"Corrado" - A production blog

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taormina said:
Doug - I had already done my previous two large crewed productions here in Orange county. There is no financial incentive to film here other than there are no permit fees for private property, locations are less crowded, and there is no commute for me.

On the other hand, I would have to pay the crew and cast hotels, pay commuting actors mileage, pay cast and crew per diems. Suddenly this becomes an "overnight location" for SAG people with all of the strings that come with it.
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Right, makes sense. Even with some of the incredible incentives out there (NM is best, PA and IL and Louisiana and, well, almost everywhere but LA have some great deals) it could be hard to make up the cost of travel and lodging. Plus, almost all of the production credits and rebates apply only to your production costs. They're not going to give you a dime back on the substantial amount you've spent on your cast or anything that's not directly related to days you're working at their locations. These things become a lot more worth it when you can work with local crew and talent.

Even so, I've learned the hard way to do almost anything in my power to avoid shooting in L.A. Unfortunately SAG is a big problem there. I'm probably a lot friendlier to unions than you are, but there's no denying they're an enormous pain in the ass!

Anyway, thanks for the quick answer.
 
I've finally managed to read this massive thread in its entirety - I'm absoluetly amazed at the amount of hard work (and risk) that you've put into getting your feature off the ground.
You've got some monster-sized brass balls bro - it is really uplifting to see how this is all paying off and that you are already throwing the idea around of doing the next one!
You're making history here - and we're all a part of that now :)

I'm still a total newbie to the entire production process and am in no hurry to jump in to the professional game (plenty of time - got to build a decent foundation of skills first) but if/when I get to that stage - the knowledge that you are sharing here will be the first place I refer.

Thanks for taking the time (of which I'm sure is more valuable than ever at this stage) to share this with all of us.
Oh... and if I spot a Corrado DVD over in my neck of the woods - It'll be immediately going into my collection for sure so notch up one firm international sale at least :)

Best of luck and have fun!
Pete
 
What Barry says is absolutely true. Different states do have their own perks and the incentive rebates work pretty much the same from one to the next. I know a fellow who is shooting ten pictures in Louisiana right now - back to back - for exactly that reason.

He nets a rebate upon wrapping principal on each one.

e
 
Now that I'm such a big celebrity, loved by the media, hounded by all my fans day and night, I wanted to share this lovely piece of fan mail I received today. This fan of mine sent me this cute little note telling me how much he loves me. I thought I'd post it here to gloat, to show you how much I am esteemed in the public eye. :laugh:


This little love letter is probably in response to my breakdown that I put out that specified a star meter rating. It came in an unmarked envelope, with no return address.
 

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dougspice said:
Right, makes sense. Even with some of the incredible incentives out there (NM is best, PA and IL and Louisiana and, well, almost everywhere but LA have some great deals) it could be hard to make up the cost of travel and lodging. Plus, almost all of the production credits and rebates apply only to your production costs. They're not going to give you a dime back on the substantial amount you've spent on your cast or anything that's not directly related to days you're working at their locations. These things become a lot more worth it when you can work with local crew and talent.

Even so, I've learned the hard way to do almost anything in my power to avoid shooting in L.A. Unfortunately SAG is a big problem there. I'm probably a lot friendlier to unions than you are, but there's no denying they're an enormous pain in the ass!

Anyway, thanks for the quick answer.
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This is a common misconcept, but it isn't true. I'm shooting my feature in New Mexico and I get:

1.) The full 25% rebate on all actor expenses, regardless of where they live. New Mexico is one of the few states that recognizes a movie cannot be made exclusively with local actors and they've ammended the legislation accordingly. All you have to do is call the film office and they'll walk you through this.

2.) Travel is only a direct Southwest flight away. And big stars are willing to fly coach from LA. Toby Maguire and Natalie Portman shot a film near Santa Fe in November, 2007. They both flew Southwest.

3.) Crews are 10 deep here in New Mexico. That means 10 features could be shooting simultaneously and still be fully crewed. Now, I wouldn't want to be the tenth feature, because I'd be getting the people who couldn't get on the other nine...but that still means all crew are local. If you shoot in the ABQ/Santa Fe area then 90% of the crew is within an hour drive.

4.) Hotels, haircuts, taking your actors to a restaurant, buying props at a local antique shop...all of these are eligible expenses for the rebate. Anything, ANYTHING you pay on your shoot (not just what we think of as "production" expenses) qualifies. We use a local shipping company that works with DHL...all our shipping is eligible. If I buy a DVD at a local Best Buy for research it is eligible.

5.) All Pre-production and post-production expenses spent in-state are eligible. My co-writer and co-producer relocated here and I asked them to get New Mexico driver's licenses within the first week of arriving so it was clear they were New Mexican residents working on the project. Our three-person team has done all our pre-pro in-state...so, we'll be getting a rebate on every penny.

And, if you register your production company in Nevada, it doesn't owe any state income tax here in New Mexico. So, when the production company wraps the project it files it's tax returns...which is a page of zeros! 6-9 weeks later the state cuts you a check. And this isn't a scam...the film office will walk you through the process.

The attitude is every film shot in New Mexico generates local jobs which generates local taxes. They bend over backwards to help you maximize your rebate.
 
taormina said:
Leo,

The fact that you took the time to post that, think of me, and take that picture really means a lot to me. I'm humbled.

Thanks for your support. It's not forgotten.
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Hey - he just went to a restaurant... I actually went to Taormina!
(of course that was before I ever met you...but that's not the point)
:)

Beautiful fan mail by the way.
I assume you're keeping that for your scrapbook?

