FEATURE: Magic - A Matt Sconce Film

I just heard feedback from someone who read my script "Magic". Their words were: "This is the best movie of all time."

I was quite flattered! :thumbsup:This is going to be amazing! Now time for sleep...
 
Wow! In the last two hours I have had two people call me in tears after they read the MAGIC script. One of them told me it was the most powerful thing I have ever written or would ever write! I will be on a train to LA this week or early next week to screen test the girl who may be Rachel Ward in MAGIC. Needless to say I am super stoked.:beer:
 
Hey Matt,

I think it's good you're getting feedback on your script. Definitely hope you have some people reading it that have some material produced that you like and or someone that has something vested in your success.

If there's one thing I've come to learn and accept is that lots of people write a script, even if one or two people get the credit for it.

It took me two years to write Superseeds. That includes about five or six very different drafts of the same plot

One character went from being a love interest to thr leads sister.

And, at one point ther was a talking dog...

Good luck nailing the script. Practice is great, a half decent script is no budget gold.

By the way, seems that Stricken is quiet now. For me, personally, it'd be cool to read your distribution ups and downs. What execs who pay money for products have said or suggested. That's what these production threads are all about.
 
Hey guys, thanks for stopping by! I have the script out to a ton of people I respect and are invested in my future. There have been great ideas and feedback that made the script much better. I have posted recently on Stricken's thread, but a lot of what is going on is waiting. I will stop by and give an update though on some recent developments.

Magic is definitely my favorite thing I have ever written. I am so glad people are loving it, because I LOVED writing it. I am excited to see what happens as we move forward.
 
Matt, you'll find that waiting is what you WILL be doing most in this industry. I will totally agree with what Kholi said as well, don't just give the script to your buddies and have them say it's amazing, give it to people who will be HONEST and tell you what doesn't work. Because every script goes through many re-writes.
 
Brandon Rice said:
Matt, you'll find that waiting is what you WILL be doing most in this industry. I will totally agree with what Kholi said as well, don't just give the script to your buddies and have them say it's amazing, give it to people who will be HONEST and tell you what doesn't work. Because every script goes through many re-writes.
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I also agree with Kholi. The script is in the hands of industry professionals not just "buddies". We move very fast compared to other film companies but we do not sacrifice quality. Waiting is always part of the process but if you surround yourself with doers, the waiting becomes less, which is what we are doing on our next projects.

Just some example of the people who are reading Magic. Multimillionaire executive producers, studio execs, festival owners, actors, fellow industry scriptwriters, people involved in some films I respect that are doing well.

I am now in the process of scheduling the trip to LA to do a screen-test of the little girl in Magic, working with someone involved heavily in the show Criminal Minds.
 
Good Stuff Matt. Sounds like an epic script. Can't wait to hear more. Good luck on casting.
 
So Matt Gary and I read through the script a couple of days ago and I have to say this is one of the best ideas and scripts i have seen in a long time. Great job matt, this is going to be so much fun to film... :) I can't wait... Now all we need is some money and for me not to work all the time. One day. :)
 
Added material:

Troy Ruff said:
...Now all we need is some money and for... (us) not to work (in our present day jobs) all the time. One day. :)
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We are working toward that goal. Three things that will help in those goals:

1) THE PARK - Script/Screenplay done... Winner of 'Excellence in Comedy' at AOF.

2) MAGIC - Script done! ---Oh my Gosh... What a great script!

3) SPINRIG - New Patent Pending invention for carrying the camera.

:thumbsup: Be encouraged! Whoooooo hoooooooo! See ya tonight for the trailer footage shoot.
 
Tim Kay said:
...Can't wait to see what Pops is going to pull from the lab for Mr. Wayne this time.
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I just finished a new steadycam lightweight version of the Hypercam the 'HYPERLITECAM' last night. It will fly lightweight rigs (GH13, etc.,) and was made to shoot through forest floor foliage without getting hung up on branches etc. This is different from the large version used for RED one applications. We will be shooting footage with it this evening for some secret feature trailer shots we were contracted to shoot. I will be running through a giant Sequoia grove with a GH13 mounted Hyperlitecam chasing an actor for the shots. :grin:

Also, for MAGIC we will need to build a large, stable, horizontally rotating set ala Inception for some very key scenes. :smile:
 
What's the point of making it 3D, Matt? Will it help you tell the story better, or is it just a gimmick you feel you want to tap into?

