Red Ruination Blue - a production blog

taormina

taormina

Hates to Rent
So here I am again, not far from the one year anniversary of starting the Corrado thread. It's time to let RRB have it's own thread now as the project is seriously on the front burner.

This thread will be slightly different than the Corrado thread. I may not be able to disclose as much in some areas, maybe more in others.

I am an eternal optimist as well, but I must tell you that there is a possibility this movie may be delayed or not made at all. Like Corrado, I am in uncharted waters again...the monies I need to get this film going are an order of magnitude higher than Corrado, and so is the level of talent required.

I also need to get a presales deal or get the project "set up" at a studio before we film. There are many unknowns here, there is no clear path, but I am determined to make this film. I must make this film.

The financial climate has changed so dramatically in the year that I made Corrado that I am unsure that all the money promises I had will still be good. I may need to find new money elsewhere.

What this thread will definitely show that Corrado didn't is the development process....the most crucial time for a nascent film....it could literally be killed off at any minute or stalled indefinitely for whatever reason.

This is really what the spirit of RRB's thread will be. Making a movie from nothing. How the hell do you start with nothing.
 
What is it.....

My film is an embryo at this stage. I wouldn't say a conglomerate of cells, it's bigger than that since it exists as a 102 page script right now. Yes, most definitely an embryo.

Where is it at....

RRB is currently in development. You can say it is in pre-pre-production if you wish, although that isn't very accurate.

What does development mean...

Development is a nebulous term when applied to a studio pic. In this case, I have a finished script, and will need to look for actors and money during this phase. I cannot move into pre-production without these two things.....talent and cash...


How much cash?

I've always mentioned this movie will cost between $2 and $5 Million to make. In the current market, however, you rally need to look hard at your budget. You really need to make it as cheaply (within reason) as possible.

The problem is, I don't know how much cash it will take.....

So how is that determined?

I just had the first meeting on the movie today with my 1st AD. Ricky Robinson was the first AD on Corrado, so I know him well. Also present was our new production designer (whom I will name shortly). You'll note we didn't have this position on Corrado.

The production designer gives our movie the look it will have, set wise. There are costs involved with looks that must be budgeted for.

Let me pause for a moment to mention why a 1st AD is involved so soon.....

Firstly, 1st ADs are key to determining scheduling of a film. You want to know how much it's going to cost? Figure out how long it's going to take!

Ricky's job, once given the script will be to come up with a shooting schedule which will tell us how many days we need, and then to do up a budget. Now this will likely be the first pass of the budget as when I bring a UPM on board, they will likely want to do their own.

I brought my 1st AD and my Production Designer on right now because they will work for free during development. The 1st AD will prepare a budget and schedule for free, and the Production designer will prepare his budget and several sketches to show investors of the key set work, all for free.

Here is Wisdom: Avoid paying people during the development process. Find like minded individuals who want to see the movie succeed and who will work to that end.

What do thy get out of it? Employment. Plain and simple.

Anyways, several people must provide input to create a total budget for the project:


  • 1st AD or UPM
  • Visual Effects Supervisor (Yes Chris, you're next)
  • DP
  • Me - I handle the above the line expenses...
If you were shooting an ultra gory horror pic you'd have your makeup guy chime in. In this case we will estimate the makeup charges.

The script is done or almost so....and within a week it will be sent to these people to weigh in on what the costs will be by analyzing or "breaking the script down" to pluck out all expensive elements....every fancy set, every squib, every weird camera move or piece of equipment, etc.

Anything less than this analysis is a flat ass guess, and will guarantee a budget overrun.

When I am apprised of the budget, then I'll know how much money I need to raise. Film budgeting is an art, it really is. I'm thankful to have one feature behind me, because I know many of the pitfalls of what can go wrong.....

You can pad the budget lots to avoid this stuff, but in the end you will have to go obtain that money, which is difficult enough as it is, so your reduced to accurate, sensible budgeting, period, end of story.

All of the people above submit numbers to me and there's our budget.

The astute read may remember that I was seeking money for Corrado before I knew the true, accurate budget. Avoid this at all costs.....
 
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The journey begins... Good luck on getting this film setup Adam! Looking forward to see yet another project of yours come to life.
 
The Script

The script is about to go out to some trusted individuals for feedback and criticism. This is an important step....you can write movies in a vacuum but you really ought to get feedback before you start spending money.

