Cinematic Arias

Posts Tagged ‘Fringe’

Mini Meetings – 8. October, 2009

Wondering about the radio silence? Yes, I am back from all my travels but I’m also attending the Filmmaker Forum by Film Independent this weekend. It’s a 2-day seminar on the current-yet-always-evolving state of independent film.

I know, I know, you’re saying “attending a seminar shouldn’t preclude you from blogging regularly” but I also I signed up for their IndieLink. Normally an IndieLink is a moderated meet-and-greet between two groups of up-and-comping professionals. For example, they regularly have ones where directors and producers get together with composers.

For the Filmmaker Forum, they’re a bit differnt. This time around they’re 10-minute meetings with industry professionals. I sent in my preferences expecting to maybe get one meeting but probably get shutout.

Imagine my surprise when I scored four big meetings. This Saturday, in the space of one hour, I’m meeting with a distributor, a creative executive, an agent and a hybrid distribution consultant.

Therefore, I’ve been doing my homework for the past few days. I’ve been studying up on the kinds of films they package/sell/distribute. I’ve also been trying to figure out how I want to spend my time with them and how to make their time with me, at the very least, pleasant.

In ten minutes, I have to tell them how awesome I am without coming off as an arrogant or clueless jerk. I also have to tell them about one rad project I’m working on, a project that will prove to them that I’m a filmmaker they should want to track.

I think I have a strategy.

For the distributor, I can talk about my recently shot feature, ask what kind of distribution is typical for a film of its size and how I can best position my film (as is) for niche distributors.

For the hybrid distribution consultant I can also talk about my feature but I also have a multimedium project (aka, transmedia) that I can mention. I’ll be sure to ask about the possibilities/realities of generating revenue for such a project through non-traditional streams, how to maximize social media exposure and the possibilities of sponsorships (I keep thinking Nerve or Match might be a good fit for my feature).

As for the CE, I can talk about my feature as well as these two scripts I’m cooking up; one a twist on the bromance genre and the other a haunted house/possession story.

As for the agent, I should cover the aforementioned projects while also talking about my recently completed TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES spec and the CHUCK and/or FRINGE spec I’ll write next… but of course I’d rather be directing those shows.

I have to engage these people, get their advice and expertise, while pitching myself (and my works, both current and future) without coming off as a desperate creative.

So, is there something I’m missing? Am I misguided in my logic and approach? What’s your advice?

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Posted in Education, Industry

“No” Means “Try Harder” – 3. September, 2009

Before I get bombarded by some womyns group, let me assure you that 1) my momma raised a good boy and 2) I’m talking about perseverance in the film industry.

I know it’s frowned upon to share defeat but it’s the reality of working as a creative in the movie industry. Recently, I suffered two hits.

First, the spec commercial I made for the Amazon “Make-Your-Own-Ad” contest wasn’t chosen for one of the top 5 spots. I have no idea how many entries there were but I would assume a lot of people would take a shot at $20k.

Second, I topped out at the second round of the Austin Teleplay competition. They did send a letter saying that making the second round means I was in the top 10%. Someone even took the time to send me a hand written note with the form letter congratulating my courage for writing on a new show (the recently canceled TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES).

Obviously I’m bummed but if I dwell on the negative while trying to hack my way into this industry, I’d have committed suicide a long time ago. No, instead I take great pride in the work I’ve done, add it to the portfolio and move on to the next short (an actress from my Amazon spec pitched me an idea) and spec teleplay (I’m pretty sure it’ll be a FRINGE but I’m considering a DOLLHOUSE or possibly an EASTBOUND & DOWN).

As I say to my colleagues, I must heed as well: Chin up, gather your strength and keep moving forward.

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Posted in Directing, Screenwriting, Short Films

On The Road To Comic-Com 2009 – 23. July, 2009

Although I’m operating on a couple hours sleep (my shoot went long and we didn’t finish so we gotta shoot another day–F********************CK!), it’s time to pack for Comic-Con.

Bleary eyed, I gazed at the Thursday schedule. Things of potential interest:

ROBOT CHICKEN – Maybe I could pick up some stop-motion tips (I wonder how many set-ups they knock-out in a day).

AVATAR – I want to go but I don’t want to wait three hours in line. Plus we’re getting it at work so I’m gonna see it before all of you (I’m fiesty when I haven’t slept).

