| | | | Early Bird Discount Expires Friday for March 1st Event
As I announced a couple of weeks ago, the special early-bird discount for my upcoming No Budget Film Club event expires soon. Save 50% ($5 off) on tickets to the 30th Anniversary Screening of Doug Block's seminal documentary The Heck With Hollywood! and virtual Discussion/Q&A, when you sign up before Friday 2/5 at 11:55pm PST. After that, tickets will be $7 for Subscribers. Use the Promo Code SUBS to save, or click the big read button below (which includes your discount). |
| | Imagine...
When we think about our favorite filmmakers--the legends, like Spielberg, Scorsese, Hitchcock--we think of them as all-knowing, infallible, assured. But what if we could follow them around during the making of their very first films, what would they seem like then?
I had the very good fortune of working with Chris Nolan before his first feature Following had been discovered by most of the world, before the Batmans, Inception, or even Memento. We didn't know working with him at that time that he would eventually be one of the most successful filmmakers working today. Before somebody makes it big, can you tell they'll be the one?
Filmmaker Jennifer Fox is an acclaimed director and producer, whose 35 year career includes multiple Emmy award nominations, an Academy award nomination, and several trips to Sundance, including winning the Grand Jury Prize. She's at the top of her field, but what was it like when she was just starting out, on her very first film? What decisions did she struggle with? What mistakes did she make? How did she handle adversity?
Imagine if you could be a fly on the wall back then, witnessing first hand how someone becomes the Jennifer Fox we know today? That's what The Heck With Hollywood! allows you to do. You have the opportunity to see the struggle all of us filmmakers go through to this day. Watching these filmmakers try to solve the myriad of issues they face is illuminating, exasperating, hilarious and even inspirational. And you'll realize, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
You'll then get to hear from Jennifer today (as well as the other filmmakers depicted in the film), in our live discussion, as she chronicles the path her career took after that first film was finished, over 30 years ago. You'll be able to ask her and the other filmmakers questions about that journey. Was it worth it? What was the biggest lesson learned? You'll also have the opportunity to hear from two industry veterans who were on the scene at that time. What were those days like back then? How has the industry changed? Where are we heading?
This first No Budget Film Club event promises to be an entertaining and edifying affair, filled with war stories and lessons from the front lines, spanning decades. Don't miss your chance to join us. Register today! |
| | | | OTHER CLASSES & WORKSHOPS |
| | Don't Miss This Essential, FREE Distribution Workshop Friday, Feb 5th 11am PST
I am working with the aforementioned Peter Broderick and his colleague Keith Ochwat on an amazing, free distribution workshop they're giving this Friday. Peter and Keith are two of the world's leading distribution strategists. They teamed up unofficially over 10 years ago when Peter, (who I worked with over 20 years ago when he ran Next Wave Films), consulted on Keith's documentary Diamond In The Dunes. Peter then helped Keith on his incredibly successful doc Age Of Champions, and after that they started working together officially as consultants, using the lessons learned on that film and many others to give clients an up-to-the-minute, cutting-edge strategy for their distribution.
Last year Peter and Keith taught an incredibly successful online course called Supercharge Your Distribution, which I was also involved with. They're getting ready to launch an all-new, updated version of that course called RECHARGE YOUR DISTRIBUTION and this free workshop will give you a great idea of what you'll learn in the course. But this is not some advertisement for the course--it's a two hour, jam-packed session with all kinds of strategies and techniques that filmmakers should be using in 2021, as the world is still adjusting to the new realities of distribution in light of the pandemic. You'll learn so much, and have the opportunity to ask questions, and if you think you want to know more, you'll get a special discount on the upcoming class.
So join me this Friday, but realize that space is limited. This is actually the second workshop we've scheduled. The first one, which we conducted last Sunday, sold out in less than 12 hours. We've created more space for this one, but it's filling up fast. Hope to see you there! |
| | | | | "before/during/after" Opening February 9th On Demand
I first met actress (and perhaps, reluctant producer) Finnerty Steeves when she emailed me out of the blue looking for some advice on completing her labor-of-love feature film, before/during/after. She was a friend of a friend, and had a strong resume as an actress (she was a regular on Orange Is The New Black and has an extensive theater background), so I took a look at the film. Even at that time, before it was completely finished, I was so impressed with it. Not because it was fancy or slick--it isn't--but because the writing and performances were so consistently strong, and the story connected with me in a very personal way. No, I'm not a 40-something year old woman going through a divorce, but I am a single, 50-something year old man who has dated a few 40-something year old women. This movie captures that unique, and infrequently told, experience of being older and having to go back out in the jungle. That frightening, exciting, and often awkward dating jungle for us "older," single adults.
I saw that first cut some 2 or 3 years ago, and after unofficially consulting with Finn since then, and I'm thrilled to announce that the film is coming out for the world to see next week, via Gravitas. Finn had a somewhat difficult task navigating the festival and distribution waters last year, as COVID hit and the whole festival world turned upside down. Still, she managed to garner numerous well-deserved awards for the film, and the response from audiences and critics was similar to mine--this is a perfectly realized depiction of adults at a crossroads, people you don't always see in the movies or on TV. If you're living this life right now, this film is an absolute MUST SEE. And even if you're not, but you appreciate honest, authentic comedy/dramas that capture the realities of the moment, you'll definitely want to see before/during/after.
As you know, it really helps the release of an indie film to pre-order, and it's available now to pre-purchase on iTunes. You can also learn more about it and see a trailer on their website. |
| | | | LOOKING FOR PRODUCERS INTERESTED IN GAINING EXPERIENCE (Not Necessarily Getting A Big Paycheck)
I get asked all the time for recommendations for new, hungry producers looking for opportunities to produce. Often people I know will have some financing and a project, but not a lot to pay someone, and they're looking for someone to help them bring the project to fruition. They know they can't afford someone with a lot of experience, so they're looking for eager, resourceful, serious people who want to build a resume, earn valuable experience, and make connections that might lead to other, better paying opportunities.
You'd think after teaching no-budget filmmaking for over 15 years I'd have a whole roster of folks that fit this description, but alas, I don't. So, I'm asking all of you reading this now--if this sounds like you, email me back a little bit about yourself, include a resume if you have one, and of course, your contact information, and I'll start building that roster out. I won't bug you with shitting-sounding projects, but rather recommend you for things that I would want to take if I were in your shoes, (and believe me, I have worn those shoes!).
I already have a project in mind for the right kind of person. Someone I know well who is established is currently looking for a producer. Financing is in place, (though not a lot of money), so you won't have to hustle for money for the project.
Looking forward to hearing from all who are interested! |
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