To date I haven't seen a film in 3D that was better because of the 3D.. in fact, I enjoyed the 2D version of Avatar much better than the 3D version.
 
Snazzy Flapper said:
What's the point of making it 3D, Matt? Will it help you tell the story better, or is it just a gimmick you feel you want to tap into?

To date I haven't seen a film in 3D that was better because of the 3D.. in fact, I enjoyed the 2D version of Avatar much better than the 3D version.
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For international distribution 3D is the ticket right now. For instance, in China the number of foreign 2D movies that are allowed into the country is capped at 20/year. There are absolutely no limitations on 3D films there, and in fact, the Chinese are building most of their new theaters to show in 3D. That is a 1.5 Billion person market! We attended an international 3D forum at the American International Film Festival where the CEO of KernerFX, Eric Edmeades was one of the speakers. He runs the Kerner Group that in turn runs a part of Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) company now called KernerFX.

Eric and others made a huge and compelling case for shooting everything in 3D. It may cost only around 30% more to shoot, and then run post with 3D, but you can always still sell in 2D. Having a feature in 3D will make it much easier to distribute theatrically as an Indie film maker in this troubled time. An Indie film shot in 3D can have greater access to funding than a 2D film. There are even Chinese companies who are seeking good scripts that will also work well in China who will fund your 3D Indie film if they see it will do well in China and make them a profit.

Right now in America, if you are a low budget Indie company, and don't have the $$ to pay for a big name, you may have a wonderful film with a great story, tremendous acting, and great direction, but the bean counters at the distribution companies will be scared to invest in you for distribution. With Blockbuster going chapter 11, and your only option now Netflix, VOD's, and independent video outlet stores, there is little way you can recoup your production costs with no big name in your 2D movie.

3D sets you apart and opens some doors to we little guys that are closed now and even tightly shut in some cases.

As a Producer, my job is to minimize production costs and maximize profitability. 3D gives us these options, while still allowing 2D production.

Our Aftershock production team will be attending a meeting this weekend put on by KernerFX where the ILM guys, KernerFX, Pixar/Disney and other big wigs in 3D will be training us in the ways of maximizing the creativity of film making within this new technology. We are very excited and proud to have been invited to this private get together by Eric Edmeades of KernerFX himself. We'll let you know what we learn.

In summary, shoot a 3D movie... You also have a 2D movie that has more money making potential and greater possibilities for international sales and American market theatrical distribution.

We are not completely sure we will shoot MAGIC in 3D but as of now, we are strongly leaning that direction. MAGIC has moments and action that will be amazing in 3D, fitting well into this genre.

I hope that helps you know more about 3D, and answers your question fully.

:thumbsup: Gary
 
Well, its exactly the action sequences that 3D destroys. Action displayed at 24 frames a second is bad enough, but throw 3D into the mix and its even worse. Personally, the only parts in Avatar that worked and made 3D look nice were the slow scenes. The opening scene coming out of hybernation was awesome and worked because of the lack of fast motion. The battle scenes play better in 2D.

I see your point about having both a 2D and 3D movie at the end of the process, but the added cost in Production and Post has to come out of somewhere, causing both deliverables to suffer because of it.

You mention China, but what about all of the other foreign distribution markets?
 
I think the reasons that Gary outlined were pretty justifiable for their purpose. As people who are actively producing material--not just talking about it--it makes sense that they want to figure out a great business solution to continuing the process.

3D is a big word right now.
 
Why are you trying to slam me for asking a serious question? Who says I'm "just talking about it" compared to anyone else? You have no clue what I'm doing.

I think in a lot of cases 3D is more hype than reality, actually. I agree the reasons for shooting 3D are justifiable if all, or a significant amount of the foreign markets you're after can deal with it. If not, its an added expense that you better make sure is justified with whatever release you plan on achieving. Be honest. MOST indie features aren't going to get a wide theatrical release, right? It doesn't happen very often. I know locally NONE of the theaters that are indie friendly are 3D, or even digital for that matter.

And I haven't read of any experiences from a small indie trying to launch their own limited theatrical release in 3D. Its done all the time with 2D.
 
Snazzy Flapper said:
Why are you trying to slam me for asking a serious question? Who says I'm "just talking about it" compared to anyone else? You have no clue what I'm doing.
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I didn't quote you, actually. But, I am now. Also didn't say anything about you.

TOok that personal really fast.
 
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