DVXuser.com Feature movie??

Barry_Green said:
Lobbing in a few from the sidelines:

A big budget ain't gonna happen. The original idea about doing it as basically a bunch of top-quality DVX Fest entries could work. And ownership fights is what will kill this deal deader and faster than anything else. Except for flakes, people who say they're going to do it and then, for whatever reason, don't.

If I was gonna get involved with something like this, I'd probably want to see it handled like this: every team is an independent unit, and each produces their own segment out of their own pocket. If they finish, and their work is good, and they have all contracts and all releases and all rights to everything they produced, then the master producer buys the completed segment off of them, outright, for a small cash fee. The master producer then compiles the segments into a finished 90 minute film.
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That's pretty much what I was thinking- just it would be revolving around the same theme or idea. So one group would work on New York's version of- such and such an event. And another group could work on London's version of an event. So the story would be helmed by two or three writers (no more), then the actual production would go out to directors volunteering around the world and there crews which they assembled. Of corse it's not that simple- easier said then done- that's just the logistics.
 
If you do go about this, make sure that no one segment (or even two segments) is crucial to the whole. Everyone starts with the best of intentions, but someone's not going to follow through, for whatever reason. Count on it, and make sure the whole project doesn't depend on anyone specific.
 
Jim Montgomery said:
Forgive me if I am wrong but a "group effort" it is not. 20 some odd contributors to this thread out of thousands that belong to this board. And if you notice even these 20 can't come to grips with theme, script, organizational structure or anything else for that matter.

As Barry said "It has been tried before and never succeeded" there is a good reason for that.

Ok I have over stepped my boundaries and will go back to gleaming information and admiring the work of so many creative people here.
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Discussing a business plan and subsequently making binding agreements based on that dialogue in advance of undertaking the venture is the norm. We're doing the discussion part now. I would be concerned if this conversation wasn't happening.

Please stay involved to whatever extent you are comfortable. By the way, this is how most commercially-viable films get made - by committee.

This thing will talk forward to one of two conclusions:

  1. We reach an agreement on the business model, nail down a script, raise money and do the set-up, produce the thing and then market and distribute it. Or...
  2. We come to an impasse and lose whatever equity we have tied up in it so far.
Each is a realistic outcome. As it is in all film ventures - those who invest themselves diligently and with persistence are the most likely to get something in the can and sold.

e
 
Erik Olson said:
Discussing a business plan and subsequently making binding agreements based on that dialogue in advance of undertaking the venture is the norm. We're doing the discussion part now. I would be concerned if this conversation wasn't happening.

Please stay involved to whatever extent you are comfortable. By the way, this is how most commercially-viable films get made - by committee.

This thing will talk forward to one of two conclusions:
  1. We reach an agreement on the business model, nail down a script, raise money and do the set-up, produce the thing and then market and distribute it. Or...
  2. We come to an impasse and lose whatever equity we have tied up in it so far.
Each is a realistic outcome. As it is in all film ventures - those who invest themselves diligently and with persistence are the most likely to get something in the can and sold.

e
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Exactly right. And this is critical to the success of this venture.

I'm guessing that past attempts have failed for several reasons. First is simply accepting anybody willing to be a part of the project, rather than seeking out and securing the best, most qualified people for the jobs at hand. This is especially crucial in the selection of the main producer, unit producers, and unit directors. If you pick the RIGHT people, they aren't going to flake out on you.

Second is having everyone contractually obligated, not just relying on verbal agreements but actually drawing up legally binding contracts and getting everyone to sign on the dotted line.

And lastly, pulling together enough of a budget to pay people for their time and efforts. People tend to not flake out on you if paychecks are involved.

This can work, but it has to be conducted like any other professionally-run project.
 
Erik

I am still here and well be involved if the opportunity presents itself. I just feel a little out of place amongst all the Senior Members here.

My background is business and being a Type A personality I have the patience of a flea. I was watching a lot of very talented creative people trying to reach a goal and struggling to do so.

