Julie & Julia: Tells the Story of All Us Writers, Freelancers, Filmmakers & Entrepreneurs

I just got back from seeing Julie & Julia and the whole experience brought a tear to my eye! Have you ever had that moment when you feel, wow, he or she really gets me. Julie & Julia really gets me! Finally, a movie that shows my life and the lives of countless other freelancers, writers, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs. And that's the power of cinema. Art really does imitate life. 

If you want to know what it is like for those of us who chose the more unconventional path of seemingly creating a career from nothing but a passion then this is the film to see. The great thing is that Julie took a simple blog idea and it grew into something much bigger, opening doors to the very career she hadn't been able to crack. Likewise, Julia found her passion in cooking -- something she stumbled into -- and she worked diligently on her passion every day and it paid off -- BIG. The key to both is that they never gave up and they gave it their all.

Watching them both sit at their typewriters and then seeing their husbands supporting them was like a carbon copy of my life to date. My husband even leaned over during the movie and said: That's us. I laughed and cried. (I seriously have the most supportive husband, it truly is ridiculous. I love him to pieces for being there for me for 18 years and counting!) I laughed because it's true and I cried seeing others do what I do, achieve success. I love that! 

I know there are thousands more of us out there -- working away, every day to reach our goals of having our work achieve success. I'm friends with many of them and each and every one has their Julie or Julia inside them. We all need to support that creative spirit and that passion. Remarkable things really can happen, even from nothing. 

Here's the thing: As filmmakers we must stay true to our voice and work tirelessly (and I mean doggedly) day in, day out to achieve our goals. It's not easy. You will work the hardest you have ever worked in your life. But it will feel great to see your work on the big screen and know that you did that. You helped create that movie that everyone is watching and from which they will be changed for the rest of their lives. That's the goal. And that is why we get up every day and sit at our computers and write and read and make yet another film. And we love it. 

So thanks Julie & Julia for reminding us that it's important to hang in there and keep working at it -- even when you want to just give up and cry on your keyboard. Crying's okay. Just wipe the tears and keep working.

Read More

Shorts That Became Acclaimed Features

Check out this list of shorts from IFC that became acclaimed full features! These are examples of how filmmakers turned their short film experience into successful full features. Watch, listen, learn. Cheers!

Read More

What Is a Screenwriter's Best Friend and Worst Enemy?

Notes! When you write a script, you are often way too close to see the weak areas. And notes from others who are strong in development can help push you in the right direction. 

On the other hand, too many cooks in the kitchen could take a strong story and propel it into a glob of gook. 

All screenwriters know that rewriting is part of the job of crafting a great script. Rewriting, rewriting, rewriting is a mantra for screenwriters. 

So where do all the different ideas for rewrites come from? Well, I like to call on my respected colleagues for notes. I may have a rough draft of a script and know it has some strong areas and I'm wondering what others will spark to. So I give it to them to read. They come back to me with their thoughts that really help me to hone in on what is working and what isn't. 

Sure, everyone has heard of the horror stories of notes ruining a beautiful script. Maybe the studio loves a core idea but they want the execution to be more generic, more mass audience friendly. This is when notes can tear out the spine to a story and leave it a muddled mess. 

So in the end, notes are your friend and your enemy. You can't live with them and you can't live without them. For yourself, you need to have a confidence and passion and clear focus of the story you want to tell and know how to cull the best notes from the bunch. 

And on the other hand, if a studio has bought your script and they want certain notes addressed, you need to do it -- even if you don't agree. They have purchased the rights to your story and they can and will make it whether you like the final product or not. So unless you want to walk away and let them find another writer to work on their notes -- which is perfectly acceptable and often a choice they make in order to get a fresh perspective -- you will need to be able put your "dreams" for your story aside and try to to make it work for the buyers of your script. 

In the end, it's always wise to get other people's opinions on your work. It's very easy to get anxious and want to get your script out there right away. You dream of the quick sale. But the odds will be much greater for success if you take your time, get notes, vet them, work them in, and give your story the attention it deserves. 

You wouldn't release a film without showing it to others and getting their feedback, right? So treat your writing the same way -- get the notes and learn to love them. If handled right, they will only make you look better and an audience more satisfied!

Read More

Guest Blog: 5 “must read” books for the passionate independent filmmaker

Here is a guest blog from Toronto-based producer Ian Agard. Check out his Web site and blog at www.ianagard.com. Thanks Ian!

