An Offer to Disgruntled Filmmakers Who Feel They Missed Out on a Cheap SCARLET....

[Jeremiah Kuehne]

Just curious considering so many have offered their ideas for short films..isn't this supposed to be a feature? And also, I don't have anything written..but I had this idea for a book/movie that might be able to take advantage of a global setting as well as some VFX if anyone's curious.

 

[Erik Bien]

I hope you quit your daytime job to take on this new Movement full-time!

Josh, that more or less describes what Meryem already did: quit her gig as a college film studies professor, started her own production company, bought a RED and some Master Primes, optioned a terrific script, made her own movie. (I know all this 'cause we have worked together before, and I played a small role in said flick.)

 

[Curran Giddens]

I don't have much to offer except for camera gear. I'm sure with all the redusers here offering to help you probably already have access to plenty of camera gear.

But if you do some greenscreen shots and need some rotoscoping done, then I am willing to give it a go. I can also "fix it in post" when there are some problems with a greenscreen shot.

 

[Lee Saxon]

Please can we make this a reality show. It'd be the first one I ever watch

 

[Kristin Stewart]

Great post, Meryem ;-) I can't wait to see what's going to happen in the end !

Kristin

 

[Anthony Vu]

I think this idea is a good one. However, may I suggest it be a Documentary. The reality show stigma doesn't allow this effort to be submitted into film festivals. You potentially kill two birds with one stone. Either way, the behind the scenes story to this is pretty amazing.

Please can we make this a reality show. It'd be the first one I ever watch

 

[Steve Das]

Just curious considering so many have offered their ideas for short films..isn't this supposed to be a feature?...

Yes..believe feature film according to Meryem's first post...she is at AFM now with her first film..so this will be her second one.

...I have a goal, to make 3 feature films that I can be really proud of ....

 

[Erich Ocean]

Yes..believe feature film according to Meryem's first post...she is at AFM now with her first film..so this will be her second one.

I agree that's what she wrote, but on the other hand...look at her list of qualifications! IMO, the entire purpose of her post was to demonstrate to those few individuals who believe that the only reason they can't make a "feature" is that they don't have an affordable Scarlet (and supporting gear), that that is simply not true.

It's not obvious when you're starting out, but the camera is pretty much the LEAST of your problems. There are so many other things that you need to do to ACTUALLY make a film, and the camera is quite low on that list. (This is not to say it's not important; rather, that the camera is NOT the limiting factor, and hasn't been for at least three years, if not longer -- thanks Jim!) If she succeeds at getting any filmmaker looking at the rest of the stuff they need to do (cast, budget, business plan, locations, script, etc.) she'll have succeeded in helping them, even though they'll soon discover they don't really need her Scarlet offer at all (most likely) -- and if they do, all the better!

I submitted a short film because I really don't have any features where the camera is a meaningful part of the budget. I'm not an "indie" director, I know that. It sucks. I can't tell you how much I wish I had a knack for doing low-budget stuff, but those just aren't the concepts I resonate with. Out of 16 different feature films I've got in development, only two are "low-budget" features -- and both have Jason Reitman-sized budgets (e.g. not low). Neither will be commercial successes. Oh well.

Anyway, the script I submitted is, at least, worthy of being made under the "content is king" mantra. I'm sure I'll make it at some point. But I could make it now with the level of support being offered on this project, and it's short enough that we can all be proud of the result, IMO.

I totally respect her desire to make features. I also respect her desire to make a great film, and I'd like to think my short falls into that category. ;-) One reason I created it was the generally poor (IMO) quality of short films at the Oscars. I wanted to do something that had the same kind of power the opening of Up had, and the level of polish you normally associated with the stuff you seen at the theater.

Since short films are almost by definition non-commercial, you really can only do them by either (a) just spending the money, and/or (b) getting a group of professionals together to work on it. I can put in $20K, and also wrangle people from another project of mine, plus the people on the board and Meryem, to get this thing made.

You can read the script here (feedback appreciated): The Other Baby (13 pages)

I'm putting the script out there mostly so that people can politely decline the project who really only want to work on a feature. Or alternatively, can get excited about the thought of doing a really good short.

Best, Erich

 

[Nathaniel Sticco]

Great, inspiring thread!