I think you just found the cover to your book.
:thumbsup:
 
Prodigi Pictures said:
This is a common misconcept, but it isn't true. I'm shooting my feature in New Mexico and I get:

1.) The full 25% rebate on all actor expenses, regardless of where they live. New Mexico is one of the few states that recognizes a movie cannot be made exclusively with local actors and they've ammended the legislation accordingly. All you have to do is call the film office and they'll walk you through this.

2.) Travel is only a direct Southwest flight away. And big stars are willing to fly coach from LA. Toby Maguire and Natalie Portman shot a film near Santa Fe in November, 2007. They both flew Southwest.

3.) Crews are 10 deep here in New Mexico. That means 10 features could be shooting simultaneously and still be fully crewed. Now, I wouldn't want to be the tenth feature, because I'd be getting the people who couldn't get on the other nine...but that still means all crew are local. If you shoot in the ABQ/Santa Fe area then 90% of the crew is within an hour drive.

4.) Hotels, haircuts, taking your actors to a restaurant, buying props at a local antique shop...all of these are eligible expenses for the rebate. Anything, ANYTHING you pay on your shoot (not just what we think of as "production" expenses) qualifies. We use a local shipping company that works with DHL...all our shipping is eligible. If I buy a DVD at a local Best Buy for research it is eligible.

5.) All Pre-production and post-production expenses spent in-state are eligible. My co-writer and co-producer relocated here and I asked them to get New Mexico driver's licenses within the first week of arriving so it was clear they were New Mexican residents working on the project. Our three-person team has done all our pre-pro in-state...so, we'll be getting a rebate on every penny.

And, if you register your production company in Nevada, it doesn't owe any state income tax here in New Mexico. So, when the production company wraps the project it files it's tax returns...which is a page of zeros! 6-9 weeks later the state cuts you a check. And this isn't a scam...the film office will walk you through the process.

The attitude is every film shot in New Mexico generates local jobs which generates local taxes. They bend over backwards to help you maximize your rebate.
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Snap. Thanks for that post, Prodigi!
 
Luis - cool, man!


Prodigi - that was great. NM sounds better and better for local pics. A director friend of mine shot a movie there called Love Lies Bleeding with Christian Slater. $3M budget.
 
just caught up on this thread, wow. I love it! I wonder what kind of differences there are in Canada in regards to full productions like this. Keep up the great posts and info!
 
Prodigi Pictures said:
This is a common misconcept, but it isn't true.
Click to expand...

It may not be strictly true in New Mexico, but I know it is certainly true elsewhere. The rules vary everywhere, and they change frequently. I've had this debate with you elsewhere in the past so I'll keep it simple here: shooting in NM is great for certain projects, certain crews, and certain personalities. But it – or any other location – is certainly not an all-healing filmmaking panacea.

Plus, good luck getting those big Hollywood stars to fly Southwest NOW! :)

Anyway, this thread is about a movie that's shooting in Los Angeles, so we should probably get back to that.
 
Wow! Just to give some perspective on how popular this thread has become:

496 replies
22,277 views

making it the 2nd most read thread ever in the User Films section.

Compared to the #1 thread that was started almost two years ago on 7/19/06:

1,084 replies
36,727 views

Those are some pretty impressive numbers for a post less than two months old, especially in this category!
 
Adam,
You mentioned how your next project will be big enough to fly your family along for the shoot. Do you have a next project in mind? Are you going to try and keep up with the "writer/director" title or are you considering the "director for hire" route. Just curious.

Again, love this thread.
 
Leo - If I only had a dollar per view...:-)

Smashed: Do not have a next project in mind. I have financing in place, but no project.


In other news, I got Tony Curran to be in the movie as Officer Tony. He fights Johnny in one scene. Mega cool dude
 

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Last minute requests.


Everyone has an item. By the time we're done, it'll be like 3 grand worth of nothing. And they all ask you like you were supposed to know, like it was standard practice.

Some sound bytes:

"Well we've had one on all the other productions I've worked on"

"Oh yeah, can we pick up a....."

"I forgot to ask for a......"

"I guess we're going to need a..."

Just little ****. A little folding table. A pop up tent. More tape. I think they do it on purpose. How can you not know about this **** when you work on productions for a living and do this every week.

Just venting, I guess.
 
Leo Versola said:
Wow! Just to give some perspective on how popular this thread has become:

496 replies
22,277 views

making it the 2nd most read thread ever in the User Films section.

Compared to the #1 thread that was started almost two years ago on 7/19/06:

1,084 replies
36,727 views

Those are some pretty impressive numbers for a post less than two months old, especially in this category!
Click to expand...

And it's mostly informative posts from both sides of the fence. I do come to this thread once a day to see what's goin' on. Very very good stuff.

Speakin' of information: I know you mentioned that you don't have the money to rehearse any of the action. How do you think un-rehearsed action on such a tight schedule is going to fair for you? Have you done action for screen before?
 
Kholi,

The closest thing I've done to unrehearsed action was a three day volleyball game shoot. It was a narrative work and the girls were playing AVP style beach volleyball. We shot 3 days on the beach. There was plenty of dialog and difficult shots, like one girl getting nailed with the ball and bruising her shoulder. It all worked out OK. We were on time. We did 12 pages one day.

Recently hired my 1st AD - albeit a bit late (I know, I know.) He's a pretty "military" guy as far a sorganization. He was a 2nd on his last shoot, which also had Sizemore in it coincidentally. I think he said they did 14 pages one day. They were working 12s. Sheesh!

They could not have maintained decent quality there.
 
Nice. Just wondering about that! From experience, I know action can be incredibly tough to shoot properly but you sound like you've got it locked.

Swayt.
 
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