Filmmaking

A writer, who is trying to sell a script, or a movie director, or even a producer have to learn to pitch their projects.

Most studios require an agent in order to read a screenplay. That’s their way to protect themselves. They have libraries of unread scripts, so they don’t want to waste their time on new ones. Unless there’s a name attached.

It’s almost impossible to find an agent, if nothing you have written has been produced or published yet. Publishing is another way to get through. A bestseller novel has more chanced to be sold for movie adaptation.

An interview with Jack Teetor, the Principal of Sojourn Media

JACK TEETOR: The digital revolution has been going on for a few years. DVRs and TiVos have changed the audience behavior to the extent that people can scan through commercials, record and watch when they want to watch. This has been a huge element in digital technology. Further, the distribution of TV shows through the internet, iPhones, web sites, etc.

The film industry is in a deep crisis according to the distribution gurus. “Picturehouse and Warner Independent have been shut down. New Line's staff was cut by 90 percent. Disney decreased the number of movies released per year from 47 to 12. Warner Brothers went from 35 to 20 films in less than 10 years,” – says Mark Gill, the CEO of The Film Department and former president of Miramax Films. [1]

It’s like a fish market: after 48 hours they don’t want it any more - "it’s not fresh, your film"!
François Yon*

The Cannes Market is one of the biggest film markets. It takes place every may in Cannes, South of France. There are 10 500 participants coming from 92 countries, the 1385 of them are film buyers. There are 7400 film titles offered, the 900 of which are screened at the market.[1]

Money should not be an issue to make a film.

In order to find financing for your first feature, you need to realize what your goals are. Are you doing it just because you like making films? Or you want this particular film to be done, because you think it will change the world? Or are you trying to become famous and rich? Is it just an ambition to make a movie? Or do you really want to get money out of it?

There are many ways to finance your film:
• Personal Network
• Donors
• Foundations, Grants
• Partners, Investors
• Presales
• Loans
• Equity Financing

Hollywood is a “buffet” – everybody wants to eat before you!
Robert M. Jones*

You spend money to produce your movie, to pay the actors, and when you finally sell your film, there’s no money left. Sales companies take 25% for their services, 25% for show expenses, and then they charge you for trailer and marketing. As a result, the first $125,000 of sales revenue is kept by sales companies.

Blockbusters like Titanic, The Lord of the Rings: The return of the King, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest brought the studios over one billion dollars worldwide. They were of course expensive movies to produce. However a big budget doesn’t guarantee a film’s success. A significant number of box office bombs have been released in last ten years.