underpressure
Member
So I'm dealing with two issues whilst filming my feature doc right now, and I know that many of you users are very experienced so I'd love some suggestions if you have any to offer.
I'm shooting a doc about a Los Angeles filmmaker in the 1950's and 60's; its main focus is on the man's personal ambitions that eventually turn to madness when he fails, and the hardships of "making it" outside the studio system. It has a sub focus of closeted gay life in Hollywood.
I have some well-known persons involved, which has garnered the doc a small amount of publicity thus far, and I'm aiming for limited theatrical release in the fall. Luckily, most of the events or peoples involved are still in the Los Angeles area, which makes production much easier on myself. But while the actual physical production isn't costing me terribly much there are a few things, such as unexpected travel costs, lawyers, post-production, distribution that I estimate will catch up with me fairly soon. I was wondering, and especially from those who have had work shown theatrically, what methods were used to fund your film?
I'm a female filmmaker, and the film is about a gay man, so I figure there must be either women filmmaker funds/organisations or gblt funds/organisations that I could petition to help fund the project. However I'm unsure as to whether a) I would need to set up a non profit or llc, or b) how funding from organizations/individuals figure into gross points, if at all. I have no experience with business in regards to docs, and while I'm planning to hire an entertainment lawyer in the near future, I was wondering what tips experienced filmmakers had first.
My other main concern is building more publicity for the project. While I've had a few offers to preview the film or radio/print interviews, I was wondering what route is most recommended. Obviously submitting to more prestigious film festivals (which in itself is a little iffy since I don't expect the film to be completed until mid to late summer, which would put it out of season with some of the bigger festivals) would be the high road, but I'm sure that word of mouth plays a lot of importance as well. Do docs hire publicists? Send out press release materials to magazines and papers? What ways do you think would work best to build interest?
While I would like to get some help in the funding, at the end of the day I can take more from my own savings if need be to hire appropriate staff. I plan to have the footage blown up, and the sound mixed professionally, professionally scored, etc. which will all cost money, but will also give greater bang for the buck, so to speak. I've made sure to have releases signed as I film, so those rights should be all tidy. But are there other expenses that might not be apparent at this stage that I should plan for? Would you recommend I bring another producer on board who has experience with this side of production? Where would I find someone interested? Would I have to pay them, or would gross points suffice?
As you can see, I have quite a number of questions, and any answers would help me immensely.
I'm shooting a doc about a Los Angeles filmmaker in the 1950's and 60's; its main focus is on the man's personal ambitions that eventually turn to madness when he fails, and the hardships of "making it" outside the studio system. It has a sub focus of closeted gay life in Hollywood.
I have some well-known persons involved, which has garnered the doc a small amount of publicity thus far, and I'm aiming for limited theatrical release in the fall. Luckily, most of the events or peoples involved are still in the Los Angeles area, which makes production much easier on myself. But while the actual physical production isn't costing me terribly much there are a few things, such as unexpected travel costs, lawyers, post-production, distribution that I estimate will catch up with me fairly soon. I was wondering, and especially from those who have had work shown theatrically, what methods were used to fund your film?
I'm a female filmmaker, and the film is about a gay man, so I figure there must be either women filmmaker funds/organisations or gblt funds/organisations that I could petition to help fund the project. However I'm unsure as to whether a) I would need to set up a non profit or llc, or b) how funding from organizations/individuals figure into gross points, if at all. I have no experience with business in regards to docs, and while I'm planning to hire an entertainment lawyer in the near future, I was wondering what tips experienced filmmakers had first.
My other main concern is building more publicity for the project. While I've had a few offers to preview the film or radio/print interviews, I was wondering what route is most recommended. Obviously submitting to more prestigious film festivals (which in itself is a little iffy since I don't expect the film to be completed until mid to late summer, which would put it out of season with some of the bigger festivals) would be the high road, but I'm sure that word of mouth plays a lot of importance as well. Do docs hire publicists? Send out press release materials to magazines and papers? What ways do you think would work best to build interest?
While I would like to get some help in the funding, at the end of the day I can take more from my own savings if need be to hire appropriate staff. I plan to have the footage blown up, and the sound mixed professionally, professionally scored, etc. which will all cost money, but will also give greater bang for the buck, so to speak. I've made sure to have releases signed as I film, so those rights should be all tidy. But are there other expenses that might not be apparent at this stage that I should plan for? Would you recommend I bring another producer on board who has experience with this side of production? Where would I find someone interested? Would I have to pay them, or would gross points suffice?
As you can see, I have quite a number of questions, and any answers would help me immensely.