PANDORUM – Evil Paul Anderson, he feels my pain, or so it seemed from EVENT HORIZON.

KICK-ASS – I’m just gonna be pissed I didn’t make it. Good, anger is sometimes more potent than coffee (damn, I need to shake the sleep off me).

THIRST – I love OLDBOY (but am curious of a Speilberg/Will Smith remake).

Oni Press – I like their comics, plus I should have directed WHITEOUT.

J. Michael Straczynski – I wrote this down cause I saw “writing” in the title and I gotta get stareted on a new feature and a FRINGE spec.

DEXTER – He feels my pain, too (Jesus, I need sleep).

The Physics of Hollywood Movies – I put this one down because it’ll make my brain explode.

Wow, I’m really punchy, surly and tired. My sister’s gotta drive us down to San Diego. Yes, that’s right, I’m going to Comic-Con with my sister. She actually proposed the trip to me. I think this is the first pseudo-family vacation in over a decade. Let’s see if we get in a massive fight.

Um, ignore that last statement. I just need to sleep.

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Posted in Off-Topic

2009 Midyear Update – 4. July, 2009

Six months into 2009, I think it’s time to check in with those goals I set for myself back in January.

Getting Back in the Directing Chair – Sadly, I haven’t directed anything since I wrapped my film at the end of last year. I was hoping to direct a web series I’d been developing with a troupe of actors but that fell through. I’d like to get something under my belt before the end of the year, maybe a spec spot or a short doc, but at this point…

Write Two Features and One Teleplay – There is cause to celebrate here. I finally finished my TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES spec.

Once I broke the story, the script came easily. And I gotta say I kinda enjoyed it. I really think I might give it another go later this year with a FRINGE spec.

Oh, and for those wondering what I do with a T:SCC spec, so far I’ve submitted to the Austin Film Festival Teleplay Competition and the Disney/ABC Television Writing Fellowship and soon I’ll be sending it to the Warner Brothers Writers Workshop.

As for writing a new feature script, I always have to consider what I’ll direct next. I have a few ideas simmering. Basically, I’m deciding between a sequel to the film I just shot, a zombie flick, a coming-of-age comedy and a twist on the bromance movie. Of the ideas I just listed, each one gets increasingly bigger and I think that affects my ability to set them up as my next directing gig. I’m also working on a web-series of my own that I can’t talk about (it’s sorta a legal thing).

Network More – I’ve been trying to reach out to folks but there’s plenty of room for improvement. I am also on the verge of re-styling my website and then possibly this blog (more computer stuff to learn).

Work on Pitching – Yeah, I haven’t really worked on that.

As for my other non-film related goals, I haven’t achieved any of them. I’ve been swamped with work since the year started. But I am teaching myself After Effects and I’m learning how to use the Magic Bullet Suite.

Lastly, I hope you have a happy and safe 4th of July.

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Posted in Directing, General, Screenwriting

Going to Comic-Com – 30. June, 2009

Yes, that’s right, I’m going to the fanboy mecca this summer.

After glancing yesterday’s news, it seems like I should expect a giant press event from the major broadcasters peddling any of their shows that might possibly have a geeky male audience.

Hey, hold on, I’m not trying to be snarky but why there hell will there be a GLEE press event? Do we have to provide our own cabbages?

(Dark Tony’s Conscience: That one goes out to my buddy, Mr. Big Hollywood Producer.)

(Tony’s Conscience: No, no, no! Don’t go negative. Stay positive. There’ll be a FRINGE event. Your TV crush Anna Torv might be there. Sure, you probably have a better chance of talking to her at the Sunset Coffee Bean but…)

Okay, anyone that’s gone before, what should I do? What should I expected? What kind of trouble can I get into and will she be wearing a Princess Lea bikini from RETURN OF THE JEDI?

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Posted in Off-Topic

Hulu Desktop – 18. June, 2009

I’ve been trying out the new Hulu application for the Mac and it isn’t half bad.

It’s nice that you can control the app with the Apple remote but you can’t re-order shows or delete them from cue from within the application. You can only do that from the Hulu website. Also, the system requirements are pretty steep but I seem to do fine with my 1.2 Mbps home wireless download speed (2 Mbps is recommended).

Is this just a glorified viewer? Yes. Is it smoother than the old Joost application? I think so (I can’t really remember that old app). Will I use this application over their website? I think so. What about you?

