yeah that too

God, I do so much nice things and then get bashed to hell. Thanks guys. I thought you were my friends

--------------------------------
TacoWagonProductions
---------------------------------

Sorry for not being on the boards for quite some time. I have been moving into college! And I just got my internet up today! Anyway first off I just want to say that Savannah COllege of Art and Design is f***ing incredible. I've only been here a week and a half and I've never had so much fun and met so many cool people interested in the same thing I am (even though some are too radical and ambitious for their own good)

First off, Thanks for the support Tizzy.

And now for my arguements....

I made The Lost Soldiers because I wanted to make a war film. Simply put. I choose to do a war film for a variety of reasons. First off it was a feature, therefor teaching me 40 times more of anything I would learn on a short film. A feature also requires that much more commitment, and try making one during high school where you need the same ten people there every time you shoot. It's not easy. I also choose to do war because it is much more realistic for my friends (aka the actors) to play soldiers than say cops or whatever. I did research and also this films synopsis is based on an actual event. The movie may seem like a rip off of Saving Private Ryan (and it is to some extent), but in reality it strays far from that concept in the 1hr 24 min actual film. I knew what I was getting into starting this film, but I also knew who would get to see it, and I also knew that those 400 people who payed $5 a ticket would watch it and be entertained. I made this film not just for me, but for my friends and people in my school who knew me to realize what I am capable of. I looked at making this film the same as one would look at producting a play in a school. And that essentially is what happened. I am proud of what I have completed, even though I hate it now (cause my new one is better). You guys can all have your opinions. It doesn't bother me if you don't like it because I am well aware that not everyone likes my stuff, just like not everyone likes any movie out right now.

Tizzy has done some research about me (haha jk), but he is right. It cost $750 to make and I made $2000. I don't know too many people that have done that, especially in high school. Also I look at it as this. Many of you guys don't like The Lost Soldiers, and thats fine. But when it comes down to it, have you made a movie for $750? Have you made a profit? Has that profit gone towards your next film, which will have an even bigger production value? Possibly $5000???

Those are a few questions to ask yourself. You can bash my film all you want, but it was a success in my book. And doing that has allowed me to realize the business side of film. Its nothing like hollywood but the principle is the same. Distant Walls has cost me $5000. That is a big budget for me. However I plan on making it all back as well as making a profit. Why? So I can make my next film.

Making movies is not just about art, it is about business as well. And if you don't understand both sides than your f*cked and should quite now.

All of you who say that you want to make films just for the art and don't care about money is bullsh*t. Thats an ideal perception to have but if you don't make a movie that people will like than you won't get anywhere in the business. I plan on making my way up. And I feel I have a good start.

You guys also have to realize this. The Lost Soldiers is not an original film by any means. Film students (or prospects) have the tendency to bash any film that is commercially viable, makes money, or that offers nothing new. I know The Lost Soldiers offers nothing new. But everyone that saw it at my school was entertained. And yes some people cried at the ending. So that means they bought into the emotional story that I presented. But my film touched someone. You can go off about how people cry in alot of movies, but many people who do love that feeling, and feel rewarded when that happens. When they experienced my film, they liked it.

Have you had 400 people sit down in an auditorium to watch your film? When it was over did it get a standing ovation? Did it entertain?

At least on that day, The Lost Soldiers did. I take into account everyones opinions. I don't discard them. I use them to help me make a better film. And Distant Walls (my next feature) is 40 times better than TLS, you can count on it. I'm working on a trailer to send in now. The trailer will be up soon. Afterwards, if you want to watch the feature youll have to wait.

As for seeing the entire Lost Soldiers. We'll see. Email me about it.
Tommy21485@earthlink.net
tverre20@student.scad.edu

Thomas Verrette
tommy21485@earthlink.net
Imperial Pictures

i've been waiting for this reply thomas!

well said!!! three cheers!

is there a site for the next one? pics or anything?

good luck and keep us informed!

"...where wings take dream..."
- G. W. Bush

My sister is currently making our company a website. So when that is finished I will have pics. If someone can tell me how to insert a picture on this thread I can post some.

Thomas Verrette
tommy21485@earthlink.net
Imperial Pictures

well said I totally agree with you.


Hoeks -whowouldliketohavea5000dolalrbudgetforhis2minutedialogueinTVstudioproduction)

hey tom

while everyone is on the subject of downplaying your sucsess i've got a few questions.


400 people???? how did you pull off this remarkable feat. how many were cast/crew's family/friends? how'd you advertise? where'd you show it that let you KEEP the money?

the time is coming where i'm going to be doing the same stuff here so i just wondered how you got so lucky


$2000 ..... ahhhh....... 400 people......

thanks

"...where wings take dream..."
- G. W. Bush

I did it at my school, and my drama teacher liked it so much that he got permission from the principle to let us show it in our auditorium.

