We have a brilliant idea

T

Tlalconetl

Well-known member
My buddy and I have a brilliant idea for a feature. In fact, the script is already written and we know it will become one of the greatest films EVER made. It will be up there with Citizen Cane, 2001, and Raging Bull. No kidding. We just need to pitch it to someone willing to invest $2-3 million on it. Any one know where I should begin?
Thanks
 
lol, you have no idea how many people say that. But, if you really believe in it, why not rent equipment and shoot it yourself? or make it into a 5 min short if the idea is so great, and send it off to companies, they like the idea, you get a deal. Kind of what the creators of SAW did.
 
Along the same lines, you could create a trailer that really sells the idea. (The Coen brothers did this for Blood Simple.) I could even do the movie guy voice for you.

"In a world....where people do stuff.....and there are consequences to that stuff.....emerges screenwriters with a script that changes everything! You will laugh, you will cry, you will yell from the top of your lungs 'This was worth twice my $10.50 admission!' "

Man, if that doesn't get you an investor, nothing will!
 
How many people have read your script and agree about it being on the level of Citizen Kane, etc?

If it is that good then you could get yourself an agent and shop it around to studios. If you want to do it yourself then read every book on fund raising and start raising some cash. Once you get about a million, start talking to talent agents to get some stars to be in your picture then the next couple million will be easy :happy:

A well made trailer is a pretty good way to put together a proposal package. Hire a professional to put together a real budget and start knocking on some doors.

If you are going to do this right it will probably take years to get your film made. Nothing good comes easy.

The first step is making sure that script is as solid as you believe. Get it into the hands of as many people as possible and start getting some feedback. In the mean time start educating yourself on the business of filmmaking; read, read, and read some more.

Good luck
 
If the idea is that good, how could they possibly say no? I took the liberty of compiling a list of potential investors using info from Forbes - should getcha started anyway...

Rank..............Name....................................Net Worth
1...................Santa Claus...........................$ ∞
2...................Richie Rich..............................24.7 billion
3...................Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks......10 billion
4...................Scrooge McDuck.....................8.2 billion
5...................Thurston Howell III................8 billion
6...................Willie Wonka..........................8 billion
7...................Bruce Wayne.........................6.3 billion
8...................Lex Luthor.............................4.7 billion
9...................J.R. Ewing..............................2.8 billion
10.................Auric Goldfinger.....................1.2 billion
11.................C. Montgomery Burns............1 billion
12.................Charles Foster Kane..............1 billion
13.................Cruella De Vil.........................875 million
14.................Gordon Gekko........................650 million
15.................Jay Gatsby.............................600 million


Cheers :beer:, and best of luck!!









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TheYankee said:
The greatest movie has already been done and it stars Pauly Shore playing Ben Affleck.

-Jeremy
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Greatest Movie? Is Rob Zombie the director?? :evil:
 
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ROTFL!! Great responses. You guys are great. I knew I'd get wise ass responses, but I dig it. Anyhow, yes, our idea really is on the level of Citizen Kane and 2001. It's revolutionary that way. A few people have read it, including Gary Kibbe, John Carpenter's DP. He agreed with us that it's THAT great and wants to DP it. He's trying to help us out with drawing up a cost analysis/budget, pitching it to other folks, but it hasn't been easy. We're teachers and we have much to learn about the business end of filmmaking. So maybe we need to read a few more books on it. We want to get real financing, but if it doesn't happen, then we'll shoot it ourselves--guerrilla/el mariachi style. But we really, really, really don't want to go that route. We want to shoot film, but still make it a low budget movie. Anyhow, thanks for the advice guys.
Peace
 
I always thought scrooge was richer than Warbucks. I mean he had a a giant building FILLED with gold and he was always finding diamonds and all that. Maybe a lot of his assets are tied up in overseas accounts to avoid heafty taxes.
 