 

[Meryem Ersoz]

Meryem,

Thank you again for the wonderful offer. You have no idea how much I truly appericate it. On friday though, I will no longer be qualified. I have dipped into money that I most likely should not, and I will be a Scarlet owner. Despite this fact, this is awesome of the RED community. I wish I could donate, but I do not have much after the purchases. Just best wishes to who ever makes their feature.

well congrats, Christian, for being the agent of your own destiny and the captain of your ship - hope you have an awesome time with your new purchase...

To Rob - on second thought - this is a scripts only, no pitches campaign. I'd like to at least know that the candidate is capable of climbing the first mountain on their own, since there are four more after that, all bigger and more daunting....

 

[Meryem Ersoz]

Yes..believe feature film according to Meryem's first post...she is at AFM now with her first film..so this will be her second one.

well, the one I'm currently working on, at AFM, is the only one that I am the sole producer/exec producer of...

I've worked on a handful of other feature films, six in all I think, in other capacities (camera op, DIT, associate producer, executive producer, 1st AC - uh, we wear a lot of hats in CO...)...so this won't be my second feature, exactly - because it won't be mine. Or maybe it will, in part - all that parceling out of credits remains to be seen.

Mainly, I'll just be lending a hand (and suddenly lots of other hands as well - didn't see that one coming!!).

The ultimate goal is to pass it off to someone who can take this ball all the way up the field.

(sports metaphors comin atcha!)

 

[Nesdon Booth]

This is cool

This is cool

I would love to see something like this succeed. Just what I've hoped the biz would morph into, like some Filmdog Collective.

I'm kind of an old fart, semi-retired production designer polymath teaching film school, but still a few races left in the haunches. Got a decent script, some locations, plan and permission for a week of shooting at Burning Man. Never much for the business end of this town, but born and bred, in Hollywood, in the industry, so know the score.

Check it out: Hipster hippie hiphop, la vie boheme, fathers, sons, god, drugs and Santa Claus. So long Santa Claus.
nesdon@gmail.com

 

[Collin Morrow]

I would love to see something like this succeed. Just what I've hoped the biz would morph into, like some Filmdog Collective.

I'm kind of an old fart, semi-retired production designer polymath teaching film school, but still a few races left in the haunches. Got a decent script, some locations, plan and permission for a week of shooting at Burning Man. Never much for the business end of this town, but born and bred, in Hollywood, in the industry, so know the score.

Check it out: Hipster hippie hiphop, la vie boheme, fathers, sons, god, drugs and Santa Claus. So long Santa Claus.
nesdon@gmail.com

this guy taught the best class i had at film school

 

[Zhibo Lai]

Love the spirit and energy in this post. I've just started up a VFX company here in DC, and would like to add my VFX services to the collection. I will also be getting a Scarlet-X and you can add that into the pool for any DC scenes that need to be shot. I've many connections in the film industry around the area, so can definitely help with production and pre-pro logistics for DC based scenes.

I've also been working on a feature script along similar lines to Ark Hunter (love the concept, btw, interested in learning more) but in a different direction. I hope to finish the script by end of 2012.

Thank you Meryem for getting this started...

 

[Detlev Eller]

... i think, a project website could be useful ...

where all kind of contributions and offers are collected,
locations, staff, genius, creativity, acting ... phone lines ... cars ... tea and beer ... beds ... nice views from the window ... (!)

everything.


then,
in a second step ...

... a story concept may emerge ...
one that grows from the resources given ...

we can gather photos, scribbles, links ...
in virtual boxes and make it a global development ...

should gather tons of press,
traffic (website visitors) that is ...

we could engage other artists to contribute or have cameos ...

i could provide such a platform (web based),
if you´d give me a couple of days to get it started ...

we could also monetize - and depending on traffic volume - finance this, with ads and add the profit to the project budget ...

imagine 10% of RED owners contribute one day ... contributing some footage ... some magic moment ...
we could develop a story concept around global, universal consciousness ... synchronicity and serendipity ... the human condition ... authentic life and depth ...

we could make it a score driven movie, that lives and breathes from strong graphic images .... and dramatic music.
and would play in all countries equally well ... and connect humanity.

we would all share the same experience, every theater in the world. every party and event held to enjoy this.

direction could be centralized via the site,
with framing and color guides ... probably uploading stills while shooting ...
so that the footage cuts well together and the story flows nicely ...


imagine further down the road,
our community here on red, spreads the word into the facebook and twitter social graphs ...

sound sexy to me,
what do you girlzz and boyz think ...