As for how many people were family members, my parents came, the actors parents came, but they didnt have to pay. About 30 were my friends, they all payed though. The rest Im not sure about. Don't have the specs.

Good luck.

Thomas Verrette
tommy21485@earthlink.net
Imperial Pictures

How did you advertise? 400 people? That's almost the number of kids in my high school all together!

"Don't breathe or I'll kill you!"

I have to add that I feel a film cannot be judged by statistics and numbers. Stanley Kubrick (arguably one of the greatest filmmakers) never made tons of money on his films however he is still judged as a great filmmaker. Too many michael bays would be film gods if the whole $$$ meant ****. I'm not saying that the film isnt good (I personally like and was impressed by tls), but there should be more to your praise then the profit made. even if it is ata young age. id rather hear **** about realistic he got high school students to act. maybe the visual effects. anything. I just think u should be saying something other than the money aspect (and many have).

I'm not a Kubrick fan... just my thoughts... but your point is valid and I do agree...

- C. Davis
YELLOW HAMMER PRODUCTIONS

HDK, I understand your point, but we've already praised the acting and the realism and all that jazz enough. Everyone knows that The Lost Soldiers stirred up our "hive" (in a good way), and I don't see anything wrong with asking him how he made money off of the movie.

Whether you likes it or not, money makes the world go 'round.

The way I see myself in the future: I am doing what I love, while still making money. I'm not into filmmaking for the green, but you have to admit that if you can love your job and support a family with it (or just yourself), life is good.

I congratulate Thomas because not too many things like that happen to a guy of his age.

"Don't breathe or I'll kill you!"

just dont get a big head over this one, cause I have seen better from people your age. Other than that good job. I didnt like the film, but you have my respect for going out there and doing it.

"Pain is temporary, Film is forever"-Peter Jackson

"Art only does so much, and sometimes it doesn't even pay the bills!"-AFC President

http://www.ErwinBrothers.com

You do agree HDK, correct?

"Pain is temporary, Film is forever"-Peter Jackson

"Art only does so much, and sometimes it doesn't even pay the bills!"-AFC President

http://www.ErwinBrothers.com

I've posted a lot of stuff about how TLS was made, the actors, the special effects. All that stuff is on other forum topics related to the movie. You'll have to go and find them. Ha!

But anyway, here it goes. I made The Lost Soldiers for the fun of making a movie. I made it to experience how hard it is to make a feature and how grueling it was. My intention wasn't to make money off the film, that is more of a plus. It is always to make the best film possible, but to do that you do need money and you cant always go about spending your own money on everything cause eventually you'll run out. And (like Kris said) what is wrong with making money off of something that your good at? That is how you make a living is it not?

Anyway, I advertised foremost at my school. We put flyers up about a week and a half in advance and a few full size posters (created on adobe photoshop). We also had announcements in the mornings and afternoons regarding the film. Also the place where I work we handed out a few flyers, and some of the customers actually went which was cool, cause I wasnt expecting any of that. That all was my bosses idea lol.

Oh yeah...I don't have a big head (Ha!), I am just much more educated on the producing side of making a film now as opposed to just the artistic side. And because of that I feel I am much further ahead in the game than most. Thats why I talk about the money side. Money isn't everything, but you cant make a movie without it.

Thomas Verrette
tommy21485@earthlink.net
Imperial Pictures

quote:

---

Whether you likes it or not, money makes the world go 'round.

---

Yes money makes the world fo 'round. But it doesn't have to be that way.

quote:

---

P.S. There is nothing wrong with making money at something your good at!

You do agree HDK, correct?

---

No there is nothing wrong with making money at something your good at. But that doesn't mean it will make it better. Some people get very rich at what they love and hate it because it ruins what they began and other people judge them by the whole $$$ aspect of what they do. Look at what happens to a guy like Kurt Cobain. Is making money at something your good at a good thing? I surely question it.
What if Tom loses money on his next film? Where does he stand then?

quote:

---

HDK, I understand your point, but we've already praised the acting and the realism and all that jazz enough.

---

I would have to double check the past threads, but wasn't everyone bashing the acting performances and the ONE guy with white pants that ruined the whole film for them (none of that bothered me)?

This movie is a good movie. I am right everyone else is wrong.

hey i never said it wasn't good. i liked it alot both for artistic and (what i find to be artificial) entertainment value. all i was rebelling against was how the praise for the $$$ made was flying high.

I've never seen it...

- C. Davis
YELLOW HAMMER PRODUCTIONS

What a bunch of losers. Thomas keep up the good work. Anyone who bad mouths your film is just jealious.

P.S I would love to see the entire movie. Email me at shadowless_films@hotmail.com and we can chat.

Dangerous Minds make the most sense