Opportunity Knocks... looking for an experienced screenwriter to take a chance...

Tommy K

Tommy K

Well-known member
Seeking a talented writer to help me bring a true story to life through a great script. You will not have to create a story. The story is already there. I currently have an outline, and you would help me with the stories structure, pacing and flow. My business partner and I are in the process of assembling a gifted team that will be part of what we think (and told by a couple of notable film industry executives) could be a successful and major "to screen" release movie. To be totally up front, this is a nothing ventured nothing gained proposition at this point in time, until financing is secured. Anyone that comes on board with us will have an opportunity to make something great happen, and will share in the rewards.

We have already done some due diligence and had a focus group of people with ages from 16 years to 55 years old listen to our idea. It was pretty unanimous that we have something entertaining and special on our hands.

We are currently talking with a potential finance partners and a cross promotion specialist. The movie will have a great music soundtrack that is an integral part of the story, and will feature some music from legendary Rock performers from that particular era. Everything is very preliminary at this point... It is our intention to have a great script and a Sizzle Reel in place for our pitches to potential financial partners.

We are very serious and want you to know this and be the same...

Sound intriguing? Contact me and I'll give you some more details that I can't provide here.
 
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Translated?

Seeking a talented (FREE) writer to help me bring a true story to life through a great script (by some dude on a message board forum). You will not have to create a story. The story is already there. I currently have an outline, and you would help me with the stories structure, pacing and flow (which means write the script, usually a paid profession). My business partner and I are in the process of assembling a gifted team (if they're not yet "assembled" how can anyone determine they are "gifted"?) that will be part of what we think (and told by a couple of notable film industry executives) (uncle Guido) could be a successful and major "to screen" release movie (if Dicaprio was in the lead). To be totally up front, this is a nothing ventured nothing gained proposition at this point in time, until financing is secured (a lot of nothing, except the poor schmuck's time and labor). Anyone that comes on board with us will have an opportunity to make something great happen, and will share in the rewards (and the Copyright?).

We have already done some due diligence and had a focus group of people with ages from 16 years to 55 years old listen to our idea (you bugged your family to listen to your pitch). It was pretty unanimous that we have something entertaining and special on our hands (and money to produce a full length feature film?).

We are currently talking with a potential finance partners (your dentist?) and a cross promotion specialist (blogger?). The movie will have a great music soundtrack (from your garage?) that is an integral part of the story, and will feature some music from legendary Rock performers from that particular era (providing you pay lots of money to their record label). Everything is very preliminary at this point (obviously)... It is our intention to have a great script (FOR FREE) and a Sizzle Reel in place (you don't already have one? who are you?) for our pitches to potential financial partners (uncle Guido).

We are very serious and want you to know this and be the same... (sorry, I'm congenitally silly)

Sound intriguing (eh)? Contact me and I'll give you some more details that I can't provide here ("Show me the money!") .


 
LOL Polfilmblog. We at least have to hear the story and apply our own requirements as we see fit. I'm always curious to see what kind of backing they have in place. You just never know. Happy New Year!
 
polfilmblog said:
Translated?

Seeking a talented (FREE) writer to help me bring a true story to life through a great script (by some dude on a message board forum). You will not have to create a story. The story is already there. I currently have an outline, and you would help me with the stories structure, pacing and flow (which means write the script, usually a paid profession). My business partner and I are in the process of assembling a gifted team (if they're not yet "assembled" how can anyone determine they are "gifted"?) that will be part of what we think (and told by a couple of notable film industry executives) (uncle Guido) could be a successful and major "to screen" release movie (if Dicaprio was in the lead). To be totally up front, this is a nothing ventured nothing gained proposition at this point in time, until financing is secured (a lot of nothing, except the poor schmuck's time and labor). Anyone that comes on board with us will have an opportunity to make something great happen, and will share in the rewards (and the Copyright?).

We have already done some due diligence and had a focus group of people with ages from 16 years to 55 years old listen to our idea (you bugged your family to listen to your pitch). It was pretty unanimous that we have something entertaining and special on our hands (and money to produce a full length feature film?).

We are currently talking with a potential finance partners (your dentist?) and a cross promotion specialist (blogger?). The movie will have a great music soundtrack (from your garage?) that is an integral part of the story, and will feature some music from legendary Rock performers from that particular era (providing you pay lots of money to their record label). Everything is very preliminary at this point (obviously)... It is our intention to have a great script (FOR FREE) and a Sizzle Reel in place (you don't already have one? who are you?) for our pitches to potential financial partners (uncle Guido).

We are very serious and want you to know this and be the same... (sorry, I'm congenitally silly)

Sound intriguing (eh)? Contact me and I'll give you some more details that I can't provide here ("Show me the money!") .
Click to expand...

We were just waiting for your type of response... lol.. It was actually pretty humorous and creative...

We really don't want to give too much away. Hope you understand. So here we go...

1. (FREE) Nope, not looking for someone to work free. We are earnestly working on securing financing. We all hope to be compensated. I don't like working for free exept for a great cause that betters mankind...

2. (by some dude on a message board forum). Haven't we met before? OK introductions are in order... I've produced/directed/edited 16 low budget features for cable and satellite, biggest budget was $250K, plus documentaries, travel shows, and a few music videos and countless US Air Force propaganda and training films starting way back in the 1970's using "image orthicon cameras". Do you know what they are? Most here probably don't. My resume isn't exactly upper echelon I'll readily admit... I do have a lot of experience and confidence as a producer/director/editor/budgeting person, and working under pressure on location with crews and money on the line. I have a proven track record in this regard. Definitely still learning... aren't we all? I have written many scripts for my own use, I don't consider myself a polished screenwriter. I Did so out of necessity.