During the development process, the script is not locked down and is subject to change due to a variety of reasons:

  • Feedback or criticism
  • budget
  • shooting schedule problems
  • inability to get locations written in the script
  • Talent requesting a change or rewrite
Any / all of these could happen. The script WILL change before we hit pre-pro.....at that point it will be locked down because significantly changing the script during pre-production kills the planning.
 
Harsh, bitter, realities

Harsh, bitter, realities

*********Warning - Therapy Session****************************

When I set out to make Corrado I honestly thought that simply completing the film would catapult me to fame. I've come to find that it really isn't the case (obviously).

I wound up achieving every single goal I had for Corrado save one: recoupment of the investment, which is yet future. I made a quality little film with name actors, a great budget, and it got picked up by a reputable company. What else can a guy ask for.

I derived many benefits from making the film; the contacts and relationships I made were invaluable. They have greatly streamlined my ability to make another film without reinventing the wheel. The skills I learned simply cannot be learned through a school.

Still, I was quite unprepared for the challenges ahead. It seems that even after completing a feature it will really be no easier to raise the money and find the actors than it was last time.

I never had anything handed to me ever, I had to work for everything. I think I was expecting some fat offers to come in after Corrado was done, but I guess it simply doesn't work that way.

People think that there is a "breaking in" or "getting discovered" mechanism in Hollywood. Show me a filmmaker that was"discovered" and I'll show you years of toiling as an unknown nobody making films no one ever watched.

So today I initiated the beginning of another feature film. I had to physically begin it. It wasn't going to begin itself. No one was asking for it to begin. I once again had to get the ball rolling.

Maybe I'll have opportunities handed to me after this film. Maybe not. This is a tough damn industry, that's for sure.

So after doing the impossible with making Corrado, I once again have to take all I've learned, all my contacts, all my energy and do it all over again. It's hard, man. Real hard.
 
I've had friends go through exactly what you're going through right now, Adam - the realization that the second time around isn't really any easier.... and the realization that the idea that it might have been was somehow misguided.

The thing you have to remember is - you're climbing steadily, not staying stagnant.
The only reason it is just as hard this time (if not harder) is because you're trying to raise MORE money to make a BIGGER film....

I'm certain that if you wanted to make another film the same size and scope as Corrado right now you could raise the money easily. But you're aiming higher - which is commendable... and also just as difficult to get going as it was the first time.

Hang in there - looking forward to hearing all about it...
 
I heard a rare interview with Stanley Kubrick from the late sixties and he said his first couple of features didn't make their money back. He raised the money himself( this was in the fifties when no one was making independent films like we do now) and didn't see any real success until he was hired to direct Spartacus. It's a hard business. I know a producer who has produced three features that got into Sundance. She told me most first time directors never direct another feature. So if you get two made you're ahead of the pack.
 
every movie is a different animal.
making another movie is what you have to do now.
I gave you some good advice regarding the distribution of Corrado but you didn't take it.
but you're doing the right thing by not waiting for Corrado to be sold in the foreign market.
too bad the economic conditions are bad...
 
More great insights on your process and what you've learned...great stuff. I'll be following this as avidly as I have your other threads. Thanks yet again for your generous sharing of your experiences. So much can be (and has been) learned from you!
 
Does this film take place in and around LA (or could LA serve as the backdrop)? Or will you need more exotic/far-away locations?
 
Will Clegg said:
Does this film take place in and around LA (or could LA serve as the backdrop)? Or will you need more exotic/far-away locations?
Click to expand...

Actually no, Red Ruination Blue is mainly set in Flagstaff, AZ. It most likely will not be shot there; it'll probably be shot in some selected areas of socal.
 
Good Luck! I'll definately be watching this thread. I'm on my third feat - nothing close to you budget wise, but I'd say they do get harder. My current movie is the longest time I've ever spent on a project, but it runs rings around my previous.

Remember you have to fight for everything. Everyday when you get up - get prepared for war, because that's the process. But you either love it or hate it - I love it and I'm sure you do too, so I know this will be awesome! Look forward to reading another 5000 post thread. :-)
 
Good luck, Adam. I'll be watching this thread with great interest and am excited to get a peak at the early process of your work. Something we didn't get to see with Corrado.
 
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