Olive And Mocha

A movie gets made because someone problem solved a way through the door when there wasn’t a door.

In the beginning, before there is money, there is only you and it’s your job to gather a team around your project. In these early stages there is still no money involved, so chances are your team will be people that love your script and believe it will get made. Let’s face it, until your film hits the screen, faith is the one currency you have. So, anyone you bring onto your project should also have faith and help you to get the script/ project into the right hands. Six or seven people trying to get your film made is better than just you. This means your director should have her managers and agents read it so they can get excited about it and want to push it, your producing partners should be reaching out to any and all contacts they have and your DP should be mentioning it to previous work contacts. All in the hopes to get more and more people excited about the film.

But getting the script read can take some patience. First people have to agree to read it (sometimes the hardest part), then they actually have to read it. And, depending on whether or not they like it, they will probably need time to turn around any notes for you. This process takes time. SIDEBAR: getting notes from execs is a true luxury. Never look at notes as a negative. If someone in the industry takes the time to give you some notes, consider this a huge gift and really think about what they have to say. A good writer knows how to rewrite.

So, while people are reading your script, or while you’re figuring out how to even get this script to people… what can you do in the down time? Answer: work your ass off.

Lunches:
I have taken just about every friend I have who’s ever made a film or been a part of making a film out to lunch. Your friends are a database of information on the “how to’s” for making a film. I’ve learned a ton about what mistakes not to make, the right way to approach people and tips on beefing up the “package.” Chances are, if you live in LA, you know a bunch of people who can be resources for ideas.

AFM:
I took some of the money from my first investor and bought myself a pass to the American Film Market which ran about $450. First I got a copy of the booklet they offer which lists every company that will be attending. Then I looked up every single company online to figure out which of these would be a good fit for our project. Next, I called all the appropriate companies and set up meetings with them during the festival to discuss “Olive and Mocha”. Lastly, I pounded the pavement, talking with production companies, distribution companies and anybody really who would give me 5 minutes of their time. I cannot tell you what an amazing experience this was. I learned so much about what the industry is looking for right now, how companies try to sell films in my genre, what distribution companies need in order to make their money back over seas, etc, etc, etc. I even met with a few distribution companies who seemed positive about being able to distribute the film and a production company that ended up taking a serious look at funding the picture. All because I got up off the couch and pounded the pavement.

Grants:
Submitting your project for grants is another great way to move your project forward. Does your movie star mainly children? Is your film about a subgenre of people? Do you have an eco-doc on your hands? Research grants online… there are thousands. We’ve been submitting to grants and festivals that target female filmmakers but this is just a tiny subgenre of the money on the table. Even if your project doesn’t get picked, you will have the opportunity to have your script read by individuals who wouldn’t have otherwise. In the chance that your project does win a grant, this will add to the sellability of your project to execs. If someone else has approved your film for something, then it makes it easier for others to approve it as well.

Shoot something!:
One thing I realized is that it is much easier for someone to give you a lot of money for a film if they can see your vision. So, my team and I have decided to shoot a short using characters from the film. I wrote a companion piece to the film and am funding the short with seed money from our first investor. Not only will shooting this short give us something to show future investors/ production companies/ distribution companies, but it will also give my production team a dry run of working together. Focusing on a small shoot will give us all a something to bond around and allow us to walk into any room with a nice sample of what we can do.

We all need to realize that there are A-list directors, actors and producers who, despite their best efforts, cannot get projects made. So, needless to say, the odds are against us. But, you can’t let the odds disuade you! Get out there! Think outside the box! Keep trying! Beat those god damn odds!