DVXuser.com Feature movie??

pia12254 said:
I suppose I can throw in my quick opinion as well, eh? :)

When the idea was originally proposed I pictured it happening perhaps more like Mike (just above me) did. For example, if each location were only doing a 20-minute short film it would basically be like doing an extended DVXUser fest entry. People volunteer, get their crew and cast locally.

I mean, for our short we shot for two days (a Saturday and Sunday) and really shot a 10-minute film. I had to cut it down to 6-minutes to fit the time requirement but for all intents and purposes it was a 10-minute short.

So, if everyone collaborated in their specific locale to shoot for two weekends why could it not be done? I mean...look at what some of the DVXUser Timefest entries are accomplishing!!! Fat Monster and their work..."Aetas" being shot on the Red in beautiful locations...there are numerous examples of what could be accomplished if it is kept simple and people do it because they are passionate about filmmaking...not because this is their "project to end all projects".

I agree...if something can be arranged so participants see a profit great. Should there be good organization and planning? Absolutely! Does it need to have a good script before shooting? It better or no one will get on board. Should Producers/Directors/etc. be "screened" so that we attain a high level of quality...I think so.

But I think when this gets "too big for its britches" (as we say in Texas), that's when these types of projects don't get off the ground.

That's just my opinion anyway. :)
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I agree completely.
 
pia12254 said:
I think it depends on the crew...

Some of the films I have seen from past DVXUser fests (not most but some) have been comparable to or better than a LOT of indie films...even a fair amount of the ones that get "distribution"!
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Once again, I agree. I just watched two shorts on the movie network here that were abysmal.

I've seen much better work here on this board many times.
 
Michael Anthony Horrigan said:
Honestly, proof is in the pudding. Post some links of some previous work so we can see what you have accomplished.

Most of us here have entered a DVXuser Fest or two so our work is around.
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Fair enough. I don't actually have anything representative online, except for the music video. But I can get some stuff up on YouTube. Give me a couple of days.

Meanwhile, let's see the links for the work of others.

And just to be fair, the proof isn't always in the pudding. I've seen demo reels of work that people claimed was theirs, only to later find they had exaggerated the extent of their input on the film. (Once burned, twice shy.) But it's a start.
 
Listen, I'm not trying to dictate anything here. You folks are free to take this project in any direction you want. I'm just presenting options and suggestions. Take 'em or leave 'em.

Good luck!
 
After reading the any posts I've got some thoughts....

For this to work the story and production needs to be more simple. Otherwise you risk the whole thing falling apart because one group/city fails to follow through and deliver their part. Start as simple as possible and then graduate to a more complex and more expensive film the second time around. This "end of the world" and zombie ideas is too much work for an experiment like this to work the first time. It needs to have minimal special effects and be driven purely by the story and the acting. This also means that the cities that are used should have a good selection of actors to choose from, which also means they need to be areas of the world with a lot of production. Los Angeles and New York instantly come to mind. Sydney, Australia is another.

Each production team should have a producer and production manager. The producer and production manager from each city communicate with each other. Each director also needs to communicate with each other so the entire film still looks and feels like one large film, even though it's made up from separate stories. The same camera should be used for all parts.

Initially I liked the idea of profits going to charity, and I still do. I think it's great idea. However, like everyone else I need to make a living and can't really afford to devote so much time to a project that I won't reap any financial rewards from, especially when I now rely on production and post work for income. As much as I'd like to provide something to a charity, it's not in the cards for me at the present time. So if charity is the only way then I'll need to respectfully dismiss myself from the project. If this is going to be a commercial endeavor, then I'm in 100%.

I'm sure I have a lot of other thoughts about this project but it's really late right now and I need to get some sleep.
 
Lobbing in a few from the sidelines:

A big budget ain't gonna happen. The original idea about doing it as basically a bunch of top-quality DVX Fest entries could work. And ownership fights is what will kill this deal deader and faster than anything else. Except for flakes, people who say they're going to do it and then, for whatever reason, don't.

If I was gonna get involved with something like this, I'd probably want to see it handled like this: every team is an independent unit, and each produces their own segment out of their own pocket. If they finish, and their work is good, and they have all contracts and all releases and all rights to everything they produced, then the master producer buys the completed segment off of them, outright, for a small cash fee. The master producer then compiles the segments into a finished 90 minute film.

