"Corrado" - A production blog

[taormina]

My question is with your smaller crew, how did you break up the other roles that were missing? Your list was

DP
Gaffer
Best Boy Electric
Key Grip
Grip
1st AC A cam
1st AC B am
2nd AC A cam
Makeup
Makeup asst.
Sound man
boom op
Script supervisor
1st AD
2nd AD
Two PAs
transpo dude to watch and move the truck

where did the other roles fall; Props, Set decorator, Wardrobe, and was your DP also a camera op (when not steady cam)? How did some roles change on set with a crew this size? (I'm thinking for my short projects of going even smaller)

What did the make-up assistant do? Hair? Who did the blood packs/ squibs?

...and I guess Location Manager was different at each place, you said sometimes they forced you to hire someone, wasn't that right? Othertimes didn't have one maybe? Where they helpful when you did have them?

Thanks again for sharing your experiences!

Dave

The list above was done during prepro, in fact we had several more electrics mixed into there.

Props: we didn't truly have props, but Bill the gun guy also works as a prop master and helped out on the days he was there.

Set Decorator: None. Everyone kind of pitched in on this. Grips were moving furniture....(Lord help us)

Wardrobe: Me and my wife. We shopped, we took measurements, we handed out clothing.

Yes, my DP was also my camera op but he prefers to do it that way. It leaves to be seen if it will be this way on #2.

None of the roles really changed at all, people came ready in their outfits and we shot. Missing those departments was definitely not ideal, but was manageable. I'm not doing it again, though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The makeup assistant was pretty important - both of them do hair, but when you have two actors starting out first thing in the morning and we are waiting to shoot, it's good to get them in makeup simultaneously. It takes almost 30 minutes to properly make up an actor.

Also when you call last looks both of them rush out and touch people up at the same time.

Blood, gunshot wounds, and other injuries were performed by makeup, while blood packs (squibs) were performed by the FX pyro guy.

Location managers we didn't have, what we did have occasionally were site reps. They were demanded by the property owner as a liaison to me, and they were generally useless but unavoidable.

 

[Charlie06]

Heya Adam!

As many others you've inspired, I'll be trying to pull a Corrado, with 250k
Possible?
How much should I leave for a name actor?
What are chances it will get picked up so I can pay off investors ASAP?
Thank you for not stopping to update corrado after that one mishap. Never got to see it, would have been fun.

This would be my first feature length.
If I don't do it this year and leave it for the next I'm sure it will not happen.
I would appreciate any support given.

Charlie.

 

[taormina]

Heya Adam!

As many others you've inspired, I'll be trying to pull a Corrado, with 250k
Possible?
How much should I leave for a name actor?
What are chances it will get picked up so I can pay off investors ASAP?
Thank you for not stopping to update corrado after that one mishap. Never got to see it, would have been fun.

This would be my first feature length.
If I don't do it this year and leave it for the next I'm sure it will not happen.
I would appreciate any support given.

Charlie.

Yes, $250K is a lot of money....look what Prodigi is doing with $200K. Mo money is mo betta, but $250K is plenty.

Your movie getting picked up so that you can return your investor's money is dependent on a number of factors, in order of importance:

1. Story
2. Talent in the movie
3. Executionof the final film
4. Production Value

If any of those are off, you'll still make it, if more than one is off, your problems will continue to grow. A certain level of talent will cover many sins in the movie, but it only goes to a point!

A word about each:

Story: It better be good, mainly because if it isn't you'll never attract....Talent: Probably $75K of a $250K film should be allocated to hiring good, solid name actors to be in your movie. Try and get more than one, try and get as many as you can afford so that the Execution of the Final Film will be professional. Nothing makes a film seem more like a real movie than real movie stars doing a good job adding to the Production Value of the movie. These are the great locations, props, sets, and wardrobe that you bring to the movie, the things that make it feel like a real movie not something you cooked up in your basement.

