ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

9 years, 10 months ago - John Lubran

Bingo ! Sometimes a chance opens up even for the least likely proposition on these lists.

9 years, 10 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren

Hey Will - I'd ask you "How many scripts have you written?" What successes have you had in the past? Do you have 'any' money to get the ball rolling? Do you have any interest from talent? What's unique about your script that means an investor should look at it ahead of the competition - of which Paddy has mentioned above...? What are you're expectations for the film? Are you the writer or the director or both? If director, what have you done before?

Lots of questions for sure, but only a handful of what a producer will ask you...

Wozy

9 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

First question is how much money do you have?! Making features is expensive, so you'll need to be clear what your budget level is :-)

9 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

The million dollar question! Good starting point is to find the names of producers of very similar films in the same genre and then work out who their PA's are, and send it to them? Good research if going to be your best bet, I reckon. Also, why not post in the Script Pitch newsletter, just in case?

9 years, 10 months ago - Will Morris

Hi Paddy, yes that's a good point, and kind of the reason why I'm looking for a producer who can help estimate a budget and put together some kind of funding package. It's low-budget, more early Shane Meadows that later day Martin Scorsese. The main setting is a small restaurant, some extras needed, but not special effects. Thanks for your input

9 years, 10 months ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren

In fact I do know a couple of people who have produced low budget comedies. Perhaps contact me offline...

Wozy

9 years, 10 months ago - Will Morris

Hi Lee. All good questions, thanks. There is no money or talent attached. I've had experience making my digital shorts on nothing budgets where I did everything but act (I got LIPA students to do that, who were great) , the films got into small festivals (around Liverpool and Birmingham, and a film night in Edinburgh- not the big film festival) and one got a summertime evening run on the BBC bigscreen in Birmingham. This is the first feature length script I've tried to get made. The script is a character based comedy set in a run down restaurant. I suppose a little like 'Clerks' or even 'Rumble Fish' (if they just stayed in Benny's Billards for most of the film). Definately low budget maybe like Somers Town (I like colour fllms too), but I don't think Eurostar are going to flip the bill here. I think some of the characters/themes are easy to identify with and the episodes / situations / dialogue are hopefully funny. If you know anyone who specialises in producing low budget comedies then that would be a great help. Some of my short films are on youtube 'I'm George, She's Ringo' and 'Rat Race'. if you are interested.Thanks for your reply.

9 years, 10 months ago - Will Morris

Good stuff. Thanks for this. How could I possibly get my script to these producers / studios who have the access to fund to take it to the next step?

9 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Hi Will,

If I understand correctly, you don't have cash, but have a script you'd like to see on screen? Alas, this is an extremely common position, and there are 1000 unmade scripts for each one that gets made. It's ALL about money, the person with the money is the boss, and if you're not that guy/gal...

What usually happens is that a producer/studio will have access to money, and solicit scripts. If they like the project, they buy the script and make the film. They are the boss. You don't very often have a script to which you attach a producer who them goes out to look for money, if you get my drift! Not that it doesn't happen, but you can make it infinitely easier if you can find a source of at least some of the funding, that gives a potential producer something to start with. If you can think of any sources of cash, it'll attract people far faster than a script without any money. Luckily, if your script is strong, you may be able to find people who will be prepared to back you and promise to invest as a part of the larger picture. Try people you know who want to get behind you, parents, friends, strangers with money, etc. You'll be amazed how much traction you can get if you already have some backing, but how hard it is to get that first £20k!

General, broad brush-stroke budget, to get a film distributed with named talent, half to a million quid is pretty much the starting point. For less than that you can probably go to international DVD. Making feature films is expensive because you have a lot of overhead that you don't get with shorts!