rest of the package lined up, and a trailer with clear interest online, will I still be laughed out of Hollywood?
My next step is to work with my casting director and entertainment attorney to attempt to hire some A-List stars. The casting director has personal relationships with my primary choices (that's why she was hired), but do I even have a CHANCE at letters of intent being signed? Is this ridiculous? Or, with everything going for this project and all the talented people I've surrounded myself with, could they possibly say yes?
My nightmare for this project, frankly, is that we only manage to snag C-List talent and a budget in the hundreds of thousands, and wind up failing like the rest of the straight-to-VOD indie films. But how slim are the chances that any marketable actor will agree to work for me?
And, of course, how slim are the chances that any investor will want to fund my project, even WITH connected producers, famous crew, and potentially A-list stars? How many people go down this road and fail? I've spent a lot of money and I'm afraid I've made the wrong decision. The next step to this process could make or break my entire dream.
Please let me know if you have any information at all, anything that might soften the blow (or potentially give me hope).