(And yes, this was yet another shameless excuse to spotlight my latest TV crush, Anna Torv)

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Posted in Off-Topic

Star Trek – 4. June, 2009

I think I can say this with 98.7% accuracy: there will be no better summer action-adventure movie than STAR TREK.

Somehow JJ Abrams along with writers Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman (all three of which also created one of my favorite new television shows, FRINGE, starring the lovely Anna Torv) have crafted a fast moving, emotionally satisfying thrill ride full of solid performances, spectacular effects and spine-tingling plot twists that come flying at you with such fury that you take their leaps of logic without a second of hesitation. I think all would-be writers of big action flicks should take note: this is how you do it.

You should absolutely boldly go where this movie wants to take you. That goes for you old-school Trekkies, too.

Need more convincing? How about a sexy Star Trek homage by Rachel Nichols. Don’t know who she is? Check it out:

Yeah, she’s the only reason I’m gonna go see GI JOE (on a related note, this new GI JOE cartoon rocks).

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Posted in Reviews

New Goals for 2009 – 1. January, 2009

While I detest the ideas of new year resolutions I do believe that one should always have a goal. I think these are my professional ones (but I’m reserving the right to revise them at a later date):

Get Back in the Directing Chair – Although I’m posting my first feature as we speak, I haunted by this advice/warning: don’t start your first feature unless you’re committed to finishing your third. Therefore, I should to get back in the directing chair this year. I’m not sure if that would involve a documentary, some webisodes or another feature. Regardless, I do know that the savviest directors get their next directing gigs before their current film debuts. How else could you explain Frank Miller getting to direct BUCK ROGERS when THE SPIRIT sucks so hard?

Write Two Features and One Teleplay – I once heard Oliver Stone address Stanford university. After verbally masturbating all over the audience for 90-minutes he managed to toss out one useful bit of advice. He said, “if you want to direct, write two scripts a year.” Okay, but then I have to face my first obstacle: want do I want to write? I’m not sure if I should write my romantic teen comedy, my horror comedy, my low-budget ensemble thriller or a sequel to the film I just shot. Besides that, I want to write a TV spec. I’m pretty sure I’m writing something for this…

… but there’s a chance I’d write a teleplay for this show:

(honestly, I’d rather direct for the boob tube than write but I might as well give this a shot… let’s see if fate makes me eat those words).

I Need to Network More – I’m not sure how to go about this exactly but I need to let people know that I’m a director they can trust to get the job done. Maybe I need to revamp my website and then drive more traffic to it. Maybe I need to get more eyes on this blog. Maybe I need to shoot more short stuff and post it on YouTube. Maybe I need to get more involved with… something. I’d really appreciate some advice here.

I Need to Work on My Pitching – Ever seen BROADCAST NEWS? Remember Albert Brooks when he has to anchor the news? That’s what I’m like when I pitch. I really need to work on that.

As for non-film related goals, I’d really like to travel outside the country, do something that scares me, take a class outside of my field, take a road trip, read more fiction, take up the guitar (again), save more, get healthier… you know, all the typical bulls#!t people resolve to do at the start of a new year.

What about you?

Update: I forgot to mention this show:

Easily the most kick ass new show on TV. Once season 2 starts, I’ll see if I can come up with a good idea for a spec episode.

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Posted in Directing, General, Screenwriting

Where Are You Watching? – 3. December, 2008

Last week the New York Times had an article on America’s changing viewing habits. Let me sum it up like this: it does not bode well for those of us hoping to theatrically distribute an independent feature film.

In the tradition of “show me, don’t tell me,” why don’t I illustrate the point with a graphic.

I can tell you that I watch new episodes of Heroes, Fringe, 30 Rock, The Office, The Simpsons & King of the Hill via Hulu. I watch the new season of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles as well as old episodes of favorite shows on my iPhone. I watch DVDs from Netflix (and from my own collection) on my television and I watch digitally projected feature films for work at work. What about you?

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Posted in Industry

Cinematic Arias

Posts Tagged ‘Fringe’

Mini Meetings – 8. October, 2009

“No” Means “Try Harder” – 3. September, 2009

On The Road To Comic-Com 2009 – 23. July, 2009

2009 Midyear Update – 4. July, 2009

Going to Comic-Com – 30. June, 2009

Hulu Desktop – 18. June, 2009

Star Trek – 4. June, 2009

New Goals for 2009 – 1. January, 2009

Where Are You Watching? – 3. December, 2008

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