SimplyScripts Discussion Board
Blog Home - Produced Movie Script Library - TV Scripts - Unproduced Scripts - Contact - Site Map
ScriptSearch
Welcome, Guest.
It is March 29th, 2024, 7:04am
Please login or register.
Was Portal Recent Posts Home Help Calendar Search Register Login
Please do read the guidelines that govern behavior on the discussion board. It will make for a much more pleasant experience for everyone. A word about SimplyScripts and Censorship


Produced Script Database (Updated!)
One Week Challenge - Who Wrote What and Writers' Choice.


Scripts studios are posting for award consideration

Short Script of the Day | Featured Script of the Month | Featured Short Scripts Available for Production
Submit Your Script

How do I get my film's link and banner here?
All screenplays on the simplyscripts.com and simplyscripts.net domain are copyrighted to their respective authors. All rights reserved. This screenplaymay not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.
Forum Login
Username: Create a new Account
Password:     Forgot Password

SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    General Boards    Questions or Comments  ›  Help my film survive post-production please!
Users Browsing Forum
No Members and 2 Guests

 Pages: 1, 2 : All
Recommend Print
  Author    Help my film survive post-production please!  (currently 2608 views)
jcolon2
Posted: January 7th, 2011, 8:20pm Report to Moderator
New



Location
Long Island
Posts
30
Posts Per Day
0.01
Hello and Happy New Year 'Simply Scripts'! I haven't formally introduced myself to the forum. My name is Justin Ryan. I am a senior at Fordham University studying history (pre-law). I also study acting at the William Esper Studio in Manhattan (it is a conservatory program). Ultimately, I would like to be an actor and direct my own films in the future. I've been on the forums reading many scripts for some time however; I have only begun to comment within the past few weeks.

This past summer I teamed up with my childhood friend who is a writer. She is a senior at at Binghamton University who is majoring in creative writing. Together her and I wrote a short script, 'In the Spider's Web'. We directed and produced the film (and I acted in it). We had a budget of $4,000. We shot the film on the canon 5d over a period of 5 days. Unfortunately, the footage for the film has been sitting on a shelf for four months because we have run out of funds. We have no money to advertise the film, launch a website (and hire a graphic designer), hire an editor, hire a colorist, purchase dvds to burn the film, record the soundtrack, or pay the film festival fees. Would you please consider making a financial contribution to our project?! I have included a link to my video on a website known as kickstarter.

Kickstarter is a website that allows creative people to post a video explaining a project they are seeking to raise funds for. If other people feel compelled to donate to the project they may do so. Various rewards are offered according to the amount of the financial contribution. Here's the catch, if the person who launched the project does not raise all the money they set as their goal by the deadline, they do not receive any of the money. If I do succeed in achieving my goal then your credit card or debit card will be charged the amount of money that you designated. Payment is done through a secure website known as Amazon. If I do not reach my goal then you are not charged anything- it's as simple as that!

The link to my video is: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/inthespidersweb/in-the-spiders-web?play=1&ref=search

Thank you in advance!

Respectfully,

Justin Ryan


"Art is literacy of the heart" Elliot Eisner
Logged Offline
Private Message
dogglebe
Posted: January 7th, 2011, 8:37pm Report to Moderator
Guest User



Fordham University?  You're the bastards that put that fugly radio antennae a block and a half from my home!

I understand what you're going through.  I've had a short, that I wrote, in post for over four years now.

Good luck with your project.


Phil
Logged
e-mail Reply: 1 - 20
jcolon2
Posted: January 7th, 2011, 8:42pm Report to Moderator
New



Location
Long Island
Posts
30
Posts Per Day
0.01
Phil,

Thank you. Fordham hasn't been on my good side either lately : / I go to the Lincoln Center Campus though (are you located in Manhattan)? Your film has been in post-production for four years now? What happened?

Best,

Justin


"Art is literacy of the heart" Elliot Eisner
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 2 - 20
dogglebe
Posted: January 7th, 2011, 8:51pm Report to Moderator
Guest User



I live up in the Bronx, a block south of Montefiore Hospital.

The production company that filmed the short that could not be completed has gone through more film editors than Spinal Tap has gone through drummers.  And, for some reason, they keep paying these guys ahead of time.

I don't expect to see my short and, from what I know, I really don't want to.


Phil
Logged
e-mail Reply: 3 - 20
jcolon2
Posted: January 7th, 2011, 9:20pm Report to Moderator
New



Location
Long Island
Posts
30
Posts Per Day
0.01
Phil,

I am sorry to hear that. It is an unfortunate situation. Sounds like a predicament similar to mine though.


