OTHER: Drawing With Chalk Feature Film Trailer
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Super....
Super....
I would surely buy a ticket for this.I am struggling to make a movie before 40 and thats what I tell to myself everyday.I am in the process of reserach to buy equipment and probably one day I will post mine here
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Congrats.....its not too long you get to where you want to be...I am sure about this ...
Super....
I would surely buy a ticket for this.I am struggling to make a movie before 40 and thats what I tell to myself everyday.I am in the process of reserach to buy equipment and probably one day I will post mine here
.Congrats.....its not too long you get to where you want to be...I am sure about this ...
I said the same thing myself. My friend (and film partner) were both on the brink of 40 and had gone through the regular struggles in NYC as actors (I then became a musician; same struggle) and said that this couldn't be it. Granted, we were happy as family men but thought we both had more to give and we weren't ready to surrender. So.... we set a goal and we achieved it. We never made a movie before (yes I screwed around with video cameras but never really did anything; no crew, no lights, just me) and we knew that we had a lot ahead of us. Plus we were set on doing a feature. I had several short films I wanted to do a year earlier but never got around to it.
To make it more difficult, we were both SAG so we had to make it union (not that I really cared because it wasn't like anyone was beating down my door to have me in their union films). We ended up hiring more people than we originally thought (more money) and said "Hell with it. If we're going to do this, we're GOING TO DO THIS." Borrowed money (mostly off CC's), had some family/friends investments and told everyone we'll do the absolutely best we can.
Long story short, we did it. That was the easy part. Now trying to get into festivals is becoming more difficult. But we keep at it. Would I do it again? Hopefully (but not with my own money, that's for sure). I have to say this process has been extremely pleasing (minus the rejections). Whatever happens with the film I know that my children will look upon it someday and can say their father was more than just a waiter.
Good luck and stick with your objectives. As hard it seems (and as impossible as it seems) it is well worth the effort.
Todd
filmman
Veteran
Email me if you need representation at the upcoming AFM this year. The deadline is in a week ... vic@releasing.net
jls4
Veteran
I would surely buy a ticket for this.I am struggling to make a movie before 40 and thats what I tell to myself everyday.I am in the process of reserach to buy equipment and probably one day I will post mine here
Are these always the stories. Funny my DP and Editor is 28 and I envy the few years he has on me. Right now I'm pushing him to help me achive this before 35! But he'll get it before 30! But no matter what don't give up. I actually read a book - can't remember which one it was - but it talked about most men have some of their best achivements between 50 and 60 - so don't give up!
Just got a letter that DWC won an 'Indie' Award of Merit at The Indie Fest. Not sure how important that is, but at least someone acknowledged it.
Anybody here ever hear of The Indie Fest? They offered services for distribution but I'm taking that with a grain of salt...
Todd
Anybody here ever hear of The Indie Fest? They offered services for distribution but I'm taking that with a grain of salt...
Todd
filmman
Veteran
I've been making movies for 40 years and it's always like I'm making my first movie every time I begin a new one. I congratulate you and wish you the best of luck. Even if you don't wish to sell your movie, there is a lot of satisfaction in being invited to a festival and watching people appreciate your work.
Filmman,
Trust me, I want to sell this movie. I just believe the film needs more 'power' in order to secure a deal. Yes, I believe it is a very good movie and most people who see it believe the same thing. However, getting someone into a seat with a little more than 'it's a real good movie' is a bit more difficult. Perhaps with a few festival wins, maybe some real press, maybe one of the actors in the film 'hits it big'... then I think it may attract the buying audience. The simple fact that this is a down to earth drama with no names gives me more of a struggle in getting distribution. Fortunately other low budget dramas (No Greater Love) have secured distribution so not all hope is lost yet and at least there is an audience for this type of film.
AFM sounds great, but right now without 'power' I feel the film will not attract a distributor or a decent deal. Worse case, I try to obtain those elements to raise the bar and I hit AFM next year...
Again, I'm glad that I've had some time for the film to prove itself. The process has really helped to make this film tight and more powerful.
Todd
Well, filming is done so putting a 'name' in the film isn't going to happen. We do have someone who is well known (just not here in the US yet; she's known in India) and we have another actor is up and coming so what I was stating was that perhaps these actors will become 'names'.
Our actual budget (though seems high for a low budget film) included every piece of equipment I bought for the film (which I have since sold). Our budget was a lot less than $100,000 (my equipment costs were over $60,000 which included new computers, cameras, dolly's, cranes, HD monitor, etc.)
jls4
Veteran
I kind of agree with Filmman, maybe you should rent an HVX borrow a few lights and reshoot a few scenes. Iit might be a good idea to replace one of the characters maybe the friends or the dad with a known actor. It'd might make it easier.
