"Corrado" - A production blog

Status
Not open for further replies.
And so a question to Adam... why post your footage online that you're obviously proud of and then pull down when people don't respond favorably? I think that footage can give everyone on this board a point of reference as to what caliber of movie you're discussing.

Just hugely curious if I'm reading a thread and gaining insight from a filmmaker or a salesman.
 
I think this thread has been hugely popular because the movie in question is not the issue. It's how to approach a movie project that has a good chance of getting distribution. It's a lesson is Less is More. This is the hardest thing to learn in selling.
 
aurantaurant said:
Just hugely curious if I'm reading a thread and gaining insight from a filmmaker or a salesman.
Click to expand...


It entails everything an indie filmmaker needs. Everything from the pre-production of finding actors, how to talk to people, to production on the problems faced and then how to get his film sold. This is NOT about the art. There are books upon books about it. But seriously, if you want to learn about filmmaking you have to DO IT or else you'll never learn. Start small by going to different sets or start out a little bigger and create your own first production.

This thread is the insight of a producer, director, filmmaker.

Making films is more than just MAKING the film. You could have a brilliant film but have no place to gain return on your work. This thread shows about getting back what you put in. Filmmaking is a collaborative art... You also have to collaborate with the financers who invested in your ability to make a product.
 
Ummm yeah, but if he hadn't already posted footage I wouldn't be asking the question.

So sure, I'm curious... as is most everyone... as to what type of movie has a good chance of getting distribution. I think seeing the footage may be an equally relevant lesson.

Not trying to be caustic, just curious.

And you're right I should probably shut my mouth and shoot something myself.
 
Last edited:
oh well If i remember correctly, he had a very very rough cut and he felt comfortable enough with the group to show it. When everyone took it as the final product and criticised him he felt upset because it was a rough cut and he didn't want his movie to suck. I'm sure we'll be able to see some trailers later when the final product is done and sold.
 
The whole footage thing was discussed a few pages ago. I took it down not because I was worried about getting heat- I took it down because I started listening to everyone's suggestions and tailoring my work to what people on this board wanted to see which was wrong.

I subsequently took the exact same demo footage to two distributors, both of whom loved it and wanted to see the final film. So I was vindicated, but more importantly, I picked who needed to be pleased.

Remember, my end buyer is not the general public. My audience probably doesn't speak English. My buyer is a distributor, and that is who I am seeking to please at this point.

There's no use beating myself up over what people on this board think because while it may be a good gage of public opinion, it's not who writes the checks.

FWIW people were split about 50/50 down the middle as to their like / dislike of the demo footage.

Also wanted to remind everyone that Corrado was a very well received script - it got me an agent even. All of the actor's agents loved the dialog and story. While it is a product meant to be sold, it is of note that Corrado contains great dialog, three dimensional characters, and Corrado himself has a great character arc.

It's not a formula movie at all.
 
Nice.

I see your point. But I guess I'll just have to sit in the dark for a while on this.

Respectfully... if you are just trying to please the money-men in this scenario, couldn't it also be said that the actors and agents were merely trying to please the money-man (you) when telling you your script was great?

They weren't gonna get a piece of the action by telling you it blows. You didn't write your name on the script, but you don't think they knew who wrote it? You were the director...

And again I'm not writing this to challenge you. You have zero obligation to show any of us anything.

But... I desperatly want to believe this cool thread is designed by a person who has the fortitude to write and direct a great a movie. Wouldn't it be great if we're getting advice from the next great director?

I mean I wrote the greatest screenplay ever in the history of the world, but I don't tell people that, I let them learn it for themselves. :)

I'd love to read 20 pages. As I'm sure most on here would. 20 pages isn't gonna spoil the movie.

I will say I am left a little dissapointed in your above comments. I assumed you were doing this for the love of movie making and not doing it to please a distributor. I guess we can all learn something from that.
 
I think the obvious answer to the question of them trying to please me to get their actors the part is that there is no way that happens - ever. The money I was paying was so far below what these guys normally made that the script had to be good to get their attention.

And in Hollywood, flattery is a rare beast - especially by an agent. They just aren't in the business of complimenting you for no reason. And they have their client's best interest in picking them the right part.

Remember, you are trying to sell and agent on why this guy should be in your film! Not the other way around!!!

Now if I was going around paying top dollar for all these guys, then i might agree with you. I'd say they did it for the money. But I really was paying peanuts. The only guy who I paid full bore for was Tom - and even he ended up working four days free for the love of the movie. And asked for a Producer credit, of which he has none. I am his first producer credit in over 80 films. What does that tell you?

As to your other points, I do not see myself as the greates writer or director, or even a great writer or director. I don't think I've ever made claims to be some uber talented savant.

This thread has always been about the business of film making on how it pertains to funding, casting, shooting, and other nuts and bolts aspects of it. The film itself has almost been a sidebar, since what I really wanted to share was the part I could teach. I cannot teach you how to be a better filmmaker or writer. I believe you are born with these gifts.

I can however, show you how to produce a movie and more importantly what to avoid while doing it.

As to my love of filmmaking - I love it tremendously. I am in it for the art. But I am also pragmatic enough to view it as a business. And if I fail now, I will never make another feature again! It's simply too expensive.

So I must think of this as a business as well as an art - I think any smart filmmaker does, unless he has ascended to the ranks of super star and is given carte blanche to do whatever he wants regardless of the financial impact.

