Who's shooting a feature this year?

[Jason]

Hi everyone,

Like you guys, we are very excited with the arrival of Red Camera which is drawing closer and closer.

I'm wondering perhaps we can update other filmmakers on the features that other Red users may be working on and see if any help can be provided for each other.

We are a film production company and have good distribution network in the Asia region, and we are keen to work with other Redusers in their features to provide access on distribution for our region.

Any other movie production company or filmmakers working on their features right now on the board?

[Andreas Fernbrant]

I'm working on a feature, plan to use my RED to shoot it.
It's a story-based movie that will showcase the extreme movements
of the human body. Gymnastics, Acrobatics, Dance and Martial arts will be shown with a linear story.
The hardest thing was to find a way to motivate the acrobatic movements in the story without it being corny.
But I think I pulled it off.

I made a movie in 2004 with the same concept, infact it was my first movie
and I did everything myself. Produced, Directed, Shot, Edited. Everything but the music and the acrobatics.

Trailer: http://www.saltomortalez.com/filer/Saltomortaleztrailer-L-wmv.wmv

www.2vault.com (The new project) I will update the homepage soon with information about the new movie.

[Jeremy Torrie]

We have four features planned, all of course dependent on securing the balance of private equity along with filling out the financial structures with pre-sales and tax credits (We're in Canada and stacking the federal and provincial tax credits can account for nearly 30% of your budget).

Of course I would love to have my Red ready to shoot all of them, but it's not at all likely.

The 1st would go last week of April (and its actually going to shoot in Serbia), the 2nd would be June in Mississippi. The 3rd would shoot in August here in Winnipeg, and the 4th would also shoot here in October with some 2nd unit in NYC...so perhaps I will be able to use my Red One for the last.

I would really like to work with others who are going to get theirs first and see if we can work out equitable deals to use Red on some of the other films. If not, then I will have to go 35MM.

Jason I'd love to see what your Asian distribution is -we have not yet found a way into that market.

[Rick Darge]

I'm shooting a feature in the Fall of 07

[Zakaree Sandberg]

andreas that looked pretty cool. do u document with interviews at all or is it just footage of these athletes doin their thing?

[Tom Lowe]

Shooting my feature in summer '08, by which time all the workflow and maybe even some overcranking issues should be sorted out with the RED. I might shoot some location cutaway stuff and timelapses up in the mountains and deserts this summer on the RED, though.

How does preselling work? I was just going to fund the feature myself. Are there places where you can learn more about pre-selling overseas, etc? The producer I'm working with knows how to raise cash from wealthy investors but doesn't know anything about pre-selling distribution rights to films. I imagine the picture should be cast before you can try that, huh?

[Ace]

Shooting my feature in summer '08, by which time all the workflow and maybe even some overcranking issues should be sorted out with the RED. I might shoot some location cutaway stuff and timelapses up in the mountains and deserts this summer on the RED, though.

How does preselling work? I was just going to fund the feature myself. Are there places where you can learn more about pre-selling overseas, etc? The producer I'm working with knows how to raise cash from wealthy investors but doesn't know anything about pre-selling distribution rights to films. I imagine the picture should be cast before you can try that, huh?

I would've thought for Indy films that you might even need to have it in the can before a distributor would think of picking you up. Isn't that what festivals like Cannes are for?

[Jeremy Torrie]

The best solution is always to have a private investor(s) fund the whole nut, but those are few and far between. What helps beat the bushes for snakes is the pre-sell which means you've gotten it far enough to demonstrate that yes, end users actually believe the film is worth making, and ultimately seeing. It also means dropping the overall amount of private investment from say $2 Million to $1 Million...which enables you the filmmaker/producer to hold onto more ownersship of your film, provided you negotiate the proper deal.

[Andreas Fernbrant]

Zakaree, In the "Saltomortalez" movie it was just crazy moves. My intention was to inspire others doing gymnastics and what not.
The DVD was sold to 25 countries and got more attention then any filmmaker deserves on their first flick and I didn't put a dollar
into marketing, everything was word of mouth.

