Our Preston Plummer: Trevor Morgan

Who is Preston Plummer?

Preston Plummer loves physics, entropy to be exact. His life work is to study how things in this world tend to fall apart, not come together.

Struggling with a dark past, Preston has had a hard time relating to anyone as an adult -- until he meets Kate. Getting to know Kate inspires Preston to see the world in a different light.

Preston is a tough, highly intelligent young man. We found our Preston Plummer in Trevor Morgan. This summer, Trevor Morgan will become Preston Plummer in our film The Diary of Preston Plummer. Thanks for taking this journey with us Trevor!

Trevor has appeared in the films The Sixth Sense, Genius, The Patriot, Jurassic Park III, The Glass House, Mean Creek, Empire Falls, Local Color, Off the Black, and Brotherhood.

For updates on our journey to make The Diary of Preston Plummer, become a fan of the film on Facebook here: The Diary of Preston Plummer Facebook Page.

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So Much to Talk About...

That's what people love to do in Hollywood. Talk. I have this project and I have that project and I have this other project. Oh wait and I have that project and this one. I have had many meetings in which we both yammer on about the multiple projects we both have going.

Now that is the life of a producer. It is non-stop project after project and it's what keeps us going.

I love to work. I love what I do. If I could talk about 50 projects at once, I would. But I realize that I need to be focused and hone in on the projects that I feel are ready to go.

As a producer, I have so many irons in the fire and potential opportunities that it can be overwhelming. But there's always that sixth sense that comes into play and tells you which ones you need to be focused on at any given time. Without that, I could see a producer spinning way too many wheels and not achieving much.

Right now, I have a film in theaters, a DVD/Book set for sale, a DVD online for sale, a DVD for sale in stores and elsewhere, a film in post seeking a festival premiere, a film (a doc this time) in production and a film in pre-production. I also have three features and two docs in development poised to kick my ass at any given moment.

That is the day in the life of an indie producer. Did I say I love it? I do.

And none of this includes the time it takes to consider new projects and network and publicize the work we are doing.

Film is a lifestyle. It's a lifestyle I love. Just last night I went to the LA premiere of a friend's film starring A-List actors. It was super fun and I am super excited for their success. Am I jealous? Heck no. (Okay well maybe a little. Fine, a lot!) But I do expect the next film to be made with me. Now those are the kinds of expectations you will find here -- whether or not they actually happen -- ha!

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Not Since You Breaks Easter Weekend Record at Cine!

Just heard that our film Not Since You has had the best Easter weekend attendance Cine movie theater has ever had and that our one show was as much as all the other shows combined.

That is super cool news and so validating for us as filmmakers. In this recessionary environment, you get so used to hearing "no" and fielding rejection that it comes as a wonderful jolt to get some really good news.

We already have offers from other theaters across the United States so we see what happens! I'll keep everyone posted and hopefully the film will make it to your hometown. Thanks everyone for helping me to remain positive and hopeful as an indie filmmaker.

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Not Since You Theatrical -- This Week!

It's official! Our film Not Since You will be playing in the Cine theater in Athens, Georgia for a minimum of 2 weeks starting this Friday, April 2nd.

If you are in the Athens area, please check it out! Premiere and Gala tickets are available on the Cine Web site here. Daily showing tickets should be available soon.

Thank you for any and all support! Indie films can only survive if we support one another and go to the theater and see them. So thank you for helping to make Not Since You a success!

Here is the trailer:

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Making a High Quality Film with a Still Camera? Yes!

I am in pre-production on an Ultra-Low Budget film (Diary of Preston Plummer) and we are looking to make the film with a still camera. That's right! A still camera. Specifically, the Canon 5D Mark II.

I have been hearing about this phenomenon for a few months now and then my director mentioned that he wanted to shoot on it. I thought, hmmm, that sounds both intriguing and scary at the same time.

Intriguing for the potential cost-savings and ease of use. Scary for what could go wrong, which could result in delays and bad footage, etc.

Here is the press release from Canon: Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR Camera

Check out this blog entry from Neptune Salad regarding this camera: great news for filmmakers, bad news for film.

