Stacey, Once again, your insights and observations are spot on.
This line from your post - "When one frustrated audience member asked whether anyone’s films up there have actually been profitable there was crickets then awkward laughter." That is the elephant in the room that few experts or panelists ever want to get near.
I tell my indie filmmaking friends, to stop looking for INVESTORS!
You went on further to say, "What was available to me was rolling up my sleeves and doing the hard work of raising funds from individuals"...YES. From individuals!...people who want to help you make your film. Friends, family, your dentist, your neighbor, even strangers. They're buying into YOU, the passionate person who has a story to tell. And pitch your story to everyone everywhere, at all times. And above all, hang out where the money is...casinos, high end bars, wine tastings and culinary events, medical/legal conventions, charity galas and fundraisers. Stop hanging out at filmmaker panel discussions events with other broke-ass and/or unprofitable filmmakers.
I wished there was a handbook with dollar amounts connected to talent that could tell me the value of my film in such and such genre with said actor. Who decides this, knows this? ( I hear it's the distributor or the sales agent, but they won't tell you these things until you do a deal with them) I'm wondering if these "values" are in flux given the current state of the business?
Yes those values are in flux and an experienced Producer or EP and definitely sales agent and distributor can all share that intel. It's having people on your team that are plugged into the market and actively buying/selling that will know this type of intel. As a filmmaker as you develop your network and relationships you will be able to learn this intel but it takes time. Either that, or you hire the right producer, EP, or Consultant to join your project so you can shortcut your learnings. It's what I advise clients on via my FS Pro group: https://www.filmspecific.com/fspro
Stacey, Once again, your insights and observations are spot on.
This line from your post - "When one frustrated audience member asked whether anyone’s films up there have actually been profitable there was crickets then awkward laughter." That is the elephant in the room that few experts or panelists ever want to get near.
I tell my indie filmmaking friends, to stop looking for INVESTORS!
You went on further to say, "What was available to me was rolling up my sleeves and doing the hard work of raising funds from individuals"...YES. From individuals!...people who want to help you make your film. Friends, family, your dentist, your neighbor, even strangers. They're buying into YOU, the passionate person who has a story to tell. And pitch your story to everyone everywhere, at all times. And above all, hang out where the money is...casinos, high end bars, wine tastings and culinary events, medical/legal conventions, charity galas and fundraisers. Stop hanging out at filmmaker panel discussions events with other broke-ass and/or unprofitable filmmakers.
Excellent advice Joe!!
I wished there was a handbook with dollar amounts connected to talent that could tell me the value of my film in such and such genre with said actor. Who decides this, knows this? ( I hear it's the distributor or the sales agent, but they won't tell you these things until you do a deal with them) I'm wondering if these "values" are in flux given the current state of the business?
Yes those values are in flux and an experienced Producer or EP and definitely sales agent and distributor can all share that intel. It's having people on your team that are plugged into the market and actively buying/selling that will know this type of intel. As a filmmaker as you develop your network and relationships you will be able to learn this intel but it takes time. Either that, or you hire the right producer, EP, or Consultant to join your project so you can shortcut your learnings. It's what I advise clients on via my FS Pro group: https://www.filmspecific.com/fspro