The movie grew to a company and I now mange the acrobatcs for commercials, motion capture and photo shoots.
Once every week people ask me for if I'm going to make a new movie and now I can honestly tell them RED gave me the
opportuity to make the movie I envisioned with the first movie.

My marketing concept is all about the interviews and behind the scenes on this new movie. But I need to find someone with
the right mindset to help me out with that part. I'm also looking for a DP for the main movie.

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Kind regards
Andreas

[Ken Corben]

We've been sitting on this one due to 35mm production costs. But now, thanks to RED, Script is locked - genre is Horror (of course) but me and my co-writer, who will Star and Direct since I will be absorbed as DP/OPERATOR with my RED system, focused on Hitchcock style storytelling.

My partner is a working actor, something to say in this town, and we have a wonderfully talented cast working scale (low-budget SAG exemption). We plan to "make a film" enjoying the process of movie magic with no distributors, studios or powerful actors meddling in the creative process. Shooting will begin with in weeks of my camera's delivery and take 21 days to shoot (hell we shot 11 pages a day in my tv series days).

If the film never sees a release we won't care nor have 10 dentists from New Jersey wondering what happened to their $100K each.

We will be bringing all the professional production value we can afford, extort and borrow to the set and am excited about what look I will develop with RED.

Thanks Jim and the RED TEAM

[Tom Lowe]

Ah the good old dentists. :)

[Jason]

Shooting my feature in summer '08, by which time all the workflow and maybe even some overcranking issues should be sorted out with the RED. I might shoot some location cutaway stuff and timelapses up in the mountains and deserts this summer on the RED, though.

How does preselling work? I was just going to fund the feature myself. Are there places where you can learn more about pre-selling overseas, etc? The producer I'm working with knows how to raise cash from wealthy investors but doesn't know anything about pre-selling distribution rights to films. I imagine the picture should be cast before you can try that, huh?


Pre-selling is tough for indie filmmakers. It is mostly used by more established filmmakers and more importantly, the attachment of well known celebrities in the film.

In Asia, mostly films by well known directors and actors attempt to pre-sell their rights in certain territories to fund their films.

[Tom Lowe]

That's what I figured.

[Jason]

We have four features planned, all of course dependent on securing the balance of private equity along with filling out the financial structures with pre-sales and tax credits (We're in Canada and stacking the federal and provincial tax credits can account for nearly 30% of your budget).

Of course I would love to have my Red ready to shoot all of them, but it's not at all likely.

The 1st would go last week of April (and its actually going to shoot in Serbia), the 2nd would be June in Mississippi. The 3rd would shoot in August here in Winnipeg, and the 4th would also shoot here in October with some 2nd unit in NYC...so perhaps I will be able to use my Red One for the last.

I would really like to work with others who are going to get theirs first and see if we can work out equitable deals to use Red on some of the other films. If not, then I will have to go 35MM.

Jason I'd love to see what your Asian distribution is -we have not yet found a way into that market.



We sold our film to a number of Asian territories, and released them theatrically as well. For new filmmakers, it may not be much for each territory, but it's still a good source of extra revenue to fund the next project.
And most importantly, the film will be released in the cinemas which is what most filmmakers are aiming for.
But a number of criterias needs to be met, and only thriller, horror, action, and police/crime film stand a chance of getting distribution here.

The amount that can be sold depends on how much hype that can be created for the film prior to selling.

Otherwise, getting a well known sales agent can help greatly in securing distribution as well. If you have any film that may fit the above genre, perhaps you can update me.

[Joe Carney]

Once I get things together I'm thinking about shooting in South Carolina. Depending on budget.
Here is a link to their film office for more info
straight out rebates applied to labor and expenditures.
Plus land and facilities are relatively inexpensive if you know where to look.
Also close to the talent pool in Wilmington NC.

http://www.scfilmoffice.com/

[Jeremy Torrie]

Yep. We're dealing with different sales agents all the time. It's a matter of what they end up wanting for their efforts and how bad you simply want your film in any market regardless of how much you get back. In the long run if you're starting out, it's always good to show to prospective new investors that yes, you can sell a film in other territories and make money! And therefore they can feel a little more comfortable putting money into your next feature.