 

[Mickey Munday]

how much of $250k should be allocated to a name actor(s) without dipping too much into the portion that should go towards actual production costs?

whats the typical day rate for a b-list actor with a recognizable name or face? will agents just give this info out through a simple phone call or is it a big cat and mouse game of "well who are you? how much money do you have to spend on my actor? etc et etc"

 

[CRProductions]

There's a thread on that in directing I think Mickey...I think adam just said 75 should go to name actors, but then you gotta think about how long your shoot is, and how many actors are in your cast...I assume if you're doing a 5 man shoot for 3 weeks..maybe you can get 2 name actors and not have to pay 75...

I think someone said you can get a good solid name actor for between 3 and 8gs..depending on the name..

 

[taormina]

how much of $250k should be allocated to a name actor(s) without dipping too much into the portion that should go towards actual production costs?

whats the typical day rate for a b-list actor with a recognizable name or face? will agents just give this info out through a simple phone call or is it a big cat and mouse game of "well who are you? how much money do you have to spend on my actor? etc et etc"

As I stated above, on a $250 K movie, 75k should be cast or even a little more. For $8-10K per day you can have your pick of B listers. Maybe even a bit less if there are enough days.

And seeing as it has become a pretty contentious subject between Prodigi and I, (remember, there are two sides to every argument and pros for each, as well as cons, I'm not saying he's dead wrong) I feel you should have your main actors be celebrities, and have them around for more than just a day or two. Have them around as much as you can afford.

By having a name actor in your movie, you will reap all the benefits of his (or her) celebrity status....buzz, media coverage, the use of his name, etc. Even if the guy is in for a one day cameo you can milk it to death.

What you will not get, however, is the close personal contact, the familiarity, and the friendship that comes from knowing these people off set. Celebrity actors have celebrity friends, contacts, and connections you can appropriate as your own.

My lead's agent happens to be Philip Seymour Hoffman and Gary Oldman's agent. How's that for a connection? Now try asking him for a hook up on that when he shows up at 8 and leaves at 5...for good. Get to know him and he will put you in touch with people who matter.

In the end this business really is all about who you know. Your first movie won't be - you know no one. Why start your second movie this way??

Another actor on my set whom I became great friends with has a great manager, who also manages Lucy Liu and Amy Ryan. He asked me if I want to be put in touch with them for my next film. Would he have offered this after being on my set for one day?

I had star actors on my set for one day roles and I never heard from them again. Ken Kercheval, John Fiore, and Frank Stallone (ok, he was on 2 days). Haven't talked to them since. Not enough time to build a relationship.

Do I sound like I'm name dropping....cause I am. I actually have names to drop, is why. Get to know these people and you will too.

Get stars in your film for sure, no matter which way, but make it better by having them the main actors and around a little longer so you can make valuable connections.

Is Prodigi wrong.....of course not. He's doing an amazing job with what he has. This however, is a more excellent way.

 

[puredrifting]

how much of $250k should be allocated to a name actor(s) without dipping too much into the portion that should go towards actual production costs?

whats the typical day rate for a b-list actor with a recognizable name or face? will agents just give this info out through a simple phone call or is it a big cat and mouse game of "well who are you? how much money do you have to spend on my actor? etc et etc"

Mickey, if you go back to near the beginning of this thread, Adam explains exactly how he obtained his actors, what is negotiating strategy was, etc. It's all there, all you have to do is read it.

Dan

 

[CRProductions]

I wonder how much Shawn Ashmore cost per day :-(..or Alex Frost..

 

[Mickey Munday]

There's a thread on that in directing I think Mickey...I think adam just said 75 should go to name actors, but then you gotta think about how long your shoot is, and how many actors are in your cast...I assume if you're doing a 5 man shoot for 3 weeks..maybe you can get 2 name actors and not have to pay 75...

I think someone said you can get a good solid name actor for between 3 and 8gs..depending on the name..

thanks, is that thread in the directing section recent? checking now...

