FEATURE: Survival - The Feature, based on our Timefest Entry...

Right now we are sitting on the script. I have to decide if there will be any more rewrites, or if the script is what it needs to be in order to go forward. Everyone has their own opinions, :) but ultimately I'm the one who is going to be responsible if it fails. So naturally, I'm taking some serious time to consider what is best for the film. I'm giving myself until Sunday night, unless God directs otherwise.

Prayers are appreciated.
 
It's way more fun to just go out and shoot things, but hey, I'm not complaining. This is all very interesting to me :)
 
Why do you want an unknown actor for the lead role? You plan on filling the rest of the cast with A and B listers, but the lead will be unknown?

To me that sounds like a marketing disaster! If I were an investor I would strongly question the logic in that decision. You don't generally get the same distribution deals with unknown names in lead roles versus a known actor.

Please explain.
 
Snazzy Flapper said:
Why do you want an unknown actor for the lead role? You plan on filling the rest of the cast with A and B listers, but the lead will be unknown?

To me that sounds like a marketing disaster! If I were an investor I would strongly question the logic in that decision. You don't generally get the same distribution deals with unknown names in lead roles versus a known actor.

Please explain.
Click to expand...

There are a lot of factors. The producers are on board with it. Has to do with some things that will be required for the role, budget constraints (she's in almost every shot), etc.

We can afford much bigger actors for some of the other roles which will take up significant screen time, but only take a week or so to shoot. So 25 days at $20,000 per day versus 5 days at $100,000 per day.
 
Snazzy Flapper said:
Why do you want an unknown actor for the lead role? You plan on filling the rest of the cast with A and B listers, but the lead will be unknown?

To me that sounds like a marketing disaster! If I were an investor I would strongly question the logic in that decision. You don't generally get the same distribution deals with unknown names in lead roles versus a known actor.

Please explain.
Click to expand...

Actually, that's a pretty good plan. Like he said below your post, budget.

However, even having an A or B List actor signing on for two or three days elevates the production to another notch.

You can get A or B List actors to play for a lot less than you think if your script is good. Good defined as competent, something people would pay for.

The worse the script, the more you're going to pay.
 
What a strange week. Let's just say our "ghost-writer" didn't work out. Now we are our own ghost-writers and the producers want our final draft on Thursday to bring forward to the distributors.

God, please help us.
 
:)

Finally got the good word on the final draft of our script: the president of the distribution company likes it. Looks like Survival will have a theatrical run.

Alas. It's now probably too late in the year to shoot where we want to shoot. However that gives us more time for pre-production. We'll shoot after the holidays. Spring perhaps.

Thanks for the prayers!
 
I can get you a Days Out of Days, but that's it. Check out the forms collection on filmmakeriq.com and see if there's anything there. Otherwise you may have to just buy software.
 
El Director said:
I can get you a Days Out of Days, but that's it. Check out the forms collection on filmmakeriq.com and see if there's anything there. Otherwise you may have to just buy software.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. :thumbsup: I'm searching through their site right now. Days out of days would be helpful too. I'll PM you for that, I suppose. Looks like we're going to be doing this kind of stuff ourselves for a bit until we find a bondable line producer...
 
You're welcome. It's good to do yourself anyway so you know how it's done and how to read them. The more experience the better!
 
EP / Movie Magic Scheduling is the de facto industry standard. Use some pre-production money and buy a copy. It will do everything you need.
 
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