3. (which means write the script, usually a paid profession) See #1

4. (if they're not yet "assembled" how can anyone determine they are "gifted"?) We have already approached some experienced and "gifted" people with very good credentials. We'll leave it a that. I have no doubt that we will have a great crew of people.

5 (if Dicaprio was in the lead) Nah.. he isn't on my list and isn't right for this movie... but thanks for the suggestion;) We are in the process of contacting some very well known actors and actresses for a bit parts and cameos that will add up to having a very nice marketable cast in place... and hopefully a Rock legend (who has acting experience) in a cameo along with his bands music on the soundtrack. We have made initial contact with his people and are crossing our fingers on this one.

6. (a lot of nothing, except the poor schmuck's time and labor) See #1 again.. we hope not.

7. (uncle Guido) Nope... but a good try... shows you're thinking... How about the producers of some very successful theatrical releases that had $12 to $24 million budgets... Sorry I can't name the films here...

8. (and the Copyright?) Right now I personally own the copyright to the story... I lived it and was part of the story. I am also creating most of the dialogue. The writer will collaborate with me and could possibly become a partner in the venture. Everything in life is negotiable. But He/she will be taken good care of:) We'd like to think that we have a rare quality... 'INTEGRITY"

9. (you bugged your family to listen to your pitch) How about a group of 52 people to be exact... My daughter and her posse did a great job helping us host a pitch party, with yes a few family members, friends and neighbors thrown in the mix... but the rest were high school and College kids, and from our Pittsburgh Steelers Brigade fan club that we help run. A Pitch party with a good football game afterward.. You should try this sometime... It was a lot of fun and a big help.

10. (and money to produce a full length feature film?) See #1 again

11. (your dentist?) Nope not a dentist... But once again a nice try... Do we really have to tell you? OK then... One of them is a Russian oil mogul that is a childhood friend of my partners... Also see #7, plus other options available to us... You know there is a lot of money overseas if you know where to look...

12. (blogger?) Nope again.. Think Boardwalk Empire with this one;) amongst others.. see #7 as well...

13. (from your garage?) Hmmm... well some of these Rock legends probably did start out in a garage... OK ya got us on this one.. we'll give it to you... but we're not done yet...

14. (providing you pay lots of money to their record label) Darn... you nailed this one! Also see #12 concerning our cross promotion/marketing manager.

15. (obviously) We''l call this one a push... Ya gotta start somewhere.

16 (FOR FREE) Nope... See #1 again for script info and compensation.

17. (you don't already have one? who are you?) Pertaining to a Sizzle reel... see #15 and "who am I" see #1.

18. (sorry, I'm congenitally silly) Push again... No worries... we are too... our favorite TV gal is Flo from the Progressive insurance company commercial...

19. (eh) Does this mean you won't offer to help us?

20. ("Show me the money!") Ahhh... now something we can all agree on...
 
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Now we're talking. We'll have to teach Polfilmblog to have an ounce of hope in 2011.
 
1. (FREE) Nope, not looking for someone to work free. We are earnestly working on securing financing. We all hope to be compensated.
Click to expand...

In this industry "hope to be" usually means "won't be"

Out of all the people in this venture, I "hope" you will at least pull the credit card for the writer of the movie you're trying to sell.
 
astigmatic said:
Out of all the people in this venture, I "hope" you will at least pull the credit card for the writer of the movie you're trying to sell.
Click to expand...

And we may end up going this way... But we prefer to put a strong "core" team in place where everyone has some ownership, voice, and a motivation to succeed.
 
Well Tommy, sorry for the (quite understandable) skepticism so far. You've handled it well. So many of us have been so badly burned in the past. And we've heard a lot of ambitious "pie-in-the-sky" pitches. On the other hand, while a good solid grain of salt is in order, so is a healthy dose of optimism. At this point, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.

I would suggest one thing before going any further. Let's think about #9 -- your pitch party. I bet it was fun and probably helpful in a lot of ways. But it was also a group of people who were pre-disposed to like you and want to say things that made you happy. Friends, family, and friends of friends or family don't make the most objective or critical thinkers. They don't want to disappoint you or possibly damage their relationship with you. Even the people at the party who had no relationship with you, had some relationship with someone else there. And they were probably grateful for the party itself. So of course they're going to be more positive and supportive than a detached stranger with nothing to gain or lose.

I believe the best approach is to gather a group of strangers who have no vested interest one way or the other. You need a focus group of completely unbiased people representative of the demographic of your target audience. And then don't approach them with your enthusiasm for the project. Don't even let them know your personal connection. Instead, pretend it's a story idea from some other writer, and you are 'considering' whether or not to make the film. Let them think that whether their responses are positive or negative, either way helps you make your decisions. Position yourself as being neutral on the subject, looking for guidance and insight from other objective folks. I feel like this is the best way to get a truly honest reaction from people, and truly useful advice.

If you do this and come away with a good feeling about things, then I'd be interested to hear more. (And I'm a pretty decent screenwriter, if I say so myself.)

Best of luck to you!
 
Hey Tommy I would certainly be interested in hearing what you have, I've written 2 screenplays (1 epic 120+ pages, 1 short 20 or so pages) and I'm currently working on a suspense thriller. let me know.
 
Hi Tommy, i would also be interested in working on this. I've written 4 feature films. 2 sold. and whole handful of shorts.. you can pm me or call me at 203 410 1794
 
I want to thank everyone who contacted us with their offers of help. We have selected our screenwriter, and have already begun the collaborative process. We spoke with some really nice, passionate and talented folks from here at dvxuser. We are quite fortunate to have on board with us a man who we feel is perfect for this project and genre. He brings a wealth of varied experiences to the table. We plan to blog about this project as it moves forward... with all the ups and downs we are about to experience, and we will be starting a thread here on dvxuser. Thanks again everyone!
 
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