Okay, Im a bit interested in the steps required to produce a straight to video production. Here is what I have thought of so far.

-Draft Script
-Casting
-Determine Budget
-Gather Investors/Funding
-Film Production
-Editing
-Contact Distributor
-Distribute

Is that right along the lines of things?

My honest thorough approach.

-Determine budget
-Plan producable concept/idea
-Draft Script
-re-draft script
-Draft production script
-Do storyboards
-Get access to locations
-Schedule rentals of any equipment (lights, camera, fogger, automobiles, etc)
-Casting(for trailer)
-shoot trailer
-send trailer and proposals to potential investors
-find grant money (get a PR/research person)
-RE-Determine Budget
-Casting (for film)
-Gather Investors/Funding
-more Casting (for film)
-Film Production
-Editing
-Send rough draft to investors
-Determine marketing budget
-Get the money...
-Contact Distributor
-Distribute
-ADVERTISE!!!

- C. Davis
YELLOW HAMMER PRODUCTIONS

Please note that this is just a vague outline... There's about 1000+ steps involved in producing a movie (correctly).

- C. Davis
YELLOW HAMMER PRODUCTIONS

Im not against them, but you need to know a few things going in. First they are not the norm, but rather the exception. Most films garnish investments through the script and so on, but they are a good way for unproven film makers to show investors what they can do.

We used a trailer we shot, based on our script, to get investors for our feature "Redemption" (said trailer can be seen via the link in my signature)

We wanted to shoot it for several reasons.
1) We wanted to set the tone of the film for possible investors.
2) We had an opportunity to premiere said trailer at the local film fest and ride the hype from that through an investment party going on the following week.
3) We were shooting HD and the investors were unclear on what it was, and how it would look. Shooting the trailer in HD allowed them to see exactly what they were paying for.

Sounds great right? So whats the downside? Money (isnt it always) Here is an example. The entire film (thus far anyway, there may be more costs in post) cost $20,000 to make. The trailer cost $5,000 to make and that was WITHOUT investors. Translation: $5,000 out of pocket.

Now if your shooting DV this isnt quite the case (as most of the cost was for the format) but there are other things at stake.

If your going to shoot an investors trailer, be sure to give it as much time, effort, and money you will the feature. If you dont, you might just chase investors off with your trailer. If the film is about killer vampirse and you want extensive make up work on the feature, dont rub grease paint on the actors face and stick in a pair of those cheesy plastic teeth you can get out of a crank machine. The investors will take it at face value. If it looks amatuer, so will your film (as far as they are concerned)

Its the old, "It takes money to make money" adage. If your going to do it, do it right. Shoot in the same format you intend to do the feature in, same locations, props, make up, ect.

A well made investment trailer can work wonders (Michael Bay shot such a trailer to show the studios his vision of what the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre would lok like. It wiorked, they greenlight it) a poorley made one will get you no where (I have no examples, since you never hear about those films). Good luck.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

What are some investors you could send a trailer to?

Thanks,
Shunohaku

"Now I am become death, the destroyer of world's."

quote:

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Originally posted by Shunohaku:
What are some investors you could send a trailer to?

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Well, I've never done this, but I've heard dentists have been good financiers for independent productions. They have disposable income and a boring life. Being involved in filmmaking is exciting--even if it's just their money involved. And you wouldn't want to send the trailer to them. You want them to come to you. Dealmaking 101: You always want the homefield atvantage. Rent a theater to screen the trailer or borrow a fancy office with a screening room. You're trying to impress them.

I want to quickly comment on Chad's list. I think contacting distributors is one of the first things you need to do. Before you try to finace a film, you need a distribution plan (aka business plan). Talking to distributors will test the waters for the potential interest they would have for your film. Show investors how and where they will make money. You also need a publicist working with you at a very early stage--even if your publicist is your uncle Louie. Publicity will help sell the film to distributors and financers ... and cast and crew.

So how do you get private investors in pre-production, do you show them your script, or are you talking about our parents?

"If there is one thing I hate more than being bored is having nothing to do."

There are all sorts of ways to get investors but Joren is absolutley right. always "Sell the sizzle". Rent out a art deco type small movie house. If nothing else show your D.P.s reel (you should have a DP involved by that stage)

Might i suggest checking out a book caled "Reel to Deal" It has great tips on dealing with everything from investors to distributors and beyond.

You should make all attempts to make your film and your presence known to distributors. You can do this by listing under the "In production" section of the trades (IE" The Hollywood Reprter, Variety) and by listing you film with Film Finders a publication that is sent to all the major studios and pretty much every distributor in the world. All of this is free BTW.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

So is it posible to get funding for a film with just a script if you haven't begun filming yet?

"If there is one thing I hate more than being bored is having nothing to do."

Sure its possible. Most movies are greenlight based on the script and who is attatched to the project (ie: big name star)

It helps if you have something to show though. Thats why its good to get a seasoned DP attatched. (well there are many reasons to have a seasoned DP attatched but this is one) That way atleast you can show his/her reel to investors. If nothing else try to shoot something to show them (if you have no DP reel) If your a great salesman you can sell an idea but this is a visual medium. Investors want to see something.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

It's not ever easy to get any funding. Especially if you haven't ever made a sucessful film before. I would recomend you tenatively hire as many of the creative positions before you talk to investors (i.e. producer, art director, DP, costumes, editor, etc). You should get people with the most experience, since you probably have none. Selling your script to these people will also help you in selling to investors.

Are you ready to go that route of film financing? What is your budget for your film? If you think you can pull it off cheap (sub 100k), you may concider self fincancing or via grants, or another creative way. There is a huge differece in the type of production investors finance and the type your parents finance. If you're not yet clear on the difference, I wonder if you're ready for the business side of making a film backed by investors.

Thanks Tizzy and Joren. I had a vague understanding but now I think I got it. Im going to be checking this out a bit more now.

"If there is one thing I hate more than being bored is having nothing to do."

There's an awesome book on this subject:
Independent Feature Film Production : A Complete Guide from Concept Through Distribution by Gregory Goodell

Make sure you get the revised edition (not the original 1982 version) since it has more info on the use of digital processing in the pipeline.

This book really covers the subject extensively, down to minute details and even provides example budgets for everything from "Starting from Scratch" through domestic & international distrobution and marketing.

Good luck !!!
Have fun.

Great! Awesome that you are going out there and getting things done but what is your past experience?

If it is too small to speak of or if you have no past experience ( I have no clue so don't be offended) then you might want to just spend some time practicing. Most likely you are younger and writing is a newer concept to you (even if you've been writing script for the past three years)so realize that this will show through in your work.

I tend to see a lot....a lot...a lot...of student film makers with a extremely low patients ratio when compared to their years of experience. You're young take this time to learn.

It's always good to go out and "GET EM"...but don't get your hopes up if you don't have the background to pull it off.

HOODIE PRODUCTIONS......"making it happen"

Great book..."Shot by Shot"

HOODIE PRODUCTIONS......"making it happen"