Nothing more nothing less.
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
But for there to be a uniformity of product, there needs to be some overall governance -- that main producer who makes sure everyone is on the same page and the quality of everyone's efforts is going to be similar. One unit using inferior equipment or less than stellar actors is going to ruin the show for everyone.
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Well, yeah, but -- if their segment sucked, I wouldn't buy it, and it therefore wouldn't ruin the show for anyone other than for those who overpromised and under-delivered. That's the whole point of having the projects be produced independently. And frankly I've seen enough quality work come from this board to know that there are plenty of people capable of delivering fantastic work. Maybe there needs to be a criteria placed on who's allowed to head up a unit; if they've entered DVX Fests before and we've seen their work and know that it's "Where The Heart Lies" or "Unawakening" or "Texas Fortune" or "Winter Lilacs" Caffesse's LoveFest entry or in that caliber, well, that's about as good as anyone could ask for.

And I also thing the budget issue needs to be centralized. The main producer should be in charge of the budget money and dispense it to the individual units, which each operates on its own budget. The units pay their people from that.
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Okay, again, from the sidelines and not from the front lines... if someone thinks they can raise a couple hundred thousand dollars for this and do it right, go right ahead. Set it up that way, that's fine.

But, I don't expect that to happen. And I can't and wouldn't write that check. But I do kind of like this community-made-film idea, and I really like the idea that was put forth about tying ScriptFest into this and having the film's segments drawn from there. And I might consider putting aside a little (and I do mean a little, guys, let's not get crazy) bit of money aside, with the understanding that people do these DVXFest films on $2,000 or $3,000 apiece, and that's about the size of production we'd be asking from each team, and the caliber of work. So if I went and beat Jarred until money started falling out of his pockets, then maybe we (as DVXUser's owner/operators) would step forth as VERY MODEST financiers. Microbudget. And, of course, I haven't even told Jarred about this, so he may scream profanities at me for even thinking about it. Then again, he usually screams profanities at me, so -- nothing new there. :thumbsup:

Anyway, what I'm saying is: if we turned it into a true site idea, and tied it through ScriptFest, and tied it back towards the DVX Fest, maybe inviting winning crews to participate or something... then maybe we as DVXUser could step forward -- but understand, this would be our spending money, we aren't exactly rich, and we're talking about a few thousand dollars per segment probably.

But again, if we do that, we're not gonna take a bath on this thing, we're not gonna go writing checks to all sorts of teams and then not get what was promised. In any business venture, you get hired, you produce the work, and then you turn over the work and get paid. And if the work's abysmal, you don't get paid and the client goes elsewhere. So if we were gonna get involved, I'm thinking it'd have to be along those lines.

So, that's a way that it could work. Everybody leaps in for a big ol' risk. Teams work to produce the footage to the agreed-upon quality standard, as their own DVXFest entry maybe? And those entries that are selected would be bought and then weaved into a 90-minute production? I don't know, this is just spitballin' here. Maybe it's nuts, maybe it's too small-time of an idea, but it's what I could do. The original idea, remember, was that people are ALREADY spending their own money to make DVXFest entries of this caliber. So while they're already out there doing that for their own purposes anyway, why not try to direct their energies towards something that could be even bigger? Maybe this becomes a new DVXFest anyway -- ScriptFest scripts, and then DVXFest prizes; you either win a prize package from DVXFest as normal, or we buy your short off you so you get all your money back and you get credits on a produced feature film, etc. Well, it's an idea, anyway. I'm not saying it's a GOOD idea, but it's an idea.

But if anyone wants to go raise a few hundred thousand dollars and spearhead it as a bigger production, go right ahead. That would be the ideal outcome.
 
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Alright, skipped a few pages, but I am back home again. I am starting to realize that what this has become is a bunch of folks yakking about what COULD happen while not getting anything done. This is what needs to happen:

Dustin, if you don't want to be the main man, pick someone to do it, or guide everyone else to do so. Make sure they have the talent, willingness and personality that is right for the job (regardless of whether they are a film student or a 50 year veteren of the business).

Then that person needs to TAKE CHARGE. My problem is, I have ideas that could work, but not the time to be the main leader. I am a leader by nature, though, so it is hard for me to work under someone, but as I writer and an actor I have gotten used to it.

That person needs to decide on a theme (or small selection to have voted on) and tell me what to have the writing team do (once it is compiled. Interested? PM me.) Then we will do it. While we work on it the leader can discuss with the group how to go about the details while compiling each group in an organized manner. Once everything is agreed upon (eventually the leader will just have to say "this is how it is.") then we can start filming.