)


Detlev

 

[Zeb B]

Without individual ownership, then leadership and structure most great ideas fade. Life gets in the way

 

[Detlev Eller]

Without individual ownership, then leadership and structure most great ideas fade. Life gets in the way

... it needs excellent leadership and vision ....

i guess, it needs a format, where every single person, that offers contribution and is technically / professionally / artistically or otherwise able to contribute ... finds her place ...

... it could be making coffee .... cheering up the crew ... ;-)

the art is,
to devise a platform or approach,
where the individual can contribute to her strengths
and at the same time ...

... having it melt to a greater end result.

which would be a "celebration" of life, creativity.


it takes a special kind of mind, awareness, see through, kindness, respect, curiosity and attitude
to achieve this ...

i am confident,
we have more than one such talent among us ...

 

[Michael Dalton]

Nice Post, and very generous.

I don't have an epic, but I do have a scarlet on the way and similar to Meryem I will offer my services and camera to people in need in Toronto (only). But I'll welcome short films. However it comes with a clause... You must have to have a script, a plan, and someone who is really serious about driving the project forward, so much so they rather almost face death then failure. Also... If you have a script and a plan, it must be a stepping stone to something bigger... a series, or a much larger concept film. Like many here, I scrapped some cash together, bought a camera and plane ticket to Africa and shot a documentary. The smart thing was I shot a pilot. That pilot landed me a series on Animal Planet and a career as a producer/director. I'm now looking to bigger things.

There is a wealth of knowledge in these posts, but do a lot of the scarlet want-a-bes have the ability to understand what it means. I think any talent is secondary to drive in this or any business to get to the top. If your not the best at what do, You need to surround your self with good people who share your vision. I agree with the people who have posted about 90% of script sucking, and about un realistic goals and budgets. I've made a good career out of carving a niche for myself selling my films to National Geographic, Discovery and lots of others. But I'm also realistic by what I can accomplish, but still keep challenging myself.

So if you live in Toronto, and need a camera, impress me! you can find me at Serengeti films. My time is worth more then a camera, and I don't want to waste it on anyone who does not really want it. Just because you hang out here with professionals does not mean you'll become one. It takes a lot more, and an unbelievable amount of hard work.

Having said that, if 20,000 users also want to contribute cash to Meryem's proposal, I've just finished a GOOD script. Set in Africa, which I'm sure everyone would like to come to work on, but I need 15 Million. ;0

Thanks Meryem, your generosity is inspirational

 

[Detlev Eller]

Love ... ... the best story in the world.

Love ... ... the best story in the world.

inspirational thinking ...

... here is some interesting research / statistics:

On average, the word "LOVE" is typed about 70 times per second into google ... over 2 Billion times per year ...

there are hundreds of little stories to be told ...

In regard of what i have written in a prior posts,
i now have come up with a concept that could involve everyone with a RED shooting 4k and make for an exciting movie ... promise ... ;-)

This would not be about one story, one exceptional script ...
but about many little stories that can be created collaboratively, directed by one and (hopefully) masterfully edited together to one earth inspiring film ...

It would be in the hands of our masters as well as beginners with fresh sight and approaches alike to gather the images for this film.

It would be exciting to see the story evolve ... and i would know how to direct it, so it connects and cuts.
Actually, i can see already tons of "aha" moments ... this can be a "one of a kind movie experience" - only possible in collaboration.

yes. thinking a little bit different here ...

There is a story hidden in us, that connects all of humanity,
its our job to shape it - from the heart.


Detlev


P.S: Mereym, could this approach fit into your initial idea ... or are you more inclined to go the traditional route?

if the image is not visible, you either need to register and log in or you can find it here ... http://www.filmcollaboration.com/

 

[Zeb B]

Anyone know of the USA equal to this:

http://www.makemymovie.co.nz/about/