"Corrado" - A production blog

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I'm glad to hear that everything is working out for you and the flick, Adam. Thanks for keeping us in the loop.:beer:
 
In his seminar series, Dov Simens calls a $300K production budget a "$1M movie". Same basic idea. Actually what you've done in many ways is right out of his playbook. I'd say that speaks very well of your intuitions where all of this is concerned.

Like most of us here, I'm rooting for you big-time. Can't wait to read the script when you're ready to let us, and of course, see the film itself. That will be a really special moment, even just for those of us who've been living vicariously through your adventure.

This continues to be the most exciting thread on DVXUser.
 
Well, I'm glad you clarified. I was just trying to do some damage control :-) So many indie producers went to distributors and said, "we made the film for 1.2 mil", when they really made it for $600,000.

It's a mistake to do that and talk about it. Obviously.

But this is a very unusual situation. You had the certainty of getting your money back from day one. I've rarely -- in fact, I've never heard of such luck myself -- experienced anything like this before. I would've handled this production differently if I had a distribution offer in advance for a script that was highly commercial.

I think you did this movie as an experiment to see how the whole process works. You began with access to a lot of money, on account of your profession. This is a tremendous gift. You then proceeded to follow the wisdom of your own research. And now you're ready to cash in on it.

My only worry was that you shouldn't have told the distributors that your budget is twice of what it was; however, this is not the case -- as you've finally clarified it.

You didn't pay yourself anything as script writer, director, producer and editor. So, yeah, it's worth a lot more than the $300,000. So you're not trying to pull a fast on any distributor. See that's all I was worried about ... needlessly :-)

Sorry for the crossed signals.
 
Huh. I forgot editor. Thanks Filmman.

Price just went up!!!!

Seriously - I think you got it down pat, except for the experiment part. The word experiment presupposes the end result is unknown to the experimenter - when in my case, I knew the end result from the beginning.

Could I have sold the script? Sure. But then I would've been a writer, not a filmmaker.

I've already had everyone who has read the script for movie #2 tell me to sell it. Not a chance!
 
IMHO: The bottom line question for distributors is, will it make me money. This is straight forward business101. Perceived acquisition value equals perceived market value. Negative cost is a general rule of thumb for determining market value, but it's not always accurate. Look at films that were low negative cost productions (i.e., Napoleon Dynamite, Open Water, Blair Witch...) yet made a huge GBO killing.

IMO: The producer needs to be ready to sell this film with targeted demographic four quadrant analysis facts & data, posters, trailer, comparable genre films GBO, star power, and help distributors see where on the shelf at Blockbuster, Walmart and Target this film fits in next to other successful films. Once they see how to sell it, it will be much easier. Defining it for them is better than having them select where it should go. Of course, you'll pick a higher standing. As we all know this is usually what is done before obtaining financing because this info is needed to sell it to investors. Now it needs to be sold again. This should also help deliver participation on future projects because they'll see the film maker as a fellow business partner working with them to make good movies & money. Win-Win!
 
So far no one has mentioned theatrical except in the best cases of what my movie wold look like. No one has seen a single frame of footage either, but realistically, I don't foresee theatrical. Even though I'd love it, I'm not holding out for it.
 
taormina said:
Neal - exactly

Filmman - Thanks for your calculations, but if you read an earlier post, my people said the movie was worth $750K to them right out of the gate, and up to $2M if well executed.

They said this just based on the script and cast list, but needed to see some of the final movie to confirm this.

Disregard everything you've read about distribution when it applies to me. Or Corrado.

This film is an anomaly! Find me another movie made for what I made this movie for that has the same caliber of cast in it. Go ahead, name one. I actually can't think of any off the top of my head.
It's a mistake to bet against me. ( I know you aren't, filmman, and I'm not singling you out here at all. This is more of a general statement

Remember - most films in my budget range are crap. Not only are they crap, they never had a story that generated buzz like Corrado did - they never had name talent (or at best a quick appearance by a lesser Baldwin), they never had he mojo that Corrado has.