As I stated above, on a $250 K movie, 75k should be cast or even a little more. For $8-10K per day you can have your pick of B listers. Maybe even a bit less if there are enough days.

And seeing as it has become a pretty contentious subject between Prodigi and I, (remember, there are two sides to every argument and pros for each, as well as cons, I'm not saying he's dead wrong) I feel you should have your main actors be celebrities, and have them around for more than just a day or two. Have them around as much as you can afford.

By having a name actor in your movie, you will reap all the benefits of his (or her) celebrity status....buzz, media coverage, the use of his name, etc. Even if the guy is in for a one day cameo you can milk it to death.

What you will not get, however, is the close personal contact, the familiarity, and the friendship that comes from knowing these people off set. Celebrity actors have celebrity friends, contacts, and connections you can appropriate as your own.

My lead's agent happens to be Philip Seymour Hoffman and Gary Oldman's agent. How's that for a connection? Now try asking him for a hook up on that when he shows up at 8 and leaves at 5...for good. Get to know him and he will put you in touch with people who matter.

In the end this business really is all about who you know. Your first movie won't be - you know no one. Why start your second movie this way??

Another actor on my set whom I became great friends with has a great manager, who also manages Lucy Liu and Amy Ryan. He asked me if I want to be put in touch with them for my next film. Would he have offered this after being on my set for one day?

I had star actors on my set for one day roles and I never heard from them again. Ken Kercheval, John Fiore, and Frank Stallone (ok, he was on 2 days). Haven't talked to them since. Not enough time to build a relationship.

Do I sound like I'm name dropping....cause I am. I actually have names to drop, is why. Get to know these people and you will too.

Get stars in your film for sure, no matter which way, but make it better by having them the main actors and around a little longer so you can make valuable connections.

Is Prodigi wrong.....of course not. He's doing an amazing job with what he has. This however, is a more excellent way.

yea sorry about that, i read your last response on my blackberry, i must've missed the part where you answered the question i just asked. great points on networking with the actors though. i can see how those scenarios could pan out and how spending more time with the actors can be a great networking tool.

so did you get to hang out with seizmore and the lead dude (forget his name but remember him from Running Scared) offset much during the production? do you feel you have a good rapport with these actors at this point? basically if you were at a party or on the street 6 months from now would these guys remember you ya think?

i forget the lead dude's name, but he seems like he'd be pretty laid back off set.

Mickey, if you go back to near the beginning of this thread, Adam explains exactly how he obtained his actors, what is negotiating strategy was, etc. It's all there, all you have to do is read it.

Dan

i read all that, he never mentioned actual day rate until now though. in his examples and scenarios he didn't mention how much Seizmore charged when explaining his conversation with his agent (unless i missed that thread). i didn't ask because i figured he didnt want that to be public knowledge which is cool with me.

 

[taormina]

I see Sizemore all the time, and talk to him by phone probably twice a week. Same with Johnny. Johnny's actually coming sailing with me this weekend. I suppose these two are bad examples as they are both in Hangar 14 and thus I hear from them a lot anyways.

And yes, there is much camaraderie and friendship building on set.

 

[ChipG]

Who was your insurance company that covered Sizemore?

 

[ChipG]

Sorry for being off topic but you should turn your thread into a book deal. It's very impressive!!! Can't imagine anyone turning you down to publish this kinda stuff...

 

[CRProductions]

The fact That Johnny (who I really love..cuz hell Running Scared was great and he made Anaconda 2 enjoyable) and Tom are doing Hangar 14 with you really makes me want to see Corrado even more because it feels like you must've done a really great job on the film for them to be so willing to work with you again....it's a great sign...

 

[Nathyn]

Heya Adam!

As many others you've inspired, I'll be trying to pull a Corrado, with 250k
Possible?