And just as Zak kindly reminded me of my old line:

"It is a mistake to bet against me" - remember this. Corrado may not win awards, garner festival acclaim, or even get a theatrical release yet I promise you, I will make my money back, make a profit, establish a working relationship with a distributor, and make another feature.

There is no maybe, no if, just when, because I know from whence I came and to where I am going. Focus on that angle of this thread and you will be better off for it.

I put my claims in writing, publicly, amigo, and so far I have not disappointed. I have done everything I said I would do.
 
btw, you mentioned a while ago being nervous about putting the script up without finding a way to limit it to dvxusers...

Since most people get a fix for this thread every couple days at the most, you might consider a 7-day option here...
http://www.passwordprotection.com/pricing.html

Not sure if it'd be worth your time or not, but I'm sure a lot of people here (including myself) would really love to read the script that grabbed all that attention.
 
I don't want to rain on anybody's parade, but if I were to advise Adam, I'd say don't post it until you have a signed deal. You don't know what rights the distrib may demand, and it's entirely possible they'd be turned off by the idea that the script was posted publicly, so -- don't shoot yourself in the foot. Once you've made your deal, if the buyer is comfortable with you releasing the script, then yes -- please do.
 
I'd rather put it up on a trusted DVX'ers site who could password protect the access to it. But I'm happy to share it if we could come up with a method of orderly dissemination.
 
Barry_Green said:
I don't want to rain on anybody's parade, but if I were to advise Adam, I'd say don't post it until you have a signed deal. You don't know what rights the distrib may demand, and it's entirely possible they'd be turned off by the idea that the script was posted publicly, so -- don't shoot yourself in the foot. Once you've made your deal, if the buyer is comfortable with you releasing the script, then yes -- please do.
Click to expand...

Ay! You are right Barry!I completely forgot about this angle. So much for Mr. Businessman!
 
Agents don't use flattery? Hollywood doesn't use flattery?

Ummm... yah it does. Yah they do. This town is all about kissing A.

Unfortunatly after a while you gotta feed the monkey. And that's why there isn't a huge demand for Uwe Boll workshops.

I'm sort of off the reservation on this thread and I appologize. I'm a frequent visitor to the section of the site that posts footage and screen shots, etc, as well as posting advice on various topics. Sorry to step on your toes.
You do follow your mantras though... i'll give you that.

Your quote: "Shut the F#ck up. Don't give people more info than they need to know..."

Look this is DVXuser/HVXuser... essentially users of cameras. There isn't a large contingency of dudes coming to the site trying to figure out how to produce movies or call agents. Is the info cool and fun and valuable? Yes. Most everyone knows how to turn it on, point the camera, make a phone call, spend money, BS, get a permit, eat pizza... whatever.

The kick of this site, Adam, is that we see results. We see footage. We go, "Oh jeez, how'd you do that?" or "What settings did you use?" or "Wow I like what you did on that cut." And in the end we're all putting our nuggets on the block and opening ourselves up to criticism. Is this thread still cool? Yes.

It's not a law that you post footage or a script or even screen shots. So do as you please. I hope you make your money back and I admire your confidence. I will take your advice though and focus on your angle of the thread. Thanks for your time and I can't wait to buy the DVD.
 
Last edited:
Send your script off to an agent. Try and phone a couple weeks later. See if they even take your call much less tell you the story is good enough to have their talent in it.

Of all the scripts submitted, maybe 2% get any feedback at all...

It's very tough to get a freaking call back much less a compliment - I'll leave it at that.

As for the rest of it, I'm sorry this thread hasn't met your expectations.
 
:) Dude, you're missing the point. :)

That isn't YOUR story Adam. You didn't send the script randomly out to the agent. The barriers weren't there because you had the dough to back up your call.

Great job on that. In the scope of YOUR story, you're not being judged on your creative merits. And that's cool. I think some of the advice your giving though... requires a frame of reference. That's my point.

And even if you did send out your script and they said it was great It would still be interesting to read it. I'm sure I and everyone else could learn a lot from reading a really good script. Because as most of us know, the script is very important.
 
Last edited:
aurantaurant said:
:) Dude, you're missing the point. :)

That isn't YOUR story Adam. You didn't send the script randomly out to the agent. The barriers weren't there because you had the dough to back up your call.

Great job on that. In the scope of YOUR story, you're not being judged on your creative merits. And that's cool. I think some of the advice your giving though... requires a frame of reference. That's my point.

And even if you did send out your script and they said it was great It would still be interesting to read it. I'm sure I and everyone else could learn a lot from reading a really good script. Because as most of us know, the script is very important.
Click to expand...


For the record, I want to disseminate the script and a finished trailer. I also mentioned in the beginning I'd get a quantity of DVDs from the distrib to give out as promo material free to DVXUsers (assuming I get enough). So yeah, I do want to show my work, when I think it's ready to be shown.

I already tried the sneak preview and well.....you know....:violent5:
 
Read The Thread Again

Read The Thread Again

filmman said:
I don't think it was "ALL THAT ADAM EVER WANTED!" LOL

Adam wanted everything; it wasn't just an apple. We're all ambitious, otherwise we wouldn't be in this impossible business.

Corrado will very likely make its money back. In fact this thread is enough for me to know that it will. All the marketing angles have been discussed. Corrado is already a success and no one has seen it yet. This is what's really remarkable, and it's how movies should be done. It's a big lesson for me and I think every movie maker can benefit from this example, regardless of what type of movies he or she makes.
Click to expand...


I think you need to read the thread through again. CORRADO is going straight to DVD and then on his next film he's going to step up to the next level.

Corrado will be a success when Adam sells it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top