That's the only way I see this getting off the ground is if someone takes the reigns. Who wants to be considered? Throw your name out and Dustin needs to choose (or help us choose). This should be done before the weenend is over. All of this discussion is just piling up yet not accomplishing anything without a leader (IMO) so before everyone looses interested, we need to do this!

Pick a leader. Leader decides how to go about it. Get theme. Leader says what to do. Film is done. That's all.
 
I am 100% on board with what Barry proposed as a possible option!!!

Tie the idea into the ScriptFest. From those winning entries tie it into the next DVXFest. Then the winners have the option of having their segment "purchased" and woven into a larger film.

I see this as the only realistic way of this happening...as Barry said, groups are already spending a few thousand dollars on some of these shorts. Why not have the opportunity to have them mean something more and be a part of something bigger? Also, allowing the investors (Barry, Jarred, etc.) to choose segments after they have been produced solves the problem of quality and following through...if they are not quality or are not finished on time they will not be selected.

Personally I think this idea is genius. It is decentralized enough to make it manageable but it has the organization inherent in DVXFests already taking place...
 
ConspiracyPenguin said:
Alright, skipped a few pages, but I am back home again. I am starting to realize that what this has become is a bunch of folks yakking about what COULD happen while not getting anything done. This is what needs to happen:

Dustin, if you don't want to be the main man, pick someone to do it, or guide everyone else to do so. Make sure they have the talent, willingness and personality that is right for the job (regardless of whether they are a film student or a 50 year veteren of the business).

Then that person needs to TAKE CHARGE. My problem is, I have ideas that could work, but not the time to be the main leader. I am a leader by nature, though, so it is hard for me to work under someone, but as I writer and an actor I have gotten used to it.

That person needs to decide on a theme (or small selection to have voted on) and tell me what to have the writing team do (once it is compiled. Interested? PM me.) Then we will do it. While we work on it the leader can discuss with the group how to go about the details while compiling each group in an organized manner. Once everything is agreed upon (eventually the leader will just have to say "this is how it is.") then we can start filming.

That's the only way I see this getting off the ground is if someone takes the reigns. Who wants to be considered? Throw your name out and Dustin needs to choose (or help us choose). This should be done before the weenend is over. All of this discussion is just piling up yet not accomplishing anything without a leader (IMO) so before everyone looses interested, we need to do this!

Pick a leader. Leader decides how to go about it. Get theme. Leader says what to do. Film is done. That's all.
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After talking with my partner in film, Gary French (fellow DVXer) at great length on this subject matter. I told him that I wasn't going to be the head guy anymore on this project, but still wanted to be involved and he asked if he could do it, and I told him if he was up to the job that I'd nominate him for the "dude". So. with that said, I now turn the "reigns" over to him. If you'll have him :D , his DVXuser name is Gary French. He'll be on later. We're finishing my Timefest entry atm.

Good Luck and can't wait to work with the fellow Southerners!

Rogan
 
pia12254 said:
I am 100% on board with what Barry proposed as a possible option!!!

Tie the idea into the ScriptFest. From those winning entries tie it into the next DVXFest. Then the winners have the option of having their segment "purchased" and woven into a larger film.

I see this as the only realistic way of this happening...as Barry said, groups are already spending a few thousand dollars on some of these shorts. Why not have the opportunity to have them mean something more and be a part of something bigger? Also, allowing the investors (Barry, Jarred, etc.) to choose segments after they have been produced solves the problem of quality and following through...if they are not quality or are not finished on time they will not be selected.

Personally I think this idea is genius. It is decentralized enough to make it manageable but it has the organization inherent in DVXFests already taking place...
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I hinted at this idea earlier myself. If DVXuser incorporates this idea into ScriptFest followed by a special DVXFest... I'm in.

I'm sure many others would be as well.
As I said previously... we would then just have to pick out the best of the bunch and voila!

Like Mark said as well, the "theme" would have to be very different. Specific rules would have to be laid out and we would have to stick to them otherwise it won't work. That is if we want the stories to connect in some way or at least revolve around the same event.

Mike
 
Dusting, great! He better be good! Haha. I hope he will be able to sort thorugh this collection of ideas and get a jewel out of it.

