story r&d
DESCRIPTION
Producers Peter Katz and Don Le share why filmmakers should produce film pilots (proof of concepts) to market their projects online. This is based on their experience creating Already Gone ( http://vimeo.com/40921995 ), a short adapted from a feature script written by Bill Balas. Directed by Ross Ching, starring Harry Shum (Glee) and Shawn Ashmore (X-Men). Check out the credits here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2378083/TRANSCRIPT
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STORY R&D
Peter Katz @PeterKatz1 Don Le @sagafron8er
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Already Gone
In 2012, we produced this film pilot.
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What’s a film pilot?
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Film pilots are prototypes for movies: Already Gone started as a 113 pg crime script wriRen by Bill Balas. We adapted it into this 3 minute short directed by Ross Ching, starring Harry Shum (Glee) and Shawn Ashmore (X-‐Men).
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2005-‐Neil Blomkamp directed the film pilot Alive in Joburg.
2009 -‐it was adapted into the theatrical film District 9.
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Film pilots currently in development
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Why make a film pilot?
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Share your vision
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In less 8me it takes to drink a cup of coffee, you can watch Already Gone.
It’s easier to get buyers to make the small commitment to watch a video before reading an en8re script.
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Directors will interpret the same story differently. Film pilots show viewers the visual style of the movie.
Joel Schumacher Christopher Nolan
Bat nipples
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Communicate unique ideas. Many people aren’t familiar with South Africa’s
culture and poli8cal landscape. That said, District 9’s
film pilot showed financiers it could resonate with
many fans.
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The Resistance series started as a proof of concept.
Ghost House Pictures (Sam Raimi’s company) found the teaser online, then Starz co-‐produced it as a 1 hour TV pilot that premiered on Syfy Channel.
Finally, it was released as 8 short episodes on Xbox Live and iTunes.
Exists on Mul8plagorms
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Sam Raimi op8oned the film pilot Panic ARack aher discovering it online.
It doesn’t maRer where you live.
The filmmakers live in Uruguay,
a long way from Hollywood.
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Produc8on companies won’t accept your script submissions, unless
you have representa8on.
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Once a film pilot is released online, any produc8on company can see it.
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Many films are based on a pre-‐awareness property: ar8cle, board game, video game, comic, toy, true story, novel, TV show, amusement park ride, remake, sequel, prequel, reboot… ANYTHING with a fanbase. Film pilots aRract fans before the movie is made.
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It’s gekng cheaper to produce and distribute professional content
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“The same camera that the Peter Jacksons, and
the David Finchers of the world use to make movies, all the young independent filmmakers with much smaller budgets are using the same exact tools.” Ted Schilowitz, co-‐founder of RED cameras.
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“Video technology puts filmmaking back in the hands of the people.” Robert Rodriguez
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Fric8onless distribu8on
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Developing stories for the web.
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Developing stories for the web.
First 10 seconds of a film pilot MUST hook the audience. You are compe8ng against Facebook and a million other distrac8ons.
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Film pilots sell an experience. Boil your story down to its essence. Anything that’s not memorable should be cut.
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Don Cheadle as Captain Planet
Write roles for talented actors who are looking to explore new types of characters and genres.
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Sell the sh#t out of it!
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Before releasing your film pilot, pitch press
a unique story that would interest their readers. Examples from Already Gone:
Wired covered it as an ac8on film. Mashable’s story focused on innova8on/social media.
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Shoot behind the scenes pictures/videos for the press.
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To cut through all the noise, make sure all your ar8cles are lined to up to be released at the same 8me.
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Post release
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Study your fans. Facebook and many other sites provide info about your community.
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Now use your film pilot, press, fanbase, script, and team to pitch buyers.
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Make something cool! Even if your movie doesn’t get financed, you will s8ll have a film pilot to showcase your skills.
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We thank our talented cast/crew. @Mellylee_ shot the set pictures.