Corrado has generated a ton of publicity - from multiple articles, radio interviews, and CNN on set for four days.

I'm not claiming that it is all my doing, all I'm saying is that Corrado........doesn't fit your average distribution logic.

And where it concerns DVXUser....45,000+ views can't be wrong.
Click to expand...

What you just described above is what a lot of films actually do have, some relatively known actors, in a sellable genre. I don't really think of a film as an anomaly unless they break the mold... Does that make sense?
 
Agree Brandon - just that I think I have more recognized talent for the budget than most films in this price range.
 
OK Guys,

Here goes.

This is the unofficial, rough trailer complete with pirated song. It will only be up for a few days and then it comes down.

I'd love to get opinions, but remember!!!!!

- Foul language - don't watch if offended
- crappy you tube quality
- Not color corrected
- mucho tweaking left to do.

See the next page for the newest link!
PLEASE do not disseminate this link - just watch it and let me know.
 
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taormina said:
OK Guys,

Here goes.

This is the unofficial, rough trailer complete with pirated song. It will only be up for a few days and then it comes down.

I'd love to get opinions, but remember!!!!!

- Foul language - don't watch if offended
- crappy you tube quality
- Not color corrected
- mucho tweaking left to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1tmbaBzh40

PLEASE do not disseminate this link - just watch it and let me know.
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for sharing this for comments...

Just watched it over once... couple quick thoughts.

I think it can be tightened up a lot overall, specifically the test effects, they seem to lag...

I'm not a big fan of showing actors names on trailers, unless its academy award winners or something... I don't know, just me.
 
I love the trailer. It's extremely cool for those of us, who have been following the project, to see it coming to life like this. I wouldn't flash it around to much though, because I'm sure it doesn't do the final product justice by a long shot. Especially the audio is a problem.

By the way, regarding audio, are you happy with what you got? I'm editing a feature myself right now, and I'm hating myself for the way we've recorded the audio. It gives me a lot of trouble.
 
Hey GI - I know what you mean. Hence my hesitation on putting it on youtube which turns everything to ****. You should see it on my TV!!!!!!

I'm very happy with my audio actually, but I've heard a couple complaints that the audio in my trailer is not so hot - all I can say is that it isn't that way on my version. What specifically didn't you like????


Thanks for the feedback!
 
I fucckinng love the trailer. Maybe i'm blind by the following of this thread so closely. Out of curiosity, what sort of audio equipment did you use?
 
Thanks egyptian!

No Ideas on the audio gear. My sound man is an emmy winner / oscar nom - and has $100K worth of gear. The sound rocks on a dvd or my version!!!!
Freaking youtube!!!!!!
 
Dialogue levels are really low in the trailer.

I also think you should shorten it some.

Looks awesome though. I can't wait to see it.
 
Overall the trailer has my interest, I'd like to see the movie, I like the genre & the acting is already above what I usually see (relief!). I love the gun flashes, nice and over the top.

I agree on the audio, it needs some help. I listened through my good headphones beside speakers.

There are a few dull/muted sounding areas (the guitar/beating scene used in the beginning & end) needs better high end EQ clarity. Also the part with, "the safe house, the safe house", gun to his face.

A few clipped peaks when Sizemore makes his points :) needs Limiter/ attenuation. The distortion is too much.

And there are a few small "sss" (cop in blue shirt) issues that need de=essing.

When Sizemore is in the large pool room with everyone it's difficult to understand him (maybe you want it that way).

Can't wait to see the finished product.
 
I really thought that was a weak trailer.

It looked and sounded low budget. As a trailer I'd give it a fail... but having not seen the film and assuming this was just quickly cut together from raw footage I will withhold any judgement.

Also thought Sizemore, for as much as you hyped him up, was not good. He can yell.. that much is clear..
 
Thanks guys - appreciate it. The audio is raw....has not had any processing whatsoever.

I weighed the risks of showing you guys unfinished work vs. waiting. I'm happy overall.
 
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