"Art is literacy of the heart" Elliot Eisner
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 4 - 20
Mr.Ripley
Posted: January 8th, 2011, 9:54am Report to Moderator
January Project Group


Writing

Location
New York
Posts
1979
Posts Per Day
0.31
Fordham Uniersity L.C. alumni. I would have probably suggested that you enroll in their film class and use their own editing equipment to make your short. But since you already shot it on canon 5d, I don't know if the canon 5d tapes are compatible with their editing tape deck. I'm not a very technical person.  

But what I would advise is to make your movie guerella style. It's not going to be the grandest thing but it will be done. I enrolled in a film class at that school and made 2 shorts (they were requistes for the class.) But I made them.

The first one was a black and white film. Two actors, a girl and me. The setting: a classroom. And I shot it all in one day in about three hours since the actress was available for that one day in that short time slot.
    
The second one was done in color. No actors only my voice which I changed. Setting, my building and I think my neighborhood streets. It was an abstract film.

And on top of that, I had no crew. I was responsible for everything. To be a great filmmaker, you have to be adabtable to your environment. Use what you have or can get by any means necessary.

Good luck.

Hope this helps,
Gabe


Just Murdered by Sean Elwood (Zombie Sean) and Gabriel Moronta (Mr. Ripley) - (Dark Comedy, Horror) All is fair in love and war. A hopeless romantic gay man resorts to bloodshed to win the coveted position of Bridesmaid. 99 pages.
https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-comedy/m-1624410571/
Logged
Site Private Message Reply: 5 - 20
Eoin
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 9:50am Report to Moderator
Been Around


just another ego maniac with low self esteem

Location
Ireland
Posts
638
Posts Per Day
0.12
I don't think money is the real issue here. I am part of a film makers network in Ireland I have been involved in shorts that were completed on a budget of €1000. That includes all post production, advertising and entrance into festivals. My suggestion is that with any project that you are trying on very tight budget you enlist people to do it for free. There are loads of people out there looking for projects to works on and build up a portfolio.
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 6 - 20
jcolon2
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 10:06am Report to Moderator
New



Location
Long Island
Posts
30
Posts Per Day
0.01
Money is the issue. I have tried to get people to edit this film for free and had absolutely no luck. There are four hours of footage stored on a 1tb harddrive. I need money to: hire a colorist, hire a composer, purchase recording studio time, have posters/fliers produced by a company, purchase dvds to burn the film onto, enter the film into festivals, etc... The list goes on.

This project was very expensive for a first time short, totalling 4,000 dollars. If money were not an issue I would not be asking for people to make a financial contribution.

If you have any people that'd be willing to work on this project for credit I would be more than happy to enlist their aid.

Thanks,

Justin


"Art is literacy of the heart" Elliot Eisner
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 7 - 20
Eoin
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 11:01am Report to Moderator
Been Around


just another ego maniac with low self esteem

Location
Ireland
Posts
638
Posts Per Day
0.12
You're not seeing the big picture here. YOU have reduced the problem to a financial one. Why would I, or any one else for that matter, give you money to get your film edited etc, when you have already, in my opinion wasted a budget of $4000?? That say to me that financially this project wasn't handled well and now you'd like more money which will be poorly managed again?? Why would someone like me who's struggling with projects of my own, or anyone else in a similiar postion contribute money when I need it for my own projects and know how to stretch very far?? Pretend for a minute you're never going to get another red cent for this film. Now, how do get it finished?? That's the mindset you should have, not let's get some more money. If you start thinking like that, then every time you hit a wall, money will ALWAYS be the problem. There are always other avenues. Join Crewger.ie, you might get some help there.
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 8 - 20
jcolon2
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 11:26am Report to Moderator
New



Location
Long Island
Posts
30
Posts Per Day
0.01
I see what you are saying. But 4,000 dollars was not wasted. People deserve compensation for their hard work. It is as simple as that. My director of photography was a very talented alumni of the School of Visual Arts. Should he work for free? No. We used about 17,000 dollars in rental equipment. Most people don't have that equipment lying in their basement. How do you think we were able to purchase hundreds of paints to be used in teh film or all the construction materials to have a carpenter build the set (free of charge might I add). That is not money gone to waste. Yes, people will work for free.  And we had numerous people who did work for free. I guess I will have to try and make this film with minimal-to no money now. But to say my money is a waste is an insult. And I do not appreciate you calling into question my directing skills.