A structure like that could happen. The bigger ideas being tossed around, well, we've seen this before and it never gets off the ground. Maybe you guys could make it happen this time, but historically it never seems to work out. But if people want to do their segments "on spec" with the idea that they'd sell the finished mini-film to the master producer, that is a practical idea that would mean it'd probably actually get done.
 
I don't think giving any money made from this project to charity is a good idea. I, myself already give money to charity as it is and am in pre-production to make an awarness video for another charity out of my own good will, spare time and weekends. Those who wish to help out charities can do the same on their own accord without asking other people to follow suit. Investors do exactly that - invest. They want to see a profit, and any mention of charity could make em run a mile.
This project needs total commitment from the start by all who volunteer, and to keep that commitment from fading is to pay them....... whether from initial investments or by defferred payment. Even if their are no profits made, at least all crew would have made their own choice to take that chance. Whoever is spearheading this can set up a company name, which everyone who works on this has a share in. All props, costumes, etc etc can be held as stock under that name. If the company is sold, everyone gets a share of the money accordingly. All company descisions can be made on a chinese government style vote. If people put in their own money, their money no matter how small would be treated as an investment and will recoup their money plus a percentage of profits. The percentage would need to be worked out by someone more knowledged in this.

Love the idea of having one overall producer looking over the whole project, watching over four seprate crews. It is a good idea to treat the four cities as four individual shoots when it comes to crewing up. The only thing i would say to make it look like one whole film and not been shafted together with four different styles is to have the director and producer from each city travel to one destination and have a series of meetings (planned and constructive) in the space of a week to determine an overall style that each director must stay true to - autuers need not apply.


Anyway, just throwing some ideas out there. Hope some are useful.
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
Fair enough. I don't actually have anything representative online, except for the music video. But I can get some stuff up on YouTube. Give me a couple of days.

Meanwhile, let's see the links for the work of others.

And just to be fair, the proof isn't always in the pudding. I've seen demo reels of work that people claimed was theirs, only to later find they had exaggerated the extent of their input on the film. (Once burned, twice shy.) But it's a start.
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Mine are in my signature and on my website www.morecowbellpictures.com

All shot by a one man crew most of the time, myself. Started making movies about 2 or so years ago.

When you enter into public festivals as many of us have... it's a little hard to fake it.

I'll look at your work.

Mike
 
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Barry_Green said:
Lobbing in a few from the sidelines:

A big budget ain't gonna happen. The original idea about doing it as basically a bunch of top-quality DVX Fest entries could work. And ownership fights is what will kill this deal deader and faster than anything else. Except for flakes, people who say they're going to do it and then, for whatever reason, don't.

If I was gonna get involved with something like this, I'd probably want to see it handled like this: every team is an independent unit, and each produces their own segment out of their own pocket. If they finish, and their work is good, and they have all contracts and all releases and all rights to everything they produced, then the master producer buys the completed segment off of them, outright, for a small cash fee. The master producer then compiles the segments into a finished 90 minute film.

A structure like that could happen. The bigger ideas being tossed around, well, we've seen this before and it never gets off the ground. Maybe you guys could make it happen this time, but historically it never seems to work out. But if people want to do their segments "on spec" with the idea that they'd sell the finished mini-film to the master producer, that is a practical idea that would mean it'd probably actually get done.
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Great post, Barry. That's exactly how I picture this coming together.
:beer:
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
Listen, I'm not trying to dictate anything here. You folks are free to take this project in any direction you want. I'm just presenting options and suggestions. Take 'em or leave 'em.

Good luck!
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No problem. You just have to look at this from my point of view. This discussion started in the TimeFest forum. I pretty much know what most people here are capable of. Most of us have entered at least one DVXuser Fest.

I just wanted to see who I was talking to and what their abilities were, as you hinted at when someone mentioned that they were a student.

I'll take talent at any stage. IMHO
I've seen some really talented young people on this forum. I wouldn't think of discounting them based on that. I'll judge them on their level of work first.

Keep the comments coming though. I have no problem with them.

Mike
 
I will first start out by saying being new to this board and film production in general I probably have no business expressing myself and thoughly expect to be dismissed out of hand. But you know what I chose to come here and learn.

