Need Ideas/advise for my Doc, Terry? Kai?

F

Fred_Plowman

Well-known member
As some here know I am making a Storm chasing documentary. Terry and Kai had showed some interest in working on this with me. As I plan this though many questions come as I develop the overall business plan.
I have a name,
I have a loose script in my mind; Partialy on paper.
Im coming along with the webpage, logos and material.

I make 50k a year and Im always broke. This is my major source of frustration. No offense meant to those of you making less. Just drawing a picture of my situation. Ill continue.

Ok so I realize I need alot of help from alot of people to make this right. Im aiming at a frontline or PBS type quality. I am studying different film festivals to make this happen.

I have some ideas about how to gain capital and equipment which will work hand in hand with the marketing of the documentary.

1. I use SONY Vegas for editing. I wonder if I produced a letter asking for help by providing software needed IE updated 5.0 VEGAS. Sony has never had anyone use VEGAS for a documentary. Ok so if I have a website, And I have proper marketing and business plan in place.

2. I would Like a nice new laptop. Sony and Fujitsu make some nice ones that i like.. Why wouldnt I go and ask for help by providing one of those?? Showing a Sony Logo of course in the documentary.

3. Gatorade, XM weather satellite, Tmobile, various other software programs, ie, street atlas gps, Zaxwerx 3 d modeling, etc, A big home run would be a nice Dodge Durango  SUV with a Hemi.

I can also have contributors pay to chase with me . In their own car. Have them donate 5k to the project. I will drive my vehicle and they can fit 3 or 4 in their rental car etc.. and follow.. Ill take them to the edge and back ;)heheheh

I bought this book "30$ film school" and this is how the author does his projects by asking for donations around every turn.

So which takes me to the question If im begging, borrowing and stealing to put out a documentary then what kind a business model would be best?? Do I submit my website as a .ORG????

I am discovering also that I need to release it a few years out to do a good job. thinking maybe 2007? This gives me the opportunity to market build anticipation through marketing, postcards in the field friends family, website with Trailer.. etc... Is this way of funding a pipe dream or is Michael Dean "30$ film school" off track??? thanks for any help in advance.. Fred
 
Re: Need Ideas/advise for my Doc, Terry? Kai?

Hey Fred,

I just noticed your post. There is a lot in there to digest. In many ways, I can definitely relate to your plight... spending lots of money on "capital", etc.

I'm sure there are others who have more experince and better advice to offer on fundraising and sponsorship.

However, the idea about taking some contributors "to the edge and back" may leave you defending lawsuits. That would definitely strain your budget.

Regardless, I'm interested in working with you and I already scored some good behind-the-scenes video taken two weeks ago in the weather center of our local CBS affiliate during a severe storm outbreak which can be donated to the project. And I have several contacts who are TV meteorologists, radio personalities, storm chasers, storm survivors, etc.

Here's another item to add to your list of storm-chasing must-haves...

http://www.dive-equinox.com/storm_chaser.shtml
 
Re: Need Ideas/advise for my Doc, Terry? Kai?

That looks nice will have to add that to my list.
I understand and appreciate your idea about lawsuits.. I thought about that awhile... i think there would certainly be a hold harmless release involved. Im sure thats what these folks who run tours in those Econoline commercial vans are doing.
I look forward to working with you Terry.. Stay in touch.. Hopefully your schedule will open up here in a few months and we can put our heads together for planning script etc...  ;)
 
Re: Need Ideas/advise for my Doc, Terry? Kai?

Hi Fred -
Here's some input from a novice filmmaker (doc, 3 years). I'm in your same position, i.e., have a hot film that needs production funding for the feature length version. I spent 5 months and my own $3,000 to do a 22 min.short. It's a very tight and very high quality edit. It's out to the major cable channels now, and there's a good chance for feature funding.

My point is that if you do your own thing and hope to sell it, your best bet is to do a short (just 3 to 10 min. will do) that's high quality, and sell your film project based on that.

As a side note, I've won numerous film fstival awards internationally (best film, audience favorite, best diretcor, screenwriter, etc.), but that doesn't bring in the bucks and epecially that doesn't mean I'm any good.

The money's where it's at. My humble experience is that major brands aren't interested in low budget docs. Hell, they could care less about billion dollar studio films.

Sorry to be a downer, my friend, but there ARE ways to get your film out there!
 
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