I got my screen play done...

[ottomobiehl]

...mostly, I've got a little to do in the rewrite catagory and I have to send it off to the Screen Writers Guild (SWG) to get it registered.

My question to you guys is what are some good ways to start raising funds.  Anything off the top of your head will do.

The reason I ask is that I've talked to some distributors and they say that a name brand actor will help me sell my movie.  I have been in contact with "a name brand actor" and he is interested BUT I need to have my funding in place.

Soooooo...if you guys could throw some ideas out there I would really appreciate it because I REALLY want to make this movie and I REALLY want to use this actor.

Right now I have some t-shirt ideas that I'm thinking about selling.  PLEASE HELP :bigcry:

Thank you.

[blobrana]

alas,
My mind is a blank...






Exit, Stage Left (Chased by a Bear).

[ottomobiehl]

Ok, some businesses suck (here in Billings at least).  I am trying to get some sort of sponcership thing going on so I can  do my t-shirt idea but all that I get is "no soliciting" or "Thanks but I'm not interested" or the like.  This is all fine as I'll not go into their business again or recommend friends to do so either.  Grrr.

I thought communities liked to support the arts.  I guess they do until it is time to whip out the pocket book and pony up some cash.

Oh well, time for the bake sale I guess.  How depressing.

[FluffyMcDeath]

OK, the usual way you do this is:

Tell the actor you have the funding.

Tell the funders you have the actor.

Hope that they both come through and that no-one will be any the wiser.

If one then fails to come through, tell the other that the uncooperative party is pulling out.

[ottomobiehl]

FluffyMcDeath wrote:

OK, the usual way you do this is:

Tell the actor you have the funding.

Tell the funders you have the actor.

Hope that they both come through and that no-one will be any the wiser.

If one then fails to come through, tell the other that the uncooperative party is pulling out.

Though funny some how that doesn't fill me with the utmost in confidence. :lol:

I would like to think that I am also above all of the politicing (sp?) of Hollywood.  You know the art of the deal.  I like to have all my poop in a group if you know what I mean. :-)

[Mike_Amiga]

I'd say that FluffyMcDeath has it in a nutshell. Talk small and nobody notices.

Having said that I used very few words to in advertising of my ceramic figures and they all sold. I should really start making a few more of those things, just need some equipment first.

*edit*

Damn it, now I'm just making excuses for myself again. If I go get my ceramics equipment will you go get your actor and funding?!?! :crazy:

[ottomobiehl]

Mike_Amiga wrote:
I'd say that FluffyMcDeath has it in a nutshell. Talk small and nobody notices.

Having said that I used very few words to in advertising of my ceramic figures and they all sold. I should really start making a few more of those things, just need some equipment first.

*edit*

Damn it, now I'm just making excuses for myself again. If I go get my ceramics equipment will you go get your actor and funding?!?! :crazy:

You got a deal :-D

Just out of curiosity where did you advertise the figures?

[Mike_Amiga]

I didn't actually advertise my figures myself but the various boutiques and galleries had good websites with my work on them. They were sort of little places full of arty objects that tourists tend to wander into.

About the only self promotion I did was making a ton of business cards that all disappeared while I was displaying my work at The Design Centre in London. It wasn't just me though, my entire year was there too, it was just an option after finishing our degree.

[cecilia]

ottomobiehl: good luck but this sort of thing is a kind of Hell i wouldn't wish on anyone.

one of my friends has been trying to do this for years. right now one of his scripts is in the hands of Geraldine Chaplin. no kidding.  :-(

But, often, it's all about who you know and nothing else. believe me if it was about talent everybody I know would be rich.

anyway, the only thing you can do is be persistant and hope for some luck.

[ottomobiehl]

one of my friends has been trying to do this for years. right now one of his scripts is in the hands of Geraldine Chaplin. no kidding.

 :-o

good luck but this sort of thing is a kind of Hell i wouldn't wish on anyone.

You got that right.  It has been hell.  This particular screen play I actually wrote about three years ago and tried to get something off the ground then.  Things didn't work out for various reason but that was for the best as when I looked back at my screenplay I saw room for a lot of improvements, which I am doing now.  Finally I am happy with what I have produced and am now trying to get the ball rolling again.

FYI: I tried to do the micro-budget method before but found out that relying on people who aren't pros and who work for free is unreliable, at best. :-(

But, often, it's all about who you know and nothing else. believe me if it was about talent everybody I know would be rich.

Aint that the truth.  :-)  I got my first jobs in the television (read local news) biz by who I knew.  If it was all about talent then Amiga would be the top computer/OS in the world instead of Microsoft. :lol:

anyway, the only thing you can do is be persistant and hope for some luck.

I guess I am a stubborn one as that is what I am doing.  it took me 3+ years to bang out a screenplay the way I like it so I have to invest at least that amount of time putting this thing together.  Thanks for the comments/advice. :-)

[ottomobiehl]

I didn't actually advertise my figures myself but the various boutiques and galleries had good websites with my work on them. They were sort of little places full of arty objects that tourists tend to wander into.

I am now curious, and interested, in the work you do.  Do you have any photos (on line) where I can view your work? :-)

[Mike_Amiga]

There are some pictures of older work in the ceramics section of my website. I'll have to chuck some more up to date images on the site some time.

I haven't actually made any ceramic work for about a 2 years now, it's just that I had it easy in university with the materials and equipment to hand, and a nice technician to help me out in times of uncertainty.

[ottomobiehl]

Nice.  I enjoyed the figures.  They had a nice form to them and I do enjoy organic shapes.  I thought the drawings were very nice too.  I enjoyed the abstract ones the best. :-)

I've taken many art classes when I was younger and should probably get back to drawing and painting again.  I find it very theraputic.  I am just now getting interested in sculpting but have yet to actually sit down and try anything. :-(

[weirdami]

@ottomobiehl

You could say, "Hey, business man X, name brand actor Y is interested in being in my movie." You could get all sorts of funding that way if you put in the funding contract that actor Y will be in the movie as a condition of funding. Sam Raimi did Evil Dead with no name actors and by just going around to dentists and such in a suit asking for money. You don't NEED big actor name actors. It sure helps, but you can probably get by with charm. :-)

[ottomobiehl]

@ weirdami

It sure helps, but you can probably get by with charm.

 :-D You don't know me very well.  I am about as charming as a wet sponge.

Sam Raimi did Evil Dead with no name actors and by just going around to dentists and such in a suit asking for money.

Would you believe the actor in queston is Bruce Campbell.  It's not a big roll but a small part.  He basically told me that he would be happy to do it IF the funding is in place.  He is pretty cool that way.  By the way did you read his biography?  Wonderful stuff.

Anyway, That's kinda of what I have been doing.  I have scaled back the ambitiousness (word?) of the project and shooting for a smaller budget (but still big enough to make it look better than a home movie  :-) )  Still it doesn't make the cold calling any easier  :-o
I am also selling "executive producer" t-shirts locally to raise funds.  Suprisingly they have been the bigger hit.

Anyway.  Thanks for the suggestions as I do appreciate them.

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I do love your avatar.  MST3K was one of my most favorite television shows of all time.

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