Rank..............Name....................................Net Worth
1...................Santa Claus...........................$ ∞ ..................Waiting list of 6 billion to contact. Have one shot a year to get funding.
2...................Richie Rich..............................24.7 billion.......Blew his wad on toys, booze, and women
3...................Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks......10 billion...........Might work if you are are an orphan
4...................Scrooge McDuck.....................8.2 billion.........Won't even buy his nephews pants...what chance do you have of getting even 5 bucks off him.
5...................Thurston Howell III................8 billion............Has not been heard from in years
6...................Willie Wonka..........................8 billion............Too much of a recluse. If you did secure funding from him something would go wrong and somehow hurt your children.
7...................Bruce Wayne.........................6.3 billion..........Sleeps all day and is missing at night; very hard to make appointment
8...................Lex Luthor.............................4.7 billion..........He does not have many liquid assets.
9...................J.R. Ewing..............................2.8 billion..........Shot and dead
10.................Auric Goldfinger.....................1.2 billion..........Shot sucked out window
11.................C. Montgomery Burns............1 billion.............Shot and survived...scary ass dude. Use caution when dealing with this guy.
12.................Charles Foster Kane..............1 billion.............Dead, dead, and dead.
13.................Cruella De Vil.........................875 million.........Let her do the costuming and you might have something
14.................Gordon Gekko........................650 million........Jail
15.................Jay Gatsby.............................600 million........Again, shot & dead

A few possibilities in there :happy:
 
wabbit said:
3...................Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks......10 billion...........Might work if you are are an orphan

A few possibilities in there :happy:
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And there's something a little unsavory about his relationship with Annie. I think he's on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List.
 
Tlalconetl said:
My buddy and I have a brilliant idea for a feature. In fact, the script is already written and we know it will become one of the greatest films EVER made. It will be up there with Citizen Cane, 2001, and Raging Bull. No kidding. We just need to pitch it to someone willing to invest $2-3 million on it. Any one know where I should begin?
Thanks
Click to expand...

1. Register the Script with WGA.
2. Put together a business plan to support your budget numbers.
3. Set up an LLC.
4. Get your lawyer to draw up an offering memorandum.

Check out this resource:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446674621/sr=8-1/qid=1147931620/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-7406580-0201665?%5Fencoding=UTF8
 
Tlalconetl said:
ROTFL!! Great responses. You guys are great. I knew I'd get wise ass responses, but I dig it. Anyhow, yes, our idea really is on the level of Citizen Kane and 2001. It's revolutionary that way. A few people have read it, including Gary Kibbe, John Carpenter's DP. He agreed with us that it's THAT great and wants to DP it. He's trying to help us out with drawing up a cost analysis/budget, pitching it to other folks, but it hasn't been easy. We're teachers and we have much to learn about the business end of filmmaking. So maybe we need to read a few more books on it. We want to get real financing, but if it doesn't happen, then we'll shoot it ourselves--guerrilla/el mariachi style. But we really, really, really don't want to go that route. We want to shoot film, but still make it a low budget movie. Anyhow, thanks for the advice guys.
Peace
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All I can say is while your idea may indeed be as good as Citizen and all those, don't go off saying it is as that will simply be a huge turn off. Simply claiming it is as good is useless as anyone could make such a claim. So basically, try to tone it down a little and sell your idea more on the idea than on your belief that it is as good as such and such film or better. I'm not trying to be overly critical, just help. Good luck!
 
I'd say get your boy Gary to hook you up with an ass-kicking producer or agent. Assuming they also love your script, they'll start making things happen.
 
And another approach is to sell the script to someone well connected. Leonardo DiCaprio read the script from Catch Me If You Can and liked it so much he asked Steven Spielberg to give it a read. Steven and his family read it together (each taking parts) and loved it - the rest is history.

I definitely agree with the above post - obviously it helps to have an agent who's well connected. Personally, I'd plan on spending at least 100 hours getting the best agent, beginning with the basics: T&Cs, connections, personal chemistry, client base, market focus, availability, etc. Of course, the agents recent track record is critical as is testimonials from others successful in the business. And I'd follow the smart money, tracking successful new script writers in your market/genre to see which agents *THEY* hired.

Oh yeah, since you said you "know it will become one of the greatest films EVER made" you and you're buddy should go ahead and *financially* demonstrate your commitment. If you don't have the start-up cash on hand, be prepared to mortgage your assets and get your family and friends to buy into your enterprise. But don't except much prosperity if you're singing the "OPM" song (Other People's Money).

Good luck, Michael
 
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