To those of you who want this to be integrated with the ScriptFest and DVXFest, I think the idea is good, but the only problem I have with it personally is that I actually wanted to write for this thing. And since as of now I am head of the writing team (if there will be one) it concerns me that I may be out of a job before actually having one. :grin:

I guess my issue is that I might not be able to write for it if it goes like that. Further, I think that (if I am not mistaken) the idea was for the scripts to go from ScriptFest to the DVXFest, but that would mean the same theme would be required and it would be hard to guarentee that enough made the transition. I don't know, it seems like too much of a drawn out process to work, but hey, I'm in so I have to go with the masses.

To use a cliche that is used soooo much here...that's just my 2 cents!
 
Why could you not write for it? Couldn't you write a submission for the ScriptFest and get in that way?

I am admitting my ignorance here since I did not participate in the ScriptFest and don't really know how it worked... :)

And I didn't quite grasp what you meant about "it would be hard to guarantee that enough made the transition." Were you talking about Scripts being made into Films?

In that sense I could see a potential challenge of getting enough "different" films made (i.e. if there are 5 different/related segments everyone might want to do the one or two segments that are more exciting/interesting).

I never said I have any good ideas of my own to contribute...I just like to agree with and/or shoot down other peoples ideas! :D
 
Sorry, dinner was ready. Typing becomes hasty when I'm hungry, let me clarify. What I meant about not being able to write is, as I understood, we would hold a ScriptFest and then those would be entered as films to the FilmFest and then those could be compiled for this project.

My personal issue is, I could write for ScriptFest, but the chances of it becoming a film that is viable for this project would be low. Plus, there is no way to guarentee that ScriptFest films will be made for the DVXFest. Unless you told all the entrants to make it for the fest, it wouldn't work.

Further I see a conflict involving the fact that these films would be so different in story line, they couldn't possibly go together. Perhaps I am totally misunderstanding the point being made here. If so, I am sorry, please try to explain it to me again.
 
No, I think you are correct if the Fests continue the same way they have been.

I think there would have to be a Fest set up where it was specifically set up to accommodate this. But I think if Barry and Jarred were behind the idea we could accommodate it!

They have tried different approaches for other Fests and I think it would be at the very least a cool experiment to see what comes of it!

I assume they would have to set up the parameters of the setting for the Script fest (a meteor has struck the earth, a plague is spreading and a small group of people is fighting to find a solution)...or whatever the outline is. Then the writers take that loose parameter and come up with a really creative story within that "world".

Then the filmmakers are required to take one of the scripts and turn it into a film for the DVXFest.

Just a rough idea...but I suppose I pictured it looking something like that when Dustin first mentioned the idea of a collaborative feature in the context of a DVXFest... :)

As said before, "What were you thinking Dustin!?!?!" :D
 
Well first thought....

Colab with everyone on the board (that were willing)

2nd thought...
We have thousands of members all around the world....

3rd thought
what could everyone around the world contribute on the same story line as everyone else...

4th thought
I need to sleep

5th thought
post idea up on the forums...

6th thought (days later)
what the hell did i get myself into... :D

that pretty much how my brain works...sometimes not even that...

Rogan
 
Barry_Green said:
Well, yeah, but -- if their segment sucked, I wouldn't buy it, and it therefore wouldn't ruin the show for anyone other than for those who overpromised and under-delivered. That's the whole point of having the projects be produced independently. And frankly I've seen enough quality work come from this board to know that there are plenty of people capable of delivering fantastic work. Maybe there needs to be a criteria placed on who's allowed to head up a unit; if they've entered DVX Fests before and we've seen their work and know that it's "Where The Heart Lies" or "Unawakening" or "Texas Fortune" or "Winter Lilacs" Caffesse's LoveFest entry or in that caliber, well, that's about as good as anyone could ask for.


Okay, again, from the sidelines and not from the front lines... if someone thinks they can raise a couple hundred thousand dollars for this and do it right, go right ahead. Set it up that way, that's fine.

But, I don't expect that to happen. And I can't and wouldn't write that check. But I do kind of like this community-made-film idea, and I really like the idea that was put forth about tying ScriptFest into this and having the film's segments drawn from there. And I might consider putting aside a little (and I do mean a little, guys, let's not get crazy) bit of money aside, with the understanding that people do these DVXFest films on $2,000 or $3,000 apiece, and that's about the size of production we'd be asking from each team, and the caliber of work. So if I went and beat Jarred until money started falling out of his pockets, then maybe we (as DVXUser's owner/operators) would step forth as VERY MODEST financiers. Microbudget. And, of course, I haven't even told Jarred about this, so he may scream profanities at me for even thinking about it. Then again, he usually screams profanities at me, so -- nothing new there. :thumbsup:

Anyway, what I'm saying is: if we turned it into a true site idea, and tied it through ScriptFest, and tied it back towards the DVX Fest, maybe inviting winning crews to participate or something... then maybe we as DVXUser could step forward -- but understand, this would be our spending money, we aren't exactly rich, and we're talking about a few thousand dollars per segment probably.