I'd love thoughts from anyone who has used this camera to make a film. I'll report on how it goes for us!

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Building a Better Reputation for the Ultra-Low Budget

The Ultra-Low Budget film suffers from a bad reputation. As independent filmmakers, we need to change this reputation.

I make Ultra-Low Budget films because they make creative and business sense to my company, especially in this recessionary period. I can choose to make a film instead of praying someone else will make it for me. There's a lot of power in that thinking and doing and we need to exercise that power wisely for everyone involved.

Lower budgets allow me to make dramas, a genre that is a hard sell. They allow me to hire incredible new talent that the larger budgets can't afford to invest in. And they allow me to build a library of product that my company can own forever. We have all heard the saying: Content is king!

So I am building content. But I'm not building just any old product. I am vetting my projects and making sure the script and talent are strong and that the project fits the Ultra-Low Budget business model. I can't make a $20 million film on an Ultra-Low Budget. And if my talent sucks then the film will suck.

Ultra-Low Budgets allow me to make good films in a timely manner. If I sat around and waited for all my larger budget projects to be funded, I would be waiting a long time and I would have no product to show for it and I wouldn't be learning how to be a better producer.

I agree that Ultra-Low Budgets are not for everyone. Many investors do not see the upside of backing small films with no-name talent. How does one make money from a film without box office magnets? It's called making great films and expending energy in marketing and selling them. We can do this. We just need to do it with some smart thinking and doing.

I challenge that the skeptics of the Ultra-Low Budget films are not investing in the right filmmakers. You could have the best script in the world but if the producer and director are clueless then there's typically no hope.

We filmmakers need to have more discretion with which projects we back. We need to ensure the scripts, the direction and the acting are strong -- even when there is no money. And it is possible. I know there are incredibly talented people out there who can make magic with $200k. We just need to pair them with the right producers.

Ultra-Low Budget films can be good and they can perform. We need to be diligent about making sure we create the best quality product that can then be sold to buyers and entertain an audience. It can be done. We just need to do it and do it right.

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The Importance of Giving in Order to Receive

I wanted to talk about the importance of giving to your fellow filmmakers. There will be many times that your colleagues will come to you and say, hey, can you help me out? Can you do this schedule for free or offer up ideas for cast for free or manage a little short, again, for free?

At first you may think, I don't have time for this. And you may be right. You may not have time for it. But you should really try to make the time.

You may also be thinking, I don't want to give my efforts away for free. They are worth something. Of course they are worth something and you will need to decide when you feasibly can do things for free for your colleagues. But definitely try to help whenever you possibly can.

We have all received a hand or a bit of kindness in our careers. Give it back. It helps them and you.

Why? Because, more often than not, you will get back what you have given and then some. You may get a future job referral from that person you helped. Or that person may be able to hire you the next time around. Or that person may work for free for you in turn. There are so many ways you can gain from giving a helping hand. It's just good karma. What goes around, comes around. And that's the truth!

Case in point, a friend of mine was in dire need of help in post on her film. I didn't even have to think about it. I said when and where do I need to be to help? I didn't care if I had to work for free because this friend had helped me out so many times that it was my turn. And because of that friendship, I have landed many paid gigs and I have a friend for life that I can bounce things off of with no concern that I am bothering her.

I have a number of people like my friend above I know I can call on and they will help me for no money. And in turn, they know I will be there for them when they need me. Plus we are all on the look out for spreading the wealth when the money is available. I have earned countless gigs from friends I have helped in the past and I have referred many jobs to those have worked hard for me -- and those who have gone above and beyond are in first position for my help. And that's why I go above and beyond so I can be in someone else's first position. See the pattern?

I bring this up because it's a reality in filmmaking that we are often required to do a million things without resources. And it's inevitable that you will be called upon by your colleagues to help out. And I'm saying, do it. Help them when you can. And don't be afraid to call on your colleagues for help. If they want to be in your first position, they will be there for you.

Of course, you should protect yourself from those who are moochers and takers (who never give back to you). And many times you may not be able to help. And that's okay. Just carry that spirit of giving and soon you will find you are receiving from the unlikeliest of places. And you will just feel good. Isn't that important as well?

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