Filmmaking Stuff Filmmaking Stuff provides resources for independent filmmakers. The website includes articles on how to take a story idea from script to screen, including articles on scriptwriting, producing, finance, shooting, editing, directing, marketing, distribution and how to build an audience. Filmmaking Stuff also has articles detailing how to make money making movies – including interviews with Hollywood Producers, Directors, writers and other filmmaking professionals.

Dear Jason,

I’m very sorry. I know you’ve been calling about the money we owe you for [MOVIE PROJECT X]. We have been incredibly busy as you can imagine – we recently upgraded our editing suite (you should come over and check out our facility – it’s awesome!) But anyway, I know we are a few months behind with those checks. If it’s OK with you, give us a call after the holiday (we are headed to Key West for the fourth. Have you been there? It’s amazing!) And I promise we can discuss payment. Maybe we can settle on half the money we owe you? Anyway, I’m sure we can work it out.

Best,
Robert Rip Off
- – -

I know the above scenario seems pretty far out there. But this sort of thing happens in the movie business more than you know. And no matter what side of the deal you’re on (I assume you will be honorable in all your dealings) – whenever this happens relationships end. Bridges get burnt. Here are some tips I’ve learned through the years:

1. Don’t do business with people who you wouldn’t want to introduce to your mother.
2. Get everything (EVERYTHING) in writing. Even among friends. Especially among friends.
3. Always honor your word. If you make an honest mistake, work to rectify it immediately!
4. Plan for the best, but always ask yourself – what is the worst that can happen? Then plan for that!
5. In filmmaking as in life, treat everyone with respect. The man fetching coffee today, controls the money tomorrow.

Posted under FILMMAKING

I’ve been working on a new project – and it’s surprising to me how some people are incredibly nice, hard working, responsible and smart. Yet, I’m equally surprised by the amount of people who are lazy and not-so-responsible.

The other night a friend of a friend of a friend kept telling me how upset he was that someone stole his movie idea. The story had something to do with space and time travel and a villain… I don’t remember. I asked him if he actually wrote a script, or if it was just an idea. He told me it was just an idea. Said he thinks someone overheard him at the local coffee shop.

The thing is, I stopped listening. I’m a nice enough guy. But I get frustrated when people come up with movie ideas and simply expect some Hollywood executive to magically appear and pay for ideas. I’m not saying it can’t happen (I actually know a filmmaker who was given over a million dollars to make a feature, based on the strength of his short movie) – But I’m saying this. If you aren’t preparing yourself for lucky opportunities every day – by actually completing projects, and honing your career skills (writer, director, etc) then please don’t complain.

Everybody has ideas. Few people control the rights to completed screenplays.

Posted under FILMMAKING

If you hold the general belief that rich people are in some way greedy and unwilling to help anyone, think again. Aside from a few rotten apples, the statistics show that wealthy people are also some of the most generous.

Why is having a positive attitude towards the affluent important for a filmmaker?

Because until your movies are financed and distributed by a studio, you’ll need to learn how to raise money for your projects. You’ll need to know what potential investors look for in a project. And when it comes time to shake the money tree, it would be helpful to have a few rich people just a phone call away.

MEET RICH PEOPLE

Meeting and building relationships with rich and successful people is actually easier than you think. The following action steps are designed to get you thinking about what’s possible.

ACTION

1. While you’re on the networking kick, ask around your town and find out if anyone knows rich people. (Every town in America seems to have someone a little better off than the rest.)
2. Get a phone number and call them. Tell them you are a first time entrepreneur. See if they will meet for a few minutes so you can ask for advice. (Just ask for advice, not money!) Then as the months go by, try to cultivate a friendship.
3. Many of these busy folks will reject the meeting. If this happens move on. Find someone else in your network.

As long as you apply a little persistence, you’ll be surprised who you can meet and what you’ll accomplish. As your relationships with successful people mature, these folks may someday introduce you to friends willing to get involved in your next project.

Because getting money for movies is a little more complicated than just asking for it, (we will discuss the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as Private Placement Memorandums in another lesson) — For now, let’s just set the business aside and simply focus on getting advice from a few new friends.

Happy Filmmaking!

Posted under 21 Part Filmmaking Mini-Course

I’ve been in the game for a while, and I can tell you there are a couple jerks in the movie industry. But then again, there are a couple jerks in every industry. Your success depends on your ability to create a jerk filter. With a jerk filter, you can selectively eliminate friends who aren’t thinking in terms of your best interests.

As you move closer to the realization of your goals, it’s imperative that you force yourself to seek out and spend time with people who enhance your life. Birds of a feather do flock together. You will become the people you hang out with. Surround yourself with successful people and become a success. Spend time with mediocre people and you become mediocre. Hang with losers and loose.

For some people, this truth is painful. What if your lover or best friend or roommate is draining your creative energy? Sorry. But if you want to be a success, you need to cut these negative people out of your life. In these relationships, two things happen, either you lift up your friend or they pull you down. Unfortunately, gravity is on their side. If this describes your situation, separate yourself fast, or suffer.

If anyone you meet treats you like crap, they hate themselves. Furthermore, you should never spend time with people who treat you in ways that erode your self concept. As a rule, you must only hang out with, supportive positive people whose presence makes you feel better about yourself. You must also strive to make other people feel good, in a non-phony, genuine way.

Posted under FILMMAKING