Do I expect this to get off the ground ... maybe. Will it be a monetary success, probably not, so if you are looking to make money off this production, time to take your leave. Can it be a lot of fun and a great learning experience, absolutely.

So enough talk. A few ground rules. Everyone involved will be on deferred payment. If you are not willing to take a risk then don't expect reward.

Penguin is heading up the writing team. Pull your group together and get started. Everyone else leave them alone to get their job done. A treatment in three weeks seems about right.

Once they are finished the script is up for bids. Winning bid will be the Executive Producer. It is your job to distribute your phantom shares as you see fit. Hire your director, editor, marketing guy, whatever you need to get your job done.

Barrys point on Unit Producers/Directors is really workable. We will go with that.

Now everybody is at risk and has a stake in the making of a DVX movie. There is going to be monies spent at every level be prepared to spend it or raise it if you want to be involved. A committment to time, if you don't have it don't volunteer.

And last but not least, and this will really ruffle some feathers, if you will not invest your time and your money in this project shut up and let the rest of us get on with the business at hand.
 
Jim Montgomery said:
I will first start out by saying being new to this board and film production in general I probably have no business expressing myself and thoughly expect to be dismissed out of hand. But you know what I chose to come here and learn.

Do I expect this to get off the ground ... maybe. Will it be a monetary success, probably not, so if you are looking to make money off this production, time to take your leave. Can it be a lot of fun and a great learning experience, absolutely.

So enough talk. A few ground rules. Everyone involved will be on deferred payment. If you are not willing to take a risk then don't expect reward.

Penguin is heading up the writing team. Pull your group together and get started. Everyone else leave them alone to get their job done. A treatment in three weeks seems about right.

Once they are finished the script is up for bids. Winning bid will be the Executive Producer. It is your job to distribute your phantom shares as you see fit. Hire your director, editor, marketing guy, whatever you need to get your job done.

Barrys point on Unit Producers/Directors is really workable. We will go with that.

Now everybody is at risk and has a stake in the making of a DVX movie. There is going to be monies spent at every level be prepared to spend it or raise it if you want to be involved. A committment to time, if you don't have it don't volunteer.

And last but not least, and this will really ruffle some feathers, if you will not invest your time and your money in this project shut up and let the rest of us get on with the business at hand.
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I agree with this. The only thing I think we should decide on first is an outline for the movie. Why not have everyone PM the writers involved with a synopsis for any story ideas that they have. The writers can then discuss what is feasible.

When that is done maybe run a quick poll on the top 3 ideas chosen by the writing team. Once we get that settled the writers can run with it.

How does that sound?

Mike
 
Accomplishing anything by committee never works. Penquin has a lot of input as it is, if he wants more he will ask. It is now up to them to produce a viable, sellable script. Let them do their job.

Its all about responsibility and having the authority to execute his responsibilities. If you make it a project by committe then the authority lies with the committee and not with the person that needs have it to get his responsibilities completed.

Penguin has accepted the responsibility of the script, and I commend him for that, give him the authority to make it happen. He's a smart guy if he needs help he will ask. It is our job as a community to provide him with whatever he needs to get the job done.

Penguin and all the other soon to be players, as a side note, hope you got broad shoulders cause a lot can fall on them.
 
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Jim Montgomery said:
Accomplishing anything by committee never works. Penquin has a lot of input as it is, if he wants more he will ask. It is now up to them to produce a viable, sellable script. Let them do their job.
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I think when you have this many people involved you want to make sure that they will be at the very least... interested in the premise before going ahead with writing a Feature. No small task.

Otherwise it will never leave the paper that it was written on and we'll be wasting their time.
Like it or not this is a group effort.

Just my 2 cents.

Mike
 
Barry has good points. In my case, I will always take a paid gig over a volunteer "sweat-equity, meal, copy and credits provided" one. This is my own reason for dropping out of no less than two fests.

The fests have no backend potential for the filmmakers - at least not in the DVXUser non-exclusive distribution model. That might be fine for a student or someone who draws from a trust-fund. A weekend of free work - certainly. Setting up and producing a four to five unit feature through all phases (at least through principal in each market) is another game that few here are ready to tackle. Not for free.

I would offer that Barry's concept of a Twilight Zone model would be better for this group with its limited money. In a TW model, you would have something much more akin to the festivals, but there would be a more cohesive narrative bond between each featurette.

What really needs to happen is a hybridization of the ScriptFest and short Fest campaigns.