I fundraised to earn that money, and I used that money effectively. So excuse me, if we ran into a few first-timer errors.

I guess we can agree to disagree on how effectively this situation was handled.

Thank you for the reccomendation. I will check into it.

Best,

Justin


"Art is literacy of the heart" Elliot Eisner
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 9 - 20
Eoin
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 12:00pm Report to Moderator
Been Around


just another ego maniac with low self esteem

Location
Ireland
Posts
638
Posts Per Day
0.12
"But to say my money is a waste is an insult. And I do not appreciate you calling into question my directing skills."

A big part of being able to communicate is being open minded and being able to listen, or in this case read. Where exactly did I say that you couldn't direct. I said you needa tighter rien on your budget and need to learn how to stretch it. I still think you wasted that budget. Why build a set when it's easier to shoot on an existing location or make a change to your script?? Not everyone is motivated by money, no matter how talented they are. Some pople do it for the love and the challenge. As Ray just pointed out you can learn alot on your own and guess what, it costs very little. You shot it on digital. In the era of the PC there has never been a wider choice of editing suites and accompanying books on how to use theem. As for the graphic, it isn't rocket science. There are lots of posters and one sheet examples that people have posted on this site, alot self produced with excellent results. You need to learn the art of persuasive communication skiils if you expect to get projects completed. As for the boo hoo don't tell me I'm not talented attitude a little piece of humility might suit you better. You're not Stanley Kubrick. Good luck with your endeavours.
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 10 - 20
Trojan
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 12:01pm Report to Moderator
New


Location
Australia
Posts
393
Posts Per Day
0.07
Hi Justin,

It's great that you are out there trying to get your films made, but it seems you've learned an expensive lesson here. Part of producing a film entails knowing where you absolutely have to spend money and where you can cut some corners. If you are unable to pay for post-production (a neccessity) then you aren't really in a position to be paying for crew. There will always be people willing to do the job for free, if you look hard enough.

This part of your plea concerned me "The creative process is an unpredictable one. And with new ideas for the betterment of the film constantly emerging, we refused to allow our budget to jeopardize the integrity of the film. We simply couldn't!" Honestly, this just sounds undisciplined. I know you want to make the best film possible but you have to have someone in charge of your funds who can see when you are going over budget.

I see you are saying you need money to pay for a website and graphic designer, and to register the name of your production company etc. This is really getting ahead of yourself, IMO, none of that is a requisite for getting your film completed and entered into festivals. It seems like you are just burning money here for no good reason. If you don't have the money, just focus on the bare essentials.

How many people were working on this film? Surely there are some of you who have jobs that can put aside some money each week to invest in this?

I'm not really too sure what the film is about from the clip you have provided, it is just a few minutes of watching a guy paint. Not terribly interesting, really. I saw your synopsis of the story but from the clip there is little in the way of story or plot, and it seems a bit too artsy for my liking. I just think that when you are trying to get people to invest their hard earned money you need to provide something a bit more tangible for people to get behind. As it is now, you don't reveal much of what actually happens in this story.

I wish you the best of luck with it, but I agree that it is worth thinking of other ways to get things done rather than paying for everything up front. Surely someone can donate some DVDs? You can get a graphic design student to do a website for you for nothing. Someone to donate their time to edit for you? I've read stories of students who are diehard and so passionate about their project that they get people offering their services for nothing just to be a part of the project. How much belief do you have in your work and how well can you sell it to others?

Cheers,
Tim.
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 11 - 20
Grandma Bear
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 12:13pm Report to Moderator
Administrator



Location
The Swamp...
Posts
7961
Posts Per Day
1.36
Justin,

I applaud you for having done what you've done so far. A lot of us here are trying to make their own films.  I think the problem here though, at SS,  is that no one knows you and therefore would probably have no interest or reason to give you money. If I was going to donate money to a project, I would rather support someone who I either know or at least am familiar with. ajr for example is also looking for money for his feature and he has some great talent already attached.

I wish you the best of luck,  I just don't get why you came here to look for funds...


Logged
Private Message Reply: 12 - 20
ajr
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 12:16pm Report to Moderator
Old Timer



Posts
1482
Posts Per Day
0.28
Justin,

I'm kind of in the same boat, where I have a director who shot one of my shorts and we're languishing in post. We have a sound guy willing to work for free but we need a lot of shadow correction (a light blew out during filming and, well, there you go), plus the other post costs you mentioned.

The difference is he was amazing and shot it literally on a zero budget - our crew was willing to work for credit and tape, as was the cast.