Just for future reference, $250,000 is about the price of many low budget films. They have big names surrounding a smaller main cast. Anyone can do it, but Adam just does it so well. The trick is navigating the agents. Try LACasting.com, you'll be surprised who you'll find there. Seek actors who have tons of TV under their belt. They usually repped by someone. To get them on board you'll have to speak to their agent. Causally mention what you're doing and that you need a name. Watch doors open.

I haven't been as lucky as Adam to have $350k to make a film but I know several reality show stars and B celebs that would be easy pickin's because I know their agents/managers including a huge B actor that's in everything and loved overseas and two former WWE Divas who will go unnamed. I have direct lines with several A listers but I've never been in the spot to greenlight anything with that kind of money behind it, but things have a way of working themselves out. Believe me, I know.

-Nate

 

[djinjis]

Hi. I would like to see the script. Maybe the first ten pages?

 

[Charlie06]

On Nathyn

On Nathyn

Thanks for theinfo guys.
I'll check the directing threads right now.
Adam
I was allocating 80k for talent, figured that would run me 1 good actor, for a couple of days, then 20k for a smaller actor, whose face is recognizable.
I'll check out the website you gave me, and get rolling.
What about hotel stays and such. Transportation?
Do they need to be in a 5 star hotel? need a limo?
Can I get away with it? How much should I set for the following things (you can guesstimate):

Food
Transportation
Hotel stays
insurance
Plane (flying them in?)

Thank you so much .

P.S. I'm looking for a D.P in Chicago from DVXuser that would love to take part, or someone who is willing to come in on May of 2009.

Charlie.

 

[pekar1876]

Yes, $250K is a lot of money....look what Prodigi is doing with $200K. Mo money is mo betta, but $250K is plenty.

Your movie getting picked up so that you can return your investor's money is dependent on a number of factors, in order of importance:

1. Story
2. Talent in the movie
3. Executionof the final film
4. Production Value

If any of those are off, you'll still make it, if more than one is off, your problems will continue to grow. A certain level of talent will cover many sins in the movie, but it only goes to a point!

A word about each:

Story: It better be good, mainly because if it isn't you'll never attract....Talent: Probably $75K of a $250K film should be allocated to hiring good, solid name actors to be in your movie. Try and get more than one, try and get as many as you can afford so that the Execution of the Final Film will be professional. Nothing makes a film seem more like a real movie than real movie stars doing a good job adding to the Production Value of the movie. These are the great locations, props, sets, and wardrobe that you bring to the movie, the things that make it feel like a real movie not something you cooked up in your basement.

Really good advice Adam. If Corrado is half as good as all the stuff you've been writing here over the last few months you'll be golden.

When you've sold the movie, I hope you do some screenings in LA and maybe a masterclass afterwards.

 

[taormina]

Who was your insurance company that covered Sizemore?

No Insurance, Corrado was not a bonded film.

 

[taormina]

Hi. I would like to see the script. Maybe the first ten pages?

Maybe soon!

 

[taormina]

Thanks for theinfo guys.
I'll check the directing threads right now.
Adam
I was allocating 80k for talent, figured that would run me 1 good actor, for a couple of days, then 20k for a smaller actor, whose face is recognizable.
I'll check out the website you gave me, and get rolling.
What about hotel stays and such. Transportation?
Do they need to be in a 5 star hotel? need a limo?
Can I get away with it? How much should I set for the following things (you can guesstimate):

Food
Transportation
Hotel stays
insurance
Plane (flying them in?)

Thank you so much .

P.S. I'm looking for a D.P in Chicago from DVXuser that would love to take part, or someone who is willing to come in on May of 2009.

Charlie.

More days....make sure your main people are in the bulk of the movie. The other questions were not relevant to me since I shot in LA and they lived in LA. My actors ate the same food as we all did. No limos or 5 star hotels.

At this level, most of these actors are willing to work with you as they are aware of your budget level. This is a good question for Prodigi since he had to fly his actors out and house them.