That's what I did. We had a full feature, then I said heck I'm in editing h#ll and I have a little extra money, why not add some new scenes with some named actors. So I did. They aren't big names, but hopefully big enough to get me a little more attention. Might be worth a shot.
When we had our test screening, everyone in the room who wasn't affiliated with the movie shouted at the screen when they saw the actors they had seen before. It gave the movie a huge boost.
I definitely see the advantage with having a name in the film (from a selling point). However I really wouldn't want an audience sitting around waiting for that name to appear on screen and then shout and cheer when he does. To me that would remove them from the story, and perhaps by not having any recognizable faces the audience can relate and accept these people they are watching are real. If Bill Pullman (who grew up in my hometown) appeared on camera everyone would know it's Bill Pullman, and they would be watching Bill Pullman, not Russ the factory guy. Unless I had cast a name for a lead (and I sure didn't have the money for that) then the 'gimmick' for me doesn't work.
I know, I mention how hard it is to sell the film and the advice is solid. For me (right or wrong) I'm sticking with what I've got. If I sell 1000 copies, so be it. Perhaps my next film will be different and a name may be suitable.
Thanks again everyone for your comments. It's a learning process and I'm always looking to learn.
Todd
Here's something else:
When we had written the script and decided to go SAG, we had thoughts of trying to contact Steve Buscemi for one of the roles (it was a very good role that he would have been great in; though the actor we eventually cast for the role was fantastic as well). I even went so far as to get his agent's contact info and was ready to send a script. Something held me back... this was our first film (writing, directing, acting, producing) and to be honest I didn't know at the time that I could deliver (I had hopes, but I was green as a filmmaker and I'm pretty sure someone like Steve Buscemi would have certain expectations that I didn't know I could give).
That being said, the part was funny, well written, perfect for Steve Buscemi, could give name power to the film and a good distraction from the main story. However, it was a distraction, and nearly 85% of his scenes were cut. Now if I was fortunate to have secured Steve Buscemi, could I still have made the necessary cuts that the film deserved? How would my investors (even though they were family) feel? How would a potential distributor feel? Obviously, I couldn't put the scenes that Steve Buscemi were in on the cutting room floor. In a case like this, the overall film would have to be compromised to keep those scenes intact. And believe me, as good as those scenes were, the story is better without them.
As I've said, and don't get me wrong, this film will have to stand on its own. I also didn't mean that having a name is just a gimmick, so I apologize to anyone who might have been insulted and has been lucky enough to secure such talent and lift their film to a new level. I just think for this film it would have been a gimmick (the actors we cast were pretty solid and I couldn't have been happier with the performances).
Todd
When we had written the script and decided to go SAG, we had thoughts of trying to contact Steve Buscemi for one of the roles (it was a very good role that he would have been great in; though the actor we eventually cast for the role was fantastic as well). I even went so far as to get his agent's contact info and was ready to send a script. Something held me back... this was our first film (writing, directing, acting, producing) and to be honest I didn't know at the time that I could deliver (I had hopes, but I was green as a filmmaker and I'm pretty sure someone like Steve Buscemi would have certain expectations that I didn't know I could give).
That being said, the part was funny, well written, perfect for Steve Buscemi, could give name power to the film and a good distraction from the main story. However, it was a distraction, and nearly 85% of his scenes were cut. Now if I was fortunate to have secured Steve Buscemi, could I still have made the necessary cuts that the film deserved? How would my investors (even though they were family) feel? How would a potential distributor feel? Obviously, I couldn't put the scenes that Steve Buscemi were in on the cutting room floor. In a case like this, the overall film would have to be compromised to keep those scenes intact. And believe me, as good as those scenes were, the story is better without them.
As I've said, and don't get me wrong, this film will have to stand on its own. I also didn't mean that having a name is just a gimmick, so I apologize to anyone who might have been insulted and has been lucky enough to secure such talent and lift their film to a new level. I just think for this film it would have been a gimmick (the actors we cast were pretty solid and I couldn't have been happier with the performances).
Todd
jls4
Veteran
I'm far from insulted, in fact I give you praise for sticking to your guns. Ultimately you have to do what you feel is best. Personally though, I don't think names pull people out of the story, they just give people another reason to watch. When I said people "cheered" I meant more that the people who saw the movie first knew me and recognized the person and were surprised that we pulled that person for an indie film. The average person would react differenly because they wouldn't know me.
Problem with filmmaking is that it's complex.
As a producer - you should care almost 75% about selling the film.