But again, if we do that, we're not gonna take a bath on this thing, we're not gonna go writing checks to all sorts of teams and then not get what was promised. In any business venture, you get hired, you produce the work, and then you turn over the work and get paid. And if the work's abysmal, you don't get paid and the client goes elsewhere. So if we were gonna get involved, I'm thinking it'd have to be along those lines.

So, that's a way that it could work. Everybody leaps in for a big ol' risk. Teams work to produce the footage to the agreed-upon quality standard, as their own DVXFest entry maybe? And those entries that are selected would be bought and then weaved into a 90-minute production? I don't know, this is just spitballin' here. Maybe it's nuts, maybe it's too small-time of an idea, but it's what I could do. The original idea, remember, was that people are ALREADY spending their own money to make DVXFest entries of this caliber. So while they're already out there doing that for their own purposes anyway, why not try to direct their energies towards something that could be even bigger? Maybe this becomes a new DVXFest anyway -- ScriptFest scripts, and then DVXFest prizes; you either win a prize package from DVXFest as normal, or we buy your short off you so you get all your money back and you get credits on a produced feature film, etc. Well, it's an idea, anyway. I'm not saying it's a GOOD idea, but it's an idea.

But if anyone wants to go raise a few hundred thousand dollars and spearhead it as a bigger production, go right ahead. That would be the ideal outcome.
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The thread has led to this milestone post. In it, if you read it, there are large bits of valuable information for how this can work. Barry is interested, but there needs to be concensus on the mechanics of the project.

Everyone should take a breath and consider what was presented here. When I suggested the recent ScriptFest, it was conceived to work within the parameters of what was already working in the filmed entertainment Fests - I went to pains on this because those are already proven to work. It was a matter of adapting one to the other. The concept of having users or the mods produce the winning entry is an organic step toward what we're wanting to do on the feature side.

At any rate, I feel strongly that the appointing and delegating activity is a bit premature to the process. I certainly haven't taken part in electing anyone yet - this is the discovery phase and the slipshod nomination process is a big distraction.

e
 
I agree that the process for selecting a producer, etc. seems haphazard at best. And I'm rubbed the wrong way by people 'declaring' themselves to be in charge of the overall production without any real consensus. It should be generally agreed upon by a simple majority of those participating.

I also think we're limiting ourselves just a bit here. As has been mentioned, there's TONS of talent on DVXUser. But it just may be that not everyone is even aware of this project -- the subject line "DVXUser.com Feature Film??" might not be accurate enough to grab the attention of some folks who'd be great assets to us.

Should we post in the 'Jobs' section -- something like "Collaborative feature seeks qualified producer" -- and include links to this thread and the thread in Screenwriting?

I feel it's important at this point to get someone at the helm -- someone we all (or most of us) can agree on and support. It's too early to be thinking about assigning unit producers and directors, though. But the main producer is responsible for the overall vision and direction of the project. Whoever we choose needs to be in the driver's seat during the script development phase.

That's my humble opinion. (And we all know how humble I can be.) :)
 
Sometimes too humble, IMO. :grin: If you are volunteering, please just say it. As I said before right now we are getting crap done (or something done at a really slow pace) because we just have a bunch of people saying what they think would work. We need someone in charge who will be a leader and start moving us along. Kind of like cattle. Maybe this will inspire you guys:

catlle.jpg


EDIT: Then again...maybe not.

When someone is in charge, then we can start moving. And I agree there should be a consensus, but if we don't get someone (anyone) nothing will happen. We need to focus our energies on that before we focus them on story, set up or anything else for that matter. Hop to it!
 
I'm humble, but not that humble. :)

The only reason I don't volunteer is it seems that my vision of this project is different from the majority. I may be too old-fashioned, or maybe too ambitious. I suspect most of the folks here would feel more comfortable with someone at the helm who more closely shares their collective vision.
 
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