Is your film career worth 30 minutes of your time everyday?

As you make your professional journey through the film industry, you will encounter both challenges and uncertainty that might leave you feeling hopeless and discouraged.

But there is always an answer/solution to any problem you might face as a movie director, producer or scriptwriter.

“There will never be a new problem. Somewhere… someone had the same problem as you, find the solution and wrote it down in a book” – Will Smith

Here are 5 must read books for any passionate moviemaker:

1) Reel to Deal: Everything You Need to Create a Successful Independent Film by Dov S-S Simens

This is an easy and informative read. Very inspiring for someone who’s interested in making movies. Especially for independent film producers. I really like his advice about “first make a movie, then make a deal”.

2) The Film Director Prepares: A Complete Guide to Directing for Film & TV by Myrl A. Schreibman

Loaded with a vast amount of useful information for newbie film directors ranging from topics like directing actors to camera coverage to how to be professional and efficient onset.

3) Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez

Robert Rodriguez is the modern day king of D.I.Y. moviemaking. His book chronicles how he made a feature film for $7,000 that launched his film career. What I love about this book is Rodriguez cuts through all the Hollywood noise and b.s. and gives you real,honest, useful tips on what you really need to succeed as an independent movie director.

4) The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Screenwriters: Insider’s Secrets from Hollywood’s Top Writers by Karl Iglesias

Based on conversation with successful working Hollywood script writers like Eric Roth, Akiva Goldsman, Ed Solomon, Nicholas Kazan, Leslie Dixon, Scott Rosenberg, Gerald DiPego, Steven DeSouza, Tom Schulman, Michael Schiffer, Amy Holden Jones, Robin Swicord. This book gives you the real deal about the daily routes and how to break into the industry tips from the writers of many of today’s top Hollywood movies. I really loved what Ron Bass (Rain man) had to say about succeeding as a screenplay writer.

5) Stop Waiting and Make Your Movie by Ian Agard

This is a feature film financing guide with 32 information-packed pages of valuable tips and strategies used by both established and emerging filmmakers to secure money for their film productions. For a novice or expert. If you are an independent moviemaker who needs $5,000 to $500,000 to make your feature film, then this e-book is for you. To learn more about it, click here.

Read More

Competition for Scripts

I know the people behind the competition. They definitely have relationships to key industry people. If you apply, good luck!

COMPETITION DEADLINE APPROACHING!

How would you like 30 of Hollywood’s biggest names to read your script for a potential production or development deal?
Are you ready?
 
Our panel of over 30 prominent judges includes the Hollywood professionals behind X-MEN, GLADIATOR , (500) DAYS OF SUMMER, THE UGLY TRUTH, THE DAILY SHOW, ENTOURAGE, MILK, ANGER MANAGEMENT, FINAL DESTINATION, MEET THE PARENTS, LEGALLY BLONDE,  and many more?!  As well as agents and managers from Hollywood’s top agencies including UTA, ICM and APA!

MovieHatch ( www.MovieHatch.com <http://www.moviehatch.com/> ) is the hot new film/tv website and social network which also offers competitions and resources on how to pitch your script, including “Do’s and Don’ts” from our prestigious partners.  Along with the top producers, writers and agents in the industry, MovieHatch allows the public to help decide what films get made!
 
The top 10 audience favorites will be read by ALL of our Hollywood Partners – (see www.MovieHatch.com <http://www.moviehatch.com/> for a full list). This fantastic opportunity is being discovered by the best emerging screenwriters and filmmakers because, even if the entry isn’t in the top ten pitches, one of our partners may still request the screenplay.  You only need to upload a short video trailer (or a still image) and synopsis along with your full script (which will not be published online).
 
We are now accepting entries for the Fall 2009 Makin’ Movies Feature Film Competition.  But don’t wait – the final entry deadline is September 15th!
 
If you’re getting this posting, you qualify for an exclusive 30% discount.  Simply enter the coupon code “CARPET” during the entry process.
 
Please see www.MovieHatch.com <http://www.moviehatch.com/> for more details and the complete set of rules.  
  

Read More

How Do You Talk to Investors?

It can be very intimidating to ask others for money, especially if you are a new filmmaker and you don't have a long resume of successful hits already. But you have to get out there and search for money for your projects. So how do you talk to investors?