  • Launch the next ScriptFest with more narrative parameters. Effectively, we would be writing for a feature, but in ten to twenty page increments from disparate users. Each story is close-ended, but does tie through a central element or device to the next.
  • Users vote for scripts to be included in the feature film. Five or six twelve to fifteen minute segments net you one nineteen minute feature.
  • Pre-vis and breakdowns is accomplished through one (or based on the number of featurettes) central thread to allow a more cohesive visual continuity.
  • An VFX group forms to manage all required shots - though each market's production unit is responsible for bringing the necessary elements to the VFX group.
  • Nominated Unit Producers / UPMs work with a (virtual?) central EP / Producer through DVXUser threads. Each producer is responsible for coordinating assets, scheduling and so on in their market - just like a six-minute fest entry.
  • Casting, crewing, principal photography and edit is accomplished by each individual group to an aesthetic standard set forth by the group.
  • Composition and score could be managed by another unit like the VFX unit.
  • Each unit shares in financing their segment. Each unit is effectively a partnership that shares in expenses and revenues. Each unit shares in an equal first-recoupment agreement. Disbursements go equally to each unit for hard costs - likely upon distribution.
  • How do you handle a completion bond / guaranty? If this is a community effort, there needs to be some assurance that no one individual unit will wreak havoc on the larger collective project. Again, think Twilight Zone.
  • Who decides the distribution method(s) or models? This is a nuanced and complicated process that usually falls on a marketing and publicity chief - someone at the VP level that can really shop the product properly.
Just a few thoughts on this. A big nut to crack.

e
 
Well, then consider myself out from the producer end. Yes, I am a film student. But I've worked in Independent Film since 2005. I've worked for A&E as well as the CW. I just thought I'd toss my name in there.

I'll help in anything else really as long as I am available (and as long as film students can help).
 
I have been staying out of this so far because I thought it would be pretty much impossible to pull off.

but I think Barry and Erik are on to something.

I saw a guy's film a while back called "Robot Stories" which were a few shorts put together and tied only by theme. I think something like that would be necessary here, like they are saying.

OR, you know JJ Abrams said if they made another cloverfield, he would want to do the same event with another group of people. Maybe someone has tossed that out there.

but to a degree, I think it's necessary to put this togethet in the editing room. Meaning, you get all of these teams working, say Zombies take over the Earth. We have the NYC crew doing NYC, we have NC doing there, etc. Different characters in the same overall situation.

But not really put together the film until we see how many we have at the end.

So in this case, the "Script" would be more like a Bible for the film, detailing the common things about the "world." And no matter what the theme, all of the individual scripts would have to live in that world and pull certain details from it, like what year it is, who the president is, that kind of stuff.

But honestly I don't see this getting anywhere near off the ground otherwise.

In short, I agree with Barry and Erik's approach. :)
 
Mark Harris said:
I have been staying out of this so far because I thought it would be pretty much impossible to pull off.

but I think Barry and Erik are on to something.

I saw a guy's film a while back called "Robot Stories" which were a few shorts put together and tied only by theme. I think something like that would be necessary here, like they are saying.

OR, you know JJ Abrams said if they made another cloverfield, he would want to do the same event with another group of people. Maybe someone has tossed that out there.

but to a degree, I think it's necessary to put this togethet in the editing room. Meaning, you get all of these teams working, say Zombies take over the Earth. We have the NYC crew doing NYC, we have NC doing there, etc. Different characters in the same overall situation.

But not really put together the film until we see how many we have at the end.

So in this case, the "Script" would be more like a Bible for the film, detailing the common things about the "world." And no matter what the theme, all of the individual scripts would have to live in that world and pull certain details from it, like what year it is, who the president is, that kind of stuff.

But honestly I don't see this getting anywhere near off the ground otherwise.

In short, I agree with Barry and Erik's approach. :)
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Once again, I agree.

Except I do think this is doable. :D
 
Mattykins said:
Well, then consider myself out from the producer end. Yes, I am a film student. But I've worked in Independent Film since 2005. I've worked for A&E as well as the CW. I just thought I'd toss my name in there.

I'll help in anything else really as long as I am available (and as long as film students can help).
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Like I said earlier, I base things more on talent. :thumbup:

Students are very welcome as far as I'm concerned.
 
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