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Distribution
I am an actor who has spent the last 10 years trying to get exposure, alas! I have come to the resolution of promoting myself and with a few friend we have made a few shorts. Confident enough now, I am writing a feature with no budget in mind. However, we will be spending some money out of our own pockets. Something, miserably meagre, (5000 GBP) We would be very happy if it gets distributed, not to recover the money, but to make our presence/existence aware in the cinematic world. The DoP, Music and Actors and a few other crew will be working for free, and there are other things we can pull without any budget, but the building of sets and location are not easy to find and sometimes very costly. However, we are aiming for the Berlin Festival... whilst I understand this is a very tall order, I would appreciate if anybody with any kind of suggestion or help and advice comes forward. To make matter more complicated we are based in the UK, in London precisely. I can discuss the idea and ex
-- posted by: Randy Nundlall Nov 20, 2008 6:27 AM
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Randy, Apply to ResArts or for film grants. You...
Randy, I'm not sure what input you'd like. ...
Since you are writing the script, keep your...
Not knowing anything about the Script, I would...
What are the going rates charged by distributors? For Direct to DV? Theatrical (heavens, is that possible for an indie)? Cable? Foreign? Let's look at all the options - features, shorts, documentary, educational....

-- posted by: Norman Berns Oct 31, 2008 3:52 PM
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Hate to say it, but this really depends on the...
Oh, one more thing. We also provide distribution...
I found an EXECUTIVE SUMMARY from Villain Pictures...
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Documentaries

Anyone know the name of the kid on the Stingray in the 1971 doc On Any Sunday? Director doesn't know. Film was shot in 1970-71 in San Juan Capistrano, Ca.

http://homepage.mac.com/nickersonresearch/WheelieBoy/iMovieTheater482.html

-- posted by: Kate Coe Jan 20, 2009 12:59 AM
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I went to IMBD under the Heading of the...
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Funding

Michigan Tax Credit/Rebate/incentives:

I have the latest (Fall 08 - US Production Incentives) and Michigan seems still up an running. Does anyone know if this has changed? I thought the state could not fund any plan due to 2008 over spend. Does anyone know??

side note: thanks Norm for a GREAT site! 

Jean-Luc

-- posted by: Jean-Luc Martin Dec 21, 2008 12:49 PM
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Finding Comparable Pictures ROI Report

Where can I find and buy a Comparable Pictures ROI Report that analyses Latino films?What are the companies selling this service and what should I expect to pay for this? Our film is a gothic political thriller set in Chile and the U.S.

Please email me at haikufilmsorg@yahoo.com Thanks, Mabel Valdiviezo Haiku Films 415-335-3143

-- posted by: Mabel Valdiviezo Jan 11, 2009 11:46 PM
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Here are 2 Web Sites that may give you the answers...
Google and Yahoo groups seem to be filled with investors eager to thrust their money at every possible production. I somehow don't believe investors are staking out amateur film groups prowling for the next big thing. Or are they...?

Has anyone closed a financial deal with anyone from any of the groups?

I'm not looking for names.... Well, of course I really am looking for names, but I doubt you'll part with them. So I'd like to know if anyone has chased any film group deals that actually turn out to be real.

Norman

-- posted by: Norman Berns Nov 20, 2008 9:56 PM
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Hello Norman: I checked one out recently just...
How are member's funding strategies (not sources, but workflows and concepts) changed with the upset in the stock market and reduced fund availability? Are you reducing the budget per film, the number of films, both, or neither - and why?

-- posted by: David Maisel Nov 02, 2008 9:56 AM
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Just had one project funder lose over 4 million in...
Since the Studios are not exempt from Financial...
Raising capital has always been a difficult task....
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New Media
Are you using any of the ranking links like DIGG, Delicious, Reddit and StumbleUpon?  Any others?  How are you using them to promote your project?  And are they working for you...?  How?
-- posted by: Norman Berns Feb 07, 2009 7:46 AM
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Are you using social networking sites like LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook?  Any others?  How are you using them to promote your project?  And are they working for you...?  How?
-- posted by: Norman Berns Feb 07, 2009 7:44 AM
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Hello Norman:I'm using LinkedIn as a way of...
Hi Norman, Believe it or not, just this week...
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Production

I am a student filmmaker using SHowbiz Scheduling as a demo for the first time. I am having difficulty with it. Is it possibly to print out the shcdule section before filling and completing EVERYthing  else? If so, how? I need just that sample section for class ASAP

-- posted by: Jessica Spinelli Apr 20, 2009 8:55 AM
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Well, yes and no.  You can certainly print...