First off, be realistic about who is going to help you finance your movie. It's fairly well known that independent films by new filmmakers are largely funded by friends and family or friends and family of your friends and family. Why? Because you are not a known quantity for investors to whom you don't have a connection. And friends and family love you and want to help you be successful. 

So when you sit down and start asking yourself who has money, think of your friends and family first and then who they may know, etc. I have found this to be the most effective way of financing low budget films. I have been securing funds for small films for a while now and every single investor on the films I have financed has had a connection to the filmmakers in one way or the other. Same goes for my producer colleagues. Though you can and should still try other avenues, I recommend you focus on people you know and the people they know.

Forget the venture capitalists (unless they are friends). They want large projects with known quantities and most hate film investments. They don't know filmmaking. They don't want to understand it. They could care a less about it. Give them a widget company and they are happy. And honestly, do you want to be in business with someone who only cares about his money? Better to have others on board who are interested in your success as well.  

Whether or not you are approaching loved ones or the dentist down the street, you need to know how to speak their language. 

What is their language? Money.

So what do they want to hear? That you are confident and passionate about your skills and project and team and that you know how to handle their money once they give it to you.

I'm certain the passion is there or you wouldn't be a filmmaker. So how do you gain the confidence? Research and work. Do your homework. You need to read everything about film financing and pick the brains of others who have done it as well. Attend seminars on film financing. Hire an entertainment lawyer who can advise you and handle the legal paperwork. 

And you need to work on your skills as a filmmaker. Before you try to take other people's money for your films, invest time and even your own money in building your skills first. Make a few shorts on your own dime. Or go to film school. Invest in yourself and others will follow. 

What else do you need? A business plan. If you do not have a business plan then you probably won't have much success finding money beyond your close friends and family. Remember that a film is a business and it should be treated as such. You need to set up a business entity so your investors have something to invest in. And you have to manage this entity. A business plan is the road map to the success of your film and the means for your investor to see how his or her money is being used. Take the time to make one or hire someone to do it for you. 

Know your investors and what may be motivating them to invest. Ask them why they are interested in investing in film. Really listen. Then focus your energy on appealing to their reasons for investing. 

• Do they want to be part of the movie industry? Describe how being part of your project will offer them that opportunity.
• Do they want to help their child get into the industry? Figure out a way to help make that happen. Bring the kid on as a production assistant. Or if they invest enough, make him or her an executive producer.
• Do they want to meet actors? Offer invites to set and parties for your film. 
• Do they want to be producers themselves? Explain how their involvement in your project will be a way toward accomplishing that goal. Again, if they invest enough, offer them a producer or executive producer credit. 
• Do they want to make tons of money? Never use the idea of making tons of money as the motivation for a film investor. Films are high-risk investments. Educate your investors on the risks involved and let them make their own decisions on whether or not they want to take the risk. Sure, you can point out the success of similar small films and you should be positive about why you feel your film has a chance for success but don't make promises you aren't absolutely sure you can keep. 

Lastly, when speaking to investors, be honest. As I explained above, investing in filmmaking is a very risky endeavor. I know because I am an investor too. I have invested in most of my films to date and I know the risks involved. It is your duty to let your investors know it could take a long time for recoupment or they could lose their entire investment in your project. If you lose your investor because they fear the risk then he or she is not the right investor for your project. I have found that most investors are savvy and they want to hear you say the investment is a risk so they can trust you know what you are doing and that you will be honest with them all along the way. 

Just like in love, there is someone out there for everyone. You will find your investor. He or she may be right around the next corner.

Read More

Are Studios Open on Saturdays? by John August: Learn the Biz

In John August's blog post Are Studios Open on Saturdays?, John reminds us all that if you want a career in film, you do need to grasp a basic understanding of how it works. 

I have to agree with John. In the film industry, people are working at lightning speeds and have tons of queries every day coming in from many artists. You need to go to the movers and shakers of Hollywood with an understanding of the basic mechanism of Hollywood or you will most likely be ignored. Not out of being mean. It's out of the need to focus on projects that have the highest potential for success. And the chances that someone who doesn't know how the industry works having the next big hit is pretty slim. 

So don't give anyone a reason to dismiss your work. Take the time needed to read everything you can get your hands on, i.e. books, blogs, articles on the industry. Get a subscription to Variety and/or Hollywood Reporter. Go to festivals. Attend panels and seminars and workshops. Go to film school if you like. Just remember to hone your knowledge on the ins and outs of Hollywood as your hone your craft. 

Read More