[Tom Lowe]

Once you have something great, where do you find these sales agents?

[Jeremy Torrie]

It's R&D. Look for those who have come on board for films that have been picked up from various festivals. It really comes down to intestinal fortitude.

[Ace]

Once you have something great, where do you find these sales agents?

Try festival afterparties. If you cant get in, sneak in, climb over the fence, pretend to be a waiter. Do what you gotta do!

[Mike]

Perhaps it may be useful if we can have a helping hand section for feature films, where any coming feature made on Red can be posted, and the resources or help that is needed can be stated.

I believe each and everyone here have their own resources and if we can tap into each other strengths somehow, we can start off something.

Maybe some has access to distribution in different markets, some has other resources etc.

It's difficult to get into hollywood, but with enough people and resources, an alternative to Hollywood can be created. I know there will be many content creators here, if we have the resources to get this content sold and screened to the public it will definitely benefit a lot of people here.

The example is right here now in Red, with the resources that Jim has and the pooling of talents, the HD world definitely changes and benefit filmmakers like us out here. Now with such equipment, great quality content can be created.
The challenge now lies in getting your work out there.

I for one, am willing to work on projects that interest me for free, or providing other resources in return of a % cut on the particular projects on the market I have access to. It won't hurt the filmmakers who otherwise will not have any access to such market in the first place. And it can come to a win-win situation for both sides when the terms are draft for such purpose.

[Andreas Fernbrant]

Mike,
That seems like a great idea!

What is the smartest and most effective way to go about this?

[Mike]

We can start off with updates by redusers on the feature they will be shooting for the year 2007, and 2008, with synopsis, movie info, some of their profiles etc, and what kind of resources that they are looking at. Interested parties can then make contact and try to work things out.

Many business trade fairs has a business matching section, and we can emulate what they are doing here on the forum.
There are hundreds of companies owner here on Red, there will definitely be an opportunity to work closer for each other benefit as we already share something in common.

Taking Red again as an example, Jim created a tool that will benefit a lot of independent filmmakers, at the same time creating a feasible business model out of it, generating sustainable revenue for the Red Company, and ultimately providing a win-win situation for all. We now have access to the high quality production tool that was once only exclusively owned by Hollywood filmmakers alike.

The final thing that is lacking is the distribution network to get the films out. The barrier to distribution is there, it's up to the indies on how to get pass them. The big guys has the network, we can start building ours if the will is there. Or we can continue to depend on them.

[Andreas Fernbrant]

I'm with you!
I think this is a great idea!

I have flash/html skills if it helps building something!

[Mike]

Just PMed you :)

[Jeremy Torrie]

Well if the first 100 cameras are going to be available in late May, I would be very interested in hooking up with someone for our June feature shooting in Mississippi and Louisiana. Any real DP's out there in the reservation list?

[Vladimir Eugene]

I'm reservation holder 87, #87 for short. I'm a willing participant to any reservation holders wanting to shoot. If your an experienced DP, or would like access to the camera please contact me.

Oh- I almost forgot. I will be shooting two features this year. The first is scheduled for mid May.

[Tom Lowe]

If anyone is shooting a feature, short, commercial, etc, in So Cal this year, and is looking for an "HD tech" -- someone to help with the 4k workflow -- let me know. I'd probably do it for free just to learn the best way to work with this type of footage. I think I had a decent HVX/720p workflow, but 4K/REDCODE RAW will be something new. It was nice having a person on our HVX set who only dealt with footage, storage, encoding, etc, to free up the crew from such worries.

Just putting it out there, since I will be eager to get on a 4K Red set ASAP.

[Paul Coleman]

http://www.medialawyer.com/

:sorcerer:

[Blaine Golden]

I'm hoping to be shooting something before the end of the year...if we can complete pre-production by then.