I'm developing a narrative 1/2 hour series as part of an educational program that teaches social studies and science.  I am using already created high school curriculum to use as a template for some of the shows.  

Was wondering if I am going to be stepping on copyright infringement issues because I am basing some content off of already created curriculum.  Keep in mind these shows are fictitious in nature, but use the narrative to teach real concepts. i.e. CSI, meets actual science.

(I know this is a lawyer question, but wanted to ask peers before I shell out big bucks to get an official answer)

 

-- posted by: Sergio Rapu Dec 24, 2008 11:11 AM
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In 2006, we the committee had created the film showing during the festival (not film). I videotaped and edited the movie. We agreed to show the movie only during that festival (few days). Alot of people saw that movie and spread out the words and they want to buy DVD which we did not plan that before. Now I want to sell it. My committees will support me to use that film as demo reel. I plan to ask my commmittees to sign release paper that become my movie. Is there a proper form for my committee to give me permsission. Understand what I am saying?

 Laura

-- posted by: Laura Harvey Feb 17, 2009 1:24 PM
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Laura, Forget your committee. Consult a good...
Are film crew trailers used as dressing rooms, for the most part, or (also) as mobile offices for project management and/or live audio/video connection with the studios requiring phone service, broadband internet access, etc these days? If it's the latter, which studios are leading the industry in this area?

-- posted by: Hamid Nabavi Dec 01, 2008 5:06 PM
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There are probably Honeywagons for both Cast and...
Gee, I don't know what category to put this in... but maybe I chose the right one. My question is this... What is the best way to approach agents or managers if you've just made a short film as a representation of your talent, and you're looking for representation?

-- posted by: Eric Naughton Nov 02, 2008 6:39 PM
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I guess when I get around to reading what you...
Eric: Did you find my answer to be of help or...
Go to yahoo search and type in "HOW TO APPROACH...
I'm looking for a production cost report template.  Does anyone have a blank I can use...?
-- posted by: Norman Berns Feb 10, 2009 11:19 AM
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Need current IATSE Commercial Production Agreement. Anyone know where I can find, IATSE site requires username/password access.

Thank you, Tristan

-- posted by: Tristan Venture Dec 10, 2008 3:24 PM
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I think you'll find what you need in the...
You could try contacting the AICP (Association of...
What is a standard day-rate (or range) for a production coordinator working on a motion graphics project?

-- posted by: Paris Marron Nov 03, 2008 1:20 AM
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Paris: Did my previous Post help you in any...
I did a search under yahoo and found "RATES" for...
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Unions

I am putting together a budget for New Mexico for 1.5M and am researching crew rates - I have the labor guide and under IATSE it states this would fit in the extremely low budget catagory (in the 2007-09 low budget theatrical agreement it is call Tier 1). Here is my question and I will try to be as clear as I can.

If I am hiring local NM crew then I would apply Tier One which uses the rates Key/2nd/3rd. If I am bringing in non-local then I would have to apply Wage scale non-production cities tier two productions which have a different pay rate. AM I CORRECT IN THIS?

I am sure I am reading this all wrong and basically when I go on the labor guide local 480 does not show a tier 1 rate it just show the basic rate - Should I just work the numbers off of the tier 1 numbers on the 2007-09 low budget theatrical agreement. 

Help and Thank you!
Jean-Luc

-- posted by: Jean-Luc Martin Dec 14, 2008 4:32 PM
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Even better, NM is a right-to-work state and IATSE...
Jean-Luc, have you called the local and discussed...