As a director - you should care almost 75% about the integrity of the piece
As a writer - you want to tell the best story no holds barred
As an actor - you want to give justice to the character that you are playing
It's hard to balance all of that. A lot of my movie hit the cutting room floor because I was concerned about selling, a lot stayed in because I wanted to preserve the story. But in the end, my investors always won out. That's a personal choice. I feel like if I can get myself where I want to go, I can always revisit an idea in 20 years and remake the movie, but if I don't secure myself financially then this may be the last movie.
But I applaud you for sticking to your guns and whenever you get your cover art, etc ready and you're going mass market I'll buy the first copy via paypal! Bit I wanted it signed "To jls4 my biggest fan!" LOL
Problem with filmmaking is that it's complex.
As a producer - you should care almost 75% about selling the film.
As a director - you should care almost 75% about the integrity of the piece
As a writer - you want to tell the best story no holds barred
As an actor - you want to give justice to the character that you are playing
It's hard to balance all of that. A lot of my movie hit the cutting room floor because I was concerned about selling, a lot stayed in because I wanted to preserve the story. But in the end, my investors always won out. That's a personal choice. I feel like if I can get myself where I want to go, I can always revisit an idea in 20 years and remake the movie, but if I don't secure myself financially then this may be the last movie.
But I applaud you for sticking to your guns and whenever you get your cover art, etc ready and you're going mass market I'll buy the first copy via paypal! Bit I wanted it signed "To jls4 my biggest fan!" LOL
jls4
Veteran
Hey jls4,
What did you think of the film (if you've watched it yet), and be honest. We only benefit from honesty (and I've always got my wife to pat me on the back anyway
Todd
Don't worry the review is coming to you right now. It's 4 pages long and I'm PM'ing it to you. If you want to post it publicly then that's on you, and I thank you for the opportunity. Overall, I'll tell everyone on this board that Drawing With Chalk is a great example of DVXuser ingenuity. I'm proud of Todd and his Team, they did a great job!
BTW - hope it's the type of review you'd like to have and if you want to discuss some of what I was saying (if I was confusing) I can give you a ring, or we can just PM-it-out.
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Don't worry the review is coming to you right now. It's 4 pages long and I'm PM'ing it to you. If you want to post it publicly then that's on you, and I thank you for the opportunity. Overall, I'll tell everyone on this board that Drawing With Chalk is a great example of DVXuser ingenuity. I'm proud of Todd and his Team, they did a great job!
BTW - hope it's the type of review you'd like to have and if you want to discuss some of what I was saying (if I was confusing) I can give you a ring, or we can just PM-it-out.
jls4,
Thanks again for the detailed review! I won't post it just because of the few spoilers that are in it, but I will say it had both praise and constructive criticism that is greatly appreciated. I will take a hard look at what you said and see if there is anything I can do. I may have another editor (I edited it myself and I may be too close to it) look at it.
Todd
Well, as I type, DWC is playing in England at the Heart of England International Film Festival... yet I sit here at the computer still doing work on the film (no, I'm not in England). Sucks I couldn't go to the festival (money's tight), but my brother in law went on my behalf (he was our executive producer) and he's seems to be having a pretty good time.
Also just found out we are now nominated for Best in Festival (all films were eligible and now it's a short list of 6 films; we were already nominated for Best American Feature). Guess I'll find out later today if we won anything.
Well, looks like my latest render is finished... back to the computer.
Also just found out we are now nominated for Best in Festival (all films were eligible and now it's a short list of 6 films; we were already nominated for Best American Feature). Guess I'll find out later today if we won anything.
Well, looks like my latest render is finished... back to the computer.
UPDATE:
The Heart of England Int. FIlm Festival was a complete waste of time. They never turned the lights off, the sound was terrible, people were walking around and talking (guess I should have expected that since the screening ended up being in a 'bar theater'. Worst, was there was no respect for the filmmakers. Even the woman who was running the event was walking around and talking. Then she asked our Executive Producer (Brother-In-Law) if they could just cut the credits out. If I was there, I would have stopped the screening.
I hate to go on a rant, and I'm guilty for not sticking to my guns (we had a feeling this festival was not worth going to). Oh well... I will definitely be more diligent in any festivals we submit to. I am not that desperate.
Todd
The Heart of England Int. FIlm Festival was a complete waste of time. They never turned the lights off, the sound was terrible, people were walking around and talking (guess I should have expected that since the screening ended up being in a 'bar theater'. Worst, was there was no respect for the filmmakers. Even the woman who was running the event was walking around and talking. Then she asked our Executive Producer (Brother-In-Law) if they could just cut the credits out. If I was there, I would have stopped the screening.
I hate to go on a rant, and I'm guilty for not sticking to my guns (we had a feeling this festival was not worth going to). Oh well... I will definitely be more diligent in any festivals we submit to. I am not that desperate.
Todd