The problem with kickstarter and the like, which I thought of using as well (and still might) is that at the end of the day it's pretty much an angel investment. So you might be better off going to the angels that you know, so to speak - a friend with money, family, even a bank (unsecured loans should still be around 9%-10% interest). Maybe your local college filmmaking or drama department can help somehow? Or, if you own a house or condo, leverage your equity line?

And definitely negotiate on the post costs - look, look and continue to look until you're able to find someone hungry enough to do it for credit or for a really cut-rate price.


Click HERE to read JOHN LENNON'S HEAVEN https://preview.tinyurl.com/John-Lennon-s-Heaven-110-pgs/
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 13 - 20
jcolon2
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 1:05pm Report to Moderator
New



Location
Long Island
Posts
30
Posts Per Day
0.01
Ray: That is extremely impressive. I have been teaching myself to use adobe and many other programs, hwowever; I am nowhere near the level I need to be at to edit this film. One day though!

Eoin,

I do have humility, I have no implied to be anything great than I am either.  I am not trying tp pick a fight either. So hopefully we can put this behind us (I would hope so). I know I have made mistakes. I am 21, this is my first time making a short film let alone writing a script and directing, so I expect to make mistakes. It is part of the learning process. Hopefully, these msitakes will aid me in my endeavours.

me: Thank you. I did not come here to raise funds. I came here to read scripts and post constructive criticism as well, however; I figured it could not hurt to post my plea for help. And while it may not have garnered financial backing it has brought up some great constructive criticism even if I disagree with some of the criticism. Hopefully, this forum can get to know me in the future and in a better light.


Trojan: The film I posted is boring. I will not front. Unfortunately, I don't have the majority of the film so it is hard to explain the story in my fundraiser video. It is an extremely artsy movie.

AJR: Best of luck with your film. Happy to hear you have great talent attached. And I agree with you about kickstarter.


"Art is literacy of the heart" Elliot Eisner
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 14 - 20
Scar Tissue Films
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 1:13pm Report to Moderator
Of The Ancients


Posts
3382
Posts Per Day
0.63
Leaving aside any possible ways you could have used the money more wisely, the simple fact is that many of the things you want doing can be done for free.

You could download the CS5 Master Collection for free right now (albeit illegally).

Within a few hours you could be editing the film. You'd have full access to a color suite, soundbooth, adobe premiere pro with full native support for 5D files. (Plus website and graphic design software).

For the music you could use royalty free music such as this:

http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/

There are numerous template based website creators that are absolutely free.

Twitter, Myspace, Bebo, Facebook, blog sites are all free avenues of advertising.

There are even quite a lot of free film festivals. You can usually enter them through withoutabox...for free.

So really, you only absolutely need around $10 for a few blank DVD's to get your film finished.

As a filmmaker myself I do understand how hard it is without having money, but you're going to find it hard to raise the cash in the way you've approached it because everyone is in the same boat and most filmmakers have to do everything themselves.

All the best with it though.

Rick.
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 15 - 20
jcolon2
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 1:18pm Report to Moderator
New



Location
Long Island
Posts
30
Posts Per Day
0.01
Rick,

Thank you. I am going to check into a lot of that right now!


"Art is literacy of the heart" Elliot Eisner
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 16 - 20
dogglebe
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 6:02pm Report to Moderator
Guest User




Quoted from Grandma Bear
If I was going to donate money to a project, I would rather support someone who I either know or at least am familiar with.


Pia, I have a script about zombie parachutists, called Drop Dead Zone.  You have my address for the check.


Phil

Logged
e-mail Reply: 17 - 20
Grandma Bear
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 7:06pm Report to Moderator
Administrator



Location
The Swamp...
Posts
7961
Posts Per Day
1.36
I thought you didn't like the skydiving zombie idea?


Logged
Private Message Reply: 18 - 20
dogglebe
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 7:13pm Report to Moderator
Guest User



I didn't like yours.  Mine rocked!


Phil
Logged
e-mail Reply: 19 - 20
jcolon2
Posted: January 9th, 2011, 10:14pm Report to Moderator
New



Location
Long Island
Posts
30
Posts Per Day
0.01
lol.


"Art is literacy of the heart" Elliot Eisner
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 20 - 20
 Pages: 1, 2 : All
Recommend Print

Locked Board Board Index    Questions or Comments  [ previous | next ] Switch to:
Was Portal Recent Posts Home Help Calendar Search Register Login

Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post polls
You may not post attachments
HTML is on
Blah Code is on
Smilies are on


Powered by E-Blah Platinum 9.71B © 2001-2006